Robrider

Also depends on your goal. If your goal is to finish, then just have fun and ride as much as you want.

I don't think this is a great idea. Half the comradery (sp??) is because you have to endure the entire journey with everyone else. I also feel sorry for the teem members suckered into riding the first three days when their buddies get to ride in the drakensburg and sani2c...

I had the same problem with xtr metal pads. this is how you solve it: 1) sand pads 2) clean pads with thinners 3) clean rotors 4) throw pads in bin and buy resin pads. problem solved

+1

Uuuuummm.... don't take medical advise off the internet. Go to a doc. There is a reason they study for 10 years.

+1 I was a bit confused by the post. Its kinda like buying someone a canoe and a ski rope.... they just don't go together.

If I remember from another post you did, you don't cool down after sessions either? Kind of spitting in the face of all the scientific research out there. I agree that warming up before a race is difficult. The pro's have it easy riding up to the line 5 min before the start and getting a place in front. I still think there is a benefit to warming up, even if you cool down a bit.

Had all 3. SPD's suck. I prefer candys over eggbeaters because of the platform.

With that cassette I recon you have lost any weight advantage you would have gained (prob a bit heavier overall, in fact)

Tool - 46&two is an awesome riding song.

The speed is controlled by the lead vehicle. It travels at a pace that is safe for the riders to get through the traffic in town and I think that its up to the discretion of the race organisers and the lead vehicle. Its not about making sure riders don't crash into each other. That guy is a tosser, don't blame the neutral zone. I think as long as you don't pass the lead vehicle, its fine. And if you can't keep up with it, train harder.

Maybe look at the Freedom trail? Theres a website that explains the route. Its from Petermaritzburg to Capetown, all off road. Its the same route as the Freedom challenge, but can be done as a tour.

That's my point. If you have changed it and it still persists, chances are the problem is somewhere else.

So both your bikes are creaking, and you both bought new crank sets, and they both still creaking.... Sounds like its not the crank set at all. There are many things that can creak on a bike, and sometimes the sound sounds like its coming from somewhere else. Here are a few: Saddle Seat post pedals bottom bracket head set suspension pivots (if duel) chainring bolts Check out all of those before you blame the crank.

I bought glasses on CRC and it was fine. Didnt get charged extra duties for "clothing". Why don't you add a few extra things on to the list and you will get free shipping. And generally the post office delivers directly to your door... at an unexpected time of day... unannounced.... and only accepts cash as payment for VAT. Other than that I haven't had a problem.

Cool, I'm, just trying to get some confirmation, because a R600 difference is a deal breaker for me, and I would hate to get a nasty surprise.

Do you still have to pay duties of that helmet? Helmets usually work out to be about 44% when imported. That would come to R2021. more than buycycle (edit)... http://www.buycycle.co.za/buygear/helmets/giro-en/giro-prolight-road-helmet-giro.html

RECOVERY! When you train your body breaks down. When you recover, it repairs itself to be stronger than before. That's why recovery is so important. I am not surprised that the body still requires more food when recovering. I think you will start to store some of it after a few days though.

I have used it for 3 years without problems. I also use the selle itallia SLR with carbon rails. I don't exactly do DH riding, but I do race quite hard in some fairly rocky terrain, and also ride VG, reitvlei and have been to mankele. Personally I don't know why anyone rides with other seat posts that cost more and are heavier. On another note, I used to ride it on a hard tail, with no problem. Now I have a soft tail, and I think it takes significantly less impact compared to the hard tail.

Yeah, from my crude calcs using the table in the link I also get a turning point at about 2750m and another peak at 3300m. But I'm making quite a few assumptions. Interesting though.

Drag is directly proportional to density, and power is proportional to drag. So in other word 0.8 relative density means there is 80% the density of air at sea level, hence 80% of the drag and 80% of the power to remain at the same speed. I got out my density tables., and it looks something like this: feet: relative density 0 :1 1000 :0.9711 2000 :0.9428 3000 :0.9151 4000 :0.8881 5000 :0.8617 6000 :0.8359 7000 :0.8106 8000 :0.7860 9000 :0.7620 10000:0.7385 11000:0.7156 12000:0.6932 13000:0.6713 14000:0.6500 So if you had to compare JHB at roughly 5000ft (ok its a little higher): Your threshold power drops by 7% Your power required to hold a certain speed drops by 13.8% Hence you should have approximately 6.8% "extra" power available at altitude.

I think that's the nature of sport. You gotta be the best on the day. The World Cup (XC and DH) series rewards consistent results. But to be world champ its one race, all or nothing.

Thanks Johan. I will be in touch next week after my bike has been trashed by the wet and muddy hilton race

your granny gear ratios- Currently: 22/34 = 0.647 Proposed 26/36 = 0.722 So your granny gear will be a little harder that what you currently have Pros: You will have a bigger gear for the downhills (I have seldom ever needed this) Cons: If you a weight weeny this will prob add 150-200g to your ride. With the 11-36 you will have bigger "gaps" between ratios (Some people think this is a big deal, I am not sure) Ground clearance Non-"standard" parts are more difficult to find (for replacement purposes) My opinion: why bother?

You shouldn't talk about your boss that way