hboli4

I remember how those hills caught me out on my first one and even the 'rollers' after the last waterpoint which felt like proper hills and the tar road that just does not come closer. At least you know what to expect the next time but they do not become easier😀 I must say it was colder than I expected. Paced the ride well but did not hit our target time of 26 hours - came in at 26.30. Proud of our MD who did his 1st one and finished strong. Well done to all - it remains a good old solid tough ride.

I am pretty sure the one in your post will be safe for use - if not an hallucination... Mine should still be buried behind the abandoned house on the left hand side of the drag(Never Ending Story) - roughly at 230km 🙂

Agree 100% on the glasses. I also make a turn at the toilet at CP2 & CP3 - just in case, I donated a very nice buff to mother nature in the 'Boneyard' between CP2 & Rooiberg one year.

100% agree with Fanie on the waterpoints and food available - they cater for all tastes. Love the dateballs!!! Also apply some cream at CP2 and again at CP3.

I have a meal replacement mix for if I'm not feeling like food, specifically at CP3. Although the sosatie and potatoes are nice it is a bit heavy.

Must say I have had enough of the rain already. 'Had' to do a 5 hour session on the IDT over the weekend - not fun.

Coldest I've recorded was 2 degrees and hottest 49(although this was the November one in 2020). But it can get up to the late 30's on average in May.

Sorry for the late reply Fanie. I'm not going to commit to a specific ride time over the weekend - going to wake up whenever and ride when I feel like it...Safe travels. Might catch you somewhere on the road...

We came in at 14.40 but cannot blame any mechanicals for our slowness 😁

How did you go at KarooBurn?

Slowly building up the time on the bike, currently on 2 x 1hour sessions on the trainer(intervals) and long ride(s) on the weekend - doing a 5 hour and 2 hour this weekend weather permitting. I am riding with a 1st timer this year and hope to guide him to the finish. He is a slow climber(even to my slow standards) so we will adjust the goal time to 26-28 hours... How are you going Fanie?

If you want to finish you will - there is more than enough time and the cut-offs are very realistic. If you are worried about that don't spend too much time at the CP's and WP's, at least not untill Calitzdorp.

But then you might miss out on those hallucinations @Knersboy mentioned...😁 I haven't experienced them myself but have seen people fall asleep on their bikes and mention the jumping frogs( rocks) in the road... I also have a picture of myself that I use to scare children. It was taken in Calitzdorp and you can clearly see that my soul left me at this point. Think I rode 28 hours that year, battled with knee pain from early on and walked a lot in 'The Boneyard' between CP2 & top of Rooiberg.

Just to add, I am a middle to back of the pack type rider...I stop and take photos etc etc. Trans goal time usually 13-15 hours and 36One 24 - 26 hours.

For me the major factor making 36One twice as difficult(although 'only' 134km further with roughly 1850m more climbing on the new course - the old course had about 2500m more climbing) is the start time difference. When you get on your bike for 36One(possibly in 40+ degrees heat) you have been awake for 9 hours already...the new start format for TransBaviaans allows you to wake up, eat and start cycling. You can be in bed at your normal sleeping time where your body rebels on 36One when having to go through the night, regardless of how fast you are. I am also not a very fast/strong climber and the extra elevation hurts....

This was the one let-down for me, lack of food options at the finish. We booked the 'braai' beforehand in Calvinia and happy to do so, hopefully some income for the school. The pre-book option at the finish was a bit pricey I reckon and we didn't book that, thinking that we will get something else as there was mention of burgers etc. for the supporters to purchase. Also ended up with the hotdog....did have a couple of beers though.

Did it on my mtb bike. Most of the guys battling with punctures and cuts looked like they were on gravelbikes. Loves the event but it is one of those where the weather dictates a lot I reckon. Wind direction and strength was in our favour for the first 168km but changed after that. It was hot but not too hectic. Waterpoints were spaced properly and the 05.00 start helped a lot. Anyone that has done a Dryland event will know that their waterpoints are top notch and had plenty to keep hydrated and topped up.

Very true, I do all my training based on hours and fit whatever intervals etc into the timeframe.

The 5am rolling start was a big success and they have kept it going forward. I have done the TB 13 times with my longest single ride in training being an 8 hour effort and will usually follow that up with a 4 hour or so the next day. No racing snake and generally finish mid to back pack with a 13 - 15 hour goal time.

Thank you very much, I will keep an eye out! I bought my Garmin Instinct Solar from you last year and could not be happier! Cheers.

Hi Easybike, I am looking for a watch for my wife - still torn between the Venu SQ(the Venu2 will be too pricey I reckon) and the VivoActive 4 - which I will probably go for if the price is right.

Hi Easybike, Will you be loading specials on Garmin watches for Friday already or should I wait for Monday? Looking at the Venu/Vivofit or similar.

This year will be very different. Usually aiming for a 14-16 hour finish - we had some personal nutrition and a spare bomb or two in all 3 boxes, lights in the CP3 box and warm clothes in CP4 box. 05.00 start time will have you start with lights and warm clothes so will hardly have a need for boxes except for personal nutrition etc.

Apologies - very off topic, but my brain read the title as "Need help lost pub brawl". Must be the fatigue????

Thanks Vettes, it was a hard ride. The wind assisted in some sections and we battled against it on others. Temps wise it was actually pleasant and did not get too hot or cold. Knees started to take serious strain from about 220km in and last 10km was torture - struggled to just turn the peddles. Huge respect to the riders who got caught in the rain the last couple of hours - must have been really miserable.