KNYSNA NEWS - We are just a couple of days away from the inaugural Nedbank Gravel Burn, which gets under way in Knysna this weekend. This is no ordinary bicycle ride.
A seven-day 800km solo gravel stage race that starts on Sunday 26 October will take riders on an unforgettable journey from the lush forests of the Garden Route to the ruggedness of the Eastern Cape.
From Knysna, riders will set off through scenic forest trails before heading into the wide open Great Karoo.
After several days of challenging climbs, dirt roads and remote camp nights, they will cross the finish line in Shamwari Private Game Reserve.
The Gravel Burn has already made waves in the international cycling community. It is designed as a solo challenge, meaning every rider competes independently, testing both endurance and mental toughness over the course of the week.
Huge international names in cycling have climbed aboard, including men’s field stars such as Tom Pidcock (UK) and Lachlan Morton (Australia) from the men’s pro category.
On the women’s side, the roster features headline riders like Alison Jackson (Canada), winner of the 2023 Paris-Roubaix Femmes; Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (South Africa), one of the country’s most accomplished road cyclists; and Lauren Stephens (USA).
Riders will experience a unique blend of racing and camaraderie, with nights spent in specially created ‘Burn Camps’ under the stars.
These camps will offer a taste of local hospitality, culture and Karoo-inspired cuisine, providing riders with a chance to recover and connect after long days in the saddle.
The event has partnered with Red Bull South Africa to launch the Night Burn, a chase-the-fox style criterium taking place after stage 3 in Blaauwater on Tuesday 28 October.
Bonfires will light the loop in the night sky as music from live DJs carries through the camp, and along with the cheers of fellow riders, it will create a race atmosphere unlike anything else in the week.
The event features more than 11 000m of total ascent, and with the field its attracted, it looks set to become, like the Absa Cape Epic, and iconic South African cycling event on the international calendar.
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