Jules

I do this all the time. Even for races as short as 100k. When you're finished the bottle on your downtube, simply swap it with the one in your shirt, or chuck it somewhere it will be found and re-used. That way you only have the discomfort for the first hour or so.

If you do have scrap the Biocentric BB, I'd look at a Bushnell wedge type EBB. It is by far the best design of EBB (but not the lightest). I bought mine directly from the Bushnell people in the states, together with a shim to fit my GT Peace.

Athena and Chorus both use the same 11 speed cassette. Centaur is 10 speed.

Like the 11 speed chains, it probably needs a R3000 tool to close the belt...

Is this race taking place on the dark side of the moon?

Which race are you referring to? In my experience, even the smoothest of MTB races can cause pinch flats of 35c tyres, unless you're ultra careful (or slow). Conti makes a 42c CX tyre that's more suited to MTB-type riding.

Thanks guys. Yes, I was on a 32X14 on a 29er. A good gear for most of the course, but it was quite challenging on the rocky climb. The 35k okes might have been short-changed on distance but the 70k riders were in luck: we got an extra 3 or 4k. The new route is nearly ten kays longer than the old one, and instead of climbing the hill twice, we do it three times. The approach is also harder and more rocky.

Hubbers, please be on the lookout for an old, tiny (50cm) red Cannondale 2.8 racing bike with mountain bike handlebars. I had given the bike to my employee, who is not a rich man, to use for transport. The bike was stolen tonight in the Lyndhurst area. He is distraught; it was probably his most valuable possession. If any generous hubbers feel like donating a small frame or bike of little value, I'm sure it would be very much appreciated.

I would have thought the answer was obvious. Burry's been on a 29er too long. By now it feels like a 26er to him. He needs to take his equipment to the next level. If he had been on a 32er he would have won the race. The rock garden would have felt like a mere patch of gravel. Guys, nothing rolls like a 32er!

Perhaps he did one of JB's fork service workshops?

Ok I see it on Cyclelab. Looks good.

What day is the Suikerbos race and where can we see details?

Come do the Intergalactic Single Speed champs at Rietvlei on Saturday

I also enjoyed it, although I don't know if my poor bike is going to recover from having its hubs submerged for such extended periods... It was my first duathlon. Managed to ride myself into 2nd place in the bike leg but I lost two places in the final 2km of the second run leg. The race was well organised and offered great value compared to most pure cycling events. Entry fee included a goody bag and T-shirt. Good jol.

I've entered the duathlon - it'll be my first race in that discipline. Is anyone familiar with the course? I'm interested to know how offroad is offroad? Will I be OK in my ordinary running shoes? Is the MTB course technical?

Does this mean there will be space to overtake in the first few km? Is the 40km route laps?

I've lost a quick link while descending before. If you're freewheeling, the road surface is not great, and your chain is clean and well-lubricated, it is possible for the quick link to work loose. That's why it's worth considering the quick links that need pliers for removal.

Don't bother. Action Photo's business model is a scam. What they are doing is illegal in terms of Government Gazette 27312.. Rather report them to the Department of Trade and Industry's Consumer Affairs Committee. Action Photo cannot claim to be unaware of their breach of the law; I alerted them to it years ago. Yet they continue to bully people into buying photos through inertia marketing and extortion.

That start was insane! I was in the middle of the bunch and had to do some low flying to catch you okes. I always feel bad pushing to the front at the start, but it doesn't seem to bother some other people who certainly don't belong there. I usually tell them "you better hope I don't pass you later" when they push past MJ, you rode like a beast yesterday; well done on your result! And thanks for stopping and helping me when I crashed.

Yebo yes, the best South African doper so far has been Nolan. He admitted guilt, gave a sincere apology and left with his tail between his legs. A bullsh1t story can be smelt a mile off. This bottle story is just too improbable. I wonder whose idea it was to spin that yarn? The sad thing is there are, I believe, mitigating circumstances, which have become clouded by this stupid bottle story. Bad PR! Jules2010-05-07 13:06:15

Eish what a f*** up! The excuse about the bottle is laughable. Are we getting the whole story? I doubt it. However, from what I know about Ian, he has the talent and the pedigree to win races without dope. I believe them when they say he has knowingly done no wrong. Astana, you make a good point. All the busts in SA have been for "stupid" drugs. There have been no EPO or transfusion busts, probably because of the cost involved or the limitations of the tests themselves, and it would be naive to think a segment of our pro riders aren't doing it...

Anyone know who won the sub vets and what the time was?

I pipped Colonel by 5sec at the Giro but he gave me carrots today . 2:50 for me. I would have been worse were it not for Colonel's teammate. Don't know his name but his number was 91. He paced me home for the last 30km and gave me encouragement on Suikerbossie. I'm embarrassed to say I only had the energy to come through for a few pitiful pulls. Thanks dude!