FBSP

If there are any cycling fans out there who think this person doesn't dope, they are seriously naive, have their head on the sand or are generally not knowledgeable about how racing bikes works and how to tell a doper. Firstly look at the events she does. Mostly all Dryland events, why? Her husband used to/ still does work for them and she is probably protected around any testing that will be prevalent at these events, if any. Secondly, according to her TUE, she has a heart condition and thus was using this medication. If I had a heart condition at 50 I certainly wouldn't be racing bicycles, would you? Thirdly, at 50, look at her results compared to the men, not the women, and tell me what your gut tells you about her performance. Fourthly, she tested positive 3 times in half a season, for me that is enough to suggest the old adage still stands, once a doper... I think its embarrassing that she continues to race at this level without being tested regularly and continues to win prize money at Dryland events without any questions being asked, hence I am asking the question. Cheating to win money is bull**** and I think I am just putting this out there, because I know many are thinking it too. Just my POV..

Stolen: J. Guillem Tomir 2017 When: 25 January 2020 Where: Cape Town, Western Cape The bike was stolen out of a garage in Newlands. Obviously a rushed opportunistic theft and think the garage remote may have been cloned. Get further details about the incident in the Stolen Bikes section

Please keep an eye out for a Colnago C59 white and blue, stolen today from Higgovale. 0823605337 for any info

The bigger worry are the dopers who are still racing at the age of 46 with a "heart condition" and winning races like Attakwas. The event organisers allow her to race all their events because her husband works for them, that is as shameful as the ANC corruption.

if you are strong and have the right size front ring it is very possible to ride a sub 3 on knobblies. The knobblies give you a bit better control if you are in a twitchy group...(so anything from A down). Go pure and ride knobblies, much more satisfying, and you can go on the dirt/pavement if you choose.

The point is we all know that there are cheats (lets call dopers what dopers are) all over pro cycling, doctors, DS, riders, etc, but they are currently not banned from the sport for life, Armstrong is, to me there are no grey areas there, and the UCI president is correct in his criticism of the fact that he has been invited to have anything to do with any race, anywhere, ever, whether you are a fan or not. How can there be exceptions, albeit only slightly.

I will only buy from local dealers in an emergency situation, have been buying online for 10 years and even with the odd warranty problem it's still much much more cost effective. The local dealers really take the piss with prices. China is such a massive market now for carbon rims frames and parts and they are more than happy to send you a new product if you return the old ones. I have been riding their carbon mtb rims for 5 years and still good. Do the research and save thousands.

Awesome Rush Sports, I hope my warranted claim on my cracked frame will be sorted out with the same efficiency as this but so far have just been given the run around for 3 weeks, more to follow if this brand fail to deliver, which I feel they may be trying to do.

The best material I have ever ridden and think will be the next regarded material for riders when they are not racers and realise carbon is a rip off for what you get.

I'll be surprised if anyone dips under 6 hours on that route, it all depends how many fast guys there are...

Like. Civil court case sue them for fraud. Up to 15 years..that's about the right sentence for cheats

I wouldn't suggest this race to someone who isn't technically proficient on a MTB. If you're a roadie you are not going to manage this event well if you don't also MTB regularly.

The race starts at 75km...So eat the burger and prepare yourself for a hard 50km.

Anyone heading up to Calitzdorp for 7 weekspoort on 2nd Oct from CT, would appreciate a ride plus bike and back afterwards. Happy to pay towards costs

It is almost impossible to ride the full distance in training but I did one 220km ride on district roads and a total of 6x150km or bigger. One needs to know what your body needs in terms of nutrition and pacing and bear in mind that night riding can be a bit slower as you mostly ride with your light on dim to save the battery. We rode well within ourselves but still managed 25km/h, which is what we trained for. Ride in training what you want to achieve at the event but use an average speed. Ride the climbs in an easy gear at about 70% your normal climbing speed and remember there is over 5000m of ascent. It is difficult to train your body for this event but if your mind can hold so will your body, that's the trick to endurance events.

If you are competing in an event it's your responsibility to know the WADA banned substances. Don't plead nativity this is 2014 and with cycling's doping history be sure of what you are given is not a PED...simple really. If you are stupid...don't do races. If you're a cheat you will get caught.

Mark Nel is the only officially legal authorized distributer of new Swift Carbon bikes and frames in South Africa. Anyone else trying to off load old stock and in so doing trying to act on behalf of Swift Carbon, is not doing it legally or above board. Mark@alpinesports.co.za

Totally agree, I paid R11500 for a team for the first Epic I did and done another since, and will never do it again. Plenty better 'value for money' events out there at as much of a challenge and far nicer riding. But it is based on supply and demand and as long as people are willing to pay the price, the price will keep going up, so what is that doing for MTB in South Africa for the general population? Most stage races cost about R1250-R1500/day , but the epic feels it is comfortable charging double that, so you decide if its worth paying that amount to ride rocky jeep track and walk sandy dunes, so be it? Next year I am going with 6-8 mates to ride across from Germany to Riva del Garda (same route as Trans Alps) and watch the Giro afterwards for less than it would cost for half an Epic entry, flights included, hotels, meals, etc included, go figure?

Totally agree with your Armstrong assessment...LOL

He is 22! Who hasn't behaved like a dick when you're 22, that's when you're allowed to, good for him. All sport needs characters, and street cred (as someone put it earlier) doesn't come with age, it comes with results. Boom, enough said Peter Sagan, keep inventing creative salutes.

Are you a pro? If so, do The Epic as you may get UCI points. If you are a MTB-er who is looking to have fun, ride hard/or not, want to enjoy the best trails our country has to offer, then the J2C is the best event you can ever do, no matter where in the world you are. Half, yes, half the amount of people, but the same size race in terms of organization and resources, ie:catering, supplies, support. You can miss a day and re-join (the very least one can expect for paying top dollar for an entry). J2C is an event created by people who want to have fun and want you to have fun, whilst riding your bike, not by an ex banker who cares about drop out figures and how many world champions are taking part and who is intent on making money. Epic costs R3142/person/day, J2C costs R1333/p/p/d, go figure! Do the research. People returning to an event is what is important, not how many new comers the event attracts. The Epic, for people in the know, has been done, and people have moved on. If you wanna race and have something to prove to your mates and have a big ego to parade, do the Epic (once) get the bag and put the sticker on your top tube so everyone can see, then go and do the J2C for a real, fun packed, adreneline filled, memory that will change the way you think about South Africa and the country we live in. Its South African, for South Africans, by South Africans, it s as home grown and as local as you can imagine, but as good as any race anywhere else. I have done both (2xEpic-05 and 09) and all 3 J2C's and its not a comparisson. If you're a guy who loves riding and wants a relaxed vibe and a brilliant memory, spend your money wisely- go J2C.

It is also in VB, so to qualify for this challenge you also need to be over 40,LOL!

NB/PS-This includes Boyes Drive, which on average adds on 8-10 mins I suppose, next year will be quicker when it's taken out again.

2011-2.55 on 26er HT with Maxxis Crossmark 2.1 and 44 front chainring 2012-2.58 on 29er FS with Geax/Schwalbe 2.1 mix and 38 front chainring I suppose one can draw ones own conclusions from this comparisson, but I think the gearing is key? 2013 will be 29er HT. I feel to qualify for a MTB time, the bike you ride should be able to be raced in any MTB race at the time of riding the Argus.