The Bull Shark

There are a few techie berms from the top of the hill to the bottom at Houw Hoek Inn. And I can remember riders queuing at one small rocky descent just before the first WP on the second day. But basically that was it.

That is why I hate mass participation MTB races. I prefer riding the smaller ones. Same happens on the W2W at tech sections.

My wife had a nice chat with Kate a few weeks ago when she visited the pathology labs in Stellies. As far as what I can remember she said that she was a bit spent as well as struggling with some injuries so needed to recuperate for the new racing season.

I just wish the commentators would stop to compare the Cape Epic to the Tour de France. Give the Epic it's own due. I almost puked when the commentator compared Val de Vie to the Champs de Elysees.

That over the handle bar tumble was damn impressive as style is concerned.

Final day a bit of an anti-climax compared to the rest of the week.

I remember those trails they are riding now. Did a race there and had to ride those trails against a very strong South Easter. That day was not that much fun.

I am surprised that the commentator could not identify the buck which could either be a Duiker or Steenbokkie.

Even if I can run faster the Lion would still have his dinner.

Imagine parking this at the local Spar in Stellies and coming back out to empty racks all around. The locals would not waste time seeing their ship arrive.

Yes. I wondered about that. AFAIK, with XCO you have to go to the next tech zone. You are not allowed to double back. But probably the distances are way shorted also in XCO between tech zones. With this the distances are so much longer, so maybe different rules.

Germans: Broken rear derailleur. Had to replace derailleur at nearest tech zone. Amy & Candice: Amy damaged her rear wheel rim on a rock and even fitting a tube did not solve the problem. Amy had to ride on basically her rear rim to the nearest tech zone which was not that close.

There is a difference between tough and unnecessarily dangerous. Have you ever ridden a descending Single Track at the end of the field in such conditions? I did and I can tell you they are not rideable for the majority of riders. The mud is too soft and deep by the time you get there that any time you just think of touching the brakes your wheels lock up and you slide uncontrollably.

They removed some of the technical loops on the higher reaches of the mountains which had the potential to produce serious injuries to mostly the lower end of the field.

Bottom bracket bearing not to be left behind either. I had to replace my son's BB after just one race here in Somerset West in mud. The BB completely seized up. I could not even turn the pedals. And no, we do not have a pressure washer. Some of the mud here is so fine it goes in everywhere.

Some of the locals here deserve the extra business. They have had a hard 3 years past them, with some having had to shrink back and some now operating from their homes.

Don't they do their own mechanical work? Possibly no thread locker used and the bold came out?

Nino will know tomorrow's trails like the back of his hand as he rides them a lot, so I would guess they will do a big push for a stage win.

I do not even want to stand outside to clean my pool. Fat chance I will go for a ride on Helderberg for fun today.

BTW, the bad news for the rear of the field is that there is heavier rain predicted for later this afternoon. The North Wester is still pumping here and I can see some heavier clouds rolling over the Helderberg mountain.

Don't get me started on the fees I have to lay down just for the privilege to ride the Lourensford trails, and I am like 5 mins away in Strand. Clearly their fees are catered for their neighbours. But screw them. There is more than enough other trails around to keep me entertained.

Tomorrow will be the day where the mechanics decide who will win and who will lose chunks of time. The decent on Groenlandberg will be very interesting with all the mud and they will probably need a new set of brake pads at the bottom. Hope all the normal blokes rides with a spare set of pads in their tool poaches.

That wind was really damn odd. My son started around 7h20 and he said he had no wind. I started an hour later and we had bad wind from Muizenberg right through Simons Town. By the time we hit Smits it started dropping again. So I guess the people starting around 9h00 and after also had no wind. That darn wind cost me my sub 5. Took me a 1h50 to get to the water point at Simons Town. When I rode my PB of 4h12 a few years ago it took me 1h10 to get there.

And I miss the dude at the start chutes like in the old days on his long legs. To me he was the face of The Argus / CTCT. The way he said Hoopla was the best. Also hate the new rolling start. Kills the anticipation and banter in the start group.

I think the bank balance is a bit low. There were also not the usual music and fanfare on the top of Edinburgh Drive and Suikerbossie. And no CTCT magazine with all the tit bits, advice and info.