two hands

Been interesting scrolling through the during- and post-Epic comments and correlating it to my experience of riding the event this year. Since I was the journalist who actually got this quote from Burry back in 2012, in an interview for the 10-year coffee table book "African Epic: The Untamed Mountain Bike Race" maybe I can offer some context. This was part of a long, rambling and fairly philosophical conversation Burry and I had as he was driving to the airport to race another World Cup block. If you knew Burry, you'll know this wasn't about discounting anyone's mountain biking experience or commitment to the sport. It has nothing to do with whether Epic riders are the only true mountain bikers. He certainly didn't believe that. It wasn't inferring that the Epic was a measure of your worth as a mountain biker. Hell, at that stage most of the World Cup pro field hadn't even considered racing a Cape Epic. Nino had only done one (in 2010). Burry genuinely rejoiced in meeting and encouraging all riders, no matter their age, background or ability. He was simply saying that no matter where in the field you finish – in a jersey or with twice the finishing time of the pro field – the Epic unites us all in that it takes a certain amount of vasbyt and suffering to complete one. Anyone who has ridden a Cape Epic knows this. Those who have supported a pro team, a mate or loved one know this too. Even if you arrive at the Prologue in the best shape of your life (fitter than your partner, even!) you are now at the mercy of the weather, the terrain, mechanicals, race village viruses, other riders' skill levels, your own mental health, the list goes on... This is true for the entire field. Sometimes you are the hammer, sometimes you are the nail. Not only relative to your partner but at the hands of all the variables that conspire to end your Epic campaign. If you're human, you'll suffer somewhere out there. Burry recognised that was true for all Epic riders, himself included, and wanted to close the perceived gap between the experience of top riders and those further back in the field.

So, we're two days out from the Songo.info Champions Race and our confirmed pro start list is looking pretty solid. Still to add a few big names to the start list so expect high-octane racing! E-MTB at 5pm Pro Women at 5.30pm Pro Men start at 6pm If you're coming to watch, consider joining our E-MTB race before the pro action starts: there are a few celebrity e-bike riders to rub shoulders (and handlebars) with! And if you really can't make it in person, watch it via this live streaming link: Men: Matt Beers (RSA) Howard Grotts (USA) Alex Miller (NAM) Johan Van Zyl (RSA) Keegan Bontekoning (RSA) Arno du Toit (RSA) Herman Fouche (RSA) Unathi Nxumalo (RSA) Tumelo Makae (LSO) Christoph Sauser (SUI) Konny Looser (SUI) Jaroslav Kulhavy (CZE) Rossouw Bekker (RSA) Women: Anne Terpstra (NLD) Nicole Koller (SUI) Alexis Skarda (USA) Vera Looser (NAM) Sarah Hill (RSA) Faranak Partoazar (IRN) Sofia Gomez Villafañe (ARG) Samara Sheppard (NZL) Danielle Strydom (RSA)

A few updates to share: We have confirmation the Specialized Factory Team will be there: Matt Beers, Howard Grotts, Sofia Gómez Villafañe and Samara Sheppard. The Toyota Specialized boys are also rocking the race: Alex Miller and Johan van Zyl. Jaroslav Kulhavy, Insect Science and Pump for Peace will be racing too. Joining Sofia and Samara in the women's field we have Ghost Factory, as well as Faranak Partoazar from Iran and local ripper Sarah Hill. We're working on a host of top local and international riders and will keep you posted as they're confirmed! Ineos Grenadier is now a co-sponsor Fibertime will be creating a live stream so you can follow at home (but we'd prefer you to be in Kayamandi in person!) Max Cluer is our live announcer and bringing the gees! We have a DJ on the hill above the football fields busting some tunes. Part of the course includes the Songo.info BMX track, which will make for great action! Come watch, it's free and parking is marshalled and secure. If you're keen to race the E-MTB category (it's open to anyone), all race details and entries can be found here: https://qkt.io/EC0U8f E-MTB entries have been slow, but Ariane Lüthi and Jason Boulle are confirmed. Come join the fun and give them both a run!

Please reach out. I'll gladly take you on a tour of the secure and safe programme Songo.info runs in 'Kayamandi'. I'm serious. I'd love to show you a side to Kayamandi that you haven't seen. Bring your bike for a burn on our BMX track. I've been a trustee of this programme with Christoph Sauser for over a decade. Our dear friend the late Burry Stander was also a founder. Sipho Madolo, a graduate of Songo.info and one of the most inspiring men you will ever meet, is the programme director. We see hope and opportunity. We don't see danger, we see a vibrant and close-knit community that grapples daily with a legacy of poverty and unemployment that produces many social ills. Yes, like most townships in this country there are challenges, but it is not made up of thugs and muggers. Kayamandi is home to working-class families, single mothers, and kids, like mine, like yours, who are just looking for a safe place to play and learn. We provide that. We provide meals for children from food-insecure families. We have teachers and coaches and mentors and volunteers giving their time and energy to make sure our children have a chance to change the world, change other people's perception of them, but mostly to believe in themselves. And the Songo.info Champions Race is an opportunity to safely celebrate the more than 1,100 kids we have helped through school, and taught to ride over the past 15 years. Please attend. I will personally look after you and make sure you have a great time. Who knows, maybe even a life-changing experience? If nothing else, check this video we released today for a shot of inspiration. Meet Mila, a straight-A student from a local school and part of the Songo.info community... remember the name.

