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Hi, been to SA couple times, mostly CT, surrounding areas, Stellenbosch, Garden Route. This year, I want to bring my gravel bike. I'm wondering which routes around CT are most enjoyable so I can pick my accommodation accordingly. I ride a mix of gravel and tar, up to 100km/day and like to stop every once in a while to have a good coffee / glas of wine / meet other cyclists. Open to switch to Stellenbosch area if that makes more sense. Thanks for your suggestions! JT

Event Name: THE CEDERWhen: 09/09/2023Where: Cederberg Oasis, Category: GravelStarting and finishing at the iconic Cederberg Oasis (the home of the smiley face), The Ceder offers a thrilling weekend of unique experiences, fierce racing, and demanding challenges. Picturesque snow greeted riders in 2021. 2022 brought about crisp and clear conditions. 2023 sees predictions stirring in circles with the weather not only a factor but brand new races to the event requiring fresh strategies.  Three hours from Cape Town, The Ceder takes place deep in the Cederberg, a mountainous region that boasts some of the most diverse fauna, flora, and wildlife one might find. Entering the range, it’s impossible not to be drawn in by the wild, raw, beauty of the towering mountains and twisted rock formations. The races across the weekend cover gravel, tar, technical terrain, and pure mountain trail with a combination of steep climbs, slow-burner ascents, sharp descents, and flowy fast downhills across all courses.  The Ceder offers a course to cater to all - CEDER245, CEDER140, CEDERmtb30, CEDERRUN, and CEDERFunRUN. ABOUT THE CEDERBERG The Cederberg was named after the endangered Clanwilliam Cedar, a tree endemic to the mountain range.  What makes the Cederberg particularly special is its isolation and how undeveloped it remains, allowing pure, untouched nature to contrast against a backdrop of daily distractions.  In 1973, this was threatened by a spell of severe exploitation that saw significant amounts of cedar wood, rooibos tea, buchu and rockwood bark harvested unsustainably. The cedar tree faced the risk of extinction, leading to the launch of a conservancy project that actively supports the Clanwilliam Cedar Tree and individual reserves in the area. The history of the Cederberg is deeply entrenched within the rock too, with famous mountain sites including Wolfberg Arch, Wolfberg Cracks, Tafelberg, Rocklands, and Sneeuberg. The sites attract hikers, climbers, and mountaineers from across the world. Stadsaal Caves (10km from Cederberg Oasis) is just one example of several that contain San Rock art telling stories of old.  ABOUT THE REASON FOR THE RACE The Why Behind The Ceder, by Race Director and The Ceder Founder Raoul Goetze If I had to think about it, the Ceder was created out of a deep sense of nostalgia and interest in self-discovery through endurance challenges. My background and history as a founder of Endless Daze Music Festival, combined with the discovery of trail running and then cycling, made this event inevitable. As a child, I spent weekends exploring the landscapes of the Cederberg, usually camping with the family. Those moments left an indelible mark on my soul, creating a connection that would persist throughout my life. The Cederberg has become a sanctuary for me. My interest and love for endurance sports and the allure of challenging oneself in harsh conditions played a significant role in shaping The Ceder. I believe that it is in moments of adversity that we truly discover our inner strength and resilience. The Cederberg, with its rugged terrain and untamed beauty, provides the perfect backdrop for participants to push their limits and embrace the thrill of testing their mettle. Over the years, The Ceder has grown beyond just a weekend challenge amongst friends. It has become a gathering of riders and runners from all corners and walks of life, with one goal; to conquer a challenge.  I am humbled by the enthusiasm and determination displayed by everyone, to conquer the challenges that have set for themselves. To all those who have been a part of The Ceder, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. Your presence and unwavering support have transformed this event into a cherished tradition. Let us continue to celebrate the spirit of adventure, paying homage to the nostalgia that inspired it all, and inspiring others to embark on their own unforgettable journeys in the remarkable Cederberg. Go to Event Page.

I'm considering doing this on my gravel bike and have been putting in some saddle time to prep. It's my first time so I'm curious to hear from those that have done it before (especially on a gravel bike)... Have you done this on a gravel bike? How was it? What tyres did you use? Any other advice or tips?

Hi Everyone, I am in the market for a replacement bicycle after some @#£@ decided to borrow mine, permanently....and without my knowledge... I need some advice on what to buy. over the last few years I really fell in love with cycling long gravel roads and hoping to do more 100 mailers in the future. So from that point of view I am tempted to buy a gravel bike. Then again I don't want to give up the option to go ride proper MTB trails with friends and budget does not allow to get two bikes. Do any of you have some recommendations on what to buy?

