Velouria

I remember how we it was. There was a section of slightly uphill road whee it was so flooded that it was the first time I ever had to pedal upstream. That was a tough day out for both riders and organisers, and I remember at the end how Stoke the riders were for just finishing, and how stoked Meurant was for your diabolically hard the event had turned out to be. That knowing look and quiet grin he had across his face...

Meurant was Meurant was Meurant - always the same except for the beard... However, I did saw Meurant angry twice - once at 24hrs Of Oak Valley when some riders were taking a shortcut between the dams. It was anger mixed with disappointment - why would people enter an endurance event and then want to take a shortcut? And the other time was at two in the morning at 24hrs of Wiesenhof, when most people were sleeping and Meurant got to play the good music - Metallica, Rage Against The Machine, Iron Maiden - and someone came to complain that the music was too loud and inappropriate for a family event. He waited 10 minutes and then turned it up even louder!

Here's my tribute to Meurant and JP, two legends who shaped our community. 😢 https://www.velotales.com/2025/09/the-day-our-mountain-biking-music-died.html

I wrote a race report for last week's event. The Phantom Rider of Trans Baviaans 2024

I wrote a report The Phantom Rider of Trans Baviaans 2024

I have no words. Tim had such an impact on not only my own cycling but the cycling in South Africa in general. RIP

Well done @WaldoZ - fantastic effort. What a difference a year makes. Probably one of the best days for riding Baviaans that we've had in years (and I've now done 19). (Sorry for the late reply - don't hang around here too often anymore) @boink

I thought writing 450w might be rude! My weight went up over Christmas WHILE my power went down. And now neither want to budge!

So for you that's like an FTP of 400w? We should probably just plug you into the grid and help ease the load shedding...

I gave the gods options! I'm quite sure I also begged for a natural disaster in Grabouw. Perhaps I should lean into this special ability - any requests? Lotto numbers? SA to win the rugby world cup?

I was about to accuse you of stealing my photo! Saw the same guy yesterday. It certainly was alive, as on the way back it had moved about 20cms...

I've been trying to ignore this event, yet here I am. I've said never again about 10 times to this event. I've retired 3 times. But maybe there is one more race in me? Such a lekker event!

I know I'm late to the party, but I finally wrote a race report. Here is Team Oryx's adventure https://www.velotales.com/2022/12/the-double-century-2022.html

Oh really? What did he say?

I find it hard to write race reports for such short rides