Event Name: Songo.info Champions Race, presented by fibertime™When: 13/03/2024Where: Kayamandi Sports Fields, KayamandiStellenbosch, Western CapeCategory: Mountain BikeThe greatest mountain-biking spectator event – the songo.info Champions Race – is back from a three-year hiatus, with fibertime™ as the new presenting sponsor. The short-track event will be staged in Kayamandi on Wednesday, 13 March 2024. The event's proximity to the Absa Cape Epic means it will again feature the world's best MTB racers, excited to hone their skills and support the charity. Mountain biking fans are invited so come watch the afternoon's action at the Kayamandi Sports Fields, below the songo.info clubhouse. Join the E-Bike Race The elite men’s and women’s races in the event are by invitation only but E-Bikers can pit themselves against one another (and a few pros!) and the thrilling 2.5km urban course at the songo.info Champions Race, presented by fibertime, for the first time in 2024. Entries are open to the general public and can be purchased through Quicket, for a R350 donation. The E-Bike race will follow the same 20 minutes, plus 1 lap, format of the elite men’s and women’s competitions. Watch it on fibertime.tv The 2024 songo.info Champions Race, presented by fibertime, will be broadcast live on fibertime.tv. Tune in from 16:30 to watch the build-up and follow the racing action from 17:00. Further excitement from the event will be captured on the songo.info social media handles, with stories on Instagram and Facebook. Be sure to follow @songoinfo on Instagram and like the songo.info Facebook page. Go to Event Page.

Okay, the Songo.info Quiz Night at Jack Black's Brewery is a week away and currently we have more prizes than actual guests signed up (gotta love Cape Town!). So if you're loathe to go Christmas shopping and something from Jack Black, vida e caffè, Squirt, Specialized or a couple's weekend away in Bainskloof tickles your fancy, it's a shoo-in! Oh, and Matt Beers said he'd gladly have beers with you if you came.

Yes, I'm commenting on an event I posted. But it's for a good cause, so all's forgiven! As you wind down/up for Christmas madness why not spare an evening for some good vibes, trivia, beer and burgers and join us for a Quiz Night at Jack Black Brewery's awesome Taproom in Diep River, Cape Town, for Songo.info's last fundraising event of the year? There are quality prizes for the winning teams from our friends at Jack Black and Squirt. Plus, there's some proper lucky draw prizes from Specialized and vida e caffè we'll be throwing around. Most importantly, we'd like to share with the Cape Town bike community the empowering work in education and sports development we do on the daily at Songo.info to support the kids of Kayamandi. Did I mention Matt Beers is coming? Beers with Beers, and trivia. Do you need more?!

Event Name: Songo.info Quiz NightWhen: 30/11/2023Where: Elfindale, Cape Town, Western CapeCategory: General & IndustryJoin us for a night of trivia and good vibes in support of Songo.info – a cycling and education trust supporting the youth of Kayamandi township, outside Stellenbosch. The last one we hosted in August was an absolute blast! So we're doing it again. Three teams walked away with beer, coffee and bike gear! This time it'll be just before Christmas. Score! Gather a team of 6-8 friends and put your general knowledge to the test. Amazing prizes from our partners Specialized, Squirt, Biogen, vida e caffè and Jack Black’s Brewing Company. Date: Thursday, 30 November Venue: Jack Black's Taproom, 10 Brigid Rd, Diep River, Cape Town Jack Black’s Taproom opens at 5.30pm for burgers and beers.  The Pub Quiz begins at 7pm. Entry is R120pp. Booking is essential and on quicket.co.za Go to Event Page.

And did I mention there’s a free Jack Black pint on arrival? 🍻🙌🏼

C’mon hubbers, nobody interested in watching me make a fool of myself on Saturday night at Jack Black Brewery as Quiz Master? In support of a solid cause – Songo.info

Event Name: Songo.info Quiz Night - 26 AugWhen: 26/08/2023Where: Jack Black Brewing Company, Elfindale, Cape Town, Western CapeCategory: General & IndustryJoin us for a night of trivia and fun in support of Songo.info – a cycling and education development trust helping the youth of Kayamandi township. Gather a team of 6-8 friends and put your general knowledge to the test. Jack Black Taproom opens at 5.30pm for burgers and beers and a chance to win some non-quiz prizes from Specialized.Quiz starts at 7pm sharp.Amazing prizes from our partners Specialized, vida e caffè and Jack Black’s Brewing Company.R100ppBooking essential: https://qkt.io/songodotinfoquiz Come challenge your mates to a battle of brains and support the next generation of cycling stars! Go to Event Page.

Thanks, appreciate the feedback. I fully agree and I wish Songo.info could run a raffle. We’re investigating how to do so in future so watch this space! However, It’s not as straightforward as you’d think: a ‘society lottery’ or raffle requires registration and approval by the National Lotteries Commission and is subject to audit. We focus on using our limited resources to make as big an impact as possible in Kayamandi with our sport, education and life skills programmes. Unfortunately, we don’t have the resources to invest in setting up a raffle at this stage, so auction it is. On a separate note: you’re welcome to donate to the cause at any time if you feel drawn to doing so. There’s a ‘donate’ button on the website. And we love inviting riders (and the general public) to come see the work we do at the Songo clubhouse and check out our BMX track. It is a true community hub and never fails to blow people away! You are officially invited next time you’re in Stellenbosch! 😉

Oh, just to add, I bought a 3T gravel fork conversion kit so I could run an old 15mm mtb wheelset on my Open U.P. gravel machine.

Try https://forkmods.com. I was hesitant at first (shipping, timing, payment issues) but after costing a local engineering solution and comparing with these guys I gave them a chance. I was blown away by the service and couldn’t endorse them more… Not sure if they have what you’re after but they are constantly adding new products for various hub/fork configurations. Good luck.

Frame is toast. Sadly. Also check that his seatpost is inserted enough (especially if he is a big guy!). If the end of the seatpost is only inserted into the seat tube collar or as far as the toptube junction the leverage of his weight being pushed back on the seat tube can cause the cracking.