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

The name is the only thing that's deceiving about these tyres... I rode Epic 18; Transbaviaans; W2W; Attakwas; Eselfontein; and Bo-Piketberg races on 2 sets...and not one puncture. Not one issue. I rate this brand...only one issue I have had is leakage from one tyre (that was promptly replaced by the supplier). The tyre would lose too much air overnight and the Stans would almost be visible in small droplets on the sidewall. But you'll know if this is an issue on the first day after installation. But as for strength and performance; I am a convert.

To the veteran Desert Dashers: I have no problem with the distance - I just want to be more knowledgeable about the temperature variances. I'm coming from Cape Town, so both the altitude of Windhoek and the dry air are already factors to us coastal guys. How cold does it get during the night hours? I'm hearing it gets down to near zero...is this the exception or can we expect a real plunge in temperature (normal, average conditions)?

Cyclists and their personal needs evolve. Many events don't. As an example, I've done 6 x W2W and won't do any more. Apart from now costing the same as a trip to cycle a new destination in Europe with mates for a week, the route is pretty much the same. And I can ride the best part of it on most weekends - just a quick trip up to Oak Valley. Sani is very similar - how many do you need to do until you're personally saturated? I still love riding my bike (both road and MTB) but my need to enter all the races (as compared to the first 5 years of getting into cycling) is fast dissipating. And I think that's what happens to many amateur cyclists: the personal need to enter the same route against a rising entry fee fades (and its mainly the overheads that cause this increase - not event organiser greed) I've done 5 x Epics - but although the routes change most of the time, I've ridden quite a few of the same "iconic" route sections in various forms of the race. But the cost of the Epic (at R90k per entry) is exorbitant and actually makes the risk/reward too high for a regular South African amateur cyclist. I will always do the Cape Town Cycle Tour becuase that's great fun. But again, my personal needs there have changed - after achieving the times that I want to, I will be dropping back to ride with my son or my wife in a chilled way. (Maybe the FOMO gets me, but until then, I'm really content riding my bike all over the country without the restrictions of an event)

Offence is taken - not given. Certainly pulling a zap sign is intended to offend (that's why you "zap the bird" if you get the moer in with someone (see what I did there?)). Unfortunately offensive gestures are everywhere and have become a part of pop culture. When last did you subject your ears to some of this latest rap music? Now that's offensive! The language; promotion of the use of drugs (not Armstrong stuff - I'm talking about dope/crack/cocaine etc); consumerism (Gucci; Rolex brands get major push); objectification of women; swearing; racism...I cannot believe that particular music genre sells millions of dollars worth. And to the youth. And its everywhere. Walk into a mall and listen for some rap dude talking about...well, I'd better not say because that would be really offensive! So you would counter that argument by saying that a magazine is "contained data" (unlike music, you decide whether to see the content or not). Its meant to contain only family-friendly bike pics and stories. Well, I personally don't know of many kids who page through the Bicycling magazine. Hell - do kids even "page" any more? They normally "swipe" through something on their phone. Nevertheless (and I digress) my lonesome opinion on this is: whilst cyclists pulling zaps may be offensive, in a world where you can hear about "bi#ches loving my long d@ng" booming in over the speakers when you walk into any retail store in a mall, the world is indeed (as Mr Moerin dejectedly points out) losing its moral compass. And it would be very hard to keep out all things potentially offensive. Better to let kids know that there are many bad things out there and let them decide whats right and what's wrong - because at the end of the day, that's all you really can do (is help your kids form their own values).

Its been great reading all the various stories of this years Race edition. My crew and I saddle up and head out on Friday (from Cape Town). That's part of the whole adventure, right? Some of us in the team have sub-10 times in past "bumpier" TB's, so we're excited to hear that things are a bit smoother (and it looks like another tailwind - gentle, but we'll take it!). The winning times from the Race were unbelievable! SO many sub-9/10hr times really showed that not only were the conditions good but that the riders were also fully prepared to race from the word go. Just finishing this race is a huge kudo - but to really power down over that distance is amazing endurance and awesome cycling. TheJ - you had one of those days out there. It sounds like you really had to dig deep to overcome the challenges of the day. Well done man. (Strangely enough, I've often craved fruit - especially oranges - on hot stages of the Epic in the past. Fortunately they haven't had the inclination to climb out again). Anyway - thanks for all the stories. We are now starting to get excited (as we do each year) for this truly South African experience (we do love to suffer the long gravel stuff!).

https://www.smoothknobblies.com/2015/04/yes-you-should-quit-golf-and-take-up-cycling/

#BadSurfaceDelivery

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

Highly unlikely you will need additional mapping as the route is well marked and quite straightforward. That does raise another topic though: you'll need all the battery power your Garmin can provide - so shut off all unnecessary settings on your device (no backlight; bluetooth off; no linked devices etc). Last year I crossed the line and my small Garmin Edge 25 was about 5% away from dying (9hrs36min of run time - I was impressed with the device's longevity!)

This was my first Triathlon. And I must say that the administration left me stone cold...that walking to and fro was a real ball-ache. So whilst I believe they could centralise and improve on certain things (in other areas the organisation is very slick!) it was a great experience despite some initial gripes with that. As a mountain-biker (mainly) I enjoyed watching the sleek TT bikes rolling along. I was on my standard road bike (no tri bars) and definitely felt the difference between the two sets of weapons. I think my heavier build (93kg) is good for that kind of riding.... I knew I would bleed on the run (I did) but happy with a 5:38 at my first shot at this. Thanks again for this thread and advice given along the way. Much appreciated. I hope all of you who competed realised your own goals....

Stats as a first timer since 1 March: Cycling: 2456km (Epic miles in there) Run: 166km (not my favourite sport hey) Swim: 34.6km I didn't follow a programme or anything - so to a degree I will be winging it. Getting excited now... just hoping to enjoy it and soak up the vibe!!

Eish! Cape Town weather has been a bit miserable this past weekend (grateful for the rain though) - so tapering and sleeping was definitely the order of the day! My mate and I very keen to be getting ready for our first tri. Its been great following this thread and gleaning off a few pearls of wisdom. Good luck to all athletes; keep healthy; and travel safely if you need to get to Durbs an' all!