Groadie

But now I've already shaved off my moustache; packed away my Pas Normal gravel kit; and planned to watch the rugby with hooligans. Damn it! Next time I will be less Cape Town and more Brakpan in my mental toughness! 😁

I got so Cape Town I didn't even enter on the probability that the weather would be bad! Anyway - that's gravel racing. Probably find it will only be a bit of drizzle anyway. Best of luck and enjoy those rolling hills...

Did the 160km last year. Vowed to not enter again due to the price tag on getting my gravel bike healthy again after all that mud. All forecasts show heavy rain on the day of the event. Its one thing riding in the mud; its another thing fixing all the damage. Good luck to those who are still going ahead with the ride. You will have your war stories, no doubt.

Stolen: Bianchi Arcadex Gravel Bike 2022 When: 15/11/2022Where: Outside, Cape Town, Western Cape1 x 13 Campagnolo groupset. New bike. Taken by bikejack gang out of a taxi on 16 Nov 2022 on Spaanschemat Road - near the Range (Tokai/Constantia area - Cape Town) Phone also stolen. Last pinged in Wynberg and some bits off bike recovered in Wynberg area.Get further details about the incident in the Stolen Bikes section.

As the event organiser you're damned if you and damned if you don't. Also the decision to call it off is a joint one made in conjunction with various stakeholders - ultimately the municipality; provincial govt; event organisers and then the sponsors decide. Its not some kneejerk reaction. Our group decided to ride the entire route in any event. We left around 7:20am. Whilst there had been rain nothing fell in our 6 hours out on the route. We didn't come across that rockfall that was pictured in Tradouw Pass (the waterfalls were spectacular!). The back road had a crappy headwind - that would've been the heaviest weather risk/condition riders would've experienced. So the conditions that we experienced on the course were actually great for riding. We're not critical of the organisers, especially understanding that this was not a cold front but a low pressure system off the interior - which is less predictable than a standard front that sweeps the country. I'm just glad we still rode so that the braai and beers that followed were well-earned. We came across quite a few groups of other cyclists all doing portions of the route...many of them will probably have a similar opinion to ours. I hope this doesn't negatively impact race entry numbers next time there's some bad weather predicted for an event. We have all trained in far worse conditions (I would think)

I purchased one of these online during lockdown. Admittedly I've never been a huge fan of First Ascent but this product looked pretty good from the spec. So I ordered it online direct from FA and after 2 days it was delivered. Took it for a spin in some heavy drizzle and was really impressed! Its not GoreTex quality - but you get more than what you a paying for in terms of keeping water out. Lightweight with some subtle reflector strips - I was happy with this (and I ride regularly in the Cape on those miserable winter mornings). I have a more durable shell for downpours - but this will do well for light rain and wind:https://www.firstascent.co.za/diverge-waterproof-cycling-jacket

I agree. There's no perfect blueprint approach on this. Hopefully the efforts of all parties who sent in submissions (PPA; CSA etc) will help motivate for a safe cycling environment in these uncertain times. Everyone has their opinion on the matter. Lets hope we are able to cycle soon (within whatever regulations are given).

https://www.cyclingsa.com/news-and-press/2020/4/27/recommendations-by-cycling-south-africa-for-covid-19-risk-adjusted-strategy-pertaining-to-level-4-restrictions

The eBikes aren't timed (no race chips registered for them). Anyone can enter the ebike category (in the past you needed special permission to ride on one; normally for medical reasons). There is no perfect place for the ebikes to start becuase they are quick uphill; quick into the wind; but slow (relatively speaking) on the flats. Most ebikes only have enough battery for one loop - but its a close call form most ebikes on a 109km range. Good idea about different numbers as a differentiator. As long as you get your medal, why worry about theirs? They are not official finishers (as they have no official time). The Cycle Tour is a celebration of cycling. There are always going to be safety issues from all segments of riders. Its a lot of people going around the Peninsula and there will always be idiots . But the majority are fun-loving folk who just enjoy the day out (racing or not).

http://www.strava.com/activities/1976884088

The trend across most races is a decline. The demographic of the CTCT is also ageing, and not enough young riders are coming through either. There a plenty of systemic issues that probably have a bigger impact on total race entries as opposed to perceived CTCTT arrogance: Flight costs; previous Argus cancellations; accom costs; possible riots; weather uncertainty; CoCT escalation of costs; the state of the economy.... not much a planning committee can do against these macro-issues.

After 10 Cycle Tours I have found that C group is very well positioned for Sub 3 times. The last few events C has caught both B and A batches to create a large peloton that becomes this big animal by the time you swoop down into Scarborough. Sub 3's are also very weather dependent. Last year was probably one of the best years we've had for good times. Its obviously too early to speculate the weather forecast - but there have been some gusty South Easters around (not uncommon though) so its probably 50/50 right now for a quiet day. Best way to get a Sub 3 from E and below is to speak to the guys at the front of your group whilst you're waiting. One year we had a guy in C batch who literally just told all the front guys how we would ride together! He called all the shots (told us to chill up Edinborough so we stayed in a group; co-ordinated the rolling off the front to spare the riders - it took confidence and balls but we all listened and it worked like a charm!)

