You will need a high volume gravel endurance bike for this expedition. Tubeless tyre setups are highly recommended with a volume of at least 700 x 44c/650b x 2” to smooth out your ride over the gravel roads of the Western Cape.

Riders will be able to vehicle transport a small bag of personal items between accommodation each day. Riders will be expected to be self supported during each day of riding, carrying everything they will need during the day. This includes ride snacks, water and riding clothes for all conditions. Standard bike packing equipment will be most suitable for transporting this gear.

Expedition guides are experienced cyclists and mechanics and will be able to help with any mechanical problems that may arise however you should be completely self-sufficient with spare tubes, puncture repair systems, tools etc to keep yourself rolling. Once on the expedition there are limited bike shops on route.

You will need to bring your own bike to ride on this expedition. You must start this expedition with your bike in good working order, with new or near new tyres and drivetrain in good working order. We recommend a thorough service by a professional mechanic before you arrive in Stellenbosch.

A more extensive list of requirements will be provided to participants.

We want to make sure this expedition is for you. The riding is challenging with a mix of surfaces from rocky tracks to fast sealed roads. You must be in excellent physical shape, capable of cycling 100km with 2,000m of climbing in a single day on gravel roads.

You must be prepared to do this day after day for seven days. If this sounds exciting to you and you have proven that you are up for the challenge then we can't wait to ride with you.

Passport

Your passport must be valid for 6 months from your arrival date. It should also have at least two blank pages when you arrive in South Africa.

Visa requirements

For a large number of countries, their citizens can enter South Africa visa-free for limited periods. Please check your individual visa requirements prior to departure.

Vaccinations

A number of vaccinations may be recommended depending on your origin. Please ensure you check these recommendations prior to departure. COVID–19 entry requirements are not currently in place to enter South Africa.

Weather

In October the weather is expected to be dry with mild temperatures. Overnight the temperature may drop into the low teens so pack appropriate clothing.

Currency

South African Rand. We advise you to carry some cash rather than relying on the use of credit card facilities.

For those travelling internationally, travel insurance is compulsory. As a minimum, we require that you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country, before joining the expedition, we need you to confirm that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur and you need medical treatment.

There are no major safety concerns along the route. Extreme care has been taken in planning the expedition with extensive reconnaissance and local information sources.

Inclusions:

• Cyclist-friendly, comfortable and at times truly unique South African accommodation

• 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 9 dinners

• Welcome dinner and drinks events

• Farewell breakfast

• Bus transfer on from Stellenbosch to Plettenberg Bay

• Experienced guide, with global cycle touring and bikepacking experience, and first aid training will cycle with the group every day.

• Pro mechanical support to resolve issues on the trail and provide minor tune ups along the way

• Transport vehicle to move a small bag of personal belongings for each rider from accommodation locations each day (riders will carry all gear, snacks, water, and clothing they will need each day on their own bikes)

• Itinerary, including GPS files for each day of riding

• Daily rider briefings

• One laundry service during the expedition

• Contingency arrangements for dangerous weather, road closures, injury or sickness

• Expedition GPS tracking

Exclusions:

• Flights

• Travel and medical insurance

• Visa costs

• Transfers to between airports and Stellenbosch

• Meals and drinks not specified in itinerary

• Bike hire

• Bikepacking bags

• Bicycle parts and accessories costs and workshop fees for additional bike repair

• There is no support vehicle. Riders will ride as an unsupported group under the leadership of the expedition leader

Do I need to take out travel insurance?

Yes. Travel insurance is a compulsory item to attend the expedition. Proof of insurance will need to be shown in order to secure your booking.

What bags should I use to carry my gear?

We recommend a handlebar roll or saddle bag to carry spare clothing during the day. A top tube or handlebar mounted feedbag is a good idea for carrying snacks and sunscreen. We can work with you on setting up your bike for the expedition.

Do I need to be a strong cyclist to ride this expedition?

You don’t need to be the strongest cyclist in the world to ride this expedition. However, you do need to have a solid level of fitness and some experience riding long distances, particularly over gravel roads. It is advisable to have bikepacked previously. The daily distances should not be a new circumstance to you.

How do I get to Stellenbosch?

Most major airlines offer flights to Cape Town International, only a 30 minute taxi ride from Stellenbosch. We recommend arriving well ahead of the Saturday morning starting time to give yourself plenty of time to acclimatize and allow for any travel associated delays.

Why can I get more information?

If you have any questions about the expedition feel free to get in touch at expeditions@curvecycling.com

Please read our Curve Expeditions Booking Conditions, too, for further information.

