Karoobaix - Hell of the South

[the nerd]

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.

 

If she does shoot you, I know a good Dr... 

[nonky]

I know that road from Calvinia through the Tankwa Karoo and it is TOUGH in a vehicle, let alone on a bike.

 

16 October - it is going to be HOT AS HELL (note, not "Hotazel").

 

Wasn't there a challenge this year to ride Calvinia - Ceres nonstop, which many tried and almost all failed?

 

That route is going to eat most, if not all, the competitors.  The Calvinia-Ceres road is famous for being the longest stretch of road uninterrupted by a town.

 

Anyhoo, good luck to all!

[Patchelicious]

I know that road from Calvinia through the Tankwa Karoo and it is TOUGH in a vehicle, let alone on a bike.

 

16 October - it is going to be HOT AS HELL (note, not "Hotazel").

 

Wasn't there a challenge this year to ride Calvinia - Ceres nonstop, which many tried and almost all failed?

 

That route is going to eat most, if not all, the competitors.  The Calvinia-Ceres road is famous for being the longest stretch of road uninterrupted by a town.

 

Anyhoo, good luck to all!

You just made this route sound more amazing!! 

 

Only 146 slaapies!

[tubed]

All this talk about bikes....

 

I am personally more looking for the undertaking from the race organiser not to cancel if it gets a little too hot or too slippery.....

 

(*based upon their previous events, it seems they prefer hellish conditions, so maybe we are safe) 

[Shebeen]

Rules seem straightforward enough, if you have to ask then the answer is probably no.

I'm a bit confused by the timing, why can't it be a friday afternoon at noon shuttle, start sat morning?

 

this requires 3 days leave, and if i was doing it i would want to go to calvinia a day early to go have some fun/skaaptjop.

 

 

 

 

You'll need to carry powerful front and rear lights, a minimum of two litres of water, basic safety equipment, and important tools. Helmets compulsory. 

 

So, to clarify...

 

This is a race for gravel / cyclocross style bicycles

Yes, you can ride a 26", 27.5" or 29" mountain bike fitted with a rigid fork and drop handlebars

No, you can't just promise to leave your front and rear suspension on lockout. And no suspension seatposts

Yes, you can ride flared 'dirt drops', but the minimum centre-to-centre drop has to be at least 100mm

No, you can't run your mountain bike shifters on your drop handlebars

Yes, you can run down-tube shifters, bar-end shifters, etc.

No, you can't ride your road bike if it can't fit the minimum of 35c tyres

Yes, you can ride your old steel touring bike, provided you can fit 35c / 1.4" or larger volume tyres

[Jewbacca]

Hmmmm...... Any word on the entry fee..... this looks up my alley

[Slowbee]

Without reading to many posts, I would have to add that this kind of event defines exclusivity, but virtue of having n+1.

 

I would love to try something like this, but am battling to keep my current bike on the dirt, let alone a second, third, forth +1 bike.

 

While I get the ethos, it does exclude alot of riders, but includes those few that have plenty of bikes in the stable.

[BuffsVintageBikes]

Without reading to many posts, I would have to add that this kind of event defines exclusivity, but virtue of having n+1.

 

I would love to try something like this, but am battling to keep my current bike on the dirt, let alone a second, third, forth +1 bike.

 

While I get the ethos, it does exclude alot of riders, but includes those few that have plenty of bikes in the stable.

 

Which makes me wonder just how many bikes will be on the start line.

 

I've ridden those roads numerous times on my adventure bike and I'm finding it hard to imagine why anyone would find this appealing. A challenge is one thing, a murderous ride over vehicle corrugations and sand on a hardtail is something else. Make sure you've done your family planning well in advance.

[Patchelicious]

Think there are enough events that cater for the normal MTBer type dude.

[johannrissik]

It's just outside my backyard..!

 

I guess a Mercer tandem would cut it?

 

Nice to see an event like this.

[Skubarra]

 

While I get the ethos, it does exclude alot of riders, but includes those few that have plenty of bikes in the stable.

 

Good post Slowbee, I love how the organisers are trying something different and I hope they can pull this interesting concept off.

 

But I'm not convinced that there would be enough wide appeal to make this float in the long run, I have seen a number of "Karoo" events struggle for numbers without adding arbitrary limitations.

[Fat Boab]

It's just outside my backyard..!

 

I guess a Mercer tandem would cut it?

 

Nice to see an event like this.

 

Nope, not unless you take a hacksaw to it first.....

[Patchelicious]

Had it ever crossed anybody's mind that perhaps the organizer doesn't want this to be a "massive" success?

[Fat Boab]

Had it ever crossed anybody's mind that perhaps the organizer doesn't want this to be a "massive" success?

 

It's a habit thing...the 2018 Tour of Ara is limited to 40 riders each for 2 categories....

[nonky]

It's a habit thing...the 2018 Tour of Ara is limited to 40 riders each for 2 categories....

 

and, unfortunately, there were only 27 people IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY cool/hipster enough to ride.

[Skubarra]

Had it ever crossed anybody's mind that perhaps the organizer doesn't want this to be a "massive" success?

 

It's a habit thing...the 2018 Tour of Ara is limited to 40 riders each for 2 categories....

 

Ok - if you only need like 20 entrants to make this work then it all makes sense