Karoo to Coast

[TheEd]

I remember seeing a rider with a diff in excess of 75cm in width (not girth) riding on the tar section dropping to the Lyonville turn-off. I say to my boet, "I don't care where we finish, as long as it's not behind this person..."

 

I caught up to said person on Kom se Pad, just before that last aid station before dropping down to Simola...

 

(in my defence, I made the mistake of lending my multi-tool to a oke on the climb out of Angie's G-Spot, only for him to resort to a complete dismantle and overhaul of his brake system up front...I literally lost 25 minutes waiting for this chop to finish, only for him to grunt some form of gratification and promptly mount up and leave me dumbfounded.)

 

This year, " No, I did not bring my tools, sorry..." will be my standard response when asked.

 

Not cool!

 

I did offer help to people next to the road that seemed like they were having troubles, but everyone assured me they're good.  Offered some cramp tabs to a dude that was performing a serious stretch routine on his calves.  He chuckled and refused, so I rode on.  In retrospect I'm also finding it slightly amusing how a bruised, battered, bleeding and dirty oke on a wobbly bike might just be in greater need of the cramp tabs (or any form of assistance for that matter).

Edited August 22, 2018 by TheEd

[Skubarra]

I started in F batch last year. I managed to ride Ouwapad.

 

all 

 

the 

 

way...

 

But then, I ride technical trails for fun, and enjoy getting my bike to navigate obstacles. Also, yelling that I am "passing right, please walk left" helped. Everyone moved out of my way. My experience with that piece of hell is that people walk because they "train" maybe twice before the ride, and this most likely on tar. 

 

Skills go a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG way, and for me at least, 3000 lemmings walking in front of me have as of yet not deterred me from riding up that mound.

 

Fair enough, we  had completely different experiences. The one time I rode it I was in the front bunch and were forced to walk at least a 1/3rd of Ou Wapad because I was blocked by other walkers from A bunch. I am fairly certain most of the lemmings around me were walking because they were also blocked not because they don't have the ability to ride up there.

 

I don't recall thinking I need great skills to ride up there, for me the congestion was always the bigger issue, it really only takes 1 or 2 people walking to cause a bottleneck in a mass participation race but then everybody rants about the "lack of skills" of the masses.

Edited August 22, 2018 by Skubarra

[Robbie Stewart]

Fair enough, we  had completely different experiences. The one time I rode it I was in the front bunch and were forced to walk at least a 1/3rd of Ou Wapad because I was blocked by other walkers from A bunch. I am fairly certain most of the lemmings around me were walking because they were also blocked not because they don't have the ability to ride up there.

 

I don't recall thinking I need great skills to ride up there, for me the congestion was always the bigger issue, it really only takes 1 or 2 people walking to cause a bottleneck in a mass participation race but then everybody rants about the "lack of skills" of the masses.

 

I agree, skills are an absolute un-necessity. but from my observations, it always seemed that the people would bunch together where there was even the minutest resemblance to a stone on the road. Heaven forbid they would have to ride around it, never mind over it.

 

But I digress, and will also acknowledge that not everybody walks due to skills, but mainly congestion. 

 

...if only we could have all the hike-a-bikers keep left, and let those who choose to ride, pass right. What an awesome thought, which is probably where it's going to stay. 

[W Smith]

First time for me, and wondering whether it's do-able on a cyclo-cross bike?

 

Running  on a caadx ultegra with 38mm panaracer gravelking sk's (which is by the way the most fun you could have with metal between your legs!).

 

Any advice will be appreciated.

 

 Before you make a final decision on which bike to ride consider the video link here-under which was taken on the descend of the old wapad. The descend is not technical but rather challenging when you  are sharing the narrow road with hordes of mountain bikers who have varying skills ( or lack thereof ) . Note how rocky it is and the  overtaking moves of some of the riders . I have done a couple of   K2C events and it is a very nice event.   But on each occasion I have seen falls on the descend of the old wapad and believe me , you do not want to come short on that part of the route .It is in the middle of nowhere . I have a gravel bike and as much as I love it , I will definitely not attempt to ride K2C with my gravel bike  . But then your skills may be better than mine .

Google on you tube :

Karoo To Coast 2015 | Ou Wapad | Kwagga Descent

[Simon123]

Whether you are a lady or a dude, its still downhill...

well, some of my mates would argue that ladies introduce more uphill into a guy's day...

