Kom

Specialize Diverge Comp - Alu- loads of fun!

https://southindustries.cc/product/gx-dt-swiss-350/ R20k built, or R7k for the hoops for a DIY build.

Adding to the gravel bike motivation, the geometry and ability to ride large volume road tires is a huge plus for comfort and performance. You almost always get hydraulic disc brakes included in the price, so personally think it’s more economical for the package deal you get. In terms of bike order, rather than get a friendly road bike, I’d add an aero road bike after the gravel bike. They are super stiff and definitely put another kind of smile on your face

No affiliation with CTCT means no more 3rd medal? My OCD to collect these things is killing me!

This link works better for me http://puresavage.co.za/2019/07/chas-everitt-around-the-pot-100miler-presented-by-seesa.html/

Well done to the first team across the line yesterday, although you can clearly see who was in who's draft for the entire race! Full results here http://www.mobiielite.com/results/results.php?RaceID=c64eb18d-59c8-4df3-9427-4265be3be3ab

I recall them mentioning a 2x increase in entrants this year - I was surprised that they didn’t start the event in batches which would have controlled the large bunch that had formed near the front during the neutral zone. Always interesting to watch the riders trying to get to the front, even at times riding across the white line on the N2 with huge trucks in the oncoming traffic. My recollection of the quad bike accident was a little different, it had sounded like he had missed a gear as the bike was revving in very high gears before he came to a stop and the ensuing drama commenced. A couple of us bailed into the ditch in the side of the road, not all with wheels down ????

Seemed like there was a little drama at the start when a batch of riders rode into the back of the quad bike pacing the group in the neutral zone - hope everyone is ok ????????

No5 counts for everyone tomorrow unless you are the hoff or Hendricks

The two in the backround make the video

That decision seems to be out of the hands of the organisers though - if there is even a wiff of risk on public safety people from the municipality are compelled to take a decision. Also, most of the field that seem to be talking here will be done by 09-10am, the majority of those that are likely to face the grunt of the windy conditions as they "mature" are probably far less equiped to handle being blown from pillar to post - if this leads to falls the risk and potential strain on emergency services is a lot bigger than all the ego in this thread.

Bikehub have a strava group that will easily co-ordinate that ride, and what’s better is that strava will handle timing an positions for free!

some weather comparisons

Between Windguru and Windy im pretty sure its a repeat of 2017: - Cycle Tour Trust were already alerted to wind conditions - Ran ahead with plans as if nothing was wrong, even letting off a couple of groups on the morning - Stopping the event when the start area under the civic center became unmanageable - Also $ and % groups had major falls around Blue Route Mall - Also at the same time a seperate concern around kommetjie part of the course, leading to a route change because of demonstrations and obstructions on the road.

The houw hoek inn also has extra capacity now to provide capacity at the start/finish/start for Day 1 - i stayed in the new part of the hotel recently and its really nice. I partially agree that this is affordable stage racing in that the entry is cheap compared - but having to pay for accomodation and logistics around finishing in Hermanus and making your way back to Hoew Hoek is a bit of a schlep.

in other words - i wont agree to state the obvious now - i still need more money spent at the expo before declaring what i already know is going to happen .... again

Very sad to see the route shortened to 102km - excluding Bothmanskop is a travesty

Must say the race became interesting when 2a caught us just past Wellington, not sure why 1d to that point were out on a Sunday stroll. I need to thank google maps for routing me down the R301 after the Xmas tree that had formed off the R44, got to my gate in plenty of time. The dust on my clean bike sucked at the new venue - felt like a MTB event, the cycle trust need a complimentary bike wash before and after the event! The official time still managed to exceed my recorded time of 02:50 which included the so called neutral zone.

If you do get an entry, remember R50 at registration at Val de Vie tomorrow for name change

Anyone here doing the 2019 edition from 3-9 February?

@farrnus - As a matter of interest why are all your carbon frames sized from mid 40cm to low 50cm? Also why is large in the alloy bikes actually 54cm and X-Large 56cm top bar? Id be pretty keen on a carbon frameset at 56cm if you make it in this size? (Teal)

This bundle is quite tempting!

A dedicated series would be super cool - however I think the general concern in this thread is that they are being allowed to run concurrently in normal events

The reality is that they are shipped to the shop with governors on, but almost the first thing the salesman does is tell you how easy it is to lift the governor which takes you to the 45km/h assistance and beyond in some cases. 25km/h cruising up Nik-Naks is enough though to make me wander just what these riders are achieving entering an event rather than using the same trails on another day when the mass that have gathered are pedal powered enthusiasts wanting to race each other. If they are not fit, enter the shorter distance and go pedal powered, if they must use an ebike, ride another day among others of the same inclination. Its this reason that all forms of competition are homologated. Next we will see these same people on segways/ninebots at the cape town marathon ....

First time riding this event and really enjoyed it - i was watching the total ascent on my GPS which peaked at around 30km (900m) which left only around 350m of climbing for the remaining 27km which was nice and fast with plenty of pace opportunities. The climbing single track was quite congested (coming out of C batch), there was really not much you could do with limited overtaking opportunities on some of the switch backs. My only crit about this event (and others following) is that i continue to campaign that E-Bikes do not belong - anyone who does not acknowledge the importance of psychology on an event like this is kidding themselves, but having a motorised bike cruising past ruins my enjoyment for at least 5min before i can fall back into my MTB-Meditation. Vent over. Ill definitely do this one again next year. Eyes are on the 66km Tiletoria event (no Ebikes allowed ) which is by comparison a beast of an event - The climb up the GLB only surpassed by the crazy technical rattling descent that follows.