OTTO1890 PREPARING STAGE

Weekend Warrior is Heading to Lourensford

Sep 10, 2026 | Expedition Intel

Competitive mountain bikers navigating a technical, rocky descent on the rugged Grabouw trails during the Otto1890 Weekend Warrior stage race.

The Otto1890 Weekend Warrior series is officially expanding its footprint into one of South Africa’s most iconic wine estates. Bringing two days of stage racing, Helderberg mountain climbs, and full family village comfort to Lourensford Estate in October 2026.

Nestled at the base of the Helderberg mountains in Somerset West, Lourensford Estate is legendary among South African endurance cyclists. Known for hosting world-class mountain biking events, its labyrinth of private singletrack, steep gravel ascents, and vineyard contours offer an unmatched arena for stage racing.

A NEW ERA FOR WEEKEND WARRIORS

For years, Weekend Warrior has celebrated the pure spirit of accessible, family-focused stage racing at Grabouw. The addition of Lourensford brings that same inclusive camaraderie into a setting steeped in historical prestige. With routes designed for all experience brackets—from a flowing 12km taster to a rugged 52km test of endurance—every rider gets the full stage race experience without the extreme intimidation factor.

“We don’t just build races; we build family pilgrimages. Lourensford gives our riders access to trails usually closed to the general public, wrapped in the hospitality Weekend Warrior is famous for.”

— SHAUN GLOVER, RACE DIRECTOR

RIDING FOR MORE THAN A MEDAL

Beyond the trails, this expansion deepens our commitment to community impact. A portion of every Lourensford entry fee goes directly to Raise 4 A Child, a homegrown non-profit organization focused on providing vulnerable youth with educational resources, nutrition, and sports development.

📷 [ REPLACE WITH ARTICLE IMAGE ] RECOMMENDED DIMENSIONS: 1200 × 750 PX
Optional: Enter image caption or photographer credit here.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE RACE VILLAGE

Riders staying for the full weekend can expect premier camping packages, hot showers, craft food vendors, live acoustic sets, and a supervised children’s entertainment zone. Whether you are hunting podium glory or taking in the Helderberg vistas with your family, Lourensford 2026 is an essential calendar fixture.