Ibicam

Are you converting from cleats to flats, or flats to cleats?

There are so many opinions on supplements, have a browse through the nutrition forums. There was a topic recently about what guys are using on race days. I would suggest whatever you are going to use, start using now on your training rides. Under physical strain some supplements can unsettle the stomach and make your ride rather unpleasant. Also something as simple as the taste of some may not agree with you when you are hot and bothered Make sure to consume enough water, which implies carrying at least one bottle with you, and having some form of food, be it bananas, bars or sandwiches.

Like many others, I opted to do this race for the Argus seeding benefit. It seems no adjustment will be made for the delay some riders experienced, I can only hope that seeding uses the AM group winner's time as the baseline and not these times. I would think it would do some damage to seedings if the winning time is 1h50?

Best advice I could give is just relax and enjoy it. If your bike isn't giving you any problems, then think twice about having someone tinker with it now. If you are concerned about something on it, then rather get that sorted out. Make sure your chain is well lubed and in a good state. Seen too many guys with broken chains on route before, and if you don't have a chain break you are either going to wait for a good samaritan or walk a long way to a watering point. Get your nutrition right for the day. Odds are on your first race and on a MTB you gonna ride for 4 or more hours (assumption), so you will need to be eating during that time or you are going to hit the wall. And then most important advice I hear been given over and over again, and ignored over and over again to their peril, is don't do something different on race day. Don't eat a different breakfast to what you normally eat. Don't start using some different drink or energy bars. Don't wear new kit for the first time......you get the point.

Looking at the timed results for the 94km race, are those times legit for the top 6 riders? All coming from EM and FM group and being 40 minutes to half an hour faster than the A group winner. 51km an hour average, what are the odds? If so, respect. http://results.racetec.co.za/results_by_event.aspx?RID=4020&EN=Sat%2020%2F10%2F2012%20Bestmed%20Jacaranda%20Satellite%20Classic%202012%20%2894km%29

I saw one ambulance coming racing up the road just before the Hekpoort hill and then turning right. Not sure if that was where the 116km riders were coming from. I did see another group of parameds putting a drip in a cyclist after Hekpoort. Hoping he is okay. Riding in EM, when I came in there was no option of being in a group and you had to check for cars coming past before you could overtake a cyclist. But all in all, was my first Jacaranda and I believe I will add this one to my list.

Will be my first time riding this one. Opted for the 94km since it seemed to have more interest and hopefully some groups which I can stick with.

Just been discussed at length...... https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/121645-29er-slicks/page__hl__slicks

My 2cents worth is that your compressor may not be sufficient to force the air in quickly enough. You could try using a CO2 bomb or else at a garage with a presta/schreuder converter if necessary. To seat some tyres initially you need a real burst of air to pop it in place. By the sounds of things, if the air is escaping between the tyre and rim, that is the case.

I agree with you to an extent. I did last years 94.7 on my Maxxis Aspens. Was actually quite a comfortable ride and there were a number of other riders I noticed also using knobblies. That said, if you are a part time roadie for these sort of events, it does become a quest to do a PB at some point, and then slicks do play a role. But each to his own.

I will be there again with 2 other riders.

Not sure how much this helps, but by way of comparison I bought a set of Conti ComfortContacts slicks earlier in the year before buying a road bike as well. They are actually 28x175 and can go to max 4bar. Saw me through the Dischem and Argus this year on my 29er. If I recall correctly they were R200 each at Linden which included the tube.

Google Maps doesn't seem to find 33 High Street, but if you type in "high street, modderfontein" it will show where the street is. Would say it is about half way between where you would ordinarily buy tickets near Heartlands offices and where the actual entry is for the ride, if you have ever ridden there before.

Last year there were a number of bottlenecks, and riders from lower groups catching groups in front and trying to force their way around others. Also a really badly positioned watering point early on up an incline where people were stopping all over the riding line. Saw some people loosing their humor a bit. It was also scorching hot and they ran out of water at the watering point near Allandale. Only had this bad tasting blue Powerade or something like that. So all in all was not the greatest event, but the sucker in me has made me go back again this year to see if it is any better. They were saying on Supercycling last week that the delay between groups was going to be extended to aid with congestion. Problem was though that congestion was not only in the early parts of the race. But hey, let's see, maybe it turns out to be a good day out, and then switching to the road bike the next weekend

I am also one of those who don't like the gels. I do carry one, but find I typically hand it out to someone else during a ride/race and then replace it at some point. Guess it's just an "emergency in case I bonk" for me. So I would agree with those who are saying get the before and during race nutrition right for you and you won't need gels. I have standardised on oats for breakfast, brown bread and peanut butter just before the race, cytomax in one bottle and pronutro bars for every hour or so.

I will be there again, with 2 fellow riders.

Been watching to see who would post a "race report" or something similar but not seeing anything yet. Seems like the early morning rain caused a number of cyclists to stay in bed. How was that rain and lightning just before we got going? I was near the back and saw at east six people heading for their cars from the start line. I had a terrible week leading up to this event but was pleased that I went and enjoyed the 55km route. Those white painted poles on the one drop-off caused me to slip out (and over), but the rest was great. This was my first Believe Project ride, and will definitely be back for more. Well organised and very enjoyable, not to mention the money going to charity.

Agreed, Fuji is better value for money between these two. For the price of the Merida you could get a Fuji Newest 1.0 which is 10 speed and has Tiagra components vs the Sora on the 3.0. Í am also only a closet roadie and have one, and so far it's served its purpose well. If budget permits, I would suggest trying to get a 9 or 10 speed bike.

Yeah, thanks for organising. Was amazed at how many people arrived and had a great time. Somehow we jumped groups half way and only ended up doing about 22km's, but will make up for it next time

Based on another post I read recently, Makro and Game are starting to stock some decent 29er entry level bikes at your price range. With hydraulic brakes, and Suntour XCM fork. 27 speed which I reckon for entry level is not bad at all. Just remember your hydraulic brakes will be a bit more maintenance longer term than cable disc brakes, but they do work far better, imo. http://www.guzzle.co.za/specials/view/188454/ has the ad with high level specs.

Would be keen, and probably some mates. I take it you would require everyone to ride in a group? How do you deal with varying fitness levels?

Some good advice there. Always good to make sure you think ahead about 9, 10 or maybe even 11 speed and making sure everything matches that, so casette, chain, derailleur and shifters. For example, you don't want to buy 10 speed shifters and then be trying to make them work with a 9 speed derailleur. So full groupset takes care of that.

Realised on my way home that you might want something to sit on, so factor in a seat post and saddle. And some grease. Probably would be more cost effective to buy a complete group set and not individual components, unless you intend sourcing second hand from fellow hubbers.

Have a look at some bike sites and check the listed parts..... To mention the main ones: Frame and fork Crank Pedals Bottom bracket Rear derailleur and hanger Front derailleur Front and back brakes Headset and spacers Stem Handlebars and tape Brake lever/Shifters and hood Brake cables Gear cables Wheelset (hubs, spokes, rims, tyres, tubes, skewers) Casette Chain Bottle cages Don't forget the tools, like for the crank and chain whip or equivalent.

Yup, been trying to log on the whole morning to do some transfers without success I opened a FNB current account and credit card last week, just waiting to switch debit orders and then I am done with Absa after 20 years of banking with them. I guess loyalty to a bank doesn't trump poor service.