Yyyy

whats wrong with Tokai?

Racing is a form of enjoyment isnt it???? Anyway, I dont agree with your post. To give context, i think most people dont have an issue with ebikes on a local ride. Whether thats them wizzing past and then slowing you down on the descends etc. The issue is about racing in a field with a mixture of ebikers and normal bikers and the safety concerns raised which i think are valid. The reality is that Ebikes have opened up "racing" to a group of society that would normally never participate for said events due to lack of fitness and skills OR mixing them up with other racers with higher kill and fitness levels. I think most of the people on the thread would appreciate separate events or days for Ebikers. Also calling out anyone who is not chasing a podium or top position that they should just sit up and relax is "elitist" mentality. Anyone pushing themselves in a race, whether its for podium, top 25% percentile or even just trying to make cut-off deserves praise and not discouragement which what you doing now

Specialized wants your number, they want to put you in contact with Anika and Christoph and explain the benefits of an ebike. Remember, its not the bike, its you, only faster

So many ebikes i swear some days ebikers out number normal bikes at the local trails. it wont be long before most people are on ebikes . If the ebike market is growing as fast as we are all led to believe, i dont see the point of having an event that has both ebike or normal bikes. Sure ebike only events are starting to make more sense? Sani2C E? Cape Epic E? etc

In this scenario I can see application for Ebike and Ebike racing (Enduro and even Downhill). Im just going to say it and I know there are others thinking this. BUT in my eyes Ebike are just some light weight pedal based dirt bikes – Which I have no issue with (phew). So seeing them at my local trails doesnt phase me (I actually wish some of my buddies could get one so they can keep up – humble brag). Watching them race at marathon events (and I see at the last WC XCO event) is still something I have to do mental gymnastics with to rationalise. Ebikes do make sense if you want to explore long distances (provided you covered for batteries) which would make touring events with tour guide more appealing. Just my 2cents.

Wondering if i should grab popcorn or if there will be a rational discussion about this....

this has aged very well 😉

you the real MVP

do we know why?

its at these times i wonder why am i still on dstv and not yet a subscriber to GCN+

I hope Alan doesnt pick up on Avancini tactic of "go till you blow"

Not gonna lie Watching 35+ age groupers beating these youngsters really warms my heart. Cav winning (and Nino coming in at 2nd at the XCO) gives me false hope that I too wont get dropped by the young guns at my local trails.

same

this hasnt aged well 😆 Feel sorry for Caleb though. unlucky

i know this is off topic but 1) what is the specific reason why CSA wants to restrict registered cyclist from participating in unsanctioned events? 2) what is a unsanctioned event? PPA sportive? random MTB race etc? Is it normally stated at race entry?

DC bike for me suitable XCM, XCO, long adventure rides and the odd enduro. Can pretty much handle most of what the Western Cape can throw at you

One technicality you may want to consider is that the Camber frames to my knowledge do not have boost spacing. I would imagine for most of us this doesnt really mean much to ride experience (and there is a lot more to the way a bike rides than just boost spacing) but it does future proof your bike for upgrades you may want to make later on , specifically for wheelsets and groupsets.....

what the hell did i just read im in stitches rolling on the floor 😆

you know whats interesting about those Energade jelly sweets. The new packaging shows less calories and nutrients per weight than the old packaging... did they change the recipe with the new packaging but charging the same price or was the old info incorrect to start off with🤔 Edit: to add, these are also my go to for longer rides. Anecdotal, these work better than any bars or gels

Weighing it would actually be the most correct measure to see if you being cheated or not

I am fully supportive of a free market Demand vs supply So reselling at a larger profit doesnt concern me. Even if I lost out on a deal or i was the original seller. I got what I asked and if someone made a bigger score on it then good for them. Yes it feels like you missed out but so be it What i do find unethical is if a buyer (who has the intent to resell) deliberately schemes to get the price as low as possible, taking advantage of the sellers "situation" or a sellers lack of knowledge on a product. The opposite is also true. Some people really sell sh** on the hub at really questionable prices...

to understand the whole TDF of MTB we need to understand see how does the Cape Epic stack up against other MTB Marathon stage races Do these other races attract bigger names? More UCI points? Media coverage? Prestige? financial rewards etc. I think the sport of Marathon MTB is still very small or less prestigious at a pro level (but big for amateurs) and thus way behind XCO. Marathon MTB at a pro level needs to be boosted in prestige before it will attract bigger names in the sport. Edit: This edition may have very little XCO rider participation but the field does have some high level marathon specialist which is what the Epic is supposed to attract

i always feel that looking at the numbers doesnt tell the whole story havent the routes become more "technical" and less gravel bike friendly over the years?

dam, i thought his type of attitude was only prevalent with mid pack mamils at road events........ Edit: In addition to this, you can understand why you dont see new faces at these events. If the participants are too elitist it wont encourage newbies to the sport

yep im also interested in this but hoping the events are not in winter for selfish reasons (i absolutely hate riding in mud and wet)