rudi-h

had a great ride last night. Can anyone tell me the ascent of that route? Did about 13 laps (56km) and would like to know the total ascent of the ride. One more thing: Some of these old toppie roadie chops just have to relax. One oke was ranting and bitching at everyone that doesn't keep "left". Come one guys, the track is as 20m wide and there's no prize for hitting the fastest lap times, so please relax and make it a fun experience for all. If I'd been a new cyclist doing a first ride, I'd stop cycling right there and then.

Also don't believe the power readings. Apparently I can gooi a solid 220W with my heart rate in the low 150's.

Super! Thanks a lot

Thanks! 'Till when is it open? Driving all the way from linden, so its only worthwhile for 2hrs or more

Want to put in one last solid training session before 94.7. Is kayalami open today? If yes, what are the times? Thanks.

I would put up the biggest fight of my entire life and (if they still refuse) make their name SH!T in public as far as I can go. I broke 2 mtb frames before (with normal XC riding) and had them replaced - no questions asked. If they refuse a next time, I would throw my toys and spatter their name all over the hub and to everybody I know. Paying R20k for 3kg's of aluminium is right up there with the most expensive metal component that money can buy. If it doesn't last, it's not your problem. Also not your reponsibility to pay the R20k. my 2c

I do agree that bike mechanics work at high rates in comparison to the general mechanical industry. Being an average bike mechanic is an easy skill in comparison to a qualified artisan, yet it compares in terms of hourly rates. I think part of the reason is that LBS's are mostly situated in shopping hotspots, as opposed to other types of workshops that are situated in industrial areas. I don't mind too much paying it though. I ride to work at least once a week, thus saving roughly R80 per week on petrol / vehicle wear and tear. If I service twice a year, it still works out cheaper than driving (assuming that I would have done the training km's irrespective of commuting or not)

definite no. I wouldn't even have considered it if I were in her shoes. but as others said, that's for her to decide. It's not a case of a "moral dilemma", its way harder than that. if you tell her how you feel about it, and there's an argument / fight / she's upset about it, i'd say goodbye... break-ups are unfortunately what exactly what it means. a break, physical and emotional. Often awkward, but she has to realise that. same reason why you don't stick around and become best pals with an ex girl - doesn't work for a reason. this is not from a jealousy point of view, i'm not a jealous guy at all, only a matter of principles. admit it. if you let her do it and you see the video with her and the ex, it'll piss you off. don't let it happen. money is not a factor, even if it were a million bucks

talking about "sies"! how long do you leave your water bottles after use so that it gets mouldy? I just rinse them out after every ride with a bit of warm sunlight water and haven't seen mould in my bottles ever... with hydration packs I do the same thing and hang it out to dry.

Just finished my last all-out training ride as prep for 94.7. Managed a 2:17 around suikerbosrand, so now its only a few more commutes to work, 2 slow rides, one more hill session and next weekend's tri before race day! Can't wait to smash my PB!!!

After a few dings in my rear rim that I've been able to fix up, my rim finally had its last ride yesterday afternoon. This is the second rim that I've broken in 2 years, so I need some advice please. To cover the usual questions, here goes: My bike: Commencal full suspension Rims: Mavic 317 - front DT Swiss - rear(that's the one that's bent now) Tyre pressure: I didn't run tubeless lately, so tyres were pumped 2.5 - 3 Bar My weight: 89kg My riding style: I ride hard - loving the rocks and downhills What rims are strong? Don't think I should go for XC rims again, maybe something more sturdy. Should I go tubless? / What is the price difference these days? Not looking to spend all of my cash, but need something that wil last. Any suggestions, prices, etc.?

for us hairy legged, baggy short clothed, camelback wearing, puncture repairing, non fashionable bearded MTB'ers with saddle bags, bar ends and riser bars, the above reads as follows: "easier to wait for the support vehicle... blah blah blah GHEY, blah blah SOFT blah blah WHITE PANT blah blah" okay, I will also admit - I'm not an A-group rider, so I guess it might be different if you're really competing and if you actually have a support vehicle - don't know what that feels like though

the bunny hop part is not the problem... it's the landing and keeping upright on the corrugated shoulder part after you've been pushed off the road by a taxi. well, I guess I understand the views of the general public better now. That means that some people will allways shout / chirp and curse at me on my Sunday afternoon ride, with IPods in their ears... It still makes me wonder... I've not heard of a lot of guys paralyzed from a dog collision on a lazy sunday afternoon ride, but I have heard of numerous guys (the last few weeks) with helmets killed during car collisions... Also hear about a lot of guys being bike jacked - yet I've never been cursed at for not having pepperspray / baseball bat / gun in my back pocket... ain't that more irresponsible / selfish??? But I don't want to start a new debate, just wanted to hear what the Hubbers think about the whole safety issue. Not worth commenting any further, cause this is one of those arguments that can carry on for 2000 posts without reaching any agreement / conclusion. I guess the bottom line is to just think what you're doing, and keep SAFE!!!

