Ratty

Just cause someone has a cheap car, doesn't mean they can't afford a nice bike. Honestly don't see the point of a fancy expensive car. My car gets used to sit in traffic going to work and back. My bikes gets used to play, have fun, socialise with friends, keep fit etc etc.

I need to photoshop my day 2 pics as my face looks like a tomato in all of them. They actually took some nice photos. Was just hoping to see the one on the berms, but that's not there.

We had the KTM balance bike. Awesome little bike and solid. The one advantage of a "motorbike" one over a "bicycle" one is there are hand protectors. The amount of times my son rode into something (especially in the house), they saved his hands. I swear by the balance bikes. I've seen the difference in bike control with the kids who rode balance bikes vs ones that rode with training wheels for a long time.

Why not try the descent? Its not just fast people, there are a lot of us slow coaches. Logistics are a lot easier with kids as its on the weekend rather than during the week.

Think Ride In café also does rentals. The Full Suspension bikes (Stump Jumper, Camber, Stump Jumper 650 Fatty) are available to rent at a flat rate (non negotiable) of R450.00 our basic bikes are a falt rate (non negotiable) of R250..

RIP fellow cyclist. Very sad. Any idea what the cause of death was? Why I ask is one of the riders on the Descent had his blood pressure go through the roof because of dehydration. He was airlifted in the helicopter 4km's from the end of stage 2 and put on a drip. Has never previously had issues with blood pressure. Just wondering if this was the same? Apparently dehydration causes your blood to thicken making it harder to move around your body which then raises your blood pressure.

We got Magnums for dessert after day 1

For those doing the great trek you are in for a treat. The route is great! I hope the weather is better than what we had. The heat and wind on day 2 was a killer. Remember to hydrate well, too many people ended up on drips. The organisers did a great job.

There was 3 types of juice, water, tea, coffee, chocolate or strawberry milk and rusks available 24 hours. Plus there was a big tank saying drinking water..... I must admit I missed the two trailers loaded with ice until the last day, oops.

Its just very suspicious that all the unsuccesful entries are in Cape Town, haven't seen one non-local that didn't get in.

There is still a bit of hope. I reckon a lot of people will pull out because their friends / family didn't get in especially those that have to travel far to the race. Otherwise its waiting for substitutions.

Charities want R2000. As I am hopeless on asking people for donations I would have to pay the full amount myself, just not worth it. Very sad.

Oh and the charities are asking for R2000 so thats not an option.

So much for them giving preference to people who have done lots before. Lucky u.

I got the bad email :-( Stupid thing is that my dad who has been my riding partner for 10 years got in. This would have been his 11th and my 10th. Pissed off.....

I get an urge every 2 years or so to buy a new car as I get bored with the old one. Cars are now way too expensive so I satify the craving by buying a new bike. Seriosly though its generally when the right bike comes out. I want a Specialized Rhyme as its just the perfect bike for the type of riding I like. Even willing to sell two of my other babies to get it. Only rule I have is that I must be able to buy it with cash. Bikes are a luxury item and not a necessity so better to save up than buy on credit.

Wow, what an awesome well organised event. The venue was stunning with lots of different stalls with some delicious food. I just did the 5km route with my son which was great. He couldn't believe the water point where he had people offering him jelly babies, drinks, yoghurt and various other things. Thanks to the organisers for a day we will remember for a long time.

I've been for all the allergy tests etc and apparently I am allergic to nothing. Don't have much faith in their tests.... I use Deselex (at night only as it makes me too drowsy during the day).Sterimar Spray (when I don't have time to make a proper rinse).Saline RinseMontair - only need this in April and September aka change of season.Flomist of Avamist - I find the Avamist works better. Something that works well for me is to put a couple of slices of lemon with some honey and boiling water. The honey soothes the throat and helps line it and the lemon helps break down the phlegm. Swimming also helps me a lot especially when I push hard in the pool. Unfortunately even with all the above, I am currently on a 7 day course of Celestamine. Its payment for doing the Tip Trans Cederberg Experience (lots of dust and pollen) and going to Madame Zingara (looks of artificial smoke). Have suffered since I was a baby. As a kid I used to be on a wheat free, dairy free, preservative free diet. I used to go to kids party's with blackcurrant juice from the health shop and a packet of popcorn. The part I am not happy about is that my doctor has told me that I am not allowed to cycle in Durbanville, or anywhere near flowers or forests for the next month if I want to stay semi-healthy. I have done a few races (Sani, B&B, Houw Hoek) where I would have failed a drug test because of cortisone. They are all after the worst 2 months.

See I disagree with this. Before I fell pregnant, I could eat anything I wanted and not put on weight. At one point I was even taking shakes etc as I had to put on a kg for amateur horse racing. I really struggled. If I ate the same now, I'd probably be putting on a kg a week. So something changed and I definitely don't burn the calories like I used to.

I use to be one of the people that couldn't understand why people "let" themselves get fat. Then I picked up weight during my pregnancy and even more afterwards and 7 years later I was still 3 kgs more than my maximum pregnancy weight. I thought it would be easy to lose, but was very wrong. When things like hormones, cortisone injections etc get in the way its not so easy. You never know the reasons behind someone being overweight and I know now its not just because they are lazy or don't have will power. Finally now in the last 6 months I have started losing the weight. This is mostly due to me starting swimming squads. I lose more weight doing a 40 minute swimming session once a week than doing a few hours of cycling. For the first time in 8 years I have dropped under 70kg's and I am stoked. Once something starts working, the motivation increases. I think because I haven't made drastic lifestyle changes, keeping it off shouldn't be a problem. Just trying to cut out the bad stuff and exercise more. I find the more I do this the more energy I have which means the more I can exercise.

16 hours doesn't sound too bad. We eat at around 6pm so that means eating breakfast at 10am which I do sometimes.

You are not helping... When I was on a school camp, I got bitten by a fish in a dam (it was quite sore). Ever since then I've have a fear of the fishes in the dams. I know its irrational, but still freaks me out. When I walk into the dam, the moment its deep enough I tread water rather than stand. On a serious note, thanks for the advice, appreciate it. I reckon after a few more swims in a dam, I'll be ok. My friend might take a little longer.

But its still showing at 999 responses.... maybe this will take it to 1000.

Thanks, but at this point 1.8km would be pushing it a bit especially for my friends. I only started swimming again last year after 10 years off due to a shoulder injury so working my way up. Next race (Slanghoek) is only 650m's so its a nice comfortable distance.

I am actually better in the sea than dams. Used to do nippers as a kid and surfed for quite a few years. Its the dark brown water that freaks me out.