For British gravel racer Maddy Nutt, the Nedbank Gravel Burn has been a journey of rediscovery. Once a finance professional in London, she traded city suits for cycling shoes and spreadsheets for singletrack. What she found along South Africa’s gravel roads was everything she hoped for and more: vast horizons, shared stories, and a reminder of why she fell in love with endurance sport in the first place.

“I have absolutely loved it,” she said, taking a quiet moment at the Burn Camp after the neutral Stage 6. “It has been really varied, the stages, the terrain, the people. The racing has been hard, and the level of the field has been really high. I looked at the start list and thought it was going to be tough, and it definitely delivered. But that is what makes it so rewarding.”

The adventure she was looking for

Nutt came to the Nedbank Gravel Burn after a long season that began in February. “It has been a long year, so this was a perfect way to finish,” she said. “Tomorrow will be my last day on the bike for a few weeks, and I think I need that rest. But if you are going to end your season, this is the way to do it. It has been one of the most memorable weeks I have ever had on a bike.”

She laughs when she talks about the fatigue. “I think I have enthusiasm for one more race day in my legs. But it has been such a positive experience, the people, the scenery, the spirit. You cannot help but be inspired here.”

The Nedbank Gravel Burn has already earned a reputation for its combination of toughness and hospitality, something that impressed even an experienced stage racer like Nutt. “The camps are incredible,” she said. “It does not feel like we are just surviving each day. There is real comfort and care built into the experience, and the food has been outstanding. I actually think that has been one of the highlights for me, because it has been so good, especially considering the circumstances of doing a stage race. It has completely surpassed my expectations.”

The joy and the challenge of gravel

For Nutt, gravel riding captures everything she loves about sport: independence, resilience, and the joy of exploration. “I love riding my bike, I love racing, and I love adventure,” she said. “Gravel brings all of that together. Every day is different. You never really know what to expect, the surface changes constantly, the conditions can shift without warning, and you are responsible for keeping yourself and your bike going. I think that sense of self-reliance and unpredictability is what makes gravel so special.”

She smiles as she recalls a few mechanical challenges along the way. “What can go wrong on a gravel bike never fails to amaze me. You have to think about how you prepare, what you carry, how you manage punctures, and how quickly you can react when things go wrong. It is not just about fitness; it is about problem solving and keeping calm under pressure.”

Looking ahead

After crossing the final finish line at Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Nutt will take a few weeks off the bike before preparing for the Transcordillera Stage Race in Colombia, another eight day test of endurance, altitude, and adventure. “That will be another big challenge, but I am excited for it,” she said. “Events like the Nedbank Gravel Burn remind me why I love this sport. It is not just about results. It is about the experience, the people you meet, and the places your bike can take you.”

As she reflected on a week that spanned forests, farmlands, mountains, and bushveld, Nutt summed it up best: “It has been one of the most incredible weeks I have ever had, tough, beautiful, and unforgettable. This race captures everything I love about gravel.”