Robrider

Thanks for going though. I think its good to be represented at least, and get good feedback. I see the same sort of problem all around though, referring to these big worded plans that are far removed from reality. Was listening to the traffic departments plans to "re-brand" all traffic law enforcement agencies in to the same uniform and standards, etc etc... We have some of the worst road death rates in the world, but sure, change their uniforms, that will help. And for all the practical questions that were asked the answer was basically: "that comes later in the plan"

There is a whole thread dedicated to this. If you still can't figure it out, I suggest you don't over think it. It's just a bag that you put stuff in.

Waaaaa Hahaha!

I never really understand why people want specific answers to questions like these. You can make a lot of observations (like up hills power to weight means more than on a flat), but at the end of the day, there are so many variables and the equations are non-linear, so you can't just equate a specific percentage that fits all situations. When I say non-linear, here is an example: if you are riding 10km/h and double your wattage, say you are at 20km/h. But you will have to increase your wattage by a lot more to get from 30km/h to 40km/h. So you can't say that if you increase your power by 10% then your speed will increase by 10%... similarly your question doesn't make sense. At the end of the day, you know power to weight helps improve. You also know it is more important uphills, where gravity is dominant. It is less important when aerodynamics is dominant, such as flats and in headwinds. What are you going to do with the specific answer if you get it? (not possible)

If they are putting out the same power it is the same. But if you are talking about a person doing training to lose that 1kg, they will probably have increase aerobic/power benefits.

Well exactly... Hype. How about this, which bike will you go faster for the same amount of money spent? 26er!! Because they so cheap you can get a great spec bike for the equivalent of a makcro 29er. The point is, the pros aren't on makro bikes, they on top quality bikes. And they will do we on any top end bike, be it 26er, 27.5 of 29er. But they don't just get paid to win, they get paid to sell bikes. So they say what they are told to say.

Barring a technical problem, I doubt they can get up to the podium. They need 24 minutes on bulls2 and 11 on torpeado to get on the podium. But I hope they can get a few stage wins!!

Out of all the pressing issues, I think that is the least important, and the one law that I would support as is. Bicycle lanes, that are separated from vehicle lanes, are way more important. If we could get one point across, that would be it, IMO.

Just a word of warning, TB is the direct opposite of Monster in terms of difficult terrain.

Yeah, rain = cool, lightning and hail = not cool

For me its a quantity/cost issue. I would spend R150 on 10 photos at R15, but I would spend R0 on 1 photo for R45. I fully understand the argument about the photographers costs, but it seems to me that if they were priced better, they would make more money. Remember, these are photos that have been taken anyway, and are never sold because they cost too much (to me). The time and effort has already been spent by the photographer, they may as well make something for it. But maybe they have worked this all out and are on the sweet spot on the curve. Edit to add: its also not exactly a rare commodity. I do loads of races, so to justify me hitting the "buy" button, it must be worth my while. A memorable trip (eg BC Bike race) is quite different to the 5th time I've done a race in Gauteng. Supply and demand...

Hey MrFine, That last one, "map 4", where is the other pass over the mountain? I never knew you could get over anywhere besides breeds nek.

Oh ya, good point. The one thing I forgot... When you get there find your place and set up, then take 10 minutes and go to the swim exit, and how to find your bike from there, and where to take your bike to the bike start. And then like wise, where you will be coming back in, how to get to your stuff, and where the run route starts. The transition area can have 3 or 4 gates for the different legs. It's best to make sure you can find your stuff when you come from different sides.

I haven't done Grabouw, so I can't comment on the distances etc, but these would be my tips. Have a towel laid down with your kit on half, and fold the other half over to cover everything and keep it clean and dry. It should be safe, but if its not visible I think that helps. Then have another towel to dry yourself off. Put all your riding stuff together and all your running stuff together, laid out in a way that makes it easy to put on. Practise your transition tonight at least twice. Even if you not going to win the race, it will help settle the nerves and make sure you haven't forgotten anything. Note, clothes stick when you try and put them on while wet. I didn't have full tri gear, so had to put on socks and a shirt and the shirt did stick a bit. For me my kit was T1: Cycling shirt with food (gus) in pocket) Socks Shoes Helmet Glasses Towel Bike had tools and water on it T2: Shoes with quick laces Cap Spare water bottle wouldn't be a bad idea.

They said it was... Oh well, I'm not such a big fan anyway, so I wouldn't know

The 2014 Ferrari at Soccer city over the week end.

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Mostly its sand road riding, but a beautiful area and some nice climbs. You can do the breedsnek climb: https://www.google.co.za/maps/dir/-25.8145677,27.4417225/-25.8930434,27.4473874/@-25.8692152,27.4441598,14z/data=!4m4!4m3!1m0!1m0!3e2 This road is pretty: https://www.google.co.za/maps/dir/-25.8145677,27.4417225/-25.7629626,27.3797795/@-25.78942,27.412194,13z/data=!4m9!4m8!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d27.4059283!2d-25.793891!3s0x1ebe1b7664e8c5a1:0xf4384ffc4020ac11!1m0!3e2 And this one past the canopy ziplining is ok: https://www.google.co.za/maps/dir/-25.8243462,27.4212921/-25.8209468,27.4101341/@-25.8110569,27.4087608,13z/data=!4m9!4m8!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d27.3895156!2d-25.8340557!3s0x1ebe1c94acbdb555:0x1800a01f5647f1db!1m0!3e2 And there's a sand road behind buffelspoort dam. If anyone knows of (legal) access onto the monster route, I'd be interested...

Me 2, and very under rated in SA

nice

My experience is that light on the head is better than on the bars, because as you look around corners, the light follows where you look, no matter where you look. With the bars, I find sometimes going into a corner fairly blind. On the other hand, for long rides a light on the helmet add weight and fatigue to the neck. I only have one light but before I ride I decide how long and how technical the ride will be, and then decide where to put it.

Joe Friel!! Do it.

Oh ok, I understand, I thought you meant power. Still, use of momentum is not relevant.

Its a basic formula based on nothing in reality. I'd like to see you do 2440 Watts. and I'd like to see the hill you are climbing if that only gets you up to 20km/h. Power and velocity are not directly proportional so the equation doesn't work out even as a guess. It is a complicated question, but the main variable is the hill gradient (as per your link). 90 inch hit the nail on the head, fitness is also a huge factor that's difficult to quantify after cycling enough to drop 32kg.

Er... No. That is wrong on so many levels.