Transbaviaans 2022

[madmarc]

First i must say thanks to all of you who did the race irrespective of finishing or bailing, coming on here and telling us your war stories, this is my first and made me re-evaluate my kit preparation.

Now i have neoprene gloves with waterproof 2 finger mitten over gloves (will include some of those blue nitrile gloves from my workshop as well) and a proper rain jacket - best i could find on short notice = 3000mm from Declathon - will also take my outer North Face jacket and decide on the day which to use.

Neoprene booties from Sportsmans WH - and even chucked in some of those "Little Hotties" hand and toe warmers - Found my last pair of army socks from diensplig in the early 80's

my layers will be

thin thermal underwear pants and longsleeve top

Knee warmers + full leg warmers over the top

Bibs

Under Armour top

Cycling jersey - Don't know why but i need pockets

CIOVITA jacket - that black one with the padded front

Either - Declathon rain jacket or North Face jacket outer - If its not raining at the start the Declathon will be with me somewhere on the bike.

Anotomic balaclava + a looser fitting one as a buff.

And then we will start the ride and it will be 12deg overcast day with a 40km/hr tailwind all the way to J/Bay 😲

 

 

[milky4130]

3 hours ago, lone one said:

Done a few TB - Pulled out at 30km. Adequately dressed apart from gloves (which were thermal and water resistant) not water proof which ended in cold and  completely numb hands 

Complete numb hands led to having to change gears with knuckles (thank goodness for AXS) and suddenly feeling the bike slowing quite a few times only to find the weight of my figures were pressing on break levers without knowing 

Something i don't see on this tread spoken about is the critical need for fueling and drinking in endurance events like this - anyone with seriously numb hands and all  the layers of cloths made it impossible to fuel properly - TB has some of the best feed station but with the lack of fueling in the first 60km people that pushed through were also caught out later 

I had x 8 gels taped to my top tube, bars in my back pocket. The plan was to take 1 gel & 1 bar per hour, I ended up using 5 of the gels first because that was the easiest & quickest way to get carbs in, lost the other 3 as they ripped off after hitting some hectic corrugations. Once my gels were all up I ate the bars & had a flapjack at CP7 which I only found out afterwards that I was supposed to pay for it. At CP5 I attempted to have some slap chips but they were too hot and ended up just eating 1 solitary chip.

[vanniri]

Did the Baviaans a couple of times, always hated the water crossings, in fact can't even stand riding through puddles.

Glad I wasn't there this year.

Will also not be there next year.

From the smiles at the finish line I guess not everyone feels like me. I am fine with it. Hope you feel the same.

[OVERDRIVE]

23 hours ago, madmarc said:

So after checking out all the race reports, photos and videos from yesterday event i I unpacked my winter cycling kit and think i found the right mix for next weekends repeat. Still need to find 1 glove though.

ABONINABLE SNOWMAN!!

12 hours ago, pedal menace said:

Hi All,

Seems I missed quite a few "dick"-y comments 🤣 - nothing personal - but come now allow each person his or her opinion without throwing immature comments. First and foremost kudos to all who finished - I would love to shake every hand as you deserve more than just a medal! So here my little race report ...

