There is a cut off time that is pre determined for each stage. Your time only starts when your batch starts. The organizers can extend the cut off. This usually happens when the stage winners takes more than 50% of the pre determined cut off time. Example, the pre determined cut off for stage 5 is 11 hours. The first team finishes in 6 hours. Cut off will be extended to 12 hours in this case. There will be boards up at the water points informing you of the new cut off time and the announcer at the water point will also tell you this. As far as I am aware cut off times don't get reduced.
Nothing will happen to the frame. Do whatever sessions you like, hard, standing or sprints. The tire thing is very valid. My trainer chows tires. I now have a separate wheel with the blue Tacx training tire on it, it seems to last a lot better.
Two things are very clear: 1. Do your own research before you buy a bike; and 2. Don't do that research on The Hub, there is way to little fact and way to much emotion flying around.
I did the 3 day event. I think the route was well laid out, at least as good as you will get around Johannesburg. The water points was very good. Transport back to the start was run very well with no long waits. Very well organized event overall.
Well I am glad you enjoyed it. I am one of the "moaners and complainers". Strangely enough I also do it for the fun. The difference is for me it is a lot more fun when it is well organized and I don't have to worry that there will be no water or USN at the water points or that I might ride over somebody on the single track. When there is no water points and I have to make my own way with water, I call it a training ride.
Sabie will probably be better. Whether you use local organizers or not does not matter. When you put your name on an event you make sure everything works as it should. Hopefully a lesson learned.
Unfortunately I have to agree with all the points you raised here. The race was not up to standard . Running out of water and anything to drink is unforgivable. I am seriously reconsidering if I will do Sabie. If the planning is as *** there it is going to be a big mess. I do see on twitter that they themselves think the race was fantastic.
I am looking to upgrade my Santa Cruz LTc to 1x11. I do mostly ride marathon and and stage racing. Epic again this year. What size chainring would you recommend? I am thinking 32 or 34. Any suggestions?
I don't think anybody can answer whether it is worth the money for 'you'. We can comment on whether we think it is a great bike or not. I've got a Tallboy LTc and it is a great bike, no doubt one of the best bikes out there. For me it is worth the money. (and mine is specked at quite a bit more than R65k)
I am trying to educate myself a bit on BB's. So let's just stick to MTB for now. How accurate is the following: 1. There is predominantly 2 types of BB's - Pressfit and screw in (name?) this is specific to your frame. 2. For the types above you get BB30 (Shimano?) and GXP (SRAM?) these are crank specific? Can somebody please clarify this for me? What is the Road bike standards?
I don't really use the software but I think it is a free download. I did get a USB ant+ dongle with mine as well so you can control the unit from a PC/laptop as well and do the VR thing on there as well. I used it once or twice. Like you I am only interested in the intervals.
It does all of that and automatically uploads your data to TrainingPeaks, Strava and a few other sites after your session. You download the VirtualTraining App, plug in the Ant+ key, pair the trainer, heart rate belt and cadence sensor, and Bob's your uncle. I am still a bit shaky from my session this morning. Like I say no hiding, no thinking, head down and suffer. I bought mine from www.bicyclepower.co.za directly. Dave is your man!
If you have a iPad you don't need the head unit, in fact the iPad is much better than the head units. The new head unit is the Joule GPS and in my opinion if you are going to use a head unit and only use it indoors, I would ask for a Joule 3. It has got a much bigger screen and it is much easier to manipulate the wattage up and down on it. I got the Joule 3 with mine while they were waiting for the GPS units. When I got the GPS unit I went back very quickly and swapped it back for the Joule 3. I use a Garmin outside and don't need the Joule for that. If you don't have a iPad this is a good excuse to get one. The other benefit of Cycleops is that you can use your 29er on them. As for the benefit of a trainer, I can vouch for it. There is no hiding on the trainer, if you slack off the trainer quickly reminds you. I do all my interval sessions on the trainer, everything is very controlled and you don't have to worry about finding a suitable route. The trainer without head unit is now R9,995 so yes it is a big investment.
