TyronLab

Thanks all! For reference, my setup was: Torso: Cycling jersey, running shirt, arm warmers, Ciovita winter convertible jacket, rain jacket, nitrile gloves, long finger mtb gloves Legs: Leg warmers, Bike Addict socks, spar bag over sock tucked into warmer, baggies Head: Buff around neck, buff around head, rain jacket hood over buff and helmet over hood. Thanks for the tip @Shebeen about the hood, it worked a treat. Look, the spar bags didn't win me any fashion awards, but they did their job.

My buddy and I got around in a smidge under 18hrs. The conditions were trying but, if I'm honest, I think 99% of people brought their hypothermia / discomfort on themselves. If after the facebook photos, the race reports, the weather reports and the rider briefing on Friday night you still decided to roll out with just a jersey/bib and light rain sleeve, its your own stupidity. I counted at least 30 riders rolling out exactly like that. I over-prepared and over-dressed, and was toasty 95% of the time with minimal effort. I saw a bunch of people at CP1 in the aforementioned attire under space blankets freezing their balls off. Weather was actually fine. Few bits of rain but never to a hampering degree. I was insulated enough that I'm not really sure if it was cold or not, until we stopped at the last two CPs and the standing still made my sweat layer cool. We were making really good progress at our target low intensity, and when we got to the Baviaans Back we overtook probably 30 riders on the climb, while not going above Z3. We were on target for a ~13hr ride even with dawdling at the stops and were feeling great, until just before CP3 my teammate's AXS derailleur died and left him stuck in 40x20 for the rest of the ride. He took a mental hit when that happened and we really struggled up MAC which ate up a bunch of time. Luckily I had done some SS riding so I rode his bike a lot on the remaining climbs, knowing how to ride low cadence without exploding my knees. Our progress was also hampered by the muck after CP6 and CP7. I had PTSD from the Grit Cradle last year, but also luckily experience on how to best manage it. Overall a great experience as always. I am quite proud of myself that my "training" had paid off and my mental fortitude got reinforced. I was really intimidated by the MAC, but I realised that I could ride up it relatively comfortably this time around. Also, my hands/shoulders/back are also hunky dory even though I rode a rigid, and my buddy's is too even though he did it on a gravel bike. Lots of "you have to ride a dual sus" dudes are just too lazy to pick a line or even just stand up on descents. I'll be back next year and, hopefully, get the chance to ride everything and not be forced to walk due to some team circumstance.

Strangely I'm on the opposite side of the spectrum, the allure of the unknown is making me super excited for this. The whole weather debate and nervousness and our team trying to suss each other out and make a plan for getting kitted up has me pretty fired up. Hell, I've only slept in a tent once before, now I get to sleep in a tent in (likely) pissing rain and cold, and maybe even start a "race" in those conditions? Adventure awaits! We're all prepping as best we can with the horror stories from last week as a gauge. Or at least we should be.

So off the weather topic for a moment, any feedback on the tented accommodation at the start line (ablutions / facilities / hot showers etc)? We're planning on maybe braai-ing the night before for dinner (using leftovers for breakfast). I'd ideally like to get dressed under roof if at all possible that the interior of the Fortress of Sealed-atude (my current multi-layer clothing plan) can be as dry and cozy as possible.

You went for an adventure and evidently had one. As much as I'm one of the "suck it up" guys, there's a line between being uncomfortable and being in a medically risky situation. If you were in the latter, good on you for rather pulling the plug. You came back with a great story and, more importantly, a great attitude. You can't be a hard adventuring dude if you're dood! After the images and videos I saw of this weekend I'm adding some bin bags for the torso, Checkers bags for the feet and some surgical gloves to the kit list for this weekend. Planning on wearing both my jackets (Ciovita one is waterproof and slightly ventilated in the pits, the Decathlon one is as sealed as the sarcophagus around Chernobyl to keep the rain out), and my Ranger baggies over my bibs (they're surprisingly water repellent). Just the Decathlon jacket and arm warmers has gotten me through a dry -9.5°C, hopefully double jackets and plastic around the hands and feet can get me through a wet 0°C.

