SamTaylor

I’ve decided to move in the opposite direction of N+1, so looking to simplify, which will include clearing out some existing bikes, and set myself up with a great all rounder MTB. will keep a gravel bike for commuting. So, if you had a budget between R80k and R120k for a bike that would be great for XC marathon events, stage races, and fun to session on the Winelands trails, but could also be capable of the odd WP enduro race if I chose. Happy to swop between tires for different conditions. Happy to buy out the box, or build to spec. lets hear some suggestions?

Personally I think they should open up the e-bike category to grand masters only, if at all. after all, it’s a sanctioned race, so it’s not just for a bit of fun. If you want to ride Karkloof for a bit of fun, you can do it any other weekend on whatever bike you choose the challenge with Enduro is to be able to put down the fastest time in the timed “down” runs, but still manage your effort on the climbs to get back up. What’s the fun in doing an Endura race as a fit youngster if you use an e-bike to do it?

I’m sure all the armchair critics have at least amabubesi status to back up their comments?

Were we not all once the hours old profile making an offer on something, or trying to sell something? I mean im only a few weeks old here, and i initially only registered to make an offer on something

yes, and ontop of the trails, you have tons of decent gravel roads to explore in multiple directions. We rode Greyton to Stanford via teselaarsdal and beloftebosch in December, and that was a great trip for a gravel bike.

those are some really good looking bikes, but what the hell is up with that dropper post... may as well just lose it all together and shave a few exrtra grams

Exactly, the ultimate way to guarantee you have the worst of both worlds

There’s two days back to back there that are seriously tough. You’re gonna need all your technical skills, and your best climbing legs just to have a shot at staying with the race there. Add to that some extreme heat which Paarl rock can dish up in spades, and you are in for some fun. plus, racing hard on those trails will require a lot of good luck as well, that there are no mechanicals or crashes to ruin your day. so that all added up, I reckon will make those two days the decider in terms of the elite field, and I think a lot amateurs will be caught out and end their epic there, especially if it’s hot.

The taps are however unfortunatly running dty all around, whether its for charity, or you are trying to go pro, unless you can offer some sort of serious advantage to a brand or your lucky enough to find an ultruistic backer that really really likes your story, your chances of getting sponsored in the current economy are close to nil

sad that some big names wont be racing this year, but I think theres still going to be some good racing this year. those days around paarl are going to be the deciders

I think we read the same article. What does my head in is why the UCI back this? Surely they knew what was coming. It not as if RedBull wasn’t willing to carry on, they made it clear they were, but their bid wasn’t even considered. TdF is a different story, as ASO owns that event and it’s their call who they sign with. But XCO/DH is directly under UCI control, and surely they have an interest in growing the sports worldwide, which should include a plan that makes it more accessible, not less so.

It’s almost as if Warner Brothers really doesn’t understand what they are doing with Cycling broadcasting. As if they want to alienate fans and drive down veiwership. How much money are they paying the UCI in kickbacks or whatever to effectively kill cycling for the fans? Surely someone at the UCI must have known what the plan was when they chose this deal over extending the red bull deal?

Looks like ASO has now also done an exclusive deal with Discovery to broadcast TdF. Wonder what that’s going to mean for us? Will super sport still get the rights to the feed, or will it become a mess like it’s become with XCO/DH

Not specific to IF, but a very interesting discussion on Keto here, and does touch on IF as one way of using/accessing ketones. https://youtu.be/t6nwpMlyom0?si=Vt8B2igbSPXqy-0D

I’m going to try and ride most of stage 5 (fairview to lourensford) on Saturday as a training ride. Will give it a go on the trance and see how that feels. maybe then ride it again on Sunday on the Silverback, and make a call from there

Thanks but no thanks - I have no ambition of podium finishes, so I don’t see how a R300k s-works is going to be worth my while. For that money I would much rather just pay for the next 2 epics…

Thanks for all the insights guys. I am definately leaning more towards keeping what I already have. In terms of lightness, the silverback definitely wins, and it is definately the better climber. Which is what has me leaning towards it. The giant is a decent. Climber, but it totally trumps the silverback on stability in the descents. But with XC tires and lighter wheels, it should be as good as the silverback in the climbs (it currently has maxxis DH tires on). I already have the a service package and massage package booked. The reason I was thinking of going for carbon wheels was to get the rotational mass down as much as possible, while still running a decent tire that won’t puncture too easy, especially to deal the the 3000m climbing days.

Will be riding my first epic in March - and I’m at a crossroads in terms of bike choice. I currently have a 2019 Silverback Stratos CF (which I was planning to ride), and a 2023 Giant Trance (allu). Both bikes are good, the silverback obviously lighter, but the trance a much better handling bike. Whichever I go with, the bike will be getting a brand new XT group set and a set carbon wheels (both bikes currently have their original alloy wheels) with the hectic amount of climbing on the epic route, the silverback still seems the better set up in my opinion, but at the same time I’m wondering if it wouldn’t maybe be a better idea to just get a newer “down country” type of XC bike - but that is going to cost twice as much as what sprucing up one of the existing bikes will…

Any news on this? Anyone seen a WC XCM calendar?

Who else rode today? Opinions? Other than the heat, it’s was a great ride. Well organised as always for faces/adveburence. I had a good deal of traffic to deal with on some of the descents - I really wish more marathon riders will spend some time learning descending skills (but also I must just work at getting an A batch seeding). water points seemed well supplied, but I just ate potatoes and drank Pepsi/water. the Gees was there at the start/finish, even with the heat. my only complaint as a first time rider of the Banhoek event, is why not just call it Trailseeker Boschendal/Plasir or something? It doesn’t even scratch the surface of the amazing trails Banhoek has, especially more Kylemore side

Following with interest

Have the exact device in the picture. My manual actually talks about its connectivity with ROUVY, but the protocol should be similar for other software, and I have tried ROUVY, TPV and MyWoosh. Will try getting the issue sorted out with the distributor in the week.

Ya, CSA & WP Cycling being their usual efficient selves again. I entered Bankhoek assuming it was a provincial or national series points event… as it was previously, but now it’s not even a sanctioned event (at least not according to CSA website). I am hoping to try qualify for age group colours this year and maybe even qualify for worlds, so would also not mind seeing the actual calendar. Also riding Epic, so need to pick events between now and March carefully to fit into training regime

Is the Banhoek XCM on the 25th not part of the WC series? I am sure I remember it previously being one, or maybe it was a national event series race - but see this year it isn’t even CSA sanctioned?

I have given up. I tried ROUVY and MyWoosh now and get the same issue. The trainer connects automatically on all the platforms, and displays everything to the screen as if should, but just doesn’t want to adjust the resistance to match the workout or terrain - even though the readout on the trainers display shows the gradient or watts increasing. I’m just going to have to stick with watching YouTube videos and loading the workouts via USB to the Ergometer