[Event] Lions Karoo to Coast MTB

[Zandile Meneses]

Event Name: Lions Karoo to Coast MTB
When: 22/09/2024
Where: Uniondale, Western Cape
Category: Gravel

The Lions Karoo to Coast MTB Challenge - 24 Sept 2024 is one of SAs original point to point MTB events. This route is Gravel Bike Heaven and we welcome MTBs, E Bikes and Gravel Bikes with prize categories for all. The event is a an Official Seeding Event for the Cape Town Cycle Tour and 2023 entrants receive a 33% discount on 2024 entry costs- online entries at www.karootocoast.com

Go to Event Page.

[Dicky DQ]

So now it is a gravel bike race, my how things have changed from gravel bikes being banned.

[Bub Marley]

What would be the best bike to use?

 

I’ve never done this race before.

[Hilton.]

Depends, how technically skilled are you? I would say 95% of this race is totally fine on a gravel bike.

But there are some (few) sections which are closer to mountain biking, like the descent after the first big climb. It will be fine for riders with some experience of technical mountain biking behind them, if you want to use a gravel bike.

[Jewbacca]

On 1/8/2024 at 6:49 AM, Dicky DQ said:

So now it is a gravel bike race, my how things have changed from gravel bikes being banned.

Adapt or die!

 

[Hilton.]

3 minutes ago, Hilton. said:

Depends, how technically skilled are you? I would say 95% of this race is totally fine on a gravel bike.

But there are some (few) sections which are closer to mountain biking, like the descent after the first big climb. It will be fine for riders with some experience of technical mountain biking behind them, if you want to use a gravel bike.

Wait, nevermind, I think it's been smoothed out a lot! Check here:

 

[Dicky DQ]

14 hours ago, Bub Marley said:

What would be the best bike to use?

 

I’ve never done this race before.

You could do it on a road bike with wide tires, or Gravel or MTB or Eversions of them; each have their benefits and drawbacks. All depends on what you feel like riding. There are no challenges on the course any more excepts some corrugations and some loose stones.

[Dicky DQ]

14 hours ago, Jewbacca said:

Adapt or die!

 

Note, I was just commenting on how vehemently they opposed allowing drop bars a few years ago.

[Bub Marley]

2 hours ago, Dicky DQ said:

You could do it on a road bike with wide tires, or Gravel or MTB or Eversions of them; each have their benefits and drawbacks. All depends on what you feel like riding. There are no challenges on the course any more excepts some corrugations and some loose stones.

Okay so it is technically a gravel race then. I wonder if they will drop the Mtb from the name in future years.

[LFK]

Hardtail, full sus or gravel bike?

[Jackb]

I did this race in 22 on a GB for the first time. Let's say it wasn't comfortable. It felt like i needed a wrist replacement. Last yr was canceled and by most reports the route was in better condition. The real problems you have on a ridgit bike is having to deal with corrugations going downhill and on the corners in the forest sections.

If your GB can take a wider tire like a 45-50mm, I'd say you'd be better off and for some that have a head shock then even better. 

But if the roads are in good condition then a GB is a no brainer. 

[Skubarra]

Drove up the Prince Alfred Pass by car a few days ago. I'm a gravel bike fanboy (did the Knysna mtb short route on my gravel bike the past weekend) but I found myself wondering if a gravel bike really has a clear advantage on the route. Up the climbs definitely but many of the downhills are steep with some washed away sections, loose gravel, corrugations, steep turns etc

For me its a bit of a coin toss tbh, will be interested to see which type of bike dominates in the long term.

Too early to be relevant but fwiw the road conditions are pretty good at the moment, a few washed away sections from the rains but roads are generally smooth.

[Rowl]

Similar with Knysna, if you have both a mtb and gravel, I would go with the mtb for this race as well (given the feedback above). I am going to do it with my mtb (which is a DS), I think the HT would be the best for this. If you're out to win it or comfy with the uncomfort, then probably a gravel.

[Bub Marley]

I think if the terrain is similar to the Knysna route then I’d agree with taking the hardtail for my skill level. I think the gravel bike will be faster for some but you really need to know how to handle your bike to benefit from it. 

[monsterINC]

The long downhills of the event favour MTB, done the route on a gravel, spent allot of time on the brakes having to slow down due to the corrugations

 

[MORNE]

Did it on a rigid mtb before. Didnt die. Best bike for this will be a short-ish travel hardtail on fast rubber in my opinion. Maybe gooi 34 or 36 chainring for more speed if you care. If i did it again thats what i would do. Purely because that would enable you to smash the downhill sections relatively fast too. But i would also not be too worried about doing it on my gravel bike. Or be a clown and do it on an enduro bike haha. Pass people on the downhill sections at mach4 (and walk the rest😊)