[Event] Crater Cruise Gravel

[Scary Rider]

@Attie Koekemoer and @'Kaze Pete, I got notified that the road past Suikersbosrand and Venterskroon was graded this week.

Can you maybe give some feedback as to the success of the grading action so that I can give feedback to the ward committee.

If need be we can try and arrange for another grader session.

['Kaze Pete]

The road was in good condition yesterday. Usual (thin) muddy spot at the bridge after the T from Koedoeslaagte.

To me, the road was in good condition generally, I even managed a few Strava PRs 😊 Could just ride, not hunt lines

This was on a hardtail 29er with >= 2.3 tyres

General Observations:

1. Bottom of the back of Venterskroon downhill, people were filling a rut.

2. Going over the bridge before the drag to the Potch tar road it’ll be best to be careful about bike lines taken. Not sure if the repair works included repairs there

3. Apparently the road(s)? on the ‘far’ side of Skandinawïedrif is still very wet/muddy. Guess it’ll get some attention as soon as machinery can get in safely.

[Scary Rider]

12 hours ago, 'Kaze Pete said:

The road was in good condition yesterday. Usual (thin) muddy spot at the bridge after the T from Koedoeslaagte.

To me, the road was in good condition generally, I even managed a few Strava PRs 😊 Could just ride, not hunt lines

This was on a hardtail 29er with >= 2.3 tyres

General Observations:

1. Bottom of the back of Venterskroon downhill, people were filling a rut.

2. Going over the bridge before the drag to the Potch tar road it’ll be best to be careful about bike lines taken. Not sure if the repair works included repairs there

3. Apparently the road(s)? on the ‘far’ side of Skandinawïedrif is still very wet/muddy. Guess it’ll get some attention as soon as machinery can get in safely.

Thanks for the info.

I know that the Elbrinxen road is a river at the moment. Will ask some friends farming that side about the road conditions👍

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

Kiddo and I will be there on the tandem! 

['Kaze Pete]

16 hours ago, RobynE 🚵‍♀️ said:

Kiddo and I will be there on the tandem! 

The tandem, or two single bicycles?

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

4 hours ago, 'Kaze Pete said:

The tandem, or two single bicycles?

The (gravel-prepared) tandem 

[RDL101]

I wonder how many people will be doing it on mountainbikes? I entered the 50km half cruise but don't want to be the only one there sporting wide wheels and non racing snake likeness

['Kaze Pete]

On 5/24/2025 at 10:22 AM, RDL101 said:

I wonder how many people will be doing it on mountainbikes? I entered the 50km half cruise but don't want to be the only one there sporting wide wheels and non racing snake likeness

You will not be the only one. Go, and just have fun. In any case, everybody will be too busy enjoying themselves to worry about others being ‘different’!

 

and the racing snakes? Let them racing snake!

[JJDT]

On 5/24/2025 at 10:22 AM, RDL101 said:

I wonder how many people will be doing it on mountainbikes? I entered the 50km half cruise but don't want to be the only one there sporting wide wheels and non racing snake likeness

I think it will be most probably a 60/40 split 60% MTB and 40% Gravel. My son and myself will form part of the 60%.

[RDL101]

I was more thinking of finishing 2 hours after the other guys with their 10kg gravel machines. Past the point in my life where I am worried about being different 😁

['Kaze Pete]

  

46 minutes ago, RDL101 said:

I was more thinking of finishing 2 hours after the other guys with their 10kg gravel machines. Past the point in my life where I am worried about being different 😁

The non-elite 92 & 145km riders also have to finish. So you will not be all alone at the finish and on the route! 

Edited May 26 by 'Kaze Pete

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

46 minutes ago, RDL101 said:

I was more thinking of finishing 2 hours after the other guys with their 10kg gravel machines. Past the point in my life where I am worried about being different 😁

No, that will be myself and my daughter on the tandem. We’ll probably still be out there for some star-gazing. 

[U1Nanimous]

Sooooo..... 

Do we at least get a 10mins headstart if you rock up at the start in the original Crater Cruize, Ride Mag shirt?

['Kaze Pete]

Who'll be there? 
https://www.anatomic.co.za/products/crater-cruise-t-shirt
 

[SilverRider]

l'll be there with my 26" dual suspension MTB. Grateful the event is revived and that we can ride in the Koepel. 

[Stevovo]

Race week! Not much to be done fitness wise so time for weather and route watching. My first real gravel race on a gravel bike. Gonna hurt for sure! I see they predicted the 145km race winner in 3:55!! Joh! 

It looks like we might miss the cold front that will come in on monday. Actually a little warmer morning on sunday which I am VERY gratefull for. Hopefully the wind dont  blow too much. 

Been riding the roads the past month on the gravel bike. It felt really good but today it suddenly felt as if it got very harsh very quickly. Hopefully it was just in my head. I saw some roads got grated today and really hope they will get to the main one going past venterskroon as well before the weekend. Dont know if you have info @Scary Rider?

Nervously excited for this one.