'Kaze Pete

Maybe he is going flat pedals. @NotSoBigBen, how is the ankle mobility?

I'll skip the bar, been over that - not advisable I'll always be over par doing m*er & soek. No need to walk around following a ball to get dronk. Both are overrated Serious question: I've missed all the seeding races up to now, and will not be around locally in October to squeeze in Shova, etc. Anybody know of any seeding races left / have an idea how to still get a semi-decent seeding for this race. My last "94.7" was done in 2018

The process is as follows: 1. You buy a CSA Membership. For this you first need to belong to a club, because the club admin must approve you CSA membership application 2. If you want to buy a domestic racing license, you first need to have completed done point 1. 3. If you want/need a UCI number to race internationally, you first need a domestic racing license (point 2) Note: Not sure if there are 'dummy clubs' to use to bypass requirements for point 1

2025: I'm stuck between two choice; a rigid 29er or a gravel bike. Let's just call it a shock choice: one or none. I'll leave the SS stuff to Wyatt, et al

This search is becoming more of a what is available than a what I want thing

paid & entered. who'll be there?

Up “the hill” aka suikerbossie. corrugations were nicely flatted out after the rains

This is becoming our go-to non-short option

How to fit 29x2.25 tyres to a Giant Revolt? eg: Vittoria Terreno XC Race

I'm busy going down the Dextrose/Maltodextrin/Fructose & L-wordsoup rabbit hole. Not going far or fast enough to find benefits of more than 60g(20g of each above) per bottle (yet), or a higher Fructose ratio. edit: This is also a whole new topic/chapter, even book by itself edit 2: (NB) For multi day events, or even long single day events, sugars should not be your staple!

Khomas100, in their Rider Guide (https://khomas100.com.na/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Rider-Guide-Khomas100.pdf), they list the following as acceptable for their race Will the "once-piece handle bar with short extension" be allowed?

I've only done the half (wet 2023), but the terrain from Calitzdorp to the last waterpoint was way more hilly than what was before. Rooiberg, sure 6.65km at 7% is tough, but you just get into a rhythm and ride it out. Those 'rollers' after Calitzdorp, they are tough. The hills mostly disappear after the last waterpoint 😀 From the last waterpoint to the finish is more of a mental thing than physical and you must just soldier on (ok, I was cold and wet..) As suggested by @fanievb, go tire out your legs and THEN do a few hill repeats! and keep smiling!!! (It hides the grimacing!)

Trek Checkpoint. It looks great, specs seem good. Unfortunately it is a 1x, I'm not a complete grinder/stomper,my average cadence is not super high, in the low 80s. Still think I'm going to need the occasional 'overdrive' not to wind myself Scott Addict. Looks good (also: 2x Shimano) Giant Revolt. Seems interesting. Sadly it looks like a dual suspension MTB without the shocks. The 1x 40t chainring is not quite fast, and not quite slow enough for Rooiberg Titan Racing. Really want to try one, but looks just do not appeal to me, Real life view did not add to the experience. Bianchi. I'm going to feel like a poser / imposter on one. Need to give it a 'in real life look' though Orbea Terra. Need to have a deeper look Cube. Need to have a deeper look Merida Silex. unsure Silverback Siablo. unsure Winspace. Feels like I'm taking a chance

Yeah, I allows 99spokes suggestions to get the better of my list. It is mostly for comparison, not a list of serious contenders. Doubt I'll go non-carbon. If I want to "steel-is-real", I'll just mess around on the semi-converted Cotic Soul

I pleaded lazy, and took some questions to ChatGPT, after doing comparisons on https://www.99spokes.com Have not verified the responses yet, and yes it is not related to the local market/prices/specs/currencies.. gravel_bikes_updated.xlsx