Roneblack46

There were various changes this year: New run in into Van Der Kloof dam through the nature reserve. Very sandy. New WP3 New WP4 New Race Village just before Loxton The big change was new Race Village at Roggeveld Nature Reserve instead of Sutherland. This added about 2 hours ride time as the first part is lekka technical - a good break from gravel roads.

I think he had a heart attack.

FYI - The OP sadly passed away a few weeks before the start of the 2025 Munga event. RIP Sir.

Munga 2025 this year had a mixed bag of weather. I experienced extreme heat, the usual headwind, rain and Karoo peanut butter mud. To top it all had a side wall cut and a nervous 130km ride with a normal tube to Britstown to get a new tyre. I had a goal of under 84 hours this year and narrowly missed it with 14 minutes ending up finaly at Doolhof in 84:14. Number 3 done and like the two previous efforts it was totally different in experience and feel. This year saw a number of route changes and new WP and RVs which added to the experience.

This happened on Saturday morning around 05:30. The two riders were on the gravel edge of the road just opposite Crystal Rose Lodge and Spa (to explain - when you are heading towards Magaliesburg and you have turned left at the end of the Caves, you head up the Hekpoort road towards Krugersdorp direction, you turn right onto the single track section to cut the corner with the N14/Tarlton road. As soon as you turn right onto the N14/Tarlton road you are on the wide gravel edge. About 200m on there is a bend (as you're riding it bends to the left - bends to the right if you're driving on the road) and heading towards the gravel turn off going to Magaliesburg. An oncoming car, with no headlights on, lost control on the corner and veered off the road into the two oncoming riders.

I would say once you have identified your event you need to research as must of past editions as possible: information is key in getting your mental preparation on track. Previous rider race reports, forum feedback on an event, other rider experiences in groups you ride with, there are a host of youtube videos of race reports on various races of similar nature etc. This will prepare you on what to expect and what challenges other riders experienced and how they resolved these challenges. I see challenges as problem solving - how to work around an issue to keep moving forward. I have found many bikehub threads on previous races and events very helpful in what to expect on a specific event. The earlier years of bikehub has long threads of information leading up to an event and after event feedback as well. Time of year and what weather to expect is helpful in knowing what hydration and nutrition will look like. This will also guide as to what kit to wear.

Great idea for a thread. I do 2-3 ultra endurance events a year. I would love to do more but have to balance home and work as well. What I find what works for me is having an indoor trainer (I am linked to Zwift). So Monday to Wednesday I do 1-1.5hour sessions on Zwift early in the morning. Thursday rest day. Friday morning I do a 100km ride (start out at 04:00). If time crunched I am on the road bike or if I have later meetings I am on my "race bike - gravel monstercross". Saturday is a long ride most 5-6 hours and if event specific sometimes longer on the odd occasion. Sunday is a rest day as well. Doing this I easily get 10-15 hours a week. What the sessions entail can be tailored to the event. I have the convenience of having a gym at my work building so 3x a week doing some gym work as well during the day. I don't have a coach and work on 3 weeks on and 1 week easy blocks. I am on my 3rd Munga this year and a vital part of my training is heat acclimatization. Temps on the Munga can reach into the 50s in direct sun and preparing for that is extremely important. This may include riding in the heat of the day slowly increasing exposure to become comfortable enough to ride at a consistent pace. I even ride indoors with no fans and maybe a layer or two extra to simulate heat exposure. As far as equipment goes and budget - I do try and keep costs to a minimum while training as the final race prep (bicycle service, nutrition and travel) can be costly. I use durable components for longevity over weight. As you get more experienced you get to learn what works and what is durable and does not cost an arm and a leg. I originally went over to a single speed bike in 2015 to manage costs while training and only used my full suspension bike back then for races to save costs. Now I have 3 x single speeds and one geared road bike, which mainly does IDT duty. So my bike cost really only involves - brake pads, tyres and a BB replacement every 6 months. Other items like wheel and headset bearings are done 1x a year or when required. Happy to share what I can as this thread evolves.

A friend of mine just bought the gravel specific frame from Sling. I think it’s stunning.

This is how I ran it for Munga 2024.

LOL. It’s a large frame - similar to 58cm. Sling were clever when they designed this as it’s built for bikepacking - numerous additional options for bottle cages and bags to be bolted to frame. The larger triangle is great for frame bags. It can also be fitted with a rear rack or aero pack. The other nice feature is it has a split rear stay so belt drive is also an option.

I ran it geared for Munga 2024. I am running it SS going forward for my events this year - Tankwa Grit, Northwest Grit and Munga 2025.

Yes, I went with the external routing. It allows me to switch to flat bars if I need to without having to cut the brake line if I used the internal routing.

I have a Sling Tagati - the one with slacker headtube angle and sliding dropouts. Running it as a monster cross with 2.4 tyres and wide flared gravel bars. Great ride. Very compliant in rough corrugations. Just completed Munga 2024 on it and it was a great ride. Finishing of the welds is top notch.

Benky just completed Atlas MTB race on a Santa Cruz MTB.

Everyone has a different level of risk appetite. I stay in Rivonia and regularly ride these streets from 4am and have never felt unsafe (my biggest concern is the drivers who have been out drinking all night). If you're coming from Sandton you could go down Rivonia Road and left at Sandton police station into Summit drive. All the way down till you get the Circle (All downhill from here), then left up St James, at the T junction right (Ecclestone), then left into Bryanston drive and left onto Main Road. A short climb and the Engen is up on the left. The Engen to Engen route goes down Sandton Drive so you can always break off at Sandton back to your accommodation.