Good Day All I'm looking for some advice. Thinking of selling my lockdown project build but not sure how to value it. Quite a bit of investment went into it, some stuff ordered on Merlin etc. But point was to keep busy and learn bicycle mechanics which was great for the mental health 🙂 Now I'm not cycling due to other things in life having my attention so the bike is not being used unfortunately. Bike is a Trek 7300 fx, (I'd reckon about 2005 frame alloy with chrome steel fork) was scratched up so bad I took it to get powder coated. Size 54 medium Drivetrain: shimano claris R2000 shifters, long cage claris rear derailleur, 11-34 cassette, shimano crankset with 46-34 chainring combo. Brakes: Mini vbrake from TRP (CX9) had to import these to work with claris STI's. Cockpit: Ryder saddle, Satori suspension seatpost, Rapide flared bar. Wheels: shimano hubs laced to WTB Chris Cross I19 tubeless rim brake rims. Currently running some Specialized non tubeless ready 38c tyres but have some tubeless ready continental CX king 700x35 available (posted those in classifieds already) Fun bike to ride, frame got clearance for wider tyres and even those vbrakes have good clearance for wider tyres. I guess nobody can take my word that it's a Trek frame so hence it's a bit difficult to set a value, for all you know it could be a frame from a makro bike. Haha. Won't get the back the bucks invested in it I'm sure of that but trying to see if it would be worth selling or else I'll just keep it. General condition is very good, mostly new components were used. The shimano square taper bottom bracket must be from 2005 but man it still works well. Haha Interested to know your guys thoughts or even offers Thanks 🙂

I need some help with the monstercross thing I'm looking at creating. I essentially want to smoosh my two current bikes together (a Rook Scout and a Momsen STR). I want a Curve GMX+ / Salsa Cuttthroat, but I don't have (and don't want to spend, if I'm honest, even if I had) that kind of money. A 2.4" tyre gravel bike with a dropper a.k.a. drop bar rigid MTB a.k.a monstercross bike is where I'm at. Options: Get a 410 - 430mm A-C , tapered steerer fork with MTB tyre clearance for the Scout. If such a thing existed, that'd be the cheapest / easiest way to do it, but alas. I'd be OK with running 650B/27.5, even though I'd prefer 29 for availability and the fact that I love my current wheels. Throw my current fork/front wheel on the Scout. The increased A-C (70mm longer) can be somewhat cancelled out by removing stem spacers, but it'll likely handle weird and have a slack seat angle, which I don't like. It'll also have limited clearance in the back with a 29er wheel in it. Get a frame that'll fit my current mountain bike's components, but has the right geo to work with a drop bar as the STR is too long / stretched out with a drop bar. Ideal specs: Tapered head tube. Recommended A-C of 490mm (~100mm sus furk) Threaded BB. 31.6 seatpost (or 34.9, so I can fit my current dropper with a shim) 460-560 seattube length Effective top tube of 570-600 Rear tyre clearance for 2.4" MTB 70° or slacker head angle Non-boost TA rear wheel (non-boost QR works too, I can just swap out the caps on my Rapide wheels) Post mount disc calipers Steel If I could shorten my large STR frame's top tube by 40mm it'd be pretty much perfect. I tested this idea out, but it just wouldn't be comfortable for anything longer and I'm already on a 50mm stem, even with a 35mm it'd be stretched. Also, yes, I cable tied my shifter and dropper levers on for this experiment, for extra bodge points. I decided this concept needed testing at 22:15 on a Thursday night, k, so it fit the ambiance of the occasion. I also know I can get a custom frame made, but there's fokkol money for that now. So, bikehubland,

What are the best gravel bikes available in SA in the sub R40k category?

Good day everyone, Hope you are all well and getting pumped for those holiday rides. I am going away to Ballots Bay (by George) and Noetzie (by Knysna) this December (2021), and I have planned a few possible routes to do on my gravel bike, but in terms of safety, I’m not sure about any of them. I will be cycling alone, unless anyone wants to meet up and join me (send me a DM and we can see if we can arrange something). Could anyone tell me what routes listed below are best, and if there are any other routes I could maybe look into. Route: From Ballots Bay to Wilderness: https://www.strava.com/routes/2881620904960023052 Route: Ballots Bay to Knysna Heads Route 1: https://www.strava.com/routes/2886926504172100228 Route: Ballots Bay to Knysna Heads Route 2: https://www.strava.com/routes/2886949716579436164 Route: Ballots Bay to Knysna Heads Route 3: https://www.strava.com/routes/2886975249377243920 Route: Ballots Bay to Knysna Heads Route 4: https://www.strava.com/routes/2894679346089661106 Route: Ballots Bay to Harold’s Bay: https://www.strava.com/routes/2887331328237224382 Route: Riding around Noetzie Tree Plantations: https://www.strava.com/routes/2886634106250838660 Route: Noetzie to Plett: https://www.strava.com/routes/2886978934725230212 Thanks, Kevin

Hello all, I'm new to cycling, recently bitten by the bug. I Currently have a RC3000 roadbike but would like to get something more versatile, but not as limited (in terms of road usage) as a MBT. So I decided on a gravel bike. After some consideration I decided on the 20k range, and after more research I decided on this new bike brought out by Titan, the Switch : https://www.titanracingbikes.com/product/switch-elite/ The specs are very decent, as well as the weight (10.1 kilos for a large frame). But I have been warned about buying "cheap carbon" (and 22k is pretty cheap for a new carbon bike). Also, because of the new-ness of the bike I can't find anything in terms of reviews. So, I was wondering if there are any informed opinions around here, or perhaps someone who has bought the bike, or knows someone who has... Greetings from Potchefstroom (NWU student).

