The Nxrth Goes South: I'm Going to the Inaugural Gravel Burn, a 7-Day Gravel Stage Race in South Africa

In three weeks, I’ll be heading to South Africa for Gravel Burn, a brand-new seven-day gravel stage race through the Great Karoo. Created by the founder of the Cape Epic, the event showcases some of South Africa’s most rugged and remote terrain and is quickly establishing itself as one of the most ambitious new races in the gravel world.

"The Nxrth Goes South" is Powered by

Words by Josh from The Nxrth

In just three weeks, I’ll be heading to South Africa for Gravel Burn, a brand-new seven-day gravel stage race created by the founder of the Cape Epic. With a $150,000 prize purse, it’s set to attract some of the world’s top gravel racers while also opening the door to everyday riders looking for a week of endurance and adventure.

What the Heck is Gravel Burn?

Gravel Burn takes riders into the Great Karoo, a vast and rugged interior region known for its open skies, remote dirt roads, and relentless landscapes. Over the course of a week, racers will cover long stages that test fitness, strategy, and resilience in a way few gravel events in the world can match.

Why I’m Going to Gravel Burn in South Africa

Next year I'm turning 40!

I wanted to commemorate this milestone with a once-in-a-lifetime bike adventure. I was specifically looking for an unforgettable gravel stage race and when I first read about Gravel Burn, I couldn't shake the idea that THIS was the adventure I wanted to go all in on.

For me, Gravel Burn is a rare chance to experience the emerging frontier of gravel stage racing. Events like this don’t come along often, and the combination of high-level competition, a new cultural backdrop, the very first year of a game event, and seven days of back-to-back riding makes it a unique opportunity. It’s a way to explore how gravel racing is evolving globally while taking on a personal challenge unlike anything I’ve done before.

Follow Along: Gravel Burn Updates Incoming!

Between now and race week, I’ll be sharing updates on travel, gear, and preparation. Once the race begins, I’ll check in with updates from the Karoo (pending wifi availability!). This is the start of "The Nxrth Goes South", a series that will follow the journey from the Northwoods to South Africa and back again.