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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...
2 hours ago, Dexter-morgan said:One thing I would like to add, this year's t-shirt is a bit bland, my 2022 shirt is MUCH better but it's not the reason we do these.
Agreed on this one. The T Shirt from last year was OK, but agree that the 2022 version was better.
1 hour ago, Charity85 said:It feels like they are trying to cover their asses here, that section was poorly marshalled, if at all. An with due respect why was the taxi so close to them in the first place, even with the roadworks it could have comfortably given the rider a wide berth.
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.
19 minutes ago, Op1 said:any tips for first timers going the race ?
Nutrition ?
Tyre choice and tyre pressure (MTB bike) ?
how to approach the race and resting tips ?
And Good luck to everyone doing the event.
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.
3
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
2
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.
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...
1 minute ago, Frosty said:You should see the public perception of the Alberton Hospital, a Netcare hospital.
Lots of complaints about poor care, incompetent staff and doctors, and many other problems.I don't have personal experience, but have heard a number of stories.
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.
9 minutes ago, Vaultboy said:For years, once a month, my dad went to public hospitals for an eye treatment that takes 20 mins to administer, but it takes the whole day to queue, sometimes multiple days if the hospital is full. But it saved his eyesight and it was free. For me, the biggest problem with the NHI is not the idea itself, which is good. But rather that the ANC have a track record of terrible implementation of many other good ideas.
Public hospitals have the same calibre doctors who work in private hospitals; in fact you often get the actual same doctors, but public infrastructure and facilities vary wildly. Post-op care etc are the things that concern me most - My aunt paid R500 for a triple bypass...just imagine! But I've lost family to totally preventable issues of sepsis, etc simply because the hospitals don't have the required equipment and facility management; or they chuck you prematurely because they need the bed space.
I think the NHI will collapse healthcare in the country, then everyone except the wealthy are screwed. I mean, we have 800 qualified doctors sitting at home, simply because the State can't afford their wages: I’m a medical doctor who graduated cum laude and I can’t get a government job (dailymaverick.co.za)
But back to Discovery: I reckon they are vying to be the administrators of the NHI. I'm not so sure that's going to work out that way....
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.
11 minutes ago, Frosty said:Then there is the pending NHS, or whatever it's called.
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.
9 minutes ago, ChrisF said:It is making less and less sense to have a plan with an MSA at Discovery .....
Sadly it is turning into a numbers game, and you really have to do a LOT of homework to actually understand your options, and the catches .....
The really sad bit is that DH still is one of the better medical aid providers .....
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.
2
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.
3 hours ago, BaGearA said:Please post the brand
From the little txt i see I'm guessing merida
Definitely a trunnion mount to start but length and stroke are equally import
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.
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.
11 minutes ago, Emazing said:I completely disagree with you thank to FNB Stadium is going to Third World venue with vagrants crime difficult to park just an unpleasant situation not worth enduring ever again.
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.
[Event] Magalies Monster MTB
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Posted
This was the last proper monster...