Robrider

I have just had exactly the same problem... Maybe I will take a photo on the week end and post it here. Basically, the stancion was so worn that oil would leak despite changing the seals. So I decided it just wasn't worth changing seals again, at R200 a pop. Spoke to JB about it quite a bit, and also got quotes from Fox. Basically, Fox quoted me R3000 for new stancion/crown/steerer. JB went there privately and managed to get it for me for R1500 (significantly cheaper than a new fork). So I replaced that. Its no more difficult than a shock service, and the fork feels like a brand new one. Also if the wear is visible out the top, it wont be the lower bushings, maybe the upper bushings. But those are also cheap to replace and can be done at the same time. My bushings were fine though. Lastly, I was in exactly the same boat with a F80RL, and started looking at all the good deals on 100mm travel forks. Did alot of research and on the manufacturers website (Kona) they said you must definately not change it to 100mm travel. Apparently it changes the whole feel of the bike, loads, etc. Personally, I cant think that it makes that much difference, but because of that warning I stopped looking at 100mm shocks. Hope this helps a bit. Good luck

Fissen baby bum cream

I live 18km from work and ride in cycling kit. I usually put cloths in my backpack, or if I'm really organised I take extra clothes and leave them at work the day before (at least shoes because they are bulky). I then shower at work. If its short enough, I would still wear cycling gear, and just not shower... use a face cloth to clean yrself off, lotsa deodorant, and get changed into work stuff... I don't do it everyday, but I feel great when I do, and save a ton of petrol and a teeny bit of the environment too

That topeak mount broke on my second ride with it. I wouldn't trust it.

Oatmeal

The Kenyans (Divid and Davidson) at JoBerg2c told us that they only use water ever becuase the sugar in the drink takes the blood away from your legs to digest the sugar. I'm not saying that I agree, but they were pretty hardcore, and came 2nd over all.... Just saying.

I can vouch for that... I was very nervous to service my shock, and I went on Johans course. It really is quite easy, but I would have never had the guts to do it without assistance.

You can ride yourself fit. But the last 3 days are by far the easiest on the race. Personally, I would say, just get as much time on the bike as possible. I think it was joint/tendon issues that caused most people to pull out, not lack of physical ability. We were doing 2-3 hours a day during the week and one 100km+ ride and one 60km ride on the week ends, mostly at hekpoort. I also lost alot of weight leading up to the event, but I don't think theres much you can do about it except try look after your immune system as best as possible. Take rest days when you need them. Good luck for the race, you will love it!

While we on a topeak rant, I bought a seatpost bottlecage mount. On the second ride (Hekpoort) it snapped clean off. And thats riding a duel, so there wasn't even as much impact as a hardtail. I havn't managed to take it back to the shop yet though, so I will wait and see how its handled.

Haha, Nice. I have ridden the Monster with out a small chain ring, as well as quite a few races in Mpumalanga with some serious climbs. I am leaving it off for Barberton, but will put it back on for Sabie (just in case). In general its not needed, but there are a few cases where you do need it. I went to Mankele and rode with out it, but if I raced the 3 towers I would definately put it on.

Yeah, another issue I have is that I have friends riding the half marathon. We used to get ready together, go to the line together (and beacuse they are slowish) finish roughly together. Have a lekker braai and chill for the arvie, and take a chilled trip home on the sunday, sometimes stopping at some touristy places. Now, we going to do none of those things together. Kinda defeats all the fun. They say that they will get more exposure, but if less people come, they won't get more exposure To me it sounds like the only people benifiting are those entering both races.

Teaks climbs are too small. For good hills, I would take a drive to hekpoort (breedts as mentioned above). It is a bit far out, but you do that hill two or three times and you will know about it.

Just a question on that note... How do you guys actually conduct deals on the hub? Bearing in mind you could be scammed from both sides, you don't want to EFT before you have the goods, and you dont want to reslease the goods before you have the money... Bit of a catch22. And if some1 brought R20k in cash to my house I would prob go to a police station. So are there any "procedures" you go through? Personally Iv bought 2 big things on the hub. The first I took a cash deposit, an said I would EFT when I got home or alternatively use his computer to EFT, which worked out quite well because I could do it in front of him and he could release the bike. Second time was far away so I couldnt collect, but it was a reputible bike shop that deals on the hub alot and has a good reputation, so I figured the risk of paying first was minimal.

