Kletterer

thanks. the frame came in at about R 1300/kg. Weight was just over 2000g. Final weight is 11.4 kg, paid just over 30k. I used to ride a 26" fully and will try the HT now. If I am not happy the next step will be a softail 29er frame.

Thanks, Raptor. Another shot at bar and seat...

old couch, new bike. first time 29er. collected it yesterday. went for a well priced frame (not sure about the colour, though) with nice components . can't wait to take it onto the trails now.

Broke my Giant Anthem X2's frame on Sunday while riding the Biogen 70km at Babba's. The seatpost just broke out of the frame, near separating top tube from seat tube and I ended up sitting on the wheel. Had to bend it back and force the post down into the frame in order to finish. Now asking myself the same question. I am 1.97m tall, 94 kg. With the seatpost out to the max point on an XL size bike I am worried about stress on the frame. Will a 29 HT be the better deal for me? Will it last? Timing is good. Wife is all sympathetic.

I started cycling a little more than two years back and did nothing before that. With no fitness I couldn't really run nor swim any distance. Now, with lots of cardio fitness from cycling I find that trying other disciplines is fun. When I started running I didn't have to worry about endurance, just my running legs had to develop. I swam the Midmar Mile doing breast stroke as I really was a non-swimmer and never felt exhausted in terms of heart and lungth capacity. Just the arms hurt afterwards. In my view x training is a revelation for building endurance and flexibility as taking up new activities is so much more fun when you already have the base fitness. All that remains is to get used to the different mechanics.

True. But then it still has some value in marking you out as a cyclist while you are not on your bike. You no longer have to wear those jawbones on your head when taking the family out for sunday lunch. Losing cycling glasses or having them scratched by your kids will set you back more than R 300 a piece.

I suppose the weight is negliable. Then the question remains if you take a chance to miss out on something that might or might not make your mates faster than you.

I believe that have an annual event for some years now. Apparently about 300 participants or so. This year it should be different as the route is entirely new. Hope they get the great support they deserve. It's certainly worthwhile coming to, even if from a bit farther away.

I happened to be visiting at the Oribi George last Friday when we got an invitation to join a test run of the new 25 and 45 km courses at Lake Eland (Private Nature Reserve). With the MTB race scheduled for the 10th of October the new track has just been finished and we were asked to ride it and give feed back along with a group of local riders. Wow! Everyone should come and ride this piece of marvellous terrain in spectecular settings. So much work went into the trails, crossings and traverses along the George. It's beautiful, fast and exhilirating. The route first winds up and down the hills near the camp side, making most of the contours. Here you won't lose the other riders out of sight as there are loops and switchbacks galore. Then it goes up and over towards the George where the trail follows the steep drop off into the canyon. Little rock sections, steps and bridges make it even more interesting. Great down hill sections and a ride through a cattle dip (!) follow with forest section, soft ground and rock sections. On the 45 km loop there is maybe 10% in distance that isn't single trail. Thanks to Trevor, Wim, Eric, Stuart, and everyone else involved (I didnt get all the names right). It was probably one of my best MTB rides ever. Thanks also for the fantastic lunch afterwards. I already envy everyone riding on the 10th while we are back in Pretoria. Enjoy it! Cheers Marc

Cool. Thanks so much for your responses. I've put the road bikes on the rack this morning. So it will be the road race from Pellisier. See you there. Sunday's group ride at 11am might be bit late for us as we are heading back to Pretoria around lunch time. I am looking forward to seeing what cycling in Bloem is all about on a hopefully perfect spring day. Then we'll go and watch the Springbocks win. Look out for couple on Merckx's and a German accent.

I will be leaving for a weekend in Bloemfontein tomorrow. My wife is coming along and she agreed that we take the bikes and ride together on both days. I dont know Bloem at all. Where to go? Take the MTBs or road bikes? The easiest would be to join a group on both days. Who knows of anything? Otherwise I would also be grateful for any tips on nice routes.

Does anyone know if the MTB results will be published and where?

it was a fantastic event. thanks to the organisers, helpers and the town of LT! I did the 175 km on Saturday in VB and this morning the 20 km MTB with my daughter. The long climb on the short mtb option surprised me but it was beautiful and enjoyble all along. trails were marked well and the routing through forrests and bush just awesome. Will do the combo again. Road race is one of the best. Roads are excellent and quiet. truckers wait patiently at road blocks and cheer us on to go faster. Only thing I dont get: Why do some riders still consider it 'cool' to throw their empty gel wraps into the ditch? Stack your trash!

