HdB

BicyclePower used to sell the trainers, and I see they still list some spare parts on their site. Perhaps they can help: https://bicyclepower.co.za

I rode pretty much the entire Bergplaas climb in my granny gear. Thank goodness for that 50T. Which reminds me, I better start getting used to the energy drink now, to avoid 🤢🤮

What is the max size for your Sram derailleur? There are some suspiciously cheap 11 speed cassettes available on Takealot, for example: https://www.takealot.com/kmc-cassette-11-speed-cs11s-11-50-hg-compatible/PLID94551798 https://www.takealot.com/sunshine-sz-11-speed-11-52t-silver-black-mtb-bicycle-cassette-hg/PLID93384887 But you would have to get one and test, and if it doesn't shift well then it's money wasted. If it does shift OK, then the bigger chainring will make up for the missing 10. The 2x10 could work, Radarkop test to be sure. As long as it is not a muddy race?

...after about 130km gravel with Jean 🦾

Just to add - there were some very rugged downhill sections where bottles could (and did) fall out, so check how well your bottles cages hold your bottles. I still need to test some rubber bands or velcro straps to secure mine, especially for the rear bottle where I have to use a side-entry cage. My saddle-bag also got ripped loose on the Bergplaas decent, so now I use an extra velcro strap on that as well.

36T or 38T front then, and just crush the climbs at a 40 cadence

Since you already have an HG freehub, could you not test a SRAM 11 speed 11-42 cassette (PG1130 I think)? If you are spending a lot of time in your 10 for this race, you are aiming higher than mid-pack 😁

I had no issues with using my hardtail last year, and will almost certainly use the same bike this year. Possibly just with a change of tyres, 2.4s instead of 2.2s (assuming they fit). We could always be unlucky and the corrugations are very bad, hope not.

It sounds like Shimano Sora shifters. The newer Tiagra 2x10 should already be a lot better, ex: https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/complete-groupsets/815096/tiagra-4700-groupset-with-mechanical-disc-brake But 2x11 Shimano 105 or Ultegra shifts really nicely, ex: https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/shifters/815613/selling-shimano-105-shifters Whether your current wheels' hubs can work with 10 or 11 speed is another matter.

Luckily we were on an annual plan with Rouvy before their pricing changed and, for now at least (touch fake wood), it just keeps going as long as you don't try and change anything or take them up on their Black Friday deals, etc. I use TrainerRoad, but my wife and dad uses Rouvy. The latest update looks quite good!

My 530, that I've had for a few years now, also still has good battery life. It (barely) made the TransBaviaans last year. I will have to turn off some things for this year though, I expect at least 2hours more with a different teammate.

I could be remembering wrong, but in the past when the elite ladies did the full distance there would be ladies riding in the fast open bunches getting faster times, which led to some questions about who was the rightful winner of the ladies. No issues with those that keep up with the fast groups and get a good time, whether they work or not. As long as there aren't e-bikes and/or physical pushing/towing to get that time. (the closest I got to the front of @ was being able to actually see that there was a separate race going on there, riders attacking off the front etc. I would have needed to "attack" just to get to the front, nevermind actually contributing to the pace).

They are slow this year! By Tuesday last year, I had already entered for the 2025 event! They are slipping! 🤣

Some quick result stalking shows the lady from 1D finished 92 overall (out of 485 finishers) at the Attakwas Extreme, riding in the Elite ladies category.