Lucas Swart

Hi there How strict are they with the closing of the substitutions? I have just been through the process of "releasing" my entry but now I see that the option for someone else to take it over (substitute) closed on 15 Feb and I don't see a place to do it anywhere. Not sure what happens with my entry now? Seems like it's in limbo. I obviously don't want to lose my entry if I can't let someone else take it over.

Hi folks. I have decided to give up my seeded time and rather start quite a bit later with my friend who will be doing his first tour tomorrow. I just wanted to check, can someone confirm whether we are allowed to start later than our allocated them? I recall them saying we could start later last time if we wanted to (and that my timing will just start as soon as I go over the pad thing anyway), but I haven't seen that mentioned anywhere this time.

I was embarrassed to have to stand in that line, even though I was fully vaxxed (my timing was just out, yesterday was 6 days post second pfizer dose and the requirement was 7 days). I got vaxxed at the first opportunity that I could, but I'm 32 and my age group was only allowed from 20 August (and I got my first dose on day 1). I suspect that a lot of the younger people in the queue were in a similar situation.

Anyone know if the race is going to be streamed somewhere or how that works?

I’m pretty sure the medical sticker is supposed to go on this thing, which we need to pin to our jerseys.

Any idea where to put the sticker with the elevation charts and distances on it?

Can anyone tell me where all the stickers and things are supposed to go (from the race pack)? The medical info one is obvious, but the other 3 are kind of ambiguous. Edit: Figured this out right after posting this and now I feel silly

It was really fun thanks. Weather was really amazing and the landscape beautiful. The 800m elevation was nicely spread out, with just one or two bigger climbs. Most of it was pretty flat gravel, there was just one small section of single track with a river crossing which I enjoyed. Event was super well planned, catered and signposted. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to get into gravel riding.

76km Gravel Ride | 800m Elevation (https://www.entryninja.com/events/76750-the-pie-run-mtb-gravel-grinder) This event is happening soon (25 September). I am participating with a few mates, we were just wondering if anyone here has done it before and if you had experiences or tips to share. Looks like a fun one. Cheers

Thanks so much! It did feel a bit like I was being thrown in the deep end, in more ways than one, but I am happy to have the memories and I do feel pretty proud to have pulled it off. I also learnt quite a bit about the value of having the right gear. The only thing I was really lacking was waterproof socks, and I definitely won't make that mistake again. I was wondering, are we supposed to receive some kind of statistic/rank from racetec based on what they tracked with the chip? I was hoping so since my strava didn't do it's job.

When I arrived in that deluge yesterday I thought I might not make it but I'm glad I pushed through. First race done and dusted. Would have been nice to have a medal as a souvenir, or at least have it on strava (my watch stopped tracking a few times and I lost about 40km on there) but still feeling pretty good about it. Also, my Battaglin '87 performed very well.

Thanks for the advice and confidence boosters up to this point folks. Makes me glad to be joining this community. I have one more rookie question if you'll humour me a bit more. If I'm used to riding SPDs on a different bike, but haven't used them before on the bike I'm doing this race with (my Battaglin steel frame), do you think it's wise to put SPD's on the Battaglin now, right before the race?

What would you folks say is the appropriate attire for this race?

Assuming they sent this to the same email you registered through? I have not received mine yet for some reason.

That there is a beaut sir! I will look out for it on Sunday. Thanks for putting my mind at ease. I was having visions of being whizzed past by a blur of carbon fibre and then not seeing another human until the end of the race. This is my Battaglin, which is currently being cleaned up and serviced at Woodstock Cycle Works.