If we accept that there is no immediate solution, no armed guard on the path, no satellite cycle tracker, etc, what then? Stop riding outdoors? If it is true that we are such a resourceful bunch of people, with money to spend on bikes, equipment and events, then we should be able to turn this STRENGTH into our own response. I read sometime, somewhere about community centres offering free bicycles against some contribution and participation. If bikes are stolen to be sold for 500 bucks as means of transport, then why not make bicycles available that cost just that, or less? And plenty of them, too. One could get people to donate their old bicycles, drop off spares and parts, raise funds from interested sponsors and donors and run 'bike shops' out of an old warehouse or factory near the townships. There, anyone can come, use the workshop to assemble, repair and service their rides with the help of volunteers. A store makes used bicyle parts available. Getting access to parts and workshop will require for any aspirant to pay a minimal fee, say 100 Rand, and subscribe to some sort of 'give back' commitment, ie assisting with maintenance, cleaning, maybe even guarding trails, etc. Such an initiative could also promote itself at races or places like Groenies and Northern Farms where the 'volunteers' could provide assistance, information and attract more support from cyclists. I realise that this sort of activity would not be the answer, but it might convert or prevent some souls from buying stolen goods while becoming part of a cycling community. Maybe it would help another issue too. More cyclists make for more awareness about road safety. Why are we so far behind to Europe when it comes to our safety on the roads? The sheer numbers over there make all the difference. We should do everything we can to get as many South Africans as possible to change to cycling, no matter if they are presently commuting on foot or by car... ...an idealistic thought, I know...

b-unit, couldn't agree more. every single time I marvel at that place. the trails, the setting, the game, it's all just awesome: moist parts of forest trail, hardpack in the felt and rocky climbs. it's clean and the staff is friendly. Now they even opened up a kiosk. When will a bicycle business set up a trailer shop to offer tubes, slime, patches, bottles, helmets, tools, gloves, etc on weekends? It's an obvious opportunity. Also cool wood be a pedestrian/bicycle bridge to cross over the R21 to Klapperkop. Now that that side has been fenced in it would be a logical extension of trails at Groenkloof. With regards to direction, it's about common sense to me. All signs are set up to start the loop from the little wooden hut. Going the other way is irresponsible. Havent seen it happening on single tracks, though.

the way things are at the moment a lot has to be done. roads are public space but motorists who never walk, run or cycle on them dont seem to be able to aprehend what it is like outside the steel shell. i have been cut off this morning by a lady who could not slow down and wait for 3 seconds for us to pass by her office drive way. she overtook and then pulled in so we had to stop. where does this disrespect and complete ignorance come from? I support these initiatives (and just donated to Ray following cyclewife's appeal) but I am sceptical as to how impatient, self rightous, ignorant people can be reached and convinced that we share roads and need to mind each other, even if we have to slow down and make space sometimes. This applies to all kind of people, whether in cars, on bikes or on foot.

Agree with parabola. There is no question that the potential benefit from training is larger than bling on your bike. I was still taken aback, though, when I decided to take my old aluminum frame with mavic aksium wheels and a compact crank for a ride the other morning. On the same route as any other tuesday morning I couldn't keep up with my training partner. We rode hard but I was down by a little more than 1.5 km/h on average, which I found significant. Maybe the fact that I weigh 92 kg amplifies the effect from a softer frame and heavier, less stiff wheels? In any case, I felt much better about all the crazy money that I spent on my 'new' bike, wheels, etc, etc

On the MTB I've been running Maxxis Crossmark and Monorail. Couldn't destroy any of these yet, no matter what. The Monorails feel much faster than the Crossmark and grip is excellent. On the road I presently run Michelin Krylion Carbon on Campy Euros for training and racing. My wife rides on the Lithion. Both offer excellent grip, longlivity and puncture resistance. Tried the Michelin Pro3, a beautiful ride but it tends to pick up stuff from the road, especially in the wet...

We are heading down to Cintsa Bay on the 23rd and until the 11th of Jan. Have never been that way before. Realise it is not EL but not far either. Can any of you tell me what to expect and where to go... Would like to avoid getting into the car at all during the holidays, hence am curious if their are good trails / routes around. Planning to take MTB for the whole family and going to do some slower/softer/shorter rides together with the kids as well as treating myself to early morning rides alone for a good work out.

'There are no results available' is the message on both, Racetec and Cyclechallenge web sites ?! Notes that Telkom Satellite results have also gone missing on Racetec. Anyone knows what is going on?