JJDT

I agree with Ouzo, Kyalami was not the best of venue's in terms of getting to the venue. To get there was a nightmare and the parking spaces were limited and some of the allocated parking spots were in the open field. Basically only two ways to approach Kyalami...N14 via R562 and onto R55 or N14 using R55. N1 using Olifiantsfontein offramp and New Road but all of these roads connects to the R55. Allandale Road is the only alternative way to Kyalami, doubt that you will be able to get of at Rivonia offramp and joining the R55 from Maxwell Drive as the road will be closed. The other alternative that they used previously is to go through the Leeuwkop Prison and park in the open field next/behind the race track, but this will only be available probably just before the start of race due to the route using main road.

Also considering cancelling vitality and also my life policy. The premiums for the life policy is ridiculously high. My wife is the medical aid main member because the company pays a large portion of the premium as opposed to me not receiving a subsidy. My wife lost interest in cycling thus there is no way that I alone will get the status to gold. I have asked discovery that if I can be alone on vitality as the policy premium increase every year is linked to your vitality status. The answer was just no. With me alone not achieving gold and the premium increase that will be in the region of about 12% as this year even on gold the increase was about 10.8%. It is all about their banking products, need a new device..."sure you just need to be a discovery bank client...and as mentioned above need a pause on your fitness streak..."sure you just need to be a discovery bank client".

For me had my first plate in for 10 years before I broke it again and had the old removed and replaced by a new one. It is now 3 years with no swelling and even with the old plate never had any issues. The only issue now it seems that my "alignment" is slightly out. Standing in front of the mirror the one side is not exactly in alignment with the left shoulder which is fine.

I think the real problem is consequence management and the enforcement. The punishment is just sometimes a slap on the wrist. There is always a mention of "Zero Tolerance", but is it actually Zero Tolerance as the message portrays something different (sentence received when found guilty). Is there really a deterrent...don't think so. Looking a the example of ChrisF made "Table next to us two lightweight ladies down 3 drafts each .... then drive off ...." What is needed is that one or two cops just randomly do a stakeout and restaurants or pubs, and actually asking people to stop for a quick breather test, but then if found guilty the sentence should send a clear message that people need to think twice. Then only can we speak Zero Tolerance.

Normally a week before the race.

I think it is more of personal effect. You are grinding the climb head down suffering just to get to the top. While in this suffering you hear the sound of an e-bike approaching and just cruise past you like he/she is on a flat stage. The answer is simple if you can afford it why not...

Why make a fuss of this? This was an observation from my side. If they qualify to be in that batch and want to ride on their e-bike it is their choice. This should be ideally checked by marshals who should oversee that although I'm seeded in a normal batch and I want to go to the start chute with an e-bike I should've been stopped and requested to start in the E-Bike batch.

No, it seems that it was a custom made "box" where the battery is fitted inside with a wire running possibly to the main wiring to enable the extra battery to provide power when it is enabled. Just had a glance at the two bikes but did not look into detail.

Another observation was the amount of E-Bikes in the batches. There were two guys which were next to me and had some interesting mods to have two batteries which seems to be permanently mounted on the bike and then connected to the wiring. Did not look further but suspect that they might have a switch over mechanism to the second battery without the need to stop and change batteries. Another interesting observation was the number of riders with extra batteries on their backpacks.

Add to the above people standing at the entrance to the holding pens when they only would start later. I was in E but made a quick pit stop prior going into the pens and when I wanted to enter saw a few riders in M and also later waiting and getting through these guys needed some careful weaving with myself and the bike.

The start and end was a bit of a mess. When we were released from the start chutes and continuing to the start I though we will be stopping at the start thus no hurry take your time...and then no stopping just go...by that time almost everybody was about gone. The finish with the congestion...took about 5 minutes just to get the medal and a water... This felt like a toned down event...just get it over and done with.

Stolen: Raleigh Team Carbon 2005 Where: , Kenmare, Krugersdorp, GautengDeep scratch on the top tube. Clear coat on seat tube is peeling. Old Tiagra 9 Speed groupset. Red Look Keo pedals. Continental rear tyre, Schwalbe front tyre. Easton wheelset. Carbon bottle cages cracked on the one side at the top facing the frame. X Mission 120mm stem. Ravx Carbon handlebar. Sora Brakes.Get further details about the incident in the Stolen Bikes section.

