[[Event] Ronde Van Riebeek]

I incidently also dropped a chain near the end - running XT 8000 - but I think my clutch needs attention as it not tensioning like it used to.

[Unbound 2024]

Thinking similar but what do we know ? Was clearly part of the long term load plan. Sometimes you just don’t have it in the legs on the day.

[[Event] Ronde Van Riebeek]

Indeed Niknaks! 
also my first
we must have started at the back together, I was late and got there just before the start🙈 then had a mechanical on the first gravel section after making up some good places on the tar section.

[[Event] Ronde Van Riebeek]

53 minutes ago, Mook said:

It was'nt nik-naks, but marshmallows 🤣

The corrugations must have got the better of you.

😂👀No, It was definitely Niknaks . At water point 2! Along with banana bread etc. 

[[Event] Ronde Van Riebeek]

13 minutes ago, MongooseMan said:

The course got better as the race went on. The 23k section after the tar was hell though.

the beer was free, whether it was Belgian depends on your views on Stella 😂

I had a mechanical with my bars slipping there and that was it , battled to catch the guys towards front of the field there after 

[[Event] Ronde Van Riebeek]

First time I see Nik Naks at a water point 😂

[Where has your bike taken you today?]

Somewhere in the Swartland

 

[[Event] Ronde Van Riebeek]

I recall many bikes in the bike park area at the cycle tour with head units . I have always taken mine off 

[[Event] Ronde Van Riebeek]

mmm, might dig out my small Camelbak for tomorrow.

[[Event] Ronde Van Riebeek]

Love these comments around tyre selection! 

I just have one set and my 45's will have to do! 😀

First gravel event - hoping for a good day out!

 

[[Event] Ronde Van Riebeek]

.

[[Event] Ronde Van Riebeek]

What a ‘&@& show 

arrived at SW to be told the guy left! 
i apparently just missed him

[[Event] Ronde Van Riebeek]

31 minutes ago, Vaultboy said:

 

Video taken just now, on the Halfmanshof section. Ons gaan lekker skud, Saterdag!

 

Seriously though, it doesn't look too bad. 

Is this part of both all the routes?

How long is this section by the way - first time doing this event

hope this dries up by Saturday

[[Event] Ronde Van Riebeek]

just received an SMS now stating 16:00 - 21:00 at SW

[[Event] Ronde Van Riebeek]

3 minutes ago, BuffsVintageBikes said:

Looking at the times from last year shows this race is seriously fast, I can see why it's suited to gravel bikes. I guess with similar elevation gain over 160km's to the Cape Town Cycle Tour that's too be expected.
I'm considering doing it on one of my vintage bikes with 28C tires. Just hoping there's not too much mud otherwise I'll be in for a very long day 🤪

Interesting, I am running on 45mm tyres - will see how this goes - will hopefully add to the comfort factor.

[Where has your bike taken you today?]

Another beautiful evening 

[[Event] Ronde Van Riebeek]

I’ve entered but only the 50…

first bite of the gravel cherry for me 

[SRAM launch new RED AXS]

1 hour ago, splat said:

Here's one up for grabs already !

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/complete-groupsets/726679/latest-sram-red-axs-groupset-with-head-unit-and-pm

WTAF 🙀

[Where has your bike taken you today?]

59 minutes ago, Me rida my bicycle said:

The sand was really not bad maybe I'm just conditioned after gravel and grape, now that was sandy but still more fun than today maybe it was the brandy points 😁

The Darling race always starts with a lekker kuier Friday (well for us) thinking of it that might have contributed to the suffering today 😂 but I think I'd rather do the Ride darling than DBX again. There's just no fun sections could have done today on a gravel bike.

If they made that climb with some switch backs it would have been rideable and would it kill them to make a some single track? 

Last year with the mud sucked but the route was still more fun. 

 

Yip, fully agree

As mentioned , that’s why I’m opting out of this one going forward. 

[Where has your bike taken you today?]

Easy roll to Simonstown, 

[How Matt Beers became so fast - Interview]

The Lifetime series is massive in the states with some big pay days as well! 

[[Event] Ronde Van Riebeek]

6 minutes ago, gemmerbal said:

Looks like rain on Thursday and Friday as you said, Saturday looks like no rain but cold. I’ve never done the event before but if its gravel roads I don’t think it should be a problem if its a wet surface. Naturally it won’t roll as easy but that’s ok, nothing will be as bad as 36One from last year. Dealing with that peanut-butter 💩 for that many kms was pure evil. 

mmm, all depends on how the surface drains / dries I guess.

I am still on the fence!

[[Event] Ronde Van Riebeek]

I have not entered yet - not to sure about how I feel about about a muddy affair to be honest.

[[Event] Ronde Van Riebeek]

who is doing this? I have been watching weather and looks like rain the Friday

[[Event] Darling Brew Extreme DBX 2022]

This event was a bit underwhelming, I have done about 6 of these - and last year was a gravel travel! No singletrack whatsoever. 

I have since heard that there are new organizers and route changes as a result.

Apparently the one to do now is the Ride Darling event that includes some nice trails.