kandui

If you want to get clever, please read my OP properly. No mention made of meaningless races. I enjoy every event I enter. Like another post says, the medals themselves are becoming more generic and simplified. Some of them are just a hunk of metal with the name of the race, not even a year and the ribbon comes undone. When I get those I think to myself, Why bother? My Epic medal at least looks like a quality piece of workmanship (it better be, considering the cost to take part). My medal for the Apple Blossom race in Grabouw is just a vague Apple shape with some letters stamped into it. Looks cheap and nasty. Rather than make a half arsed effort with a medal, give me something practical or better made to remember the race by. For those who say the novices or the kids are stoked to get a medal for their efforts, I still think a lekker embroidered badge which you sew on to your tracksuit jacket, Camelbak or favourite pre- or post- race jacket is the perfect memento to remember your achievement by. A Camelbak or jacket plasterded full of badges is the coolest thing and you can wear it and show off your achievement at the same time. Perfect.

Any suggestions for race 'gifts' in place of medals. I am working on something.

Also include that the route set can also determine how many riders finish. There were at least 2 extensions to the cut-off times I can remember at this year's Epic. The leaders were taking longer than expected, so you can imagine that everyone who follows will also take longer. It's not strictly 15-20 hours per week that you will need to finish the Epic comfortably. It's more about what you do in that time. My partner and I started reducing our weekly hours to around 12 about 2 months before the Epic. More intensity over shorter periods and less long rides. As an average rider you can finish the Epic, but why put yourself through the physical and mental anguish when by training more you can get more enjoyment out of the Epic. I don't see the fun in fighting the cut-off each day, rushing to get clean, massaged and fed , before getting to bed dead tired and in pain at 10pm.

I still think the cotton badges are the coolest. Sew them on to your Camelbak , like the Backpackers with the rucksacks full of country badges. Old School!

How about a pair of socks with the race name and year instead of a medal? Socks are always useful and you can show off your prowess at the same time.

For quite useful Medical product go to www.sweatsafe.co.za . It fills the space where a Hospital Plan doesn't kick in yet. Full Medical Aid is pricey, unless it's paid for by the company.

Looking for someone in the "powder mixing industry". Can you hook me up? Seriously!

Where can I get live updates on the Race?

I know less about Ironman than I do about the Epic, but why does the IM cost R 4000? Is it a franchise thing? That makes the Epic look reasonable.

Thanks Goodbadugly. I think I will stick to running the Stan's hub on the front for the time being.

John O Connor (Greenpoint) and Chris Willemse (Durbanville)

Looks like No to me. I tried to pull out the bits you push the skewer through (technical term eludes me), but they won't come off. With my Stan's hubs you grab them with a pair of pliers and pull them off and push the bigger ones on. Simple. So I'm riding the Stan's on the front with the Through Axle fork and a Dirty Flea on the back with a skewer.

Can I fit an adapter kit to the front hub to fit a Through Axle? Works for the Stan's hubs.

It pays to compare and make a few calls. Olympic's XTR pedals were a couple of hundred Rand more than CWC, but then I have to drive out to Tygervalley which costs time and diesel. I gave Paul at Olympic the CWC price and he matched it. 10 minute drive from the office to their shop.

Without recalling all the technical detail, fitting a Left to my Niner was an idea I had , but canned. Weight saving is cancelled out by an adapter required and the Lefty being a shock which can be costly to service. I am sure someone will come on and provide better info.

Saw them riding around us for a couple of days. Flipping fantastic effort and well done for finishing strongly.

Not in the cycling game.

Would do it through my business. Am registered as an Importer.

Just curious. Seems like 29er tyres are getting more and more expensive these days and I have never imported my own because I thought one needed an Import Permit , like for Car tyres. Turns out you don't and they are Duty Free, so I am thinking of going out there are ordering a bunch. Perhaps for re-sale as well.

I think this Academy was cobbled together at short notice and the riders might not have been fully prepared for the Epic. I was riding amongst a number of the teams and while they all looked like they could deal with the distance, their technical skills, teamwork and trail etiquette were a bit "loose" at times. The idea behind the Initiative is great, don't get me wrong, but an Epic is perhaps not the ideal first time race to take part in as a novice mountain biker. I would often see them flying along , overtaking everyone on the flats, but when you got to a major hill, there they were , resting against their bikes and letting everyone pass them again. Riding along the technical dual tracks, they would squeeze past a couple of riders and then stop. get back on the bike for another 300m and then stop. On the final run into Robertson on Day 2, on the tar, an Exxaro team wanted to beat us to the finish and we took up the challenge. Before a corner one of the guys doesn't hold his line, but tries to cut inside me and we were doing around 40km/h! His partner is weaving all over the place with a tight entry through 2 boulders , across a pavement coming up. I decided to step off the gas, rather than risk a silly accident. 100m on where the tar road is open and wide with the finish in sight, they ride as if they're on a Sunday outing. Very odd. The point is that if you want to stick development riders (not technically skilled yet and a bit erratic) into a serious race like the Epic, they need a coach to teach them the rules of the trail and help them to ride to a plan every day. I wouldn't say that I felt endangered by the Exxaro riders , but whenever they were close , I rode a bit more carefully. Well done to those who finished on their Mamba Green KTM Hard Tails. They had guts.

Anybody ever get nailed when importing bicycle tyres?

I'll offer you R 5000 for it the week before the event . Firm offer , you can refer back to me should anything unforeseen scupper your plans.

Maybe, but I would rather wait for the route launch before I go throwing 40k around. Speculation is that they will do a Knysna to Lourensford route, but I have my reservations. For 1200 riders and what goes with it, the logistics would be too massive and costly. Plus, how does that really set it apart from previous Epics? 10 is just a number, I don't see them doing anything WOW for that one.

Did last year's Epic and can say that this one was tougher, mainly due to the adverse weather conditions. Also, last year we had the "Rest Day" in Worcester with the TT, followed by the 146km to Oak Valley. I believe over 50% of the field were Newbies this year. I guess the Early Birds will go mainly to the first timers who promised themselves they would do the Epic once in their life. This year's Epic was no walk in the park and I am not fostering fond memories of the last 8 days that make me want to come rushing back for more in 2013. I enjoyed it in places (some of the scenery was spectacular, like Charlie's Heaven), but there were also some rather bland areas we rode through. The Caledon to Caledon Stage was mostly below par, just the areas where we climbed (Babylonstoren and Charlies Heaven) on the day were great. A very basic summation.

3x10 will get me around the track, my mind is made up. Thanks for the input. My partner has decided to ditch his FS and go for his hard tail. My arse gets sore just thinking about it.