Trackz

Rock - CSA sent teams of both sexes to race at MTB both worlds in 2006. TitusTi - I take your point on the type of training but some of the ladies in question have a better chance of a podium for their sponsors at the Epic that at European races. If I'm a sponsor ... I'd want my riders at the Epic on the podium ... unless CSA is off course prepared to compensate me for loss of exposure. Tricky one.

Several top European men ride the Epic as their opening of the season race so I can't see how it can be much of an issue for the ladies looking to campaign in Europe. BTW: If any of you doubt the technical abilities of ladies like Yolande Speedy I suggest you go join her for a ride over technical terrain. Lap racing (cross country) and marathon are 2 different disciplines. You can't compare them. I have ridden parts of the Merida courses in Europe and they are very similar to our Mazda series, ie non-technical. Lap racing or XC is more technical but don't confuse with marathon.

Well done BBi and welcome to the world of MTB stage racing. Sabie X 05 was my 1st ... Sabie X 06 my 4th and I have entered 2 more ... its addictive!.

Rode it all - was the best part of the whole race!

I train exlcusively on a MTB offroad and ride only the big races on a road bike or tandem. I am not prepared to place my life in the hands of a non-caring motorist and trust him to miss me by less than a metre whilst driving at 100km/h+ - I do not even trust anyone on this forum enough to drive on a tar road. How often do you see people (yourself?) going out of you lane cause you are talking on the mobile or picking something from your cubby or tuning the radio. I am sorry but I value my life too much to trust fellow motorists - mountain biker forever. PS: We will never achieve a sufficient respect status in this country to make tar roads safe for cycling. I have ridden in Europe and you need to go there to see just how much South Africa needs to change before we'll have safe cycling - not in my lifetime folks.

Don't bother with either. Being mountain biking, if your bike is under 13kg the weight is a minor factor - you will gain plenty more benefit by improving your technical riding skills, your pedalling efficiency and by getting your bike setup (shock & tyre settings) fine tuned for performance.

.... kan nie dink dat Bioplus dit kan doen nie - dis maar net goedkoop Red Bull - werk vinnig uit jou stelsel uit Ek hou dit maar vir 'n noodgeval - normaalweg en op Sabie behoort 'n GU jou in elk geval weer vinnig (10-15min) reg te kry as jou energie laagloop - jy behoort nie Bioplus nodig te he nie

Self nog nie eintlik peanuts probeer nie ... try dit en laat weet hoe dit gaan. Persoonlik is ek te bang vir 'n peanutp**p op die presiese oomblik dat 'n cute camoqueen verbykom.

jy kan ook 'n toebie probeer maar soos ek jou ken gaan jy so jaag dat jy bloedrooi in die gesig is en nie stop om te eet nie probeer sakkie Bioplus ipv kafeinpilletjie gooi ook sakkie Rehydrat in jou backpack

Voor die ride: - drink jou bottel Energade/Carbo op vandat jy opstaan tot voor jy opry wegspring toe - eet 'n breakfast bar tipe ding in die halfuur of so terwyl jy by die wegspring wag Tydens die ride kan jy maar "normaal" eet & drink. - vat maar jou gels & energy bars soos gewoonlik, jy drink hulle tog nie aanhoudend nie - vat iets souterigs soos stukkies droewors om die eentoonigheid te breek - drink carbo drinks & water (dit kan BAIE warm raak op plekke) - rosyntjies & jelly babies Na die tyd: - recovery drink so gou moontlik (hoog in carbo & protein) - Wimpy burger en groot milkshake vir lunch - Spur steak en groot milkshake vir aandete Bel my as jy meer wil weet. C

... and this is the smallest photo you could find?