hboli4

I was spared maintenance issues with Trans, but my SS needs some attention (brakes). Using old Tektro Draco which I bought 2nd hand, probably just need a good bleed though. I was contemplating doing the Autoquip at Brandkop but decided yesterday to take the weekend off...Body needs a good rest after Trans and rode Eden this weekend as well, which turned into a looooooooooooooooong day for me. Thanks for the offer, will have to make a plan sometime.

Nice!!! I'm also looking forward to give the SS some love after mainly geared action training and riding for the Trans.

Looking good, looking forward to see 'The Green Mamba' around Bloem. When do you think she will make her debut?

It was really rough on the body. At some stage I couldn't move my hands properly. I think it has been about 5 years since the road was last scraped or properly maintained. If memory serves they worked on it just before the 2010 event.

Yip, I think most people had a sense of humour failure at the railwayline. I know I was a bit gatvol at that point!

Well done to everyone who finished!!! Was quite tough with the headwind for the first stretch. This was my 5th and it was definately the worst condition the road has been in. More corrugations and loose patches as well as ruts and rocks than I can remember which resulted in more crashes / lost bottles as well. Sometimes felt that you could not get into a proper rhythm. Was still a great ride though. We came in at about 01.15 or so.

Hy was heavy rof en jy was verseker nie die enigste een nie. Een van die ouens in ons span het homself WEG geval in 'n moddergat daar bo op die 'MAC' climb, ons kon hom nie eers sien nie.

Ons het 'n nagmerrie ride gehad. Was 2 spanne wat 'saam' gery het. Tussen ons het ons 3 gebreekte kettings en 4 punctures gehad. Een ou het sy ligte stukkend geval by daai rowwe downhill voor mens deur die rivier is en 2 ander s'n se ligte het doodgegaan teen 02.00. Daar was 3 valle ook tussenin en een ou het lelik gebonk na so 120km. Een van die ouens se freewheelbody wou nie engage as hy nie gestaan het nie... Was lelik. Maar ja, ons het almal klaargemaak, moeg en mislik en kouden nat.

Oh yes I remember that. If memory serves they had a 'checkpoint' on that section as well that year. Year of the Langs. We finished in daylight...the next day...at 08.00

Great summation, although I think boxes must now be on trucks by 08.45. Otherwise perfectly spot on!

Yip, you have it about right, but do not let the first 100 fool you in being downhill. There are a couple of rollers and some shortish climbs (500m to 2 km in length) that can hurt you if you go too hard. I generally try to breakdown races into 'thirds' and Baviaans is no different. The 1st 100km will be your 1st third and take it a bit slower than you think you need to go. There will be teams hammering it but you will probably pass them later if you ride conservatively. You can also ride a bit of a 'paceline' on this stretch. The Baviaans only start after the 2nd checkpoint and your slowest part of the race will be between 100km & Bergplaas as you face Baviaansback, The Fangs and MAC. Ride well within yourself here and try to ride up MAC as far as you can as you can lose loads of time once you start walking. But, do not push too hard, leave something in the tank of the Neverender climb and the last 80km. If you feel good here, go for it!!! You will probably end the race with more kilos around the waist than when you started, you are spoilt at the checkpoints. Most of all, ENJOY!!!

Biff?

There is one at the top of Bergplaas (CP4) for sure, not sure about the other one, might be at Komdomo(CP 5) where Magiclight usually have their charging service as well. I have never had to do any more maintenance than a chainrepair and snotplug in the last 4 years.

Yip, no worries! Go for it.

You'll be fine. Ride from checkpoint to checkpoint and go slower than you think you should over the 1st 100. Eat plenty and see it as a chilled adventure ride through the Kloof with some mates and ENJOY!!

They might be getting a little bit of rain this week but should be dry still. And I reckon it will be cold again... Might just be that the antibiotics broke you down a bit too much and the XCO with the short and sharp efforts took its toll. The wind was quite strong yesterday, similar to Saturday. I rode from Bloem to Smithfield on Saturday and had the wind at my back most of the time. No real climbing (a shade under 1000m) but some lekker distance and time in the saddle - 167km.

My prediction...very dry. Probably similar to 2010.

Yip, I reckon the Sherpa will be the man to beat.

Hierdie lyk nogals na die 'ou' roete van 'n paar jaar terug waar mens beide kante van die nasionale pad ry met daai teerpad climb in?

Aaaahhhh,but some rides are longer than others

I'm also way under to what I normally am but just going to enjoy another awesome ride with mates and stuff my face

Last long ride this weekend...

Ek hoop ons het bene na die Trans...

Have done it the last 4 years. Last year was a bit of a shambles with bad route marking etc. with the 75km turning into a 45km. New organiser this year so hopefully this will be sorted out. It is quite tough and probably the best race to do within a 200km radius from Bloem, some nice technical bits and good elevation (for the Free State).

You can connect some trails from 'Stuck in the Mud' in Langenhoven Park over to Brandkop (some nice singletrack trails laid out) and ride that back in reverse, should give you about 25km. Come to think of it, there is actually an event on there this weekend using the Brandkop trails. Funride. Maybe do that? I'm out of town this weekend unfortunately or would have shown them to you. Will try and find some links. You on Strava?