Spinnekop

He has a valid good point. The year model can be 2023 with ONE race and the bike can be $)(%$ed. or The bike could be 10 years old and brand new. With regards to year models on bikes........its all BS. Even Cannondale as a company have stopped using it as a reference in a way. You have models. Evo1, Evo2, Evo3 etc. Most manufacturers have a 4y product cycle on frames. Thus my 2020 scalpel is the same frame as the current 2023 frame. You as a consumer wanting to buy a product have to educate yourself and find out if the bike you are buying is from a certain product cycle. Year models are confusing and mostly refers to the car market. My useless 2c without having done 361

So who of all you guys commenting here have taken the bike to work and ditched the car today?

You guys actually thought I'm serious? 🤣 Grappies op 'n stokkie: I'd go for a Zipp 303 or a Campy Shamal type wheel. Fairly light. Around 40mm. Widish rims for wider tyres.

On the Dark horse jobbies..........just test a set out before you buy. I have two friends that are unable to fix a puncture next to the road...........tyres are very hard to get on and off.

60-80mm

Thank you kindly Mr. Dassie

Quick Strava search gives out this. Would this be the route? https://www.strava.com/activities/944303019/overview This one with other little routes: https://www.strava.com/activities/8982025915/overview Right area? Asking for a Vaalie friend. 😁

I'm curios........what did you see as a safety concern where the winner missed it and actually enjoyed it?

Saw this standing in the shed after stage 2 back in 2014 before Gravel was cool ........so yes, possible. I think a MTB would be more enjoyable though. But if your skill is okay, you will be able to do the event. Rather sukkel a little over the rough stuff and experience the adventure than give it up just because you don't have the perfect bike. My 2c

Maybe look at it this way: SA's should be for racers. Professionals. They don't (almost never) WANT to race or need to have a WANT. They just race. For the jersey. You don't make rugby easier because the Springboks are loosing all the time.......... Any other race organiser I would imagine would/should make it easier on the participants if they want to attract the masses. Participation is key and non technical smooth roads would accomplish more participants. SA champs should NEVER be this race.

Nah. I've done awesome races not sanctioned by them. And I have lost hundreds of rands last year on races sanctioned by CSA who did not give their approval on 99 and the famous organiser disappeared into the horsison. Point is, CSA sanctioning doesn't mean **** in my books. If the organiser is going to run with your entry fee, they are going to run.

This has been floating around in my whatssap groups

Jip.......me neither.

"Speed sniffer" *snort laughs...... What next? Bahahhahahaha

WIth regards to the shoes itself. I own 4 pairs. Love them! Wear them to work and every now and again, when the itch arises, go run around the block. Comfy, light, well built.

If you read Poggi's comments after the race....."Two dead men sprinting". He said it wasn't even what one can call a sprint. That was how tired they were.

Knowing CSA, they'll just add it to CTCT August in March. Route done. 😁

Unfortunately I'll be at the Kremetart race.

https://guee-intl.com/pages/tapes/ I like this a lot. Sio Dura. I use it on the gravel bike. Many happy miles thus far and still look like new. Attitude. This is wrapped on the road bike. Not bad. So far I got around 3 months on it.

I remember the first time I heard the name Remco and everyone raving about this amazing talent. So the very first race (stage) I watch with him in it to win it, he crashes his big crash. Eish. But in general, I think it boils down to how your public persona is perceived. Pogi is fun, race with his heart. Almost always smiling and making jokes. Enjoyment of the sport. That is why Sagan was so popular also I think. vs wheelsucker that is this quiet introvert and races with his head. Remco comes off as a cocky little rider and probably has beers with Pidcock over weekends talking smack about their moms. 🤣 I'd love to see Wout in stripes this weekend. Nice gift for the hard work he did at the TdF and back luck in the sprints there. Also MvdP would be nice to see after he gave up his ambitions at the Tour to be Jasper's leadout man. I see Ganna won a bunch sprint last week?..........dark horse right there. Depends if he will focus on the TT rather I suppose..............

Welcome. You're going to love the sport. Have loads of adventures. Tubeless for sure. Less hassle, more riding. Helmet: Get something that fits/comfortable. Bibs: Again something that fits- this will help save your ass. Floor pump: Good tyre pressure before every ride. Repair kit for on the trails. The rest will follow. Go to a bike shop. Measure. Then decide. Loads of online tools also that can help you make a call. At 1.84 I'd guess a Large. Get a bike that you like. The more you like it, the more likely you are that you'll ride more. Strange how that works but it does. Most importantly...........enjoy the experience. Every ride. Look around. Stop for pics and coffee.

Jip. Or A B C

I like that. Almost have a basic "spec sheet" for every event with minimum information. Water points Cut-off Safety features Venue things to do and buy etc For me, organisers can leave the prize money. Instead, organise a 5min-after-the-race top 5 podium, take photos and give out a free entry to next month/year's race. Or something to that effect.

I think we say the same thing. Just opposite understanding. Yes, Elites will always be there. (Cut cost by not including Vets in overheads) Yes, middle and bottom pay the bills. (Raise income by raising affiliation fee to CSA but make the "value" to include provincials and SA champs) The barrier to entry for most people is the R850 fee to CSA if you want to pay your way to do provincials or SA's My arguing point would be that if my R400 a year all inclusive (just a proposal) were to allow me to race in seeded bunches (no more Vets) and I can go to provincials and SA's, I would pay it with a smile.

One thing the "old days" did right is that good racing's reward was to get a good seeding and also it gave you a chance to go do SA's. You did not automatically go to SA's when you pay your license and entry. You had to EARN it. There wasn't preferential treatment to the guys paying extra money to CSA. You had A, B, C, D. You race well, you move up. Top 10 seeding in your age got you an invite to SA's (or something to that effect) Race good at provincial level = got your provincial colors (currently the criteria to get colors are stupid and do not get rewarded for CONSISTANT good racing results) I have my colors so I have some knowledge as to how it currently works. Also the current "get your colors" motivation is kinda dead. You don't need your colors to go race at SA champs. You go invited to go do SA champs if you did well during the year. Your province did that admin. But it was an honor to go race at SA's. You WANTED to go do it because your province selected you. So we did. I think the main issue (and I am only guessing here) with the above is that they (CSA) will loose valuable (to them) license fees from Vets. Understandably this is not an option if they want to survive as an organisation. My proposal would be to up the current "membership fee" to all riders in a way that it will counter the current income stream generated by Vets. Get rid of the admin and bunch issues and stuff wrt to the VETS. Focus on the Elites (career orientated) Thus: CSA Professional license (Ages 18-40 or whatever) racing in the first batch with a cap on batch size. CSA Racing affiliation fee for participation in SA events. Let the race organisers sort out the seeding and bunches A-Z. Just a thought or two.