Anthem24

Great video from Annika Langvad

Highlights on YouTube as of Saturday night, Mens: Ladies:

Nice! English captions need to be turned on obviously for the YouTube video link above: "Bikecheck: 7 pro-bikes from the Cape Epic 2025 – from Nino Schurter to Speed Company!"

Bianca is not tiny -- she's 1.7 m tall. Are you not confusing her with Hayley?

Very interesting, along with those of international riders here, for those who haven't seen it: https://youtu.be/e4kGT47RThQ?si=fU4XHIY11GkfzkLG

Always had a slightly tilted saddle, but have been experimenting with flat due to one hand going numb. Since this is now occurring on 3 different bikes with different set-ups and handlebar rotations, I've realised the problem is likely in my neck. And yes, I've had plenty of bike set-ups! Just watched this video of Epic pro-bikes though and surprised by the radical tilt on Lukas Baum's bike: https://youtu.be/e4kGT47RThQ?si=fU4XHIY11GkfzkLG

Agreed, if it's tilted more than that you'll probably get sore hands from sliding down the seat. If you're sore on the soft bits, try dropping the saddle slightly or changing the fore-aft position.

Banhoek is nice, so is Muratie -- non-technical and shady, with an easier climb -- or the Fish Eagle loop at Bottleray Hills Conservancy, starting at Devonvale Golf Course (permits available from the golf shop).

South African Citizens must provide proof of South African ID, South African Divers Licence, or South African Passport on arrival. This proof is accepted in original, electronic or certified paper copy. Also accepted to claim the South African rate are Foreign passports which have a valid visa/permit from home affairs to be in the country inserted onto one of the pages of the passport: Spousal / Work / Study / Retirement / Volunteer / Diplomatic visa. Also accepted is an electronic or certified paper copy. Alternatively proof of permanent residence as issued by home affairs, or a certified paper or electronic copy of any of above provided it is copy of the page of the passport indicating who you are and the visa. All South Africans over 18 years old will be required to provide proof of SA ID to qualify for the local rate. From: https://www.sanparks.org/travel/book/useful-information/rates-fees BUT come to think of it, if you're cycling in, you only pay the cycling activity permit as far as I'm aware

MASI -- I used to ride it regularly on my own on weekend mornings, moved away for a few years and heard of a few muggings there. Since I've been back, the poor state of the road, the number of pedestrians and the chaotic traffic has kept me away.

Definitely worth cycling to Cape Point and as many of the side roads as you want to do if you can find a relatively wind-free day, bearing in mind that Kalk Bay is very sheltered from the south-easter, and Cape Point is the windiest site in SA. Check out the wind before you go on Windguru Cape Point. Take your ID to get the SA discount, and a day permit for cycling will cost you R105 or a bit more for this year (I think they are cashless).

Road bike. Dodgy areas you should avoid for the mugging risk if you're on your own are circled in yellow on the map. For the Ocean View and Red Hill sites, you're probably ok on the downhill because you'll be on the opposite side of the road from the settlement/suburb and can outride people on foot, but maybe a a sitting duck on the uphill. Hout Bay is a concern along Main Road past Imizamo Yethu, but you can take Valley Road instead.

Does anyone know if Yves Kino's Youtube channel is real time? If it is, he is due to ride from Melkbos to the Waterfront today. He's going to need an escort over the dodgy bits...

The Marvel Cadent is listed as a hybrid bike, so apart from having a rigid fork, its tyres may not be as knobbly as the Titan's, and tyre rolling resistance can make a huge difference in the feel of the bike. Coil forks are not great, but many of us started on those! If it has a lockout, try using that on the climbs to see if you're losing power by bouncing up and down. Did anyone set the bike up for you?

I see an Instagram video from November with a guy on a gravel bike, so parts are do-able.