SPAR Signs on as Swiss Epic Title Sponsor
Four-year title partnership to strengthen premier mountain bike stage race in Graubünden
SPAR Switzerland has signed a four-year title partnership agreement with the Swiss Epic mountain bike stage race, hosted annually in Graubünden, Switzerland. The race will be known as the SPAR Swiss Epic from 2022 to 2025.
The Swiss Epic, is already one of the world's premier mountain bike stage races and forms part of the Epic Series™ Global MTB. With the aid of the new title sponsor, SPAR Switzerland, the SPAR Swiss Epic is expected to evolve from strength to strength by further improving the rider experience of the 800 mountain bikers who travel to Switzerland's largest and easternmost canton.
"SPAR Switzerland is proud to be a part of the prestigious Swiss Epic," Gary Alberts, Chief Operating Officer of SPAR Switzerland, said. "Like SPAR, the Swiss Epic strives to bring families and friends together while promoting a fit and healthy lifestyle in our picturesque Swiss surroundings. We look forward to enjoying a close working relationship with the Swiss Epic team to achieve our dream: to further establish the SPAR Swiss Epic as one of the world's biggest and most sought-after mountain bike events."
"We are excited by the opportunities partnering with SPAR Switzerland brings to the SPAR Swiss Epic," the event's Managing Director, Felix Eichenberger, stated. "We pride ourselves on putting the riders first and SPAR will help us do more for every team. The race is already famous for its exceptional riding on Graubünden's trails, warm hospitality, and delicious food. It's safe to say that SPAR's sponsorship will take the service stations to a whole new level."
Graubünden will remain integrally involved in the SPAR Swiss Epic going forward. Since becoming the host canton for the event, every edition has sold out. "Graubünden and the event host towns – Davos, St. Moritz, Lenzerheide, Laax, Arosa– will continue to play a vital role in the success of the SPAR Swiss Epic," Eichenberger confirmed. "The 2022 edition is sure to be one for the history books with a brand-new route, incredible trails, and an experience that is second to none. While the professional riders race for the win, the amateur teams will Conquer the Alps, achieve personal goals, and experience Graubünden in the best way possible: by mountain bike."
The SPAR Swiss Epic is set to take place from the 16th to the 20th of August 2022 as it takes in the trails of Arosa, Laax and Davos.
For more information on the SPAR Swiss Epic, please visit swiss-epic.com.
Media related enquiries can be directed to: Fabian.riedmann@ironman.com.
Sappi Karkloof Classic to hostS A Marathon Champs
Karkloof - The popular Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th May has been given an added boost by being awarded the Cycling SA Marathon Championships for 2022.
The legendary trails through the Sappi plantations of the Karkloof are a popular choice for trail runners and mountain bikers, and the annual trail festival is expected to see the Karkloof Club a hive of activity on the last weekend in May.
Serious senior MTB athletes keen to challenge for the SA medals will need to train for a tough 85 kilometres in the saddle as the signature event will decide the national marathon titles for elite, sub-veteran and veteran men and the elite women for 2022.
The top junior boys and women age groups riders will do battle for the SA medals over the 60km layout, the junior girls and female masters will contest the 40km race and the sprogs and nippers and sub-juniors will ride the 20km race.
The event usually attracts the cream of the country's MTB marathon specialists, which will make the 30th anniversary of what has become one of the country's benchmark events a red letter weekend on the national racing calendar.
"We are going to make sure that it is a really special occasion to get back to racing and a full event," said Karkloof chair Andrew Nicholson.
"We are going to put on a big show with a focus on great value, great atmosphere and getting back to having fun on the best trails in the country.
"There is a lot of interest in the events so we expect a big turnout," said Nicholson.
"Riders and runners can expect amazing water tables and amazing trails. The committee and the trail building team have been putting in a huge effort for some time now and it is looking good for a special weekend at the Marriott Karkloof Country Club."
"And being SA Champs is just going to add to the weekend," he added.
In a change from previous year's the Enduro Festival has been moved to a stand-alone event on the weekend of 11th and 12 of June.
The Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival 2022 will take place on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 May. More info can be found at https://www.karkloofclub.co.za/events/sappi-karkloof-classic-trail-festival-2022/
BOLAND GRAVEL MONSTER BUDGET ENTRIES INTRODUCED!
We are delighted with the uptake for the inaugural Boland Gravel Monster, which takes place in Wellington on 18 September, and we would like to thank the mountain-bike and gravel racing community for their support! We are, however, sensitive to the fact that financial challenges present a barrier to entry for a number of riders.
In response, we are allowing a budget entry option for the Gravel Monster until 31 May which will enable riders to enter at R650. Budget entries will exclude the Ryder Puncture Repair Kit and other race pack items which riders receive that enter at the full price.
The Boland Gravel Monster is a special gravel bike race over 150km and 2000m vertical ascent, traversing some of the most beautiful hybrid riding terrain in the Boland.
Date: 18 September 2022
Venue: Welbedacht Estate, Wellington
Distances:
150km Gravel Race
2000m vertical ascent on Gravel and tar.
Entry Fee: R1050
Budget Entry Option: R650- exclude the Ryder Puncture Repair Kit and other race pack items which riders receive that enter at the full price.
Budget Entries available only till 31 May only.
More Information and to enter, click the link below
http://www.cycleevents.co.za/mtb-events/boland-gravel-monster-2022/
Squirt Cycling Products Introduce Easyfill Pouch for Squirt SEAL Tyre Sealant
The up-cyclable packaging has clear, step-by-step, instructions as well as a volume dispensed indicator on the back of the packet.
Tubeless tyre set-ups can be tricky, or rather messy, for home mechanics. Which is why Squirt Cycling Products have created the Squirt SEAL Tyre Sealant 120ml Easyfill Pouch system. It allows for spill free top-ups of tubeless tyre sealant, leading for more hours of puncture-free riding and cycling enjoyment.
“As cyclists ourselves we’re all to familiar with the hassles of tubeless tyre set-up and maintenance,” Danie van Wyk, of Squirt Cycling Products noted. “Something, which when working well makes your riding experience so much better, can become a nightmare when sealant levels run low or dry out in your tyres. Seating tubeless tyres the first time requires the right tools, in the form of a compressor or compressor floor pump as well as a knack for the job. But maintaining a tubeless set-up, once the tyres are seated, is really easy. Especially with our new Squirt SEAL Tyre Sealant 120ml Easyfill Pouch.”
The 120-millilitre flexible laminate packaging, which can be up-cycled into material for use in road surfaces, roof sheeting and construction decking is filled with Squirt Cycling Products’ biodegradable SEAL Tyre Sealant. The packaging features clear, easy-to-follow, instructions on how to top-up one’s tyre sealant using the Easyfill Pouch.
The Squirt SEAL Tyre Sealant 120ml Easyfill Pouch makes topping up tubeless tyre sealant easy.
“Simply remove the valve-core, allowing the tyre to deflate completely. Shake the Easyfill Pouch and fit the nozzle over any standard Presta valve. Then gently squeeze the desired amount of Squirt SEAL Tyre Sealant into the tyre, using the convenient millilitre scale on the back of the pouch to dispense the exact amount required. Replace the valve core, re-inflate the tyre and go for a short, 50-100 metre, ride to disperse the sealant throughout the tyre,” Van Wyk explained.
Regularly topping up one’s tubeless sealant ensures ride enjoyment by plugging punctures when they occur. The Squirt SEAL Tyre Sealant has been tested in the harshest of conditions, including the Absa Cape Epic, and has proven capable of sealing punctures caused by an object of up to 6-millimetres in diameter. This is due to BeadBlock® technology which used not only microfibres but also BeadBlock Granules in the latex formulation to mechanically seal larger punctures.
Along with the new Easyfill Pouch’s hassle-free application benefit it is also more environmentally friendly and easier to transport than the 150-millilitre plastic bottle it replaces. The laminate packaging is reusable for other purposes, unlike the single-use plastic bottles. Yet it is robust enough to be stored in a toolbox or packed in a bike packing bag without risk of leakage.