Despite being very firm upfront that I will not start the race if it rains...sigh...
Arrived Friday, went to registration and despite chilly temps was actually a rather beautiful day! Super hyped and set to race. Weather report said small amount of rain predicted so all looked positive. Come Saturday woke up in Uniondale - again COLD but not raining. Whoop whoop! On the way to Willowmore the drizzle started and ramped up quite a bit as we hit Willowmore. I know what my view was but come now I am here so let's do it! Started with my son at around 630AM. It was BLOODY cold but assumed riding will help. The rain was a lot more than drizzle. Within 8km we started seeing riders riding back to Willowmore looking pretty bad! With 10km despite my 4 layers of clothes I was wet to the bone and stopped to have a team chat whether we should continue. After lubing the chain we continued. At 20km I was unable to shift gears, could not move my fingers, had no idea if I had any feet and was shaking like a professional rapper! We stopped at a medic who attended to people already hyperthermic and begging to use the quad bike exhaust to get some heat. I chatted to the medic and he said continuing in his personal opinion is a VERY BAD IDEA! It was -2 degrees and people reported sleet/ice rain as you enter the Kloof. So at 25km I pulled the plug and turned around. More and more people joined us. Again caught up with a marshal who said they are  evacuating people (if certain people find this word offensive - sorry for you!!). Marshal assessed me , and stated I am close to hyperthermic too but only 2km from Willowmore. Was the hardest 25km ride back ever. In town the locals became God sent angels! Fires popped up everywhere and we took shelter in a coffee shop. Soon we were surrounded  by a whole lot of cyclists covered in space blankets, some literally delirious with no sense of his/her surroundings. My wife had to drive back from Jeffreys and as she entered Willowmore caught up with ambulances bringing people back. There were so many they were told to leave their bikes next to the road, sweeper vehicles will go and get bikes during the day. One guy paid a local farmer R1000 to bring them back with his bakkie. 

So to all these "heroes" who wants to call me a Karen - thank you and I accept the title with pride. I am super impressed and have a ton of respect for you if you finished. But with my son I felt I made the right call and I was simply in no shape to continue. My son even offered to take off some of his his clothes and give it to me! Talk about being a hero - that is a hero! Cannot be prouder of him! To each and every rider of the 244 teams (53%) that like me who abandoned - you still have my respect. I will not criticize you! I will not call you a Karen! I will not ask you to drink cement! I will walk up to you, call you a fellow cyclist that like me decided sanity is worth more than stupidity! If that makes me unworthy of being a MTBer in some eyes - well to you I say: See you at the next race where I will still enjoy it as much as you do - despite me giving up on the Baviaans this weekend! 

 

SOLDIER

11 hours ago, tubed said:

ok, clearly I am on the wrong forum

🤣

9 hours ago, Shebeen said:

I'm just skimming all of this now.

 

I didn't do TB, but did Around the Pot 100 miler a few weeks ago (total repair bill = R0).

I was quite amazed there how many people had no jacket at all, and then complained about the cold. I initially regretted swapping out my waterproof 10 minutes before starting for the windproof jacket once the rain hit again but it was only an hour of vasbyt required and then cleared up.

I was quite amazed at how many people had zero lube on them, and then complained about it running out. At a waterpoint there would be 30+ people begging for lube. Like everyone else I shrugged and said I was out, quite selfish but my little bottle of squirt was needed for me, and would have lasted five people with twenty five more disappointed.

My secret weapon for that race was a R20 pair of safety goggles from builders. in a wet gravel route you know there is mud flying around, and now one wants to wipe the lenses of their fancy oakleys so they are essentially useless too.

MTB used to have quite a self sufficiency ethos to it. I don't do that many races these days, but from skimming here it looks like because the entry fees are high people expect to get some sort of service. From skimming here it seems like a lot of people got very cold because they didn't dress appropriately. 

 

For a 230km+ ride in the muddy rain and cold, you need a proper jacket. You can spend R4k+ and get a very nice piece of kit but that's not necessary.

It doesn't have to cost a bomb, but it needs a hydrostatic rating of 5000mm minimum.

It doesn't have to cost a bomb, but it needs an integrated hood that you then put over your head and your helmet on top once it rains. That's how you keep yourself dry, doesn't matter how good your jacket is if you have a gutter running through it. Here's a great writeup from trailrunning which most of the time takes gear checks seriously.

 

http://wildrunner.co.za/news/2018/04/about-waterproof-jacket…

I have given this one a go and it has done well in two solid rides of bucketing drama and highly recommend if you're on a budget.

https://campandclimb.co.za/product/highlander-stow-and-go-jacket-navy-blue-copy

 

For a 230km+ ride in the muddy rain and cold it's nice to have waterproof gloves and thermal socks, but you can make plans on that if you don't.

