Stephan

Ross Tucker talks about the effects of heat on exercise. This podcast was recorded the week after the extreme heat Attakwas.

Any life-saving tips from seasoned professionals for us newbies doing our first one? So far my thinking is to ride at a moderate pace for the first 50km (where possible, I am told there are sections that are unridable), survive for the next 30km through the mountains, and once I get to the gravel roads at the bottom of Eight Bells, do whatever to hang on for the last 35km on gravel roads that I fortunately know quite well. Riding with two 500ml bottles, a 2L Camelback, and a stash of energy bars and gels.

Nee man Willie! Jy gaan ons jinx. 😁 Ek doen my eerste, so ek hoop die weer is goedgunstig.

Correct. Get to your overnight spot, wash clothes, rest, eat, nap. Repeat the next day. If you are fit, well-conditioned, and comfortable on the bike (saddle), then I find that your body gets into a rhythm after a few days and you can just keep going day after day (you will still have good and bad days). If you are not fit and not comfortable on the bike, then the aches, pain, and suffering can start to put a dampener on the fun of bike touring.

I'm with @Skubarra on this one. "Very tough 8 days" is putting it mildly, but if you are extremely fit and up for the challenge, then go for it. 🙂

From Stellies I would follow this route to get to the Malgas Pond to cross the Breede River https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45316570 (it follows large sections of the Overberg Meander route https://bicyclesouth.co.za/2019/01/the-overberg-meander/). After crossing the Pond I would follow this route to get to a short section of the national road N2 that you need to cross https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45316572 and then once on the other side of the N2 I would do this route to get to George, where I would connect with the Cross Cape route and follow it all the way back to Stellies again https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45316486. And here is the Cross Cape route: https://ridewithgps.com/ambassador_routes/1319-the-cross-cape. Alternatively, if you have lots of time, then from George I would backtrack on the Cross Cape route to get to Plettenberg Bay, and from Plett I would do the Karoo Crossing route until you connect back up with the Cross Cape route between Swartberg Pass and Calitzdorp. https://bicyclesouth.co.za/2021/02/karoo-crossing/ Now that would be an epic trip, basically doing the Overberg Meander, Karoo Crossing, and Cross Cape all in one go, using our Coastal Cross Cape route to connect them (details of how I arrived at the Coastal Cross Cape route here: As for accommodation, there are more than enough options along the route. I would carry a bivvy bag for emergencies only, but plan to sleep in a new town every night. A couple of tips: - when you need to go shopping in any town, do not leave your bike alone outside. Take it inside the shop and park it where a security person is watching it. - Feb is the hottest month of the year in this part of SA. Do not underestimate this. It can become very serious very quickly if you overheat or run out of water. - Be as fit as you can. This is not an easy route.

You can ride it on a bike.

I've studied your route. I have done three bike packing trips along most of your planned route. I used Komoot, ridewithGPS, and the Strava route planning functions for these trips extensively. I would strongly advise you not to use Komoot as your default planning tool. It may be great for Europe, but for SA it does not know the difference between public and private land. Looking at your route, in some parts, it crosses lots of private land where you cannot ride. Rather use the Strava route planning app and carefully study the heatmap. You need to see a solid and thick blue line with no interruptions. If you don't see this, then the section is either on private land (so it does get used, but may not be available to the public, hence the light blue heatmap line), or you will encounter a dead end at a fence or gate. A couple of comments: 1. Stellenboch to Franschoek - use the Cross Cape Route. 2. Your turnoff on the down side of Franschoek Pass is blocked by a gate and traverses private land. Not possible. Continue with R45 to the t-junction with R321. 3. On your way to Bredasdorp you are missing out on some special scenery and gravel roads. I'll DM you some routes that I have done which are some of the best gravel roads in the country. 4. From crossing the Breede River at Malgas Pont to Mosselbay you need some serious replanning. Your route crosses lots of private land. I have done extensive route planning for this section and will DM you what you can/cannot ride. 5. From Mosselbay/Hartenbos to get to Oudshoorn I would not do Robinson Pass along the R328. Its not safe in my opinion. I would rather ride to George, and from there join up with the Cross Cape route and follow it all the way back to Stellenbosch. 6. The Swartberg pass detour to Prince Albert and back is fantastic (did it three weeks ago), but you need two days (and its a very tough two days with lots of climbing, and in the heat of Feb you are going to be baking!)

