HdB

What time is Stage 6 expected to start on Saturday? My wife and I were thinking of riding through to Wilderness to go see the finish.

There is also the Swartland Stofpad, 3-day gravel stage race. 5 - 7 June, luxury option is <R8k https://www.entryninja.com/events/83102-swartland-stofpad PE to Plett race price looks to be a bit less than the Cape Pioneer, albeit one day less.

How was the section to De Rust? How did the stop-and-go for the rock fall go, long wait? Ronde van Swartberg is going the opposite direction next week.

The Montagu pass is technically closed to the public, yes.: https://www.georgeherald.com/News/Article/Local-News/construction-in-montagu-pass-to-start-but-no-dates-yet-202602250430 Doesn't stop people from riding it, but if something goes wrong, it would be difficult for emergency services to get to the affected. @capediver did it a few months ago, in the other direction though. Work has also restarted on the section of the Seven Passes road, between the university and the Wilderness turnoff. https://www.georgeherald.com/News/Article/Local-News/construction-on-seven-passes-road-partially-closed-to-traffic-202603190321 Supposedly complete closure now for a section.

Not much mention of this race on the forums, anyone doing it this year? I have not done any events with my gravel bike, so a "little" 170km should do the trick, right? My bike, a Basso Terra, can't fit much wider than a 45mm, front can possibly go a bit wider but currently running a 45mm as well, both Maxxis Reavers I think.

This year's was (officially) the 48th, thanks to the cancelled one. But you still HAVE to make a plan

Well, FMD was confirmed in the area around 11 Feb, so it has not been that long that the impact on this event could really have been planned for? I'm hoping that things are more under control by Sept for the Pioneer (Black Friday specials FTW!), but will keep an eye on this event to see if it looks nice to do another year.

I have a few showing, had to report one as not being me. Just 6 photos though, including the group start photo and three at the finish... so works out quite expensive for really just 3 photos that actually matter. My dad has 20, so that is nice. Even though 6 are at the finish line, there are a few of him that are nice.

Edit: I'm being stupid - found it via the Cape Town Cycle Tour club on Strava 🤦‍♂️ Edit again: Actually, the elevation data on that route is terrible. So, if anyone has a good gpx version of the 42km, please let me know

I'm quite a bit less fit than last year due to life happening, some very ill dogs have meant my motivation to train since mid-Dec has been meh! So my choices are to start per my seeding and watch the group disappear before we even get to Hospital Bend then wait for a group to come by that I can stick with, or just start a few groups later. My current thinking is that starting per my seeding will mean I should be pretty much on my own at Hospital Bend, so far less chance of getting caught up in a crash. I wonder how many shoe-cleaning-spray booths there will be at the expo this year... 🤦‍♂️

Hmm, not ideal. Doesn't really explain why the bluetooth would suddenly stop working if the laptop/software didn't change? Hopefully not a hardware failure. The very old smart trainers all used proprietary protocols over either bluetooth or ANT+, and the various training softwares just dealt with those - it could be that some of the companies have decided to take out that legacy code. Which software(s) were you using before it stopped working? Didn't the Powerbeam Pro come in two separate versions, one with Bluetooth and the other with ANT+? In which case the ANT+ instructions might not help you very much.

Definitely not necessary, just ask the monsters keeping up with the racing groups at the CTCT, with their 2.4 knobblies sounding like a very angry beehive. But as others have said, it makes a huge difference in the amount of effort you need to put in. If you are not going to ride other road events with them in the future, I wouldn't waste the money. Gravel tyres are maybe a good compromise, they should be pretty quick at the CTCT and you can use them for gravel riding after.

Big new update currently going out. No full changelog out yet, but lots of graphical details tweaked. Most exciting though, is the improved GPXplore functionality. Now the GPX routes uses "satellite-driven terrain reconstruction that mirrors the real world with striking accuracy." Mount Fuji: SA Calobra: Alpe d'Huez:

I've sent them an email about this, but who know when/if it will be addressed.

Saris does have an Android app for firmware updates and calibration checks, though it has been a long time time I've used it (we have a CycleOps H2 and Saris H3). If you have not already, maybe check if this app can find and connect to the trainer?

Extra Potent Oros?

Pretty good, yes. Time wise 1E is usually just outside of sub-3h, unless w have very good weather; on the other hand you have a bit more light by then, compared to $, @, etc

Have you tried the Forza straps? At around R400, mine is lasting much much much much better than the Polar straps it replaced (of course now I've jinxed it)

Most semi-recent Garmin watches should be able to broadcast HR, at least via ANT+ (which would be fine with your Edge 520). More recent ones via Bluetooth as well. For example, my VivoActive 4 can only do ANT+, so fine to connect to my Edge or PC, but not to my tablet. Something like this would be another option: https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/sensors-mounts-and-accessories/876234/xoss-beat-band-pro-heart-rate-monitor?return_to=L2NsYXNzaWZpZWRzL2FsbC1hZHM_cz1oZWFydA Wahoo, Polar, Magene and probably others have similar devices, my wife has the Wahoo Tickr Fit.

Pretty much the same thing if I order the identical item from some seller on Takealot for significantly more? I bought myself a new Android tablet, not via Temu or Ali but from China still, received it last week. The only Android tablet equal to its performance available in South Africa costs at least double what I paid (including the screen protector, the more expensive shipping option, and taxes). Biggest problem with Temu (if you don't get unlucky with the shipping provider) I see is it is too easy to add stuff you were not planning on buying at the same time 🤦‍♂️ I've ordered a protective case for the tablet on Temu (since it is not available in SA of course), and a couple of other useful things at the same time.... but a few things I really did not need, handy as they might be.

Ordered on 4th, delivered today: Ryet Aircode, the shape looks near identical to the Belcarra v2 that I have on my road and gravel bikes.

Attakwas yesterday, my first. Stopped and waiting for a friend who started in B (doing his 12th). I got a small sidewall cut at around 9km, thankfully I had taken a roll of gorilla tape; stuck some on the outside, between it and the sealant it held. Lovely cool weather most of the way. A great day out, only disappointment was the number of gel wrappers on the ground despite the pleading from the organisers at the start.

I clearly didn't read properly... You should be feeling significantly better by the time the CTCT comes round, though probably not yet 100%. Between your normal diet and the QuadroFer (I was on the SiderAl twice a day) you should be OK, keep in mind if you have a hard training session (esp indoor where you may sweat more) to plan a bit extra, ie. some Enduren cramp tablets or typical rehidration stuff with some iron in.

Our GPs have prescribed Sideral Forte capsules for a few months, to me a few years a go, and currently to my wife. Her iron stores were very low, but not so low that he wanted to use the infusion.

Probably, but the rider communication just mentions: "Please note that any rider not starting in their allocated start batch, will receive a 15 minute time penalty." I will ask at registration on Friday how strict they intend to be