Gravel Burn: 750 km of Gravel Racing in South Africa

Gravel Burn is a seven-stage gravel race in South Africa, covering approximately 750 kilometres of challenging terrain. It's the kind of race where you spend hours riding through incredible landscapes, surrounded by cyclists who are just as crazy about the sport as you are.

And where, at some point during every stage, you probably question why you signed up in the first place.

For Jakob, it was the perfect opportunity to combine two things he loves: cycling and putting Cyclowax to the test in the real world. So we packed our cameras, jumped into a campervan and headed into the South African wilderness.

Jakob wasn't exactly travelling light when it came to his bike setup. He lined up with an Orbea Terra Race gravel bike, Schwalbe tires, Oquo wheels and, of course, a Cyclowax hot-waxed chain. A pretty incredible setup for seven days of gravel racing.

And while we might be slightly biased, there's one part of that bike we were particularly interested in.

The chain.

Because gravel racing can be brutal on your drivetrain. Dust, dirt and long days in the saddle are a demanding combination. That's exactly why we love hot wax. Unlike traditional chain oil, hot wax leaves a dry coating on the chain. That means less sticky buildup, less greasy mess and a cleaner drivetrain throughout your rides.

And when you're riding hundreds of kilometres through South Africa, having one less thing to worry about is always welcome.

Of course, having a great bike doesn't automatically make you a great cyclist. Especially when you're riding alongside former professional cyclist Lawrence Naesen. We followed Jakob and Lawrence throughout the race, capturing everything from the beautiful moments to the ones they'd probably rather forget. The crashes. The suffering. The jokes. The spectacular scenery. And the occasional moment when Jakob looked like he was reconsidering his decision to enter.

But that's exactly what makes an event like Gravel Burn so special. It's not just about getting to the finish line. It's about everything that happens along the way.

One moment deserves its own chapter. During stage five, our team got the chance to jump into a helicopter with Lawrence Naesen to find Jakob on the final descent.

And there he was.

Flying down the mountain with a helicopter following him. For a few minutes, Jakob probably felt like he was leading the Tour de France. And honestly, we can't blame him. It was easily one of the most epic moments of the entire week.

A clean drivetrain makes life a whole lot easier when you're travelling and racing. Here's exactly what you need below.