Red Zone

Ditto on the Garmin 910XT. Hands down the best on the market. The 310XT is the predecessor to the 910XT, has a claimed 20 hour battery life, but is quite a bit clunkier and doesn't track swimming very well. If you are on a budget get the 310, but the extra 2K or so for the 910 is probably worth it. Just try not to lose it in the swim

I'm calling dam ugly. Looks like a first year's industrial design project. Why cant car manufacturers stick to what they know, you dont see Specialized producing overpriced cars do you

No worries, I often find the search somewhat temperamental. In the context of other 70.3 distance races the entry fee is pretty fair. What puts me off more is that the course, especially the run, looks pretty underwhelming.

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/135862-enduroman-franschhoek-27-sep-2014/

That's my point exactly, also comments about aiming or crashing into girls with large breasts is not exactly adding to the debate. Nor is calling the trail runners "dumbass joggers" 10 posts or something on the hub... perhaps I have just been taken by some troll bait... oops I should have seen the signs. Anyway no point debating with this dude.

Perhaps if safety was your concern you could try to be less offensive and abrasive, you don't help the cause for safety at all, and your attitude can do nothing but hurt relations between trail runners and mountain bikers.

I probably run and ride Tokai in equal amounts. I see runners on the mtb tracks and I see riders on the horse trails, on the restricted jeep tracks. The payment issue is moot, as so many riders sneak in without paying. I personally feel that no-one should pay to use the mountain - but lets not go there. I have had far, far, far more incidents involving riders on illegal paths when I am running than I have encountered runners on the singletrack. The way I feel is that if riders want to break the rules they need to face the consequences if SANParks shuts Tokai to riders or continues to give the Mtb community (metaphoric) continual uphill. General environmental awareness also needs to go to the runners, little or no littering, not taking shortcuts, no skidding and sliding around, far less aggression and less "we own this place" attitudes. The riding community needs to sort out its own activities before pointing fingers at the runners, they are on balance a far more law abiding bunch. One final question how is a DH'er pushing his rig up the single track any better than a runner going up the same track, as per the photo on the first page of this thread. On that point how are big groups of riders hanging around on blind corners, riding up singletrack, riding in lycra, stopping on singletrack, falling over, cutting corners (on the tar road down from the mast) any worse than the odd trail runner, who in general WILL get out of the way, it is pretty difficult to miss a DH rig shaking the earth as it flies down the trail. Its just because they are one of you that you look the other way, runners are causing no more disruption to your ride than other guys on bikes. I run with the Trail and Tar guys pretty often, they are frequently told to stay off the singletrack, on the big Wednesday run I have never seen anyone run mtb singletrack. Why cant people just get along, no-one owns the trail, no-one owns the mountain. Riders joking about slamming into runners etc... need to realise that Tokai is a place for beginners, pros, families who are all over the singletrack, yes even on sections of the DH, you may have a 60 year old codger, my 5 year old who likes going over the bumps, someone who is a bit lost, a unicyclist. You bury your 2.5 inch Maxxis in someone's head you are going to be the one to blame. You need to be able to control your rig and take care especially on busy days. You want to ride with reckless abandon, then ride closed courses. Unless portions of Tokai are formally closed to all but a select group of riders consideration needs to be paid to all trail users. Just because you are able to go down the hill like Steve Peat doesn't give you the right to endanger others. I am pretty sure if a rider badly hurts another trail user who is on foot and the trail isn't formally restricted to riders only, you can kiss goodbye to riding in Tokai as we know it

Why? plenty other dopers in the peleton who have taken his place.

Also make sure your tow hitch is rated to take the vertical load, you may exceed it with four mountain bikes (if that's what you are carrying). A trailer is the best option in my opinion for 4 bikes

Fantastic triathlon weekend for the saffas, with Marais' first 1st place in an Ironman event and Murray backing up his bronze two weeks ago in Yokohama with a Silver in London. Quite a race in London, first time that the Brownlee brothers or Gomes not on the podium in a long long time.

There is lots of info on the web about correct saddle height and position. I found the best point of departure is to sit on the bike in a doorway or something that you can lean against with your shoulder, at the bottom of the pedal stroke (6 o-clock) you should have a 25 degree bend in your leg with your foot horizontal, that should get your saddle height right. Then bring your foot up to 3 o-clock, your kneecap should be directly above the pedal axle (use a plumb line if you are unsure). That should get your 95% of the way to a good fit. It will take around 3 weeks of regular riding to get "saddle fit".

Taking small-print to the next level

Shred it dude, Shred it, training for Ironman and the rain kicks in in Cape Town and there is no option, you got to ride that sucker for hours. There are few things which suck more

I just use my old road tyres on my trainer and just ride them to shreds, I dont find the wear to be too bad. Watt bike if you can afford it is the way to go.

As much as I think that Dura Ace is the best gruppo around, Italian bikes just need Campy to round them off

Unfortunately locally manufactured often means more expensive. Economies of scale, boutique branding etc... seems to push the price up. Then there is the all to frequent poor south african service. IMO its just so much easier, cheeper and more dependable to buy mass produced components online.

It like these guys just don't have google

I see your epic sticker and raise you one Ironman tattoo

I think that this is doable, 25 km /h ave. Not going to be fun, but probably not a lot harder than what a lot of the 24 hour mtb dudes do.

105 is a big step up from Tiagra, hold out

Nice looking ride, the seat clamp is fantastic.. The two tone dura ace brake is very cool

Agreed, go with a new fork, the Recon is a very good option, air sprung, you will get a much more plush ride out of it. You probably have an elastomer shock on your entry level bike, they are pretty rubbish, just a bouncy rubber stick really. Going to 10 speed with a decent groupset will also give you a more enjoyable ride, nicer more confident shifting. My advise, new shock then upgrade to 10 speed, then new wheels, then new brakes, then new frame, this way your significant other wont notice that you actually have a new bike.

Quite something to see Murray, Gomes & Mola run the Brownlee brothers off the back. Then Gomes' sprint over Mola is pretty amazing, shows why he is the best in the business, next stop London in two weeks will be another great race.

Its all about what you want to get out, I have no doubt that the most important function a coach performs is to provide the impetus for you to do the work, and following a program and giving feedback to a coach is the best way to keep motivated. This will probably take you to 70%of your potential. To get up to 90% you need personal attention, stroke correction, running analysis, bike technique etc... squad training will take you to 100%

Spaz have the BG design with varus wedge which is great for the knees and leg alignment, not sure if any other shoes have the same?