Mamil Posted March 1, 2019 Posted March 1, 2019 Who knows anything about this ride?https://www.entryninja.com/events/event/39502-battle-of-the-bikes Considering adding it to Around the Pot, Amarider 100 miler and Swartberg to my list of outings for the gravel bike.
TCTG Posted March 1, 2019 Posted March 1, 2019 Who knows anything about this ride?https://www.entryninja.com/events/event/39502-battle-of-the-bikes Considering adding it to Around the Pot, Amarider 100 miler and Swartberg to my list of outings for the gravel bike.Looking at gravel bike build.and will keep this event in mind Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Skubarra Posted March 1, 2019 Posted March 1, 2019 Who knows anything about this ride?https://www.entryninja.com/events/event/39502-battle-of-the-bikes Considering adding it to Around the Pot, Amarider 100 miler and Swartberg to my list of outings for the gravel bike. I did it the last 2 years, very small field but the route through the mountains is stunning. Last year the roads were in excellent condition, almost zero corrugations making it perfect for gravel bikes. Unfortunately can't attend this year, will go back next year if the event continue to survive!
Mamil Posted March 1, 2019 Author Posted March 1, 2019 On that recommendation I'm whipping out the credit card and making a contribution to keeping it alive. CTCT MTBCTCTNova EroicaPhiladelphia MTBSportif 3Amarider 100 milerKaroo Battle of BikesSwartberg GFSportif 4 ........ takes us to May. There is absolutely no shortage of lekker rides ahead.... in fact as has been observed elsewhere it's often down to a tough choice as to which ride to do on some weekends. Skipping Cederberg 'cos it's my birthday and my guests weren't keen to do it with me ... party poopers. I did it the last 2 years, very small field but the route through the mountains is stunning. Last year the roads were in excellent condition, almost zero corrugations making it perfect for gravel bikes. Unfortunately can't attend this year, will go back next year if the event continue to survive!
Mamil Posted April 16, 2019 Author Posted April 16, 2019 S.O. away in Australia for 3 weeks - offspring away for easter - that leaves the Mamil alone with Captain Domane, Princess Merida and their illegitimate bastard spawn - gotta love the baby - Checkpoint Charlie for company. Terrible. Poor me. Friday morning I will ride Tygerberg trails before driving to Laingsburg for a night in the Grand hotel before the Battle of the Bikes - Sunday it's me and the Lindt chocolate bunny doing a recovery ride and Monday I'll see how I feel.
Skubarra Posted April 16, 2019 Posted April 16, 2019 S.O. away in Australia for 3 weeks - offspring away for easter - that leaves the Mamil alone with Captain Domane, Princess Merida and their illegitimate bastard spawn - gotta love the baby - Checkpoint Charlie for company. Terrible. Poor me. Friday morning I will ride Tygerberg trails before driving to Laingsburg for a night in the Grand hotel before the Battle of the Bikes - Sunday it's me and the Lindt chocolate bunny doing a recovery ride and Monday I'll see how I feel. Enjoy the ride Mamil, bleak at missing out this year. If the event can continue to draw enough numbers to be repeated next year I'll definitely be there. Last year I thought this was the perfect race for a gravel bike, about 40km tar and 100km perfectly smooth gravel - (I hope also no corrugations this year)
Mamil Posted April 17, 2019 Author Posted April 17, 2019 Thanks Skubarra ... looking forward to it. Will report back here. Enjoy the ride Mamil, bleak at missing out this year. If the event can continue to draw enough numbers to be repeated next year I'll definitely be there. Last year I thought this was the perfect race for a gravel bike, about 40km tar and 100km perfectly smooth gravel - (I hope also no corrugations this year)
Mamil Posted May 2, 2019 Author Posted May 2, 2019 This was a lekker ride. The field was small, partly because there are very few reasons to go to Laingsburg and more significantly because it was on easter Saturday. About 15 of us lined up in a crisp Karoo dawn and moseyed off into the desert. As usual I got dropped by the fast guys and dropped the slow guys and held my position riding alone almost the whole way. The route is an out and back which was an interesting experience - 20k on tar and then about 55 on dirt, turn around and do it again, but this time into a nagging and somewhat chilly headwind. The gravel bike is definitely the bike to choose for this event. Fell back in love with Checkpoint Charlie on the smooth downhill heading to the turn around point. I caught the only female entrant for the 144 on the tar road about 20k from home - she was really struggling - and I believe I finished 5th out of the 20 odd which means that only a minor natural disaster would have been required to put me on the podium. I suggest to the organisers that we do it on Christmas day next year - maybe I can get a foot on the steps then? Will I be back? I'd like to - it's a long way to go and then to go again soon after for the Swartberg - this time was possible because family and S.O. were all away .... I'll see.
DJR Posted May 2, 2019 Posted May 2, 2019 ............ which means that only a minor natural disaster would have been required to put me on the podium. .......... Like I've said before, you must write some more!
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