[Event] Filthy Fondo Gravel Caledon

[MongooseMan]

I suspect he's saying "if you halved the price you'd get double the riders" (since currently the entry fee is ~R820).

With that said, as others have pointed out, current gravel entry fees:
Gallows: R1350
Ceder: R2450
Around the Pot: R1295
Race to the Sea: (can't find it)

Canola Roller: R1100

 

So honestly, I don't think attacking the organiser charging R820 is the right way to go...

[Skubarra]

49 minutes ago, wessie12 said:

What a idiotic comment. My post was a honest observation specifically for the Caledon event. Is it sustainable? The last event was changed to a ride because of poor ticket sales.If it's a boutique event and it is advertised as one then I can understand but it's not. There is at least 20 to 30 gravel riders in the Overberg that asked the same question on various cycling groups in the area. At the end of the day the decision lies with the riders , some like myself considered cheap will pass. Good luck and enjoy

I feel your pain, R820 for a bike ride is not cheap. The reality though is that the cost of hosting events ballooned over the past few years - red tape, insurance, ambulances, traffic etc. Would have been much easier to rectify if it were the organisers taking fat profits but unfortunately thats usually not the case.

I still love doing events but at +-R1K per entry there is no way I can afford to race every other weekend. Would be interesting to see how viable hosting "small" cycling events will be going forward.

 

 

[babse]

trailseeker MTB at R520 seems like a black friday special. 

[BuffsVintageBikes]

Bleating over entry fees for races has been around for as long as I've been pedaling a bike. I myself have been found guilty of it and sat with egg on my face when the race I bleated about was exceptionally well presented with outstanding routes. I apologized afterwards.

Unless you can present it for less and do a better job, then it's best just to keep quiet and vote with your feet and not attend the event. You will find out soon enough if it was the right decision because the event will either flourish or die a slow death.

On a personal note, all the events I've done of Archies have been well presented and worthwhile attending. I've yet to finish one and think, "now that was a waste of money". He and his team go the extra mile and the routes are normally first class.

Edited January 12 by BuffsVintageBikes

[Jbr]

Other than the price, any comments on the route ? How rough/rocky/techy is it ? How much tar along the way ? Need to start thinking tyre strategy here 🤣

[Sid the Sloth]

6 minutes ago, Jbr said:

Other than the price, any comments on the route ? How rough/rocky/techy is it ? How much tar along the way ? Need to start thinking tyre strategy here 🤣

you will probably find a nail regardless so run the tyres you are least sentimental about

[betaboy]

Any old folk paths that horses used are bound to expose some old shoe nails  from yesterday. Those will penetrate the best TPI you running, and no amount of plugging will close that crate, unless, you willing to stuff some road kill dassie with a once good coat!  Hairy & scary all at the same time….🤭😝💥

[Sid the Sloth]

5 minutes ago, betaboy said:

Any old folk paths that horses used are bound to expose some old shoe nails  from yesterday. Those will penetrate the best TPI you running, and no amount of plugging will close that crate, unless, you willing to stuff some road kill dassie with a once good coat!  Hairy & scary all at the same time….🤭😝💥

I got confused by the end of the first sentence

[HubArch]

On 1/19/2026 at 7:09 PM, Jbr said:

Other than the price, any comments on the route ? How rough/rocky/techy is it ? How much tar along the way ? Need to start thinking tyre strategy here 🤣

If i have to say so myself 😆

This route is probably on the best gravel surface you can get! Basically zero corrugation, mostly smooth hardpack and about 95% gravel, 5%tar. I always joke and say you can probably do this race on a road bike!

Edited January 22 by HubArch

[Kylie]

12 minutes ago, HubArch said:

If i have to say so myself 😆

This route is probably on the best gravel surface you can get! Basically zero corrugation, mostly smooth hardpack and about 95% gravel, 5%tar. I always joke and say you can probably do this race on a road bike!

True. I did the last one and can confirm 👌

[betaboy]

So Champagne Gravel does exist in Africa. Don’t tell the yanks 😝

[mikkelz]

GPX was sent yesterday – route looks identical to Dirty DC. Having never ridden there, any feedback from those who have? Surface, climbs, anything to be aware of. 😎

[BuffsVintageBikes]

From my experience of riding adventure motorcycles around there, it normally has a great surface this time of the year. Judging by the profile there are no big climbs but the accumulative effort of those constant rollers will eventually turn the legs into jelly. Looks like it'll be a fast ride until 62kms and then the pain will start 😩

 

[mikkelz]

Thanks, that's useful. I was surprised by the total elevation. 🎢🚵‍♂️

[Jbr]

I heard one of the descents is nasty, I'll fit a front insert when I get a chance

[bleedToWin]

17 hours ago, BuffsVintageBikes said:

Looks like it'll be a fast ride until 62kms

Yeah that final descend around about that mark was a bit hairy 2 years ago when I did it. It gets steep and a bit rocky and ends with a sharp turn. Hopefully we can go down at a sane pace and duke it out on the climbs in the final 40km rather than risk it bombing down there...