When the Nedbank Gravel Burn was first conceived, it was always intended to be more than just another cycling stage race. Founder Kevin Vermaak was resolute: this was an opportunity to spotlight often-overlooked regions – landscapes of raw, untamed beauty and communities defined by their warmth and hospitality (having grown up in the Eastern Cape added extra motivation to the initiatives). The goal was clear: to ensure that the race’s impact extended far beyond a single week in October.
This meant investing deeply – not only in route planning or race logistics, but in building real infrastructure, leaving something enduring behind: for the sport, the land, and the people who live on it. At the helm of this mission is Logistics Director Richard McMartin, whose work on the ground reflects a spirit of exploration, trust-building, and genuine collaboration.
VENTURING INTO UNCHARTERED TERRITORY
Richard vividly remembers the initial journeys into the vast expanses of the Eastern Cape. There was a sense of excitement mixed with uncertainty. “We weren’t entirely sure how the local farmers and communities would react to us strangers arriving with bold ideas of a gravel cycling race. It felt like we were stepping into uncharted territory.”
Yet, those uncertainties quickly dissolved into warm welcomes and enthusiastic support. The response from the farming communities was deeply rooted in their pride for the land, their heritage, and their collective vision for the future. Nedbank Gravel Burn soon transformed from “our race” into a shared endeavour – a race “owned” by every individual whose paths it touches.
BUILDING TO LAST
Each location along the Nedbank Gravel Burn route tells a unique story about leaving something meaningful behind and community engagement, showing what the race is all about:
Avontuur Endeavours: The journey begins in the forested landscapes of Knysna, at The Moorings. Stage 1 culminates with a climb up the historic Prince Alfred Pass, followed by a descent into Avontuur – home to the Zondaghs, a tenth-generation farming family. Matthew and his family generously offered a piece of land – an old apple orchard that had long struggled below the frost line – making it the site of the first-ever Burn Camp and a fitting location for such an auspicious beginning. Through a collaborative effort, the bare ground that greeted Richard and the team on their first recce a year ago has since been transformed into a lush, expansive field, now ready to welcome the riders. When the race heads north into the Great Karoo, a productive pasture is left behind for livestock, turning a previously unprofitable venture into sustainable income.
The Spirit of Willowmore and Union High School: In Willowmore, after their considerable efforts on stage 2, riders will be greeted with infectious enthusiasm by local schoolchildren, turning the finish line into a festive community event, giving riders an early taste of true local hospitality, just before they reach the jewel of the Great Karoo – Graaff Reinet (the oldest town in the province and the fourth oldest town in South Africa). Here, Richard has formed a partnership with the legendary Union High School, with the aim of upgrading the shower and toilet infrastructure – benefiting both the school’s students and Nedbank Gravel Burn riders for years to come. The riders’ resolve as they depart from Graaff Reinet will be bolstered by a powerful, unforgettable send-off – hundreds of students from the close by close by schools proudly performing their school war cries, creating an emotional moment filled with community spirit and solidarity.
Water in the Desert: Blaauwater Farm, nestled deep within the arid expanses of the Karoo and owned by the Kingwill family, posed a significant challenge – there was insufficient water supply for the demands of a Burn Camp – especially since the race resides here for two nights.. Undaunted, the team, together with the Kingwill family, undertook a major infrastructure project to drill a borehole and construct a 175,000-litre reservoir. Nicknamed Bicycle, this borehole reaches 56 metres into fractured Karoo rock and delivers remarkably clean water and a taste as pure as the landscape is harsh. A hidden reserve in a land shaped by drought. Embracing the project as a family affair, even the Kingwill children actively participated in the construction of the reservoir, highlighting the collaborative spirit that is Nedbank Gravel Burn.
Preserving Nature at Merino and Middleton Farms: At Merino Farm, predominantly centred around livestock (notably sheep) riders find themselves immersed in pristine wilderness, greeted by indigenous wildlife and awe-inspiring natural beauty. Here, careful land clearing initiatives ensure minimal environmental impact, maintaining the integrity of the natural setting while providing comfort and safety. Similarly, at Middleton Farm – a lush, productive dairy operation – riders experience a true remote, untouched and wild experience, the Burn Camp carefully designed with the natural landscapes in mind, fostering a genuine connection to the environment.
A GRAND FINISH AT SHAMWARI
The finale of Nedbank Gravel Burn at the iconic Shamwari Private Game Reserve is nothing short of extraordinary. Riders enter a realm that is home to Africa’s renowned Big Five – lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, and elephant. The vision began to take shape from when we went on our first recce, accompanied by Shamwari’s CEO, Joe Cloete. The aim is to build a semi-permanent Burn Camp at the finish line at Shamwari’s Amansi camp, where the riders (year after year) will enjoy a reflective celebration filled with camaraderie and profound appreciation of the remarkable journey they’ve completed and the land they’ve traversed. It’s a moment designed not just to mark the end of a race but to cement bonds and create lasting memories.
A LEGACY THAT ENDURES
Nedbank Gravel Burn’s efforts to provide the ultimate rider experience go hand in hand with leaving something meaningful behind, investing in communities and about cultivating lasting connections. Richard McMartin sums it up best:
“This race is a collective project, supported equally by farmers, communities, riders. We’re not just racing through; we’re building foundations, creating opportunities, and enriching lives.”
Indeed, the essence of the Nedbank Gravel Burn is encapsulated not merely in the race itself, but in the lasting legacies and shared achievements that remain long after the riders cross the final finish line.