Apparently a sparkling new 100 mile gravel bike race from Franschhoek to Hermanus? https://racetothesea.co.za/

Check out the First 200miler....... Headline sponsors, Chas Everitt, have expanded and extended their involvement in the Around The Pot Overberg 100-Miler for a further three years. That is not the only big news from the Swellendam based race however; event organisers, Petrichor Adventures are set to super-size the race in 2020 by adding a 200 Miler route. The race will thus become the first 200-mile mountain and gravel bike race in the country. Following in the footsteps of the iconic American gravel race, Dirty Kanza, the route will be gravel bike friendly but all manner of exclusively human powered bikes are welcome. At 320 kilometres long the event will be known as the Chas Everitt Around the Pot 200-Miler, Presented by SEESA. It may not be the longest gravel road event in the country, with the Munga and 36ONE topping it in distance but it could arguably be the most beautiful. Riding through the patchwork fields of Canola blooms and a sea of green wheat the riders will experience the Overberg at its winter best. The route will take riders from the foothills of the Langeberg, as they head West out of Swellendam, then South across the Rûens towards the Heuningberg before turning East towards the Breede River. Crossing the historic Malgas Pont the route loops South East before heading for Swellendam and the finish line in a wide arch. Though it will overlap with the existing 100-Miler route at times the vast majority of the route is unique to the longest distance. The expansion of the event, to include a bold new route for the most hard-core of South Africa’s endurance junkies is made possible by the extension of Chas Everitt’s headline sponsorship. “We are very proud to have been the first major sponsor of the ATP Overberg 100-Miler and to be sponsoring the event again for the next three years,” said Berry Everitt, CEO of the Chas Everitt International property group. “What we particularly like about this race is that it is well-organised and that it combines affordability and a high-quality experience for the riders, while offering them an eco-friendly way to experience some of the most beautiful countryside in South Africa” Everitt added. “Equally important, it is a growing event that attracts participants of all ages from all over the country and is thus making an increasing contribution to the economy and community of Swellendam.” For Petrichor Adventures it is essential that the race showcases the area in the best possible light. Doing so not only benefits the restaurants and accommodation establishments in Swellendam but also highlights the exceptional quality of life on offer in the historic town. This ties in perfectly with Chas Everitt as the estate agents have farms and homes for sale in most of the towns and villages of the Overberg region. “Chas Everitt is also very excited at plans to add a 200-mile route to the event next year and in so doing extend these benefits to other Overberg towns, while also putting the Around the Pot on par with the ‘Dirty Kanza’ event in the US and on the world gravel racing map” Everitt continued. “We anticipate that this will see the event start to attract significant numbers of international participants over the next few years and give them exposure to our beautiful country and people too” he concluded. “The 200-mile route has been in the works for a while now and we are thrilled to be able to launch it alongside the announcement that Chas Everitt will continue their association with the Chas Everitt Around The Pot, presented by SEESA” Rohan Germishuys of Petrichor Adventures said. “I was born in Swellendam, grew up in the Rûens and even went to one of the farm schools which the 200-Miler route passes. This area is exceptionally special to me and I look forward to being able to share more of it with mountain and gravel bikers from 2020 onwards.” “The course will be a tough one. There is no way around that in the undulating Overberg, but we believe it will also be exceptionally rewarding” Germishuys explained. “Riders will need to decide if the additional speed of gravel bikes are going to be better suited to the route than the more comfortable option of riding a mountain bike. Regardless of what decision they take we look forward to welcoming them on the 18th of July 2020.” To ensure the ultra-distance 200-Miler riders finish to a fittingly warm reception in Swellendam the race will start at midnight. The starter’s gun will fire at 00:00 on Saturday 18 July and the winner is expect to complete the 320-kilometre-long course in around 13 hours. If he or she does so they will finish just after the bulk of the 100-Miler field, ensuring a crowd will be on hand to cheer the inaugural victor across the line. Entries to the existing 100-, 60- and 25-mile routes the Chas Everitt Around The Pot, presented by SEESA, are open. While the 200-Miler entries open on Tuesday the 10th of December 2019, at 08h00. The entry fee of R900 per rider or R1 700 per team of two includes a satellite tracker and race garment. Teams of three and four riders are also welcome to take part in the longest distance event, at a cost of R2 550 and R3 400 respectively. To enter the first edition and become one of the first South African 200-Miler finishers visit www.aroundthepot.co.za. Riders who have already entered the 100-Miler distance, but who wish to upgrade to the 200-Miler, can contact Fleur van Eeden via email at fleur@petrichoradventures.co.za.