bluewhite

Ok thanks for the info hope I bump into you on the ride

Hizit guys I’m in a place called louvain anybody ridden in the area ? Any nice trails ? Anything to watch out for ?

Well that’s just what it’ll take to get my bike because if he doesn’t I will not leave him the use of his legs . ……..and that’s a fact!!!!

Firstly it’s not a fact . There are a few scenarios that will determine the outcome of one individual attacking another Many factors come into play too many to mention but in certain cases with certain people who have a certain mindset and certain skills it would be best to avoid trying to take that specific persons bike . And I’ve peppered sprayed more than one person before so if I see an opportunity to to fight back it’s going to happen

Thank you for that I’ll defiantly check that out

Wow ok thanks for that I did notice some big rocks yesterday on the road that weren’t there last week I think it’s cause of the rain . that was actually my main concern was getting taken out by a boulder . So yesterday I became a member of Helivac . You pay like R130 a month for your family and download an app that can be used as a panic button . Then they locate you and send whatever vehicle or means to get you out of there . So at least now if I get hit by a boulder or washed down the mountain and I’m alive to push the button on my hopefully not mangled or drowned phone I can get help 😂

I carry pepper spray tucked under my bib on the right side of my leg not just for attackers but baboons trying to steal a bananna or a crazy dog (which I have sprayed before ) in my back pocket. I’d never jeopardise over life over money I’d gladly hand over my bike to a guy carrying a gun or 2 or more attackers………..but if it’s one guy on his own without a gun Mabey a knife and I feel the I got a very good chance I’ll make sure he will never ever be able to try that again …… ever!

Hi I’ve been riding on my own for 7 months now moved to Newlands from Jhb and thinking to start training for the epic . I’d like to also try find a group to ride with if possible yesterday I was in Tokai on my ace and at times I do feel uneasy being alone

Ok great thanks for the info. I’m going to aim for tokai and kistenbosch and remember not to wave to locals 😂

Hi im moving to Capetown on the 1st of January from jhb to newlands and I don’t know where to mountain bike. I got no riding partners who can point me in the right direction I don’t know if there are safety concerns I need to know about I’m completely clueless and I need to get started asap cause I’m thinking to do my first sani2c . Any advice will be a blessing

The tickets are going cheaper than that

You will probably go through a set of brake pads the descents are murderous on them. My partner had a slight mechanical halfway down a hill and I can’t remember why not sure if there was a twig stuck somewhere near his brakes but he touched the back break pads and it melted straight through the index and middle finger of his glove. There is a good chance that you will need extra pads and I think a set of tyres was recommended on the Swiss epic sight if I can remember. I think day 4 we went through a very rocky section where I know a tyre or two was torn.

You will probably go through a set of brake pads the descents are murderous on them. My partner had a slight mechanical halfway down a hill and I can’t remember why not sure if there was a twig stuck somewhere near his brakes but he touched the back break pads and it melted straight through the index and middle finger of his glove. There is a good chance that you will need extra pads and I think a set of tyres was recommended on the Swiss epic sight if I can remember. I think day 4 we went through a very rocky section where I know a tyre or two was torn.

I said I ran 2 bar or just under when climbing I like riding with slightly harder tyres but when you there and you ask around everyone varies a bit @Bluewhite, why 2 bar? Are you a heavy guy?

Hey man Tom if it were me now getting ready for it I would just stick to your weak point which is climbing . I was finding a hill and doing hill repeats constantly . Like I said there was a day that took me over an hour to climb 7km mabey this is because I’m not a strong climber too but I recon attack climbs become strong at it. You want to enjoy the riding not cough up blood 30km in thinking why did you actually sign up for this . The stronger you are the more you’ll enjoy the race . The climate was nice it starts out a bit cool in the morning with a high of 26 so you never really freezing or on fire . I was starting out with a thin waterproof jacket then about an hour later it went into the camelpak. With regards to a mud flap you don’t need it I never saw one in the 5 days of racing . Just train hard I was fit for this race and for me it was still tough. I like to be done with a stage in like 4 to 5 hours once you go into 6 and 7 hours peddling this is where the fun leaves you and survival kicks in So train hard . I’m really excited for you man I’m defiantly going to do it again I gave to do it again !!

