nigelhicks

We still got to ride Long Drop Pass though ... we entered from Everest side and climbed up to it ... that was still slick for the front teams, but by the time i got there it was perfectly tacky.

Yeah also they said the chopper couldnt get off the ground as the cloud was too low. - But then again i was under the opinion that the chopper was for video not medical ... but anyway. The issue would have been Skeletons loop where it is very exposed and if something went wrong there there could have been an issue. The rest of the trails were fine ... IMO i would have liked to have gone up ... but then again, I revel in those slippery loose conditions. I know for a fact that 3 of the 6 people in my riding crew would have hated it ... so going up to please 1 of 6 ... I think Gary made the sensible choice in sending us around

Had a good giggle at the one chick on day 2 when we hit the river crossing before the first water point ... she proclaimed after dropping down that bank before the bridge "am I the only one looking forward to Kims K*k Off?? ... cus this is so scary!" hahahaha

I think it was either luck of the draw or where you were batched. Riding with the Missus and her sister and ballie and mates in "F"un batch was cool. but just meant we had a bit of a wait on our hands. Wasnt a huge problem, just got a bit chilly. Agreed that Gary and his crew do a fantastic job with that event. Have loved all 5 of the ones i have done. Enjoy the fact that it still has a family vibe about it ... and everyone can enjoy the event. Even the non riders

Except for waiting for 20min in the cold ... even those rain jackets didnt help. Not sure what it was, but last year the boat loading was a lot slicker ... we hardly queued at all. Anyway. Shouldnt complain as its really cool that the farmers are so obliging and do this for us. Had a jol, but have had better ... think it was the cold on Day 1 that put a damper on things ... and the fact that we couldnt go up spionkop. Thats the whole reason you go and do that race. However Safety comes first

That is very worrying ... The natural trails are what make this event what it is ... by "dumbing" the trails down to accommodate more riders it will ruin the nature of the event IMO .... Will see on Saturday i suppose.

Coming off Spionkop there is often a bit of traffic through Princess Margret drive (i have been held up pretty bad here in years past) But there are often dual track sections where you can make a quick duck here and there .. and then also open sections where you can ask nicely and dudes will let you past. Most of it is not too bad as its a lot of jeep track rather than pure singletrack. Before the boat crossing there is a climb there that is singletrack and was ALWAYS conjested, until last year when they set up the 10min starting gaps of the batches ... was cool and flowed fine ... and I start in like F (for FUN!) Best is to get to the top of Spionkop ... smash an icecold Beer and then haul arse down off the hill again

jeepers it seems a lot of riders forget the main reason why they ride ... to have FUN.... No matter what the weather ... For me this weekend is gonna be all about Wheelies, Skids and Buckjumps off every rock or bump possible! .... and just plain old FUN on the bike ... Have even put on an old knackered back tyre so that my skids can be even more epic.

@ Barhugger - not as far as windguru is predicting

glad i didnt try and wait it out then

so what happened after the wind delay? I went to bed. did they cancel the 2nd runs? cus the results were the same as from the first runs. Still think McGarry should have taken it. Thought Andrea's run was insane too

no thats a Mitch Ropelato reference i think

Mc Garrys flip over the canyon was insane ... sorry but i think that puts Zinks flip off the Sender to shame. (although that flip that Zink landed was F-ing HUGE!

all i see is http://www.1stplacesupply.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/cactus.jpg in Ass

right i need to have a rant .... WTF is going on with the bloody bike industry??? Just seen the prices of the new Forces .... Force Pro ... with XT Groupset .... $7000 odd ... so R70 000 Force Expert .... with SLX ...$5210 ... so like R50 000 ... for SLX!!!!!! Not a F.... http://cdn4.coresites.mpora.com/dirt_new/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/G14_650B_Force_PRO_CRB.jpg

is it a Giant by any chance

I wish it were that simple... but im sure the frame is different. Already asked for a price on a frame though

pity its a custom build. My chick would want one of these. But the std Juliana is only a 125mm bike

cool thats gonna be a great build

Also just make sure that the frame is compatible with the tapered steerer tube of the Forks. Seen a couple of okes make that mistake - and its a costly mistake

ya go for the top DT Swiss spokes - you cant go wrong with them

AM wheelset for you! https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/63982-easton-haven/

YAY We have a Convert!!! .... Glad it was our event at Giba that made your mind up!!! The next event is on the 27th at Cascades!!! Check out the entries on ROAG. with regards to a bike I still ride a 26er and its awesome - if you want to do long races and try and compete - keep the 29er, but if you looking for fun - hit a 26 That Santa Cruz will be awesome i personally ride a 6inch travel GT Force and id say that is probably the best amount of travel for trail/enduro/all mtn riding.

that new track that they put in off Spionkop is cool, but its all too manicured IMO ... Everest was awesome as it was open .. ROCKY ... and flatout - I had run out of gears going down there when we were filming for the TV production with the Chopper. And the nice thing with it is you can pass quite easily. That new tracks cool but i find it meanders too much and doesnt feel like a hardcore descent.

http://www.bergandbush.co.za/displaycustomlink.aspx?name=batches