Denis Dell

Buddy of mine pushed a buggy as well, we looked at your handle bar and said, damn,why did we not thought of that! Also planning to make improvements to the buggy, even just some minor suspension will go a long way to make it more comfortable for the rider inside.

A buddy of mine and I were roped into pushing a buggy. We haven't been able to do the training we needed to do a proper CTCT time, so figured, hell why not. If you know any of these guys I am referring to in this post, please give them a shout out. So, here is a fun one. At the top of Chappies, I spotted Father Christmas. First, I thought I was hallucinating (chappies can do that to you on the best of days), but when I spotted more than one and they were all “ho ho ho”, I realised maybe this was more than just hallucinations. So I tuned them that they look way too happy for this event. Why don't they contribute some of that holiday spirit on Suikerbossie to us… also, if that spirit can take physical form and push as well, then awesome! As we descended towards Suikerbossie, I saw one Santa pass us after the next. I was thinking to myself, Yeah, thanks for nothing. However, true as nails, when we reached the bottom of Suikerbossie, this brigade of Santas awaits us next to the road. I shout, they shout, I wave, they wave, they kickstart their sleighs… They shout, we move over, the Christmas Spirit is here. I just thought, awesome, this is exactly what I need, an army of jolly old men in red spandex… I can now use Suikerbossie to recover somewhat. Now, I appreciate that just the thought of using Suikerbossie for recovery may well be very indicative of permanent brain damage, but that should give you an idea about the intensity of the rest of the event. (If you haven't pushed a buggy yet, add it to your bucket list!) And then, it happened: the Santas started pushing. And when I say “pushing,” I mean they weren’t just helping a buddy out. No, they were launching themselves forward like rocket-powered reindeer. I glanced down—ah, okay, e-bikes, that makes sense. I think, “I’ll recover on the downhill. Let’s stick with these guys rather” And then it happened. One of them hits the big red button. The kind of button you’d see in the Oval Office. I’m talking about a button that screams, “WARNING, Nuclear Launch Button.” It had a safety cap and everything. They press it, and it takes about a second or two, but then the bikes start belching smoke like a factory on fire. The top tube, the rear tube, hell, even Father Christmas’s ears started smoking (okay, maybe I imagined that part). I look down again. Oh boy. These weren’t the cute little e-bikes I was used to seeing on the road. Oh no, these were the kinds of bikes with batteries big enough to power a small village. Through winter. In Greenland. Long story short, I got dropped so hard on Suikerbossie by my buggy and the Santa brigade; it was not even funny. Fortunately, my buggy had the good sense to wait for me on the top of Suikerbossie, but apart from losing out on my recovery, it also meant I never got a chance to thank the Holiday Spirit for taking on physical form and helping us out. So thank you Santa! Also a big shout out to Andrew and Mark (sorry, I did not get their surnames), for helping us out when the going got hard on Smits Winkel and Chappies. For those who have never pushed a buggy, seriously add it to your bucket list; you will not regret the experience.

I am resurrecting this topic because Lachlan Morton was cycling around Australia. The D'Ville Cycling Club's Audax group was talking about it and trying to find out what the record of cycling, say the length, breadth, and perhaps around South Africa is. We could not find anything, so I'm wondering if anybody else has a link or contacts to find out what those records are. We have some real monsters in the Western Cape who like these ultra-distance rides.

The calculation error you've made is that the segment is 2.3km, you still need to go down as well, so one lap will be 4.6km. The actual elevation is also 133 meters (total lap gain), so that means you need to do 66.9 laps, rounded up, so that means you need to do 67 laps. However, you NEVER want to be one lap short, so see the last lap as a victory lap and to make sure you definitely exceed the 8848. So the correct calculation is 4.6km * 68 = 312km for the day. (of which 2.3km * 68 = 156.4km is climbing)

in terms of the segment, that specific segment has been used in the past for various everesting attempts, both quarter camp, base camp, full and 10k. 4 people have done the full everesting on Malanshoogte, here are their Strava activities the last one being done by Willem Mouton on 21 July 2023. https://www.strava.com/activities/4243455478 https://www.strava.com/activities/9501669270 https://www.strava.com/activities/5225232380 https://www.strava.com/activities/5225075364 Andrew and Stephan also did the 10k on that climb https://www.strava.com/activities/6370185909 https://www.strava.com/activities/6370170084 We did contact the Hells500 club about the segment but haven't had a response yet. However, given that the segment has been vetted numerous times before (and the rules haven't changed), I don't think one needs to worry too much.

To do the full Everesting, you will need to do about 68 loops or 312km. Granted, half of that is downhill.

Okay, so looks like my question escalated very quickly.... 😉 Also, to be clear, I was not referring to the section slipping off the mountain due to the fire and the rains. I think the organisers did a great job ensuring rider safety at that point (and at most other traffic furniture). I was referring to the section going past Capri, which resulted in many a puncture. Either way still remains a great event and would definitely ride it again (even if that means I need to mount a cooler box onto my bike next year to keep my drinks cool)

I just have two issues/questions about the CTCT, why would the organisers only allow one coke and one water at the finish line? I did not need to stop at any of the water points yet I am allowed one coke at the finish? Seriously, that could be done better. My other issue, the CTCT trust is boasting about plowing in Rx millions into the western cape, why of why can't some of that funds be allocated to fix some of the roads? Friends of mine had some horrific crashes (written off bikes, cracked helmets, personal injuries the works) and I had a close call or two due to bad road surface. Nothing like doing over 50km/h and then hit a a bad section in the tar that takes you airborne, and the altering your voice a few octaves higher for the rest of the day. Is it just me, or is the above two points also a concern for others?