I'm in E. Will start at the back, will be doing it on my MTB this year.

We are regular campers at Umfula and my MTB rides are part of the roads listed. Once on the R53 after turning from the R500 I take the Kopjeskraal road towards Koedoeslaagte. My route usually takes me past the Koedoeslaagte Trail Park to the T Junction when I usually turn around and follow the same route back but do continue to the R53 again. This is also a nice loop and safe. Once on the tar from the gravel road I turn right which will end on the R500 and then back to Umfula. On a few occasions at the T junction past Koedoeslaagte Trail I turn left for a route that I also use as a 100km ride (out and back) all alone and never had any issues on my route.

Glad they didn't listen and you managed to finish. Garmin and Neverender...my son told me also that we were almost done as he did the event last year and his words "If I remember correctly we should be done soon" and also as per Garmin. That loop was really silly...maybe just to increase the distance but as you mention really weird.

Glad somebody got some cool pics of the moon.

Yip that moonrise was nice...wanted to take a pic, but did not do it. Looks like we share the same experience on neverender, although my first time and everytime I look up and just see red lights in the distance...mentally tiring. Glad you got to finish with your dad.

This was my first attempt. Tough day out but enjoyed the ride. Not everything went according to plan. The road conditions were tough and on the very first decent like so many others lost my one water bottle, stopped and walked back to gather it. Just after the climb from CP1 it felt that my chain was stuck somewhere while trouble shooting found the culprit and the rear triangle suspension pivot bolt came loose and the only thing that kept the bolt somewhat in the frame was the chain that was in the way. Just tightened it by hand and seeing that I was riding with my son and he was in front of the little bunch he did not see that I stopped. Burnt a few matches trying to play catchup, and after 3 km's found him next to the road waiting for me. Stopped and tightened the bolt with the multitool, the opposite bolt was also loose to tightened that as well. Lost some valuable time and we decided to make up some time, because we really wanted to be on the top of Bergplaas by sunset. Burnt matches again and the Baviaans Back climb took the last good remaining energy. Recovered somewhat and then it was Fangs as to which I only managed halfway before walking. MAC was the same only managed the first part but when the climb really started I was walking again. We entered Bergplaas just as the sun set. Spend some time there resting and then it was the decent, as to which one rider nearly crashed which would've been nasty as he really gunning it and just managed to hold before the one corner. Neverender was not that bad, but had a mental challenge to it especially at night. As you look up you see just a string of red lights on another climb which seemed as the name suggest never ends. Quick bite at "Jaffels" and then we were on the home straight but with a few twists in the end for a really tired guy...those little small climbs in the last 2km... Managed a riding time of 12H03 and overall time of 14H09.

I got a set of Shimano XT brake calipers with one SLX brake lever from my son who in turn got it from one of his friends about 2 years ago. Currently do have a set of Magura brakes and wanted to swop them with the Shimano (will source another lever). It seems that one of the calipers piston is seized. Will it be possible to repair or just throw it away?

Sorry to hear but hope you recover fast and will join next year bar any unforeseen incidents.

I under estimated this race, although some of sections were familiar to me. The headwind on some sections were hectic and although I ride some parts of the route over the December holidays the quote below is quite the opposite in my view. The road is the same with the same suffering, although on some parts you could see that there was some work. All in all a good race. Will be back next year.

Think your best bet to sort it out will be at registration.

Received an SMS a few minutes ago indicating start time and race number.

It has been a while now since I noticed that my elevation in rides is not adding up. Previously when my wife and I rode the same route same time there was a few meters difference between her Garmin 530 and my Garmin 830. We rode together yesterday again and noticed a huge difference in elevation. Her 530 indicates we climbed about 354m and my 830 indicated only 194m. Also noticed the climbing gradient is not well on a slight incline that should read about 2% the Garmin indicates that I'm descending with a reading of -3%. Anyone experienced this issue before and a possible solution?

I think it will be most probably a 60/40 split 60% MTB and 40% Gravel. My son and myself will form part of the 60%.