SimpleDom

Which direction do you commute in? If you go Sandton to Midrand in the morning, then you're welcome to join me.

Can't see in the picture. What's in the tyre?

Yip. My commute bag includes a pair of mini needle nose pliers. Great little tool.

It's going to be so awesome!

Unless you really are a beast, I'd say 20 at the back. Edit: I'm assuming you're going to ride some of the knysna forests etc too in the area. Not much flat there....

Any particular reason why 32 up front and not 34? Marginal clearance improvement. I had no particular reason for going with 34, so just curious.

I set mine up 34x19. Very close. It's a nice ratio.

Haha. Well spotted. It was the bike shop, but I was there for as much of the build as possible. Once you've experienced how much love Frikkie, Andre and the rest of the Tool-up team has for their work, it's very hard not to have them do it for you.

Just put the cage on, and it's 100%. I had a little panic attack.

Thanks Mnr. Haven't put the cage on yet... I'll let you know.

Finally. Still some tweaking (stem, dropper post, 2.4 ardents stuck in the post office) but she's rideable! I'm so excited. The idea here was single speed trail bike. I'm over the moon with the result. Once the dropper and fatter tyres are on, she'll be exactly as I wanted!

Finally. Still some tweaking (stem, dropper post, 2.4 ardents stuck in the post office) but she's rideable! I'm so excited!

Actual tears, in my eyes.

Agreed. I Should clarify... I probably wouldn't buy their special bars.... I just thought that's where they'd position them. I take plenty of fat with me.

I found that I wasn't replacing as fast as I was using... Stage races don't really seem to cater for the high fat requirements. Or at least the peplett didn't.

Multi day events? Eating for day 4,5,etc....

Of all days to run out of beans! Luckily I ordered online from Truth over the weekend! #likeachildonchristmasseve!

My daily carry. Love my benchmades!

Beautiful knives those. Saw my first one in the flesh last week. Riding with an open knife, even slowly.....

Hi. Due to the amount of climbing, we averaged only just over 14km/h. My heart rate zone average was between 3 and 4. The odd spike into zone 5, never for long periods.

I thought I'd give some feedback on my LCHF experience over the PEPlett last week. I have to say, this wasn't easy in terms of the catering provided by the race. The food was tasty enough, but there were no real low carb options. We had to make do with what was there, as well as supplementing with stuff that I took with. Typically, I ate the eggs and meat choice for breakfast (With added farm butter), as well as make shift bulletproof coffee. They didn't have any cream, but I took MCT oil with me. On the bike, I ate only fatty biltong and Dry wors. On the last 2 days, I included some nuts (Macadamia, almonds, pecans) on the bike. Plenty or water. Like 5-6 litres each stage. The only carbs I took consciously was in my recovery drink straight after the ride each day. I have to say, I could feel the impact of this within 30 mins of drinking. Lunches weren't great. Basically cold meats and salad (Again, I added lots of butter). I took coconut cream with me and drank about 200ml after lunch each day. Supper we ate the meat and salad option, again adding butter. There wasn't really enough fat, but I had also taken nuts and pork crackling (AWESOME STUFF) with me. Days were 125km, 94km, 76km, 74km. Loads of climbing (Total of about 7500m over 4 days). I felt plenty strong during the rides. Never felt lack of energy. Climbing was very strong. My only concern is that by the end of day 4, there was very little fat left on the body. The veins were sticking out everywhere. Legs and Arms. I'm wondering how long this could be sustained for stage racing before depleting the bodies fat reserves... Also wondering about fat loading before going into a race like this. Has anyone done any fat loading? Any methods to suggest?

I start the day with bulletproof coffee, and a fistful of almonds or macadamia nuts or pecans. Then, ride to work. Then, 3 eggs with butter / cheese / sometimes as an omelette with bacon. Lunch is usually a salad including avo, loads of olive oil, and good leafy stuff. Dinner is usually some nice fatty meat and good veg loaded with cream cheese or butter (Or both). Desert : double cream Greek yoghurt, nuts, and blueberries. To drink. Coffee, water, or milk with 2 table spoons of cream. Snacks, dry worse or biltong or nuts. Or just a spoon of mct oil. Or coconut oil. Fat shake makes an appearance sometimes too when I can't control my hunger. Commuting needs lots of fuel.

The routes were great. I've never ridden so much different terrain in so few days. You name it. Gravel, single track, Jeep track, grass, tar, river crossings, portage, rocks, sand, mud, roots, forest, stones, huge climbs, awesome decents. Some great technical parts. Some easier stuff (which was greatly needed by the body). And so much climbing. If you don't like the hills, you'll probably not love this race. Changes in scenery were awesome. Each day was different from the last. There were parts that someone will undoubtedly moan about, no matter what you throw at them. In summary, I felt it was a great test of mountain biking. Oh yes, and there was some climbing involved. A really tough 4 days, but manageable. Certainly enjoyable. I'll be back. Did I mention the climbing? There was some of that.

The selfie compo was a little weak.... I knew about 10 other riders, and I think hardly anyone took any notice.

Yip. I did it too. Great race! I found the organisation pretty good. The route markings were absolutely flawless. Well done to all.