I feel likeif you lived in GP, we'd turn into unlikely trailside friends at some point. Also... Rigid - Great SS - So little to worry about and whisper quiet, Great! Steel HT - Is there any better kind? Great! Backpack for 2000km+ - Hells to the no! Your shoulders must have taken more shots than your bum.

Yeah, dudes, not trying to yuck anybody's yums. Everyone has their own reasons, motivations and thresholds, do whatever works for you. Wasn't trying to convert you to my way of thinking, but I do think its sometimes worthwhile to hear an alternative point of view from our cycling culture's general trend of better/faster/more efficient/carbon-all-the-things. A lot of new people entering our community get marketed/peer pressured into that being the only way to experience this sport. Like I said, I'm well aware that I'm an anomaly. In all honesty, you're an anomaly too @WaldoZ. You ride a super expensive premium bike because you're actually at the pointy end of the field, competing for wins where the marginal gains make sense and could get you that podium, not necessarily because you have cash to blow or are keeping up with the Jones'. I'm glad we're ramping up team tensions a week ahead of time already 😄

I've been really impressed by the wheelset in general. I've not been particularly cautious with it and it's still running true as an arrow and smooth as day 1. It's seen 2000km of muddy, dusty, rigid riding with my 86kg+ physique. Hubs are running super smooth still, haven't had any freehub issues whatsoever either. Highly recommended. On topic, I recently discovered that I ran my current chain way past the 0.75 mark accidentally (training for TB racked up more km that I realised), so I'll be in for a full drivetrain swap in the coming months. Derailleur's clutch is also not clutching so lekker anymore. I've been running the sums, and in most instances I can pay for the HG freehub and get away with the same total cost as a SRAM setup, but I'll have SS-ability. Going back and forth between two options at the moment. Both have a new Rapide NW chainring and HG freehub in common. 1. 10sp MicroShift Advent-X Derailleur, cassette and shifter. Pros: Can use the new 11 speed chain I already have, has a decent 11/48 range (don't really need more than my current 10/42 range). Pretty well reviewed, lightweight (lighter than an equivalent XT setup), components and 10sp chains are cheap as chips so if something does explode or conditions are awful it doesn't break the bank. Having something outside of the norm tickles me pink. Cons: Derailleur isn't compatible with other shifters though so chopping and changing if something breaks gets harder. Not that well known so unknown performance vs known alternatives. 2. Deore 12 speed derailleur, shifter, Rapide 11/52 12sp HG cassette. Pros: Having used that derailleur and shifter before on my Chisel I know they work really well. Has a lot more options for alternative shifter/derailleurs if something breaks. "Future-proofing" with 12sp. Cons: Will need to buy a 12 speed chain, which is more expensive to replace once worn too. 250g additional weight. R600 more expensive than option 1. Interestingly, both options (plus HG freehub) are cheaper than buying just a new GX 11 speed derailleur and GX cassette. Madness!

Unless someone that spent years at uni instructs you that you are physically incapable of standing on the startline on the 20th, you can. Be that guy! Don't make me stand there alone in the pissing rain! 😄

Yeah, I don't get that at all. I ride bikes to have an adventure, to have an experience, to get out of my comfort zone. That's the purpose of the event for me. If anything the rain adds to that. So what if it's tough? Toughness just adds to the story. If you are racing to actually win, then you have to suck up the conditions as it'll be affecting everyone and having the best of the best makes sense and being willing to sacrifice that expense is part of the game. If you aren't riding to win (which 1100 of the 1200 of us on the start line aren't) then you enter this knowing it's a challenge. It's a stretch, it's tough, but there's some imaginary self-imposed tougness limit that you won't cross? Because you're a badass, dirt munching, climb conquering descent destroying mountainbiker that loves the outdoors and experiencing unfiltered, real life... as long as it's within your comfort zone? If you buy a Lambo, but never drive it because you're nervous about replacing the tyres, something happening to the engine or taking it for a service, then you can't afford a Lambo. Which is why I ride a rigid steel bike that I fix myself that I'd most likely ride Single Speed for this if I wasn't doing this with non-SS team mates, because even if I drag it through swamp for 12 hours a new BB / wheel bearings is within my reach. Luckily my drivetrain is poegaai as it is, so it'll be making the journey regardless. Similarly, if you decide to ride a bike with a R1k chain, a R4k cassette, a R2.5k derailleur that can only be serviced by grease-angels in Switzerland then you should be OK with demolishing it. I might be an anomaly here, but if the tool is stopping you from doing the job, then it isn't a tool anymore it's a hindrance. A bike is supposed to be a tool. Once it becomes too precious that you don't ride it some days, or under certain conditions, or don't put it down anywhere there isn't a velvet rug to protect it, it ceases to serve its purpose to me.