100m from where I got mugged two years ago. I never ride past IY if alone. Even in a large group I feel nervous. Riding past IY and any other informal settlement is just playing Russian roulette.

I have never driven the N2 beyond PE, so want to do a road trip on the N2 from Cape Town to Durban. I looked at the map yesterday and wondered how safe it is. Now I see this post. What is the general condition of the N2 through the Eastern Cape? Safety wise is it fine?

Yes, did it a week ago. You can get past the bridge rebuild section on a pedestrian bridge on the side.

Heard from a friend: - At the recent AR World Champs in Eastern Cape, the race included a 500km'ish ride. The US team that came 6th did not wear any bike shorts. They swore by the saddles they had. This https://infinitybikeseat.com/shop/a1x/ -

This. Only this. These are some options to consider, according to my research: Spez Power (not for me, I've tried ALL of them) Spez Phenom (way more comfortable than the Power saddle, for me) WTB Koda WTB Volt Ergon SM Comp gebioMized

Can I buy B17 in RSA?

Awesome race, and awesome trails. But...the Trailseeker race dates were announced 12 days ago and this race now falls on the same day as Trailseeker Banhoek.

Thanks all. Going to try the Evoc bike bag option. 👍

Doing the Desert Dash next week, which means I need to travel/fly with my bike for the first time. Considering two options: Bike bag: rent Evoc or Thule bike bag. Works out to about R650ish. Bike box: ask my LBS to do it. Works out to about R350ish. Without having any experience in this, I am leaning towards the bike bag. Good/bad? Evoc vs Thule bike bags, any major differences between the two?

If you are asking this question on the hub then I guess you haven't spent enough time in either place. Go spend at least a week (more if you can) in each town before you decide. There are a gazillion subjective factors to consider, never mind bike safety. I have spent a lot of time in both. If I had to pick, then neither would be my first choice. I would stay in one of the smaller towns in-between.

Is it possible to buy the small sachets we always get in racepacks? Or is this only a sample, so I have to buy a tub?

I have never used it, but my trail-running friends swear by it. Has anyone used it for marathons, stage racing, or long-distance endurance cycling? https://tailwindnutrition.co.za/key-differentiators/

Wow, thanks to everyone for the amazing response! Lots and lots of new ideas and route planning to do now. 🙂

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6

It's time for my annual bike-packing adventure. In 2021 it was the reverse Cross Cape (Franschhoek to George), in 2022 the Coastal Cross Cape (Elgin, Grabouw to George, via Cape Agulhas), and this year I'm hoping it's the Karoo Crossing, from Elgin to Prince Albert. Here is the current plan: Day 1 Elgin, Grabout to Greyton https://www.strava.com/routes/3115977830884860348 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44935372 Day 2 Greyton to Montagu https://www.strava.com/routes/3115978293497091128 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44935496 Day 3 Montagu to somewhere in the Karoo https://www.strava.com/routes/3115979027733940280 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44935591 Day 4 Somewhere in the Karoo to seweweekspoort (or nearby) https://www.strava.com/routes/3115979411271590968 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44935636 Day 5 Seweweekspoort (or nearby) to Calitzdorp https://www.strava.com/routes/3157275656213723470 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44935674 Day 6 Calitzdorp to Prince Albert https://www.strava.com/routes/3115979730828810834 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44935692 I know very little of the area between Montagu and Calitzdorp, so the Day 3, 4 and 5 routes really boggle me. Is it safe? Are there enough accommodation options? Is it best to go north around the mountains and through seweweekspoort, or stay to the south and pass through Ladismith, then do seweweekspoort as an out and back option. Between Zoar and Calitzdorp there only seems to be a tar road option? I drove this section a few weeks ago and it didn't look great to ride. I would appreciate any advice or recommendations on route options. @Prince Albert Cycles I guess you know the area better than most. Your thoughts?

The Speed Company Racing guys used the new Leatt Endurance helmets at the Epic earlier this year. https://bikehub.co.za/news/leatt-adds-endurance-cycling-products-and-backs-reigning-absa-cape-epic-champions/ Any rider feedback from Hubbers using them? Also, where the heck do I buy these helmets? They seem almost impossible to find online.

Fantastic event. Tough and technical trails, but fun to ride (just make sure you train enough beforehand....speaking to myself here ;-)). It was a great weekend away on the farm and a good vibe all around. Thanks Deon and Janene for another fun-filled Eselfontein weekend!