etienne_jordaan

The weather is beginning to look a lot better. Lets be positive, it’s only Thursday.

We’ve had above ave rain the last couple of weeks in the Overberg ( just like the rest of the Western Cape). The road conditions are probably not gonna be great. I’m doing the 200miler. By the current weather trend it is going to be chilly, that on it self needs to be managed. Wouldn’t complain if it can at least be dry.

Hi guys. This is the only forum i could find on this event. Was looking for some feedback on the 200miler. I have never ridden at Around the Pot and know it was a mud fest last year. I have done a 361 a couple of years ago, and was thinking it’s time for something like this again. Just general info and experience will be appreciated.

Get Dave Mercer to build you a custom frame with Columbus 100 year Centenary tubeset, Columbus Carbon fork. Finish it of with a custom paint job by Jared at BMC. It will be an amazing ride and it will be one of a kind. Not like all the other mass produced tupperware.

I got a Oiz H30(alloy) trail 120mm about 2 months ago. Amazing bike and the Fox 32, my first time riding Fox, also excellent.

A custom built steel frame with Columbus 100 year Centenary Edition tubeset. Columbus carbon fork. ChrisKing headset, Bb and hubs on South Industries carbon rims. Campagnolo Super Record EPS. ENVE carbon seatpost, stem and handlebar. Nice saddle of choice.

Thanks for the tips guys. A riding buddy and myself got a entry to substitute yesterday. Obviously did not train or plan for this, but what the hell. We’ll just wing it and trust on the good old muscle memory thing! At least our wife's have the whole day to explore/road trip. On the topic of gearing 32 front 11/46 11spd. Steel hardtail with 120mm fork and 29x2,6 tyres. Good luck to all.

In Cape Town/Western Cape there is a good chance you will loose 1 or 2 days due to weather. 🤔 …… so the average just went up drastically. I managed it last year. The secret is to start with some big rides and get well ahead. That just gives margin for weather or family commitments.

I can recommend Jared at BMC. At the end of the day it comes down to “you get what you pay for”. You can get away cheap, but it won’t be perfect or put down some cash and have a professional job.

I was fortunate enough to meet and work with Carel at Knysna Bull a couple of years ago. An amazing human being and just plain down to earth. Shocked to here the sad news. All the best for his family during this difficult time. The eventing industry has lost a legend.

I have a Ciovita cargo/commuter bib and very happy with it. Good quality and excellent fit. Will be getting more of them.

Don’t know what your budget is like, but Polar have just launched the Grit X Pro and reviews so far are very good. I’m on a Suunto Spartan going on 5 years and very happy with it, but it is becoming a bit out dated. I’m seriously considering the Polar.

My road pair are getting on a bit and i’ve begun looking at replacing. There are more lace-up options now. When i bought my Empire’s it was just about only Giro. The Specialized Sub-6 is apparently awesome aswell?

I have a pair of Empire Slx for road and VR90 for mtb. After riding Sidi’s religiously for about 20 years, went to Giro and haven’t looked back as they just work for my feet. There is no closure system to match laces for wrapping the shoe around your feet. No pressure points as the tightening of the shoes are spread out over the length of the shoe. It just takes a couple of rides to figure out how tight or loose to do the laces. Have never had laces come loose or flap in the wind. No faffing involved.

I must agree with the route conditions probably being the best you can ask for. No dust and nice compact. Not even close to the mudfest that was expected. It was muddy in patches, but those patches are usually wet in the January race aswell. Did my 5th event after skipping the last 4/5 years but think bug has bitten again. Ticked the singlespeed box, back to full gearbox for the next 1. Well done to everybody that finished. Knew it was going to be a tough day out, but just confirmed again this is “Not a walk in the park”.

I’m doing my 5th Atta, so there is nothing new about it. However, i got talked into doing it on a single speed. So drivetrain is not my issue, some spare legs along the way will be nice. Good luck to those that are riding.

What Bolt67 said/suggested. That is not an event you want to race in any case. Just enjoy the vibe and amazing scenery.

I’ve also had a couple of times had no response to messages sent, and most of them were actually bike shops or dealers.

Price on the Banshee?

The trails are still open. Camphill is still closed. Follow the blue route around the bottom of Camphill and you will then link up with red and black routes again. Permits from Wine Village or Village Cycles, both in the same complex on your left at the robots turning up the Hemel en Aarde valley road.

Yes, that is ridiculous! The funny thing is, some people are gonna fall for the fancy wording and technical mumble jumble, and actually buy it.????‍♂️

Yes, also surprised by the lack of comms by Dryland? Not their usual high standard of service and communication.

I’m not aware of any bike shops in Villiersdorp. The closest options will be Franschhoek or Manic Cycles in Worcester.

You will probably only need a new headset bottom race. The lower spec bikes are often speced with older or OEM forks with straight steerers, but the frame is built with a taper steerer. So you will already have a taper headset that fits in the frame, but they install a different bottom race to make the straight steerer fork fit in the taper headset. Any bike shop will have a loose steerer race available unless they want to make money off you and try and sell you a complete headset.

Just start early and ride single file. From Rooiels there is a broad shoulder. If the weather plays along it is 1 of the best rides in the Western Cape.