Eddie Stafford

For those interested in bikepacking, I am starting the Trans Balkan Race/Ride tomorrow morning and is the only Saffa entry this year. It runs from the south of Slovenia along the Dinaric Alps through Croatia and Bosnia and finishes in Montenegro. Distance is 1,400 km with 27,000 m of climbing. I am not the strongest rider around and hope to finish within the 10 days cut off. The ride follows a compulsory GPX route and is fully self supported with 2 check points at 432km and 1,052km. I have a Instagram page where I will post a few photos and videos as I go along, feel free to follow. https://www.instagram.com/stafford_trans_balkan_race?igsh=dWJkMXc3Z281NWV1&utm_source=qr

You have a lot to look forward to and hope that you enjoy the ride. My favourite riding by far is touring parts of the Freedom Challenge route with a group of friends. Amazing scenery during your ride and good food and banter in the evenings. Memories to remember for a long time.

Would you like to explore who might be the greatest superhero by narrative structure or literary significance? Sadly, no mention of Kaptein Caprivi. So, I have done a RASA, the Munga, and the Silk Road, and I am doing the Trans Balkan Race at the end of this month. All races have to market themselves and each comes with its own gnarly claims about being the toughest, wildest, longest, most climbing and most brutal event that you can do. I think most people considering an entry to a certain race take those descriptions with a pinch of salt and rather look at the other aspects of the race to make up their mind. Take the Desert Dash, at 367km it was marketed as the longest single-stage 24 hour MTB race in the world, then somewhere else a longer race was started and the Dash responded by increasing the distance to 397km (2023) and 401 km (2024) to reclaim the title. As a result last year only 58 out of 160 solo riders finished within the 24 hour cut-off and as a result there will probably be a drop in solo entries going forward. What I’ve come to realise is that every race attracts different riders for different reasons. Some people can finish a RASA but would struggle with a Cape Epic and vice versa. If you do RASA over 26 days, it’s a jol, yes every day is tough, but every night you have proper food and accommodation (few beers) and a good sleep. Race it hard then it is a different story and that is when you hear the horror stories about hallucinations, navigational nightmares, and see videos of shell shocked riders trying to describe what they’ve just been through. Your mindset and the way you approach these races makes a huge difference in your suffering. Also everyone has their preferences, I meet riders doing their 10th Munga and they absolutely love it whereas I won’t do it again as I found it mind numbing just endless straight roads and hours of solo grinding. The same can be said about the shorter races, you might consider the Attekwas extreme suffering and won’t do it again, but yet you would go and do a Baviaans or 36ONE year after year. That’s why I think there is no point in comparing the “toughness” of races like RASA versus Cape Epic. They are completely different beasts. And while I might like to think that finishing RASA makes you tougher than an Epic finisher, the truth is it does not. I would happily ride a RASA tomorrow, but even if I got a free entry, won’t do the Cape Epic. Eight days of high intensity suffering is definitely not for me!

I am not a fan of bikeinn as I had a bad experience when one of the items that I ordered was not included in the package and they insisted that I should have checked the package before the courier company left. I can recommend https://www.bike-discount.de/en and https://www.bike24.com/. (Both German based) Set the websites to Spain and Portugal when you view the items as EU VAT is not shown in the price when it is set to SA. Order 7 to 10 days in advance, if you can, to make sure that the items are delivered in time.

Microshift makes a 9 speed 11 - 42 cassette. https://www.bike24.com/p2334535.html

Where do you live? I would love to ride with you as I am also doing the Dash, but am away this weekend. You could consider riding to Greyton via Franschoek pass (125 km from Somerset West) and then do you your night ride on the district roads in the are and back the next morning.

Is there a GPX download available for the 172 km route? Thanks

Hi, if anyone here has been to the Tour and travelled in a Campervan and don't mind sharing their knowledge, please DM me your cell number. I would like to know more about the practicalities of things on the ground. Thanks

I see the entries were still open this morning and I am keen to go and do the solo 36one next Friday, but cannot justify the cost of driving to Oudtshoorn and back on my own. Is there anyone that want to car share, driving from Stellenbosch or Somerset West? Please PM or wattsapp to 071 318 7321. Thanks Eddie

So after the feedback, I ordered the Ribble titanium with Shimano 105 - 2 x 12 on 24 January. Delivery was estimated to be between 26 March and 2 April. I ordered the bike to be send to my home address in Somerset West. The price was R50k. The checkout said "all shipping and taxes included". Being a bit skeptical, I phoned Ribble's online help line and the guy that I spoke to confirmed that the shipping and taxes are included in the price. Also checked the customs tariffs on the SARS website and bikes imported from the UK is free of custom duty, but subject to SA VAT. On 20 March, I received and email from Ribble saying that my bike has been shipped. After that, 2 emails from DHL and this morning the bike was delivered. Test ride this afternoon. Happy days!!

I would love a Lynskey, but not sure if I would get a new one for the same price.

I have decided to buy a new titanium road bike and have identified two bikes of interest. the bike will be bought in the UK and someone will bring it in March. The bikes are the Ribble Endurance Ti Disc Sport - https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-endurance-ti-disc-105-r7100/ And the Holdsworth Helm - https://www.planetx.co.uk/products/holdsworth-helm-sram-force-22-titanium-road-bike. Both bikes cost the same - £1,999 (ZAR 48,000) (The Holdsworth shows the price as £1,659, but when you add UK VAT it is £1,999) The Ribble comes with Shimano 105 2x12 (50/34) and a Mavic Aksium 19 wheelset (heavy at around 1850 grams). The Holdsworth comes with SRAM Force 2x11 (50/34) and a Vision Team 30 wheelset (heavy at around 1900 grams). Except for the different wheelsets, groupsets and seat stays there is little to choose from. Which one of the two will you choose and why?

