Finding the Line: How the Pangea Rally Route Was Born

Adventure riders on the Pangea Rally route emerging from the Cederberg’s rugged valleys.

The Pangea Rally route was born from thousands of kilometres of exploration, testing, and refining. It’s more than a motorcycle journey, it’s a line that connects the Sea, the Berg, and the Karoo through South Africa’s most diverse landscapes. Built by riders for riders, the route captures the raw spirit of adventure travel.

There’s a rhythm to riding South Africa’s backroads. It’s the same rhythm you feel when shaping a surfboard or tracing a perfect line across a wave - part instinct, part respect for what the land gives you. When we started designing the Pangea Rally route, we weren’t just connecting points on a map. We were chasing that rhythm.

A Route Built, Not Planned

Every good ride starts with curiosity. The Pangea Rally route was born from years of exploring on two wheels, testing passes, dead ends, river crossings, and tracks that don’t appear on GPS. I’ve ridden these roads a thousand times, sometimes alone and sometimes with friends, and each time the Karoo, the Berg, and the Sea offered something new.

Every twist and climb on the Pangea Rally route was shaped by exploration and instinct.

Our goal was to find a line that captures the soul of South Africa. The Cape Fold Mountains gave us that structure. From the coast near Cape Town through the rugged Cederberg and into the heart of the Karoo, every section carries its own rhythm. Tar becomes gravel, gravel turns to dust, and dust fades into silence.

Why These Roads for the Pangea Rally Route

South Africa has thousands of mountain passes, but we didn’t want easy. We wanted roads that test you, that make you stop, breathe, and realise just how far you’ve come.

The Cederberg demanded endurance. The Tankwa tested patience. The Karoo, with its endless horizon, taught humility. By the time you reach the vineyards and ocean again, you’ve experienced everything this country has to offer, not just in scenery but in spirit.

Cogmanskloof Pass connecting Ashton and Montagu - one of many legendary roads on the route.

Every climb, descent, and stretch of gravel tells a story of human hands and wild landscapes. Thomas Bain carved some of these passes more than a century ago, and they still shape the rhythm of travel here today.

From Shaping bay Dust to Karoo Dust

I’ve spent most of my life shaping surfboards and chasing flow. The rally feels like the same pursuit, only in a different element. When you hit the right line through a mountain pass, you feel that same glide - you, the machine, and the terrain all moving as one.

Ant Butler sanding the rail of a custom board at his Ferral Surfboards workshop, where craftsmanship meets adventure.

Designing this route was no different. It had to flow. It had to challenge. But most of all, it had to tell a story.

The Spirit of the Ride

The Pangea Rally isn’t about racing. It’s about reconnecting with what adventure used to mean before everything was mapped and predictable. It’s about coffee in the middle of nowhere, fixing a puncture in the wind, and sharing stories under a Karoo night sky.

We chose the route because it forces you to slow down and feel the landscape shift around you. It's not about the mainstream, it's about the individual. From fynbos to desert, from tar to track, from mountain to ocean. It’s a journey designed by riders for riders who still believe adventure should have a little uncertainty in it.

Adventure riders gather on the final stretch of the Pangea Rally route, where the horizon seems to go on forever.

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Experience the landscapes that shaped the journey, the Sea, the Berg, and the Karoo.

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FAQ Section

How was the Pangea Rally route designed?

The route was built through years of riding and exploration, shaped to capture South Africa’s three defining landscapes; the Sea, the Berg, and the Karoo. You can read Anton Butler’s full story above or explore our Cape Fold Passes Guide.

Where can I learn more about the Karoo section of the route?

We’ve dedicated a full article to it - Discover the Karoo: Great, Little, and Tankwa. It explores what makes this semi-desert landscape the spiritual heart of the rally.

What kind of motorcycle is best for the rally?

Ride what you are most comfortable on. We recommend mid-weight adventure bikes that balance comfort and agility. Models like the Yamaha Tenere 700, BMW F900, or Honda Africa Twin are great choices. See our Rally Prep Guide for full setup tips.

Can anyone ride the Pangea Rally route?

Yes, if you’re confident on gravel and have basic off-road skills. The rally welcomes both seasoned riders and adventurous newcomers.