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Mark James

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Posts posted by Mark James

  1. I've just seen the prize money for the event. Apart from 1st place (R15k), the prize money for 2nd-5th place seems really low. Even more surprising (and shocking) when you see the big names of the sponsors behind the event, and the cost of the entry. The age categories don't even win the value of their entry fee back!

    Never bothered paying much attention to the prize money involved for local cycling events, but is this typical of all SA cycling events?

  2. 7 hours ago, stringbean said:

    Anyone doing this event?

    Those with experience,Mtb or gravel bike?

    If gravel bike what gearing?

    TIA

    I went up to Tankwa from the 26-30th Dec with the plan of riding both the R355 and R354. I took a dual suspension bike and a gravel bike with 42/47 tyres. (and even with a Redshift seatpost and 30mm Lefty fork it was unpleasant...) 

    The first 20-25km of the R355 that runs from the R46 is horrendous, and was difficult and unpleasant to ride on either bike. The roads are in poor condition, lots of sandy sections, and areas of exposed sharp rocks. The R354 running East from the R355 turnoff is even worse, and pretty much unridable. 

    The R355 northwards (I rode it for 60km) after the Tankwa padstal is fairly good, although some of the usual corrugated areas.

    As far as gearing, the roads are fairly flat and easy to ride, so no need to change what you normally run.... I would also definitely use a dual suspension rather than a gravel bike. 👍

  3. 45 minutes ago, FondTF2 said:

    One of the guys from the group followed me and assaulted me a distance away from where they were. That said you would think that he would of bragged or said something to the others and let’s hope that he or she has a conscience and says something 

    I truly hope that one of the other 15 decide that they don't want to be part of this assault and come forward... 

     

    good luck to you 🙏

  4. 4 hours ago, Trashy said:

    USE BIKEHUB PAY.

    Hi Trashy (I see that you are also in Paarl, howzit 😀). 

    I haven't ever purchased something on Bikehub without seeing it first, so will definitely make use of "Bikehub pay" this time... Thanks

  5. 3 hours ago, Barry said:

    You can ask the Seller to take the bike to Cycle Lab Lynnwood.  They can box it and send it to CWC Cape Town.

    Maybe give Ruben a shout at Cycle Lab and he can inspect the bike for you then send to Bernard at CWC.

    This is great, thanks for the advice. Will give Cycle Lab a call tomorrow to enquire 

  6. 1 hour ago, Paul Ruinaard said:

    Okay I am slow and fat and unfit but checking out local routes. Will check the routes I think the one you mentioned goes across the face of Paarl rock from monument side to Paarl north? Was up there on the motorcycle to try and see if you can get through. Do you need a pass? I am in VDV. Done some of the usual road rides to Franschoek. Keep smiling because it’s so pretty here. This morning’s ride next level 

    Well, the above ride was part of my "baptism of fire" back-on-the-bike Spring ride this morning, and I was trying to keep up with my riding partner who was on an e-bike, so I'm feeling it now...

    No pass needed, as Jan Phillips is a public road, which also means you share the road with some boytjies thinking they are practicing for the Paris-Dakar in their double cabs, but otherwise the road is mostly frequented by runners and riders on weekend mornings... The views over Paarl are spectacular, and smiles are guaranteed 😉 

  7. 23 hours ago, Paul Ruinaard said:

    Where do you guys ride gravel?

    Hey Paul. I normally ride from Boschenmeer to Specialised Paarl, then up to the start of Jan Phillips dirt road, then to the end of Jan Phillips which comes out on the main road in Paarl North, then back along the main road to Specialised. If I'm feeling "game', then I add a detour up to Paarl rock. The dirt roads are fine for a gravel bike, but I normally do it on my MTB. Feel free to DM if you want more info 👍

  8. 7 hours ago, Danger Dassie said:

    It can work nicely with what you’ve described, a few people around who do this. 33mm tyres are the max clearance.

    Wait for the Crux if you’re after something more racy than the Diverge. 

    Wasn't aware that 33mm tyres was the max clearance. I thought (or rather had been told) that I could fit a 38mm tyre to the bike... But I guess I will keep looking for a more dedicated gravel bike then. Thanks 

  9. I ride a nicely spec'ed MTB, but am thinking of purchasing a road/gravel bike. The purpose of the road/gravel bike is to ride on rough roads (around Paarl), and occasionally on dirt roads or jeep tracks.

    I was looking at either a new entry level Specialized Diverge Elite, or the other options was to buy a 2nd hand Specialized Roubaix (with Future shock 1.5) and converting it to a gravel bike by putting chunkier tyres on it. I figured that the Spez Roubaix has the future shock 1.5 for some added comfort, but was wondering if it could handle the occasional abuse of dirt roads... 

    Does anyone have any similar experience using a Spez Roubaix as an occasional gravel bike, and fitting chunkier tyres on it? 
     

  10. 3 hours ago, Vetplant said:

    Don't be caught out with the early start today due to the length of the stage. They roll out at 11h00.

    Crap, didn't know it was an earlier start today!!! !$@#$%!!!
     

    Turned on the TV at 12h00, and looks like there has already been some interesting developments!! I think we are in for an exciting day!!

  11. 3 hours ago, Skubarra said:

    events get cancelled all the time and often organisers don't refund the entry fee?

    Some do, some don't... Most don't

    Stilwater reimbursed me 75% of my entry fee for the Origin of trails event in April (and allowed me to keep my freebie jersey I received). Why did they do this? Probably because it is the right and honourable thing to do... So kudos to them for doing so, and for having been very clear on their website about the risks of the event being cancelled, and their reimbursement policy in the event of it being cancelled  ????

  12. 23 minutes ago, TheoG said:

    Is this a honest question?  If so Eddy Merckx with 34 tour stage wins.

    Patchy needs to say why he think he was a cheat .... ????

    Honest, yet possibly naive question I guess ????

    Will wait for the explanation about Eddy Merckx ????

  13. 1 hour ago, Rocket-Boy said:

    Holding on to all of the money without partial refunds/carry over is not cool though.

     

    Totes agree!!

    The race organisers should refund the entrants, or at the very least refund 75% like Stilwater did when they cancelled the Stellenbosch Origin of Trails ride earlier in the year (April), which was also due to lockdown measures. 

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