JJDT

Just another thing to consider. Market it as a fun ride, thus saving on timing costs, having a timing company is somewhat expensive as mentioned and also saving costs associated with CSA like one day race fees. Going the formal route is quite expensive as some members mentioned like safety plans, timing, medical etc. You can make your own race numbers with manual timing (stopwatch for start and people finish note number and time. Although it can be made as a fun ride as mentioned medical assistance is a must and there is no workaround. Good Luck

There is much advice for route and other issues. The next important thing is parking apart from security there is nothing more frustrating than parking if you need to look for a spot to park. If possible make sure there are some parking blocks to ensure possible quick entrance, if there are a long queue for parking and just one parking spot you will have some complaints.

Saw this on the Bidon Bistro page on Facebook.

Hi All I'm in the market for a new saddle and while browsing Rapide for a new chainring I saw that they also do saddles. Anyone using or having experience of the saddles Rapide is offering? https://www.rapide.co.za/product/rapide-tf-147-saddle/ Thanks

The issue with Named Sport is that every time you also get a new bottle. Waste IMO...if I want a new bottle I will buy one...

There are also some other Netcare Hospitals that also share the same views as above. Private hospitals are also these days not immune to issues. The caring factor disappeared and made way for money only.

You are correct about the good doctors in Public Health but they are either sitting at home as you mentioned and are of the very few. The very best get to to to the private sector and the other best are trying their utmost best in crooked system. Fortunately my mom had one of these best Dr's trying to make a difference with her hip and she was the exact opposite from the Dr's I dealt with initially when she was admitted to hospital. The other issue you mention is the post-op care and I still need to meet a nurse that really care as most of the nurses I dealt with thinks they are superior to Dr's. These nurses rule everything and does not really care...just a job. This is the 3rd problem the don't care attitude. I'm sure that there are also very good nurses but I still have to meet one.

National Health Insurance There is two huge problems with this NHI and hopefully all the "bad" medical aids will join forces to counter this idea, because it is just another name for Public Healthcare. 1. All the pretty good doctors who is threatening to call it quits and move out is a real threat. We will be at the mercy of the Cuban Dr's and then the it is another problem altogether. 2. I do know the Public Health Care system very well as my mom can not afford medical aid and my brother who is not fit for work that relies on the SASSA disability pension that can not afford a medical aid either. It is not the long queues waiting for medicine and to see a doctor but also medical procedures and dental procedures. My mom fell and broke her hip during the Covid period and waited close to a week for an hip replacement and only because it was really bad. Rewind quite a few years ago she had a mini stroke (not known at that stage) took her to the Public Hospital ER. To make a long story short we arrived at around 9H45 pm and was only admitted to a ward the next morning 4H30. I will rather eat the crap of any medical aid as oppose to the NHI.

You are 100% correct DH does not actually care about your health and hit the nail on the head regarding just numbers. You need an actual analytical degree to understand the plans on what is covered where... You last sentence is so true... I just call it the other other way around "they are the best of all the bad ones...and No there is not good one..."

What started out to be excellent service initially is now poor. I need a new BB for my MTB and I'm also in the process of buying extra parts that I will need in the next few months. Wednesday started browsing for parts and saw a statement by Cycle Lab stating that they will match the price with some T&C's. The online consultant explained the process and within 60minutes after providing the details I received an e-mail stating that the parts needed is in my cart(prices matched). Thursday morning proceeded with the order and a while later received an e-mail stating that not all the parts are at the Fourways store, but will be sourced at another branch and that there is a 48 hour turnaround time. I would've only managed to fetch the parts on Saturday so this would've been perfect. Never received a confirmation that the parts has arrived by Saturday morning and at around noon replied to the initial e-mail requesting feedback on the part sourcing as 48 hours has now been surpassed, but never received any feedback. This morning received an exact e-mail that I received on Thursday morning stating that not all the parts are available in store and that there is a 48 hour turnaround time. Replied on the mail stating that I'm not happy, but still no feedback. To summarise if I had place my order with the shop that I did my price match with, I would've received my order today and with shipping included I would've still saved R90 from the original CL price. The price match was for me the convenience factor that I was heading in the direction of CL and would just pop in and get my parcel. The last 8 months dealing with CL with various issues that ended in chaos. Each time it was just a mess and this time I'm really calling it a day with them, even if they are closer to home I will rather plan and source my parts online even if it means that I will pay more with shipping it will beat the shopping experience of CL.

The measurement from the top bolt to the rear bolt is 210, then the size is confirmed as 210x55mm. My previous measurement was the total length of the shock, which explains the 13mm difference.

Your guess is correct it is a Merida, my wife's e-bike. It is a Suntour Edge LOR8. From my measurement on the shock it seems that the size is 210x55mm according to Suntour. My measurements is total length 223mm and top width 55mm.

