Sean Badenhorst

Got these a bit earlier: 2008 York Timbers Sabie Experience Brief results Stage 1: 77km Overall 1 DCM Chrome ? Max Knox / Brandon Stewart 03hr22min24sec 2 Red Mr Price ? Johan van Zyl/ Dana Coetzee 03:31:58 3 Mr Price Mongoose GT ? Burry Stander / Rourke Croeser 03:34:15 4 Garmin 1 ? Francois Theron / Philip Buys 03:34:56 5 Cycle Lab Toyota ? Andrew McLean / Shan Wilson 03:40:13 Women 1 Cycle House Commencal ? Sanet Smal / Laetitia Botha 04:35:07

There is a Hub entry exam and it requires limiting use of exclamation marks, question marks and capital letters... The real track heroes are... um, well, I'm not sure really... But hopefully the new series will change that. I really think track cycling has a big part to play in the future success of SA cycling in general... Maybe in a few years time track won't have to call in mountain bike stars to help raise the profile of its events. Good on Greg for being a sport and helping out...

In the South African definition of the term' date=' yes. But mostly in media and PR.[/quote'] and the line between the three is getting thinner. Yep. Too true.

In the South African definition of the term, yes. But mostly in media and PR.

some git who reckons he is gonna be in demand come tea-time or something so you better get there....ONLY between tea time!!! Wont fit in the velodrome... this twits big head will be taking up all the room... Reserve judgement on the size of his head until you've met him. Couldn't find a more humble, down-to-earth bloke if you tried... Seriously.

If the rider is on Supercycling: 1. Get advertising rates from Oracle Airtime Sales. 2. Time rider's exposure on the screen. 3. Match the TV time slots of rider's exposure to the advertising rates for those time slots. Note: advertising rates differ from channel to channel and across the various time slots (this will all be on the rates they give you). 4. Add it all up and get a Rand value in line with those relevant ad rates. 5 Multiply that Rand value by three because editorial content is more valuable than advertising content because it's perceived not to be 'forced' on the viewer. We use three-times the value in print media, it may be more in TV, but definitely not less. 6. If that makes sense to you, I'll pat myself on the back... If not, I won't and will try and explain it another way.

er, no. Just skipped to what I thought was my last viewed page on this. Sigh. Sorry. Anyway, I rode my hardtail at the Bike Park yesterday ? rode everything and had a ball. Everything there so far is rideable on a hardtail. Hog is right, if you don't have fun, you're not going fast enough...

The Bike Park is not completed yet, so think of it as, well, incomplete. This from Geoff's latest newsletter, which arrived on Wednesday: There are 7 new trails due to open in the new year at the Toyota MTN Cycle Park. If I could stuff them in your stocking I would, but think of them as a belated present when they finally arrive. LAUNCH PAD is a low to the ground and very wide beginner Freeride area. It will also have an Experts Only entrance accessed from SIDEWINDER that will thrill the super heroes. TREE HOUSE is an intermediate level Freeride area, making the cross over to more challenging runs, but without the consequences of a true Black run. SNAKES AND LADDERS is a full throttle Double Black Diamond area that will have great video potential for mere humans, and great fun value for "rubber people with great health insurance". EWOK has a Black run that will take advantage of all the huge trees and skinnies that the area abounds with. TWIN KOPPIES is self explanatory. Can you climb? ORGAN GRINDER TOO is what the mounds of dirt that are being pushed around in front of the Clubhouse (on the right of the Pump Track) will be when its finished. This is a KIDZ RULE area and nobody over the age of 12 is allowed, especially Terrance Casey and his 29er. This is probably the ideal time to mention that the Pump Track is for 13 years and over only, and that the idea is to complete a full lap without a single pedal stroke. Think of this as riding as if you were on a swing. The idea is to suck up the up face and push the down face. ROLLER COASTER is not finished. Even though the "Toyota Bridge" is in place, please be advised that riding this section by crossing from one trail to another across veldt or barrier tape will activate the battle satellites and you will be banned from the Park permanently. WETLANDS is only at 40% completion, and get ready for some educational stations from Samantha Braid highlighting the unique area these wetlands represent in "urban challenged" Joburg.

Greg also just did the Roof of Africa motorbike enduro. Finished 19th overall and 5th in the 200cc category. It was four stages in two days up in Lesotho. His finishing time was almost 22 hours! Said it was the hardest thing he's ever done. Said it was harder than the Cape Epic he finished, but he used the mental toughness he gained at that Epic to help pull him through at 'The Roof'. I like his spirit.

