Karoobaix - Hell of the South

[Skubarra]

Looks like an interesting challenge! Love gravel grinding in the Karoo.

 

But 400km gravel over 2 days (including the infamous Ouberg pass it seems) with no suspension - seems a bit niche imo, probably beyond the ambitions of most weekend warriors so I wonder if it will attract the numbers to be sustainable?

 

Also a bit odd to me that they host it during the week and not on the weekend

 

Will add this one to the bucket list, good luck to the organisers 

[Fat Boab]

I think excluding suspensions like the Lauf and The Slate cuts out a few riders who bought bikes to do events like this, this isnt a dig at the event, and I personally think its a great idea. 

 

But. 

 

He already has tour of ara which excludes any modern bikes and components, what makes this any different. 

 

That being said, if I could get my A into G I would be there in a heartbeat, with my 35c, steel, SSCX rig... 

 

 

 

I'd guess the door is open for Al or carbon frames/forks, wide tyres which aren't allowed in Ara?

 

It just seems a bit disappointing that for such a minority industry sector here in SA currently, despite what the industry hopes for, eg gravel-grinding, that sub-sectors within that sector are being excluded. If you want to keep MTBs out, however one defines that, go ahead, but in such a rapidly changing sector, today's 'innovation' may become the norm tomorrow and it's a pity to be exclusionary.

[Patchelicious]

I'd guess the door is open for Al or carbon frames/forks, wide tyres which aren't allowed in Ara?

 

It just seems a bit disappointing that for such a minority industry sector here in SA currently, despite what the industry hopes for, eg gravel-grinding, that sub-sectors within that sector are being excluded. If you want to keep MTBs out, however one defines that, go ahead, but in such a rapidly changing sector, today's 'innovation' may become the norm tomorrow and it's a pity to be exclusionary.

 

Read the race about page. Its supposed to be a "anti-commercial" race/ride.

 

I will be sure to arrive is full Rapha CX kit 

[milky4130]

any idea why 35c tires is the minimum? Rider advantage or do they envisage plenty of punctures?

 

i have 33c's this now means i need to go & buy specific tires just for this event 

[jcza]

I thought Attakwas was Hell of the South? 

[Fat Boab]

Read the race about page. Its supposed to be a "anti-commercial" race/ride.

 

I will be sure to arrive is full Rapha CX kit 

 

I did. So where's this 'anti-commercial' statement?

 

I saw ..."modern gravel/cyclocross style bikes" and reference to Paris-Roubaix, and the exclusion of fork, seat-post suspension and 'flat bar' shifters (my quotes).

 

Coil spring saddles and stems for the win!

[NotSoBigBen]

Gets stupid. I'll just keep on riding it wherever I feel like on my own which is what I built it for ....

[nathrix]

I thought Attakwas was Hell of the South? 

 

Should be renamed to "Hell of the Moordenaars Karoo"

[V12man]

I asked Stan the question about suspension on a CX bike and unfortunately it's no Lauf, or Cannonade Slate or new Specialized Roubaix. The fork has to be rigid.

The fork on the Roubaix is rigid.... the handlebars are suspended....

[Patchelicious]

The fork on the Roubaix is rigid.... the handlebars are suspended....

Wait for it.....

 

[Patchelicious]

some of you might be familiar with steel-frame aficionado Stan Engelbrecht's Tour of Ara (imho the best thing to happen to cycling, like, ever). 

Stan's new baby is something less vintage, no less poetic, more accessible and hopefully something that will continue to challenge the overblown commercialisation of cycling.

 

check it out.

 

do it. 

 

https://karoobaix.co.za/

 

and for interest

 

tourofara.co.za

 

 

I did. So where's this 'anti-commercial' statement?

 

I saw ..."modern gravel/cyclocross style bikes" and reference to Paris-Roubaix, and the exclusion of fork, seat-post suspension and 'flat bar' shifters (my quotes).

 

Coil spring saddles and stems for the win!

 

There

[jcza]

Loads of moaning (as usual) but how many of the moaners own a gravel bike with suspension and actually plan to enter the event? 

[the nerd]

Loads of moaning (as usual) but how many of the moaners own a gravel bike with suspension and actually plan to enter the event?

That's not really what my query was about.

 

I definitely plan to ride this in the future.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AJG]

The fork on the Roubaix is rigid.... the handlebars are suspended....

 

True but the rule of no suspension would rule the Roubaix out. That and 35c minimum tyres. I think the Roubaix only takes 32c.

 

It's Stan's race so he get to make the rules which is fair enough. 

[V12man]

True but the rule of no suspension would rule the Roubaix out. That and 35c minimum tyres. I think the Roubaix only takes 32c.

 

It's Stan's race so he get to make the rules which is fair enough. 

Well yes - it is his race indeed - but if he doesn't want the new Roubaix in his race, then the rigid fork rule doesn't cut it...

 

I don't have a Rouxbaix - just for the record.... I would use my steel fork Cotic Roadrat, which complies with the spirit of the rules - although I suspect the double wrapped Richey Roubaix tape might count as suspension.... if I enter.... but I suspect I wont because it's too close to Trans Baviaans... and my wife will shoot me.

[FCH]

just a pedantic point here.

 

1: what you quoted is not on the "race about page" but a statement by Mokgan

2: anti commercial? what a crock of merde..... the race is asking entry fees (unknown as yet-probably wanting to see how many people are keen to sign up first) and (hopefully for them) making a profit- the exact definition of commerce.

3: "gravel grinders" is not something new or unique; it is what every bike in the world was before technology gave us razor thin road bike and fat-as-can-be mountain bike wheels and suspension; hence P-R being one of the oldest races in the world.

 

 

There