For a 230km+ ride in the muddy rain and cold I would pack two space blankets just incase. I always take two, because when you only have one you are too nervous to use it.

 

I'm not judging anyone in specific here, but from skimming it it sounds like event management were overwhelmed a bit by people needing emergency rescue back to the start. I'm not sure how many people were just underdressed, and their entire ordeal avoidable. The guys at snowreport were predicting the first half of their name all week, and all the talk was of the weather. This might sound like some mansplaining and maybe it sounds unnecessary. It isn't, if you're doing a mtb race you need to be as self sufficient as possible, and that doesn't just refer to your bike and spares, you need to look after yourself. This is not groundbreaking ideas either, just a 100yr+ old motto drilled into cubs and scouts for starters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is all correct 

7 hours ago, bullet77 said:

Reading all the above I accept the fact that I/we were not properly dressed for the conditions. 4 layers of cycling kit(windproof) was wet within about 30km. At CP1 Veros we were so cold we could hardly talk. We kept going until Bergplaas then pulled out at the bottom at the gate 152km in, fortunately we had a farmer friend fetch us and take us to Pakhuis.

I must add IMO we were fit/strong enough for the distance but shivering for 10+ hours drained my energy and broke me.

Well done to all who finished.

I agree. 

Never will I do this race. Never. 

[mrcg]

My little ride report.

First off, respect to all who lined up at the start and attempted the challenge. Also respect to those that and to bail and big up to those that finished. Each human has different capabilities and capacities. They are not comparable. Do what you can, as and how possible and decide for yourself what is best for you and your teammate(s)/child.

I was asked on the 30 July to do the ride. Been on my bucket list so was defo in. First one for me. Underprepared as did very little riding this year. Crammed in some sessions in 10 days, and also completed the "Cannon Challenge" on the 8th to test myself in terms of fitness. All not ideal, but I've done plenty riding/races/events in my past so thought I would cope. My partner was also slightly undercooked so we agreed to pace ourselves. We managed to finish in just a shade under 16hours (were hoping for a max 14hour ride). As my partner said: Munga training lol

I was underprepared for the conditions. Aside from not actually having the kit, I think the majority of us just underestimated the conditions (too much wishful thinking?). I had too little clothing and also needed to put some in the boxes for later.

First 100km (we started just after 5am) were the worst I've ever done. Cold and wet is a horrible combination. Add insufficient clothing. Teeth and body shaking from 25km in. Bailing didn't enter my mind. Water point 1 was not prepared for the necessary - no warm drinks. Luckily some black bags were distributed - this was a life saver for me. At all pee stops, I urinated over my fingers to get heat (had only shorties on).

Luckily after +-120km mark the rain ceased and we could begin to ride ourselves warmer. The small clothing changes helped - gillet was a life saver, socks were wet for entire ride (despite three changes). Despite all, it remained cold and miserable until about 90km from finish. Never enjoyed climbing so much LOL. Water points did a great job - food awesome and hot drinks available. Due to our slow speed, we needed to ride last odd 60km in the dark. In addition to above trials and tribulations, my Garmin light failed (couldn't see data) and then had to ride last 50km without lights (battery died).

Finished strong though and am happy with the completion. Will go back another time for a sub12.

To the guys n gals doing this weekend: good luck and may the weather gods be with you. Rather dress too warmly (it's currently looking dry and warmer) as you can always peel off stuff. Also looks like you have a stiff tail wind! Lekker!!

I'll be enjoying the surf in Jbay until then (been firing the last two days) - so might pop in to see some finishers. 

[eala]

12 hours ago, pedal menace said:

Hi All,

Seems I missed quite a few "dick"-y comments 🤣 - nothing personal - but come now allow each person his or her opinion without throwing immature comments. First and foremost kudos to all who finished - I would love to shake every hand as you deserve more than just a medal! So here my little race report ...

