Ratty

Wow, don't know if its a location thing Don't know if different locations make a difference, but we pay less than that for someone who works full-time cleaning and looking after my son. Normally in my area people pay +- R200 daily if you want someone once a week or on an adhoc basis.

Been sick for the last month :-( I suffer badly with sinus this time of year and with colds on top of sinus it makes everything worse. Unfortunately haven't been sick enough to warrant going to the doc, but sick enough to not be able to train properly which sucks.

There is a very good primary school for kids with Autism in Parklands (Tableview). It helps them transition to main stream schools later when they are more able to cope. Classes are kept nice and small and kids gets to socialise with other kids like them so don't feel so different. Tableview is just down the road from Durbanville. Like others have said, Stellenbosch, Somerset West (there is even a 3.2km loop in a park in the middle of town with jumps and other fun stuff to play on) and Durbanville are great for families and mtbing. One thing in Cape Town is if you are looking at Private schools, you need to get your kids names down now already. in some areas, the schools have long waiting lists. We tried one school when my son was 18 months and they were already full for when he would start. Personally, I wouldn't look at Southern Suburbs. Only really technical option is Tokai, but it gets really busy and its quite far to travel to other trails and its overpriced.

I have a little bit of sympathy for the OP. I often do the real kiddies races (under 10km's) with my son and I think this is where the parents need to start teaching their kids to ride in a group. The amount of times the kids take each other out is ridiculous and they are not even racing. Its a lack of awareness of other riders. If the parents teach them to hold their line, move to the side if they want a break etc (common etiquette / manners) it won't cause so much frustration when they move up to the 20km's rides. I have no problem if a kid stops in the middle of the track because there is something technical, they are learning after all. However, if it just to have a breather, they need to move over. My son is guilty of this and I am slowly but surely getting it into his head that he can't just stop unexpectedly cause he just feels like it. Either warn the people behind, or make sure you pull over. That said, if you are in a race with kids, realise they are just kids and can be unpredictable. Give them space and it will be a lot less frustrating for you and put less pressure on them.

Tygerberg trails have been made for the majority, however the newer trails are getting more fun features. The new Lombards Terra is fantastic. Its fairly short, but so much fun with loads of berms and a couple of jumps. Surprised no one has mentioned Paul Cluver. The obstacles look like a lot of fun (didn't get to try them as I went through during a race. Jonkers had an awesome variety starting with easy jumps for people learning on the firehut trail to some bigger jumps on the DH lines. The other fun place with lots of fun obstacles for different levels is Southey Vines in Somerset West. There is a lot our there and still some that I know about but haven't tried.

Too much on at that time of year with things like Karoo to Coast, Impi, Berg and Bush etc. I would love more off-road triathlons, not enough of them.

Something to consider is could it be something health related for example an Iron Deficiency?

I made the choice as a teenager to stop eating meat. I however ended up at the doctor within a few months and was diagnosed to be anaemic and he told my mother I have to start eating red meat so I was forced to. Once I moved into my own flat, I never cooked myself red meat and once again had to go onto Iron tablets which really mess with my stomach. My problem is that I struggle to absorb iron so I need to eat more iron rich food than the average person. Iron from meat is a lot easier for the body to absorb than anything else so the only way I stay of the strong (and really expensive) iron tablets is to eat red meat at least twice a week.

Maybe I am just lucky in that I have an excellent chiro. He is the only person who has helped with my ITB. He also gives me stretches and strengthening exercises to sort out my week points. That said, I also have a very good physio who I need to see sometime very soon for a groin strain. For back or neck, I always go to my chiro first.

That happened to me when riding with a group of mates (all male). One broke his chain and none of us had a chain breaker. First cyclist to come past us was a chick. At first they weren't even going to ask her, but decided to take the chance. . She had all the tools and actually fixed the chain for my mate. I was super impressed.

I'll always help when I can. Helped a lady at Xterra. About 1km into the mtb leg her chain had come off and she didn't know how to put it on. At Houw Hoek a girl fell off a bridge in front of me on the best section of singletrack of the day in a beautiful indigenous forest and took a nasty knock to her head. We stayed with her until she was feeling ok to walk out. Instead of riding, we walked with her until we got to the jeep track to make sure she was ok. One thing I learnt, know the emergency numbers!!! I had a moment of what the hell do we do now when we first came across her. We have also been on the end of some help at Berg and Bush. My partner had a problem with his left crank and it would have been a long walk back if it wasn't for a very knowledgeable sweep who helped.

The Berg and Bush jackets are made locally which I think is really cool as it creates jobs. The quality isn't the same as what we got at Sani, but in some ways its more special.

I love my XT trail pedals. Gives me more confidence.

My multitool is put in a specific pocket that just fits it and is always closed so no bits sticking out and it lies parallel to me. Don't see how it would be a problem in a fall. My camelbak has previously saved me some pain after a nice over the bars at +- 40km's per hour. Landed on my back on a rock.

Not sure of the pricing, bought mine almost a year ago. It has a detachable liner. Also got an adjustable waist (handy when your stomach decides to be fat one day and thin the next). I've done a few stages races with mine and they were great.

I love my Specialized baggies! They are super comfy to ride in. Don't know JHB, but I am sure you could get them at any of the Specialized concept stores. The tops are awesome as well.

I was on early this week no problem. Tried again now and looks like she is broken. maybe mail them info@bergandbush.co.za.

They said they would be on the MTB Adventures facebook page. Not there yet though.

Everyone was very patient. The sad thing for me was to see people really not enjoying themselves and I think for a few it will have put them off doing races for a long time.

I loved the vibe, the weather was perfect and overall had a great time. Was just disappointed with the level of skills. I know it's a race aimed at less technical and fit riders, but there were so many that couldn't ride the basic single track and that really didn't enjoy the first day. I think a lot of people only did day 1 because they were too scared day 2 would be the same. There wasn't a single bit of singletrack on day 1 that I actually got to ride without stopping. Even after the split at the end, I was stuck behind someone who walked all the switchbacks. Day 2 was much better and although we had to go slowly along the single track, it was at least flowing. There were loads of hectic falls. I know of at least 3 that ended peoples rides.

Don't know a treatment, but interestingly enough at squad training we are being taught to swim with a different stroke to stop the tendonitis happening in the first place. Its a wide stroke used by people doing open water / long distance swims. Feels weird at first, but puts a lot less pressure on your shoulder.

So, What did everyone think of the ride? Interested to hear others opinions.

I'll be on a grey specialised in grey baggies.

My son went onto a 20 inch at 5

I'm confused, how would the fire at Wellington affect the Houw Hoek tour?