Velouria Posted March 28, 2017 Posted March 28, 2017 How does Groenland & Haarkapper compare to the Witzenberg up and down on last years Epic Stage 2?We rode down Witzenberg on Stage 2 in 2013. It was technical in parts, but with good lines and rather fast. Haarkappers going up is almost completely rideable, although there are a few tricky sections that caused havoc as people stopped and caused a traffic jam. The descent was a "straight down the mountain" kind of descent. Hold on, hang over the back wheel, and scrub off speed where you can. Not particularly fun. (I did see a guy break his bars going down there, and probably fell 20m down the trail, end over end...) Groenlandberg going up is a drag - goes on for ever, but it's not really that tough. Going down is fast, and technical. The first (half) downhill has a line but you have to focus. Often the line changes, or vanishes. The second descent is less steep, looser, and a bit faster, but, as is usually the case, people hang on their brakes too much.
Velouria Posted March 28, 2017 Posted March 28, 2017 Did you puke? You always enjoy a good purging of the tummy contents in the Baviaans.Wasn't riding at that level. In fact, I ate so much I put on weight at the Epic! Woolworths Jelly bears are delicious, and where have almond brittle bars been my whole life??
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted March 28, 2017 Posted March 28, 2017 I find I ride technical stuff better when I am fatigued. My over-cautious brain switches off, and my "I don't give a ****" attitude takes over I find the same after I've had a couple cold ones. Liquid courage...
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted March 28, 2017 Posted March 28, 2017 Wasn't riding at that level. In fact, I ate so much I put on weight at the Epic! Woolworths Jelly bears are delicious, and where have almond brittle bars been my whole life??
The Bull Shark Posted March 28, 2017 Posted March 28, 2017 I find the same after I've had a couple cold ones. Liquid courage... Not all of us have that cavalier courage. If I did that I guarantee you a visit to Vergelegen will be on the horizon. Loose rocky descents are still my nemesis, although I have learnt to ease up on the brakes a lot. Letting go of the levers completely, not yet.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted March 28, 2017 Posted March 28, 2017 Not all of us have that cavalier courage. If I did that I guarantee you a visit to Vergelegen will be on the horizon. Loose rocky descents is still my nemesis, although I have learnt to ease up on the brakes a lot. Letting go of the levers completely, not yet. And then you get over that feature / section you've been beating yourself up about for the past 3 months, only to think WTF was I worried about!?
Odinson Posted March 28, 2017 Posted March 28, 2017 Not all of us have that cavalier courage. If I did that I guarantee you a visit to Vergelegen will be on the horizon. Loose rocky descents are still my nemesis, although I have learnt to ease up on the brakes a lot. Letting go of the levers completely, not yet. It's a tricky thing that you have to work on and be mindful of when riding. What I've been working on recently is trying to either ease up or let go of the front brake when trying to turn at speed across a rocky or rooty section of trail. That way the front wheel only has to steer (grip) and not also brake.
fabes Posted March 28, 2017 Posted March 28, 2017 Armpies I am considering doing the epic next year. Would you be interested in running a skills clinic for me and vettie please? Will pay in pizza and tequila
Mamil Posted March 28, 2017 Posted March 28, 2017 Yes me too - and a fall always sets me back in my progress - I was getting nice and fast (by my standards) and then my front wheel washed out and now I'm having to gradually relearn to trust the bike and the trail. A new tyre is helping in this regard. It's a tricky thing that you have to work on and be mindful of when riding. What I've been working on recently is trying to either ease up or let go of the front brake when trying to turn at speed across a rocky or rooty section of trail. That way the front wheel only has to steer (grip) and not also brake.
Help.Me. Posted March 28, 2017 Posted March 28, 2017 Armpies I am considering doing the epic next year. Would you be interested in running a skills clinic for me and vettie please? Will pay in pizza and tequilajulle manne soek om ged@nner te word............
fabes Posted March 28, 2017 Posted March 28, 2017 julle manne soek om ged@nner te word............ Net n grappie, jammer
Formallyknownas Posted March 28, 2017 Posted March 28, 2017 Not all of us have that cavalier courage. If I did that I guarantee you a visit to Vergelegen will be on the horizon. Loose rocky descents are still my nemesis, although I have learnt to ease up on the brakes a lot. Letting go of the levers completely, not yet. Come to JHB and ride Kings Kloof. If you're not better at loose, dolls head rocky descents after two or three sessions there's no hope.
SwissVan Posted March 28, 2017 Posted March 28, 2017 Nobody touches my bike. I prefer to wash and service it myself. I have learnt a few lessons along the way. I now don't wash my bike with Clean Green anymore, I prefer Car Shampoo with Wax additive. The Clean Green goes into the pivot bearings and washes the grease out.Donna worry the epic will cure you of those concerns...cannot think of anything worse having to wash and work on bike after each stage. But yes it's risky using the free power wash operated by some bloke whose sole objective is to make your bike look new again....
SwissVan Posted March 28, 2017 Posted March 28, 2017 Armpies I am considering doing the epic next year. Would you be interested in running a skills clinic for me and vettie please? Will pay in pizza and tequilaI can give you free tips on how to stay just ahead of the broom bus....
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