Skubarra

Unfortunately, traffic is not going to keep you safe from the attackers.

The diesel engine only kicked in after about 100km's... So after Kalbaskraal when legs in the bunch were starting to fade a few of us upped the pace to thin out the bunch before the final sprint. I'm not a sprinter at all so that tactic suited me very well 😁

Also not sure how it works - they took back our timing chips but not our numbers so you might have to purchase a new one. But they will definitely allow you in Cat 3 Haven't done Atlantis in a while but its a nice circuit to race, unfortunately I have another race on that weekend.

@Mamil you missed the fun on the 2nd lap 😀 Think most were saving matches for the last 30km, pace picked up considerably closer to the finish.

Agree, think the take-up on the series will be better if they can finalise the calendar earlier. Hopefully something that will improve in future.

Still enough PTSD from last time to not really have FOMO 😁 But next year I'll be back, still some unfinished business with this bastard

Yes it wp cycling, but they are taking their time. Although the series would likely only start in April so I guess its ok.

My gutfeel: Around R1K is a fair price for a 100 miler gravel race, there are hidden costs involved in hosting a race we the riders don't know about and logistics are more expensive out in the sticks. However for me as a general rule anything more than R1,5K then someone is getting ripped off Ceder - for me personally one of the better events I have done but I'm not paying R2,5K+accomodation unless its part of the gravel series because that is something I will be invested in.

For me both are great (but very different) routes, R2C would be better value for money, entry fee last year was R1450 which included a t-shirt if I remember correctly and if you live in CPT accomodation not an issue, only snag is organising a lift back from Onrus. Also the food & beer at the finishing venue were ridiculously overpriced so we didn't hang around for long afterwards

Did the race last year - loved the route, both beautiful and properly challenging. Venue had a real lekker vibe. Waterpoints were well stocked. That said, no I don't think this or any other gravel 100 miler I have done over the past year is quite worth R2,400 yet. Last year the race organisers seemingly also controlled the accommodation at the (previous) venue and it was a proper rip-off. Something like R1k per night for a campsite if I remember correctly. New venue this year so possibly the deal will be different and accommodation will be more affordable. So I have mixed feelings about this event, not really fussed about the UCI thing but I want to give the gravel series a go again - will only do it if it is part of the gravel series. Ronde van Swartberg the week earlier on the other hand, got the early bird entry for R1K cheaper than this race and will support it whether its part of the series or not

Unfortunately you did the most iconic one 1st.... We have other beautiful passes in our country but none quite like this one

It's sad that we have the Tiekie, Vissershok (even Malans) hill climbs right around the corner but no way to incorporate it into a road race anymore. Guess we did not appreciate those climbs when we had access to them 😂

SP posted this on the club whatsapp group - sure it is fine if I share it here: Well done to everyone involved ( especially @Wannabe) - maybe there is hope that things can improve!

2023 winner was on a gravel bike, 2024 winner on a mtb I think it very much comes down to personal preference, but it certainly doable on a gravel bike if that is something you are considering

I don't quite agree - the attacker almost always have the element of surprise + initiative, even if you are able to react quickly you are still at a relative disadvantage because you have to quickly process what is happening to you and also decide what is the best reaction while the attacker has the initiative and likely a plan of action. Its not possible to always have a save distance between you & any potential danger. I have dodged 2 attacks on my bike over the past few years, both times were close calls an I had luck on my side, if those attackers were slightly more competent they would have had my bike and or phone twice.