The condition of that screen protector is making my OCD flare up... Jaysus!

I'm pretty stoked on doing this one, 99% likely solo. Never ridden Van Gaalens so don't know what to expect, but hey, that's part of the fun. Pretty sure I won't be anywhere near the top but this type of event is closest to playing into my strengths; Off road, diesel workhorse capacity being better than thoroughbred, the less sleep you need the better, cheap 😄 When it states "free camping facilities" I'm assuming that's just like a bit of open grass? No actual tents or bedding? I'll most likely just use my boot with the middle row of seats folded flat as my shelter anyway.

I'll see you there! Look out for two racing snakes and a slightly portly hairy dude (me) in Build It kit. I'm pretty stoked to give it a go, this being my second one. Have stuck to my super strict training plan 85% religiously, so I at least feel quasi-prepared. If you're wondering what my secret sauce is, here's the comprehensive breakdown: Four "things" a week (three rides and one run happened most of the time). Three in the week, an hour-ish is good, and don't dawdle (sometimes feel like you're turning yourself inside out, but if you're not lus, then don't, whatever). Riding in roadie groups with a mountain bike works. Once in a weekend go exploring and dawdle for a few hours, getting dirty ideally. Pretty much it. Unfortunately woke up with the sniffles this morning, so I'll likely be off my feet for a few days rather just to give me the best odds getting back to 100% health quickly. I've heard reports from a friend of a friend that the road conditions aren't bad this year, as reported by a dude in a 4x4, so large pinch of salt required. Also, the road (like the weather, and the food) is what it is. Analyzing and complaining about it now is kinda pointless. Well, to me anyway, my "choices" of bike are a rigid steel mountain bike or a single speed gravel bike.

These okes would disagree: 12km/h pappie, daar gat jy!

I think the logic was that you don't need as much grip at the back as you do the front, so you can reduce the rolling resistance by running a smoother / narrower tyre without worrying about grip becoming a problem. If you check out (https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com Proper nerd rabbit hole stuff) the "narrower is faster" idea is flawed. Rolling resistance has more to do with casing suppleness than it does narrowness. I'd throw my hat in the ring for the Rekon Race. I've had a really good time with mine. Roll really well and has more than enough grip for a back tyre (I'm running them front and back). According to BRR rolls quicker than the Ardent Race and Ikon, just slower than the Aspen.

At the point where you "need" to be in 32x50 (i.e. you're riding up a hill that is so steep you can't maintain a usable cadence in a harder gear) you're crawling along at 5.8km/h at 65rpm at which pace you might just be quicker walking anyway. Unless you have multiple 8%+ grades you regularly ride where you want to be spinning with relative ease at 85rpm I wouldn't go for a 32 chainring. 34x10 is also enough to stick with the majority of roadie group rides in my experience (unless you're in the 35km/h+ boat, at which point if you're riding a mountain bike you should be fit enough to not need 32x50 anyway).

The "0666" pin number got me! The devil is in the details.

