AndrewF

... Your wife says, "For our anniversary, lets go away to Mankele for the weekend and MTB"

I was totally disappointed with this event. WAAAAAAAAAY too many entrants allowed - simple greediness on the part of the organisers. How on earth do you (organisers) figure that course, any mtb course, could handle those numbers??? Not having marshals to sort out the mess at the last bridge crossing was just bad on your part (organisers) We pay fees to RIDE... not walk. Some bottlenecking is expected - this is MTB after all, but having 30+ mins added to your race time due to it is totally unacceptable! The seeding... I have no words... What is the process for this? Suck your thumbs or pull names from a hat? We, as racers, have rules we must abide by, but there is no repercussions for a lack of organisation and simple logic for organisers. My family and I will NOT be taking part in van Gaalens. Upsets me as this is the best in the entire series, but I don't feel like my suport in these events is earned. Maybe when they sort these things out... Maybe... BTW - the wind and those climbs at Dome2Dome were eina today - Congrats all that took part. Especially those who rode yesterday as well!

Have a mate and his wife who have the M087G and they love them. Only thing I'd worry about is the plastic ratchet, but you can get replacements so not a major. What I can say is avoid the Olympics! Wife has a pair that she now only uses for spinning. She struggles to walk in them and they hurt her

That's what she said...

Also my first Xterra - lite (and triathlon for that matter). Really enjoyed it! Sorry I held back as I managed a 1:48 and 28th overall, but still had plenty left when I crossed the line (even with a rolled ankle). One of the best events I have attended. Very well organised and well worth the 3:30am wake up call Well done to all the first time Xterra warriors. What a legendary event!

My wife and I will be doing the lite Super stoked! Will be my first Tri (her second). Does anyone know of decent places to stay over close to the event start? Not keen to drive through on Sat morning....

Booked my bike in on Saturday along with a mate's. Justice seemed to know what he was talking about. He was also willing to negotiate on pricing. Even matched a price for a pair of Shimano shoes for my mate. Some good prices on bikes too. Scott Spark (XTR) for R18k, Ghost AMR for around R20k and a 10kg (Aluminium) Silverback dualie for R23k! You can see the store is new and their service bay isn't crazy busy (a good thing I think). Will post after I get my bike back, but so far so good!

Will definitely be popping in to have a squiz I too, if all goes well will be bringing my wife and my bikes in from now on

So, I read this topic yesterday as I am in Ballito and have been amped to check out Holla Trails. I must say that after the OP and the subsequent complaint posts I was a little worried about my ride this morning with my wife (in laws went on a ride too). Well, I'm stoked I went! What a great experience! We rode the Maroon route (in laws the green). It was tough, some unridable sections, but all in al a great ride. Even my wife loved *most* of it! I have to say that the issues raised in this topic were not our experience at all. Markers were EVERYwhere and pretty clear. There was a section where I was a bit confused, but after some serious mental challenge *said with a VERY sarcastic tone, we checked the bike tread on the ground and followed - after 50m there was, wait! Could it be??? Another marker! People these days, with the advent of social media and forums such as this, are too quick to fire up there mac (or pc for the OP im sure) and bang off some rant about how crap someone or something is. Seriously?! Look, I'm sure you had a *** experience. That sucks, but such is life. After seeing just the one route we did today at Holla Trails I couldn't imagine keeping that place in order. Nic and his team are doing a bang up job if you ask me! (FYI - the furthest marker on the extensive 85km route is an hour drive from the Holla base) If a couple markers go down from time to time, I think a little forgiveness is in order... I met Nic by chance after our ride. He's an awesome guy, who seems legit in his passion for riding and for Holla Trails. He put that whole place together. I don't see any of you sods doing anything to improve the riding world other that your silly little rant on a forum that maybe a few hundred people (if you're lucky) may stumble across. If anyone else reads this topic and is put off about Holla Trails, there's NO reason to be. It's a great place -secure, great trails and variety, food, showers and the best bike wash I have EVER received from any bike trail (Not a spec of anything when those guys are done) - well worth he R50 price! Nic, thanks for the chat after our ride. I will definitely be back. Not too sure I'll keep up with you lot on Friday's ride, but you may see me there.

Hey Hubbers. Which is a better bike? 1) Merida One-Twenty 900-D 2) Ghost ASX 5500 Thanks in advance!

We still talking about this????? Amazing what people can get worked up over and then feel that the "net" is their voice. If the OP really had a problem, he should have stopped and spoken to the guy about it there and then. Oh wait, that would have meant ending his most awesomely bodacious DH run. Couldn't have that now could we? Seriously guys. There are a LOT of people who MTB and don't know these specific things. Technically, riders going UP have right of way. Yes, this may have been a DH route, but HE maybe didn't know that... Instead of ranting here you could have maybe had a calm word with the guy and informed him. I say props to the guy for riding UP what "you" guys can't...

Hey hubbers. For those of you riding the Royal Drakensberg this weekend, below are the route maps and profiles: 45km MTB Route http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/34103850 19km MTB Route http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/33701688 10km MTB Route http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/34005380

Got route maps & profiles - finally!!! 45km MTB Route http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/34103850 19km MTB Route http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/33701688 10km MTB Route http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/34005380

Hey Frosty. Where did you hear about 1500m of climbing? Did you find a profile anywhere?

Hey guys and gals. I also have access to an early bird entry - Not going to use the opportunity , but willing to let someone else have it. Let me know!

Hey Hubbers! Just wanted to see if anyone has done the race and whether it's any good. Thanks in advance

I rode a Commencal Meta 5 ('07 model) for a year. I can't say I attempted anything crazy like Red Bull Rampage, but that bike could certainly handle what I threw at it... All mountain exists in my eyes. Now riding a Specialized Epic - cross country has become my thing

More like shoulder high!

The spruit is great from Fratellis up to Emmarentia - rode yesterday. Rode down on Wed and was horrible! The stretch up under the powerlines isn't really accessible at the mo. The section past the new PnP is waaay overgrown and not lekker. I'll be hitting the spruit from the bottom of Delta up through Emmarentia at around 4:30pm

Anymore thoughts?

Matt and the hub team - AWESOME job! Loving the direction you have taken. I am a web designer and have been waiting for this to happen to one of my favourite sites... It just got better! Let me know if I can help at all

I've hear 29ers aren't as agile as 26ers... Considering the size of the wheel, maneuvering through obstacles must be a tad awkward on a 29er?

I heard it was crazy muddy. Not the normal kind either. That clay type that NEVER comes off Happy I missed it

Thanks Cannas! That really lifted me after Popeye's post I'd be getting the bike with a tubless conversion with Crossmark LUST tyres so reckon they would do fine for the riding do. I must say that riding the Commencal has gotten me used to bob, but sure would love to hit a mean hill and not have to deal with it anymore - plus the 3.4kgs lighter will be awesome! Thanks again