River Rat

I was wondering who would be tempted!

Being a professional means that you do everything to eliminate mistakes so I guess it's back to the drawing board for you my boy!

You might be right I think we have a case!

Bruce Reyneke Cycles on Friday. However, it is not my time or position that bothers me but I really felt for my mate who is quite new to this sport. He wanted to get a reasonable seeding for his first Sani and stuck to me like mud throughout the race to get in an improved time, he was absolutely shattered at the end. He is now trawling through his emails trying to see where it all went wrong. I told him not to bother and rather focus on a non ASG event for his seeding. I amrather intriqued that you have no problem with the fact results have no merit, as by all accounts you did a great time and I would imagine finished near the front and your actual race position is now questionable. This thanks to a late change from the organisers and you are comfortable with that?

Unfortunately I have had not had a good experience with ASG events but that aside, I know of two other people that did not receive that email, ironically both were hoping to improve their seeding by doing this race. Further, when I collected my batch sticker (not sure why I bothered) I saw other people collecting numbers and asked whether I needed a number and I was told no because I already had an SAS board no mention was made of a racetec chip ( as it happens I have one). But let's look at this from a different perspective the advert for the race clearly indicated that a SAS timing process will be used and to change it at the eleventh hour meant that a lot of riders came unprepared and you now have a set of meaningless results other than a finishing time for those with chips but their positions are false (unless they won the race of course). Those without chips paid for a timed race but did not get it. But I will agree that the organisation on the day was faultless from what I experienced.

Yes it is clear if you received the email, if you didn't ....well then it's just another mess fromASG events.

I am not sure which email you are talking about but this was waht was stated in the OP: "Riders who enter on-line will be seeded according to the SASeeding system. If you have a permanent SAS board you can ride with that, but you have to collect your seeding and distance stickers as well as race packs at registration. The timing is done by Spectrum Sport and riders who don’t have permanent boards will be issued with temporary Spectrum Sport timing boards." Telling me that you have changed timing systems at the start means zip, ah well they have effectively relegated this event to a fun ride!

It would seem that if you rode with a SAS board you have no result.

Agreed, the mud certainly was a game changer.

Results appear to be strange. Winning time for the 47 is 1:47 and 2:05 for the marathon which my Garmin shows was 72km. I did not think that plus 30km/h was possible on that route if I'm overtly suspicious I know who my money is on for the Epic!

Bikes are checked in and we're ready to go and then the flight gets delayed by an hour and half. Ah well more beers at the airport lounge which should flatten tomorrow's hills. We're really looking forward to riding in another province and to sample the local fare. See you all tomorrow!

Thank god, we're travelling from Pretoria!

Desi, I know this may seem like a small thing but the fact that you are posting about this at all is good. Our country and the world for that matter is really tough on a woman's freedom and I agree with you that with a little forethought and organisation we can create an environment where you can at least do what you want to without restriction. As a backmarker I often find myself escorting one of the ladies and it is no problem for me at all. Hopefully your post will motivate others to do the same.

I won't argue with facts!

Nice words but I'll top it with one MUD!

Take the other pedal off and what you will have in your hand is a bearing and a locknut. The bearing will cost you less than R20 and the locknut less than R2 but get a washer that fits the shaft just past the thread. I believe this is the flaw in this design. It would appear thta you have lost the oring as well so go to the plumbing section at the hardware and you will find one that fits (R4). So for less than R30 you're good to go!

Clean green and a pressure hose will clean your kit. Come to think of it clean green and a pressure hose might also get the guys to ride on the right side of the road as well!

So it looks like I'm trying to solve a problem that I don't have, I put so much lube on before the race that there is a permanent oil slick in the parking lot at York Sportsground sorriieee...

Come to think of it I also have a clutch rear mech and I had no chainsuck at all, perhaps this is the diffference. Anyone with a clutch rear mech that had chainsuck it would be interesting to hear from you.

Thank you!

I had no issues with my SRAM 2x10 and chatted to one chap running 1x11 who kept dropping his chain.

I saw 2 guys arguing at the end as to who was going to pay for the damage to their drive trains. I think the Sani partnership ended right there.

Don't spoil my delusion with facts now!

Wessel, while I really enjoyed the challenge that the marathon offered I do think that I am in the minority. I say this because there where only 410 finishers which is quite low IMO, I think you might have lost some following from other weekend warriors who found the event simply unpleasant. The Bushpig single track is a case in point as I saw many riders taking the shortcut home after that debacle and I don't think they'll be back. I would suggest that in future those sort of sections be carefully considered before leaving it in the race as it did not add anything to the race but rather detracted from it. But then again when a back marker like me finishes a race when hundreds don't I feel kinda chuffed, so maybe leave it as it is and let the survivalists wear their finish as a badge of honour.

Fortunately, doing the marathon but looking at the rain at Sabie this weekend I'm not sure which race worries me more!