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Funny how you can have two blood transfusions in ICU when you are racing PE to Plett at the same time.

KE statement definitely not very strong - too little for Nedbank to stand behind him. Probably more behind this than we see, as obviously they felt he could not make a stroner statement.

In the end probably the right decision. It is all about brand equity - the market they try to reach is the mass of riders in it for the fun. The heroes are tainted, so rather put the money directly into where your market is, and most of the market is really sceptical about the heroes. Would have been exactly my strategy. I think KE statement also indicates that there may be more behind this than we see, as it is very neutral, no real condemnation of DG - maybe he could not make a stronger statement - definitely not strong enough for Nedbank to stand behind him.

Unfortunately only money will solve this. I represent a fairly large event sponsor, and what irritates me is not only the doping, but the "code of silence" between the pros (and non-pros). Now everybody is not surprised-why wasn't he weeded out long before. Unfortunately change will only occur when the pain of doping is more than the benefit. That will only happen if the money dries up. Self regulation between cyclists will be the most effective- why do big companies' all use whistleblower facilities. It is time that the people making money out of the sport, clean it up. We neef a statement from Evans, as he has ridden with this guy for 4 years, living very intimately with him on a day to day basis-if he did not know, tell us and tell us how is it possible that he did not pick up on it. For now our money is going elsewhere, until we have pros that can be respected for standing up for what is right and weeding out those that earn no respect.

Terry Fly Carbon - you can get good deals on eBay. Brooks you can find in SA at www.bikeandsaddle.com. Brooks need to be broken in, but once it is broken in, it is very comfortable. It is, however, a bit heavy. Selle San Marco makes a similar saddle - the Anatomica. Interesting that a large portion of the pro-peleton ride Selle San Marco's unbranded to avoid sponsorship issues. Lance Armstrong rode an old model Selle San Marco Concor his whole career. They don't go for lightest in saddles, but for most comfortable.

Brooks, Terry Fly and Koobi are used by more than 90% of Great Divide and RAAM riders. I rode diffferent Fizik saddles for more than 7 years - now on Terry, and not looking back.

Brooks (can buy from a guy in Cape Town - www.bikeandsaddle.com) Terry Fly (eBay) More than 90% of Great Divide and RAAM riders use one of the above two. Adamo is a prostate specific saddle - the Peak model is used for MTB'ing (www.ismseat.com)

My link Imported by Dragon, so service is also good. Go for UST for CPT, even if they are heavy in 29er version - terrain is tough on tires. Have Maxxis Ardent front and Crossmark back - works well in Klein Karoo.

At Rebellie Game Farm there is a route over the mountain right into the the Caledon valley. You get back onto civilze roads about 30km on the road between Clarens and Fouriesburg, so it is quite far, but maybe somebody can pick you up. Also try the tarred roads in the Park - quite steep sections, and nice scenery. There is also a loop through Clarens, coming back on the Bethlehem side. I include a map.

Tallboy just got award from Mountain Biker this week - best bike overall: THE BEST OF THE BEST: THE SANTA CRUZ TALLBOY CARBON After four days of testing bikes, we asked ourselves a simple question: If we could ride only one model for the next year, which would it be? With so many contenders to choose from, it could have sparked fierce debate among the test staff, but we agreed unanimously: The Santa Cruz Tallboy stole the show. While each of the winners excelled within its category, the Tallboy's versatility set it apart. Whether we were grinding up a climb or ripping down a sketchy descent, the 29er was a blast to ride; it seemed at home in every situation. Its stiff frame, brilliant suspension platform, swooping lines, and spot-on parts package also earned high praise. But the biggest complement came from a notoriously fickle tester. "The Tallboy was a revelation," he said. "It's the only full-suspension, geared 29er I've ridden that didn't remind me I was riding on a bike built around larger wheels every second." It became clear that the Tallboy possessed that rare and transcendent alchemy of materials, craftsmanship, and performance shared only by elite bikes. There's no debating it: The Tallboy is our favorite bike of 2011. http://www.bicycling.com/mountainbikecom/bikes-gear/2011-best-mountain-bikes?page=0,9

I was doing some trail running close to the accident, and yes, the sun was in my eyes just before I heard the emergency vehicles come past. But, it is no excuse. Riders were single file - the driver in fact hit the back of the group - the front guys are all ok. I think the driver initially maybe had the sun in his eyes - then you do not pass! When he saw the riders, he then thought he will be able to squeeze through, but unfortunately did not make it. I guess this is the reason why i do not even own a road bike. Oudtshoorn's roads for road riding are bad, but for MTB it is close to some of the best in SA.

Yes, not very well, as I ride with a different group.

4 Cyclists dead, and some injured. Frank Nel, Magda van Lill, Jan Eloff and a boy not identified yet. RIP.

They are nice, but not durable. Went through 2 in 2 years. They have a small metal plate the shifter lever runs on which wears out - it is a very soft metal.

Four of the top 5 races on Rate-your-Race, done by 2 organisers. Cape Pioneer Trek and Attakwas by Dryland and Sani2C and Sani2C Adventure by Glen Haw.

Pleasure - forgot to say that it assumes 12mm nipples and you can round lengths down, even if it is x.9, round it down to x.

2 bar to 2.5 bar should be fine. How did the damage happen? I am slightly heavier and have had these rims for more than a year - no problems.

Rim ERD: 536 Disc 140 Front Hub: Flange diameter: 58mm Flange distance left: 24.5mm Flange distance right: 32.5mm Disc 225 Rear Hub: Flange diameter: 66mm Flange distance left: 27.4mm Flange distance right: 22.6mm Use following calculator: http://www.wheelpro.co.uk/spokecalc/ Specs found at (if non-disc hubs check other specs): http://www.amclassic.com/documents/help/AC_HubChart09.pdf http://www.notubes.com/product_info.php/manufacturers_id//products_id/296 Please check calculations, but here are results for above:

http://www.wheelpro.co.uk/spokecalc/

Saw an article once on crank lengths used by ProTour riders in TDF. They change to longer cranks on mountain stages (where high cadence is not as important), and shorter cranks on flat stages. My opinion is that your body compensates quickly for the difference, so one should not be too phased about this. A 3% difference in torque can easily be cancelled by lower cadence, and a myriad of other factors. Choose the crank and seat height which are forgiving on your knees.

Over the mountain in Oudtshoorn there is a 3-day MTB race from Friday to Sunday. Non-technical, 100km per day - more like a road race.

Bought a SID through CRC last year. