New Gravel Burn cyclists tries out Gem of the Karoo

KAROO NEWS - Twenty cyclists on a trial run for next year's inaugural Gravel Burn multistage gravel bike race from Knysna to Shamwari Game Reserve near Paterson, stopped over in Graaff-Reinet on Tuesday night.

The cyclists left Knysna on Tuesday morning and spent the night in Graaff-Reinet before leaving for Blaauwater - the next spot to check out - this morning, Wednesday, 11 September.

But they did not hit the road before granting an exclusive, first media interview about the event to Graaff-Reinet Advertiser.

Listen to a sound clip by Neil Gardiner here.

Gravel Burn Marketing Manager Neil Gardiner told the Advertiser that the Knysna to Graaff-Reinet stretch is the first stage of seven over 850km that they are trying out for next year's event in October in which 800 local and international cyclists will compete.

The Gravel Burn was initiated by the founder of the world-renowned Cape Epic, Kevin Vermaak.

The Gravel Burn cyclists just before leaving Graaff-Reinet.