I’ve tried a few times to get hold of someone but to no avail . I drove out from centurion cause I really wanted to do a 3hr hard ride thinking they should be open but yea they closed and the lady said they haven’t been given any indication as to when they opening

Hey guys I went there Monday morning and was told they don’t know when they going to be open

Hey man I did it last year one word of caution it might ruin mountain biking for you forever. After comming back from rolling green hills riding in beautiful clean mountain ranges and crossing streams that are drinkable and doing the best riding I’ll ever do I came back to SA to do the berg n Bush one month later . It was such a let down to me that after comming back I hung up my bike and my ass didn’t touch the saddle for the next 7 months and my partner still hasn’t started . It will be the highlight of your life. If I can give any advice it’ll be to concentrate on hills. By the time I was ready to race I could push out 247watts over an hour on a spinning bike but the hills still hurt me. I remember one day taking 1hr 10min to do 7km and that was toward the end of the stage . If you can’t do 2 loops at suikerbosrand then don’t go if you can’t climb 3000m in a ride don’t go the hills are something fierce and if you not strong at climbing it won’t be A pleasant ride. Next is touch up on your technical downhill abilities . Often you’ll find yourself going down hills that are technical and it’s taxing on the upper body. A dropper post is highly highly recommended and if you don’t have one you will land on your head it’s a guarantee . I was running my tyres 2bar or a bit under Just for better traction . We went 3 or 4 days prior to the race but this wasn’t necessary and expensive I’d say maximum 2 days . We hired a minibus it just seemed easier than catching trains etc but whatever works for you to get there. Overall I can’t describe the race in words it’s something you have to do and I’ll want to defiantly do it again .

I just bought the new scalpel last week cause I wanted a new bike for the Swiss epic and heard cannondale have awesome back up service . Now I’m a little nervous

Yea listen it’s about self preservation at the end of the day. If it means handing over your bike without a fight to get to that point then you’re the winner. I’ll only ever go cold blooded if I know for certain the odds are in my favour . If two guys are unarmed and ive got pepper spray I’m deffinatly going to put up a fight and I’m not going to leave until both of their knees bend back like a flamingos . If there’s a gun pointed at me I say take the bike bru I never liked it anyway but different circumstances require different solutions . Mabey we should look into inventing pepper spray that’s sprays from the bike in a 360 angle . Anyway it’s a lousy thing to be talking about .

I carry extra hydration Incase I run out on a hot day a spare tube Incase of a puncture and I carry certain weapons Incase of an attack for certain places. Just like I prepare what type of ride I’m going to do where to push where to take it easy I’ve got a go to plan for various scenarios of attacks that I may incounter from “it’s ok take my bike just don’t hurt me “ all the way through to whispering in their ear “I promise to do this quick and not to let you suffer” but the main thing is to be prepared for Whatever happens on the day you’re confronted . Awareness is key

Ok I’m in !!!see you there I’ll be the guy on a blue cannondale with a “deer in the headlights” expression on my face if you pass me slap me on the back and say go boy !! For some encouragement

Hi Anyone done race to the sun? It’s 167km from harties to sun city. Just want to know if it’s worth the ride

I noticed that too. I actually thought it was an accident . But I pinned it through that puddle covering myself and those around me in mud probably annoying them but I must’ve overtaken about 15 to 20 riders just in that spot. I mentioned mud to someone yesterday and he said excessive mud causes your bike to not ride the same even after a wash and that sometimes a service is needed. I think a lot of mud prob still ably isn’t good for intricate moving parts and bearings. Anyway when I see mud again I’m going through it

Hizit Just did the fast one in alberton. Got to the 2nd water point only to be told “no water” when I say no water I actually mean no liquid at all. Same at the 3rd . Then there was a mess with route markers cutting the race short. It seemed badly organized me . Anyone experience the same ?