He's in good allround shape. Wonder when these were shot? As someone that's directed plenty of photoshoots, the following make a person's physique look most impressive: * Black and white photography * Well-placed lighting (usually from one side) * Getting the subject to workout to pump up the muscles before shooting * Lots of baby oil!

Expected this kind of comment from you, idrive, cos I remember this: https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=34373&PN=10

I'm riding there tomorrow night. Dusted off some lights today and charged the batteries. Looking forward to it - haven't done a night MTB ride in two years! Seems like they'll be open til 21h00 every Wednesday according to Geoff's email...

Heard Dave George and Kevin Evans are doing it. Good chance of winning with all that climbing...

The Mazda MTN Series is constantly evolving. I think that when they include a large, existing event in the Series (eg Knynsa), there are problems with things like timing (different systems) and sometimes sponsor clashes. Looks to me like they're now incorporating smaller events or new events and building them up. I think they dropped from 10 to 7 events this year to make the Series more focussed and less logistically challenging (last year I did all 10!). With 10 events, your best 7 counted, whereas with 7 events your best 5 count. They're also trying to keep the Ferdevco Half-marathon Series tightly linked to the Marathon Series and some events (eg Karoo to Coast) don't have two distances. Also, they incorporated the 5 rounds of the XC/DH SA Cup this year, which took the Series organisers up from 10 events in 07 to 13 in total in 08 so their overall workload increased.

They have hosepipes...

Nope, MTB is very healthy. Healthier than ever before actually (should be getting some figures soon to back this up). Just because a race is part of the Mazda MTN Series, doesn't mean it'll attract thousands. Chandelier is a newish event and quite remote so difficult for the masses to reach, while 50 Miler took place in soggy conditions, no doubt putting off a lot of KZNatalians. Dirty Harry isn't the most attractive event and it's also at the wrong time of year to get big numbers, but I think the date is changing for 09 and the course has been adjusted. Race numbers can also depend on what else is on that same weekend. There have been some unfortunate calendar clashes which have definitely affected race numbers at certain events (e.g. - Hill2Hill and Karoo to Coast were on the same weekend again this year). There are also more MTB races on the calendar than ever before, which means a natural dilution of entrants in certain events. Rhodes Challenge used to be one of THE races about 10 years back, now they're lucky if they get 200 riders as there is far more choice. Add to this more MTBs-specific parks in the major cities, an upgrade to UCI Level 2 for all Mazda MTN XC/DH races in 09, MTB World Cup in Pmb in April 09, Absa Cup UCI-points events in Gauteng in May, Absa Cape Epic in March and long waiting lists for Imana Wild Ride, York Timbers Sabie Experience and Subaru Sani2C stage races and you have a very impressive state of mountain biking SA. Sean Badenhorst2008-11-30 13:55:23

Not yet, but coming soon apparently.

I agree, it is rather tame. But expect them to develop the Black Trails steadily. They don't have much slope to work with, so a lot of man-made stuff is required. Also, the northern side of the N1 will add a lot more options once that's complete. Took my family there on Thursday arvie and was very encouraged to see all the kids on bikes.

It's the last Friday of every month isn't it? TitusTi started this a couple of months back. His posts on this are just reminders. It will grow. Good on you for keeping it alive TitusTi and all those that have been supporting. Every bit of awareness proactivity helps...

Good luck. Post pics!

Awesome! Only in England ? gray skies, poor quality haircuts, 'Eye of the Tiger' playing before the final, winner (not British) crashing after enthusiastic fans storm the track and, of course, a local mayor with a growth hormone deficiency... Having said that, it looks like my kind of racing!

Mallo, I'm a bit out of touch with local sport politics these days. However, I'm surprised ASA (athletics) isn't on the SASCOC board as it's one of the biggest/most successful sports, with a very favourable racial mix! Chuene must have really done something silly! Gideon Sam was once head of Swimming SA so is at least aware of the challenges faced by Olympic sports. I can't see him doing any worse with SASCOC than what Moss did. That Beijing Games must be the bottom of the barrell, surely! Moss is a nice guy (spent a fair bit of time with him at the Atlanta Games) but nice guys don't always get the job done! I think they should get Cyril Ramaphosa to head up SASCOC... Run it like a business the way all modern sport should be run... Sean Badenhorst2008-11-24 07:42:12

Where did you hear this? I'm sure that all Olympic and Commonwealth Games sports codes have to be members of SASCOC. What do you mean that cycling has no representation at SASCOC?