Eugee

I started the 40km race, but somewhere the markings/marchals let me down cause i ended up doing the full 70km. I managed it even though i did not feel well al all afterwards, I am also sure im not the only one as i found a couple of other riders with 40km boards on the trail. The bad part was asking the marchals where i am and on what route with them having absolutely no idea at all. It was a fun event en the vibe was great, but i will not enter again untill i know that next time i will be able to follow the route and do the distance i entered for.

No man. Do a race. Most of the time they are a lot of fun. My fiance did het first race with me about 3 weeks ago. It was only her 3rd time on her bike so she had no skills. In thye starting shute stand about 20m back from the rest of the oaks and then start slow for the first km or so. By then people start stringing out and you will naturally pass a couple of people but they will not pass you again and you will not keep them back. Then learn as you go along. I find that you never push yourself hard enough in training with friends. skills and distance.

Whats the cutoff time on this one.

On that thank you to everyone making some awesome suggestions. The thread has changes a bit from the original intention which was to find the events you guys think are a must do. Seems like most of those are in other provinces but ill definately do a couple of those. As for the training and trails. I've realized that there is no realy good options during the week. (might just invest in a trainer) Weekend rides Ive found quite a few good ones. bit of a drive most of the time but at least a good morning out.

Thanks richieT, I have been cycling down there. not the greatest but something i supose.

Ive done that 8 km to the spruit twice, Nearly got killed about 4 times. I dont know how you guys survive the roads up here. Its ok once your past rosebank but up to that point it feels like the taxis are gunning just for you. Would you care to explain that statement. Its not bad but in my books quite a way off awesome.

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Gotta tell you its a shock to the system after Cape town. I never had to drive more than an hour for a race and that included some serious mountain biking, stage races, flat races, road races etc. Where do you go for just a quick before or after work ride?

Thanks for the reply. Because im not from the area im looking for some input for the must do events.

Live very close to houton near the norwood mall. Think thats the reason for saying stuck coming from Paarl, then stellenbosch and then Durbanville im used to getting on my bike at home and being on a trail within 10 mins. Over here there is nowhere to ride or I havent found it yet. dont mind traveling a bit to go do the clasics. Defs not gonna travel up here to do them once im back in ct. (Unless i can afford the Joburg2c)

Checked it out and it looks amaising, but can i ride it solo or is it a team event only? if team only anyone keen on joining? (Im a last half of the field guy)

Hi guys Im stuck in joburg for the next two years. So i thought i might as well make the best of it and tick off some must do events while up here. What would you guys recomend. Im a mountain biker, but im assuming 94.7 would be in there and the magalies monster as well. I know of the joburg2C but thats a bit outside of my budget. Think i might get a 3 day or two pass the boss. Doing the two provinces this weekend.

I was relieved of my bike in 2012 in Durbanville. I have been using the mace on the top tube approach since then but there is absolutely no way of knowing exactly how you will be relieved of your bike. I was hit by what must have been a shoulder (In thought I got hit by a car) by the time I got up again they perp was half way down the road on my bike. Blindsided completely and hit the deck so hard that it took me a good couple of seconds to get up.

Totally agree. They have been consistant performers and if another pro team wants to give up their wheels i can see no problem with it. They deserve the yellow jersey and if they keep performing they deserve the win!

Well in the sense of the race a team is the two riders. I think its a technicality in the sense that it does not say or but and. the rule is completely different if stated this way "34.1 While riders helping and assisting one another during the course of the race is accepted as standard cycling practice, UCI pro-elite category riders may not receive on going, persistent and regular assistance from any other team which does not compete in the same racing category or which would have the effect of giving those UCI pro-elite category riders an unfair advantage." very technical

Surely team Bulls, songo, RECM, Fedgroup, Pretty much all the pros are contravening this rule. I must be missing something

I couldn't agree more. there are a number of reasons the riders in front of you might be slower. I mean like in all cycling there are riders that are stronger climbers or sprinters etc. This gets especially grey when a bunch of pros goes into single track together. I guess well have to see the footage to judge kev. BTW can anyone tell me who instetuted the time penalty without consulting the Hub. I mean surely they dont have the authority or skill to instetute these kind of penalties.

I saw this as well. Thought about it for about two seconds and then made up my mind that if it was an issue the pro riders would certainly not do it. I really hope kevin did it just to pass a slower rider or has a good reason for doing so. Cant really see why he would want to cheat to gain 2-5 seconds. In the greater sceme of things such a small time difference surely makes no difference

And just as i picked this up erics tracker goes inactive. now we'll probably never know

Has anyone noticed that Team RE:CM Eric is pacing his wife. Looks like they have been assigned the duty of making sure they get back in the lead. I have noticed that according to the tracker they are at the same place 90% of the time. Could this be possible? or wishfull thinking

One can not make a comment like that and not explain what you mean by that. The sponsors are obviously in it for the exposure/money. They obviously feel that the team will do better as a Evans/Knox team than the team would have done as a Evans/Macdonald team.

Thanks scotty Suppose i should have thought about the official site. Interesting partnership. They have sprinted against each other often for race wins. Kevin looks in great shape. If max is in similar shape this will be an epic african jersey contest.

Has the evans and knox partnership been confirmed anywhere. I saw on twitter Neil said he is sad to miss the epic, but has seen no confirmation on the new partnership.

Didnt do the race this year but have done it the three previous years and with the stairway to heaven and meerendal hill thrown in there it is a really tough race. In my books it compares with a lot of other 45km races. The biggest problem for me though is the popularity and amount of single track. Dont get me wrong. Loads of single track is great and races that is well supported even better but you do tend to spend a lot of time walking behind other riders. Having said that still one of the nicer events out there. Vibe is always good and the staff super friendly.

CWC doesnt have any test bikes although they have the track.