Michael S

Your mates are probably in the top 100 or so? The pointy end was very strong so hanging on in there would have wild no doubt, but yeah that is pacing a long event like this right, or any race for that matter. But throughout the field you could either overextend and go with a faster bunch than you should and hang on for dear life or finish with some reserve, drop back and get a group that works (Unless you are last). Your choice on how you want to 'race' I guess. The field was very wide so somewhere you find someone that fits your bill. My point was, if pointy end racing is not why you are there, you could actually take it easier than you could at an epic for instance because the route would allow it, even if you are toddling along on your own. This was my longest event and I wanted to enjoy it, so I was quite conservative, and strict, in my pacing to ensure I make it though and feel “good” not dead. I would say not many followed this strategy, but more should have, what is the diffence between 150th and 250th anyway?

I think this is just the opposite actually. Having rode this at pretty much zone 2 for 7 days as not to cook myself as most days are 4h ish and up. I was continually moving up in GC through the week. The only time I had to dabble in some Z4/5 was up climbs so steep that I had to add power just to stay on the bike, and the odd threshold bit to bridge to a group, but that happend like twice. I was happy to let groups go if they were above my pay grade. With the amount of steep climbing in epics, you have to go there often just to stay on the bike (or walk) where as with the relativley gradual slopes of a gravel course, you can happily spin up 90% of the climbs sitting in Z2 and pace your efforts evenly. Sure, you are not going to podium, but that’s not why the vast majority of participants are there.

Just rode mine for Gravel Burn with Raceking 2.2 in the front and Thunderburts 2.1 in the back

Enjoyed that immensely, incredible event. Some days were rough, could have done with an mtb, one day was a road race, could have done with a road bike. All in all very happy with my rigid bike with 2.2F/2.1R ( had to do 45R today as Thunderburts are made of paper). They did very clearly note that you would want to max out your tyre for this and don't even come with anything less than 45s. Re the stage 6 MTB race issue, I feel it was fine, sure rough in places but and you have to have your wits about you, but it's not like they sent us through a single track rock garden where anyone had to walk, So managable I felt. Rough no doubt, but it's not supposed to be the UCI gravel world champs spin in the park.

Would make sense. Similar to the August setup.

Full Start List https://gravel-burn.com/2025-riders-start-list

Pidcock is involved, even if he might not be racing, as the_roadie noted, he was punted as taking part in the evening eliminator / fox hunt style mini race. But a Lachlan, Pidcock, Beers field will already make for interesting racing.

2.2 Race King (F) 2.1 Thunderburts (R -max I can fit) GRX 42- 10/51

Did a stint there, prime roadie conditions, for mtb you need to drive out to hatta, which is nice, but the drive there and back makes it quite a trip, so not a weekly thing probably. so I'd say enter your roadie phase. As an aside, how does the expat tax work nowadays is you don't financially immigrate? I was there before this and you could do proper saving but with the higher comparative salaries, the 1st "free" R1M did come up quite quick and then it started to make less sense.

The same thing, but for more money for the Garmin with nothing to show for it really. 1100 EUR for Rally 210 and 580EUR for MX2 or RS2.

Assiomas. Buy direct from Favero in Italy. Much cheaper than local suppliers R14k for mx2s incl duties. Delivered in a week. Cheaper than two seperate spider or crank based options for both bikes and you don't have the issue of always wondering which one is slighty out of calibration or is the legs. One source of truth. Easy to switch over pedals. If you want to be super aero on your road bike you can go all out and have two pedal bodies even, but thats a bit more of a hastle, just ride 2 bolt cleats and be done.

Also had to pay Speedaf R395.3 in duties & handling for a R860 handlebar. They seem to move quick, but add on quite a bit in handling and clearance costs. I would pay it anyway to avoid SAPO though.

Just ride with spd pedals and take your pick.

Anyone with an Epic Ride forcast for us?

Yeah they seem to be pushing the immediate efficiency angle rather than the longer lasting one. I am more keen on longer lasting, looking to give the enduro wax a go.

Rider info and seeding is being issued today I saw on socials. Pro men start at 07:00

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/new-squirt-hot-wax.html Squirt has entered the chat

Just cause its easier to ask you, what makes your pump R500 better than the Ryder one? Seems like 100mAh more battery and a higher max pressure (Which I will never come close to)

Would not bother with the effort of switching those.

Also in the market for one but local options seems a tad limited.

Think the most complaints came from a few crossings over farm land with some bumpy grass bits and such. Nothing very rocky or rough to the point you need larger volume tyres, but just bumpy and uncomfortable after a long day. I had 40s and was pinning it very crudely down there as I was very cross-eyed at that stage. This has been improved to a smooth flowing single track according to the site. Last year all the other gravel roads were champagne. Pick tyres for the 150km not the potential 5km. My picks for the day is a 45 Spez tracer with a 42 pathfinder out back.

When do the entries close for this event?

If you want dabble in some road biking, max chainring might the issue with the hardtail. With a hardtail you could get say a 38tooth on the front and a 10smallest on the back then you can pedal at 55kmph at 105 odd cadence. Horses for courses I guess. What will your indented use be @paul marais?

For reasons unknown to man, road tyres size in mm and MTB tyres size in inches and the crossing seems to happen at 50mm (±2 inches). So if you want to run wider than 50mm it goes to MTB tyres (2 inches and up) instead of gravel tyres, which tend to stop at 50mm.