Danger Dassie

Another vote for Clarens X, chat to Ollie the owner if he's around. Knows everyone and knows those mountains better than most!

The first one, go left just after you go through the pedestrian gate. You'll see it on your right, they've just finished it and are busy with route markings.

Also there to ride and run on a regular basis, the best is to speak to the guys at Trailwolf/Taroko, they can give you the factual rundown on what's actually happening. No trail has been lost perse, some sections have been affected, but this has been largely negated by extending sections, like the river trail (Angry Birds) yellow trail has seen an extension with a reopening of an extended loop after a lot of work. Likewise going left at the top of the tar road now takes you onto a new flow line option, utilising some of the older trail. That doubles back into the forest trail. The construction is mostly at the far end of the property on the AECI perimeter, not deep within the actual trail network or reserve. It's road construction. Birdlife hasn't been that affected as the vast majority sits within the reserve, it's currently not nesting season where the swooping bird normally is. There are extended plans for the reserve trail network/reserve. The trail guys are hoping to retain the majority of the ruins. They're constantly on the go managing/maintaining the trails and reserve areas.

First proper Enduro Worlds, so in general it was pretty lowekey. WildAir Bike and CSA did a fair bit of stuff on their social channels. There was some good stuff.

@SSCC this popped up on my feed and is a pretty sweet deal, not far off the cost of decent carbon wheelset for a whole bike, which is bloody fun bike. https://www.specialized.com/za/en/allez-sprint-comp/p/216918?color=350024-216918

We have Tanqua Burn, Karoo Burn, Gravel Burn .... You get a burn, and you and you, everyone gets a burn!

Personally, I'd go for the extra wheelset. But, considering things like space, setup, maintenance and what you prioritise personally in balancing the convienance against how much road vs tar riding in having a spare wheelset or complete bike. The second-hand market does have some good deals on rim brake road bikes that are up-to-date with components and geometry. Decent alloy rims and calipers that are properly setup will be more than good enough, even in the wet. That said, I've seen some absolute bangers for the 27-37k mark on new disc road bikes. Titan Valerian (alloy) full 105 and DT Swiss Wheels, Merida Reacto (carbon) also 105 but with inhouse white label wheels etc and the Trek Enmondo alloy in similar spec. Not sure about the other brands, possibly Specialized Allez and Scott in the same vein.

This one … https://www.instagram.com/gravel_burn?igsh=eDd0dmlldWFsdWll The whole first thing is marketing bumpf though, can recall there were already one or two events previously that were multi day (3) gravel rides.

Good for them. Given Dryland’s experience they’re probably confident about the market for such an event. Hence the work they’ve put in. For those of us whom it might be out of budget, we don’t know, that’s ok, plenty to choose from. Meanwhile the original Epic meneer is also launching a multi stage gravel event.

BREAKING: Hordes of rainbow-striped mamils storm the roads and trails! What a bloody laugh, just enjoy the moment 😂. I myself am not a fan of people wearing 'rainbow kit' either, but it really is a none issue and has no bearing one way or the other that's worth the hyberbolic word salad of projection.

Correct 👍😎

Awesome sauce, glad you're getting sorted. Kim and Shaun are great, he can't always carry stock given the range but will have your back.

SCREAMING! 🙌🙌🙌

Proper! Olympics sparked a fire!

Probably pulled due to the schedule change, same as Tiz. It’s not DSTV, they don’t set the schedule conditions.

UCI doing UCI things, every world champs. Every time. About as logical and opaque as CSA’s DHI selection 🤷🏻‍♂️

Channel 950. Tiz is struggling because of the changes due to weather

Channel 243 is on DSTV Streaming, that was for today. Tomorrow is channel 950. The streaming (internet) and broadcast are two different service platforms.

The guys at Trailwolf can sort you out, Kim is often there and they have a good relationship.

Pinkbike seem to following vis their insta stories, also UCI Mountain Biking. Both Pinkbike and Bike Network have some cool video content from Theo Erlangsen.

https://bikenetwork.co.za/how-to-watch-the-mtb-world-champs-live-timing-results-schedule/

https://www.treadmtb.co.za/minnaar-fired-up-for-his-final-world-champs/

Unfortunately so, I saw Stefan Garlicki mention it. CSA weren't forthcoming on any comms or clarification. On the plus side there has been a representative appointed for DHI specifically. There's more to be dealt with yet, but at the moment let's enjoy the champs for what it is and support the team riders and support staff who are there. I see Theo Erlangsen is doing some great clips/reels for Bike Network over there.

Unfortunately, no longer around, the founder Pat left sometime bike and started up Pyga Bikes. Perhaps you can reach out to him via Pyga. https://ch.pygaindustries.com/ May be able to put you in touch with a workshop experienced on Morewood.

Flipping incredible, if there's enough to spare maybe also chat with Philimon Sebona (ex Pyga Eurosteel pro) he's based in Pretoria as well and works alongside a cycling NGO/ coaching etc. Happy to pass on his details via DM.