JarradVZ

Can we get an idea on the planned route? VG can be super tough or super flowy and fast depending on where they take us! ie. Will the concrete strip climb be involved? (or worse: Pofadder)

Yeah, saw that. What a freak. Jules was on 32x15 but told me that he was under-geared! I was on 34x16 so pretty much the same, thought it was about right for the course.

Hey Eldron, yeah I was on a Ti iSpydafly frame with a Niner fork. Jules makes us look silly, he is unbelievably strong! I had lunch with him afterwards and he ordered a rump. Not sure if it was Spanish beef though. Well done to all on SS bikes, good job.

Oh, Jules' frame is a Ti Ragley, not a Niner.

Yeah, the rigid was pretty punishing! Jules was a beast as usual. I am trying to work out where I came. Did 2h43 and only know of Jules in front? Were there others? Jules said he heard there was someone in front of him!? Surely not?

The Nissan Trailseeker: Flat and Dusty is unfortunately the worst route on the MTB calendar.

I thought it was a good day out. Well organised and quite a fun course. Dusty and sandy but there is avoiding that on the highveld in winter. Narrowly missed a sub 3 on the SS.

In the team category, does just 1 rider have to be on course at a time?

Jon Patricios at Morningside Clinic. Really experienced sports physician.

32:16 is the perfect Spruit ratio (Northcliff is definitely possible, not easy though). That would equate to a 36:18. I almost never take gears onto the Spruit.

Finishing joBerg2c can be achieved with 6 or 7 hours of decent training a week. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy this race though. If you are under-prepared you may finish but you will have some really long days (10hrs+). It happens every year but I really don't think that is something you should put yourself through.

I have done both (Epic 2012 and all 3 J2C). I will not be going back to Epic anytime soon. It was nice to tick it off but the amount of times I found myself baffled at the route choices by Evans were just too many. We were A batch all the way and are both good on technical climbs. Despite this, we carried our bikes just about every day. It was frustrating beyond words. The financial investment is ridiculous as well. JoBerg2c just gets better and better year after year. The route is sublime just about every day. The big difference though, is in the people. The people you meet on the route, in the camp and of course the fantastically friendly organisers. If you are a serious race-snake and want to test yourself against the best in the world, enter Epic without hesitation. If you are someone who just loves being on your bike and seeing this beautiful country of ours (fast or slow) then entering joBerg2c will be the best decision you ever make.

A few people seem to be missing the point of this event.

Keen on this. Looks cool.

Ah, there we go. Thanks.

Team SL, if I come through it will be on a single-speed so i definitely need some sort of race profile to be able to choose a gear. Any ideas?

Who was the dude who won the SS cat? Is he a hubber? Orange Niner and Niner fork. What ratio was he on? I ran a 32x16 but I think a 15 would have been perfect. 2h36 in the end, had to stop twice for punctures but didn't delay me too much. My mate Edgar had a superb ride also on a 16, he was just sub 2h30.

Ha ha! Thanks Jacques, I think I'll stick with the 16 and pedal my ass off. See you there. I'm in B but will hang around at the finish for a few ales.

I dont have anything bigger than 32:16 unfortunately. I think maybe a 14 or 15 would be fastest. We'll see how it goes.

Yeah, SS for the marathon. The course is too flat for SSers to do well though.

Thanks JC. Agreed. I think I met you on Sabie Ex last year. You were around when those idiot Honda dudes crashed into my girlfriend?

Anyone doing this on a SS? I am not sure what ratio would be best? Leaning towards a 32 x 16...

All in favour of Saddam shutting up and going away say "I".

Ah, alright. Yeah, she is a beauty and rides like a dream. I have fat 2.4 Ralphs on which smooth things up nicely. Weighs just under 8kg!

Hairy, where did you get that pic?! That is my bike!