Clinton - theCOW

OP - not quite a stage race but something i'd definitely recommend to anybody, would rank as the best event i did in 2012, it's called a Heritage ride but let's face facts, anytime there's more than 1 rider it's a race. No route markers etc, you follow a GPS. It's in Zim and i think the cost worked out round R2500 per person, we had a 3 man team and shared transport driving across. You can take tents if you want, we were lucky and the organisers gave us roofed accomodation with showers etc. The 2nd place had a donkey boiler (1st time i've ever seen 1) & a dude brought a 12v battery to power on the lights and let us charge our GPS (can't guarantee this). Riding was top class, i really enjoyed it. http://www.matobo.org/heritage/heritageride.html Do Towers, was my 1st stage race 2 years ago, hurt like hell but i'm going back for my 3rd this year Do the budget ahead of time & build some fat in there for 3T. Marc - i looked at Shova vs 3Towers 2 years ago, became a no brainer for me to rather go do 3 days of riding for the same price as a 3hr road ride. Argus has become crazy price wise, 94.7 ain't cheap either for a single day race but i get to do it twice

We know you not just a piece of meat..... I'm sure it's more accurate to describe you as a pickled piece of meat See, you even got free drinks as well & i still see complaining *shakes head*

i believe fitness has a lot to do with the COW suit, then pace yourself if you keeping that thing on, 2 layers of clothing is luke warm at least. "A day of suffering in my life is hard to compare to a kid living with cancer" is what i keep telling myself, not that i'd race a marathon in a COW suit Coming from a roadie background, don't make the marathon any easier, i believe all marathons should challenge the rider in endurance & rider ability. The warning signs are there, be prepared to check your O-ring, you choose to try ride it or get off and walk it. I started in E group so with the longer breaks between groups, a slightly later start but a lot less congestion, still got held up in a few bottle necks but that's always expected, don't think i walked stupid distances cos of a lemmings Q. If you want a easy ride at VG, enter the Nashua Ladies Day, you pay more but you'll suffer less My 1st Monster this year and my 1st VG Nissan as well, it's Magalies, it's always going to be tough, i definitely suffered more @ Monster, was better prepared for VG. Both worthy MTB races, the technical stuff is what keeps me excited. Think i'll do the Rhino this weekend cos VG is awesome & i need the last bit of race pace efforts before 3T Tim & Eric, thanks for an awesome race!

EPO

Think my 12th Back with the COW's for another year and 2 laps once again. Race the 1st, have a total jol the 2nd

I have a PT road wheel, use it on my IDT as well as road riding. I believe if you don't use a tool properly, why have it? I agree that the tests need to be done using the same device. I disagree tho that you can't do a TT or test on the road. I'd keep the same route as this will give you a good idea of the time (problem is robots/intersections etc, only place i can think of is the cradle right now or way in the South). A PM measures power, a direct measure regardless of situation/place/weather conditions. Your test would be to maintain FTP and push harder if you can? If you're riding into the wind or with the wind, uphill or downhill, your goal is FTP or higher so speed, cadence, HR etc are just nice to know numbers in the whole test? Looking forward having a PT, i'd like something now that will show me left from right leg so you can work on your weaker leg etc. Garmin Vector, crank stuff but 20k is a big toy when you aren't racing for money?

Think we should print his picture behind bars with his sentence on it and post it on the Spruit hotspots as a warning?

If anybody else wants to donate to Wendell's fund, here's the link: http://www.givengain.com/activist/100714/projects/5608/ I was there for the 6hr last time, the course in reverse should be fun! Enjoy it peeps!

I also know of 2x Specialized SL frames that were replaced for paint/clear coat cracks. I have paint cracks on my Spez SL2 but warranty only covers 2 years on paint so i can't get a SL4 unless i break my SL2, JC you willing to ride my tar bike?

I disagree with you Fester. The law fails to state direction and TCSP Guidelines 1.7 states "within 300m of the commencement", i don't believe they can can trap within 300m in any direction and that is what a good lawyer will argue.