By making a payment (either a deposit or full payment) for a Curve Expedition booking, you acknowledge that you have read and understood, and agree to, the following Booking Conditions.

1. Deposits and Payments

a. In order to confirm your place on an expedition, you must pay a deposit.

b. The deposit is 50% of the full expedition price. You may make a full payment for your expedition as a single payment.

c. The balance of the payment is due 90 days before the start date.

d. If payment is not received when due, Curve reserves the right to treat the reservation as cancelled.

e. To confirm your place on an expedition less than 90 days before the start date full payment is required.

2. Cancellation Policy - Cancellation by Expeditioner

If for any reason you need to cancel your expedition, a penalty is payable as shown below:

Days before start date (inclusive)

Cancellation Fee

181 or more

0%. Full refund

31 - 180

50%. If a 50% deposit has been paid you will forfeit your deposit

0 - 30

100%. No refund

3. Cancellation Policy - Cancellation by Curve

You will receive a full refund. Alternatively, at your choice, all monies paid can be applied as a credit for a future expedition, or Curve product.

4. Travel Insurance - Medical

a. Travel insurance is mandatory for all expeditioners. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of US$200,000 for each of the categories of cover.

b. Your travel insurance must include cover for cycling activities and the associated risks.

c. It is your responsibility to ensure you have travel insurance in place before you travel. You must provide your travel insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number no less than seven days before the start date. You will not be able to join the expedition without these details.

d. If you have travel insurance connected to your credit card or bank account please ensure you have details of the participating insurer, the insurance policy number and emergency contact number with you rather than the bank's name and credit card details.

5. Travel Insurance - Cancellations and Other

a.We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive trip cancellation insurance in case you need to cancel your expedition. Unfortunately something unexpected may occur after you pay your deposit, requiring you to cancel your expedition. Such events include, but are not limited to, an injury as you prepare for your expedition, sickness for you or someone close to you, and changes in your employment situation. Please take out comprehensive trip cancellation insurance at the time your expedition deposit is paid to make sure you are covered in the case that you need to cancel your expedition.b. We also strongly recommend your travel insurance covers cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss or damage to luggage, cycling equipment and other personal effects.

6. Transfer Policy

You may transfer your expedition ticket to another person, but only where this person meets all the requirements in relation to the trip.

7. Expedition Itinerary Alterations

Curve reserves the right to make accommodation and route modifications which become necessary due to circumstances beyond Curve’s control and undertakes to inform expeditioners as soon as possible. Curve reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary or inclusions/exclusions from what is advertised to the expedition date. Things often change from the planning stage to the expedition. These changes will be as minimal as possible and any change in value rectified inside the expedition.

8. Cycling Experience and Fitness

a. Cycling Experience: Curve expeditions are not for everyone. The riding is challenging with a mix of surfaces from rocky tracks to fast sealed roads and everything in between. You must be confident riding this wide range of unsealed surfaces.

b. Cycling Fitness: You must be in excellent physical shape, capable of cycling 100km with 2,000m of climbing in a single day on gravel roads. The distances and climbing involved require expeditioners to be in excellent physical condition. Expeditioners are required to cycle day after day for seven days, sometimes more, without a rest day. For your own enjoyment and safety, and also the enjoyment of your fellow expeditioners, you must ensure that you are of an appropriate level of fitness to participate in your expedition.

c. If this sounds exciting to you and you have proven that you are up for the challenge then Curve looks forward to welcoming you on one of our expeditions.

d. Curve staff will check your cycling experience and fitness as part of your booking process. You must answer any cycling experience or fitness related questions asked by Curve honestly, and work with Curve to decide whether the expedition will give you the experience you are seeking.

9. Other Conditions

a. Helmets: An approved cycling helmet must be worn at all times whilst cycling.

b. Drugs and Alcohol: You must not cycle when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

c. Medical Conditions: It is a condition of booking an expedition that you notify Curve of any medical conditions from which you suffer which may affect your ability to participate in the expedition.

d. Age Restrictions:

i. You must be at least 18 years of age.

ii. There is no upper age limit, though our expeditions are physically demanding and expeditioners must ensure they meet the cycling fitness and experience requirements before booking an expedition.

e. Your Bicycle: 

i. It is your responsibility to ensure your bike is serviced with, at worst, near new, robust tyres, before your expedition.

ii. It is your responsibility to ensure that your bike is suitable for the expedition. Curve staff will work with you to determine if your bike is appropriate for the expedition.

iii. Curve will not be liable for any damage or injury caused as a result of a failure caused by your bike, or its operation.

f. Bike Maintenance: It is your responsibility to bring with you any unique tools, electronic shifting chargers, special components which may be required for your bike. We will provide a “what to bring” list in your expedition information.

g. Following Instructions: You will follow the instructions delivered by the Curve Expedition team at all times.

