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FYI on YouTube there seems to be a dude named Nando Melo who’s sharing an Italian live stream of the men’s race

Sorry man no personal offense meant. Some of the comments on this thread have been a bit ill considered. My bad.

Even though the live footage showed the lead ladies pushing their bikes with tyres clogged by mud. I love the internet where everyone is an expert no matter what…

100% just demo vehicles for the event.

If this is the case there’s groot k@k coming 🫣

So cool to see the Red Jersey leaders in both ladies' and mens' races on the overall podium 💥

Can’t think that it would cool beyond 10-15 mins if like those cooling vests - they all use USWE’s I think. Very tough trade off between extra heat and extra hydration. I personally sweat and battle with heat so much it’s a very tough sell to put a pack on…

Would one still be allowed to start with the elites if you are a solo rider?

100% - I meant the riding part but would def stay offsite!

Every year the FOMO ratchets up. Camaaaan Lotto win!

I noticed that as well - compared to previous years the scenery (apart from a few epic shots with table mountain in the background) has been a bit meh. The riding looks great and I will definitely visit Durbanville when I make a riding trip to the Cape, though. Another part of the decision to cut costs by keeping the route closer to Cape Town?

I think a lot of Munga Aero Bar setups are just to provide another contact point and to allow pressure to be taken off hands and wrists. Many, many people end up with Shermer’s neck from a normal position so unless you’re elite, your position won’t look very aero at all.

As per the above - everyone has had good experiences / loves different brands - I'd say a Tallboy 4 / 5. Basically anything with; 130mm front 120mm rear 65-66 degree head angle Carbon frame to keep weight semi down (13kg ish) No funny standards, proven track record and support / resale in SA.

The second time I had to pedal 20km home pulling my eggbeater onto the spindle with my cramping inner thigh miscle, after the end piece broke was the last time 🤣

It reduces float on your pedal. Makes you feel more locked in - I’ve been trying it and definitely won’t go back to no cable tie.

Matt Beers’ bike check https://en.brujulabike.com/matt-beers-mounts-a-double-trigger-and-the-latest-sram-prototypes-on-his-s-works-epic-8-for-the-cape-epic-2025/ Definitely the year of 40t chainrings it seems 🥴 - Keegan Swenson also rocking one on Instagram along with a dead sexy blacked out Santa Cruz Blur. I expect that it’s a) to allow a ridiculous top end but also b) to gain a few % better efficiency for the big dogs with less chain bend and a straighter chain line for their most used gears.

I'm glad that Benno ended up somewhere cool as well 🙌

I expect that they may downsize to a paltry 36t for Epic - those pics probably for short track / training maybe?

https://en.brujulabike.com/the-spectaculars-bh-lynx-race-of-tiago-ferreira-and-david-valero-for-the-cape-epic-2025-in-detail/ BH Lynx team bike checks featuring 40t (!) chainrings and the world’s most pointless dropper post 🙄

https://en.brujulabike.com/electronic-suspensions-with-rigid-seatpost-thats-the-spectacular-lukas-baums-orbea-oiz-european-champion-edition/ Speed Company bike checks 🤤

Casually took the win at the Songo Kayamandi race 💥

Hey guys - to paraphrase the immortal words of Monty Python - “Let’s not argue over singletrack or not, this is a happy occasion” 🤣. If you’re in KZN it’s a no brainer to come and ride and if you aren’t, what a great “excuse” to see a different and beautiful part of the world with lots to do before and after as well. The lap type course (56km laps won’t exactly get boring) should make the racing and spectating more exciting and the route is a sublime lap around the Karkloof valley. It is mostly fast gravel with a bit of tar and a few short sections of more chunky stuff to keep things interesting. Come a few days early / stay a few days after and take advantage of the miles and miles of quiet tar / gravel roads or one SA’s top trail networks. Go for coffee and a snack or lunch at Yard 41, The Old Mushroom Farm, Fable, Salt Slab, Rawdons, La Lampara, Bierfassel, Blueberry Cafe etc etc. Karkloof Club has an amazing vibe with excellent coffee and food, camping and space for the kids to run wild. See you there 🤘

Karkloof is challenging as timber harvesting can start up with short / no notice so one uses the GPS track and if a detour is needed around an area, this is done on the morning of the race. Very few people in the Karkloof Valley to mess with route markings.

https://www.wikiloc.com/gravel-bike-trails/karkloof-gravel-168km-203880922 I might be wrong (sure the organizer will chip in), but the route above doesn’t go anywhere near the falls (for the main men’s and ladies’ races). The only “singletrack” I am aware of is getting up to the Shafton Road and is an uphill, non technical section less than 400m long, and possibly some very tame stuff at the end / start of each lap near the feed zone. No silly stuff as far as I know. The organisers want a close race where the strongest riders will win, not a crapshoot down to luck.

Sounds about right for the route of this race. Not sure about severely underbiked, but slightly yes. Unless you pitch up on 28mm slicks, then you’ll have a long day out 🤣