Race to the Sun : Race prep leading up to the 6th of May 2023.

[_David_]

I did the race last year and I really enjoyed it, tbh it was a bit tougher than I thought it would be. Take it easy in the beginning and make sure that you eat enough. No uphills means no downhills, theres hardly any freewheeling you pedal for a 160kms.

[Raeez]

Just a question is it better to do the race on a gravel bike or on a mountain bike?

[NotSoBigBen]

29 minutes ago, raeez said:

Just a question is it better to do the race on a gravel bike or on a mountain bike?

Not sure which is better but I did the very first one on a gravel bike and I enjoyed it, no issues!

[NicoSmit]

When going through water crossings just keep your mouth closed and wipe your bottle before you drink if it isn't s@#$%  its dust on your bottle

[Theunissa]

8 hours ago, NicoSmit said:

When going through water crossings just keep your mouth closed and wipe your bottle before you drink if it isn't s@#$%  its dust on your bottle

Dust I can live with

[Theunissa]

Just now, Theunissa said:

Dust I can live with

But then again their is enough of the other stuff in our water in this country that we should be used to it by now

[pedal menace]

14 hours ago, raeez said:

Just a question is it better to do the race on a gravel bike or on a mountain bike?

Rephrase slightly (do not own a gravel bike) - MTB soft tail or hard tail?

[Jbr]

Quick question, I'm preparing another race (Nova Eroica), but I think my question is still relevant in this thread : which tube should I take as a spare in case of a puncture for a 700x40mm tyre ? Rather a road 700 or a MTB 29" ? I suppose both are pretty much the same size so they would both work ? The road one being lighter but also maybe less puncture resistant ? I'll also be carrying plugs and self adhesive patches, so carrying a massive MTB tube seems like going a bit overboard..

[ChrisF]

27 minutes ago, Jbr said:

Quick question, I'm preparing another race (Nova Eroica), but I think my question is still relevant in this thread : which tube should I take as a spare in case of a puncture for a 700x40mm tyre ? Rather a road 700 or a MTB 29" ? I suppose both are pretty much the same size so they would both work ? The road one being lighter but also maybe less puncture resistant ? I'll also be carrying plugs and self adhesive patches, so carrying a massive MTB tube seems like going a bit overboard..

 

I carry a Specialized spare tube.

 

Simply because it packs away smaller than any real tube.

 

 

It is  MTB tube, but the smallest size 29" tube.

 

 

Sure was glad I had it on this day .....

[Spinnekop]

2 hours ago, pedal menace said:

Rephrase slightly (do not own a gravel bike) - MTB soft tail or hard tail?

Hard tail for sure.  

[pedal menace]

14 minutes ago, Spinnekop said:

Hard tail for sure.  

Tx - BUT - I saw an earlier post stating (or seemingly alluding to) a LOT of corrugated dirt roads. If so - would a soft tail then not be a better option. I have done plenty Transbaviaans and many of those roads are badly corrugated and cannot see riding that on a hard tail. OUCH!! 

[_David_]

Hardtail is perfect for that race. I did it on a hardtail, the corrugation wasn't that bad. The killer was the wind and sand after the half-way mark.

Edited April 5, 2023 by _David_

[eala]

Train 5 to 6 quality hours in the week .I try and do as many road 100km races as i can before such a long event ,they do wonders for your legs and endurance .Ride over four hours at least once . Pace yourself . Cramps in the last 30 km will be the biggest challenge for most riders .Have a plan for them .Get your core in proper shape .Eat and drink normal food .Energy drinks ,gels help but they do not replace proper hours in the saddle     

[creobiatch]

Illness has prevented from training for the 160km but I see there is a 50 miler option which I can manage.

Does anybody know if there is any other shuttle service from Sun City as I was told by the race organisers that they have not arranged anything.

[100Tours]

On 4/5/2023 at 8:55 AM, Jbr said:

Quick question, I'm preparing another race (Nova Eroica), but I think my question is still relevant in this thread : which tube should I take as a spare in case of a puncture for a 700x40mm tyre ? Rather a road 700 or a MTB 29" ? I suppose both are pretty much the same size so they would both work ? The road one being lighter but also maybe less puncture resistant ? I'll also be carrying plugs and self adhesive patches, so carrying a massive MTB tube seems like going a bit overboard..

If you're lucky you will find a 700cx40mm spare tube, but otherwise I tend to use the narrowest 29er tube I can find (1.8" or 1.9" if possible).

I also think it is important to use a slime tube. you've just had a flat on tubeless, chances are your tyre is full of tiny thorns and glass, a slime tube is just so much safer to prevent the second flat.

 

[peetwindhoek]

On 4/4/2023 at 4:59 PM, raeez said:

Just a question is it better to do the race on a gravel bike or on a mountain bike?

If you own both for this race I will take a gravel bike. There is one place where I had to walk a couple of meters, but I also had to walk it the year before on my mtb. I think the difference for me was like 30 mins between the 2 types of bikes and what stood out for me on the gravel bike is that I was able to stick to stronger riders that I would not have been able to hold onto with the mtb.

I did see several other gravel riders having a hard time staying on a jeep track at one section. But I think that was because of the speed and skill levels. (Every year it seems more riders are on gravel bikes).