Despite being very firm upfront that I will not start the race if it rains...sigh...
Arrived Friday, went to registration and despite chilly temps was actually a rather beautiful day! Super hyped and set to race. Weather report said small amount of rain predicted so all looked positive. Come Saturday woke up in Uniondale - again COLD but not raining. Whoop whoop! On the way to Willowmore the drizzle started and ramped up quite a bit as we hit Willowmore. I know what my view was but come now I am here so let's do it! Started with my son at around 630AM. It was BLOODY cold but assumed riding will help. The rain was a lot more than drizzle. Within 8km we started seeing riders riding back to Willowmore looking pretty bad! With 10km despite my 4 layers of clothes I was wet to the bone and stopped to have a team chat whether we should continue. After lubing the chain we continued. At 20km I was unable to shift gears, could not move my fingers, had no idea if I had any feet and was shaking like a professional rapper! We stopped at a medic who attended to people already hyperthermic and begging to use the quad bike exhaust to get some heat. I chatted to the medic and he said continuing in his personal opinion is a VERY BAD IDEA! It was -2 degrees and people reported sleet/ice rain as you enter the Kloof. So at 25km I pulled the plug and turned around. More and more people joined us. Again caught up with a marshal who said they are  evacuating people (if certain people find this word offensive - sorry for you!!). Marshal assessed me , and stated I am close to hyperthermic too but only 2km from Willowmore. Was the hardest 25km ride back ever. In town the locals became God sent angels! Fires popped up everywhere and we took shelter in a coffee shop. Soon we were surrounded  by a whole lot of cyclists covered in space blankets, some literally delirious with no sense of his/her surroundings. My wife had to drive back from Jeffreys and as she entered Willowmore caught up with ambulances bringing people back. There were so many they were told to leave their bikes next to the road, sweeper vehicles will go and get bikes during the day. One guy paid a local farmer R1000 to bring them back with his bakkie. 

So to all these "heroes" who wants to call me a Karen - thank you and I accept the title with pride. I am super impressed and have a ton of respect for you if you finished. But with my son I felt I made the right call and I was simply in no shape to continue. My son even offered to take off some of his his clothes and give it to me! Talk about being a hero - that is a hero! Cannot be prouder of him! To each and every rider of the 244 teams (53%) that like me who abandoned - you still have my respect. I will not criticize you! I will not call you a Karen! I will not ask you to drink cement! I will walk up to you, call you a fellow cyclist that like me decided sanity is worth more than stupidity! If that makes me unworthy of being a MTBer in some eyes - well to you I say: See you at the next race where I will still enjoy it as much as you do - despite me giving up on the Baviaans this weekend! 

 

IT is HYPOthermia ,not Hyper. In 2012 i rode Cape Pioneer Trek and at least halve of the week it was raining constantly .The temperatures were never really low ,but the chill factor on a bike accentuates the cold to such an extent that i could not change gears or use brakes properly .It is just silly and dangerous to continue if you are ill prepared .Kudos,s to the finishers .Riding in extreme heat it just as stupid . I have snow skied a few times .No amount of warm clothing helps if they become wet .Then you go home 

Edited August 15, 2022 by eala

[RearWheelDrive]

11 hours ago, hboli4 said:

I have done the last 11 editions and did a couple of 'doubles' - so 13 in total. This was definitely the 'worst' conditions I've ridden in. It was wet and cold from the start - we did toe covers/booties over the shoes, knee warmers, bibs, base layer(First Ascent polyprop), cycling jersey, gilet, warmer fleece top/hydrophobic top, rain jacket, buff around neck and head, warm gloves. In retrospect could have done more for the feet and hands.

We started just before six and rode in the rain and against a slight head wind until 46km when I realised I had a front flat. By this point my tyre was almost on the rim, I simply did not notice through all the rain,mud and bumps and must have lost a lot of sealant by then - I also suspect that the sealant was not as efficient in these conditions as in the dry. As soon as we stopped we started to feel very cold - it was all good and well while cycling but as soon as you stopped the cold really got into your bones.

