Chopper Jr

Enter as many scary races as possible!! Seems to be the only thing that gets my ass onto a saddle. Just finished Jock. Time to do 2,5 hour spinning sessions twice a week and long ride on Sat morning! IDT is just too damn boring, even with Sufferfest vids. Got Carousel, riding to Sun City for Lost City and back, riding to Durban for Amashova, Satellite, 94.7 and then DC... Try keep that base strong for Argus - would love to do a sub 2:50!

I'll upload my Garmin data this evening, quite keen to see what speeds I managed on those descents. Being 90kg I try use my weight to my advantage as much as possible, hang over the bars, nose nearly on the front tire, knees pinned against the top tube... At least there you didn't have to brake for any of the corners!

Really enjoyed the new route! The two big climbs scattered the groups!! After Stage 3's climb the groups started forming again, providing a very fast finish in the last 25km... I think Group D had so many okes from Vets, A's and B's, they took off like bullets!! Was glad to see a few boys walking on the climbs! Haha... This is a beast of a race! Well done to the organizers!

Thanks for the feedback, I have/had a Spez Phenom 143 mm (unused) and 155 mm (sold) ... but thought I was being cool importing the new Chicane (white) for my new S-Works Tarmac. The carbon rails also seem to cause the saddle to loosen every couple of rides which can be a real pain in the ass - literally. Will take Cippo's advice and see if the LBS will lend me one for the weekend.

Has anyone made the move from a wider Specialized saddle to a Fizik? Specifically from a wider Specialized saddle, 155mm to the narrow Fizik - I dont think Fizik offer varying widths. I currently use a 155 mm S-Works Chicane which isn't too comfortable and have been wondering about trying a Fizik Arione R1 which seems to be very popular.

I'm tending towards the Ghost but only because of the top end spec... I literally cannot find a single review of the bike anywhere online, which I thought was rather odd...

Scalpel 2: Sram carbon crank, S7 FR, XTR RD, Avid Elixir brakes, XT shifters, and Stan's ZTR Crest wheels Superfly 100: Full XT, Fox Performance front and back, bontrager race x cockpit and Bontrager Race Lite wheels Ghost Lector AMR 2990: Full XTR, Magura MT8 brakes, Fox CTD Kashima front and back, Ritchey WCS carbon cockpit, Easton EA 70 XCT wheels

I'm looking to buy a dual suspension 29er. Without considering cost I'd like anyone's opinion on the three options below. They all weigh just under 11kg. The Ghost has the best components and groupset but I cannot find a single review online. The Scalpel seems to have the most positive reviews. Cannondale Scalpel 2 Ghost AMR Lector 2990 Trek Superfly 100 Elite

Wonderful idea! Definitely in... along with everyone else I ride with!

So my mate is down from Switzerland and I take him for a ride into the cradle... and then Darryl Impey and Chris Froome go cycling past! ...just another day in the cradle!

2.5hr or 2h50? The former might be possible if you were pro and were loaded on amphetamines...

Also, 3hr Argus is a 15% seeding index, which is a 2h30 at 94.7...

To do Sub 3 in good weather you need to start in Group A, B or C... your seeding is going to be the biggest problem. Unless you can pull some strings with the race office you'll be seeded around E/F and that's an almost impossible task to go under 3.

Are you the roving mechanic?

I get the shivers just thinking about it! I tore ACL, PCL and MCL in my knee a few years back. Knee is not happy running or recently Mountain Biking (&^%$). Road riding - no problems! Dread having to get a knee replacement...

So did you get it?

You dont typically need experience to build a bike from scratch. Just buy the parts and your LBS will put it together for R350 odd. Take care in the parts you're buying... you dont want to buy parts that dont fit etc.

Always an awesome event! When we left the Ashton compulsory stop, the wind was insane!! I think everyone happily drafted one another on the flat stretch. I broke out in hysterical laughter at the force of the wind when it was my turn to pull, anyone know the wind speed on the day? Thank the lord for the tail wind in the last 50km... nothing like being pushed up those hills by wind!

Lets hope we don't have stones thrown at us!

6:19 We must be right behind you! Keep left!!!

Okay so no registration required. Just pitch up at 7am at Waterfall Estate and enjoy!

Not sure if this is the same as the 40km ride advertised on their website... will try find out.

A mate just emailed me a promo flyer courtesy of Momentum. Short Saturday ride with likes of Chris Froome, Darryl Impey, Robbie Hunter... Sounds pretty cool!

Nice! Where did you get it from?

I really hope there's a practical reason for putting in this ridiculous 30 min stop. It takes away everything that set the DC apart from other races. I'm sure we can bitch about it to organisers during the briefing and hopefully they'll come to their senses.