Stories
Tales from the trail, route guides, and Gravalist news.
Sedgefield 500: From Anti-Event to What’s Next
Gravel riding has never been about fanfare. It’s about the solitude of a mountain pass at sunrise, the silence of a forest road, and the challenge of ...
We’re No Longer Running Events — Here’s What That Means for You
After careful consideration, we’ve made a clear and intentional decision: Gravalist will no longer host officially organized events. Instead, we’re do...
![How Long Does It Take You to Get Docile? [Burra 500]](/images/stories/how-long-does-it-take-you-to-get-docile-burra-500/hero.jpg)
How Long Does It Take You to Get Docile? [Burra 500]
As the riders zipped up their jackets and checked the last straps of their bikepacking rigs, the chill of the morning wasn’t the only thing creeping i...
Bikepacking in 1982: Before Gravel Bikes, Before Rules, Before Limits
“Then I had to cut my own toe off,” Steve said casually, as if recalling an ordinary moment from an uneventful day. I blinked. Excuse me? “Yeah, I had...
Why I’m NOT Racing Gravel in 2025
Waking up at dawn to pay for an overblown entry fee, plus surprise licensing charges, mandatory coffee stops, and post-race burger-and-beer rituals—it...
The 3% Rule for Building Unsupported Ultra Gravel Bikepacking Routes
Building a gravel ultra route is an art form. It’s more than just connecting dirt roads—it’s about creating a journey that challenges, inspires, and t...
Cape Hope 500: Celebrating Today
Photo: Nobel Square, W&A Waterfront. The Start line of the Cape Hope 500....
Sedgefield 500 - A blend of Solitude, Struggle and Beauty
The Sedgefield 500 was not just a race; it was a test of endurance, spirit, and self-reliance. With 500 km of rugged terrain winding through South Afr...
Route Highlights of the Burra 500, Midlands and Drakensberg Magic
Your gravel journey will begin Pietermaritzburg, known for its picturesque gardens and historical architecture. From there, riders will make their way...
Top Tips For Entering A 500 KM Ultra Cycling Gravalist Event
When it comes to ultra-cycling and long-distance cycling events, it can be challenging to know what to do when it comes to your first. For many, the G...
The Gravalist: What It Takes To Plan An Event
When it comes to any cycling event, especially ultra cycling, the key is to have the best preparation possible. Our riders often ask us about the amou...
The Gravalist: Race Or Tour
When it comes to our events here at the Gravalist, we get asked some amazing questions, but one that we often see asked is, “Should I treat the Graval...
What Can You Expect On A Gravalist Event?
When it comes to ultra-cycling events, it can be very difficult to understand what to expect. The Gravalist events are not like others, and you will g...
The Gravalist: Why Are Our Ultra Cycling Events 500 Km?
When it comes to ultra cycling, there are a lot of choices of events that cover a huge amount of distances. A question we often get asked here at the ...
Gravalist: An Ultra Cycling Adventure For Only 13!
Welcome to the Gravalist. We are an ultra-cycling events company that works in a unique way compared to others. Not only do we currently only run a 50...
Unsupported Bike Packing Races in South Africa, 2024
A rider of the Franschhoek 500 resupplies ahead of the 06:00 start the next morning....
We're looking for someone to have a dream job
The Gravalist Company is a dynamic and innovative organization specializing in organizing ultra-distance backpacking races that push the limits of end...
Doctor: "You and I are on a long journey together..."
At the outset of the Franschhoek 500, as cyclists traversed the majestic Front Yard Pass, thoughts danced in the minds of riders. These events, spanni...
Rider Story: Tim van Coller
"We’ve moved to George and I would now like to do the Sedgefield 500"...
A sudden rush of cold wind
Keep folks in their earth-tones, the browns and grays, A world apart from the chill, embraced by indoor warmth's embrace. An elderly gent, in his seas...
Too kind to care
You'll be all right. Just keep it low," they say. I peer at the falling snow, breakfast warming me in a strange way....
Transcontinental No9 Cap 178
About the Video. The video is a playback of the ride at 10X in the view of a dotwatcher. Audio clips which make up the sound bites start to playback a...