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CTCT on a Mountain Bike


Langebaan

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Posted

I ride in Langebaan, not much climbing. 

I average 21 kph over 40km offroad with elevation gain of 380m

Go ride up that hill just outside West Coast NP coming back into town 4-5 times and you'll be golden for the Argus!!

 

I did my first argus on a 26er, then my second was on a Sola 1 and managed 3h40 - weather was pretty good in 2016.

 

Challenge yourself to break the 4hour mark. That probably comes to around 28kph average speed.

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Posted

Just finished this note, and came back to the top/start after finding I have gone off with a m@3rse long story (possibly influenced from reading other similar discussions/threads)....sorry about that..

I realize you only asked what speed you as a first time rider will average on a mtb first CTCT - but its not that simple;

 

As its your first CTCT -  from the formulation of the question, I assume its your first Road type race - and as you are contemplating a CTCT on MTB with mtb tyres - I, think the following should be consider:

 

Some points that will affect your average speed and time you are wondering about.:

 

* First - Best to 'Just do it' with what you have, don't be preoccupied with time and enjoy it as much as possible.

 

RE average speed - Riding the CTCT without prior experience means you need to be conservative to a certain extent. You don't yet know where it all gets mad, where it gets very dangerous, where it gets really tough, how to pace yourself, proper drafting technique, where you go hard and where you will recover.

 

There will be hundreds of riders around you in the first half and depending on your seeding (probably relatively far back as you have not done road races ?)  you will be unsure how hard to at the start, where bunches will form, and where to hang on for dear life because it will soon payoff with a easier section, headwind, or downhill.

 

So, for your first one, be prepared to go hard if you can, but most importantly plan to enjoy it and respect other riders.

 

Maintaining speed but staying safe - This is not MTB, its a road ride. On MTB one rider/you fall because of your own mistake - on Road races, lots of people fall because of one other rider's mistake.

In the years I have done the CTCT, the biggest problem has always been young strong guys impatiently moving around, often chatting or looking back.

I In a bunch you are responsible for the safety of everyone behind you.

 

This first CTCT ride is the one you will remember - so don't be too ambitious about time.  .

 

* Rest assured, you will not be the only one. In 36,000 entries there are hundreds of MTB riders.

If you think they are doing it on full suspension with knobblies just to be different, show their strength and show off  easy/high cadence gears on the hills - It is not, the roadies will soon humiliate these riders with their speed and efficiency.

Most mtb riders (because they only have mtb bikes) take it social and enjoy the spectators and water points and many do it as a serious flat-out race for time.

 

* With a mtb you are going to be slower than a similar rider on a road bike because your tyres will have more rolling resistance, you sit up higher and don't have drops on your bars. so you catch more wind - and it is unlikely you will hang on once the bunch really gets going or hit downhills because your gear ratio will be wrong.

 

* For a good overall finish time  - You will have to draft efficiently and ride bunches responsibly. Be polite and considerate - because Our roadie bunches hate mtb riders because bunches get nervous when unfamiliar issues come up - i.e. mtb rider tyres make a noise, they take up too much space, sit up too high for back riders to see the road, their gear ratios prevent them from the smooth transition in pace changes, l  and those bloody wide handlebars take space and disrupts the positioning and flow in the bunch.

 

* Consider the cost/use of those mtb knobbly tyres for 110 km on tar - tyres not cheap. Perhaps try very used tyres or slicks.

 

* RE Pushing your speed - Consider the tyre pressure - harder will normally be better - but critical to check your rims capacity - high inflation is very bad for rims - rims split in half. Also, the tyre pattern will be a factor, a Rolling tyre like a Crossmark will be efficient when pumped harder for tar, but a Mountain tyre with separated knobs will be slower because the wheel has to roll over each separate knob.

 

* Old worn, almost smooth mtb tyres will be beneficial and although wider, will have rolling properties closer to slicks.

 

Maintaining high speed - On very worn-out mtb tyres (spare wheels) on a flat route  I can do 30kmh average - But the CTCT is not flat so most speed comes from bunch riding - which you will have to do in certain places. 

So if your tyres are finished and smooth already - you are set to go.

 

* You will be better off /faster if you have a large front chain-ring. You won't need the small ring, but the big ring will give you better top speeds.

 

*  The Bicycle shop opinion ? -  anyone who tells you it makes no difference road vs mtb is not fit to give advise.

 

 

If however, if are you interested in getting a fast MTB time (going as hard as you can) - Then you should do everything you can to have a fast efficient bike and setup.

 

* Slicks will definitely be easier and faster

* 3x crank-set will give you speed if you can find a spare or cheap one.

     Fit the biggest blade you can get.

* Cassette with a 10t or 11t gear will help with speed

* check your stem to see if you can lower it

* a shorter handlebar will help, and practice riding with your hands near the stem when not in a bunch.

* place your center and front shock on lockout to avoid energy waste bobbing.

* Do a test race / funride and see how it all works for you and how you feel in a bunch. Very important that you get bunch riding skills - a lot of discipline required in a bunch.

 

If you are a podium contender; there is a special mtb category in the CTCT, but certain standard mtb setup requirements apply.

 

 

Re - Remember you must do your own thing and enjoy the whole experience.

Comments on slicks not allowed on mtb, must have long socks, no saddle bags, mtb-er must wear baggies, etc etc - Ignore those comments and just do your own thing and enjoy the CTCT.

 

Regarding your overall CTCT  time and speed with your current set-up and not sure what your 'average rider status' means - There are still some funrides and races before the CTCT. You will feel a lot more confident, and aware of your speed/time potential  if you have done road rides on your mtb 

With a profile name Langebaan - I am assuming you are 'there' and therefore could still do the Paarl tour (this weekend) , the 99er, the PPA Sportive, PPA TOUR etc

 

Good luck

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

^ this +1. I’m also doing my first CTCT. Contemplating slicks just to save my mtb tyres. Will try and practice the hands closer to the stem etc. ????

Posted

^ this +1. I’m also doing my first CTCT. Contemplating slicks just to save my mtb tyres. Will try and practice the hands closer to the stem etc.

100km is not going to kill your tyres. I put on 6000km a year on mtb, commuting takes a lot of those kms and a lot of that is on the road. My tyres last a year give or take across different brands.

 

So if switching to slicks solely to save rubber is not worth it. If you going for slicks then it should be for other reasons.

Posted

Did the CTCT last year on duel sus with knobblies , 1x11 on a 34 T and managed to finish 3h28m( ps i’m build like a typical loose forward so not a racing snake by any means)

Personally i like the challenge and love the expression on the “aero-boys” faces when you hit chappies and you are still in the bunch .

 

Bottom line go and enjoy it on your MTB with knobbs

Posted

100km is not going to kill your tyres. I put on 6000km a year on mtb, commuting takes a lot of those kms and a lot of that is on the road. My tyres last a year give or take across different brands.

 

So if switching to slicks solely to save rubber is not worth it. If you going for slicks then it should be for other reasons.

Thanks. Valid comment. Think I’ll stick with mtb tyres then. To much hassle changing to slicks with tubes and not a lot of options on 27.5. Also easier to fix punctures on tubeless mtb tyres.

Posted

Did the 94.7 last year for the first time after only riding for 4 months, hardtail MTB with knobbly tyres. Managed a 4h06m (aimed for sub-5, so I cried like a baby on the finish line when I saw my final time). I'll be doing the same this year without question.

 

There WILL be guys with full carbon road bikes and expensive kit that will be much slower than you.

 

but,

 

There also WILL be guys on oldish still-dirty MTBs with knobblies and baggies that will overtake you.

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