Hi All I'm looking for a replacement shock similar to this one. This is apparently a Suntour Shock and the service kits for these shocks are not available in SA or they are like hen's teeth. The shock seems to be losing air and asked the LBS for a full service, when collecting the bike I was informed that all seals etc. was just cleaned as they could not source a seal kit anywhere. I want to source either Rockshox or Fox, for the future I want a shock that parts are easily available. Quick searches on CWC, Evo Bikes and Bike Addict did not yield favorable results due to the shock mounting(See attachment). Any ideas where I can find a suitable replacement?

It seems that this year by the look of things there will be no last minute finishers. Vernon who is the last person still officially in the race with 20km's to go will finish with some time to spare. Big Kudo's to the Big Guy Jannie Du Plessis on finishing the race (alhough by the time of this post not formally finished) it is one amazing achievement.

47H36....What an achievement...

I think this record will stand for some time and also IF it will be broken in the near future.

Just saw on the FB page that Hansie abandoned the race due to health issues😢

What I do to get the extra salt into my body that is lost by sweating is to snack on some "Dry Wors" starting from the first hour into riding and on the hour afterwards. In between I snack on energy bars just to have some food. I use this with my energy drinks. I experimented at first with some boiled baby potatoes in salt but for me it is more food as the salt content is low compared to "Dry Wors" which also act as food but with more salt content to keep the cramps at bay.

I agree with Ouzo on this venue as it logistically way better than any other venues. The main thing parking and access to the venue. Where is a venue currently that would cater for about 15 000 cars and easy to get in and out. The other aspect is the "Chill Zone" after the race that can accommodate about 7 000 people at once. You also need to think about the fact on how full road closure will affect residents. Option 1: Kyalami will be able to accommodate the numbers, but realistically thinking there is only one entrance. The first year I rode was in 2003 and the event was at Kyalami and I do not think the numbers were as big as the past few years. There was multiple roads going to Kyalami but only two entrances. The main entrance and then there was a gravel road that took you from Leeukop Prison to the one side of Kyalami. Most people from the east, north and south used the main entrance as it was the best option but traffic was a nightmare. Getting out of Kyalami depending where you parked was also a mission. So this one in these times are a no go. Option 2: Steyn City. Do not know how much open space are available these days, but will be able to accommodate the numbers. Few options for entering the venue, but basically three roads leading towards these entrances. Traffic from the N14 past Dieplsoot with the never ending roadworks was also hectic. Traffic going out two options Cedar Road towards Fourways and N14 Diepsloot. Traffic outbound will also be hectic. Option 3: Current Venue. Logistically it is the best for traffic as there are multiple roads going out. The are is large enough to cater for the numbers. Further options to make is safer is to explore Nasrec as a parking option behind closed gates. Need some sort of identification for entering and exiting the area. Get proper security and also more to assist with traffic handling and also parking. Better signage for parking identification. Get the SAPS involved at the finish, more visible. Last word on the route it is meant to be tough. The same applies to MTB events, if it is labelled as tough accept it as it is. This is not an event for unfit masses, although on paper it looks fine but throw in weather then it is on another level.

How does the number compare to CTCT, are their numbers also decreasing? As for the route finishing no19 yesterday, the route was always hard. Thinking to the days of Witkoppen Road with the long climb towards the water tower in Honeydew. Few km's later the N14 first climb and then the long drag before getting of the freeway. Then it was that dreaded hill turning left into Summit Road, and the it was that heartbreak hills on the R55nheading towards Kyalami. Then there was Riversands, where you had the climb on Witkoppen before turning right on Malibongwe, then it was the climb towards the Lion Park. The last stretch on this route was the Ceder Road climb and the last climb in Steyn City before the downhill finish. As for security for better parking the start and end should then be moved to start closer to Nasrec with parking inside the venue. The route Maybe have a reverse route the same that they have done with the Riversands route.

Interesting start this year...wonder why all the changes. From history riding this event every time there is changes to the start/finish at the event it means that possibly a change of venue is on the cards for the near future. Maybe I'm wrong this time but this is just my experience and view. As for time I do not think that I will be close to last years time due some health issues over the last 8 weeks or so. Looking at 3:30...anything faster will be a huge bonus.

Will also look at things that I value as a good deal.

Did you do the Parys outride this year...remember that we discussed ways on how to achieve 200km. Never got to do the event, but now that you mention it and if you did the event how was the ride.

Looks like Frosty do have a privileged account with the organisers for him to receive his details before most of us on here 😁

For me at this stage: Magalies Gravel Grinder 150km - February (Bailed last year, need to conquer this beast) Tour Durban MTB Event - April (Tentative) Race to the Sun - May