Reading the "resting your forearms on the handlebars" thread, it got me thinking of cycling safety in general... Before everybody shoots me down and gets excited, I want to make the following statement: I do feel strong about cycling safely, and I fully support initiatives like "no helmet - no ride" that are being forced at races / big events. I also take the following safety steps: a) Commute and ride almost exclusively with my MTB, so that I can bunnyhop onto sidewalks / shoulders if something unforeseen happens B) Wear a helmet when riding on roads, races or riding technical tracks c) Never ride / run with an Ipod d) Don't rest with my forearms on the handlebars. I believe this is more than most guys out there can say , but very often I get cursed at, shouted at and chirped while doing easy off-road training rides without a helmet. I do not quite get this, because in my opinion there are millions of other "dangerous" stuff that cyclists do all the time that does not cause any alarm. Almost as if we (cycling community) are only concerned about helmets and the rest doesn't seem to matter. I don't like a helmet on my head - it's hot, sweaty and the straps around my chin irritate me. So when I go on a easy sunday afternoon ride (off-road, slow pace, well within my technical ability and on trails that I know by heart), I do not ride with a helmet. I believe the following things are much more dangerous, but nobody "chirps" about these... 1) Riding with road bikes on busy roads - not able to bunnyhop onto the sidewalk when a taxi cuts you off 2) Riding with i-pods - not able to hear any traffic or other cyclists 3) Riding with your "forearms" on the bars - not able to respond quickly to anything So correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't we focusing on the wrong stuff???

Cycling's helps my running a LOT I found. Have cycled a lot on a bike tour lately without a single run for more than a month. Prior to the bike tour, I ran 42 mins on a 8km. After the bike tour, I did 38 min on the same route. I know that time is nothing special for runners, but for me that's about as good as it gets. Think my PB back in 2006 was 36 min or thereabouts.

Xterra is a lot tougher than Olympic distance tri's, so you've got do a li'l bit longer rides & runs for this one. Otherwise I'd say the training is the same. Buffelspoort is rocky and if 2010 repeats itself, very muddy. The run is also very steep, so make sure to get some hills / steps into your route. Not much of a program guy myself, but as with any event, start of with longer and slower runs and cycles for base fitness and remember to throw in a good number of brick sessions. About a month from the race, I would start with some serious interval / threshold sessions as well as a few full race distance training sessions. Don't know how good a swimmer you are, but if you're a crappy swimmer like me, do the 1.5km distance often (1-2 x per week). Not so much because I get faster, but it becomes less effort, thus you're fresher on the bike leg. Good luck with the training - Xterra is awesome!!!

In general cross training is great. If you are a pro / serious cyclist, you obviously need to do a lot more cycling than running and vice versa. Also helps with injuries. I get chin splints often from too much running, then I'll just back off the running and swim / cycle for a week or two until I'm good again without losing any fitness.

bike box is a problem. Got a 2001 corolla and a bike box doesn't go in, no matter how hard you try. Phone a friend with a hatchback. Only option I can think of.

I'm stealing this thread, but while I'm at it: I've mentioned on another thread that I'd like to cycle through Namibia next year. Starting in Vioolsdrift an ending in somewhere at the kunene / Van Zyl's pass. Maybe you guys can give me some tips to miss out on the sandy patches? And, tell me how I can get a permit to ride the skeleton coast...? I'll be riding with a bike trailer (still have to build it) and will be able to carry full supplies for 2-3 days at a time. Awesome country, I'm jealous of you guys

it's way more dangerous than cycling without a helmet...

Starting in G - aiming for 2:50

The website only refers to the "electric" version. Where can I get the specs / info on the "pedal only" version? Where did you get the bike from? Can you post a pic?

I cracked my previous frame at the pivot attachment (full sus bike). Took it back to the shop and they gave me a new frame the next morning... My advice - get the shop to replace it if you've bought the bike new!

Some of the hard core snow bikers ride them all year round, so it can do trails too Bikes are surprisingly light too, just worried about thorns, cause the tyres are thin. Don't think you get them tubeless...

I've met a guy in Alaska that builds "snow bikes" under the brand FatBack. He told me that they sell some in Australia for riding in sand. Thinking of cycling through Namibia next July from Vioolsdrif to Ruacana. Wondering if I should import one of these babies... Any thoughts? If nothing else, these are by far the coolest looking bikes I've ever seen. Seen a single speed version with a belt drive while I was there!!