mtbee

Go Mankele, see you there this weekend Mr Nature.

Sabie 1/2 on Sunday was a great route and fantastic atmosphere at the event. We even got a respectable goodie bag. The split racing allowed me the opportunity to watch the pro's racing on Saturday.I do however prefer the 1 day format and would like not to have to take a secong bond to finance the weekends activities.

Mapara rules Option 4 then 1.

It is reasonable to get upset, but cyclists can be their own worst enemies. This week at 7.15am on a busy residential road three guys riding adjacent blocked the road and eventually I counted 7 cars backed by for the 1.5km I rode behind them. It was not possible to overtake due to on comming traffic, the guys were not in fast mode and ambled along at <30km/h while chatting. Even as a cyclist I was ready to ride them off the road, and we wonder why non-cyclists hoot and swear at us.

I see from the above that most replies are from happily employed persons. Most of my clients do the sum and fall over at R 61 600 per month. The LBS is probably paying +R20K in rent. He still has a number of other overheads to add to his expenses, so consider all when doing the quick and easy sum. Most bike shops work R 140 - R 180 per hour in our area. Last week a repaired spoke which took all of 30 minutes to repair (with a few complications); cost me R15 including spoke & nipple plus R 50 for slime replacement. I would not have done it for that price

Evan & George has to be a full SA team, although Sauser is just about a local. Go team SA

Tragic news, thoughts with her family and those close to her. RIP Carla

I think there will always be place for both, however the LBS's not pulling their weight are going south fast. This week I priced a pair of MTB shoes in two LBS's R 1199(Cape Town) R 950(Nelspruit); the shoes were R 550 (buycycle)and R 482(CRC). This is a significant saving by buying online and Buycycle certainly giving CRC a run for their money and if I get bust for taxes local would be cheaper. The problem is if I buy on line in the future where will I pop in for coffee, a chat and get the little things off the shelf as I need them?

Purchased a Ghost RT7400 last year, hard to compare as I went from a hard tail to soft tail and have limited experience on softtails but am very happy with the bike. The steering and response is great and the only conversion was to tubeless tyres. Got through Sabie Experience without a misssed peddle stroke. The guys at Mankele have both converted from Santa Cruz to Ghost and are very happy. The Ghost agent has also always gone out of his way to assist and advise where require.

The place is fantastic, accommodation and facilities are very good. The riding is very good with a number of trails and options. There was a review in the Tread magazine earlier this year. The guys are fully committed to MTB and there is a big race planned for Misty Valley Lodge in October 2011 so get a sneak preview of the routes.

Visit a professional to help with the set-up. We spend a fortune on our bikes, so R300 - R500 for a set-up is minimal. I thought my seat was high, had my bike professionally set-up and my seat was raised a further 15mm and adjust for reach etc. Gone is pain in my knee and back of arms from streaching.

Are you sure your referring to Misty Valley Lodge near Waterval Boven; from our experience and people who have visited the place is fantastic.

Just upgraded to a GHOST RT 7400, great bike handles well and at R25 K for carbon frame and XT 10spd a great deal. Good luck on deciding, too many bikes too little money!!!!

Thanks to Cyclejunkies, for remarking and setting up the cycle routes out of Sabie (5 - 40km rides). The relaunch was on Saturday PM and routes all really well marked and new single tracks available. Permits will be available for the well stocked Cyclejunkies shop in Sabie. Thanks for the invite to ride and the effort put into the tracks.

How times have changed - now I'm horrified and would probably have given the driver my minds worth on their stupidity. But forty early back lying on the back window ledge of the Old-mans Valiant was my favourite spot. But then again the Valiant did closely resemble a tank and was not even fitted with seatbelts.

PMB on Friday to ride MTN Hilton 50Miler on Saturday and then Underberg for a weeks holiday - riding plans for everyday...roll on Friday.

Swazi 3 reserves MTB ride - 73km had a great time. The guys in Swaziland really know how to put on a great ride - relaxed and laid back.

In my case riding downhill wins - my weight and momentum the guy coming up gives way as a means of self preservation.

Bulls by 15 points. Stormers learning to win, BULLS do not know how not to win.

Problem number 1, remains getting an entry for 4 all these desirable events. If you want to do these amazing races Epic, S2C J2C looks like you need to develop and initiate a new race and get in on year 1 otherwise forget it. Fortunately there are many great stage races at a fraction of the cost - watch the 3 Towers at Mankele

Lets hope organisers heed the constructive criticism, could not agree more with Neilos comments. There is a huge batch of partners and new riders to the sport desperate for 20 - 35km rides, looks like only KZN caters for these riders, maybe the rest should learn from the KZN rides and timing systems.

"Give him enough rope and he will hang himself" - hopefully for us he is busy fitting the noose at the moment. We have to believe that even his kin are getting tired of Joooliuuus. Best he did it to an international jurno so they see what we have to deal with.