I had a cut on the tyre surface between the knobblies. It must have been glass or metal - bad luck. I plugged the cut and bombed it(the bomb froze to my hand and had to be pried off). We did a couple of km's and had to stop again for another bomb(this time it felt like the whole bomb contents did not go into the tyre - possibly due to the first bomb 'freezing' some sealant?).

I said to my partner that we must limp to the checkpoint and should be able to get some mechanical assistance or then try a tube. When we got there it was chaos, probably 150 riders standing around in space blankets and around the fires - they were not going to continue. People were standing inside the house as well.

The mechanic that was supposed to be there wasn't, they were helping getting people back to Willowmore. We got the tyre off and I inserted the tube. I don't know if the cold contracted the tyre a bit but we could not get it back on. I broke 2 tyre levers trying to get it on but no luck - it wasnt even close to getting back. We were four guys trying pulling and whatever but it would not budge.

I asked a couple of the riders with the same type of wheel if they would perhaps donate in order for us to continue but did not have any takers(don't blame anyone). By this point we were also shivering and I did not see any other option or plan but to withdraw.

Lots of people was in a very bad state - with most looking to have dressed properly.

This is just my observation. You were fine while moving but as soon as you stopped for too long the trouble started...

I'm still battling to get my head around the fact that I did not finish....

Hey I think I saw you. You still asked if someone had a metal tire lever, or a spoon, brought back memories of BMX and my mothers spoons (and then the wooden one on the buttocks) I was thinking maybe someone will lend you a wheel but it was chaos there and the people were in bad shape, they were more worried about space blankets. Sorry you couldn't finish. I have lefty and it didn't look like a lefty but I used mine any way. We plodded along.

[RearWheelDrive]

Realistically there is no right or wrong call here. I will say I suspect the guys that started earlier might have had it better. We started at 5:20 and had rain, but not that bad that we wanted to turn back. My Dad drove the car to Jbay but waited for daylight, he said it really started to come down after we left. In our club there are some really strong riders that turned around after 20 km, to my surprise. They started later because they didn't want to put lights at the start.

Make no mistake, it was an absolute misery and I felt really sorry for myself but somehow we made it to CP1, then I saw people with real issues. We were a bunch of friends with a 4 man team and a husband and wife 2 man team. We made a conscious decision to slow down because of tricky descents and mud. The goal was survival and safety. And the 6 of us rode together. Probably faffed more than we should've because we had a total of 5hrs stoppage time. But we made it in19 hrs also 5 more than expected. For us the rain stopped at about 70 km and we had tons of mud until CP2. The hills were ok. The weather surprisingly got better after Bergplaas and dare I say Neverender was "Pleasant" or more like normal weather. We were super chuffed with a finish. Got my 5 medal finisher. It will be wall mounted because I deserve it😊(Don't care what the wife says)

The reason I say there is no wrong or right call is, If you continue and someone crashes or the weather really doesn't let up and you get sick, you get all those 'No bike race is worth it' arguments on the other hand you push through and overcome something immense and feel like such a conqueror. So what ever you decided, given  the circumstances, It was the right call.

ps Chatting to my mates on why we didn't turn back. Maybe we were too stupid, but not one of us even thought about it😆 They mentioned it at CP1 wasn't going to do 50km back in that.

 

[RobertWhitehead]

14 hours ago, madmarc said:

Okay so onto next weekend for the repeat

Anyone have any weather predictions that have some semblance of accuracy.

Reading all these war stories I'm getting afraid, very afraid !

