Ratty

Not true! A lot of guys won't move over for a chick, especially on a downhill. I mean imagine what their friends will save if a girl beat them downhill..........

lol, I had some ladies shout at me thinking I was their mate trying to splash them. I was just trying to get in front so I didn't get held up at the singletrack and going through the water was the quickest way.

some amazing photos were taken. Have a look at www.photosport.co.za

Noooo, this sounds like my type of race, but sadly I have to take my son to a kiddies party on the same day :-(

How was that for perfect weather and scenery. Been a long time since I did a fun ride. Was surprised when the 50km started that I wasn't dropped like I normally am. Actually think I was in the top half, very rare for me. Didn't have too much congestion on the singletrack, great idea to have the chicken runs. Interested to see the results.

I am 1.70cm tall. In between a men's medium and men's small which is quite frustrating. Bought my first ladies specific bike about 4 years ago and best thing I ever did as the ladies geometry just works much better for me. I've got a Speciailzed Fate carbon comp and a Specialized Rumour. Both bike are awesome!!! I am finding though that the rumour is a better all-purpose bike. It is great downhill and on the tricky stuff (which is what its design for), but I also find it climbs really well.

There are so many more awesome technical trails in the Western Cape now so we are all selling our hardtails and buying trail bikes :-)

I think majority of the people on the hub are too biased towards certain brands. If the test crew were varied and then tested the same bike and theirs views debated / put together for a combined review, it might work.

I know someone who is 110kgs and has been riding a stumpy carbon comp down drops and small jumps. No problems so far.

Specialized make really nice ones for the kids. Have a look here http://www.specialized.com/za/en/ftr/helmets/youth-helmets/small-fry-toddler They have for the toddlers as well as the slightly older kids. Not sure of the shops in the North, but try any Specialized dealer.

Hi, have a look at the Tygerberg MTB facebook page. They are organising a whatsapp group for the parents of kids who want to ride.

Think while it was closed you had to have the card. A friend went yesterday and they said he needed a card. He disagreed and eventually the guard phone someone and they said it was fine to go in on an id.

Like the spinning classes at the gym, but find it hard to get there when the classes are on. Had my IDT in the garage and was never using it as didn't like being in the garage especially during winter. Its now next to my bed. I wake up looking at it and find I've used it a lot more (if I look at it I feel guilty).

What is the cut-off for the 74km? I really need to do some distance, but like to take my time.

My dads bike broke on a flight to Durban for our first Berg and Bush. A very kind stranger lent him a bike. It was luckily a full suspension, but quite different to his own bike. He survived the 3 days quite easily without changing anything except for the saddle height.

Anyone know where I can get an attachment so that I can put my tablet on the bike? I am not allowed my training in front of the tv. Would love to be able to watch things on the tablet while training.

Specialized have got a nice range of ladies shorts, starting at under R1000. I am saving up to get some of the SL pro bib shorts (R1899) as they are extremely comfortable. Bought the baggies recently which are too die for as they are super comfy and don't show all the curves (lycra shorts only work if you have the figure to wear them). I will never buy Assos shorts again. Have had issues with stitching coming undone and also find they wear really easily.

I have two of these for sale (the wider width, think its 153) if anyone wants. so many ladies raved about them, but they don't work for me at all.

I loved my roof racks as they are perfect if you want a quick hassle free ride. No mounting of bike rack etc etc. Unfortunately they don't make boots to fit my car :-( Need to get a towbar.....

My only advice, just because you start the ride with a head wind, does not mean you will end the ride with a tail wind. Did this race 2 years ago and the last 20km's was into a very strong head wind and we were on our own by then. Eventually made it, but sadly just after the cut off of 8 hours.

I'll probably see you at the airport - picking my dad up.

In the good old days I had the same problem. I was doing amateur horse racing and was too light so needed to put on a few kg's. I was recommended Ensure which is a meal replacement shake. If you want to put on weight, you have it in between meals instead of replacing meals. It is used for people to pick up weight after operations, cancer etc. I was already eating a lot of food so eating more food was not an option.

I managed to ride all the way up the climbs last year except for 1 steep corner. If I can ride up the climbs then it is not too bad :-) The surface is good on the first few climbs which makes it a lot easier. The 2nd half is dependant on weather and whether they have been doing some tree felling (makes for soft sand / mud). The 80km is 100 times better than the 50km. Hoping for a miracle that my fitness magically returns.

I am going to have to drop from the 80km to the 50km :-( Started the year with a thumb injury, just got back on the bike and tore my calf muscle, back on the bike and then got bronchitis which last for almost 2 months. Have hardly ridden my bike this year. Used to do the road race on the Sunday, but got sick and tired of riding past mtbers with huge smiles on their races after riding Harkerville while I am struggling into a head wind.

the problem with this pic is that you can see its been edited. .It all depends what you look for in a pic. For me, it is not how technically good the photo is, its the emotion that is captured in the photo.