[Event] The 36ONE MTB Challenge

[JohanDiv]

14 minutes ago, hboli4 said:

That part of the world broke all records for rainfall in the past 2-3 days with some more predicted for Oudtshoorn next week and some parts cut-off due to roads washed away etc. 

If the event goes ahead there might be some route changes and some challenging road conditions...

If I was still 50/50ing between MTB and gravel bike, I'd now go MTB without a doubt.

Towards the end of the route it can wash away quite bad and expose long sections of river bed boulders as you ride along Wynandsrivier that is even tricky to ride on a MTB. You'd definitely walk that on a gravel bike.

Before and after Rooiberg when you cross Gouritz(currently in flood) twice around 220kms and 270km it can also expose boulders that's tricky to ride over. It also gets muddy easily around CP1. Doubt it will dry out before the race even if it stops raining now within the next few days.

[hboli4]

19 minutes ago, JohanDiv said:

If I was still 50/50ing between MTB and gravel bike, I'd now go MTB without a doubt.

Towards the end of the route it can wash away quite bad and expose long sections of river bed boulders as you ride along Wynandsrivier that is even tricky to ride on a MTB. You'd definitely walk that on a gravel bike.

Before and after Rooiberg when you cross Gouritz(currently in flood) twice around 220kms and 270km it can also expose boulders that's tricky to ride over. It also gets muddy easily around CP1. Doubt it will dry out before the race even if it stops raining now within the next few days.

Definitely. I reckon the sections through the farms will be tough going and muddy and as you say especially around CP1. Agree on the riverbeds, will probably also be tricky along the river after Calitzdorp.

Oudtshoorn itself apparently pretty flooded.

[Skubarra]

1 hour ago, JohanDiv said:

If I was still 50/50ing between MTB and gravel bike, I'd now go MTB without a doubt.

Towards the end of the route it can wash away quite bad and expose long sections of river bed boulders as you ride along Wynandsrivier that is even tricky to ride on a MTB. You'd definitely walk that on a gravel bike.

Before and after Rooiberg when you cross Gouritz(currently in flood) twice around 220kms and 270km it can also expose boulders that's tricky to ride over. It also gets muddy easily around CP1. Doubt it will dry out before the race even if it stops raining now within the next few days.

Don't quite follow your thinking - 360km route, the sketchy river sections you mention maybe 1km of the route? You will maybe lose a few minutes compared to the mtb on those short sections at most?

Just to clarify - I dont think the short sections where you will be faster on a mtb outweigh the rest of the route where you should be faster on a gravel bike. And if its really bad on those sections you will be slow there on a mtb as well.

In my limited experience of riding in mud (limited because I really try to avoid it if I can 🤣), thinner wheels just deal better with mud & water so if I know its going to be muddy I opt for the gravel bike.

 

[JohanDiv]

24 minutes ago, Skubarra said:

Don't quite follow your thinking - 360km route, the sketchy river sections you mention maybe 1km of the route? You will maybe lose a few minutes compared to the mtb on those short sections at most?

Just to clarify - I dont think the short sections where you will be faster on a mtb outweigh the rest of the route where you should be faster on a gravel bike. And if its really bad on those sections you will be slow there on a mtb as well.

In my limited experience of riding in mud (limited because I really try to avoid it if I can 🤣), thinner wheels just deal better with mud & water so if I know its going to be muddy I opt for the gravel bike.

 

The section that runs parallel with the Wynandsrivier that will likely be affected in parts after the floods is 8km. The first Gouritz crossing you actually approach the Gouritz river along one of the river tributaries for 10km. Definitely more than 1km to consider. Typing that out, if ALL of that is affected, route change or emergency road repairs would be on the cards surely.

Regarding mud, CP1 surroundings usually 2-3km in normal winter perfect conditions. I'm not sure where else mud is going to be an issue after the storm. I just know my gravelbike doesn't deal well with mud. Even with 45mm the mud gets clogged up between the tyre and frame quickly.

[Dogs]

Extended weather forecast predicts chilly sunshine days😁, just like we have in Gauteng at this stage.

Some rain predicted for the Tuesday, but the damage has been done.

2 years ago was a real s...t show - mudguards did help a lot though.  And a sense of humour...which I lost in that mielie field after CP1.

[hboli4]

Update just made on their socials. In short - race going ahead at this time but expect route changes. Update to follow early next week.