MongooseMan

The one time I get 3rd SV in the 80k and they don’t have a podium 😂 🙈

Did the 80k, was nice to finish with a top10, which is a novelty for me. felt the podiums and “lucky draw” was a bit of an afterthought compared to last year, no numbers, no age group podiums, etc. aside from that, really enjoyed it, will be back as always next year.

Throwing a 2.1 in the mix, depending on your clearance (though there is also terreno dry in 50c wide) Vittoria Terreno XC Race, which has a very subtle fish scale pattern down the centre, and then some chunkier knobs on the side for handling. Really liking this one so far

Looking warm

Ready to roll 42 front, 2.1 rear (“only” doing the 80. Would be a chunkier front if I was doing the 130 again)

I use ProBikeGarage Links to strava, so pulls milage automatically Can set reminders for relubing/rewax/sealant topup/component life-span, etc. I swap between chains, and it reminds me when to do it.

I think the main issue is the front of the 130/80k will run into the back of the 30k, and that could get very messy through that section (I was the forum member who originally pointed it out, mainly because I know for certain one of the back-markers in the 30k will be my mom on her e-bike cruiser 🤣) But a prologue could be fun (though if you're doing that, I'd advocate for a combination of the bench climb and that single track) Edit: hehe, I see @guidodg has similar ideas

I've had no issues. I did gift one to a friend and he said the 3D printed stuff came off the carbon, but he also is... less than careful... with his bikes so your mileage may vary.

Same routes as last year?

Just don't miss the turn this year 😆

Better than the block headwind on the tar from last year

My mom does it every year on her ebike. It's the only race she's ever done.

I mean, the same store does long black aero socks, but then it looks like you're wearing black stockings, so you do you 😉

Of all the things to take issue with, given general road cycling attire, white socks seems a particularly strange hill to die on 😂

I've got a few pairs of these, by far the cheapest I've found, and work well: https://aerostoresa.company.site/White-Aero-Socks-p488306640

Squirt recommends about 800-1000km, whereas Silca is 250-350miles (400-560km) (for dry road cycling) So Squirt almost double as "long lasting"

Will be interesting to see price vs Silca Also seems the recommended distance between rewaxing is much higher for Squirt.

Doesn't that imply 4 race villages though? (Greyton, Oak Valley, Paarl, Lourensford) Last few years have all had 3 (at least, as far as I can remember). Isn't blind hypothesising fun

My recommendation would be: Day1: Riversdal - Swellendam (90k) Day 2: Swellendam - Riviersonderend (75k) Day 3:Riviersonderend - Napier/Bredasdorp (55/65k) Day 4: Napier/Bredasdorp - Greyton (80/90k) Day 5: Greyton - Franschoek (75k) Strava says 390k, 55% gravel (could probably increase this if you spent longer than the 5mins I took to make it). Essentially the back half of cross-cape, with a diversion down south to Napier/Bredasdorp

I see they've just removed the "Team Time Trial" aspect, according to their instagram. So now it's a "normal" gravel race.

Did it this year on a gravel bike. Couldn't have built a much more comfortable gravel bike, 2.1" tyres, front suspension, etc. I went in (naively) looking at the route profile and thinking the first 100k would be gravel bike heaven. It was not. Rutted, rough, all the things. And the bigger descents were a big issue, I was being dropped properly by my MTB-riding team mates (yes, some of that is skill, but some of it is bike too). By the time we go to Bergplaas I removed my gloves to find 2 massive blisters. Funnily enough, the second "half" (from Bergplaas) was perfect for a gravel bike. Long stretches of rolling smooth gravel. But by then the damage was done. Finished in 12:50. I wouldn't do this race again on a gravel bike. You can, but the first half just isn't fun.

If you sweet talked yourself 3 start batches up and finished with that batch your seeding would "probably" improve (see previous thread on betas, etc, etc for dislaimers)

It is, but you'd probably have a penalty associated with it by the time CTCT rolls around. I think of it more as keeping my seeding current, so I don't have a penalty when 99er, etc comes around

Agree Aside from the novelty of the midnight cows, that long stretch after you go under the road just goes on and on, with no concept of how far you have left.