mrcg

Another excellent day well spent on oodles of single track. I wasn't in best shape but no matter the suffering the trails and views more than make up for it. It is a real pity access is so restricted. I would love to drive up, camp and ride the trails over a weekend. Rickus - PLS PLS consider. Of course we will pay accordingly. Maybe open only once every month or less. Just saying. Not sure many would actually make a 2h trek to PBB anyway - too far is a common word used by many a Capetonian - and this in reference of having to drive 5km down the road haha Anyway: i forgot to start my garmin and only realised about 13km into ride (head was up trying to breathe and soak in views) - so has anyone got an accurate km distance and elevation for the 63km?? Thx

Yes. They can chill at start area....there's the usual stands for refreshments....or run around in nature (if they're not riding). Little dam not far away (a few hundred meters). Not too sure what else there is. Last year there was free camping spot at start site with free fire wood and ablutions. Not too sure if this year again.

If you like technical riding with amazing tracks and views...then this is for you. Entered long time ago Would do the U too....but need a partner and to be honest, it's a little too pricey for me

Would love to try the 88km....alas with the best event of the year (in terms of tracks) happening on same day (PiketBoBerg), i'll have to give it a miss. I wonder if event providers check out the existing calendar and look for "best" placing of their respective events....? Just wondering.....so many double bookings

A loooot of rain Friday!!

Great event....because of great tracks! Also really enjoyed it. Short sharp climbs and lots of single track. The reason we ride! Last year i suffered due to heat and lots of climbing....and having started out too hard. Definitely one of the most enjoyable rides I've had in a long time. A closer second to Piket-Bo-Berg. Can't wait for that one....

Probiotics?

Personal opinion on 75km: 1. way too much climbing in first half, hardly anything in 2nd half. Can work for some - actually did for me, but boy, what a slog. Due to point 4 i was happy not many hills in 2nd part... 2. way too little single track (we're in St'bosch for goodness sake!). I live for technical.... 3. Trailtag not really a big pain, but surely outdated 4. Maybe a mechanic at more than only one waterpoint? I lost my rear lever at 30km - the mech at wp 3/4? tired his best but after 5km the whole thing came off. I effectively rode 45km in a dual speed. Fun. Not sure if there were more mecs....but i didn't notice them.

So you're saying the little box next to each bike model is the build option? R, S, S+, X01 to XX1+? Well, if that's the case then i'll opt to pay the difference to the spec i want on it. Not so keen on a 14kg plus bike....or 13kg plus for that matter. I assume that won't be a problem. Interesting that there is no further comment from "organisers" to clarify - keep the thread and discussion i.e. marketing going? No worries with that....gonna be a loooooong month

Thanks! Although that nearly sounds too good to be true?!? If i pick the Hightower CC XX1+ bike....that's a R128k bike right there. Somehow have a feeling that wont be on'? Hope I'm wrong. Let's see

Well, without wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, if we could have the exact components of the standard build kit, it would be awesome. PS i have entered already

oh no....thought race was Saturday and thus gave it a miss! well, as I found out on Sunday morning....my BB had seized anyway Darling Brew followed by one more ride last Saturday did the trick!? no riding at all last week...

Everything seems impossible.....until it is done!

Hi guys, i was wondering about this thread and it's relevance to mtb. All have their own ambitions i guess so we're all looking to "cross train" to gain cycling advantage. If so. I tried Crossfit and enjoyed it. But IMO it didnt make sense to sign up there if my goal was to improve my cycling/mtb. This is pure strength component (as mentioned above) - you are bulking up (massively) as you are supposed to continuously increase your loads and strength capabilities. Increased strength is great for mtb and up hills....but how much is too much? For me the cost of signing up versus the reality of wanting to ride strongly at events on a weekend did not add up. Strength training requires at least 48hour recovery period. So a Monday and possibly Wed session could/would work but then the idea is to train 4, 5 or even 7 times a week. Hence cost does not gel for me. What do others think?