This "Karen" (me) already said that if there's just one drop falling from the sky then I will return my bike to Joggie and take the car to J-Bay. 2013 & 15 was cold and wet enough for me  

[hboli4]

10 hours ago, RearWheelDrive said:

Hey I think I saw you. You still asked if someone had a metal tire lever, or a spoon, brought back memories of BMX and my mothers spoons (and then the wooden one on the buttocks) I was thinking maybe someone will lend you a wheel but it was chaos there and the people were in bad shape, they were more worried about space blankets. Sorry you couldn't finish. I have lefty and it didn't look like a lefty but I used mine any way. We plodded along.

Yip that was me. Did eventually get a spoon from Veronica(Vero's owner) but then realised that one wasn't going to help and I would probably end up destroying my carbon rim.

Yip I do not blame anyone for not giving me a wheel, as you say it was chaos. Well done on your finish!

[awesme]

On 8/15/2022 at 7:52 AM, pedal menace said:

Hi All,

Seems I missed quite a few "dick"-y comments 🤣 - nothing personal - but come now allow each person his or her opinion without throwing immature comments. First and foremost kudos to all who finished - I would love to shake every hand as you deserve more than just a medal! So here my little race report ...

Despite being very firm upfront that I will not start the race if it rains...sigh...
Arrived Friday, went to registration and despite chilly temps was actually a rather beautiful day! Super hyped and set to race. Weather report said small amount of rain predicted so all looked positive. Come Saturday woke up in Uniondale - again COLD but not raining. Whoop whoop! On the way to Willowmore the drizzle started and ramped up quite a bit as we hit Willowmore. I know what my view was but come now I am here so let's do it! Started with my son at around 630AM. It was BLOODY cold but assumed riding will help. The rain was a lot more than drizzle. Within 8km we started seeing riders riding back to Willowmore looking pretty bad! With 10km despite my 4 layers of clothes I was wet to the bone and stopped to have a team chat whether we should continue. After lubing the chain we continued. At 20km I was unable to shift gears, could not move my fingers, had no idea if I had any feet and was shaking like a professional rapper! We stopped at a medic who attended to people already hyperthermic and begging to use the quad bike exhaust to get some heat. I chatted to the medic and he said continuing in his personal opinion is a VERY BAD IDEA! It was -2 degrees and people reported sleet/ice rain as you enter the Kloof. So at 25km I pulled the plug and turned around. More and more people joined us. Again caught up with a marshal who said they are  evacuating people (if certain people find this word offensive - sorry for you!!). Marshal assessed me , and stated I am close to hyperthermic too but only 2km from Willowmore. Was the hardest 25km ride back ever. In town the locals became God sent angels! Fires popped up everywhere and we took shelter in a coffee shop. Soon we were surrounded  by a whole lot of cyclists covered in space blankets, some literally delirious with no sense of his/her surroundings. My wife had to drive back from Jeffreys and as she entered Willowmore caught up with ambulances bringing people back. There were so many they were told to leave their bikes next to the road, sweeper vehicles will go and get bikes during the day. One guy paid a local farmer R1000 to bring them back with his bakkie. 

So to all these "heroes" who wants to call me a Karen - thank you and I accept the title with pride. I am super impressed and have a ton of respect for you if you finished. But with my son I felt I made the right call and I was simply in no shape to continue. My son even offered to take off some of his his clothes and give it to me! Talk about being a hero - that is a hero! Cannot be prouder of him! To each and every rider of the 244 teams (53%) that like me who abandoned - you still have my respect. I will not criticize you! I will not call you a Karen! I will not ask you to drink cement! I will walk up to you, call you a fellow cyclist that like me decided sanity is worth more than stupidity! If that makes me unworthy of being a MTBer in some eyes - well to you I say: See you at the next race where I will still enjoy it as much as you do - despite me giving up on the Baviaans this weekend! 

 

Hi hi

I'm one of the guys that was driving in and out evacuating people. Was a medic in a past life, and this was by far the best decision you made, brought people out that was seriously close to Hypo.

It at times take more guts to make that call than to continue.

G

someone else pointed out... HypErthermia.. the e is for excessive heat, HypOthermia, the o is for cold... easy way to remember.

