FROM THE FOUNDER
HELLO WORLD!
WHEN I FIRST WROTE THE WORDS“ Hello World” on the Gravel Burn website, it was simply an idea I was sharing: a thought that the wide gravel roads of South Africa might be the perfect canvas for a new kind of stage race. That spark has since caught fire, and today, as we stand on the edge of the inaugural Nedbank Gravel Burn, I am struck by how many people chose to believe in something that had not yet happened.
Events like this are not built by individuals; they are built by communities. What began as the outline of a vision is now a fully fledged race because so many people committed themselves wholeheartedly to it. Old friends and new colleagues came together with energy, creativity and determination. It is their work that riders will experience from the start line in Knysna and every day that follows.
What makes this even more remarkable is the faith shown by our sponsors: every major partner has committed before the first edition has even taken place. It is rare in sport for a brand to back a race before a wheel has turned, and rarer still for an entire family of sponsors to do so. To Nedbank, our title sponsor, and to every partner who has stepped in alongside them, I want to extend my deepest thanks. You have given us the resources and the confidence to present a complete and mature event from day one. Without you, none of this would be possible.
We also owe an enormous debt to the landowners and farmers who have welcomed us onto their land. By opening their gates, they have not only given us a route, but also the chance to create infrastructure that will remain long after the riders are gone. Boreholes, reservoirs and other facilities we have created will serve these communities for years, becoming part of the lasting legacy of Nedbank Gravel Burn. The generosity and hospitality of landowners and farmers lie at the heart of this event.
To the 522 riders from 28 different countries across the globe who secured a place: thank you too for taking the plunge. Entering an event in its very first year is an act of faith. You are not just racing across 800 kilometres of gravel roads; you are helping to shape the character of an event that will carry on into the future.
This magazine, published alongside the very first Gravel Bike Mag, is both a guide and a celebration. It contains the stories of the regions we will pass through, the people you will meet along the way, and the details of the experience that awaits. My hope is that it fuels your anticipation as much as it has fuelled our determination to deliver something extraordinary.
In just a few weeks, we will gather at the start in Knysna. We will ride across the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, through the Karoo, and finally into Shamwari. It will be demanding, inspiring and, we believe, unforgettable.
Thank you to everyone who has made this possible. Now it is time to get on our bikes.
KEVIN VERMAAK Founder, Nedbank Gravel Burn
06 NEDBANK GRAVEL BURN