Trans Baviaans 2018

[maidenmole]

Could it be that there isn't already a topic for this event? 2 weeks and counting.

[GAP]

Cant find any topic either. It seems we all experienced at riding the Trans, so no need to worry.

[LuckyLuke]

was wondering when this treads going to start. I am a bit worried, doing my first. I it harder than the attakwas

[maidenmole]

Cant find any topic either. It seems we all experienced at riding the Trans, so no need to worry.

Ja nee.

[vulgar]

Not harder than attekwas, like Karoo to coast just longer, much longer.

Eat solid food, throw away the choclats, gu and energade.

Sandwiches, jam and cheese or peanut butter sandwiches, those stuff r ACE

Latest I used in my buildup to TB this yr is Farbar!! awsome stuff. not sweet and bite size.

Doing my 6th event.

Fastest 8h22.00

Slowest 10h32.00

[RobertWhitehead]

It's a blast, very special experience. It is very psychological as well, hitting CP#3 with the sun setting and you still have roughly 120km to go is unnerving but also exciting. 

If I can be so cocky to give some advice: 

 

1) The first 120km you eat and fuel up for the next 110km so eat as much as you can and often

2) Pack some jiffy bags or any other brand for that matter. At CP#1 pack some of the rooster koek into the bags to have en-route towards CP#2 as they only give sweets at CP#2 when I did the race (this may have changed) 
3) Hydrate! Not just water, have some tried and tested supplements, not just something you bought the day before. Pack some Rehydrate Sport to add to your water when you need to replace the electrolytes

4) Don't overcook it for the first 100km, dial it back slightly and ride within L2-L3 of your max HR (When you hit the Fangs and then MAC you will thank me for this one)

5) DO NOT I repeat, DO NOT pack any warm clothes into your box at CP#3, you have "langwater" literally 300m after CP#3 and if they had lots of rain or even just moderate amounts you're going to get wet

6) DO NOT I repeat, DO NOT sit next to the fire on top of Bergplaas - this is a no no! You will not want to continue when you do that

7) Take it easy down Bergplaas, not too sure what the road looks like after they worked on it but it can be quite hairy.

8) Shammy cream is a must, but get yourself some local anesthetic ointment from the pharmacy and add it to your shammy cream. This will make your ass nice and numb when you need it most  . 

9) Dress warmly, not just a shell and arm warmers, you need some layers.

10) Enjoy it, it's an amazing experience and I will definitely do it again (4th time)  

[hboli4]

Not harder than attekwas, like Karoo to coast just longer, much longer.

Eat solid food, throw away the choclats, gu and energade.

Sandwiches, jam and cheese or peanut butter sandwiches, those stuff r ACE

Latest I used in my buildup to TB this yr is Farbar!! awsome stuff. not sweet and bite size.

Doing my 6th event.

Fastest 8h22.00

Slowest 10h32.00

Yoh that is seriously fast, must be close to one of the top 10 all time times!

[hboli4]

It's a blast, very special experience. It is very psychological as well, hitting CP#3 with the sun setting and you still have roughly 120km to go is unnerving but also exciting. 

 

If I can be so cocky to give some advice: 

 

1) The first 120km you eat and fuel up for the next 110km so eat as much as you can and often

2) Pack some jiffy bags or any other brand for that matter. At CP#1 pack some of the rooster koek into the bags to have en-route towards CP#2 as they only give sweets at CP#2 when I did the race (this may have changed) 

3) Hydrate! Not just water, have some tried and tested supplements, not just something you bought the day before. Pack some Rehydrate Sport to add to your water when you need to replace the electrolytes

4) Don't overcook it for the first 100km, dial it back slightly and ride within L2-L3 of your max HR (When you hit the Fangs and then MAC you will thank me for this one)

5) DO NOT I repeat, DO NOT pack any warm clothes into your box at CP#3, you have "langwater" literally 300m after CP#3 and if they had lots of rain or even just moderate amounts you're going to get wet

6) DO NOT I repeat, DO NOT sit next to the fire on top of Bergplaas - this is a no no! You will not want to continue when you do that

7) Take it easy down Bergplaas, not too sure what the road looks like after they worked on it but it can be quite hairy.

8) Shammy cream is a must, but get yourself some local anesthetic ointment from the pharmacy and add it to your shammy cream. This will make your ass nice and numb when you need it most  . 

9) Dress warmly, not just a shell and arm warmers, you need some layers.

10) Enjoy it, it's an amazing experience and I will definitely do it again (4th time)  

 

Agree with all of this, very good advice for the 'normal' rider. Also looking forward to it, doing my 10th and 11th although only my 9th official one.

[maidenmole]

What do the weather god followers see in their orb? Some few rain in lead up to Race weekend.

[TheJ]

Going for Number 11.

 

What I can add from my side.

 

Unless you are a beast, don't go and pull any bunches. Sit in the back and get pulled along. You will just kill yourself way too soon.

 

Forget sweets. Over the years my food pouches have slowely drifted from salty to sweet, and each year at the top of Bergplaas you'd have to stop to puke as your stomach can't handle all the sugar. Salticrax, small pieces of biltong even.

