Spinnekop

Maybe something like this? https://muc-off.com/products/tubeless-rim-tape

What I was obviously alluding to was that he was not in his previous "I can rip anyone's legs off" type of form.

Listening to the commentators, it did not seemed the odds was good for Wout. He is not in good form at the moment. He was badly sick the week before the start. Del Toro is stronger that he is on the steep climb leading up to the line. So all in all it did not bode well for Wout.

Also not completely 'different goals' Wout said in a post race interview that he could not work with him as he was ordered to protect his team mate's overall position sitting in the second bunch. So in racing terms with the eye on a stage one, the perfect scenario. Del Toro could either said "no, I want the stage win" and raced negative or he could race for the GC and put time into his competitors. Which he did. I have HUGE respect for him in this regard. He put head down and raced his heart out!

Also go check out https://trailsend.bike/ 's GPX files on their site. Couple of ideas what trails there are and also what gravel trails there are in the region.

https://www.exposurelights.co.za/products/strada-sb-mk12-gun-metal-black/ You will never buy another light again. Previous one lasted 10 years before I replaced it with this road specific one

The sunrise on the club ride in Pretoria was pretty special this morning.

I think her was more referring to the following as "sanctions": Cycling South Africa (CSA) implements various sanctioning mechanisms for individuals who violate rules and regulations. These sanctions range from suspensions for doping violations to penalties for breaching race rules, and even financial penalties. The specific rules and regulations are governed by the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) in South African cycling

Maybe just read the rules he posted and highlighted vs the picture. Having done that, that section posted does not comply to the set out rules. Will anything be done about it? No Will CSA or the organiser care? No

Big fan of https://guee-intl.com/product-category/bartapes/ I have on the road bike and the gravel bike.

Will it be valuable / fun/ to upload this excel thingy and everyone can add what they think can be added? I just put climbs there that I have done or still want to do in my life. So yes. There should be MASSIVE holes in that list and it would be nice if it could be updated with proposals like some of the above posts. I you want a climb to be added, gooi the Strava link here and I'll add it in.

Rated most difficult in SA (that I know off) Link to the segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/856199

I have had good dealings with them previously. The jump in price is the local VAT that gets added. When shipped international, no VAT is charged and you will only pay local VAT when it clears the borders.

Thanks. But was referring to Revant Optics which provides none-oakley lenses at half the price.

Place where you can buy local?

"Bike is ok, some very minor scratches." Start with that.......ALWAYS start with that. 😆 Glad you are (semi) okay

Not when it gets to the Vets bunches. You BUY your seeding if you are Vets. To stick to that bunch is a whole different story. But in essence, 80% of the vets (that start ahead of 1A) does not have the ability to stick with 1A on a tough coarse.

23 Done and dusted for me. Thinking of doing the short one this year with the Mrs just for fun

Question to people that perhaps did the other Epics abroad. Are they just as hard? Just as grueling?

I did the 2006 Epic. When it was still fun and adventure. 940km with 16605m elevation Winning time of Christoph Sauser and Silvio Bundi was 34:41:41 2025: 37% less distance. 1.5% less elevation. 🤪

Sure. Just like you ride a sub3 August in March on an e-bike. Some bikes are easier. UCI rules are there for a reason. But its SA. Let's ignore them.

https://www.facebook.com/100064300525200/posts/1060128662807141/?rdid=Si33vBLh86ZqcR6p# SA Gravel Championships taking place on 6 April 2025 hosted by @karkloofcountryclub ❗️Important information ❗️ Elite Podium Finishers may only use a bicycle classified as a Gravel Bike. All other age groups may use any bicycle. The use of “aerobar” extension or “Tri-Bars” are not permitted on any bike. Riders may use any type of bike (road bike, mountain bike, city bike, hybrid bike, cross bike, etc.) with the exception of tandem, E-Bikes or recumbent bikes. time trial road bikes are also forbidden. During the UCI Gravel World Championships, all bikes should have dropped handlebars. So this course will be better suited to hardtail MTB? But they carry the "weight" /bragging rights of being SA gravel champ? Bhahhahahahahah.

I don't enter any events except if I can pay and collect my number on the day at the venue. Rooiwal and Spectrum sport have even ditched the whole paper number thing and just use a frame number that doubles up as a timing chip. SUPER. CTCT and 94.7 are the only two exceptions. Gone are the days when one can just take time off work and spend petrol money to go fetch a piece of paper demoer and gone for NO REASON. Never mind the risk of cancelling the week before.

I got 74km/h on my gravel bike at CTCT, running 47mm tyres and a 1x setup shimano 105 Di2. 44 at the front. That is, to me, more than enough on a GB. I suppose it will depend on what type of cadence you can do......... That said, you wont stay long on these types of speeds riding gravel. Maybe club road rides around 40 yes......