DNC

What about all the other categories? Seems it's only about the pros nowadays 😒

In that case I hope he's left the country because they'll be hunting him down with their es-works branded pitchforks...

So Blevins basically proved that the original Epic is not a prerequisite to ride or win the Epic. I'm picturing a couple thousand South African mamils who've just realised they were brainwashed by the need for the brain...😄

Agreed, I didn't think of that. Fresh legs to pull on the front of the bunch the whole way, maybe...!

I completed the 1st one a few years ago, riding in the Open seeded group. It was great to be part of a proper road race. The total field was about 350 (maybe 400) riders, I think. Not a single mtb or ebike in sight (brilliant, but probably in the rules somewhere!). High number of DNF which was surprising. I think a lot of riders underestimated the event. Anyway, I've been hooked on road races ever since, mtb now a distant second choice. This year's route looks really good, and the 2 day option will probably bring in more riders too. Wish I was riding. Good luck gents!

Agreed, it isn't necessary. So Aus recently shared guidance approving the 'blocking off' (limiting) of regular gears to make compliance to the regulation easier so that parents don't need to go hunt for the specific cassettes and chainrings.

Cassette availability is no doubt a contributing factor but the gearing is still seemingly required for all ages younger than 17 (with the exclusion of SA, based on the link posted by Zeffer above).

Thanks @Zeffer, appreciate the feedback. So as I understand it, UCI has scrapped junior gearing for junior group (17 & 18yr old bracket) only, but national federations can do their own thing, like CSA scrapping the gearing for all age groups while UK and Aus are only dropping it for 17 & 18yr group in line with UCI. The availability of parts will definitely become an issue in the future but still readily available in Aus.

Greetings all. Is anyone able to advise if CSA has released updated regulations regarding the new UCI junior gearing rule changes for 2023? There seems to be a fair amount of confusion around this issue. We've recently moved from SA to Aus and I've installed 'junior gearing' to my 15yr old son's road bike, but he will be racing in SA for the next few years as well. Online searching defines 'junior' as 17 & 18yr group, and seems to be supported by the article link below as well as Aus Cycling and British Cycling regulations: https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-scraps-junior-gearing-restrictions-for-2023/ British Cycling: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/about/article/20221221-about-bc-static-Regulation-change--Junior-gearing-0 - note that it states no changes to 'Youth' gearing regulations. I've spoken to a few local coaches and the interpretation here in Aus is that all age groups younger than 17 are still required to use junior gearing with the roll-out distances in place. The only roll-out distance removed is the 7.93m for the 17 & 18 yr olds, which is the same as the British Cycling updated rules for 2023 which still has the various roll-out distances for the younger age groups defined. Then in SA I know that kids are riding CSA sanctioned races with full/regular gearing (at least at provincial level) in the younger age groups. I haven't been able to find any clarity in CSA regulations yet...still looking. Just confused/interested and would greatly appreciate some clarification. Many thanks.

If he's a soccer player, how on earth does he survive cycling races...🤐

I did it in 2019 and enjoyed it, so I entered 2021 after the covid break. Unfortunately I had a very similar experience to you, so decided back then not to do again. In '21 I had exactly the same problem with the riding jersey and ended up having to settle for a tiny jersey for my son (which he loves) - so much for specifying my size when entering - there was no effort made by the organizers to find the size I specified, instead it was 'take it or leave it'. Route marking wasn't very good and I ended up back-tracking 2km with quite a few guys at one point, which was annoying because we were actually 'snakes racing' but agreed a cease-fire until we got back on track. On the positive side, I don't recall any unnecessary comments from the peanut gallery. Then again most of them probably didn't pitch up because it was raining! But the commentator did remind everyone on multiple occasions that they were in fact having a great time at the 2021 'MTB party of the year'...(every race needs a catch-phrase and 'gees' is taken)

Constant modulation issues for Level T, and unreliable on fast singletrack after a long ride on a very hot day.

Buy Sram buy twice. I ride XCM and after endless issues with Level TL's I changed to Formula Cura and never looked back, going on almost 3yrs now. Bought a bike for my son almost a year ago which came with Level T's and been having issues ever since. I'll now be changing his brakes to Formula or Shimano XT shortly. But must admit I haven't owned Sram Ultimate so can't comment on the top-end stuff.

I believe the new Crux is now a gravel bike...

And TDF is 3 weeks long with excellent commentary. Unfortunately the Epic commentary could be far better.