Event Name: Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse When: 23 February 2019 - 24 February 2019 Where: Gansbaai, Western Cape Category: MTB If you’re looking to ride a unique MTB experience in 2019, then the Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse is the event for you. On 23 & 24 February, 2019, enter as a 2-man team (R1800.00 per team) or single rider (R1000.00) on this two-day event. Hosted by The Lions of Gansbaai, the L2L has been running for 18 years with all proceeds going to charity projects in the Southern Cape. This unique race includes the following: • Ride from Danger Point lighthouse (Gansbaai) to the southernmost tip of Africa, the L’ Agulhas lighthouse. • Day 1 is 118km with 1200m ascent. The new (improved) route sees riders stick to scenic routes along the beach; through open plains; and through some wooded kloofs. (The sandy, rutted tracks of the past have been ditched for faster off-road tracks). • After camping at Cape Agulhas for the Saturday evening (families welcome to join) riders tackle the shorter 93km return route back to Danger Point. In addition to its own unique community and family-based flavour, The L2L is the ideal training ride for those who have entered endurance events later in the year. If you are training for the Cape Epic, this is the perfect event to fine tune your endurance over non-technical yet challenging terrain. Its also a step-up for those cyclists who want to tackle a bigger challenge than the one-day Karoo to Coast; or for cyclists looking to tackle ultra-long distance events like the Transbaviaans later in the year. The L2L only has place for 250 riders though! So commit now; book online; and be able to have a great goal to train for over the holiday period. 23 February 2019 is just a few months away! Go to Event Page

Back to the course though: those earlier changes for the climbing courses (not the flat gravel-travel 30km & 50km routes) around the 20km mark were steep. We were dropped down lower into the valley than previous editions and then thrown up a real bugger of a vineyard climb. After 75km I had close to 1800m ascent (on my Garmin). That was a tough day out - so great course for proper MTB riding. As for the wrist-based timing system - I also agree that the run in to the final tag is not ideal - especially when you have so many races converging at one finish point. I was desperate to clock in but had a bunch of 60 and 42 riders also all busy in their own personal race to the finish... very undesirable Cav/Sagan kind of effect I look forward to any developments that Dirtopia make here

Its not a PPA event. Its a Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust event. PPA and Rotary are the beneficiaries - not the organisers.

Its got around 1500m climbing. The start is pretty frantic and the front batches like to tear off. I've always enjoyed this ride. The last 2 have been quite warm - so a bit of cloud will be welcome relief. You get a bit of all terrain in the mix as well. No nasty surprises (as I recall). Its one of those races that you can really enjoy if you're not trying to win the thing.

Last year we rode the prologue at UCT. The Rhodes Must Fall chops had already started their nonsense by taping the statue up and then toyi toying through the spectators. Fortunately most media simply ignored them. I'm genuinely upset that this crowd has now forced the prologue to move out to Meerendal. Thats almost the definition of terrorism: "Criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of terror in the general public, a group of persons or particular persons for political purposes are in any circumstance unjustifiable, whatever the considerations of a political, philosophical, ideological, racial, ethnic, religious or any other nature that may be invoked to justify them." Heavy stuff! Maybe we select a few of them and get them to ride a few Epic stages? Should shut them up quick enough!

Great work by Rob and his team, the PPA, SANParks, and Ace of SPades! I hope this is just the top of the iceberg regarding how we can maximise the many many amazing trails e have around Cape Town. Can't wait to go and try this out...

A tongue in cheek look at the future of safe cycling rides: http://smoothknobblies.blogspot.com/2014/07/not-too-far-away.html

but lets do take a moment and have a chuckle at how seriously we are all taking this: http://smoothknobblies.blogspot.com/2014/07/prof-tim-noakes-and-carbohydrate.html

The more cyclists that get out there on their own means that there is unfortunately more opportunity for thieves to try and take your bike off you. Read this: http://smoothknobblies.blogspot.com/2014/07/not-too-far-away.html

There is a huge trend for cycling groups to coordinate their group rides and general cycling discussions by using WhatsApp. I'd be interested to hear about the different types of people and stories shared on your group. I compiled a fun blog about this - take a look and give me a few more examples to share please: http://smoothknobblies.blogspot.com/2014/04/hey-whatsapp-doc.html

http://smoothknobblies.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-secret-race.html

Ever wondered how all of the old equipment feels when you replace it? Check this out for a laugh: http://smoothknobblies.blogspot.com/2013/11/insecure-bikes.html

I asked the same question when starting the epic prologue this year. I had my GoPro on my helmet and was told to remove it. It has to do with safety - if you fall and land on that camera, the helmet offers little resistance. Also whilst you are falling the weight of the camera can move the positioning of the helmet on your nut; so again the effectiveness of the helmet is compromised. Thats what the safety marshall told me and it made sense.