I haven't ever tried baggys that I would sit in for more than 40kms (a couple pairs of Fox). But what ever you go with, make sure they are very comfortable. Someone pulled out on the second last day of J2c because of saddle sores. Thats just heart breaking. Personally, I would just stick to what works. Its not like its a fasion show anyway...

Mine has been perfect since before, and including, Joberg2c. If you spent good money for good components, you should be able to get them to shift perfectly. I don't believe anyone who says they don't stay right for long. I think your cables and housing should be your first thing you change. It is cheap and will most likely sort out the problem.

I'm no expert, but there two other things I would consider. Worn cables and housings can cause crappy shifting. If you are going to change them, change them both. Only changing cables doesn't help. Or else there is a chance your hanger is bent. Could that be a possibility? Both of those are not too expensive to change. Good luck

Closing time is 8pm. I have no idea about the floodlights, I assume not much is flood lit, considering this is the first time they are doing it. I may be wrong though

We saw that the cycle park was advertising night riding on a Tuesday. So we phoned them up and they said that they have been advertising it, but no one has come to ride at night yet. So we said we were keen on going tonight and they said they would keep it open. So if anyone is keen on some night riding tonight at the cycle park, come along, cos it will be open. We planning on leaving work a little early and riding into the night.

I found the cheapest way to get hold of Pronutro.... 1) enter Magalies monster (2 boxes in race pack) 2) get your girlfriend who doesnt eat pronutro to enter (2 more boxes) 3) get your girlfreind to come 3rd in her category (prize...? 2 more boxes, which she doesnt eat) 4) get a promotional box at a robot on the way to work. 7 boxes in 2 weeks and it lasted me the rest of the year!

Hey guys, Can't join today (this week isn't very good), but I stay in Weltevreden park and definately keen for some group rides in the area, before or after work. Please keep me posted. Cheers Rob

I'm going just after christmas. Also never been there. Very excited.

There was no tracking number on the email I got, but I went online to "order details" and the tracking number was there.

I use the 11-34 because I am running 2x9. If you are going to stay 3x9, why try and stay in the middle chain ring longer? If you have the extra chain ring, get the lighter cassette with better ratios. Unless of course you thinking of going 2x9... I have aslo used 11-32 as 2x9, but sometimes (on the more hilly races) the legs run out before the gears.

Hey, This sounds awesome I might be keen. Will let you know.

I started my girlfriend riding, and its great now. I used to get very frustrated riding with her, but I split my rides, some days were to ride with her, and others to do my own thing. Also planned long rides which were really tough and fast with guy friends and then on recovery days rode slowly with her. But I never raced with her. Then she got a bee in her bonnet about doing full marathons. So I helped her get to a decent fitness level and raced the first one with her. It pushed her alot, and even though it was a bit boring for me, I was very proud and enjoyed the time with her. Then after a while we decided to do joberg2c together (She never says no to a challenge!). Anyway, did lots of training and loooong distance rides together. Took alot of patience from my side, but she improved so much and really impressed me. We finished joberg2c comfortably (well.. except that one day we spent 11 hours in the saddle). Just doing that training really improved my fitness and pushing her up hills made me strong. I came off that race faster than ever. But always I have told her that I will do some rides with her, and some I will do with out her. I do not race with her, because I just can't take racing slowly, thats just me. I have promised to do another stage race together though. The best part is now. She's tired of always riding with the boys. So she started a group of all the girls, where she takes them slowly and explains each technical section etc. So now there quite alot of girls involved for her to ride with, and all the boys are free to ride as much as they want I dont have kids so I can't comment on that, maybe look for those kiddies bike chairs and take them with but other wise I think its great. Just be honest about what you expect for your self and what you are willing to do with her. Its a bit of a compramise, but look at the bright side.