For the distributors the benefits of the Squirt SEAL Tyre Sealant 120ml Easyfill Pouch include that the geometry of the pouches increases bulk packing efficiency by as much as 53%. This translates into cheaper logistics and increased energy efficiency for transportation. Compared to Squirt Cycling Products’ previous 150ml bottles, the packaging of the laminate pouches weighs 33% less, which further reduces transportation costs.
The Squirt SEAL Tyre Sealant 120ml Easyfill Pouch was rigorously tested by riders and mechanics at the 2022 Absa Cape Epic and passed with flying colours. It will be available in all good bike stores, world-wide, from May 2022. To find out more about Squirt SEAL Tyre Sealant, the Easyfill Pouch and the full range of Squirt Cycling Products visit www.squirtcyclingproducts.com
Living Colour Adventure Rides
Modern-day adventurer and co-founder of Darling Brew and Darling Brew Extreme, Kevin Wood has spent the last 40 years traveling extensively throughout Southern and Eastern Africa, exploring “off the beaten track” locations that are memorable for their beauty and serenity. This, along with his passion for mountain biking and desire to share this experience with others, has culminated in Living Colour Adventure Rides, a bespoke experience for individuals, families, friends or colleagues. This pioneering pathfinder and avid bike rider has connected with local folks in these remote areas along his travels and packaged adventures based on the experiences he has enjoyed the most.
Kevin will guide you along the way, tailoring the rides to suit your pace, guaranteeing you a unique experience, spectacular views and memories for life. The rides are restricted to 10 pax only and take place three times a year in the following areas:
Wild Mountain Dirt Ride: Located in wild mountain country in the Rhodes area and the rugged mountains of the South Western Drakensburg.
Chasing Waterfalls Dirt Ride: Situated between Port Edward and Port St John - arguably the most beautiful stretch of coastline in Southern Africa.
Silver Star Dirt Ride: Located in the Great Karoo between great open spaces and fiction-worthy night skies, bursting at the seams with stars.
These rides are perfect for the keen mountain and gravel bike rider, who is reasonably fit and looking for a great opportunity to ride through the picturesque, lesser-known landscapes of South Africa. These routes take you through beautiful, unknown countryside, where you will meet new people and enjoy the region’s culture and cuisine. Living Colour Adventure Rides is the perfect experience for anyone looking to broaden their horizons from the seat of a mountain bike. For a maximum of ten people to enjoy at a relaxed pace, these rides are highly personalised and customisable - Kevin can tailor make packages according to your needs. Unlock the opportunity to explore these lessor-known areas by bike.
E-bikes are welcome!
Contact us or visit our website for more information and bookings.
Contact:
Kevin Wood
kevin@livingcolour.co.za
074 141 9862
Socials:
https://www.livingcolour.co.za/adventure
Instagram: @livingcolourdarling
Facebook: @livingcolourdarling
Local innovators cSixx have just dropped their latest nifty product: the cSixx Dropper Lever.
Dropper Lever //
When you are slapping the saddle down almost as often as changing gears you want to ensure that you have a sharp actuation with no hesitation or doubt in your mind that it won't lower out of the way.
cSixx have tried and tested almost all the levers on the market, integrating what they liked into theirs and found solutions to issues that they had with others.
Their main areas of focus are lever feel and ease of use/fitment.
Responsive Feel
Design to eliminate cable slack and ensure direct actuation
Cable Routing
Intuitive cable routing for ease of installation.
Material & Hardware
CNC machined aluminium construction with an oversized pivot bearing adds a combination of rigidity and a smooth feel to your ride.
Barrel Adjuster
Fine-tune to achieve your desired actuation point.
Mounting Options
The body is designed to be SRAM Matchmaker compatible as it is the most versatile standard.
Additionally to that, they have made a bar clamp for riders not running SRAM brakes.
These 2 mounting options should allow anyone to fit the cSixx lever to their bars.
cSixx have said they will be making adapters later down the line for all types of other brakes on the market like Shimano, Magura, Hope, and others.
These will get made in priority of the number of requests they get - so message them if you are interested.
All will be cross-compatible and the only item you will need to purchase is a small adapter.
SRAM Matchmaker
RRP - R 999
Clamp
RRP - R 1,125
Go to https://csixx.com/products/dropper-lever?variant=42559000674533 for more info or to purchase