Each day of the first edition of the Nedbank GRAVEL BURN
What happened out on the road? We have four seasons in one day. And certainly over the course of the whole week. Rain. Thunder. Hail. Frost. Gusts. Whirlwinds. Sun. and fun. Have a look at what transpired day by day during the inaugural Nedbank GRAVEL BURN race which spanned 800 kms in 7 days with 11000 meters of climbing. From the coast at the Garden Route. All the way up and inland to about 2000 meters above sea level. To head back south(east) and finish in Shamwari big five game lodge in the Eastern Cape of sunny South Africa.
- Day 1 – sopnat Simola
- Day 2 – intermediate sprint
- Day 3 – up & up & night burn
- Day 4 – favourite stretch
- Day 5 – long tar
- Day 6 – longest neutral
- Day 7 – big five finish
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Gravel burn day 1 to AVONTUUR
Sopnat Simola…
The Nedbank GRAVEL BURN day 1 saw a rainy start from Knysna and up Simola. Then I touched gravel for seemingly the first time on the Diverge. And it was quite the slippery experience. I remember thinking to myself, ‘waarmee is jy nou besig’, and hoping we have some better weather inland. Day one at only 84kms and with 2000m+ climbing was always going to be the one I struggle with most, but the pouring rain meant I wasn’t the only one.
Towards the end of the day my front derailleur wasn’t shifting anymore and I went in granny gear down the mountain. Some water into the gears after the final climb helped and we made the finish line in relative time. alas, just in time for an ice cold shower, which was where the cold started. Plus some frosted cycling kit the next morning.
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Gravel burn day 2 to WILLOWMORE
Intermediate sprint and bus transfer…
The day started with some smooth tar out of Avontuur until we hit Uniondale and then hooked a right out of town and onto the gravel. Stage 2 of the Nedbank GRAVEL BURN was 108km with 1150 meters of climbing. And it saw us cross from the Western Cape into the Eastern Cape. But long before that happened, we first went up the most difficult climb of the whole week. It was a short and steep bit entitled THE SHALLOT, but with so many riders around someone was bound to get off his or her bike and cause a ripple or domino effect all the way back and then everyone ended up walking that last steep bit. Which wasn’t all bad.
At around 60kms came the intermediate 1km sprint in which you could qualify for a spot in the Redbull NIGHT BURN the following evening. Which was on an ever so slightly upwards sloping section. The last bit towards Willowmore wasd flat and into a strong headwind and suited me to a T, with a final bit of tar leading to the finish line. And then a bus transfer from Willowmore to the jewel of the karoo which is Graaff-Reinet.
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Gravel burn day 3 to BLAAUWATER
UP and UP!
Day 3 of the first Nedbank GRAVEL BURN was a route profile that doesn’t quite suite my body type. As the elevation profile points up for pretty much the whole day. With some brief respite after Conical Peak somewhere in the middle. The 90km stage with about 1500 meters of climbing saw us over the spectacular Compasberg view before the final looooong drag up along the railway line with a kicker right at the end. To finish in Blaauwater where we will be camping for two nights.
And the poor soul who finished just in front of me collapsed after crossing the line and fell into a thorn bush on the side of the road where I helped to untangle his bib. Yip, it was hot at this point. Long forgotten was the rain from day 1. And I was looking forward to the Hyperice recovery boots session, which quickly became a firm favourite in the afternoons.
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Redbull NIGHT BURN
Last man standing.
Here it was. A night race. A fox chase. After dinner we walked over to the Redbull arch along the start/finish line for tomorrow. There was massive fire burning and spirits were high as the sun faded. Tom Pidcock was the main man. And there were a handful of selected females and male races which set of in front, riding laps, after which Tom set off with a handicap and had to pass all the riders one by one. To find out who is the last man and woman standing.
By the time they raced it was pitch black and we all stood in the middle or around the track to observe. Like karoo sheep. And man, what a race it was. It was at this point that you realize at what speed a pro like Pidcock can pass an amateur like the rest! He made his way around the field in no time and passed the very last rider with a jump(!) in spectacular fashion. I’m sure Redbull couldn’t have asked for better.
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Gravel burn day 4 around BLAAUWATER
My favourite stretch on here…
Nedbank GRAVEL BURN stage 4 was a full Nelson of 111kms in distance with 1450 meters of climbing so fairly flat, all things considered. After the night burn the previous evening and into some headwind right from the start, no-one cared to sit in front in our group and I went to do my duties, which lasted all up until the first climb when many of them got away from me over Tafelkop and Leeukop. But then came a glorious vast open expanse that slowly went up to the highest point of the day at Kom se Pas (just shy of 2000 meters above sea level).
And then the fun began. My favourite part of the whole GRAVEL BURN. An fast flowing and open stretch almost all the way down to the quient little village of the Nieu-Bethasda water point. And then back home. Over Tafelkop again. And another downwards finish to overtake a few riders before the finish line.
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Gravel burn day 5 to MERINO
Finally some tar…
Over half of day 5 of the Nedbank GRAVEL BURN would be on tar. 137km in distance with about 1600 meters of climbing. But that doesn’t make it any easier by default. case in point was Matt Beers who punctured right from the get-go. Fortunately he had fellow local riders and quickly got a wheel swopped to continue. Less fortunate and without a team around him was Chris, who also punctured right after the start, but the had to walk up the climb and finally only got a new tire at the first waterpoint which was a good almost 50kms into the stage. Imagine that. Even hardcore Race Director Kati Csak was impressed when she saw him much later on towards the end of the stage, initially not thinking he would make the days’ cut off. It just goes to show. Vasbyt.
Either way, I skipped the first WP and went with the group for most of the day, seeing a crash, and then catching other riders on the way up the pass (can you image that) to the mountain top finish. And while everyone was catching their breath I rolled down to the finish for a beer. Long day done.
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Gravel burn day 6 to GWANISHI
Neutralized queen stage…
Nedbank GRAVEL BURN stage 6 had more of the STROH RUM gravel then the champagne gravel everyone has been talking about in marketing blurbs all week. This queen stage was 144kms with only 1700 meters of climbing, but tricky terrain. And the day started with heavy winds and a delayed start. And the a decision to move the racing element to only start from after the first water point, about 50kms into the race.
But on the final descent there was a nasty crash in the prop peloton and an appeal to neutralize the whole stage, which they promptly did. So what I was looking forward to as the best stage to improve in the rankings turned out to be a moot point and everyone kept they GC standings as is. Pity.
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Gravel burn day 7 to SHWAMWARI
Finish among the big five…
The final day of the inaugural Nedbank GRAVEL BURN was one that suited me to a tee. 112kms with just 1250 meters of climbing. Which mains fairly flat and fit for momentum. And it turned out to be my best stage by far. I did feel sorry for Ashleigh Moolman Pasio who puncture just before going through Alicedale and things went pear-shaped for her from there.
On a personal note I am happy to have stayed with the bunch up the climbs and dropping them towards the end. All is well that ends well. Just be careful of the sandy patch towards the end, roundabout the gauntlet in the latter parts of the stage!
Get there!
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