Bub Marley

If you’re gonna be doing any off road riding, then I wouldn’t use a bike with Shimano 105. Your chain will be bouncing all over the place.

Low ballers are annoying but they’re allowed to offer what they want. Just reject the offer or ignore them. Pretty simple really.

The climb was actually great. It was long but wasn’t steep at all and it spread the field out completely before the singletrack. Honestly was so awesome to ride singletrack without holding up someone or getting held up by someone. And I also liked the fact that all the singletrack was broken up nicely so if you did have someone behind you, there was more than enough chances to pull over and let them pass.

What an amazing race! Probably the best race I’ve ever done. Absolutely breathtaking scenery, fantastic climbs and really great single track as well. I’m back for next years event most definitely.

Any one know who are the Basso dealers or shops in South Africa?

I can agree with this. I have the trail lens and I don’t think the lens was made for South African trails. In the US, they have loads of forest trails and I can definitely see this lens shining in that terrain but on our farms, we have too much open areas which means too much light is let in. Even the trail torch is slightly darker, but I’m not sure it’s quite dark enough for trails.

Top of Hoogies and Conties.

In Think it looks better the way it was intended to look. And so far, this is applicable to everyone’s bike. I think keeping the flat bars and just changing the fork gives the bike a sleeker look.

I thought of doing this as well. But everytime someone posts a pic of there conversion I get put off more and more.

Anyone been to Majik Forest lately and can comment on the general conditions / Upkeep of the trail? Is it rideable? Haven’t been there in ages and obviously dont wanna bother if all the trees and bushes are over growing etc.

Mate, you’re just meaning for the sake of moaning. It’s not discovery’s problem if you don’t have Wi-Fi. Do you want them to give you free Wi-Fi as well as a reward. Shaper told you exactly what you need to do and then you can take the rest of the week off. You also claim to know that as well so not really sure what’s the issue then? You also qualify for a rest week after 25 consecutive weeks achieved.

I also feel that most of the farms are content with the honesty box / snapscan system. So if the honesty box works for the farms, then I don’t see why club members need to patrol the farms. It’s all about honesty. If you wanna cheat the system, then that’s upto you but I’m assuming that if you aren’t a club member you’ve done the right thing buy buying a day pass. I’m not gonna stalk you and ask for proof.

I honestly don’t have the balls to ask someone to show me their day pass. Tbh I’m not even looking out if people have boards on their bike. It’s just not in my thinking.

Did you do both upper and lower? Lower definitely geared more towards beginners. However there are 2 more technical routes but very short. But yeah the farm itself is definitely more family oriented. Upper Bloemendal is just a climb fest. If you incorporate Hillcrest, you basically climbing all the way up to the mast. Then descend down Bloemendaaler, then do that freaking nasty Bloemenclimb through the forest which just crazy tough. And then descend slightly before you start climbing again. Honestly, if you love climbing upper bloemendal is like climbers Heaven. Hoogekraal though is just way more fun. Together with Contermans, id definitely say are the best two farms in the Tygerberg network. They have a bit of everything but the single track on both networks are just top class.

Awesome. Suits me even better now.

Will do. It’s not allowing me to enter online. Says online entries closed. Think I’ll wait till Wednesday before I decide. See if there’s any update on the trail conditions.

I wonder if they’ll accept new entries now. only reason I never entered was Ramadan. But given that it got postponed, hopefully I’ll get to ride this.

At least that tells me now to get a gravel bike which the biggest clearance when i do decide to get one. Was also thinking maybe convert the hardtail, put a rigid fork in with drop bars but then you still have the gearing issue.

So ideally we need gravel bikes with enough clearance for mtb tyres. Basically like his Felt bike he’s riding this year.

Yeah but this is excluding the aerodynamic penalty. Common sense tells me a narrower 42mm tyre will be faster on a flat district road than a 2.2” mtb tyre? Maybe my way of thinking is still old school.

Im curious as to how much difference chunky tyres would make compared to skinnier gravel ones on district roads?

Are you racing? Like pushing for time & position etc. If you’re not racing, then I’d go for the 40. The lighter gearing will be more beneficial especially when your legs are finished towards the end of a long ride and you have a mountain to get over.

I’d say your biggest upgrade would be gearing. You’d be able to fit a larger chainring which should make a huge difference on your flats and descents.

Just on pure feel here. I have done this climb on numerous occasions. That descent leading upto the actual climb, I can definitely say the momentum gained from the descent will assist in propelling you up the initial few meters up there. It’s a pretty fast descent.

There is a bit of a downhill before the climb starts. But to get there you would still need to climb back up every time. So dont think it makes a difference.