Don't call me crazy

[Grease_Monkey]

Browsing around I see I can buy this https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/anthem-x2-2011 for R7500. I guess you guys might advise buying this as opposed to the Titan?

 

 

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Very good bike! You will never go wrong with Giant - trustworthy and great value. Lots of tech that has trickled down from their top end bikes!

[eccc whippet]

Age and photo ? If you want anyone to believe you are so confident and capable let's see...standup and show yourself...and here's a challenge...if you can actually pull this off...I will do something I believe is a real challenge....ride from cadence in hillcrest to hilltop camp which is a 340 km ride done in November each year...if you pull this off...I will train and attempt it...I love a challenge [emoji3]

[eccc whippet]

128.1 kg on my R5000 giant revel pic was taken just before I did the 100 km gran fondo...I am not that big anymore...and I have upgraded to an anthem.

 

 

 

 

 

Your turn......let the games begin.

[madbradd]

You can definitely do this. I did something similar with TransBaviaans. I wasn't much more active than you, but was better off in the weight department and did my prep in around 4 months. We finished in under 15 hours.

 

Your biggest enemy.... overtraining. Try get an HRM and some software to assist with monitoring your progress - I see they say GPS is compulsory for riders.

Longest ride we did as prep for the 230km..... 111km from van Gaalens over Breedt's Nek and back.

Try get a 29er. The bigger wheels WILL help you over the longer distance. So while that 2011 Anthem is a great bike, you would be better off on something like https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/219219-silverback-sola-3-price-drop/ or https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/219601-29r-gt-zaskarsmall10spd-deore-rockshox-air/   (I'm sure those are the wrong sizes, but I think you can see there are decent options around).

Diet is a big factor. If you can get onto something like a FitChef eating plan it would help mainly because you have less access to stuff to keep eating and snack on.

You need to find out what your body is comfortable with in terms of in-even nutrition. This will take some time, but understand that when you are 18 hours into the event the last thing you're gonna want is another jungle-oats bar.

 

Good luck with your endeavour!

[PrinceVlad]

Age and photo ? If you want anyone to believe you are so confident and capable let's see...standup and show yourself...and here's a challenge...if you can actually pull this off...I will do something I believe is a real challenge....ride from cadence in hillcrest to hilltop camp which is a 340 km ride done in November each year...if you pull this off...I will train and attempt it...I love a challenge [emoji3]

I am 37 years young at this stage and here's the pic.

 

 

[PrinceVlad]

You can definitely do this. I did something similar with TransBaviaans. I wasn't much more active than you, but was better off in the weight department and did my prep in around 4 months. We finished in under 15 hours.

 

Your biggest enemy.... overtraining. Try get an HRM and some software to assist with monitoring your progress - I see they say GPS is compulsory for riders.

Longest ride we did as prep for the 230km..... 111km from van Gaalens over Breedt's Nek and back.

Try get a 29er. The bigger wheels WILL help you over the longer distance. So while that 2011 Anthem is a great bike, you would be better off on something like https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/219219-silverback-sola-3-price-drop/ or https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/219601-29r-gt-zaskarsmall10spd-deore-rockshox-air/   (I'm sure those are the wrong sizes, but I think you can see there are decent options around).

Diet is a big factor. If you can get onto something like a FitChef eating plan it would help mainly because you have less access to stuff to keep eating and snack on.

You need to find out what your body is comfortable with in terms of in-even nutrition. This will take some time, but understand that when you are 18 hours into the event the last thing you're gonna want is another jungle-oats bar.

 

Good luck with your endeavour!

Thanks for the advice. Then I'll go back to my previous idea of getting a 29er and maybe upgrading the components later.

[Mamil]

Having run ultras in my 20's and 30's and recently my first couple of mtb marathons including a bail on last weekends bosman I think a more reasonable goal would be for the OP to do the 2018 edition of this race.

 

I think extreme endurance events call on reserves of physical and mental fitness that build up over a more extended period of consistent training and weight management.

 

I will watch the thread with interest though.

[Gen]

I will keep an eye on this thread and we can compare notes...

 

I too am starting basically from scratch and I have entered the L'Etape (160km RR in April)

 

I have received strict instructions to stay within my heart rate zones as to not over do it, even if it feels that I am strolling along.. the words were.. trust me and I promise and you will see.

 

Good luck

[eccc whippet]

oops...now i have put my foot in it...looks like i better start training for November

 

first bit of advise...the fork/suspension on cheap bikes...the only reason i upgraded from the revel to the anthem was because of the cost to upgrade to a decent fork...whatever bike you get make sure the suspension is a good quality...not a spring type...the frame can restrict the type of fork you want to fit...which will mean you need an adaptor...the rest of the bike is not important...everything can be upgraded.

 

dont take advise on weight loss from skinny people who have never been fat or fat people who are still fat....be careful of the type of eating plan...i would have said...go low carb high fat...it is the fastest way to loose weight...but it will take your body time to adapt and you gona need the carbs to fuel...i dont do the low carb thing...you need to make sure that at least a month before the ride you will need to start fueling correctly...you cant be trying to loose weight a week before the event.

 

i hope you went for a 5 km walk this morning...it wont hurt your legs like running...but it is a good start to preparing for the time to get up and train...and strengthen your legs...you gona need to make them strong.

 

you do realize this is going to hurt and you are going to damage your body in the process?

[PrinceVlad]

oops...now i have put my foot in it...looks like i better start training for November

 

first bit of advise...the fork/suspension on cheap bikes...the only reason i upgraded from the revel to the anthem was because of the cost to upgrade to a decent fork...whatever bike you get make sure the suspension is a good quality...not a spring type...the frame can restrict the type of fork you want to fit...which will mean you need an adaptor...the rest of the bike is not important...everything can be upgraded.

 

dont take advise on weight loss from skinny people who have never been fat or fat people who are still fat....be careful of the type of eating plan...i would have said...go low carb high fat...it is the fastest way to loose weight...but it will take your body time to adapt and you gona need the carbs to fuel...i dont do the low carb thing...you need to make sure that at least a month before the ride you will need to start fueling correctly...you cant be trying to loose weight a week before the event.

 

i hope you went for a 5 km walk this morning...it wont hurt your legs like running...but it is a good start to preparing for the time to get up and train...and strengthen your legs...you gona need to make them strong.

 

you do realize this is going to hurt and you are going to damage your body in the process?

Then the Giant Anthem 26er might still be a good option due to its good components and good suspension.

 

I indeed realize that its going to hurt and I think I am prepared for it[emoji51]

 

 

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[Popit]

Good luck and regular updates please .

[madbradd]

Then the Giant Anthem 26er might still be a good option due to its good components and good suspension.

 

I indeed realize that its going to hurt and I think I am prepared for it[emoji51]

 

 

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Thinking a bit more about it.... the wheels on the 29er will roll better, but 18 hours in I'd prefer to be on a full susser than a hardtail. Especially being heavy, the full susser will definitely save your body. I upgraded from a GT avalanche to a Giant Anthem (29er though) for TransBaviaans and was really happy I did.

[eccc whippet]

have you entered the 120 km ride or 260 km ride?

['Dale]

The cool thing is, irrespective of the result of your first big challenge, you've made a mind shift that will be so good for you beyond IM

 

Sustainable stuff, eksê!

[PrinceVlad]

have you entered the 120 km ride or 260 km ride?

I didn't even know that there was a 120km

 

 

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[Spock]

 Even going from the couch to a std MTB marathon in 4 months would be a stretch.

 

 

I disagree. I went from couch to 1/2 marathon in 2 months. Full marathon in 4 months easy...