My Cicli Zini is for sale, if anyone's interested. I've gotten it to really good nic mechanically, just needs some cosmetic work and it'll be a stunner. https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/vintage-bikes/569785/cicli-zini

Yup, same here. My bike is littered with Rapide stuff, to the point where Wayne has become my LBS / mechanic even though there are 5+ shops closer to me that are reputable. Always great service, eager to help, great quality parts and anyone that rides a random mix of gravel/rigid/singlespeed bikes where they shouldn't be ridden is always fun to chat to.

What you NEED as a farmer is a rugged, large-ish thing to put heavy/awkward/dirty **** in to take said **** somewhere on your farm, most likely over/through rough-ish paths. What you WANT as a farmer is a Kalahari Ferrari because it's trés chic, and you don't want to be the only **** at the korporasie on Saturday morning not driving one. An ex-colleague of mine (who previously was and has subsequently now returned to sugar cane farming) says that a Land Cruiser is a bakkie, and all other vehicles (including other bakkies) are "plat karre". Disclaimer: I am not a farmer and have only been on a farm twice, so if you're about to hurl some logical arguments at me, you're barking up the wrong tree (trimming the wrong sheep/milking the wrong cow rather?). Only advice I can give is to try and not live in your next increase. If you're relatively comfortable with your current lifestyle, try to keep your flexible budget (i.e. things you can control the cost of, not debit orders) the same when you get your next increase, and use the increase as the additional car repayment. Then, once that's done, use that money and the car repayment you're now not paying on the house.

One of the primary reasons why I ride the bikes I do. The running cost of a bike is very dependent on what type of bike it is, and if you can at least do basic work on it yourself. I'm currently in need of a drivetrain replacement, and the bill is making my eyes water. I moved away from suspension for maintenance cost reasons (among others), I'll be moving away from gears pretty soon too (more for fun reasons than maintenance reasons though). I totally get why I see people with full sus bikes and XX1 cassettes and derailleurs stopping and walking around every puddle, I just question what the point of having fancy parts is if you're too scared to do anything with them.

Sooooooo R800 to ride a route that is always accessible, and you have to bring your own snacks?!? Yeah nah yeah, I'll give this one a miss, as fun as 100 miler gravel rides are. Good luck @mecheng89 and @NotSoBigBen!

What was originally planned as a fun 100km+ ride at Modderfontein to try and clear my head turned into a short local spin due to a sick kid on Saturday night, and it just got rougher as it went along: After "proactively" changing my chain last week realised that I wasn't quite proactive enough, meaning that I had chain suck and the chain skipping on the cassette whenever I put power down due to a worn chainring and cassette ($$$). Had a massive almost-OTB on a jump that was reshaped on my local trail. Not sure how I pulled out of it, felt like I did a 5m long nose manual. Pinched my front brake hose, might need replacement ($) Rounded the morning off by smacking the street after foolishly attempting a tiny jump off of a kerb, rolling my front tyre. Dented helmet (not sure if it needs replacement, and if Scott has a crash replacement guarantee, so more $$), torn seat ($), road rashed elbow and shoulder. The only positive I could take out of this was that I at least gave the security guards that were close by when I hugged the ground a good chuckle. One for the (wrong) books.

Ermahgerd, that sandblasted titanium is delicious! Am I the only one that just wants to run my finger across it to feel that texture?

Yup, unfortunately very true. As someone that has a relatively flexible job, and whose performance is measured by larger, longer term project successes rather than doing x widgets per y hours for z hours a day, working from home has been awesome and has increased my productivity. I think that, if anything, WFH has polarized the difference between performers and along-for-the-salary-ers even further. I'd take a firm bet that the same people who are taking advantage of not being policed by office hours would be the same ones spending all of their time at the office on personal jobs, chit chatting and social media anyway. Very much doubt a performer in the office suddenly turns into a schlub at home, and vice versa. It's also shown the gaps most people in management positions have, where blanket rules are applied to the whole workforce to counteract the one or two bad apples. As is human nature, the overwhelming majority stick to the rules and behave ethically, the doofus minority does doughnuts on the rules with their silencer-less quads holding a brandy and coke blasting De La Rey, resulting in that thing being taken away. That's a failure in being able to effectively manage a person as opposed to a group.