Danger Dassie

This is an often repeated nonsensical myth. Everything is paid and catered for ahead of time. If anything it's the opposite as the event has a logistics overflow for excess that needs to then be accounted for.

What exactly is underhanded behaviour about it? The chain is new and unused. The packing material could have been opened for any number of reasons.

That's just outright disrespectful imho.

Suppose BH could apply a touch of communism and regulate it.

They're still busy with some admin from what I understand. It has great potential and theres been some charity events already. Well worth riding, almost feels like a mini Karkloof in some areas.

Many people seem to underestimate the effect dust has as well, especially with infections. "It's just dust" ... ehrm, no it isn't 'just'. Played a role in 2017 when it compounded serious issues with heat stress and a stomach bug, resulting in a shortened stage 2. Lots of people moaned about it, but on the whole it was likely the right decision.

Everyone's Epic was toughest, 2012 by far 😋 .... Or actually 2020, not one finisher,,,,,

It's not that uncommon and its allowed, how does one not allow that in a free market economy. Everyone will have their own opinion and variable on the ethics of it. Certainly can understand the *** feeling to be had though if missing out on a deal.

Loved tracking the event this year. As far Neil’s commentary goes, yes he isn’t as insightful as Gerald and Annika perhaps. However as someone mentioned ‘vanilla’ well yes, because there is also a following outside of regular riders and forum experts. Neil provides a balance for the newer or none rider. And yes he does work for the event as staff, so he has other duties on top of the commentary booth.

Pro teams pay, in $. ‘Celebs’ don’t get paid, they may have expenses and the like covered, but generally they need to show a media metric and/or a fund raising for a chosen cause.

https://www.news24.com/ride24/skillsandtips/how-two-dads-won-the-cape-epic-despite-having-day-jobs-20220318

Would go with the advice DiD posted. Besides, you’re likely to have better luck sourcing SRAM currently. SRAM GX Eagle is tops. Although going lower down the scale, my personal preference would lean towards Shimano.

This. We seem to love building things up and then breaking them down in the same breathe. Bit of a hangover from 'SA is so behind blah blah blah' mindset. Currently reading John Smit's Captain in the Cauldron, touches on this with Saffa sports fans. Best in the world when winning. The moment there's a slip, we can't wait to kick them when they're down. Like we put the weight of our problems and hope on.

What an exceptional result for Pieter and Marco. Those youngsters and the team often seem underrated, but they're some of the more consistent performers out there and have a really good attitude. The women's race is putting on an equally good show. Mari Rabe and Hayley Preen are showing such good form, Amy (Beth) Wakefield/Luthi and Robyn de Groot/Pauline Ferrand Prevot are proving to be perfect pairings. Both Amy and Robyn have plugged away over the years and they really seem to be in a much better space all round. I don't think the argument that this event has lost it's shine is accurate. As has been pointed out the data proves otherwise. I also know for a fact the media measurements carried out reflect this. Ask Platt about his profile back home since winning Epic, when he was placing top tens in XCO, nobody knew who he was. Marathon is also growing, and becoming a more globalised discipline. Epic has grown as an event to be hosting a series of events around the world, this also contribute to the stage and marathon discipline growing, adding depth. So sure maybe locally it's lost it's shine and novelty to an extent. That isn't a bad thing, the world is a bigger place than the polished here and now instant gratification. It's a sign that the event is maturing, kind of like when we ride in a new bike. Also consider what the world has gone through over the last two years, and the lingering effects of that.

Well yes and no, these things are also dictated by airtime and production requirements, as frustrating as it is. Ariane Luthi brought up a good discussion on her FB feed regarding the Elite Women's category.

For UCI riders, TUE applies. No needles policy. Amateurs, once off at the discretion of the event medico.

Applies to amateurs, not UCI teams afik

During the prologue they’d lost that with the puncture/flat issues, but had narrowed it down. Superlative effort of pace!

My bad, they closed it down to 2min odd. Don’t see them cooking it too much today though with a week of racing ahead. All makes for good racing 🙌

Norravok. 7 minute deficit and 7 stages. No one will burn all their matches in one stage to make that up. They know what they’re doing, no doubt they’ll be racing to close that gap over the course of the event.

It does, just not weighted for XCO like it used to, more towards XCM. Also it’s slightly different for the women. The points system isn’t a straightforward process.

What I was thinking as well.

Truth. Going by much of the thread commentary though, it’s not so much about anti-doping or even the broader issues around doping.

Basic rigid alloy bike, 1x 7 or similiar with thru axle or allen key closed QR. Sticker bomb the frame and use a U lock or decent chain. You can lock it to any immovable object, as long as it's the frame. Also keep an errand bag on the bike. I have an old 30L Karrimor that does the job just fine. No need to overthink it, keep it simple.

That’s the original memorial site in PMB. As to the OPs post, shared with friends who are on the Muizenberg/Fish Hoek groups.