MongooseMan

Higher beta generally means a lower seeding index (ie a better seeding for CTCT). The index formula is: The WinnerTime can be adjusted (and often is, downwards). But as you can see from the equation above, higher beta means the number on the bottom of the fraction gets bigger, which means the result gets smaller. Worked example from Winelands: If you did 3 hours, with the current winning time of 2h20m and beta of 0.85, you'd end up with an index of 33. If the beta was 1, the index would be 28, if it was 1.05, index would be 27. Same worked example for 4 hours yields indexes of and 83, 71, and 67. As @bleedToWin points out, setting the winning times and beta is largely a curve fitting exercise, which ironically lends credence to the whole "anti A groupers pulling D groupers to fast times" brigade, since that messes up the curve

I seem to remember you and I have had similar discussions in the past. I agree they need to fit a curve, and I agree that they're trying to suggest what beta "could" be representing. But, from numerous examples over the last few years, I can point out betas that do not correlate with this, hence me calling it potentially misleading and confusing. Anyway, as I said, not affected, just having to explain to friends who did this race to improve their seeding why their 3 hours in the hot wind is not valued as much as 3hrs at 99er last year.

That's fine, but then don't call beta If it's purely fitting a bell-curve, that's fine, but the current reading on the page is misleading in that case, in my opinion.

Well seeding results from Winelands are out, and it’s been given a beta of 0.85. I’ve stopped trying to understand how they determine these things, but I’m a bit mystified as to how 99er last year gets a 1.05 and this gets a 0.85. Doesn’t make a lot of sense, but I’m also not affected, so 🤷

This, especially in the section in question. Hoot at me all you like, I'm gonna be at least a car door's width from the kerb from Muizenberg to the end of Kalk Bay.

Saw 2 dropped bottles in A batch before we left Wellington. As @ChrisF said, wrong day to be short on hydration 🙈

Easier than Ceder, harder than Ronde van Riebeek. Kinda fits in the middle for me. But yes, great race, on my calendar every year.

You definitely skip the big climb if you do the 80k. The 130k has a 7km climb with pitches of 20% in it.

Warm by 9am, but minimal wind: Warm day for the mid to back of the pack, but at least they have a tailwind to the finish:

Seeding emails going out, let it begin 😀

Safa Brian was out over December and filmed this of his Bains descent with some of the local lads

Slight hijack: how is that Bolany 60mm fork? I’ve got my eye on it for a gravel build later this year for Trans

Seems greyton is the place to be this week 😉

Hout Bay Engen saved me, that orange ice lolly had a bigger effect than most gels I’ve taken

I think it's gone, but I just ride in the red bus lane along that section.

Thinking out loud: Power meter pedals/power meter crank = your output Stick it on a smart trainer = total output Difference = Motor output (more or less) Of course, that requires access to power meters and a smart trainer.

Thanks! I don't think anyone here envies your task of trying to balance cyclist desires for routes with local authorities, traffic, etc. Looking forward to Feb, at least I don't have to keep a bullet in the chamber for the last 500m now 😉

@NicholasH without throwing you under the bus, are you able to add any colour to the route changes? 😉

The "crit" is an issue because A batch has it as neutralised, B batch doesn't. So last year, for 99er and Tour de PPA, B batch caught A batch before the 5km crit section was done, which lead to all manner of issues. Agree on Odendaal, it was a unique finish, it's now the same as all the other Dbnvl races.

Just had a look at the road route, 2 interesting changes: 1. No more crit circuit through the suburbs to start (this is good) 2. No more Odendaal hill to finish (looks like the normal Durbie Dash/Tour de PPA finish on Adderly, maybe a bit further down the road). Also means 94km instead of 99... https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/313014923

Just noting that sizing between brands (and often within brands between models, or even years) is a complete dogshow. Example, comparing 2 different years of Spez Diverge to a Trek Checkpoint, all ostensibly size "56" https://geometrygeeks.bike/compare/specialized-diverge-expert-2022-56,specialized-diverge-expert-2020-56,trek-checkpoint-alr-4-2021-56-cm/ Geometry Geeks is your friend here, work out what your desired stack and reach are and then find the size that most closely matches that. If between, size down.

I had a moment after popping where I was quite happily drafting the remnants of team #33 (as a member of team #248). It was humbling moment 😂

2: Pure Average and Pure Savage Mixed. Renay was in Brendan's team (Pure Average). They were the ones in the "tri-colour" (red, white, blue). We (PS Mixed) were in the black kit.

My second DC, first time in the other @Pure Savage mixed team (ie, the one that didn't come 5th 😉) I punctured out of Ashton, which meant a solo ride in the hurt box to Bonnievale. Tried to draft the ECC/3PO train that came through. Nothing like sitting 24th wheel and being absolutely on your limit for 20 minutes, 130km into a race 😆 Popped at Red Bridge, and rolled into Bonnievale neutral 8 mins after my team. Downed a litre of coke and shoved ice in all the places it would stick before rolling out. At the right hand turn to the sisters I told the road captain I'd push a lady up the first one and then I was done. Did that, got to the top, somehow recovered on the down so did it again on the 2nd sister. Halfway up the third sister I realised there were only 7 of us left, so I kinda had to stick around. And from the top it's just the most madcap descent in a 50km/h paceline, screaming at each other not to back off. Finished in 5:44 for 6th mixed team. 100% recommended, would do it all again 😁

7:05 start? We're 2mins before you 😉 Don't forget to factor neutral zones in when setting your average speed (unless you're planning on doing a 4:30? )