JJDT

Thanks for the effort, will send you a message now.

It is the Flightdeck shifters. Thanks for the reply and will wait for your feedback.

Looking for hoods for my old 9 Spd Tiagra STI's. This is a while since I noticed that the rubber is sticky and after the weekends wash the rubber is starting to disintegrate. The only place that stock STI hoods is Evobikes but the closest version is out of stock. Willing to pay for the items.

@Skubarra I did some research on the event and have noticed that there are a few climbs such as FANGS, MAC, Never Ender and also the flat fast sections. If needed then I will need to change the ratio to maybe at least to a 50 at the rear. @DieselnDust I'm relatively strong but I will not going for any Strava KOM's. I just want to get to the top and also have enough in the tank to get to the end as the Never Ender also lies ahead with that long drag that is relatively steep.

Also my first time doing this event. Just a question for the guys who did this event before in terms of gearing. Currently running 11spd with 11- 46 with 36 Chainring. I'm not a specialist climber and will drop the front to a 34 and the question now is will this 34 - 46 ratio be sufficient for the "MAC"?

What is the best way to get a stuck seat post out? Wanted to do a setup and while in the setup it was found that my seat height was a bit to low. Wanted to adjust it and found it will not move stuck inside the frame. Bike is with LBS for two days now and when I asked this afternoon, I was informed that there was not any progress to get it out. Normal Aluminum Frame bike with Aluminum seat post. So and I want to take my bike and with advise from this forum I might just get the seat post out myself. Any tips and tricks for getting the seat post out of the frame.

From a South African perspective Alan deserves a gold, although the results indicates third but he showed determination. I think this race although 3rd surpasses his most recent win as he had to be in the red for most of the race, try to close the gap, staying on the wheel of the flying Brit and got dropped twice but still managed to get back on the wheels of the two front runners. Just as he was in a shot to win this race, I believe he does have the ability to win the worlds as he will win this years world cup series.

Insane racing...Alan made us proud

Flippin ads...

Koretzsky is matching Pidcock at the moment...Alan looking fine at 3 at the moment...

This was the last proper monster...

Just to add what has already been mentioned, ride one or two other events prior to your "main" race just to get the feeling of what to expect one race day. It is one thing just to ride the local trails as opposed to be in a race. You need to be somewhat prepared on what race day will happen, bottlenecks, someone making a mistake and fall in front of you(will you be able to stop in time or swerve to avoid falling yourself), extreme heat(you will most likely start in the last batch at a very late time and depending on your speed it maybe a very long day). Enjoy the MTB journey...

Agreed on this one. The T Shirt from last year was OK, but agree that the 2022 version was better.

My wife and I had a chat about the incident. What is strange to me is that on that downhill section the "better line" was actually on the left. So if these guys were using the better line how come the taxi be on the left hand side and secondly there was a constant stream of riders on that stretch and actually there is no excuse to be on the left side. So sad that this actually did happen on a gravel road that should've been safe.

It was no 3 for me, but also the last. Apart from the huge entry fee the logistics to Harties and then from Sun City back home does not warrant the effort. I think that Sun City is very expensive to host the finish as it is not friendly on the wallet and possibly the reason for the steep entry fee. The race: This was also the very first race ever that I cramped badly and basically "limped" to the finish. I burnt all my matches on that long drag when I was stuck behind a slower rider (possibly from the short ride) on the right hand side with more slower riders on the left, I decided to go through the middle. This was a huge mistake as the loose gravel/sand was hectic and after about 50meters I was done and gave up. Just after this stupid mistake paid the price when I started to cramp.

As already mentioned the first half is easy, mostly flat with some downhill and no climbs and with this one tends to going all out. The second half do have more climbs and uphill drags and if you have wasted most of the energy on the first half the second half will be a long ride with no power. Nothing major to have "special" tyres, your normal tyre choice will be just fine with your normal riding pressures. Nutrition; as mentioned to late to change. Use what you normal ride with. Just ride and enjoy the route.

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..."