GaryvdM

Thanks for the info. So it sounds like the private support vehicles were not supper annoying. I think I'm going to enter.

Bump

Anyone done the The Grind, or any other races in the Glorious Gravel Series in previous years? How was it? I'm considering it, but I'm worried about the allowing of private support vehicles on the route. The fact that there are so many rules regarding support vehicles tells me they've had issue in the past. All previous Gravel races I've done have not allowed private support vehicles, so this concept is a bit foreign to me.

Been out of cycling for a while, but riding this year. Question: has the route changed at all since 2021? If so, please can someone share a link to a accurate Strava/RideWithGPS route.

There is defiantly some blame to be put on the lead vehicle driver. If that's your job, then you should be sufficiently familiar with the route that if you encounter a situation like a cone blown by the wind into the incorrect location, that you should know it's wrong.

That was defiantly an oops. P.S. By the time I went through there (started group I), there was evidence that a number of people came down there, and they had a rubber mat over it, but it was only 2m wide, so we had a bit of a zig-zag. Better than lots more people coming down. When you see situations like this, you realize that organizing an event like this must require so much attention to detail in so many different areas!

Was this your first 947? If not you should know you need to get their early. If yes, know you know. Either way, the organisers should NOT be shot. For me, coming from the north on the N1 south, then Rand Show road, the traffic was much less than the traffic at Riversands.

I'm trying to figure out if can park my car in the CBD at my work, and ride to the start. I want to come in on the M70 like this: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38041849 On the venue map, there is a No Access at the entrance off the M70. Do you guys think this will apply to cars only?

I like these number boards... makes me feel like I'm about to race in the elite bunch ????

I just noticed this in the seeding email: So no more Racetec for 947? That's a surprise!

I remember being turned around by officials when I tried to enter the expo on the wrong side of the one way.

https://wheelsmfg.com/bb-standards https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/bottom-bracket-standards-and-terminology https://www.slowtwitch.com/Tech/Bottom_Bracket_Standards_2573.html When I last checked Shimano does not make a crank with a 30mm spindle, they are all 24mm. So if the bike has a Shimano crank on it, I can be 99% sure it's not BB30. It would be help us to help you if could give more detail on what you are wanting to do.

That will reverse the steering. Good luck riding that...

At that speeds, try Northcliff Cycles. Start point is not to far from Randburg, so you can ride to the start. Typical weekend rides are: Saturday: A-Group: Starting at 06:00 from shop; 82km; Avg Speed 30km/h Route: 14 Ave onto HP and full loop of Cradle and come Home. Sunday: A-Group: Starting at 06:00 from shop; 160km; Avg Speed 30km/h Route: Start from shop, going South and around Aerials and back Home Phone the shop for more info.

A few options to checkout here: https://bicyclesouth.co.za/bikepacking-routes/

Interesting observation from my friend John Loos: Speak to someone who has done some other event, and they tell you enjoyable stories about the event they did... how they struggled with cramp, or the laughs they had, or the comradeship, etc. Speak to someone who did the epic, and all they will tell you about is how much money they spent. Money spent on their bike, money spent on extras for the event, money spent on extra equipment they bought.

Ha ha, to be fair, I've done lots of ultra distance on the road, and on gravel on a gravel bike. Looking forward to the comfort of full suspension.

MTB ordered, expecting delivery in December. 36One 2022 entered. This will be my first MTB race ???? Edit: I see this thread is for 2021. Time for 2022 thread?

Someone mentioned First assent. Their jerseys might be good, but their bib don't last more than 1 year before they fall apart. Best value for money bibs for me have been Anatomic. Got one that I've had for 6 years and it's still going strong.

Half the challenge with life is motivating your self when you are on your own. You need to pay attention to the mind as well as the body. Some things you can do in this regard: Meditate. I highly recommend https://wakingup.com/ for guidance. Do Jordan Peterson's Self authoring program. Here is a video of him explaining how it works: If you have a drinking problem, go cold turkey. Don't just reduce to a reasonable amount. It's actually easier to go the cold turkey route. If you have friends that pressure you to drink at social occasions, they are not your friends.

Any tips on how to stop glasses from getting misted when wearing a mask?

Racetec do know what group you actually started in. That's why they have mats at the start.

It is a race, and it is a rule that you have to follow the route. Gerald Cele was penalized for going off route, but not these guys. You need to follow the rules consistently. The rules are very clear: I do realise that it might be the case that the RD was simply not aware of these infractions.

The following people (other than Gerald Cele) also took the short cut between WP10 and RV5 and didn't get penalised, and are on the finishers list: http://trackleaders.com/munga18i.php?name=Wayne_Mc_Duling http://trackleaders.com/munga18i.php?name=Riaan_Van_Zyl http://trackleaders.com/munga18i.php?name=Gerhard_Strydom http://trackleaders.com/munga18i.php?name=Estelle_Gous Wayne Mc Duling also went off route earlier in the race.