kandui

I realised that at the Ride the Rhino where we were 2nd twice and 3rd and got sweet zip nada. Only the first place pro's got to come up and get a prize. Only when we spoke to Paul Valstar about it, did they make a plan at the final prize giving. I have never gotten a podium (except a third in the Masters last year on day 3 of the Knysna 200), so I felt quite precious about getting to go on stage. I fought for it. Even if they just give you a bottle of wine , it's the right thing to do.My mate who got dissed today was my partner there and in Knysna, so it would be a sore point for him. But I hear you! We are the "also ran's" that make up the profit for the organisers.

Well, then that's different info to what I was told by my mate that won the Masters. He was there for prize giving.

My mate was first Master across the line. A good time was the goal, winning the category an added bonus. At prize giving the category got nothing though. Weren't even called up. What's up with that? Organisers "enter" you in the Masters due to your age, but give everyone else prizes and not the Geezers. What's the point of the category then, would be my question? Come on Carel! If you don't have the prizes to give to the Old Boys, let me know for next year. Table Mountain Bikers will put something together for them.

I clicked on the Live Stream link on the Attakwas website. I'm sorry, but the girl holding the mike is terrible! Did she not have to do a screen test? She's clearly not prepared herself for the interviews and can't formulate her questions properly. It makes the product seem so unprofessional.

What's a Hero (no number) worth these days?

I bought the Hero 2 and used it quite a lot. Now it's lying in my drawer and I am thinking of selling it. Editing a movie takes a long time. Uploading takes a long time as well. Once I have gone through all my clips, deleted the unwanted ones, strung all the usable footage together, searched for appropriate music in iTunes, added titles and then put the movie together, I can't see it anymore. Initial idea to own a GoPro is nice, but now I wonder whether it was such a good idea.

A friend of mine was robbed at Kleinplasie last night or early this morning. Details still a bit vague, he sent me a Twitter message. Will hear more when he's finished the race. Anybody else robbed as well?

Hang in there! I spoke to a couple guys and they prefer another day of the week. Tuesday, Friday. Wednesday we do an mtb ride and Thursday we do our night ride. That would exclude a few of us. Perhaps also open the ride to less strong riders. Eventually , when the ride takes off, the riders will join up as per abilities anyway.

Cut off is generally based on the winning time. Most of the time, cut-off happens around 5pm. If your partner can't make it, you get to carry on alone, but are not an official finisher. If you miss cut-off once, you get a blue number and can carry on. Miss it a second time and you go home. Last year the only tandem in the race was fighting the cut-off almost daily and they were coming in with minutes to spare. They completed stone last, but got their medals. By the way, I have a fantastic mechanic that might be available at the Epic.

Sent out a Tweet

Did last year's Epic on a carbon HT. got myself the Cannondale "Save" seat post for some extra flex. You'll be fine.

Welcome. Remember, a lot of what you hear or read about the Epic is hype and will make you nervous. The routes are tough, but never worse than what some of the other events present over 2 or 3 days. get your hours in the saddle and feel confident that you're fit enough and you will enjoy yourself. Good Luck.

I paid for 2 and was lucky enough to find a great sponsor for 2013 and 2014.

Use pick n pay bags. The smell isn't bad, plus you get 2 laundry days as well.

What do you want to use the ziplock bag? Think about all the stuff you take with you on a long ride. Ditch the nutrition, there is enough food on the route. What you should each carry on a stage: Tube (attach to your frame with electrical tape) Bombs Magic link 2-3 cable ties each Split amongst 2 of you: Multitool with a chain breaker Tubeless repair kit Tubeless valve Valve core remover Small pump The other stuff is personal preference: Drink mix Eno tabs or Rennies Bottles or Camelbak ( try ditch the Camelbak if you use one, too heavy, chafe, gets hot and it's an excuse to carry extra stuff ) A mechanics package makes you feel more secure about your bike being ready each day. It's going to cost you though. Expect to pay from R3000-5000/rider. If you're handy with basic tools and you have the time and energy after each stage, do it yourself. Start the race with your bike 100% in order and you'll probably have no issues beyond a puncture or worn break pads. Find the hills and climb as many as you can. This is basic , but should be a start. Completed 3 of these suckers and 4 coming up.

How many did have in the group?I will join you from time to time. Sunday is a training day for me, so I am generally off the bike on Monday's. You might find that it's the same for other riders. Personally, I think Friday is a better day to do this ride, but that's just me.

How can Racetec get it so wrong? Your time is triggered as you cross the mat and stops when you cross it at the end. Is that not what a transponder does, or am I missing something? My mate was in the break-away group the crossed the line first. He knows he was third, but his time is only the 20th fastest! Are Racetec activating transponders in another way , other than physically crossing the timing mat? Seems ludicrous that a timing system gets it wrong almost every time it's used! Can it just be attributed to "human error"?

Next week then

Call me on 083 6319796 to meet up tomorrow. Morning would be best.

http://www.strava.com/segments/5294309

Craft beer Please! As I might have said somewhere else in this thread: You will always be able to "walk in" somewhere and get your bike fixed.

I forgot to add that to claim the jersey, you also have to be a TMB member. Everyone is welcome to ride of course, but the shirt is exclusively for members. I will announce the race date in the next 2 weeks.

For the racing snakes or those that enjoy a challenge. Go out and try the Mountain Goat TT. Search for it on Strava. For TMB members there are monthly Powerbar hampers to be won (if you win, you can't win again for 3 months). February is a KOM month on the Goat where riders have to gather at the start and set off in 1m intervals. Fastest Male & Female, plus one "other" category win a custom made KOM jersey with your time printed on the back. Courtesy of Enjoy Fitness. It's not a road course , but you might want to give it a go.

TMB has added this ride to the calendar of regular rides. I don't own a road bike, but have a loan bike at the moment. It's too small (58cm and I need a 60cm), but I'll still give this ride a go every second week ,I think. Table Mountain Bikers rides: Monday, Road as per this thread Tuesday, Ladies mellow morning Mtb ride Wednesday, Morning Coffee ride to the Blockhouse Thursday,Night Ride with Beers & Burgers at Van Hunks afterwards. We have a regular table.

I could make Saturday, will check at home. Sunday is no good for me, I am riding in Grabouw.