Wendell - do i put the money in your Give n Gain account or give you the cash on the day? Assuming you'll sort out the entry names etc. Wendell, the spelling is a MTB_Barbie thing

Oh B@lls, i'm moving house & would really rather be riding. Wendell, or hubland, here's my offer. Assuming i'm right & the entry is R250pp I'm willing to put R500 towards the event for either: 2x development riders or 1x 2 man development team If anybody knows of development riders that would be interested, please PM me, we'll arrange from there Good luck for a great event Wendell

In all fairness, how many brand name frames have failed as well? There's ton's of posts of guys breaking frames, i know of a Bianci that's had a carbon repair done on it. I haven't broken a frame yet Cannondale, GT, Giant, Specialized, Scott Idea of a poll: I broke my carbon frame & it was a: NNB Chinese frame Cannondale GT Giant Specialized Scott Yeti Santa Cruz Etc

I have the exact same issue, mostly happens when i'm in the small chain ring. 1.5 years ago as a new RD, worked like a bomb, now i have the tension pulley issue. I haven't tried changing the wheels yet, will be interesting to know. For now, i'm going to put a cable tie on the side it keeps jumping to to reduce the gap so the chain won't fit and go back to the pulley wheel Roadie fix to a MTB problem or have i officially become a MTBer

I'll eventually get around to putting the rigid on the bike, time just ain't on my side til September. Then i'll post a pic. What started off as a "let's take all my spare parts (read shifters & gears) and build a spare bike for friends to use" end up as a SS. Nice work Brad, thanks for hooking us up the forks, was looking & there ain't many 26" rigids available

Couple factors come into play: 1. how were the fines issued? Did you sign for them in registered mail etc? If not, i'd say nothing and wait for the Summon's or some form of paper you need to sign for. TCSP Guidelines also state the offender needs to receive notification of the offence within 30 days of the offence. The main reason why posted fines can't be prosecuted. 2. if you signed for it, they can prosecute, then comes the 300m rule, i'd take a picture if possible of the 60 zone sign if you can & the 80km/h board, go see the prosecutor and show him the photos and ask if he will drop the case or proceed with prosecution? If you can, get a measurement from the board to the camera, really make it look like you've done your homework and willing to go to court to have it withdrawn. I'm not sure how the static camera comes into play since my offences which went to court were on mobile units and withdrawn due to this 300m point. Any savy lawyer might also push that 300m could be in any direction as the law does not state in the direction of travel etc. I refuse to pay fines if they not dealt with properly since they don't follow their own laws. If you want the TCSP guidelines, PM me, i can email to you.

I've found like for like parts, doing a custom build works out more expensive. My comparison is the Hope Hoops 26" with a Crest Rim. Once i'd priced all the parts, add in the labour, it worked out cheaper for me to by the factory wheel. The only thing a customer build would allow you is proper customer, different colour spoke nipples & spokes etc. A really unique set of wheels that few others will have.

Rather head for Seal Island, Durban is more Raggie territory

Ditto on the Citec, what's very impressive is the spoke guarantee on a limited number of spokes, they not 32hole is my point. Know a few hubbers riding them, can't comment as non of them have complained. AC i think are soft, i've seen a couple bent rims. I've never ridden either, i'm a light weight but still riding 32hole Crests on a 26" soft tail.

That's even cooler, a burnt in wife beater

4 pages of reading - nothing accomplished besides i need go lift so i can wear a wife beater

I've overinflated a tyre above recommended pressure and ended up with a garage covered in Stans, stay within the limit. I find it takes a tyre 24 hours to settle properly, sometimes longer. i lie it down and flip over every 4-8 hours. find the leak, work from there.

You'd need a frame with a gap/break for belt drive. Dangle aka Wyatt Earp i think has done a belt drive, maybe ask him. Also seen ads/posts in classifieds for belt, just search. 1 thing i've learnt is stay away from Eccentric BB, spoken to a few people, if you change chainring/sprocket to get a magic gear, you have to change post height & setback, that's too much of a mission if you ask me. As for which is the best, there's a frame where the whole rear seat/chain stay is adjustable (think Vert drop out), takes away the brake issue, check the SS thread.

Come to think of it, Pelindaba, we did an AR there, will see if i have the Garmin file. It'll be a mix or rubbish tho, MTB, run, MTB. You go in where they do Jacaranda road race from these days. SBR, i think the 1st climb i've only seen 12%, not sure of the back, it's also pretty steep. Only other serious place i can think of is Mankele, Sabie area & Zimbabwe

Tumbles/Danger Dassie, i'll gladly take away 1 of your problems. You can gift me the Jozi2Kozi, that way you'll have to go to WC Just remember who's doing who the favour, there's also that other saying, it's better to give than receive?