dino

I don’t think bicycles allowed on the N1 or any major highway?

Looks flat as a pancake, district rode, I'm sure most of the racers will love it. Me?

I bought all mine too, very cool pics http://photos.jetlineactionphoto.com/fedgroup_berg_and_bush_descent_2013_9126/2c1902bafd7b5bb4d51372eef8e131dc_DSC_2630.JPG

http://www.jetlineactionphoto.com/

My mate and I trained 1 day a week, sometimes fitting in a 2 hour mid week training session, we finished roughly 220/500 teams with a total time of around 12 hours 15.

I see most of the photos have been uploaded, very cool shots there!

I've done the past 4 Van Gaalens races, and it was hotter than any of those races. This was the hottest I've ever been.

Made it up Mikes Pass Happy to have done it, last year it was impossible in the mud.

There wasn't much congestion, the trails are so well manicured that even average mountain bikers can ride something that looks technical because there aren't nasty surprises in the form of massive boulders (like at Van Gaalens and most places in joburg). On the first day there was a bit of a bottleneck at Sollies Folly, but not much traffic aside from that. The routes are in pristine condition so they inspire a lot of confidence. Most people are relaxed enough to let you pass if you come up behind them, great vibe amongst the riders at the B&B cos everyone is having so much fun on the single track. Anyone have any idea when the photos will be uploaded? I see there are "unclassified" photos loaded but nothing comes up when I search my race number.

Can't stop thinking about this race. Yes it was tough, yes it was ridiculously hot and tested me like no other race yet, but my buddy and I are already committed to doing it next year.

I'm not a roadie, so this will be my fourth road race of all time, my fourth 94.7, and second time on my road bike. Starting in F, 06h55. Hope to finish in under 3 hours. Last year I bought the bike on Saturday and my first ride on it was on Sunday morning, finished it 3:03

Having said that, I saw a few beauts who looked like they were sponsored by Specialized but couldn't ride for sht, I reckon their undies even had the big red S on them.

I'm not sure what you are missing. I saw lots of Specialized bikes. There were lots of S-Works bikes (which are very expensive). Not all Specialized bikes fit into the ridiculously expensive category.

Awesome, awesome event, enjoyed it much more than last year (got a stomach bug last year which wasn't fun). Day 1 was absolutely insane, that heat was unbearable, probably one of the hardest days of my life. I lay in the shade at the first water point and got the people there to pour water on me, I nearly passed out. Then at WP2 I was drenching myself for the last slog home. I was quite relieved when they shortened the distance on Day 2, I was absolutely broken from the heat of the first day and Day 2 was as hot, with massive headwinds which made it difficult in parts. Yesterday was the highlight for me with perfect weather and well rested legs, we pushed hard and felt strong. The trails on the B&B are so well manicured it's a treat to ride them. I was riding the black and white Specialized FSR Stumpy 29er, and my partner was on a red Giant anthem 26er, flying down the hills. Glad I wasn't on a hard tail. I've never seen so many Specialized bikes at an event before, and S-Works too, way too much money being thrown around out there. I was really shocked to see some okes starting Day 1 with 1 bottle, totally insane. The logic of this baffles me, to try save weight? I smashed my 2.5l camelback before WP1 and was still thirsty.

My 4th race at Van Gaalens, my 3rd full marathon at VG, and it just doesn't seem to get any easier. I blame it on my hibernation in winter and my first race of the year. 2011: 4h36 2012: 5h07 2013: 5h26. I have no idea how the seeding works, but they put me in E batch, and there were people in E for whom this was their first full marathon?! There were even okes in takkies riding in E. My SA Seeding index is 48. Last year I rode the technical descent by the satellite station, had more confidence on my 140mm Stumpjumper Elite 26" than I do on my new Stumpjumper 29", still getting used to the 29er geometry and I feel my center of gravity is much higher now (need to invest in a seat dropper ASAP). Having said that, riding the section wasn't really an option as there was a queue of people walking in front of me, and to be honest, this time I was more than happy to walk it as my confidence just isn't what it used to be. Saw quite an old guy with his arm in a sling, he had a broken shoulder and cracked ribs. If I could critique this descent without getting flamed, I feel it is a bit too rocky and loose, there were some loose boulders that could've been cleared out the way as hitting those head on can make you lose your stability. Guess rocks are something we must get used to in the Highveld, which is why I prefer riding KZN trails (berg and bush etc. much less rocky). Last year I managed to climb the first climb all the way to the top, this year slipped on the rocks right at the top and didn't make it much to my disappointment. My heart rate was maxed out, this hurt me later on as I had absolutely nothing left in the tank for Jou ma se blixem. It was like a battlefield with people passing out under trees and swearing. Loved the single track along the river to the finish and then had a nice 3km "cool down" ride back to my mates house at the dam. I hated the new climbing section alongside the rode up to the satellite, too bumpy to get any momentum. My back was killing me after that section. To the two big guys, one on the Cube and the other on a black Canondale Scalpel (I think he owns Epic sports or something), was cool riding with you guys along the flat roads with the strong wind in our faces, being pulled along when I needed it When riding this event I always hate it and promise never to do it again, but if you're up for a challenge there's nothing better. Question: Is the satellite descent not open year round? Would like to go practice sometime. P.S. That banana bread was friggin amazing.

No traffic for me, I'm sleeping at Harties tonight, right next door to VG at a mates house! woohoo

So that means I'm starting at 7:40. At least I get to sleep in

Please can someone confirm, I think I read somewhere that batch intervals at the start are 10 mins?

Are batch intervals 10 minutes at the start? Seems longer than usual...

I'm in E... E for easy! (Taking it easy that is). Was going to ride with bottles but with the heat warning I'm taking my camelback. I noticed I don't drink as much when I have bottles, must be my lack of coordination...

I'm riding the full, E batch as noted. I didn't try "negotiate" my way into a better batch, I'm happy to take this one nice and slowly from the back and avoid all the die hards trying to kill themselves on the descents after poffadder. I'll be on a brand new black and white stumpy 29er On a side note I always laugh at the VG race to see okes cruising on the district roads thinking it's such an easy race and not pacing themselves properly, and all of a sudden they get to the first uphill and are so exhausted that they push all the way. Word to the wise: Take the first 5kms as a warm up, you'll need all your juice for that uphill.

Hmm how did I land up in E?? Was expecting at the worst to be in D! Guess it might have to do with the fact that I haven't ridden a race all year

Stan's Tubeless? I've got tubeless already

Thanks! Very chuffed with it. You reckon the dropper post is a must have?

Here you go.