 

Don't race through wet riverbeds. You just end up wetting everyone else and washing lube off your bike. You'll look like a tosser. Your bikes longevity is as important as your own.

 

DO NOT start the race with all your lights strapped on, you don't need it. If you are slowish, you can leave your lights at CP3. If you are having a decent day, leave them at CP4. Start the race with your small helmet LED on at a backup incase you don't reach your big lights in time.

 

Don't faff. You can easily waste hours at checkpoints. Don't look at the event like a bunch of 40-50km races between checkpoints, look at it as a 235km race, otherwise you'll get to CP's and take too much time. As mentioned above, avoid getting too comfortable. Ideally don't even sit down. Get your siht and go!

 

Check that your and your teammate don't carry the same tools. No need for two mini pumps, etc.

 

Pack a handful of cable/zip ties and half a roll of electrical tape. You can fix pretty much anything with it.

 

Communication... talk to your teammate(s), all the time. Almost to the point of getting irritating. How are you feeling? When last did you eat/drink? Need to slow down a bit? Otherwise one or more of your guys will be suffering in silence and explode completely.

Edited July 27, 2018 by TheJ

[LuckyLuke]

thanks for the solid advice guys, can't believe its only 2 weeks away. That first 100km corugated dirt that everybody complained about last year, hopefully they did something about that

[Help.Me.]

Cant find any topic either. It seems we all experienced at riding the Trans, so no need to worry.

Yes its overated.........  

[Help.Me.]

Going for Number 11.

 

What I can add from my side.

 

Unless you are a beast, don't go and pull any bunches. Sit in the back and get pulled along. You will just kill yourself way too soon.

 

Forget sweets. Over the years my food pouches have slowely drifted from salty to sweet, and each year at the top of Bergplaas you'd have to stop to puke as your stomach can't handle all the sugar. Salticrax, small pieces of biltong even.

 

Don't race through wet riverbeds. You just end up wetting everyone else and washing lube off your bike. You'll look like a tosser. Your bikes longevity is as important as your own.

 

DO NOT start the race with all your lights strapped on, you don't need it. If you are slowish, you can leave your lights at CP3. If you are having a decent day, leave them at CP4. Start the race with your small helmet LED on at a backup incase you don't reach your big lights in time.

 

Don't faff. You can easily waste hours at checkpoints. Don't look at the event like a bunch of 40-50km races between checkpoints, look at it as a 235km race, otherwise you'll get to CP's and take too much time. As mentioned above, avoid getting too comfortable. Ideally don't even sit down. Get your siht and go!

 

Check that your and your teammate don't carry the same tools. No need for two mini pumps, etc.

 

Pack a handful of cable/zip ties and half a roll of electrical tape. You can fix pretty much anything with it.

 

Communication... talk to your teammate(s), all the time. Almost to the point of getting irritating. How are you feeling? When last did you eat/drink? Need to slow down a bit? Otherwise one or more of your guys will be suffering in silence and explode completely.

Very good advice indeed, and the bold section cant be said better

[TheJ]

thanks for the solid advice guys, can't believe its only 2 weeks away. That first 100km corugated dirt that everybody complained about last year, hopefully they did something about that

 

Apparently they did. I saw photos showing that they "graded?" the roads.

[Firozfx]

Going for Number 11.

 

What I can add from my side.

 

Unless you are a beast, don't go and pull any bunches. Sit in the back and get pulled along. You will just kill yourself way too soon.

 

Forget sweets. Over the years my food pouches have slowely drifted from salty to sweet, and each year at the top of Bergplaas you'd have to stop to puke as your stomach can't handle all the sugar. Salticrax, small pieces of biltong even.

 

Don't race through wet riverbeds. You just end up wetting everyone else and washing lube off your bike. You'll look like a tosser. Your bikes longevity is as important as your own.

 

DO NOT start the race with all your lights strapped on, you don't need it. If you are slowish, you can leave your lights at CP3. If you are having a decent day, leave them at CP4. Start the race with your small helmet LED on at a backup incase you don't reach your big lights in time.

 

Don't faff. You can easily waste hours at checkpoints. Don't look at the event like a bunch of 40-50km races between checkpoints, look at it as a 235km race, otherwise you'll get to CP's and take too much time. As mentioned above, avoid getting too comfortable. Ideally don't even sit down. Get your siht and go!

 

Check that your and your teammate don't carry the same tools. No need for two mini pumps, etc.

 

Pack a handful of cable/zip ties and half a roll of electrical tape. You can fix pretty much anything with it.

 

Communication... talk to your teammate(s), all the time. Almost to the point of getting irritating. How are you feeling? When last did you eat/drink? Need to slow down a bit? Otherwise one or more of your guys will be suffering in silence and explode completely.

My first trans. Great advice here. Thanks guys

 

Did a 190km last Sat, 180km tomorrow with 5 hrs of night riding

 

What is recommended stop time at the waterpoints. We thinking 10 mins max

Edited July 27, 2018 by Firozfx

[Mark Spark]

Hi all,

 

I've had to withdraw from the race on 11 August.

Anyone know of anyone looking for a 2 man team entry? Please let me know.

 

Serious FOMO setting in, good luck and enjoy to those riding!