Ratty

Thanks Leet, I was feeling a bit left out with all these fast okes and the 6 something start times. I'm in CC, starting at 7:55. Much better than last year when I started with people who didn't know how to ride in a group.

Do the Knysna Cycle Tour and / or Karoo to Coast. Support and vibe at the end is awesome (especially in the beer tent) even after 6+ hours in the saddle.

I'm looking for a job closer to home (so I can cycle to work :-) ) Anyone know a company looking for a Senior SQL / C#.Net / CRM developer / Project Manager, let me know.

Races like the Argus only allow substitutions up to a point.

I will be going to Killarney on Tuesday afternoons to get the practice riding in a bunch, will also get loads of wind there. Its just not safe for me to go out on my road bike early morning or late afternoon and weekends I can't seem to stay off my mtb. Thanks everyone for your answers. Got some more research to do.

Thanks Swissvan. I definitely want to go for the IDT for a few reasons. 1. We don't have space in the garage for a spinner. 2. I need my body used to the position and saddle on my road bike. I don't ride it often and then suffer when I do 100km races. 3. It will be cheaper. I've already got a heart rate monitor / cadence sensor etc for my road bike which I can use

Thanks Dawie, I'll look into it. Anyone else ?

I'm looking for an indoor trainer as the one I've been borrowing is being taken back unfortunately. Can you guys and girls please recommend a good one and the pro's and con's of them. P.S I'm not looking to buy 2nd hand, want a new one.

Sauser is helping SA so I consider him a worthy winner.

I think it is really cool as it will just give the Epic even more exposure overseas. I always follow the Epic when it is on and 2011 I will be glued to my tv again. Might even try go watch a stage or 2. GO BURRY and CHRISTOF !!!!

Tygerberg is a great mtb club for all levels. The slowcoach rides are great for newbies as the more experienced people help them out and teach them how to ride singeltrack etc. Nothing too hectic. Don't know any southern suburb clubs though.

yeah, but then you get the silly people (points to me) that are flying (hopefully) to that snow in a weeks time. I wished for snow as last time I was there that wasn't any, guess i got my wish :-) On a positive note, the weather in Cape Town the last few days has been STUNNING !!! Had an awesome mtb ride yesterday.

Well done guys, great work you are doing !!!!!!!

Good year for me, I got my new beautiful Specialized era and have loved every moment on her. Finishing the long Knysna mtb (couldn't walk afterwards, ITB) and then finishing Karoo to Coast and being absolutely fine afterwards.

I very nearly got rid of my tubeless and went back to tubes. Kept on having issues especially my front wheel. Previously when I had tubes, I only had 1 punture in a year. With Tubeless, I had to bail out of even starting 2 rides as I couldn't keep air in the tire and had to pump my tyres up every weekend before a ride. Then, when I took my bike in for a service I told the guy about the problems I was having and he suggested I change to a different system. Cost me R180, but its the best R180 I've spent. I haven't had a single issue since then. Same rim, same tyre, just a different tubless system. Very impressed with the shop.

I don't find them very comfortable. Will wear mine (polar or garmin) for gym or short road rides, but not for a mtb or longer ride. but then it depends a lot on her cup size and also which sports bra as they vary a lot.

You guys won't stand out, there are loads of unfit people on the trails. Have fun !!!

Definitely Meerendal. It is the Tygerberg trail that has been designed with new comers in mind. The routes are very well marked so its easy to know where to go. You can choose between 3 different routes. The red route has a little more climbing than the others, but no hectic downhill singletrack. Hillcrest has some fairly tough climbing, short but sharp and the downhill singletrack is quite a bit steeper than at Meerendal. I have 2 friends who are beginners and they love riding at Meerendal and prefer riding there to Majik. Majik is the only trail that really gets traffic. Most of the time I find we are alone on the trails at the others (although there are normally other cars there) and very rarely pass or get passed by another rider. If you here someone coming up behind you, just move out of there way as soon as its safe for you to do so. Most of the guys are really friendly and will give you some encouragment if you are struggling. Once you are comfortable with Meerendal, then go to Majik and Contermanskloof (my favourite).

That pic makes the see-saw look so tame. When you get close to it on a bike, it looks so much more scary. I've yet to be brave enough to ride it. Think it would help if I could see someone else do it first. I will ride it one day, its a goal of mine.

I have been in the position of the "chirper" before. Behind someone who is holding a nice pace that I can just keep up with, but if I was to go in front, the pace would drop. That said, in a race the other day, I got to a hill after a longish flat section into the wind and pulled over to let someone pass only to realise there were about 15 guys all riding behind me. I couldn't believe I had just pulled them all along without anyone offering to lead and then they all flew passed me up the hill.

Personally I would do it in private, not in front of everyone. It may have been an honest mistake i.e chips got mixed up and a friend / family member rode with hers instead of theirs. Its a bit different if you catch someone riding with 2 chips, that clearly is cheating.

Try being female and riding either those or the spinning bikes, not very comfortable.

how would you feel if people just decided it was alright to walk through your property. Its NOT ok to ride on someones land unless you have permission whether you do damage or not. There are plenty of legal trails out there to ride. We have lost a potential trail in the Durbanville area thanks to people riding where they weren't allowed. I also get really angry with all the people who go ride on the legal trails, but don't pay the permit like they are supposed to. We have already had one or two trails closed (eg Thandi) due to this. FFS people, its only R25/R30. U probably spend way more money on the petrol to drive there and lunch afterwards, and/or energy drink and gu's for the ride.

You should let her do it! It will be an experience for her. She will only resent you later if you say no. As for seeing ex's, what is wrong with it. I've always kept in contact with my ex. We stayed friends when we broke up and even when we went into new relationships. My husband isn't happy about it, but its something he just has to deal with. I'm actually going to my ex's gf's Baby Shower in 2 weeks and she came to mine. People move on.

2011 Specialized Ladies Carbon road bike :-) I can dream can't I.......