Gravel burn 2025

[Julian.Robinet]

1 minute ago, BuffsVintageBikes said:

Why the hell am I suffering from such FOMO? I know I'll probably die if I had to try race this, yet here I am trying to find a plan to raise 50K for next years entry fee 🤦‍♂️

What is really blowing my mind is the speed of the 50+ riders in this field. Damn, those boys are mixing it up in the Overall with the 19-34 group. Insane how strong they are.

It's impressive to see the speed of the 50+ riders but I think it's important to notice that there are only 15 riders in the 19-34 age cat riding...

[BuffsVintageBikes]

1 minute ago, Julian.Robinet said:

It's impressive to see the speed of the 50+ riders but I think it's important to notice that there are only 15 riders in the 19-34 age cat riding...

I noticed that yes and it had me wondering if it's because of associated costs or is the younger generation just not that big on cycling anymore?

[Julian.Robinet]

5 minutes ago, BuffsVintageBikes said:

I noticed that yes and it had me wondering if it's because of associated costs or is the younger generation just not that big on cycling anymore?

I think for south african riders the cost and the fact that the Kevin and his team took "inspiration" from other events that those riders attend and blatantly copied did not resonate too well... Look at local races like Tour of Ara, The Gallows, The Ceder, Road to Desolation, Tanqua Kuru and Stanford 100. And the Night burn last night is a replica of the the Mother Amateur Cycling Club Dust event. - Concept, Routes and aesthetics have been copied and sold to big brands to build a new epic. - Copy paste...

[ajnkzn]

20 minutes ago, BuffsVintageBikes said:

Why the hell am I suffering from such FOMO? I know I'll probably die if I had to try race this, yet here I am trying to find a plan to raise 50K for next years entry fee 🤦‍♂️

What is really blowing my mind is the speed of the 50+ riders in this field. Damn, those boys are mixing it up in the Overall with the 19-34 group. Insane how strong they are.

Also getting fomo 🤣

14 minutes ago, BuffsVintageBikes said:

I noticed that yes and it had me wondering if it's because of associated costs or is the younger generation just not that big on cycling anymore?

Definitely cost and stage of life. 
 

Other than sponsored guys very few 20-30 have the cash and then for 30-40 year olds it’s cash, time, leaving wife and children for 8-9 days etc etc. 

[Bub Marley]

15 minutes ago, Julian.Robinet said:

I think for south african riders the cost and the fact that the Kevin and his team took "inspiration" from other events that those riders attend and blatantly copied did not resonate too well... Look at local races like Tour of Ara, The Gallows, The Ceder, Road to Desolation, Tanqua Kuru and Stanford 100. And the Night burn last night is a replica of the the Mother Amateur Cycling Club Dust event. - Concept, Routes and aesthetics have been copied and sold to big brands to build a new epic. - Copy paste...

It’s definitely cost related. This is an expensive race if you dont have a sponsor.

 

The other points you mentioned doesn’t really stand for me. Loads of races intertwine with each other and use the same or similar routes. There is no patent on a route or a climb. There is only so many routes you can do to include the same climbs, which is what we want to do. I don’t think you need to worry about them stealing the other events. They all have a place on the calendar. Not many can afford 50k so will appreciate the 1 day races where we get to ride the same terrain. 

[Nick]

29 minutes ago, BuffsVintageBikes said:

I noticed that yes and it had me wondering if it's because of associated costs or is the younger generation just not that big on cycling anymore?

Stage racing is a cult. Riding for eight days is not representative of most cyclists' riding habits or aspirations. It's not a good sample for making conclusions about the cycling community as a whole.

[BuffsVintageBikes]

Maybe not but just about all National events are down in numbers as well and that's an indicator worth noting.

[Headshot]

Looks like AMP has taken the lead in the women's  event after today's stage. I suppose we're getting to the point where stage race roadies are going to start shining.

[Shebeen]

2 hours ago, Cabous9 said:

@Shebeen, I have dropped that into an Excel file and then sorted it by overall standing. You will see Benky is in 32 pos. Hope this is what you wanted.

I like Black Label draught😉

GB Standings after Stage 3.xlsx 190.3 kB · 3 downloads

Thanks! kind of proves my point if you had to work it into excel though?

What is my point? I guess it's that they've deliberately chosen to do it this, splitting everyone into 5yr age gaps means there are races within races.

there's another stage race that you just click "all" and you see the whole field.

 

[tubed]

1 hour ago, Nick said:

Stage racing is a cult. Riding for eight days is not representative of most cyclists' riding habits or aspirations. It's not a good sample for making conclusions about the cycling community as a whole.

this is very true

 

[Shebeen]

1 hour ago, Nick said:

Stage racing is a cult. Riding for eight days is not representative of most cyclists' riding habits or aspirations. It's not a good sample for making conclusions about the cycling community as a whole.

Bikehub inc has been a little bit quiet here. No media ride for the big cheeses?! What did you guys do to Kev?!

This guy with the media pass has been tjopestil, maybe he is kakking off?

https://www.instagram.com/aaron.borrill/

 

 

speaking of Kev, with DG there, expected to see KevEv too.

 

 

ok enough stirring now.

 

 

[Headshot]

Borril is 5th in 40-44M

[warrencharlesza]

4 hours ago, BuffsVintageBikes said:

Why the hell am I suffering from such FOMO? I know I'll probably die if I had to try race this, yet here I am trying to find a plan to raise 50K for next years entry fee 🤦‍♂️

What is really blowing my mind is the speed of the 50+ riders in this field. Damn, those boys are mixing it up in the Overall with the 19-34 group. Insane how strong they are.

i had an entry but had to let it go back to the pool of nedbank entries as it was my daughters 16th birthday, so the FOMO is real

[DJuice]

Think I have a plan, for my FOMO.

My bond is with Nedbank...my wife is gatvol for the house renovations standing still. Just perhaps it is possible to lend more, cozy with up with Pieter for an entry..my stars must be aligning while typing received an email about the new Open Upper 2.0 with electric Campy Super X....what is this loan to value they talking about.

[Shebeen]

1 hour ago, warrencharlesza said:

i had an entry but had to let it go back to the pool of nedbank entries as it was my daughters 16th birthday, so the FOMO is real

So it was a sponsored entry, nogal? You are a much better dad than me, I would have sent such a heartfelt postcard from Willowmore and then told her that the reception was scatchy.

[betaboy]

Without the big numbers in the 50-54, this event would have fallen flat IMHO. 47K x88= 4.1 Bar!