I do hope this returns to the calendar for 2024, hopefully without all the double bookings.

It does look like Skubarra is correct, here are the fastest riders per group/wave: Wave A: 2:24:16 Wave B: 2:37:24 Wave F: 2:38:36 Wave D= 2:40:48 Wave Z: 2:41:23 Wave Y: 2:42.09 Wave G: 2:44:09 Wave C= 2:45:27 Wave M: 2:48:55 Somebody is going to start in different starting groups soon....

where do you see that? I still only see the old crappy website on https://results.finishtime.co.za/results.aspx?CId=35&RId=4364&EId=1&dt=1 also, when can we expect the new seeding to come out?

it is not just this race, most races that start in "towns" tend to just be crazy from the word go. Just a question: how did they "practically" do this for you guys in the A-bunch? Did they have a marshall which you shall not pass?

I could not agree more with you. I too would like to see how my starting block/category did. FinishTime obviously has all the data, but their website does need some work.

Okay, that is good news. Meant it wasn't too serious then.

It was still within the first 10km of the race. Don't think the front guys in D even noticed it.

I haven't seen a 2024 page, but am curious if the riders that crashed in group D, very early on in the race are all okay? It happened behind me so did not see much, but it sounded horrendous.

Where can one find some photographs of the event? The durbiedash website only has a handful of pictures. I mean, why else where people speeding through Durbanville like maniacs at the start if not to pose for the camera men?

Last year I was freezing! Indeed, 222km requires some discipline, every single bike event, be that a club ride or a race, I keep telling myself, do not go to the front... 5km into the ride, who is in the front... But yes, looking forward to the starting times as well. Will be good if we could get a few groups working together.

if memory serves me right, you did it in quite a good time so the only way you will finish in the dark is if you are doing the loop twice... in which case, WOW, Legend!

This forum is much quieter than last year.... what times are you all aiming for?

thanks for all the feedback. appreciated. One more question, how do we enter as a team?

I did this event last year and failed to finish it. In my defence, last year I only had 4 months of cycling experience under my belt, now I have close to 18 months and a lot more fitness behind me. I do have a few questions: 1. Last year, I started in the first batch (super slow group), I remember it was FREEZING. Do we know when and how the new groups will be selected? (Racetek results etc?) 2. Those of you from Cape Town, are you planning to sleep over the Saturday, or are you just going to hit the road early on a Sunday morning? (I guess it depends on your start time too?) 3. I read a lot about the fuelling stations etc. Last year, I was fortunate enough to have a support vehicle (after all, it was my first race ever) so everybody was excited. This year, the family is just like, "Oh, not another race, you go have fun, don't crash, phone me when you are done... we are going shopping". Do I need to bribe another group who is fortunate enough to have a backup vehicle to perhaps chuck in a bottle or two extra for me or will there be enough drinks/water at the stops? 4. Mamil, I watched the youtube video again you made last year. Brought back so many memories. The one thing that I've noticed was just how much "alone" time there is on that road. Do we know more or less how many cyclists entered for this year?

Question, I saw some photographers taking pictures throughout the race as well as on the finish line. Anybody know where to get copies of them? Also, I have another question, my aim for the race was to just get a good time in (since this is a seeding event after all) and to finish since the rest of my DC team could not compete. I got dropped by the group D peleton on Bothmaspas. Shortly after which I found myself a lone rider. Just pedalling along hoping for another group to latch on. A lady stood near the road (alone) with a flat, I then stopped to assist (she was clearly struggling). Replaced the tube etc, but by the looks of it, her tire was slashed badly by several pieces of glass. (I did try to clean it out as much as possible). Struggled to get the wheel back on (the quick release was missing). Eventually one of the Wheel Worx support vehicles pulled up and with both our help we managed to get the wheel back on. This must have costed me 15 to 20min probably. During which time several groups came past which I would have been happy to hop on. Anyevent, I figured it may be me next time that need help. So the Wheel Worx support suggested we catch up with his group (which passed us a minute or two ago). Both the lady and myself caught up with them and all was well. However, she then had another flat and dropped out. The group would obviously not have stopped for her (DC group) and neither did I, (she was behind me and I was not about to break rotation). Also, I recon her race is over because of the condition of her tyre. In a case like this, should we/I have stopped again or was helping once sufficient. I did finish the race with the Wheel Worx guys, awesome bunch guys, who allowed me to ride with them as if I was part of their group. But not stopping the second time made me wonder what is the correct ethics for helping a fellow rider when it is effectively a race. My moving time was 6:08, but my lapsed time was close to 06:53.

So my question is, as a newbie to the sport, what other nice road bike events exist? I am seeing a lot of gravel and MTB events, but not so many road cycling.

I heard that the guy with two flats pulled out... Hell if i knew there were still riders behind me i would have walked up mordor. But the race organiser said i was last man on the road. The group you are talking about that was four mtb right