stringbean

Eina,couple hrs away and the thread has already turned into a nob measuring contest. I still believe you can't have everything.We want to race against the pro's,we want to ride in a UCI event.You enter what some might consider to be the toughest stage race in the world but at the end a lot of guys are looking for sympathy.Sorry,I believe if you enter,you get your sh*t together and do what needs to be done. I still believe it's pointless having cut of times if they don't keep to it. At Comrades you have to qualify to be on the start line so at least those at the Comrades have a certain level of fitness at the start.If your granny has the 50K and is lucky enough to get a entry she would be at Meerendal.Should I then feel sorry for her because it's her 'dream' or because she is old,unfit,overweight,has a job and children. NO Sorry ,you enter Epic of your own free will.I don't give any sympathy to those at the back because they just havn't done what is necessary to do Epic comfortably.If you taking shots every day scraping to make cut off you only got the man in the mirror to blame.

I think you need to go watch those back markers,sorry they shouldnt be there.If your aim is just to finish the epic in the 10 hrs every day its a very easy ride.For a race of this standars and for UCI points it has set the level too low.

The rules arn't written in stone.If they have a bad day because of weather or whatever,they can extend the cut- off.Im sorry but for this reason the Epic has become soft(to allow for the celebraties,old rugby players,ex models etc etc to complete the Epic.)If the epic needs to regain the name of been tough they need to make cut-off 8hrs,and if you havn't made it because of fitness or whatever or 50% of the field gets eliminated so be it.

Heard Steve will be leaving Cycle Lab in the next few weeks.Not sure of details but I do know he is a huge asset to cycling.For those who were fortunate to cycle with him in the 'old' days will know Steve as a legend and arguably South Africa's 1st pro mountainbiker.While CL are not my local bike shop I would often go in for a chat or pick his brain.Not many sales guys out there as honest as Steve.I'm pretty sure a host of guys went to that store for him and will follow him wherever he goes.

True but that can at least be consistent .I just think they have killed Tulbagh off the calendar.During the ride spoke to a number of guys who came down from Jozi,then got lost in race and now get a crap index as well.

If guys weren't pissed before wait till they see their SA seeding index for the race.Winner of marathon gets a seeding index of 30.I know they weight races differently but they got to look at the bigger picture.I assume they would want people to come back to Tulbagh next year.If you go to a race at some expense,do well then get a crappy index I would not be back next year.

How they manage to get a Epic ticket 5 days before the event?

Ok,I'll own up,it was me.I skoped the sign over as I went past.Next time you slowbees make sure you ahead of me.

Too lazy to read the hole thread but pretty sure there are different rules for different people.Remember a few years ago when Sauser got caught illegally riding in Lourensford and was escorted off the estate?Epic didn't impose their rues on him then.

Thanks Wessel,on the ball.

Pretty sure Nico took the right way and pretty sure he won.Think it was just a timing error that everyone's time was out by 1 hr.Positions adjusted because they added the women into the mix.Agree I'm not happy about cell,mail and ID no all over the net.

Was also surprised to see most of the big guns heading to Tulbach this weekend.Big chance they taking risking injury a week before the Epic.

Looks like he's copied the M2 racer orb pedal.There are a few similar designs that have been around for years.A bit heavier than the eggbeater ti pedals and would love to see some real offroad testing of these.

Epic

Finished in the middle of C so don't think it was the 'wrong thing'.

I agree Blue monster,but when I start passing people that started in the racing tandem group on my mtb,something is wrong.

Lesson learned.XX1 was not designed with the argus in mind.Average cadence must have been about 150 for the whole ride.

By that do you mean on a mtb?

Don't you know on the hub those with the most posts don't even own a bike.

I heard 325 in the A,Vet,Sub vet ladies & masters bunch. B bunch 2 min behind and C bunch 1 min behind them.

Havn't read the whole thread but is no one concerned about the size of groups as well as the time gaps between groups.A,vets,sub vets,ladies and masters all starting in one group.Time gaps are 2 min for some and 1MIN for others.Me thinks there is going to be a bit of chaos out there with loads of bunches coming together.

What everyone says,niner by far,but thats just MO.Who is the agent for niner in SA tho?Should you ever have a problem where do you go and are they any good?

Looking at chain,jockey,spokes basically everything on the bike you have done zero maintenance or upkeep of your bike.Take a jar of vaseline with you to the bikeshop when you get the bill and please don't post here later about how you've been ripped off.School fees.

Not sure if it's been asked in another thread but anyone know what the start gaps between the bunches are?

What level are you at the moment Piet?You done SA'S or any other proper racing etc. Do as much top level racing as you can in the next year and learn who the competition is. At provincials race in your age group,in other races start in the vet or sub vet group. Get a powermeter. Coach:Pelotrain(John Wakefield) I train 4/5 days a week but he builds a program around how many hrs you can ride and your goals. Watch Supercycling every week because that man is probably your main competotion,and believe me he is a machine.