Edited August 16, 2022 by awesme

[Stockman]

So we started pretty much just after 05:00am. Vera's was our first stop and I had absolutely no feeling in my hands. Took off a glove and spent near 10 min trying to get it back on again. Gear shifting and braking was  definitely not by feel.😀

Next stop we were caught by the 2nd team to finish and Yolanda was being interviewed and it was mentioned that she is not one to be seen in a tech zone. Her comment was "it's the worst I've been in".

Anyway we were too far in to consider a bailout until Pakhuis. And that we did. Stopping in the middle would have been worse, there was nowhere to warm up.

My thinking was that we had around 60+ km of misery still to go from Pakhuis and we were well behind any predicted time, Oh and I don't do this for a living, so we called it.

All the best to those doing it this weekend, hope it's kinder to you.

[pedal menace]

2 hours ago, awesme said:

Hi hi

I'm one of the guys that was driving in and out evacuating people. Was a medic in a past life, and this was by far the best decision you made, brought people out that was seriously close to Hypo.

It at times take more guts to make that call than to continue.

G

someone else pointed out... HypErthermia.. the e is for excessive heat, HypOthermia, the o is for cold... easy way to remember.

Kudos to you and everyone else that helped so many cyclists in desperate situations. You too are all heroes!!!!! You have my deepest appreciation!  We all here really appreciate what you guys are doing. And tx for the correction -  I am an afrikaans boy and a few people corrected me on the "E" vs the "O". I decided to stick to "bloody cold" for now. 🤣

 

Although I do not have the facts to back it up, I too get the idea that people who started around 5AM to 545AM pushed further as the weather was not as bad. Around 6 the heavens opened and temperature dropped. 

To all scheduled to ride this weekend - I am still jealous and wish you all a great ride! My rule from now will be - if it rains at the start of a Baviaans - DO NOT START!

I plan to be back next year as this is still an absolutely amazing event! No one has control of the weather - it just comes with the territory. 

Edited August 16, 2022 by pedal menace

[awesme]

13 minutes ago, pedal menace said:

Kudos to you and everyone else that helped so many cyclists in desperate situations. You too are all heroes!!!!! You have my deepest appreciation!  We all here really appreciate what you guys are doing. And tx for the correction -  I am an afrikaans boy and a few people corrected me on the "E" vs the "O". I decided to stick to "bloody cold" for now. 🤣

 

Although I do not have the facts to back it up, I too get the idea that people who started around 5AM to 545AM pushed further as the weather was not as bad. Around 6 the heavens opened and temperature dropped. 

To all scheduled to ride this weekend - I am still jealous and wish you all a great ride! My rule from now will be - if it rains at the start of a Baviaans - DO NOT START!

I plan to be back next year as this is still an absolutely amazing event! No one has control of the weather - it just comes with the territory. 

Pedal Menace, I"m a rider myself... so just natural to help my fellow MTB'ers.

.. Afr myself  

Moved my family down a while back and I eventually moved down to JBay at part of C19 events.

People can ride, in any weather, if dressed for it and I think that ended being the problem the past wknd. Weather expected (for which they brought clothes along) and previous night and then the morning hinted it would be better and then turned much worse... the cold is easy to deal with, the cold with the wet just destroyed all plans. come prepared for wet/cold/wind and hope for better.
PS: it's sh$t cold atm.

G

[TyronLab]

So off the weather topic for a moment, any feedback on the tented accommodation at the start line (ablutions / facilities / hot showers etc)? We're planning on maybe braai-ing the night before for dinner (using leftovers for breakfast). I'd ideally like to get dressed under roof if at all possible that the interior of the Fortress of Sealed-atude (my current multi-layer clothing plan) can be as dry and cozy as possible. 

 

[Help.Me.]

If I look at the weather forecast for the weekend it looks pretty much the same than the previous weekends weather...rain from Willowmore right through to Jbay....