The News24 Karoo Burn, an amazing Tankwa mountain and gravel bike race – Starting in the Great Karoo sheep-farming town of Calvinia, the route heads onto the longest dirt road in South Africa – the R355. After an initial climb out of Calvinia, the course drops down towards the 110km mark along fast-rolling gravel roads. But beware the middle-mannetjie! Some of those gravel roads hide rocky shards that can shred a tyre in an instant so caution is critical.

The first 103km is just a warm-up. The real work starts after Waterpoint 3 as the road starts to climb slowly and the track becomes rougher. Choosing the right line on these gravel roads is key. Avoiding the corrugations will save your hands and that sensitive area that attaches you to the saddle! Opt for the smoother sandy sections and you could find yourself battling through the soft stuff that can quickly grab your front wheel and buck you off.