Pioneer is here!!

[Jewbacca]

I don't think anyone is capable of finishing on a ss, especially with a rigid fork and without changing the gearing each day. Katot won't allow it. Katot knows the majority of karoo farmers and they tell him which routes on the farms are not ride-able with a 4 x 4's and then he says right, we will use these routes for the pioneer.

 

What makes this race harder than The Freedom Challenge? Harder than Trans Alps?

 

It is doable if the right set of legs are turning the pedals.... There is not a race or a race route in SA that I have ridden where I needed a suspension fork and I pretty much always place in the top 100 or better.

 

The only place a SS really loses out is on long flats sections or false flat descents... If the course is as technical and tough as you say then there wont be any of that and, well, I should be just as fast as you geared lot, provided you can ride.......

[tunariaan]

Daarsy se hulle Singlespeedguy

[nathrix]

 

 

What makes this race harder than The Freedom Challenge? Harder than Trans Alps?

 

It is doable if the right set of legs are turning the pedals.... There is not a race or a race route in SA that I have ridden where I needed a suspension fork and I pretty much always place in the top 100 or better.

 

The only place a SS really loses out is on long flats sections or false flat descents... If the course is as technical and tough as you say then there wont be any of that and, well, I should be just as fast as you geared lot, provided you can ride.......

 

Show us how it's done then and prove me wrong, I will be big enough to admit defeat and even throw in a case of beer

[Vega]

My first Pioneer and the start of a nice long holiday. Can't wait.

 

Good luck to everyone who is riding!

[nathrix]

Holiday?! Hahahahahahahaha, nice one, enjoy the holiday. A hard day in the sadle still trumps being in the office by far though, so yes, a good holiday then.

[McD23]

thoughts on 1x10 set up for the race,

32 or 34 upfront, how brutal are the hills ?

where would the mast feature in comparison to some of them ?

[arendoog]

name='McD23' timestamp='1381898648' post='2097852']

thoughts on 1x10 set up for the race,

32 or 34 upfront, how brutal are the hills ?

where would the mast feature in comparison to some of them ?

[/b]

Some of the climbs start rideble and then become too steep even the pro,s walk .Like Mankele 3 towers ,just add another 30km with another climb and you have a pioneer stage .If the weather stays cool everybody will have a blast .Stop and take pics .That and your medal is all that you will have to tell the story !

[Underachiever]

I don't think anyone is capable of finishing on a ss, especially with a rigid fork and without changing the gearing each day. Katot won't allow it. Katot knows the majority of karoo farmers and they tell him which routes on the farms are not ride-able with a 4 x 4's and then he says right, we will use these routes for the pioneer.

 

That is true, but I found last year whether you push a full-suss or a SS up those "hills", it's all the same. Going down the Kamanassie with a SS with a rigid fork is perhaps not a good idea - for me anyway.

[Underachiever]

thoughts on 1x10 set up for the race,

32 or 34 upfront, how brutal are the hills ?

where would the mast feature in comparison to some of them ?

 

Swartbergpass is kinda brutal, since you hit that after about 75 km in the saddle. The pass is about 11 km long with a total ascent of about 1000m. The first 7 km is easy, it is that last 3 or 4... but hey, depends on your strength and fitness.

[D Vader]

thoughts on 1x10 set up for the race,

32 or 34 upfront, how brutal are the hills ?

where would the mast feature in comparison to some of them ?

I rode it last year with a 1x9, 34 front and 11-32 rear.

This was the WRONG choice, so, 32 front if that what you have, I will be taking a 30. ( 10-42)

The problem is day 2, you have climbed about 2000m Before you start the Swartberg pass, and you then have no gear to sit back in and just rest the legs a bit.

Edited October 16, 2013 by D Vader

[D Vader]

SS guy, DO IT!!

SS is my usual preferred mode of travel, but you will be doing some walking ( so will we btw).

COME ON IF YOU'RE HARD ENOUGH!!

[McD23]

I rode it last year with a 1x9, 34 front and 11-32 rear.

This was the WRONG choice, so, 32 front if that what you have, I will be taking a 30. ( 10-42)

The problem is day 2, you have climbed about 2000m Before you start the Swartberg pass, and you then have no gear to sit back in and just rest the legs a bit.

tx, will take 32 and 34 with 10-42

[McD23]

anyone know where I can source a 32 wolf or raceface chainring in CT tomorrow ?

[Jewbacca]

SS guy, DO IT!!

SS is my usual preferred mode of travel, but you will be doing some walking ( so will we btw).

COME ON IF YOU'RE HARD ENOUGH!!

 

I am trying!

 

1 more guy with an entry for sale but trying to take a week away from my business at this late stage is a clincher!

 

Holding thumbs I can get there.

 

I will definitely be there next year if I cant make it this year......

[D Vader]

anyone know where I can source a 32 wolf or raceface chainring in CT tomorrow ?

Evobikes in Durbanville or online, you can use the new narrow / wide Raceface rings also.

[McD23]

tx, Evo out of stock, hence seeing if anyone maybe knows other stockist ?