Zebra

I thought it was a very well-balanced article, which gave me a much-clearer idea of just how much this event has changed in its nature, from ‘endurance’-focus, to much more of a skills-focus. Back in 05/06/07, it really was more of a gravel-type stage race, with say a bit of Groenlandberg, and small bits of single-track thrown in, whereas today it really is a different ‘animal’. I am wiser for reading his well-reasoned argument. Chris

Look, this really was very funny! Thanks for posting…!

Brilliant thread; i like. My FOUR tips, which i used on 3 x C.E.’s, back in the day ( and Sani2C’s, and others): 1. Let the DONKEY (baaie-sukkel) carry the load, not your back… (no problem with Camelbak/USWE per sé, but the back is a major sweat-surface…, and really, 8 days, with your spares and water and and and…!) 2. If it works for you, ride identical bike brands/bike models as your team mate… (i.e.: just ONE spare derailleur hanger (ok, in the good ‘ol days!) & EASY to carry spare parts that fit BOTH bikes…) 3. you DO NOT NEED 13-speed anything. MASSIVE SAVINGS TO BE HAD with 10 or 11 speed - please research just HOW MUCH cheaper 11 speed is versus 12 speed!!! You do not NEED electronic shifting; your THUMB has amazing potential…! 4. Boiled potatoes in a zippy, and a lekker CHEESE white bread Sarmie in another zippy, and yes, DATES (pitted!) in yet another ZIPPY, for the w-i-n…! You do not NEED over-hyped slogans on friggin Holo-gram black containers that cost a 3rd-worlds country’s GDP to afford - JUST SAY NO! (ok, tongue PARTLY in cheek!) (rant off 🤣)

Hout Bay to Hout Bay, via Redhill, but that is NOT the story…! Whilst on Chappies, I nearly caught up to a Cannondale MTB, that was headed around Cape Point, whereas I cut the corner, and instead did Red Hill over to Scarborough, and then back to Houties. What was interesting was this rider had road cleats and road shoes on this MTB…most interesting, i thunk…. At a Kommetjie coffee shop, same chap rides up, asks me where the water tap is, and we get chatting… Turns out it is Simon Kessler, ex SA PRO, ex SA National Champ (twice) & coach of Darryl Impey, and he is now now living in Boulder, Colarado, but doing a 10-day trip back to Cape Town - without his family - to see an old school mate. Nice Palmares, very nice to chat to! https://simonsayscycling.com (he did not mention his achievements, I Googled them!)

V-E-R-Y cool close-up picture, seriously, I like!

…it really was magnificent racing, those last 20km’, so happy that MVDP won it, but big props to Pog and Ganna for being in contention, at the death, so to speak!

…THIS….100%…

…in TRIATHLON, tri-bars where/are all about giving a more slipstream-profile for say 120+ km’s, especially for stronger swimmers with the shoulder-profile to match…! In RAAM, and other ultra-distance races, it is LESS about aero, and more about giving wrist and hands a break, and a REAL change of position, which ALSO happens to be aero - so aero is often a SECONDARY goal, with the primary goal being taking weight off hands, etc, and giving the body a position to ’slump’ into… Chris

Actually, Eggbeaters OFTEN benefit from the ‘contact sleeves’ supplied in 6 different sizes, to ‘cure this very issue - there are SO many shoe SOLE profiles, that some essentially make little/no contact, thus the contact sleeves. Amabubesi, 3-peat

Since you are offering EXPOSURE, I suggest you briefly mention the number/type of social media exposures you are offering… ”…Mentions and endorsements across our social media platforms…” Yes, you can thrash out details if/when you find a potential sponsor, but, for me, your “mentions & endorsements’ could use some ‘fleshing out’ to gain quick interest, such as, say: 4 or 5 social media channels, on a weekly/fortnightly basis, etc… Use it/dont use it, and good luck; RFS’s are allover at the moment; make yours POP…

on this very topic, I may buy a Gravel bike in the future, and will likely AVOID one with an integrated stem/bar combo, since for (frequent) travel, it is so much easier to remove regular bars, etc.

If riding out directly from Kalk Bay, then a road bike is likely the better choice. Enjoy! LOTS to see and do! Red Hill and Boyes Drive is good fun, as is the Millers Point Climb, and even riding in the reserve (low traffic, mostly) is cool. Chris

Well, if their positions next to the bike in this pic MIRROR their actual positions in the race, then Lady Stoker 1 aint’ seeing ANYTHING of the 108-odd kilometers CTCT, behind that giant of a man!!!

N-O underwear, please, just your tush, direct on a Chammy/Gel Pad; underwear…well…it can strangu-late ‘things’; hear this, N-O underwear whilst riding…!

eBike getting some tweaks, so its out with the Eroica ‘special’, shifters on the downtube and all…! Hout Bay - Simonstown - Hout Bay.