Charles71

Heart also says Ganna but Pogi will probably win it, I think he wants it bad enough but MVDP will be a big huddle to overcome

3rd Tour for me (officially 2nd - since I had to take my board off the bike last year after catching a lift to the nearest mechanic following a fall and derailleur hanger going toast). Was aiming for sub 4 (previous best was >4h33 on mtb), started in 4A with the intention of riding with Team Vitality (Sub4:30 pacing group) but started on the wrong side of the shoot so I started before them and lost time waiting for the group. I got towed until Smits where I went up solo but couldn't find a nice group to work with, so kinda did my own thing until Chappies were I followed "David's wheel" (some very strong guy that had me on my knees trying to hold his wheel) up the Climb and also up Suikerbossie where I PB'd both climbs. Came in at 4:03, could've been faster if I didn't wait for the Vitality train at the start. Good vibes and epic weather, and the Gees was on as always. Oh and the Polar ice cream at the end was nice 🙂

Tailwind will be very much welcome up chappies and suikerbossie

Might struggle to see you if the pace is hot 😅

It's always nice to help others. I actually helped this gent who stopped right next to me as I was about to hike a bike, as he had chainsuck. I removed his quicklink with my hands and helped remove/reroute the chain without scratching his carbon bike 😄

I did my 2nd CTCT tour yesterday with ambitions to get a sub-4 as 2yrs ago I finished in 5h30. The day started with tummy issues, so started my day fairly flat as I offloaded all prev day's carbs. So I had a banana and then we were off in 6F. I noticed that I seemed to be going faster than most people up the climbs (should've done a qualifying race to get better seeding). I pick-up a dude who was pushing a massive gear on the flats and we were doing approx 45kmh into Simons town and I lost focus, overlapped a wheel and next thing I know it wasn't on the tarmac looking at my bike and garmin a few meters away. Got up (with torn pants and some skin showing), and managed to carry on and first climb out my derailleur hanger snaps and had to hike a bike in my cleats to the next bike mechanic. Lack of spare hanger (lesson learnt) and no spares at mechie meant my rear mech was removed and had bike converted to a nice 50x19 singlespeed. Took it easy the whole way but the hills left my lower back feeling a bit numb. Managed to finish after 5h38min. Interesting day out for sure.

All the best to those riding. This will be my 2nd one and I'm in the slow batch (6) but hoping for a sub-4 😋

Also ride alone 99% of the time. Like others have expressed, it’s the convenience of not waiting for others and controlling your own schedule that I like. But I have to say it’s nice to ride amongst others so you’re not the only person on a route..

What an amazing tour it's been, the incident on Col de la loze could've been catastrophic if Pog had dropped Jonas.. 😳

Thanks for pointing this out, we should probably rename this thread to just MTB Schools Series - but I don't own the post and wanted to keep it in the thread 🙂

My daughters (7 and 11) did their first schools race in Southey Vines in Somerset West this past weekend. It was intimidating for them but they pushed through and both completed their races. Unfortunately, my 7yr old didn't enjoy the race as she was on a singlespeed so the climbs hurt her legs 😞 so we'll be moving her over to big sister's Titan 9r and get her sister a 26 or 29inch hardtail. To say I enjoyed the outing is an understatement 😄

WVA didn't have the legs today, and booi was I impressed by Pipo Ganna following Tadej all the way up the Poggio!! VDP was just on a different level today, and generally prefer WVA winning over him, but today I think he rode well and deserved to win. Absolutely fantastic race.

I haven't watched such an exciting race in a long time(maybe never), full gas from first pedal stroke 🥵 and lit up the entire field... WoW, well deserved...

Seems we have a very exciting stage on our hands, will the break make it today? 🤤

Oh well, knuckleheads in the break 😂

Breakaway looking very good, hope the make it

It was a fabulous race as always, and fans were out in numbers - magnificent, save for those who r there to take riders down.

Quick trail ride at Meerendal

SCR were just amazing 👏, amazing what a little determination can do!

First Tour for me, have to say it's quite damp out there. Been trying to hire a road bike but glad I couldn't get one in time so my knobbies will surely come handy. Starting in 6D, wishing everyone the best out there and stay warm.

Also a first timer and will be doing it on my mtb as that's the only bike I have. All the best for race, take it easy like others have suggested - thats my plan anyway 😀

Or not - I made the mistake of buying a "like new" chain and it was slipping like mad. I know that the comment was said jokingly - but js want to make sure OP doesn't actually put it up for sale 🙃

Item: Black cycling glasses Location: Tokai MTB trails Date: 5-Feb-2022 Describe them and you can have them back.

As much as it's upsetting to hear about the theft, how Cyclelab responded to this matter is a nice touch and a lesson to many. Absolutely fantastic.

I always ride past there, never felt unsafe but still remain on high alert when going past. It could also have something to do with my darker skin tone that I get a pass 😒