Where do i read up on my seeding? I checked website but didn't see? Usually get an email. Weather sites all basically use the same algorithms from weather stations (i think). Most accurate i found is windguru - however it usually only provides for sites with water bodies nearby. I just extrapolate accordingly.

Unfortunately (for now) the weather looking a bit mizz: very cloudy with spots of rain, moderate S wind and max of 17C. hmmmmmmmmmm But a great race to do.....75km here i come

Hey guys and gals, did my first 100miler....not much prep done after having done the Epic. But had won the entry to the Cederberg Trek (two times 80km). This is where Erik also blitzed everybody. So, after Meurant Botha said the Amarider 100 miler isn't that tough i entered spur of the moment. Well, it was harder than expected, especially those last 25odd km's. More so that my GPS ended on 164km and i REALLY needed it to end at 161km as advertised. And the route description: "A few small rises then Downhill to the finish" - haha i think not. Some tough pedalling in those last km's from last waterpoint until 1km from finish. As posted in a different thread.....those thought coursing through the mind were varied and not for print at times. BUT, still glad i did this - my first race distance over 125km. Not sure i will attempt 361 or the like though. Or do a "Martin Dreyer" and ride it twice. Mad

Best trails without a doubt! DId last two 63km rides. And booked this year's too. Would love to do the U. BUT that is really a steep price in anybody's book. There is no doubt that the trails are awesome, the venue top notch and I assume the meals great too. But stark reality is that it doesn't quite add up for me: distances are relatively short (for all days) and so my experience versus investment is not quite there. I get that a lot goes into staging/maintaining this, but to be honest maybe we are looking to up the profit a little too much?? (NB not sure on this?). If you can provide me with +-60km for 2 days...or make it a 3 day for same distances i might consider it. Maybe allow some weekend riding (e.g. long weekends/holidays) to up your income from trails and accommodation. The interest is there! #justsaying

Wish everyone would just get over themselves (the moaners). If you think you can do it better - go for it. Every one of your proposals can be shot down in flames in seconds (see all posts above). There is an argument for everything and many more against it. It is impossible to please 35000 entrants, never mind the many more tens of thousands of people that surround the whole organisational infrastructure. As hard as it is....you invest and you win OR lose. That's life. If you don't like the odds, sit on your couch and play video games. One thing is certain: there is never any certainty. Ever. Good luck to all at Cape Epic. See you there.....

Most accurate predicter is windguru.cz. Gives wind prediction for various points along route. Sunday looking very miff. Very strong winds predicted: gusts over 40km/h! Great once over Smitwinkel (tail wind), dodgy on way there and patches where it comes hurtling over the mountain passes around Chappies and towards town. If i wasn't using it as a training stage for Epic i would consider cancelling..... Not fun

Hi all, not sure if there is a classified area for this...or another place to put this.... But, here is my request/issue: i'm a decent and keen mtb'er who is looking to take part in as many as possible of our excellent stage races we have in our awesome country. My problem: a suitable partner to take on these challenges e.g. PEtoPlett. Wine2Whales is sorted. Doing second Sani in two weeks! So herewith my offer: if you have lost or are looking for a riding partner - give me a shout so we can hook up and try this. I'm an easy going guy, although also half-competitive. But can take an easy ride on a first experience too. Hope there's ppl out there with the same challenge... Cool.

nah, but not to worry. when you sign in on day before, just go to the nice seeding lsadies table and you can sort it all out. there always seems to be a gremlin in the seeding. ALSO, it cannot be that your partner is in another start group. would be defeating the object...

Thanks for the help so far guys

Hi, i believe there is a ride that goes from Fourways/Broadacres all the way to Hertbeespoort? I usually ride around area and have found part of the track that goes to Lanseria, however then i'm stuck. Could someone please describe the route to me? Or is someone riding it soon and can i tag along, even if it's part of the route? Thanks

Me again....please call me on 0826357284 for an entry into 40 or 70km race. Thanks dudes