Patchelicious

Think Im good: "Hi Andre, My apologies for the delay. Thank you for your payment and providing us with the requested info. I can confirm that everything is in order with your booking. Feel free to let me know of any queries you may have leading up to the event. Have a great evening further. Kind Regards"

Originally yes. It all started with the idea that my friend and I would ride together. He originally wanted to do the Epic, but I am not a fan of mountain biking, so I declined. He then convinced me to enter this event instead, which is ultimately why I bought a gravel bike. Our plan was to ride as a two-man team, and we have been training together for the past three months since I returned to South Africa. Over that time, it has become clear that while our fitness levels are fairly close, but there is still a noticeable gap. My FTP is currently around 320 watts at about 77 kilograms, with a VO2 max in the mid-60s. His FTP is around 290 watts, he weighs about 78 or 79 kilograms, and his VO2 max is in the low 50s. He started to worry about being the weaker rider in the partnership, especially since he had previously always been the stronger rider in the several Epics he has completed. I think, in an effort to remove that pressure, he did not want to hold me back, and equally, I did not want to push him to a point where he was struggling. As a result, we decided to "ride" at our own pace rather than as a strict team. That said, riding at our own pace does not mean taking it easy. I still intend to enjoy the event, but I rarely go out on my bike without pushing myself hard for at least certain sections.

Yeah, I only got my bike service and vehicle transport confirmations yesterday...

I’m angry just looking at that bottom picture.

Malgas to Infanta and back for some last minute GRG panic training, on the world’s most corrugated road.

It’s a tour for me too. It’s not often I get to spend a week away from home riding bikes. So why the hell suffer and stress about being 100th or 110th. So my buddy and I have agreed to “not race” and prioritise just chilling and relaxing. Will see how long that lasts once the days start(I know myself), but that’s the idea for now. I just hope to all things godly that the gravel is not too rough and corrugated. Rode Malgas to Infanta and back today and I almost threw my bike over a farmers fence out bloody corrugation frustration.

Ribble Ultra Grit. 44 + 10-46 RED XPLR (although I’m strongly considering a 42) Tuvo 48mm on 303 XPLR SW (don’t know what inserts are)

Does anybody have the gpx files for the route?

Been looking forward to this event. But as a proper dirt roadie, I hope they mean it when they say "champagne gravel", I keep hearing this and then you get sections that are for enduro bikes. If I wanted that and single track I would enter a MTB event. For one, Im not too fussed about the 160km stage turning into a "shorter" 120km, 120km is more than plenty (he says a day after the Ronde van Pains). GRG is hopefully going to be a hoot, we entered it instead of Epic, so lets hope it lives up to our excitement.

I just missed it, came in at 3:02 on my gravel bike from 1A.

Seeing you and your boy cross the line for his first Argus was the highlight of the day. Very special

If you ever want to do a study on why our economy and society is in it’s chops, either watch people at the luggage carousel at the airport or come ride A bunch. Never in my life have I seen so many very capable people do so little work.

Does anybody have a map of the parking areas?

Yes, old one served me well but it battery is at its end. This apparently has size and location of vehicles too. Testing tomorrow

Little Garmin update package for winter training.