Musashi

It is 5 days before the race. What's going on with the route and why don't we hear anything (official)?

It'll probably arrive in November.

I hear a rumour that the route is being changed due to the water crossings. Has anyone heard something similar? There's nothing on the website so I am wondering about the accuracy of the rumour.

"Bumped" from D to B. BUT! If I understand the new system correctly, there should be two numbers, one for MTB and one for road. I only have one: B. Now is that my MTB number or road? They are very explicit in their communication that the two numbers will most likely differ. Does anyone know what's going on? (I have done numerous MTB and road events - with my MTB)

Sure did!

I saved my energy for Delvera as I know I make mistakes when I get tired. I am very glad I did! How much was the total climb on the 75km? 2500m?

You can say that again. The 75km was tough! But somehow I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I am very careful to put pressure on the person in front of me holding me up. Like you said, that guy is probably 100% focused on the track and if I ask him to make way, he might go down and get injured (I've seen it happen). So I take it as a chance to recover and when the opportunity is there, I'll overtake. If he/she makes way, I am very appreciative. I also try to improve my times from one year to the next, but the bottle neck from last year will also re-occur this year. Nothing gained and nothing lost.

The nice thing about Perpetum is you can mix one bottle for up to 4 hours. Because it's not sweet, it drinks easily even if concentrated. I usually mix one bottle for the number of required hours and take an extra bottle or two of water, depending on how hot it is. Wash a sip of Perpetum down with water and I'm good.

Cool thanks, flymango.

Some good advice here. Only a few people mentioned loading BEFORE the race. I use USN Enduro Sport and an energy bar 30 minutes before the race. I'm then fueled to go about 1.5 to 2 hours at a strong pace. For rides less than 5 hours I would take a 750ml bottle of USN Power HP for every additional hour and a GU just in case I need it (which is seldom). I also found bananas to be more digestible than energy bars. It's also important to know that eating means blood is drawn away from the legs to the stomach (to digest the food and absorb the carbs). That might be why people feel a bit dead after eating something. On longer rides, for example the TransBaviaans, I'll rely on Perpetum and will use mostly a liquid diet - digests easier. The number of bottles become less important because on hot days you can use up to twice the amount of liquid than on a cool day. If you work on one bottle, say Power HP, per 1.5 hours, add a bottle of water if its hot to stay hydrated. Dehydration is a big drain on your power without realising it!

I am facinated with the fresh clothes at Bergplaas thing. If you're at Bergplaas, the worst is over. Relatively speaking it's downhill from there!

What letter are they referring to? I need to pick up the wife's number.

I was just kidding guys. I know what you mean. I agree, covie, very nice for training, but not very technical. On a clear day though, you can't beat the views!

If you've done the route once, the sharp turns aren't that surprising anymore! I look forward to the additions, Hellwarp!

Well, seeing as you guys are not really sticking to Cape Town, there is a pass near Porterville going up to Beaverlac. 500m climb over 6km. The surrounding roads are gravel, but the pass has been tarred. If you're on a mountain bike, you can add another 6km and 400m climbing.

That always irks me, Jaco. It's like PPA wakes up on 1 July and realise it's time for new seeding and numbers and only then gets the process. Then come end September you get your new number. Surely someone can put a reminder on their phone for 1 May, do a seeding run on 27 June and send the new numbers 1 July?

Yes, if I remember correctly. It's downhill and then flat/rollings hills along the river to Komdomo. From Komdomo you head out to the never-ender, through the unmanned and manned checkpoints and home-free to the end. No water crossings. If you hit Bergplaas much after 18:00, it can be cold. Dry clothes would make sense, but I really don't remember any water crossings after Bergplaas. And I've done the Baviaanskloof twice with the MTB, once with a motorbike and once with the bakkie.

I don't know whether a full change of clothes is really necessary, but a pair of fresh socks does wonders! Last year was fairly dry, but it looks like we can expect some serious water crossings this year where you'll have to get your feet wet. Once out of the Kloof (Bergplaas), dry sock will be great!

Dis 'n plesier lollos. En dit is regtig 'n mooi landskap - moenie net deurjaag en nooit opkyk nie! Net fyi, 'n bib werk beter as 'n fietsrybroek vir beide my en my vrou. Ons is heel gelukkig met CapeStorm.

lollos, ek dink daar is so klein bietjie sein bo by Bergplaas, die toppunt van die MAC. Moenie te veel worry nie. As mens dit rustig vat sal mens klaar maak. My eerste TB het ek gery op net 4 maande nadat ek op 'n fiets geklim het. Dit was nie so erg nie, net lank.

Entered the 75km. Bloody peer pressure.

From the Freedom Challenge website today: "Everest conquerer Alex Harris has now emerged as the clear race leader and looks set to arrive at the finish on Tuesday morning, well within the existing race record of 13 days and 17 hours. However, there was a time when Harris’s progress looked to have slowed. On Thursday night he descended down the Osseberg track into the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area. Ahead of him lay 12 crossings of the swollen Groot Rivier near the settlement of Cambria. It took Harris 6 hours to cover 10 kilometers in darkness. Walls of thorny acacias, washed downstream in the recent rains and clogged up the approaches to each of the crossings. His comment afterwards “Bavianskloof flooded and trashed! Madness...I gazed into Mordor! Took a beating but mind strong.”"

Two years ago I did the TB in 17.5 hours - I just started cycling. If you do the TB for the fun of it and enjoy the views, you'll love it. Actually, one of my highlights were 01:00 in the morning, sitting next to the road eating something and no-one else around (except my team mates). It really was fun.

Yip, all the way to the top. I was so focused on this steep climb (remembering the 29% gradient on the info board), I probably missed the sign. It actually makes for a good climb. I remember thinking "Bloody hell, this will make me strong!". And I think it goes to pretty much the highest point in the area. If you guys can lay out a route that includes this hill, I'll certainly try to include it in my rides.