I need a trailer that can carry luggage and 6 bikes from 4 August 2023 to 12 August 2023. If you have one that I can rent or know of someone that can help, please PM me. Thanks Eddie

I am also looking for an entry for the 100 miler. PM please if available.

Question for those that have done the race before. They mention a Rider Support Zone and I presume this is where you will put your gazebo with your support team, drinks and food. Is there enough space for everyone or will it be advisable to go early on Saturday to get a spot? Thanks.

Yes it is the total time to complete the entire route. When you enter you tell them what your estimated time will be. The slower riders normally start first and the racing guys and girls last. The cut off is 26 days.

https://soshanger.com/Derailleur-hangers These guys should have one, but not cheap and shipping from France.

If anyone is interested, I am selling a Trekmates Squall Hooped Bivvy. https://www.trekmates.co.uk/products/squall-bivi-bag It weights 980 grams, which is a bit on the heavy side for a bivvy, but it is made of a stronger and more durable material than the superlight tents. It also has a very good waterproof rating. Only used 4 times, you cannot sit up in it and I can confirm that it works in snow. R1,500 – PM me

I am not sure if Decathlon in South Africa stocks pannier racks and bags, but their overseas branches have a huge collection. One can probably enquire from them if they can get stock. https://www.decathlon.co.uk/browse/c0-sports/c1-cycling/c3-pannier-bags-and-saddle-bags/_/N-12a753p https://www.decathlon.co.uk/browse/c0-sports/c1-cycling/c3-pannier-racks-and-bike-baskets/_/N-kdm44i Not all bikes are suitable for panniers and pannier bags. The other option is to go for a handlebar bag and saddlebag. The Topeak serious are available in SA, CWC were able to order some. They are not to expensive and excellent quality. What is nice is that there drybags have an outlet to let air out when you close the bag. The handlebar bag and saddle bag is only a simple harness with a drybag. I think any of the tent/safari/seat cover manufactures can easily make one to custom fit your bike. Just take them a photo of what you have in mind. At the end of the day it is just a piece of canvass and a few straps. Drybags are easy to come by. I am using Acepack. It is one of the cheaper brands and the quality is fantastic. https://www.acepac.bike/sedlove-brasny/ Also look at www.bike24.com there are 100's to choose from.

I am not sure if Decathlon in South Africa stocks pannier racks and bags, but their overseas branches have a huge collection. One can probably enquire from them if they can get stock. https://www.decathlon.co.uk/browse/c0-sports/c1-cycling/c3-pannier-bags-and-saddle-bags/_/N-12a753p https://www.decathlon.co.uk/browse/c0-sports/c1-cycling/c3-pannier-racks-and-bike-baskets/_/N-kdm44i Not all bikes are suitable for panniers and pannier bags. The other option is to go for a handlebar bag and saddlebag. The Topeak serious are available in SA, CWC were able to order some. They are not to expensive and excellent quality. What is nice is that there drybags have an outlet to let air out when you close the bag. The handlebar bag and saddle bag is only a simple harness with a drybag. I think any of the tent/safari/seat cover manufactures can easily make one to custom fit your bike. Just take them a photo of what you have in mind. At the end of the day it is just a piece of canvass and a few straps. Drybags are easy to come by. I am using Acepack. It is one of the cheaper brands and the quality is fantastic. https://www.acepac.bike/sedlove-brasny/ Also look at www.bike24.com there are 100's to choose from.

My bike for the Silk Road. It is my 6 year old titanium GT Xizang 29er with a Fox 32 SC fork. The drivetrain is an old style 2 x 10 Shimano XT, with a Rotor REX 2.2 crank 36/22 (would have preferred 39/25 but you can’t find the chainrings anymore) and a 11/36 cassette. Brakes are Shimano XT and I bought the new Richie Mini Silver aero bars and it looks perfect to reduce Ulnar nerve damage. Maxxis Ikon 2.35 tubeless tires front and back and an unbranded wheelset from my wife’s bike. WTB Rocket saddle. I am not the most tech savvy person on earth, but made an Instagram profile where I will, depending on phone coverage, put photos and videos along the way. The link is: https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=45xmbw85kswh&utm_content=mhrperq There will also be videos of my bike and equipment. The Silk Road Race starts on Friday 13 August at 18:00 SA time and can be followed on: https://www.srmr2021.maprogress.com The other guys from SA that I know of is Arno Crous, Heinrich Visser (won the Munga one year, but is still waiting for his bike to arrive – Turkish Airlines), Sean Hutchinson and Tony Huglin.

He also went out of his way to help some RASA riders in October.

If you are the winner, do you get to choose your frame size?

There is an article on Bikeradar of the new Ridley Kanzo gravel bike that is set up as 1 x, but comes with a new 2 speed hub that is controlled wirelessly and offers ratios of 1:1 and 0.7:1 giving a total gear range of between 358 per cent with an 11-27 cassette and 451 per cent with an 11-34. They say it offers the “the same functionality as the front derailleur and way more”. Is this the new 2 x systems? https://www.bikeradar.com/news/ridley-kanzo-fast/ https://classified-cycling.cc/product/

Vetseun, I signed in just to like your comment.