W@nted

I would rather remove the plug and patch the tire from the inside using a normal tube patch and cement. I have had a plug that popped out on my road bike. If that happens on route (or if patching is not an option), as last resort just put in a tube.

I hope Matt goes well in the Epic. For some reason though, I want him to beat Mr Keegan Swenson at the lifetime grand prix events! That would be Epic...

There was a moment of hesitation from the group when pog attacked. Probably thought he was mad to attack so far out. Once the gap was more than 30s, no one had the legs to pull him back. Was a war of attrition up to that point.

They couldn’t

I have new respect for the pros racing in these conditions. With wind chill the temp was around 3 degrees C for the whole race. Not very pleasant at all.

I still cannot get my head around the numbers these "semi pros" are pushing.

I must say, i have a sensitive stomach which tends to “burn”, especially after hard races. But, even with 12 scoops, the race pro was quite easy on my stomach, which I liked.

To add, more than 12 scoops it started to get too thick and difficult to dissolve in a 750ml bottle The simplicity is really great and not having to think about bars and gels is convenient. I only stopped using it as I need to figure out how to buy it here in NL. The local products here go up to 80g carbs per bottle, but I do find those products a bit too sweet. So will have to top up with bars and gels

I agree that it would be best not change your nutrition at this time before epic… Personally I liked the 32GI race pro concept and it worked very well for me. I used to cram 12 scoops in a 750ml bottle and consume that over 2.5 to 3 hours. If a race was longer than 3 hours, i would take another 12 scoops and refill after 3 hours. Then I would take water and 2x hydrate tabs in my other bottle or better even, the uswe/camelback. I felt this sustained me the best over long distances, no dips and no bonks. Did not work as well on the road bike for races longer than 3 hours, as stopping for bottle refills at water points is not an option as that results in dropping from the bunch. I did however find it difficult to stomach more than 2 of those bottles race pros per day. Not sure how well it will go down day after day though. Maybe alternating between mocha and choc flavour will work.

That looks tasty! The coffee culture is here, the problem is that due to the lack of baristas, most restaurants in the smaller towns use automatic bean to cup machines. I do believe in the bigger cities the quality is a bit better. Also, most dutch only drink black coffee. Milk is frowned upon in coffee (they even call it koffie verkeerd)😂

Took only a few shots to dial in the grind… Still need to perfect the milk steaming though. Very happy so far!

Haha exactly. Oh my. what the dutch get wrong with their coffee they correct with their pastries. Stroopwafels and appelflappe are my Achilles heels here.

Precies. En ik ga niet in een koffiezaak 4 euro blijven betalen voor gebrande koffie uit een bean to cup machine. 😆 I would rather have good quality coffee at home and spend the coffee shop money on stroopwafels

I love the second hand market here in NL... Picked up a Baratza sette 270 grinder and a monster of a Expobar brewtus iv machine this weekend. Happy days! How I have missed a proper cappuccino!

Remember to post a ride review. I see now it is not badly priced. 2500 euros here in NL... Seems like excellent value!

Congrats, awesome bike! Shucks, since when is Apex offered as axs?

It usually helps to search for a specific brand and model on markplaats. I hope you find one!

Have you looked on markplaats.nl?

Ryan Gibbons is riding for trek lidl. Think I saw Reinardt jv Rensburg at the chinese team that Willie Smit was riding for in 2023z Other than than that I do not know of more riding world tour

So on a local front (from social media): Tristan Nortje (Toyota Spez) and Marc Pritzen (EF Education feeder) to Honeycomb for 2024. Pieter du Toit (Imbuko Giant) back to Pyga for 2024. Alex Millar (Pyga) to Toyota Spez for 2024 Imbuko Giant now Imbuko ride Spez for 2024 Matthys Beukes riding for Titan for 2024 First big battle of the mtb pros tomorrow at Attakwas

Middelburg, Zeeland

I am pretty sure this has been asked before, but please advise on a grinder and machine that I should consider that can replace my barista express? I sold the barista express before moving, now want to get a machine again. Tired of all these restaurant bean to cup coffees in NL... Or should I just look for another barista express/sage machine here? The second hand market is ok, but I am not sure what to look for. I was happy with the barista express, but I would like to upgrade a bit without breaking the bank.

Go slower than moderate pace the first 80km. Fill up your bottles and camelback at waterpoints. You do not want to be caught between waterpoints without water. At these predicted temperatures the kloof feels like an oven. Expect temps close to 50 degrees C there. Also, when walking and pushing your bike on the climbs through the kloof, it takes forever to tick off the km's. Cool off as much as possible where possible, it is going to be a thriller.

I am truly shocked by the amount of bean to cup coffee machines used in restaurants and coffee shops here in the Netherlands. So disappointing!

Great tips, thanks Sydd! I am also a newbie here with this winter thing. I did see the white specs on the walkways and bike paths today (aka salt 😁). Our car was delivered on friday, so I chickened out this morning and dropped the kids off at school. Did not want to let them cycle 4km in this cold. At work there were some frozen puddles that were marked with traffic cones. my commute is only 1.5km, so the cold was bearable for me on the bicycle.