Nedbank Gravel Burn takes place on Sun, Oct 25, 2026 in Western Cape, South Africa. The main route is 750 km.
- Date
- Sun, Oct 25, 2026
- Start
- Western Cape 🇿🇦
- Distance
- 750 km
- Climbing
- 8,500 m
- Level
- Open to all
Full-service 7-day, ~770 km international gravel stage race across South Africa (25-31 October 2026).
What this race demands
This 750 km stage race over 8500 m of elevation requires seven consecutive days of sustained endurance and meticulous recovery across Western Cape gravel. Athletes must manage heavy cumulative fatigue over a week of long-distance riding.
Stage Race Durability
Covering roughly 750 km across seven days demands the ability to absorb high training volume day after day with minimal physical decline. Recovery protocols between stages are as critical as the daily output.
Climbing Volume
Accumulating 8500 meters of elevation over the duration requires sustained climbing efficiency and muscular endurance on varied gravel gradients. Pacing on the climbs dictates whether an athlete finishes strong or fades late in the week.
Nutritional Consistency
Seven consecutive days of long stages require a high daily energy intake to maintain glycogen stores and prevent deep caloric deficits. Consistent fueling across every stage is mandatory to complete the distance.
Averaging several hours in the saddle per stage requires consuming 60 to 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour to sustain output and support multi-day recovery.
Estimated finish times
Estimates by level, not promises. Your own number depends on your fitness on the day.
Your road to race day
Race day at Nedbank Gravel Burn is 8 weeks away. This is how a coach divides that time. The first phase starts now.
01Build2 weeks · Aug 31, 2026 – Sep 13, 2026
Progressive overload: training load climbs in waves, with harder weeks stacked on the base and planned recovery weeks that let the gains land.
02Peak3 weeks · Sep 14, 2026 – Oct 4, 2026
The hardest weeks of the plan: race-specific intensity at nearly full training load, sharpening exactly what this race asks for.
03Taper2 weeks · Oct 5, 2026 – Oct 18, 2026
Volume drops while intensity stays: short, sharp efforts keep the legs awake as fatigue drains away.
04Race week1 week · Oct 19, 2026 – Oct 25, 2026
Openers, rest and logistics. The work is done; the job now is arriving fresh.
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