Purnjap

Wife doesn't want me to take bike along to didimala

R20k and R100k, if I have it correctly. And I would like to add my thanks to the rest for you hubbers keepings us office sitters so nicely up to date with every day's stage, this sorta cycling community service is why we belong to the hub in the first place isn't it?

Barberton (climb for the first half of the race) Lion Man (fast) Legend Gorge (steepest climb in southern hemisphere) Crater Cruise (longer but doable) Clarens (prettiest)

What is the cut-off time for this stage?

My first Crater Cruise made me question the universe. This year's Sabie marathon was probably the firs time I bombed in a race though, and it happened early, so that was not consumer friendly either. And that reference to Van Gaalens, now that was a testing day that wasn't funny. But as rough as they get, the day after you normally start planning how you gonna fix it the next year. The only race I really did not like and have not gone back to was voortrekker monument... too much rubble, dust and trouble for too little reward

+1

Rapport had a full page on MTB, including burry's achievements

I did actually see a crash, and lost plenty time due to oncoming traffic, so agree we cant have traffic going in both directions on twisty singletrack. But I'm sure they can get around that for next time. Hope so, cos I'll be there

The dual direction riding on singletrack did pose a problem, but I think overall it did not ruin a well-run event at a beautiful venue. The marshalls were really friendly and supportive, that always helps

Podium place come to pappa! Who knew this duathlon thing could be so lekker? I especially liked the run over the mountain, wasn't expecting that, this being my first off-road duathlon. Gonna have to practice baboon-mode

Yeah I noticed the one i found on google says vauxhall on it but the one i originally saw this morning on fbook says opel, and is an actual production model with a chap riding it, looks even better than the drawings above. @Caad4 You got me on the dog(s)...

Wait till you meet my wife...

Porsche did one, so did BMW, KTM and a few others...but I think the unlikely Opel beats them all

I have yet to meet someone who did NOT get bitten by the MTB bug after trying it out. I have also yet to meet the first time buyer who did not have to get rid of the R3k cheapy after three-six months in order to pay R6k or more for a lighter bike with components that make braking and gear-shifting a pleasure, instead of something that can spoil your ride. Thus my advice is to take a loan from the bank if you have to or continue saving till you get to R6k-R10k before buying it. Its one of the most worthwhile purchases you can make, with benefits ranging from health to general mood improvement and a new lifestyle that gets you to mabalingwe/legend gorge/groenkloof etc on a regular basis...heaven

Hook old JHB rd out till nelmapius, kap a left over the N1 and then left on that new road through eco park until Jean, or botha if you wish, then straight until Hans strijdom, which will return you to old JHB rd. Yes I know it sounds like a lot of tar but for the majority of the route, you will have 1-2m of dirt next to the road to cycle on and the main reason I recommend the route is that it is as close to safe as you can get, plus its around 35k so perfect for one or two loops after work (two loops can be completed in under 3 hours without killing you at around 25km/h)

Dont stress about the cramping - after a 5k run, if you cycle on such undulating terrain into such a headwind, cramping is understandable

Was my first one, moerse lekker! Did it on MTB so the roadies flew past me on the cycle (some of them anyway). Nice and hilly that route ey? Well organised event, and those overseas athletes, jislaaik, some pretty ladies there!

Ja allright, ek sien jou punt. So by Clarens is ek die ou in die voormalige wit hemp wat nou soos 'n jagluiperd lyk wat teen 'n vlakvark gestoei het...

Nee jislaaik, stains (of whatever kind...) on a wedding dress is an invalid example, unless you are planning to get remarried in that dress every weekend? lol

No no you misunderstand, my hands are clean now, its the friggen shirt thats the problem!(Will try it, since more than one of you suggested the green soap)

Fuschia...that's the new white that the blue bulls play in?

Maar my ma is op die plaas in Namibia, miskien moet ek haar eerder vra om vir my 'n nuwe een te brei?

***...I got the shirt nogal from a buddy and liked it lank...but I kinda also thought its done for, cos if Preen doesn't fix it, dunno what will. Guess I am just gonna have to cycle in my Province shirt from now on...

Please tell me how to get Sabie's red mud stains out of my white cycling shirt?? It just laughs at Preen...

mmm, this was about as tough as my first crater cruise when i was not fit at all. singletrack took your mind off the pain and the waterpoints rocked, but I dont really wanna suffer like that again...hope they bring it back down a few notches next year