Vaultboy

The pro teams are so well supported, but it didn't appear as if any of them brought mud tyres along, even though they knew weather was incoming. (Maybe Cannondale ISB? I didn't get a close enough look at their bikes). I wonder if any teams sent a member scurrying out to get some tyres yesterday.

Lots of complaints on the (free!!!) YouTube stream chat about the quality of the coverage, especially in comparison to the TdF. Mindboggling. The quality of the coverage has been amazing, considering they only have 2 choppers, and a handful of motorbikes and ebikes. The only thing that I've found grating are the interviews - too many statements and leading questions. I'm not interested in the interviewer's opinion. I also find it dumb when an interviewer asks questions about someone else. Too many questions about the riders' dad or other teams etc. Focus on the person you're interviewing!

I also did Intermittent fasting (16:8) quite easily years ago, on a high protein, low carb diet and lost 15kg in year, without doing any physical activity (post-op; mostly sedentary etc), and I kept that weight off for another year. It was very easy. I realised that to lose more weight, I would need to either start training again (which I needed to do anyway), and/or switch to 20:4 or OMAD. After starting cycling again and getting my fitness back up I realised that the new diet was limiting my performance (as average as my performance may be). I got dehydrated and also cramped easily - (actually that IF had led to a constant state of dehydration), despite taking a boatload of electrolytes and vitamins. I had to retrain my gut to run on carbs again, which was not a nice process, but yielded results. I also realised that I just felt a lot better in general. But the downside was that I gained back 8kg. I've tried to do intermittent fasting again a few times since, on my current diet, but its too bloody hard. I have also tried going on a low carb diet in general and then do carbs for long rides, but my gut vehemently disagrees. I know others who do this, so a big part of my story is probably that I also have IBS, and my gut can't handle that kind of shock.

Nothing yet on the official site, but media have the story now: ABSA CAPE EPIC STAGE 3 STOPPED EARLY FOR SAFETY REASONS – TREAD MEDIA

I can't stand heat on my back either. I've got the camelbak hip-pack, which is a lot better, although it feel like its dragging you down, especially when climbing.

I don't think that his ride last week, or the acclimatisation matters. He lives in Arizona, so used to this heat. Plus he was doing mega rides in Argentina just a few weeks ago. I reckon he's either unwell, or its jetlag. Whatever, he didn't do that well in his previous two Epic outings that I can recall, despite smashing the Lifetime GP in the same years, although I think one year it was Lachlan Morton that was the weak link. 🤷‍♂️

Also got this beauty in June. Been stuck on the trainer for the winter - will actually only get it outside from next week onwards.

After three years of great memories, my 2020 Cypher frame developed a creak at the headset junction. Titan Racing did a warranty replacement within a week. No hassles. Rebuilt by BikeAddict. The new colour still has to grow on me, but that is simply great service!

Augrabies Falls National Park. Psyched for the TransAugrabies next year, @ChrisF. Going through four driwwe in 4 degree temps is not that pleasant, though! Froze my toes off!

what a finish!

Correct. If you don't get a matric exemption you can't go to university. Just like how if you don't get enough points you can't go to Worlds.

Assuming you were born in 1985? Then you matriculated when the pass mark was 33%, and you were only required to do 6 subjects - with only your first and second language on higher grade, of which only your first language was actually HG difficulty. Being good at your second language was a lot of free points. People misunderstand (and misremember) actual requirements.

Had a Wahoo TICKR fail within a year. It never stopped reporting, but would be out by over 20%; either over or under. I also have TICKR FIT, which has been surprisingly good. Reviews complained about the poor strap quality etc, but I never had a issue. I simply don't use it anymore because I eventually upgraded my watch.

Seems like a recipe for reviewbombing. I would prefer to only be able to review after bona fide sales.

Telemarketers (and failure to enforce POPI) have basically created a situation where no one answers cold calls from unknown numbers anymore. Can't say about emails, though.