[Event] Swartberg100 Gran Fondo

[eddy]

im actually skipping Trans Karoo & do this instead. In years to come you can say I did the very 1st official Swartberg 100 miler

I did the first Trans Karoo and will be doing this one as well....

[milky4130]

I did the first Trans Karoo and will be doing this one as well....

now that's a very special league to be in, well done!!

[Links MTB]

Just entered :-) Going to be awesome!!

[Skubarra]

Rode the Swartberg pass this weekend, the regrading is not finished yet but the road is in the best condition I have ever seen, it's going to be a jol going down there to finish the race

[milky4130]

Rode the Swartberg pass this weekend, the regrading is not finished yet but the road is in the best condition I have ever seen, it's going to be a jol going down there to finish the race

the question is, will it hold up until 30 April?

[Skubarra]

the question is, will it hold up until 30 April?

 

I would imagine so, they are still busy working on it so it should be fine for a few months? (Not an expert on road regrading) But even when rutted it's still a nice ride

[milky4130]

Neither am i 

the one & only time i rode Swartberg was up during the To Hell & Back Race. Am i correct in assuming we will ascend the same way but descend a different way to what we did in THB?

[eddy]

Neither am i 

the one & only time i rode Swartberg was up during the To Hell & Back Race. Am i correct in assuming we will ascend the same way but descend a different way to what we did in THB?

 

Affirm.

[Skubarra]

Neither am i 

the one & only time i rode Swartberg was up during the To Hell & Back Race. Am i correct in assuming we will ascend the same way but descend a different way to what we did in THB?

 

Yep, you skip the turn-off to the Hell so it is basically a 20km downhill to the finish from the top of Swartberg pass

[milky4130]

Ok cool, thanks.

[DJR]

Rode the Swartberg pass this weekend, the regrading is not finished yet but the road is in the best condition I have ever seen, it's going to be a jol going down there to finish the race

I did exactly the same thing yesterday and I agree.

 

I haven't seen the road surface quite this good for a long time.   I was thinking that climbing with road tyres will be easy enough. Descending, perhaps cyclo cross tyres will be recommended. Basically it is very good solid hardpack.  Even the parts they haven't finished resurfacing were pretty good.  Oh, and they left it as steep as ever! Just kidding!  A recent fire devastated a large part of the surrounding fynbos, but the scenery was still as jaw dropping as ever! 

Edited March 28, 2016 by DJR

[DJR]

Neither am i 

the one & only time i rode Swartberg was up during the To Hell & Back Race. Am i correct in assuming we will ascend the same way but descend a different way to what we did in THB?

This is the way down (and if I remember right, there are 4 more hairpins that you cannot see in the picture). Drone owners, bring us overhead pictures to do it justice, please!   

Edited March 28, 2016 by DJR

[milky4130]

This is the way down (and if I remember right, there are 4 more hairpins that you cannot see in the picture). Drone owners, bring us overhead pictures to do it justice, please!

thanks Djr I remember this pic from your THB novel (thread) you wrote :-) Awesome Read!

[nathrix]

Just entered for this one, can't wait!

[Oakley360]

I are entered! Now to find some legs

[Prince Albert Cycles]

All you guys going . It is also the Olive Festival in Prince Albert that weekend so make sure you book accommodation in time . The Tourism Office is always helpfull .