_David_

Listen to your body take a break from riding but don't stop exercising. Go to the gym or start running just don't get lazy sitting at home, otherwise it will be very difficult to come back to riding.

Will definitely get the job done, I see Dylan Johnson did Leadville on a Drop-bar hardtail. https://www.pinkbike.com/news/bike-check-dylan-johnson-leadville-100-2023.html

So drop-bar mountain bikes might be the best of both worlds. It's just a pity that they are incredibly ugly.

This thread is making me think of scratching an itch I don't have; I'm now considering a gravel bike. Please educate me on what would make a gravel bike better than the light carbon hardtail mountain bike I already own. 🙂 Does it come down to gearing and efficiency on the road?

+1 for the Apple Ultra.

Hardtail is perfect for that race. I did it on a hardtail, the corrugation wasn't that bad. The killer was the wind and sand after the half-way mark.

I did the race last year and I really enjoyed it, tbh it was a bit tougher than I thought it would be. Take it easy in the beginning and make sure that you eat enough. No uphills means no downhills, theres hardly any freewheeling you pedal for a 160kms.

Will be perfect for Race to the Sun. There was lots of loose sand and corrugation on last years route.

Vuma Fibre / Web Africa at home, zero issues never goes down. Rain 5G at the office and noticeable drop in speed during laodshedding and no connectivity after about an hour.

I used Ian Craig when I was still doing Triathlons. Can highly recommend him. https://www.thenutritionalinstitute.com/about/41-ian-craig Edit: Sorry looks like he might have emigrated and not in JHB anymore. Mail him and see if he can recommend someone in JHB.

Sounds like a great idea.

Spend some money on marketing and advertising? Word-of-mouth marketing is a powerful but will only get you so far.

Reminds me of the steering dampers you get on Superbikes.

You can rent from these guys but imo they are expensive. https://bikemarket.co.za/bicycle-rentals/ I have seen guys rent bikes at Cradlemoon, might not be the best place to go for your first ride.

No that is terrible, I had a bike setup done with Kirk just before lockdown. Bought my first Yeti from them a 26ers when they were still Morningside Cycles. What happened to him?