Ratty

Flat abd easy????? I think not. Really underestimated this one. Tough 40km's when u have hardly been on a bike since November. I made it though. Were any other hubbers near the back of the field? Really friendly bunch, although I think a few lost their sense of humour with their multiple punctures.

I've got a photo somewhere from a few years back when there was snow on the mountains in the distance. It was so beautiful.

We have an adventure trailer, it is awesome. Can easily cruise around jeep track so can do nice safe family rides. great thing is if you fall, the trailer still remains upright. Kids are sheltered from the elements, plus I took food, water and toys so my son had plenty to enjoy if he got bored of the scenery.

Think all the real men are in Cape Town. On Saturday I did a ride with a few others at Meerendal. Didn't want to climb all the way to the top as I am recovering from injury and didn't want to push. I let the others do the climb and I just went as far as I felt comfortable with and then went to the side of the singletrack to take photos of my riding buddies. So standing there, bike on the floor, phone in hand, every single guy that went passed slowed down and asked if I was ok. Now this is on an awesome bit of downhill singletrack!! If any of them are on the hub, thanks for asking! I didn't need help, but good to know if I had I would have got help.

I would recommend drinking 32GI rather than plain water, but as the others have said, first try it on a few training rides. Also some energy bars / banana's / peanut butter sandwich's etc are good to take on the route as you will be riding for quite a few hours. Ride at a pace you are comfortable. We have learnt the hard way trying to keep up with a group going faster than we are used to, eventually getting dropped and having no energy left for the rest of the race.

That comes back to my original question, how much of the track for this race can you not normally ride? A lot of the best singletrack in races you can ride any other time for only R30 and you get it to yourself. I don't mind paying race fees if I get to ride beautiful places that I can't normally ride.

Oh no, tough choice. Also love tru-cape..... Question is which one has the most track that we can't normally ride?

Have you serviced the shock according to their guidelines? (its in the little book you get with the bike).

If you like singletrack then I highly recommend contermanskloof. Most of the climbing is singletrack rather than steep jeep tracks and the downhill are FUN.

I am still trying to work out how the driver of the car survived that. He is one very lucky guy.

That's a nice course! Watched 2 years back and it was super muddy which made is really fun to watch. I think the problem in the Western Cape is the lack of awareness / advertising of the events. I tried doing the XCO ladies races and found that it was a continuous struggle to find information of when and where the next event would be. The website was never kept up-to-date. Eventually just gave up. The races I did were great fun. I raced with the Elite ladies as the sports class was a bit too quick (sometimes only 2 laps, perfect for people starting out). Even though I am slow and unfit and sometimes got lapped, it was awesome. The pro's were all super friendly and encouraging and didn't seem upset that some amateur was joining them.

have you looked at the entry level specialized ladies bikes? Don't know prices, but they are really pretty.

Link isn't working for me :-(

Originally went to netcare and they didn't think an ultrasound or mri was necessary and referred me to the physio who I have been seeing every week and she was very happy with the progress. Was just hoping for tips on what has worked for others that's the only reason I came onto the hub. Do you think a specialist is necessary if it is improving? (Besides me obviously doing too much too soon). Swelling / bruising has all gone. If yes, what type of specialist and do you know anyone good in the area?

Thanks. Its so frustrating as I have just come back from 2 1/2 months off the bike after I tore my thumb ligament. Even worse is I have a beautiful sexy new trail bike that hasn't yet to see singletrack. At least I can still swim :-)

When batting you push off at an angle and I think that's what did it. Pushing off with the leg straight was fine (I tested this before I agreed to play).

Thanks, not what I want to hear, but good advice. Don't want to quit action cricket as I love it which is why I want to build up the strength in the calf. I have played for many years without any issues.

I realised this the hard way :-( The plan was to be extra careful, but the moment the adrenaline of the game comes in, you forget these things.

Just going by what the physio said. They basically grade it on how well you can walk so not very scientific. I just know its not as bad this time round as I can hobble at a decent enough pace. When I did it the first time, I had to go on crutches as I couldn't walk without extreme pain. You aren't supposed to ask a women her age, lol. Seriously though I am 33. First time I've ever injured the calf. I had been dancing in high heels at a wedding a few days before I injured it so we think this was a contributing factor (I don't normally wear heels).

So, just over 4 weeks ago I tore my calf muscle playing action cricket. Did the whole RICE treatment and have also been going for regular physio treatments. Got the go ahead a week ago to start cycling and running again. Did the Nav Challenge on my mtb on Sat which involved walking up very steep hills (I was a little lost), abseiling down waterfalls etc and I didn't feel a thing. Did a short slow run on Sunday and also no twinges at all. Then stupid me, thinking its all good went and played action cricket again last night. No problem bowling, but the moment I batted and tried to take off to run, it went again. My question now especially for the guys that run as well is what can I do to get the calf properly fixed. Clearly just being out of pain is not enough and I actually need to strength it? Next question is how long (estimate) should I give it? It is between a Grade 1 and 2 tear (first time round was between grade 2 and 3). I did my first off-road triathlon in Feb and loved it so had my eyes set on the Durbanville tri on the 3rd May. Any tips on how to get it back to normal in the shortest time possible will be much appreciated.

Berg and Bush sections are easily do-able on a ht. There is only one downhill where I wished I had a dual.

Think the tent would be an upgrade from the ones they give you, but the spot where you would get to put your own tent would be a downgrade. The tents easily fit both people as well as all your gear. You can't stand up in them though.

There is a natural anti-inflammatory that you can get from the chemist, just can't remember the name now. I was prescribed it for my ITB (pain was above and in the same area you pointed out) when I desperately wanted to do a race. Was told to take it a few days prior to the race and also on race day (in the morning and half way through). It worked for me.

Tokai is not a lonely wilderness spot, its a very popular spot where lots of people go ride their expensive bikes. There are hot spots, but also lots of trails on private land that have had no problems. Hope the rider is ok. Thats the third airlift i've heard about this week. Other two were at Contermans and kliprug.

I cycled two weeks ago for the first time in a tri-suit and was pleasantly surprised. I have been thinking about changing my saddle as it just wasn't comfortable even with top of the range shorts. Rode for 1 1/2 hours in the Tri-suit and found it extremely comfortable on the same saddle! No chafing at all.