10. Acknowledgement of Risk

a. You acknowledge that the nature of the expedition is adventurous and participation involves a degree of personal risk. You may be visiting places where the political, cultural and geographical attributes present dangers and physical challenges greater than those present in your daily life.

b. It is your own responsibility to acquaint yourself with all relevant travel information, including applicable health risks and the nature of your itinerary. You acknowledge that your decision to travel is made in light of consideration of this information and you accept that you are aware of the personal risks attendant upon such travel. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we accept no liability in relation to these additional risks.

c. You acknowledge that cycling activities are inherently dangerous. You recognise that there are specific risks associated with cycling activities including, but not limited to, accidents, collisions with other expeditioners, the remoteness of the areas in which your expedition takes place, sudden and unexpected changes in weather, physical exertion and difficulties in evacuation if you become disabled. You acknowledge that accidents can and often do happen during cycling activities which may result in me being injured or even killed, or my property being damaged.

11. Authority During Expeditions

a. Curve expeditions are run by a Curve expedition leader. The decision of the Curve expedition leader is final on all matters likely to affect the safety or well-being of any expeditioner or staff member participating in the expedition. If you fail to comply with a decision made by the expedition leader, interfere with the well-being of the group or Curve’s ability to run an expedition as planned, the expedition leader may direct you to leave the expedition immediately, with no right of refund. Curve may also elect not to carry you on any future expeditions booked.

b. You must at all times comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited.

12. Liability and service guarantee

Curve’s services, which include expeditions (Services), may come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under Australian Consumer Law. “Australian Consumer Law” means the uniform consumer protection law set out in Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (the CCA).

a. To the maximum extent permitted by law (including the CCA) Curve excludes all liability whatsoever to you or any other person (whether in contract tort or otherwise) for any loss (whether direct, indirect, consequential) including death or personal injury or damage of any kind that may be suffered as a result of any act or omission whether negligent or otherwise by or on behalf of Curve in connection with the Services or any other matter or thing relating to these Booking Conditions except to the extent that such loss or damage is incurred as a direct result of our fraud or wilful misconduct. This clause does not limit or exclude your rights under the CCA.

b. (Limitation of Liability) Where the law implies a warranty into these Booking Conditions which may not lawfully be excluded (in particular warranties under the CCA) our liability for breach of such a warranty will be limited to either supplying the Services again or payment of the cost of having the services supplied again.

c. (Indemnity) You indemnify Curve (and all of Curve’s subsidiaries, officers, employees, contractors and agents) against all losses, claims actions, proceedings, damages, costs and expenses (including legal fees) arising from any claim by a third party arising directly or indirectly out of or in connection with:

i. your access or use of the Services, this includes your delegate’s access or use of the Services; and

ii. any breach by you (or your delegate) of:

1. these Booking Conditions; or

2. any additional terms applicable to providing the Services, except to the extent that such loss or damage as a direct result of Curve’s fraud or wilful misconduct.

d.(Third parties) Curve contracts with a network of companies, activity providers, accommodation providers, airlines, coach and transfer companies, tour and local guides, government agencies, independent contractors and individuals to assist in the running of Curve’s expeditions as agent for these third parties (Third Party Supplier). Third Party Suppliers may also engage the services of local operators and sub-contractors. Although Curve takes all reasonable steps to select reputable Third Party Suppliers, we cannot be responsible for their acts or omissions. Any services provided by Third Party Suppliers may be subject to the terms and conditions imposed by these Third Party Suppliers and you may be required to sign additional terms. These may limit or exclude the liability of the Third Party Supplier. You acknowledge that Third Party Suppliers operate in compliance with the applicable laws of the countries in which they operate and Curve does not warrant that any Third Party Supplier is in compliance with the laws of your country of residence or any other jurisdiction.Curve is not responsible for the acts and omissions, whether negligent or otherwise, of these Third Parties Suppliers. Any disputes between you and any third party, are to be resolved solely between you and that party.e.(Vicarious liability) Curve shall not be held vicariously liable for the intentional or negligent acts of any persons not employed by Curve nor for any intentional or negligent acts of Curve’s employees committed while off duty or outside the course and scope of their employment.

13. Waiver

You will be required to sign this Release and Waiver of Liability before commencing the expedition.

14. Applicable law

The laws of Victoria, Australia govern these Booking Conditions to the fullest extent allowable. Nothing in these Booking Conditions, including this clause 14, affects your rights as a consumer to rely on any applicable local laws.