Francois Pienaar

Use a second bottle to switch between 32GI and water. Ye, the water points are AWESOME at Sani.

I'll be a bit more diplomatic. The only difference between all three is that the professionals take part in the "race". There is more pomp & ceremony, video cameras, interviews etc. The pace is also faster as the elite amateurs also target the race to test themselves against the best. The rest of us middle packers ROCK the ride / adventure and ride in the A,B,C batches and have a blast.

This year will be my third Sani. Year 1 we really didn't know what to expect, got an entry late and did "ok". Many photos and chilled stops on the way. Last year I rode with another friend and we wanted to clap it, but had a derailleur failure on his bike on day 1 which made him go SS for 30km, this broke our day 1 time and we went from A - G batch. Starting the Umko in G batch in the trail is hard but we fought back to finish in 6hrs and jump back to C batch. Day 3 was awesome and we finished it in 3hr42m. Anyway, as I'm keen on improving from last year, I did a quick check on my strava splits from last year to have a market to cycle toward. It makes for interesting reading and thought I'd share. Cheers.

Thanks, nah, don't have the water bottle issue, but I must say having one bottle cage is a tad annoying. I will carry my second bottle in my shirt as I have a bag behind my seat.

So went on my first ride with my new steed today (Scott Spark 930). Performed like a gem on the 80km trail around kyalami, carswold etc. The back shock needs a bit of a pump, but the remote lock out will come in handy on many of the fast district roads of Sani. Chomping at the bit, can't wait.

Hi bud, email this guy, Henk on henkkies1@mweb.co.za or beloandkies@mweb.co.za. He is a great Merida Big 99 XTM for sale for R16k (already dropped from R18k). Really great buy! Enjoy.

Oh and I forgot to mention that I just sold my bike. Whoops. I got a new bike 2 weeks before Transbaviaans last yr, so not scared. Hope I can take delivery tomorrow (Scott Spark 930 2015) so I can ride the beauty this weekend.

Couldn't agree more. My first (sound like a confession box) I stopped for photos, took in the views and soaked up the atmosphere. My second was all about time and this year i really want to clap it. If u haven't, I do recommend you do the race version at some point. Trail etc is cool, but the race has more fan fare, choppers, video interviews, red bull en route and generally more hype, that being said, the route is the same for all and riding with groups that fit ur fitness is far more enjoyable than starting in batch K in the race.

With the newsletter announcing that Nandos will no longer dish out free burgers at the finish of Day 3, should we be worried that the Nandos climb will now be called the (****) climb with a regular watering hole at the top? I'm not a Sani lifer, this yr is my third, but for ANY cyclist the Nandos hill & burger is part of folklore. It would he a shame if that changes, alas, lets see where it goes.

Bucketlist for next year, no doubt!

Awesome. If no one claims, can I put in an offer? My forerunner 210 is driving me mad.

Its very inconsiderate. I'm also attending the grand white party this weekend and not racing. A friend once said, don't you just hate it when real life gets in the way of cycling? Haha, back on point, I cycle from there at least twice a week. Mostly into kyalami and surrounds, but sometimes out to northclif hill via the spruit. PM me and u welcome to join.

We are riding Paulshof Mugg & Bean --> Red Barn + loop and back. About 90km. Welcome to join fellas. Sunday am. We are also in the Trail gonna be a jol!

I've done wines2whales, bergnbush and transbaviaans on the hardtail. I find the hardtail just makes certain rides more uncomfortable, for example - Crater Cruise, Mountain Trophy etc. Having said that, If I had the cash right now I'll buy a dual sus 29er. Merida 3000 Carbon, Scott 910 or Spec Epic.

Rooiberg and Van Gaalens compare well to this race from a technical and difficulty perspective.

I rode a hardtail 29er last year. Was beautiful.

I might have an entry to give up. Any takers?

Solid two days of riding all around. Great tough terrain riding leading up to Sani. Nothing on Sani will give your body this much punishment.

I've used GPS twice (training + Transbaviaans) and I must say it's not so intrusive. I think with Sani it will be more go with the flow, but there will be the odd area where you can glance down and see. Also remember, it's not like you need to make sudden changes at 60kphm. It's more like you traveling at 23kmph, you look up, at the road, you look down, nothing coming you keep peddling. I'm pumped, can't wait. The charging stations are obviously going to be KEY!

I rode the 45km as my very first MTB race ever in Jozi almost 7yrs ago. I did a few Northern farm rides and thought I waas ready for the 45km. I got totally OWNED! The 45km is NOT easy, but doable, 3 of the key climbs of the day is in the first 32km for all riders, so just come prepared.

Do you know if they've removed the river crossing bottleneck?

I'm looking for a sunday entry for a friend of mine. Plz pm me shot.

Keen to sell your entry Kyle?

I'll give you a call and explain. You've done Crater Cruise in 40degree heat. You will be FINE!

The race is hard, make no mistake. This is how I remember the race in pieces: - Start off rocking the orange orchards and over a little river in between nice forest trees. - First little leg tester <10km short sharp climb on paved road. - Nice single track next to river through some stones and onto the first test of the day - a proper little climb to get your heart going. - Enter the nature reserve for some undulating tarred roads, nothing serious (+-20km) - Mid 20skm you hit a PROPER rocky climb that you will use the MAX granny if you have it. - Mega rocky descent after followed by a portage over a river and carrying your bike UP a cliff. - Rocky single track up and over around bounce bounce and then you hit a fork in the road (left for Monster and right home) +-32km - The Monster starts shortly there after and you simply climb and climb. All of it is VERY ride able and you just need a nice rhythm to complete it. - Mega downhill (4km long) at the +-40km mark. - You dive into bouncy single track that chomps the legs. You go via a view Protea fields and the energy is drained from your body. - Post this you cross the road and head up the side of a rocky climb (we call it little breedts) and down again. - Join up the 42km mark at the 60km, 20km to go. - Now the riding becomes a lot easier, through a few orange orchards with the last obstacle of the day looming, a paved road to the signal tower. - After the signal tower a few tricky descents remain and then the most beautiful ride home awaits. - Single track through the forest with the smell of braai drawing closer. - You cross the finish line in +-30degree heat and think back to what you've just accomplished, not exactly an EPIC stage, but something pretty close. 80km of pure mountain biking!