Is a gravel road stage race viable?

[eddy]

Fitness-wise yes.

 

Now, just for a second, imagine having fitness (strength and endurance) AND technical abilities during a race.

 

*MIND = BLOWN*

 

 

Then strap on the full face and ride an Enduro.....     :whistling:  

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

I like the idea,I did tip trans 115km,cederberg beauty.love that. I also like road races,love XCM, love a Tm commute,even tried a xco and had my ass kicked. Love Tokai, love jonkers, I am blessed to have no particular bias to any discipline. Had I had more time and randelas i would do anything and everything. Would love to ride a fat bike still.

[V12man]

 

A good, long grind shows what you are capable of.....

OK - so you can ride Trans Baviaans next year.....  should make you capable..... :ph34r:

[V12man]

Then strap on the full face and ride an Enduro.....     :whistling:  

[the nerd]

Just a different ride folks, no ones saying stop riding gnarly #enduro trails... or xco or road or any other flipping riding... 

 

Just something different.. 

 

Don't like it?? Don't do it! 

 

Some like variation, some like vanilla. Its ok, really. You'll be fine if you don't wanna do it. 

[NotSoBigBen]

Just a different ride folks, no ones saying stop riding gnarly #enduro trails... or xco or road or any other flipping riding... 

 

Just something different.. 

 

Don't like it?? Don't do it! 

 

Some like variation, some like vanilla. Its ok, really. You'll be fine if you don't wanna do it. 

 

 

No they WON'T they will all have sleepless nights that we don't want to #enduro demmit 

[RocknRolla]

 I dont care what folks get up to on their bikes over weekends. The thread was asking a question, I was merely giving my take on things.

 

For every one person liking the more technically challenging bits, there are at least 10 peeps happy to grind away on the dirt kms.

 

Is there a market for this? Sure.

Am I part of the target market? No

Do I ride #enduro? No

[Skubarra]

The thread was asking a question, I was merely giving my take on things.

 

Thank you for contributing 

[eddy]

OK - so you can ride Trans Baviaans next year.....  should make you capable..... :ph34r:

I really enjoyed the first Trans Karoo which I did solo.

 

Lekker 240 km with a bit of a climb up the Ouberg Pass at 190km and two hours alone in the dark with only occasionally seeing a light in the distance is one of my most enduring cycling memories.

[Odinson]

Luchbar.jpg

 

Keeping them eyes on that front wheel, doc?

[V12man]

Keeping them eyes on that front wheel, doc?

Might have been a bit hot into that section ..... riding things blind is not the greatest idea... still somehow made it down... I have a much better idea of where to go down there now - doesn't mean I will be able to go there though... seeing as I don't even remember to put my goggles on sometimes...

[RABUBI]

the oudtshoorn 3 day MTB stage race was like this, all district roads

[IH8MUD]

Looking at the events calendar one sees an increase in the number of events offering gravel road events, not pure mtb. So....... perhaps it's time for a multi-day event which would have categories for mtb bikes as well as the new range of cyclo-cross machines that are becoming more popular. The route would consist of gravel roads and good farm tracks. Any thoughts?

 

We do a lot of this in Nam . . . there is just not enough tar roads.   

Only the major highways is tar, and with how people drive here you will be dead soon. 

And single track is also limited. 

[Chris NewbyFraser]

Ahhh, the good old days. 15mm of front suspension, hardtail bikes that weighed 15kg, 40psi tyres, road bike saddles and 48cm wide handlebars.  But ja, they were fun.

[Chris NewbyFraser]

Isn't that what the Cape Epic is all about?

Only in the past. Today the Epic is rough and tough

[Chris NewbyFraser]

Tour of Ara is a little different though as you have to use a road bike... whereas something where the use of gravel bike or CX bike would be quite popular I think. 

 

I am planning to do Cullinan to Tondeldoos next year where I think a gravel bike would work quite well

Maybe you should explain Tonteldoos.........