Ratty

We had our cardboard box completely trashed just flying to Durban. If you going all the way to the UK, rather spend a little and know your bike is safe. We have the Thule bike box. You can see all the scratches etc from other things being put on top, but our bikes inside have been 100% perfect.

Thanks :-)

Thanks, I'll definitely take a look. Funny thing is I was extremely worried about the 400m swim. I wasn't able to swim for 10+ years due to a shoulder injury and only started again in November last year, but very slowly (max 10 lengths). 2.5km's, little bit far at this stage :-) Thinking more like +- 800m's for the next one.

I did the Xterra-lite and loved every minute of it. The swim was my absolute highlight. I seem to have somehow carried over my swimming ability from when I was 10. I started on the outside at the back as its my first ever open water swim and first time with other people (not separated by lanes). I was surprised at how many people I overtook and at times had to switch to breaststroke as I had no where to go. Was quite sad it came to an end so quickly. MTB, well that was just frustrating. We caught some of the slow men on the jeeptrack who just didn't want to move out the way. The singletrack was a good test of my patience. I eventually realised there was no way passed and just chilled. I saw more than 15 people fall !!! It wasn't that technical.....but some girls had never ridden singletrack before. I found I used up a lot more energy with the constant stop start and trying to sprint passed people on the uphills. The run (hike) was interesting. When we started everyone was running and I was being passed by everyone as I can only manage a jog. Once we reached the climbs, everyone was walking and I felt loads better :-) The little river crossing was very welcome. Now I just need to find the next event to do. Want to find an event with a swim that is a little bit longer.

I'm also a complete noob to Xterra and know 2 others doing their first so think there will be a few of us running around before the start looking like we don't know what the hell to do :-)

Not sure if you are sorted for a bike yet, but Ride In Café is just down the road from Jonkershoek (+- 4 hours) rent out Specialized bikes. Have a look here http://www.ridein.co.za/ You want a nice bike to ride Jonkershoek.

I'm 170cm, but I'm ok because I'm female.

What a load of rubbish.

When I first started using them, I felt I had less control. However they were a lot more comfortable so I compromised. The control thing however was more in my head and I quickly got used to them and now won't ride with anything else.

Still won't be accurate. The men in my family have got really broad shoulders and big bones and even when carrying no excess weight, come in obese according to the BMI calc. They are +- 6ft so fairly average height.

Have a look here. It shows what is covered and what isn't. Keycare Plus is actually not their lowest plan, the Keycare core is the lowest. Interestingly, I pay less for my Coastal saver than I would on KeyCare plus. https://www.discovery.co.za/portal/individual/tools-compare-health-plans One thing you need to watch out for is where they say they pay 100% of the Discovery Rate. Some specialists charge 300%.

Just make sure you fall bad enough to get admitted to hospital. I took a spill end of November and its been expensive. My only serious injury was my thumb. +- R700 for visit to casualty +- R500 X-Rays +- R400 Splint for Thumb +- R670 OT - Custom Splint for Thumb (first one too big once swelling went down) +- R1100 Physio Visits so far Total so far R3370 and I still can't ride my bike :-( This was without going to see a specialist, they are +- R500 per visit minimum.

My son needs a 20inch bike as he has outgrown is 16inch. Problem is he is fussy. He wants a black bike with flames on it!

Problem in Cape Town is that it is so hard to find info on the XCO races. I love them, but every time I went to the website, it hadn't been updated so you didn't know when the next one was. (This was about 2 years back so it might have changed). I love the courses I did, my favourite being Zevenwacht (just love the one rock that you get to ride down).

I suffer from fairly low blood pressure. Normally its around 110/64, but the moment I get a sinus infection or any other illness it will drop. The dizzy spells for me start when the first figure drops below 108.

Don't just look at them, ride them. Don't know about Bianchi, but Specialized do the Test days.

Meerendal is the best trail for beginners. Go whatever time you want. Its not like a race where 100's of people are riding. The faster / more skilled riders will be at Contermans or Hoogekraal so u don't have to worry about them. Contermans Green route is also good for novices. Its 8km's. If u want to venture a little further then go try Oak Valley in Grabouw.

Berg and Bush 2 or 3 day event you can do solo! Lots of friendly people on route to keep you company and help out if needed.

Have you done Amageza? If not, you should add this to your list of challenges when you get a bike again. Just get a proper bike i.e not BMW :-)

Base jumping is extremely dangerous. If your chute fails that's it. Being an ex-skydiver, I have seen quite a few main chutes fail to open, but the people were saved by the reserve.

Lourensford again??? My son loves doing the Eco Warrior challenges, but we did one at Lourensford in November so was really hoping for a different venue.

I'm happy to be back in the office (work from home last week). Its bloody hot in Cape Town and while all those people on holiday are sweating and getting sun burnt, I am sitting in a nice cool air-conditioned office. Moving into a brand new house at the end of Jan. Saving my leave for then so I can be there to make sure the guys put everything i.e grass, paving etc in the right place.

No helmet, no ride. Stick to the rule and eventually they will accept it. We had loads of fights, tantrums etc, but not my son refused to ride unless he has his helmet.

Good luck repairing it, they want to charge a fortune to replace screens on these big phones. My OH got a quote for R5000 to replace the screen on his Xperia Z!

Not my usual style of music, but I heard the group BlackBryd playing the song Keep On live on KFM and there was just something special about it. Bought the CD on Friday and am listening to it now at work and wow, I am impressed. Those girls sure can sing.