 

(runs / hides / peeks out to see if it's safe)

[Robbie Stewart]

well, some of my mates would argue that ladies introduce more uphill into a guy's day...

 

(runs / hides / peeks out to see if it's safe)

 

yoh, you drop a bomb like that during Women's month...  

 

only the brave

[callieskibbe]

well, some of my mates would argue that ladies introduce more uphill into a guy's day...

 

(runs / hides / peeks out to see if it's safe)

 

 

Yes, introduce more UPhill...

 

 

 

[Robbie Stewart]

Google on you tube :

Karoo To Coast 2015 | Ou Wapad | Kwagga Descent

 

 

Nee wragtig. That video just frustrated me...no wonder people fall. How the fork anyone expects to drop down a road like that and stay seated, still expecting to be in full control of their bike is beyond my sphere of understanding.

 

Watching this is so different to riding it. My descent is fast, loose, and focused. When going down there I have not been paying attention to how many people sit on their bikes going down that hill, and then to still crawl along at a snail's pace, on the right hand side. Aaaaarrrgh, my OCD.

Staying in your "saal" is not going to make things any safer for yourself, or anyone else for that matter. Again, skills. I reiterate my original comment about skills.

 

Folks must learn to ride a bike in technical terrain, or else, take up road cycling. It's much safer.

 

This event is now a place where the fat-n-unfit come to prove their "moun tan baaik skiels"....

 

I wonder if 2019 is worth it anymore?

 

(...to the bar)

[bj horn]

I suppose eating a meal the night prior that will lead to plenty farting could also aid one in getting the space around you cleared fast and furiously.

The farting starts in the camping site already and carries on all night.That combined with the singing from the last straglers in the bar makes it more memorable.

 

And then the local rooster starts his singing at 3am!!!!!!!!!

 

Fun times ahead

[jdwet1980]

Is there a Strava segment for the little Ou Wapaadjie hillie thingy?

[NicoR]

Is there a Strava segment for the little Ou Wapaadjie hillie thingy?

 

 

https://www.strava.com/segments/714253?filter=overall

Edited August 23, 2018 by NicoR

[Malduik]

Peeps!

 

I have 2 q's:

 

1. Did anyone do the 95km Gravel Express this weekend? How does ou wapad compare to Breedts Neck?

 

2. Can anyone help me with a lift from Knysna to Uniondale on the Saturday before the race? Just myself and a small travel bag. Will obviously gooi some dosh for the juice.

 

Cheers

M

[Robbie Stewart]

Peeps!

 

I have 2 q's:

 

1. Did anyone do the 95km Gravel Express this weekend? How does ou wapad compare to Breedts Neck? I am assuming nobody walked up Breedt's Neck? That would be a significant difference.

 

 

 

Cheers

M

[RocknRolla]

Peeps!

 

I have 2 q's:

 

1. Did anyone do the 95km Gravel Express this weekend? How does ou wapad compare to Breedts Neck?

 

2. Can anyone help me with a lift from Knysna to Uniondale on the Saturday before the race? Just myself and a small travel bag. Will obviously gooi some dosh for the juice.

 

Cheers

M

 

Wapad and Breedts do not compare.

 

Breedts has a lot of exposed bedrock with the related marlbes and runn-offs.

 

From what I remeber from wapad is it's just little rocky, with lots of people milling about.

[Malduik]

Wapad and Breedts do not compare.

 

Breedts has a lot of exposed bedrock with the related marlbes and runn-offs.

 

From what I remeber from wapad is it's just little rocky, with lots of people milling about.

Thanks dude! You would definitely need a 4x4 to drive over and back Breedts.

 

I asume it's not the same for Ou Wapad?

[RocknRolla]

Thanks dude! You would definitely need a 4x4 to drive over and back Breedts.

 

I asume it's not the same for Ou Wapad?

 

No, what I remember from K2C is that there is not one technical bit.

The only thing that makes it hazardous is the high speed downhill cornering on dirt roads.

 

If you went up and down breedt's (both sides) without portage you will ace the K2C.

 

For me the most dangerous thing about K2C was looking at the breathtaking scenery and not fall off the side of the road.

 

Edit; Spelling

Edited August 27, 2018 by RocknRolla