Jocklaw

I don't think the distance or climbing needed attention, but it may be sensible for those doing Epic. The senseless portage and copious dirt road riding is what spoiled last year's event for me. The bike park on day 2 is a welcome addition. I think the changes will be good!

It's not too bad, a roadie will be fine. One tricky section that you can walk. The first half is tough, good chance you will have a sense of humor failure as you push up some hills!

Crossways at Thornhill has a lovely but tough route. About 62kms/1600m climbing. The Black Porcupine climb is a beaut, takes about 35-40 minutes.

XO1 cassette costs R 5115, I have changed to GX cassette at R 2250, but you can get them even cheaper than that if you shop around. The GX chain is also obviously cheaper than the XO1 chain too.

Just don't let the Garmin get too wet, their waterproofness is pretty sh1te.

Welvan pas farm in Wellington is on the Epic route and is well marked, with various options. You could have a good 4 hours of fun there.

Guy, I ride bikes only - don't have a clue.

no need for one, never had a chain come off, touch wood!

The 32 x 10/42 is the best set up in my opinion. I'm in the Grandmaster category, 82 kgs ( could lose about 6), did a 7 hour Atta before Epic 2014 and was a mid pack Epic finisher, to give some context to my opinion. The problem with asking opinions from the general body of Hubbers is they are all different weights and levels of fitness, so without some background, it's difficult to know what to make of the differing opinions. I will be doing Epic with that combo next year. If I don't do my usual overtraining trick....

I posted the stages onto Strava, but a month or two later, I got a polite e mail asking me to make them private, or I would be banned from doing the race again. I did not have to delete them.

I am going to Mossel Bay for a few days, any nice MTB trails in the area?

I can't believe this is not sold yet. Advertise it on the Hub Classified Event Entries section, I bought mine there, it was advertised for 16 minutes and I was the 3rd caller.

a drop of sunlight liquid into water, cheapest way to practise making microfoam.

We did the race last year and it won't let me enter, saying public entries open in March. I bought the entry on the Hub, for last year.

Won't attract too many people showing dirt road riding. Should highlight what single track there is. Anyhow, no way I am going anywhere near the Middle East!!

The adjustment of the grinder is a large part of the art. Beans are different from shipment to shipment, and I prefer to use a manual grinder rather than the modern electronic (but admittedly better looking ) grinders.

The grinder is rubbish. Permanently set on the finest macro and micro settings. You're right, time to send it to the shop (for the decaf only, I hasten to add) and buy something decent.

my home set up.

I reckon 12 a week for 3 months, assuming you are a regular rider is fine. Maybe 2/3 weeks where you take it up to 16/17 hours if you can.

I'd like to hear about the route. How did it compare to last year, was it more technical, and enjoyable?

I had my mechanic convert mine, should be no problem at all.

is there an affidavit from the pharmacist?

I managed push of a climb on my 32, doubt I would have made it on a 34. Hope that helps.

There is a bike shop in St Francis, get hold of them, they will know. Not sure of the name, sorry.

at Sani 2013, Spez gave my partner and I Epic S-Works to ride all 3 days. We both now own Epic S-Works.....great marketing!!!