Jbr

Maybe also a feature of the size 54 (in combination with the shallower wheels). What tyres did you run at Ceder ? The corrugations 10km to the finish killed me there, on the 42 pathfinders, maybe with the the 47s I would have survived. In the end I didn't suffer that much from the corrugation at Race to the sun, where I had big tyres, low pressures and inserts

he was at valley of tears the 7th of march, where he didn't place well btw, how could he be here two weeks ago ?

New sponsor needed

Karkloof

I’ve had a crux the last two years (still have it and planning to race Gravel SA’s on it in the next couple of weeks), excellent bike, but stiff AF (I also have 45mm wheels that probably doesn’t help), so when it gets rough and corrugated, the bike goes backwards. There has been days when I regretted not having a heavier more compliant bike, but more often than not I love this bike

Valley of tears ended up being a very short race (to his standards) because they ended the race 1 loop short due to mud/snow. BUT, the couch expert in me can't help but think he should've been here weeks in advance training with Matt like other teams did. I must say I thought this epic would be over after stage 1 because Matt and Keegan seemed like the dream team. Now it will be interesting as they look like underdogs, with 9 minutes to find, is it even possible ? Colombo seems like a good match for Nino, if their Aspens don't puncture multiple times it will be difficult to find that kind of time on them. Let's see !

most of the people who choose 2x and don't have it by default is because they're extremely sensitive to cadence. I have 46+10-50 and I very rarely spin out, and I use my gravel bike to train more often on the road than on gravel, including sometimes some Z4 intervals on flat tar or descents. You won't have top end issues with a set up like this, if you worry your 46T will be too big for the climbs you can always go 10-53 at the back. With SRAM 2x you set yourself up for many chaindrops though, but on the 1X I never get chaindrops.

not many bikes have the clearance, the Giant is an option. For the Sram vs Shimano debate, I think you should really really think twice. I also prefer shimano for the road, I also don't mind my XTR on the MTB, but for gravel and with a 1x setup, SRAM is the way to go, with an eagle derailleur and a huge cassette, and the wireless shifters, (unless you really really want a 2x, then yes, go Shimano)

ahaha let's see ! I expected Matt and Keegan to roll over the competition, looks like the Cape Epic Diarhea is striking from day 1 😜 That's a big gap to bring back after just 2 days hey...

got a feeling my KOM on anah beuulah won't be mine anymore soon

Ooof I feel for the riders having to race up that concrete mast climb 😅

all I saw was him 2 bikelengths behind in the last kilometers

I see 40+ top 3 is in the 12 hours and top3 Open 1 hour behind, so not too sure if they would've really belonged in age cat, also their TT times were 3 mins down on what was done by podium guys in age cats. Also 30-39 was together with the elites, so if you're not comfident you can ride in that bunch, rather go open, otherwise you're going to have a long week of racing alone after getting dropped in the first couple km of each stage that started full gas, and that's best case scenario, if you can handle yourself in such a fast paced/tight bunch and keep it upright.

Edit: sorry stupid question

The racing is hard, got diarrhea.

Not to brag, but we went up smits at 32.6 kph, without motors 😜 I sat up bottom of chappies after doing a big final turn to try to bring the breakaway as close as possible before the climb, and still went over chappies 31.5kph. I regret to say that even with a ebike, you probably can't get the experience that we experience, and even if you did, you'd be a massive danger to everyone around you, as most of the race we are bar to bar at high speeds, using the entire road. I used to like motorbike racing as well, and was pretty decent at it, but I accepted there that I would never experience what racing a motoGP bike feels like, same as I've accepted that doing 7w/kg for 30 mins up a mountain is not something I'll ever experience. Just enjoy what you can do, respect the rules and others.

😕

yeah, and single track can be fun, like at Gallows, but also, depending how you manage your positionning they can be the end of your race Anyways, I entered, got a jersey to defend, looking forward to it although the distance and elevation doesn't really work in my favour.

Thanks for this feedback, did you have a look at the long route ? You reckon this will be quite rocky and hectic ? I was thinking of downgrading from 47 path finders to sworks 42 for a lighter setup, but now I'm worried of slashing tyres.

Possible to have the GPX files available without having to share personnal details with another platform ? Already had to create an account on easyreg to enter... EDIT : That's a lot of trust put in the community... Usually we do quite the opposite, follow the route on the GPS rather than the marking, as there's always a group of kids that changes the arrows and send people of route at some point..

Agreed, the racing was great, but the communication was ***, before and during, we got the results every day for the day before, after the next stage had already happened. Also a bit *** finishing the race so early on duToitskloof, I paced for a 20 to 30mins effort, and it ended up being a 15 mins climb.

Hey, I'm here Smashing all but 1, I'm second, 21 secs down ! But same as @bleedToWin, mostly there to help our boys in the elite bunch, so far two wins in 3 stages. Not too bad

I actually feel sorry for the competition 😜

It's crazy, so many people who travel all the time live there, 3hr drive before and after flights sounds like a massive drawback ! I guess not paying taxes on a massive income makes up for it.

Frowned upon ? I've been doing it since I started cycling, never had one car hooting at me there