DieselnDust

great write up and thanks for sharing. I always look forward to hearing others experiences at the Cape Epic, and as is the norm, the same complaints pop up each year. Most of us have shaed these views over the years [1] There are events around Montagu. Makadas Adventures used to organise a 75km MTB marathon in the area. get in touch with them https://makadasadventures.co.za/ for MTB events. At the moment, the Gravel and Grit event is the closest to a full blown mtb event but I suspect with the Epic having come through the area MTB marathon will be revived. Bonnievale has also joined the MTB marathon market. [2] Contingency routes are planned every year, but are only activated if the weather conditions justify it. Once the stage has started, rerouting is almost impossible. If the conditions are deemd unsafe the stage is cancelled. I don't think the conditions warranted cancellation or changing the route before the start. It was a light steady rain and delivered conditions called Mountain biking. Epic is hard, very hard. trying conditions only add to the lustre. Stages 5 6 and 7 last year case in point. We rode through Lourensford in horrendous conditions. It serves to build character and sense of acheivement. [3] ya well this is the Epic, this is a signature move ioneered by Dr. Evil in 2004 and has been a hallmark of the event since then, In 2005 they took us within ear shot of the finishline and then up a mountain for an additional 22km through a pine plantation that was being harvested. No one died <insert "But Did you Die ....?" meme> [4] Cut off at water points are rarely adjusted. Cut offs at the finishline are often adjusted due to it being function of the winning time. The Queen stage finishline cut off was adjusted. [5] totally agree, The amateur story used to be broadcast as 60min infomentary a week or two after the event and separate from the pro race broadcast. it stopped after 2008 when the event went very corporate and the only stories were of ABSA's retired rugby players. it would be brilliant if they returned to their roots with an amateur story every year or spend some time doing so during the broadcast. [6] & [7] Great ideas, behind this 110%, especially [7], this just brilliant! [8] This is all part of the psychology of the event. Break them. Break their legs, break their spirit, break their equipment then put them back together so we can break you again tomorrow. #STaaldraad boytjie. The sooner you make peace with this aspect of the route and event ethos the easier it will be to embrace the finishline every day

let them start at the ELite Ladies start venue

e-MAMIL or simply Susie

Strava just tells everyone you rode your bike. Even the power numbers it shows everyone only tells a small part of the story and Strava power is like F12026. So when ones with FTP’s of 200 hide their power figures it’s like playing hide and seek with an invisible friend. No one’s impressed by those numbers, just that you rode and posted happy smiley pictures at the trending coffee spots

tristan in zoom call epic success fail 😂 great interview lads

I hear they will make them ride 140km per day on one battery and they must finish the event on the battery they started

VO2max is not relevant in training but it is one of the metrics you are trying to improve. If you use the Garmin calculated Vo2 max you start off with a figure that is generally understated and the any improvement is then also often understated which can lead to overtraining when chasing the improvements. It is always ideal to sense check the Vo2 it spits out against an actual test even if this is only once per year, possibly at the beginning of the season. Input your actual VO2 and that reduces the error from the training tracking algorithm in the bike computer. The error is usually user induced because a formula like 15x(Hrmax / Hr resting) has two points of failure. The Garmin algorithm uses additional data points like speed, and weight which could be off for whatever reason on a particular day. It plays no role in the workouts execution but could influence how your structure or focus your training plan if it is identified as a limiter. LT numbers would be the biggest benefit for sure and the more accurate these are the better your plan can be tailored to your specific needs. AFAIK < a lab test is still the gold standard for determining LT1 and LT2

yeah thats what a few of us have been saying. If you rely on a bike computers testing protocol you will likely be getting your metrics wrong. A lab based VO2 max test will recalibrate everything. Often your HR max is understated in your own testing (element of self preservation kicks in) vs a lab test where you are encouraged to push harder

Trainer Road, Training Peaks are all ok but to get the most out of them you need tools that help you monitor your overall fatigue and recovery. If you’re time crunched then the focus will be more toward the higher training zones, like zone 3 and zone 4 longish intervals.

definitely. the wife is interested..... skrolling lekkerslaap.co.za already

This event looks like a real jol!

Its worth it even if you only train on HR

Not sure of the cost as donated my body to science. Vo2max, Lactate threshold FTP were all tested. VO2 was higher than what my Garmin tells me FTP was slightly lower but this is likely due to the more rigorous testing protocol and probably more realistic in terms of what I can actually sustain for an hour. its 💩, really 💩 but worth it if you're not into all the measuring devices, data analytics. You'll have all the data you need to get your training plan off to a good start based on realistic data. Did I mention its 💩 and 90min feels like a whole day?

what bike and what is the year model including the crank and model please

I use some large silica gel bags I bought at Cape Union Mart. Zap them in the microwave (without shoes) for 4min to dry them out and insert into the shoe to absorb moisture. Dries out the shoe quickly and then just repeat the radiation treatment till shoe is bone dry. Takes the smell with them. disclaimer: wife may ask you why the microwave smells cheesy . standard ans: I warmed a few slices of margherita coated with Parmesan and walk away dismissively and important, confidently any weakness will result in you being called back to the kitchen and have your face fastidiously scrutinised for unknown wrinkles that may indicate a healthy dose of taking the pissniss sorry mods

Flip slap the Thule name on it and bam the price goes moerse high….no man

Just keep doing what you doing built it and they will come add may more positive cliches. ive been wanting to build something like this for years but just never found the time or the overwhelming passion. You two have clearly got that so thanks for putting in the effort. I get asked by lots of tourists where to ride, where do park where do I buy the permit where how why when ?? Vok, just please keep going with this project so I can send a one click link

Used to be seconds now it’s 3 days demand is still there which is nice to see

long after the photo bot verifies you were there and not a proxy

<marketing BS incoming> the difference between the top two teams was 0.072% If I were SRAM I would be extolling the 1,8% performance improvement Flight Attendant delivers Willier Vittoria was on XTR / FOX.... I mean come on, who is asleep at the wheel here

to be fair they are coming here out of their winter. Bekking stays here through Summer, or rather is here often through the Summer, but Braidot and Avondeto not so much. its about time we made home advantage pay dividends

I like the strat sessions with Mike. You have the durability, Tristan has the durability, do they have the durability? Ans: "No" Just goes to show, its a lot more tactical than it looks

they didn't have enough volume to absorb much sealant but they also where pretty useless as rim toi tyre protection goes

I use the Ryder e-pump. Its very good as long as you have a tyre insert that keeps the tyre bead in place. It inflates a mtb tyre to about 1,4bar in 30secs from flat but this might not alwasy be enough to seat the bead. I still carry 1x 25gr bomb to get a completely flat and repaired tyre seated again and then use the e-pump to tweak the press if needed. If the tyre is still leaking the e-pump is good for topping up until the tyre repair is stable

Yebo, I warned a few teams about that terrain before the event. Okes were feeling confident it was just jeep track out there 😂