Grondpad

I was hoping to do this race but it is 145km from my house in PTA east. Such a shame. I was looking forward to it, but I dont think its worth traveling almost 300km. For those lucky enough -> Have a blast!!

I have done a couple of the shorter races and wil be doing one of the longer ones this year. The adventure races are great fun and they pick great venues (except for the last event in 2011). You dont nee special gear. They give the stuff you need. Just take your bike, running shoes and a plastic ziploc bag for the map & instructions. The rowing part is very short at 4 of the races so dont stress about it. The running and bike is not very technical & the obstacle cause is like playing on jumping castles. You are going to enjoy it!

If anyone has connections with the clubs in the area, it would be great it they can mention this on there group rides on Saturday morning. I know that Cyclelab, FPC & Singletrack uses these trails as well

This is a great initiative as there are many riders using it and I have noted that lately it has become a bit overgrown. What does one need to help out? Some pruning gear and a shovel?

IMO, give the half IM a skip. You will need at least two weeks without training to recover and then you will only have one week before the tri. I know it is a bummer, but rather safe than sorry. You dont want to do permanent damage

+1. I saw one of them the other day and it really is a good looking bike with great spec’s!

Anyone know if they have maps available yet? I know when I rode there last there wasnt any but I am hoping to ride there again this weekend and not get lost again

I don’t think it switches off because last night I ran with my phone and even though the screen locked, the backlight still shined. I will try this on my next ride Thanks for the tip!

That divernick, but I actually want ot go browse in all the pawn shops myself and see what hidden gems there are. I think its part of the fun?

I am really keen on building a SS. What I like about it is that you custom build and every SS differs as much as their owners. From next week I am on leave so my project is set to kick off. I want to go a browse all the pawn shops around PTA and pick out that one frame that catches my eye. From what I have gathered and what I like in a frame is that it should have vertical drop outs, nice lugs and should be steel. What else should I look at? I see that most old steel frames has those shifter on the down tube (I don’t know what you call them), like the ones in the OP. What is the norm? Should I look for a frame without them or is the idea to keep them on the frame for the final project?

Barberton was my first Marathon ever. I still rate it as one of my favourite races. You are really going to enjoy it and the scenery is unbelievable!!

If you are willing to tolerate a 18 to 20 km/h avg speed then you can count me and REDFOXX in. We are just going to Mankele from the 16th to the 18th (sorry, just had to get that in. Whoop whoop), so anytime after that is fine

@Patches & @The Crow: thank you for the info gents

Sorry for this hijack: Patches -> it seems like you know a lot about these bikes. For a rider like me doing mostly trail riding, off-road tri’s, lots of MTB marathons and aiming for the longer stuff like Trans Baviaans etc, would you say an enduro/all mountain machine will be better suited? I have heard that South African's just have an obsession with bikes that is actually more suited for XC. I don’t know what to make of it. I see you list the Zula as a marathon bike. What would you say is more suited for my type of riding? Again, sorry to the OP for the hijack

Bumpity BUMP Anyone?

What AVG speed are you looking at?

I used the app on my iPhone and got less than 3hours of battery after being charged 89%. So is it safe to assume that you will not get more than 4hrs out off your iPhone? The pep talk was switched off and the screen was locked. How can I turn the auto upload off on the iPhone? I tried searching the web but couldn't get any answers. I have read through the posts but can not see of my question has been posted before so apologies if I missed it

I would do it for free as I am going to be there every day anyway. A meet and greet as Stretch says would be great. Access to accommodation and then obviously proper training. Like most cyclist I understand what effort the pro's put in, so I don’t want to stuff something up on D day. Then maybe you can organise and annual membership to Cycling SA or a cycling park like Karkloof, Holla or Groenies for us here in GP? That would be cool. Please dont let this just fade away. Keep us updated as to where we can apply.

OK, what I usually do is From Equestria I cycle to Groenies, do a lap there and return over Klapperkop, Rigel and then through Moreleta on De Villa Bois. Then I head out on Atterbury and do the Zwavelpoort plotte. Up to here is 80km. Then from the plotte go over Lynwood past the Chicken farm and do the gravel roads on the Hazeldean side of Lynwood (include the railway line). Its about 100km or maybe a bit more

Just did my entry for the race. Eina!!

Great info! Thanks Mojoman Is this section tar or gravel?

Thnaks for the feedback. Can you maybe give me some directions if I go over Breedtneks from the Hekpoort side?

I saw on facebook one of the AR clubs did a ride at Breedtsnek & Olifantsnek. Its a 110km ride. I know where Breedtsnek is, but I would like to include Olifantsnek for a nice long ride Anyone that can help?

68%. Never done the Argus

Jip, I had to pay a fee for entering the TrailSeries race through entrytime