I’m racing the 800km Gravel Burn in South Africa and this is the bike I’ve chosen to help get me to the finish line

I grew up in South Africa and cut my teeth mountain biking and completing gruelling events such as the Absa Cape Epic. African gravel cycling is not the same as its European equivalent and a lot of international riders fail to grasp the realities of the terrain on the southern tip of Africa. As a native, not even I’m immune to the possibilities that lie beyond every corner and crest, but there are some things you can prepare for.

Sand. It’s usually very deep and comes out of nowhere, sometimes going on for kilometres. Sniper thorns the size of conkers that hide in that very sand – stay away from any grass, too, as that’s also a hotbed for smaller thorn clusters. Rocks as sharp as a knife, jagged enough to cut through your tyre, and hard enough to crack your frame and wheels in half. And I haven’t even got to the weather and sauna-like temperatures. Wildlife? That’s standard, mate. These animals are usually of the horned buck variety that make a habit of tackling you mid-stride like a rabid Eben Etzebeth. Fans of the Cape Epic will know this all too well.

You need to be prepared for all eventualities and that’s why I’ve paid careful attention to my equipment over the past few months. Having secured an invite to Gravel Burn in March as one of only a handful of traditional media to ride and cover the event, I had time to choose my weapon of choice and eventually settled on the bike below.