Gravel Burn 2026: who’s in, where are you traveling from, tips and tricks?

Riding Events & Challenges
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G’day from Down Under.

First post here; I have no idea if I’ll get this right, or get replies, or even get interaction.

Gravel Burn 2025 looked great. I’m entered for the 2026 second running of the event. I’d like to hear from people traveling to the event from overseas, hear from people that rode ‘25 for do’s and don’ts, maybe hear from locals experienced in the areas the course will take us, travel plans etc. There may be a ‘26 topic posted already, but I can’t find it.

Who’s IN?

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So, as everyone is absolutely RUSHING* to contribute here, I’ll prod the fire to see if we can get a convo’ going.

Did you race ‘25? Did you go to the fast XC MTB tyres or wish you had? Did you get a VPN or similar for your phone/internets needs or just log in at the event HQ? These and many more questions…

*sarcasm

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Sorry for the lack of replies.

Try these two threads on the biggest South African website for some ideas;

Gravel Burn

https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/196954-gravel-burn-2025/#comment-3975002

Competitor race - Garden Route Giro

https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/199516-garden-route-giro-2026/#comments

Also look up Kevin Benkenstein on Instagram / FB - he’s one of the most experienced gravel racers who has come back from ultra events including your Race to the Rock, to “shorter” stuff.

He obsesses about bikes and setups for races - sure he did a recap on what worked well and what he’d change for Gravel Burn.

I think he raced a Stigmata with a suspension fork and 2.1 tires and was generally of the mind that it was the ideal setup.

Your biggest challenge on any stage race of that duration is not getting sick and making sure that your gut can handle days of hi carbs.

Start practicing borderline psychotic hygiene before you leave home and continue throughout race - washing hands often, conscious of water / where it comes from, mask on the plane, possibly antibacterial throat spray and gel in your nostrils when flying etc etc

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There we go: good advice! Thanks mate!

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Any Aussies returning/first timing GB2026?

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Hey @Jayson_Clarke , I totally missed this but thrilled you posted it and I found it.

I did Gravel Burn last year and it was the best event I’ve ever experienced. I fear that going back again will never compare and there’s always a danger of trying to repeat something like this, but I just couldn’t stay away.

If you haven’t seen it, I wrote about it here:

Also, on the Geek Warning podcast myself and Kevin Benkenstein (aka Benky) speak about the tech required for the race as well:

A few tips off the top of my head:

  • Use 50mm tires (or even 2.2’s if you can fit them). The course can get extremely rough and run them as low as you can go.
  • Don’t worry about a mullet set-up or anything like that. Standard gearing I found to be fine (I used XPLR Force with 40T chainring, and a 10-46T cassette)
  • My big regret from last year was not staying around for a safari in Shamwari. We’re gonna stay for an extra day this time around. Logistics look to get complicated and expensive for any longer though.
  • No VPN or anything needed for internet access. The organiser had good internet on site and you just use your wifi to connect. I also bought an eSIM, but didn’t use it much as the remote places had no coverage.

Let me know if you have any specific questions!

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Thanks @wade_wallace ! I heard that podcast with Benky; I’ve already implemented some ideas he mentioned! So, you’re doing it again this year? I’ll look forward to saying g’day if you do!

I’ve got a new Diverge Pro, so 2.2’s can be fitted. I’ve got 50mm on currently; wasn’t sure if I needed to go bigger, but it sounds like it’s a goer. I was a bit worried 2.2’s would be too slow on the longer road/smooth stuff, but I’ve got FastTraks so they should be fine.

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Yeah, I’d go with 2.2’s if I could but I don’t have the clearance. I haven’t taken a close look at the course yet, but last year there was a stage where 80km of it was on the road (a very welcome relief!) and it was very fast getting sucked along with the bunch, so you’ll be fine. The remaining 50km a was rough as, so you ll be happy with the 2.2’s!

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One thing as an Aussie I’ll be looking in to is bike clean up post race to keep the customs and agriculture teams happy. Another question would be vaccine shots required for the area. I can’t find much info on that stuff.

Clean water is also a bit of a concern of mine; nothing worse than an upset stomach. Maybe some water purification tablets for anything other than sealed bottles?

Cape Epic was always a hive of sickness in the food hall etc, but I’m hoping the small size of GB means we’re slightly less likely to get sick. The earlier post about hand hygiene is a good one!

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In terms of bike clean up, nothing to worry about there. The team does amazing bike washes after every stage and not just a pressure wash job.

In terms of illness, yes it can be a thing. The race organisers do a very thorough job at testing food and water samples (same with Cape Epic) and I’m not sure illness can be avoided. They’re also very diligent with making sure everyone has hand sanitizer before meals. I got sick during Cape Epic one year and I didn’t even enter the race village.

One more thing i thought of: bring a few spare brake pads, a chain, tyre and any other consumables. Not because they won’t have them. Just more because they may run out and it’s quite costly if there’s a rainy day and 500 people need brake pads all at the same time.

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Yep, I’ve already planned on a second chain, prewaxed, and new brake pads. I was debating bringing a spare tyre, but I think I will. Not sure how many plugs and CO2’s people went through last year, but we are only allowed to fly from Oz with three canisters, so I may need to get some more at the SA end.

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The race departs from Graaff Reinet, yes? Is there a bike shop there? I haven’t googled it yet, but it would be good to get a local’s input on this…