POSTPONED
Kindling by ChemChamp will now take place in 2027. Sign up for our newsletter for updates on the inaugural edition.
Kindling by ChemChamp
A 3-day gravel experience, hosted in the heart of the Great Karoo, designed by the organisers of Nedbank Gravel Burn.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY NEDBANK GRAVEL BURN
The next event in our growing gravel portfolio.
Classic Karoo
Starting and finishing in Graaff Reinet – staying at the remote Blaauwater Burn Camp – exploring arid, semi-desert landscapes.
ebikes welcome
Gravel ebikes mean that more riders get to experience the wonders of the Karoo. They’ll enjoy separate start groups with appropriate start times. On-route battery swap-out services will be available.
A 3 day, 300km long weekend
- 3 days
- 300km
- 25 – 27 April 2026
- Great Karoo
The Route
Stage racing, made lighter
For three days, we head north-east, across semi-desert terrain, to Blaauwater Burn Camp – our base for two nights under bright, starry skies. The next day, we ride into one of the most uniquely diverse regions on earth. The final stage winds gently back to Graaff Reinet through seldom-ridden terrain. Undulating. Unpredictable. Unapologetically Karoo.
The Region
Across ancient terrain
The unique geology, raw beauty and ancient terrain of the Great Karoo, shaped by wind and time… this is our backdrop. The gateway to Kindling is Graaff Reinet — one of South Africa’s oldest towns — ringed by mountains and steeped in history. It anchors the event in a region of arid plains, volcanic ridges, and wildlife-rich valleys. Hard to explain in words. When you see it, you’ll instantly understand.
The Riders
All welcome
Locked in racers. Weekend senders. Gravel rookies. Off-road stalwarts up for a quick diversion. All riders who are chasing gravel nirvana and a big vibe with a 3-day delivery
time. If you’re tight on time but want all the smoke — Kindling by ChemChamp hits different, and right. And gravel ebikes are welcome.
Make this your next adventure
Join us for the inaugural race and experience the thrill of Karoo gravel.
All-inclusive 2026 entry package
11,900 ZAR
An all-immersive gravel racing experience awaits, where we take care of:
2 nights accommodation in our Burn Camps, after Stages 1 and 2.
Your own spacious canvas tent equipped with a camping bed, mattress, tent light, charging facilities, camping chair and a small table.
3 meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner of local Karoo cuisine, starting with lunch after stage 1 and ending with breakfast before stage 3.
All refreshments, including water, coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer and wine.
Transport of your luggage between Burn Camps.
Transport of bike box/bag from registration in Knysna, direct to the finish at Shamwari Private Game Reserve.
Marked race route with full race support services.
Nutrition at service stations on daily race routes.
Race medical services on route and in Burn Camps.
Tech service support on route.
Bike wash and bike park in each Burn Camp.
Transfers during the race.
By Nedbank Gravel Burn
Does all this sound familiar? That’s because Kindling by ChemChamp is designed by the Nedbank Gravel Burn team. It’s the next step in the vision – gravel goes big. With the 2025 event sold out and huge demand for the ultimate gravel experience, we wanted to welcome more riders to the Great Karoo, and a shorter, less racier, more relaxed event makes perfect sense. Also, our logistics infrastructure now becomes a legacy — Kindling riders stay at the first Burn Camp ever built for the event, hosted at Blaauwater Farm. Slick logistics, with over 100 years of combined stage race organisational experience. Check out race founder Kevin Vermaak’s blog on how it all came about.
All-inclusive entry package
All-immersive too. We take care of the details and all that is left to do it savour it all. Find all the info on pricing and what’s included but clicking below.
unified
All drop-bar bikes welcome
Drop-bar bikes are mandatory for Kindling by ChemChamp. We have designed a pure gravel route that is ideally suited for a classic gravel bike (or a converted MTB with drop bars). When we all ride gravel bikes, it levels the playing field and makes it more enjoyable when riding in groups. Trust us, the route is pure gravel heaven, and you’ll want the perfect tool for the job. We welcome ebikes – because the Karoo is too good to miss, we want more riders soak up every view, every climb and every kilometre, with a smile.
FAQs
We've had loads of questions about our new 3-day gravel stage race. Here are the most common ones, and the answers of course.
Kindling Presented by ChemChamp is created by the Nedbank Gravel Burn team as a companion event. It offers a shorter, more relaxed way to experience the Great Karoo, making use of the same world-class logistics and the original Burn Camp at Blaauwater Farm.
Three days of racing, two nights of accommodation and the all-inclusive package is R11,900. You’ll find more info this all-inclusive package here – Entry Packages page.
Stage 1: 102km – 1660m climbing.
Stage 2: 111km – 1460m climbing.
Stage 3: 90km – 650m climbing.
See more on the route HERE
Yes! As long as it’s a gravel ebike. We would like more riders to experience the spoils that the days and the nights of the Great Karoo bring us. With that in mind, we have a category for ebikes.
Kindling by ChemChamp is a solo race. Riders wishing to compete for prize money must enter the Pro category. Age Group riders compete for the leader jersey in their respective age-group categories: 19 – 34 years, then in 5-year increments starting from age 35).
Flying In
Fly into Gqeberha Airport (PLZ) – the closest to Graaff Reinet. Rent a car (3-hour drive).
Self-drive
From Johannesburg: 8.5-hour drive.
From Cape Town: 7.5-hour drive.
Secure parking will be available for 2 nights in Graaff Reinet.
With the same start and finish location, logistics are relatively straightforward.
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