Wayne pudding Mol

bit harsh, his form up to the tour was very decent and I think he was a genuine podium contender - his problem is he needs bike handling lessons from Pidcock This edition of the tour has been a little marred by misfortune - it hasn't detracted from the spectacle by any means, it's just meant that those who have stayed upright the most have a chance of coming 2nd

Fair enough - I also only take pics facing direction of travel or I forget where I’m going

A lot of non drive side photography …..tut tut

Hi - at this price range you are unlikely to get a decent dual sus bike, even second hand unless you get a 26er in which case you’ll be getting something old which may then cost in maintaining You are going to get a million answers here but it it was my hard earned cash I’d get the new Titans you were looking at and have peace of mind and some sort of warranty have fun

I have one for hope 4s still in the packaging - or try custombikes.co.za and see if they have

This is whites road - I’m told the kom was done on a road bike - when I’m training to come 6789th at the CTCT I often ride it on my roadbike It’s a nice climb out of wilderness with awesome view - nice gradient that you can climb fast

Pinot did it a few years back in the form of his life

Groomed garden route gravel

You know that your dads got the faster colour right ?

New coffee shop at map of Africa where the paragliders all do their thing great coffee great view

What anyone does in this race is irrelevant apart from 1 chap only one guy wins, the rest are losers anyone can ride a bike for a few weeks doing a few kms and over some hills with a bit of rain and wind here and there heres me, I just rode up a steep hill for a coffee, easy peasy and I did it into a 4km headwind

Maybe Eddys wins anywhere near his Giro doping ban should be disqualified - then Cav has already beaten his record

Depends-is it a giant bottle or a Giant bottle

Interesting listening to Mark Renshaw (Cavs old lead out man) He said the bike has played a significant role in comfort and confidence. Cav is super happy to be back on a Spez. Perhaps its a mental thing or maybe even at this level the bike really does make a difference

Francois your spirit and courage has been inspiring I have thought of you many times when I’ve been out on my bike. Often when I’ve felt sorry for myself I have reminded myself how lucky I am you are a warrior and your wife is as lucky as you are to have you in her life love to you both

It was easier for Eddy to finish as he used special gel which I find disrespectful - such an icon while others are pariahs? I do agree that if you start you should try finish but he’s not the first anf he was honest about it from the outset

Agree that the racing would have been more exciting with other sprinters but Cav can only beat who’s there and after years of illness and crashes perhaps he’s owed some fortune getting over today is going to be tough especially if the guys at the front continue dropping watt bombs

I’m going to dig up old posts and shame those who doubted Cav Hoping he would come good was unrealistic but boy have I enjoyed watching him win and especially how much credit he has given his team, deservedly so To see the world champ play super domestique and commit to the cause has been fantastic

Proof please

Wow there’s some nonsense on this thread hating gravel bikes is now becoming as fashionable as riding one it all depends on what and where you ride when choosing your ride I have a few bikes nicely built to cover all terrain but I spend 90 percent of my rides on my gravel bike. Not because I’m a flannel wearing bearded hipster, but because it’s the best bike for the terrain. It drills my hardtail on any gravel ride what you like wherever you like as long as it makes you smile - don’t hate on anyone pedaling a bicycle unless they are in crocs Ps I wear flannel shirts when I ride but can’t grow a decent beard and I’m too old to be a hipster

Nice amount of water bottles

But Robbie you push up hill so you don’t need as much water

100 percent except we actually are in SA and we have loads of space and it gets hot But you have a choice if you aren’t a camel, you just find a bike with 2 mounts personally I always ride with 2 bottles no matter how short - one with water and one with secret sauce

Wasn’t it Pat Morewood who put 2 mounts in his last 2 XC bikes ? Ride down here and 40km is 800m of climbing - some of us are sweaty and some are camels I need 2 bottles

Slowly morphing into a gravel biker - brown tape next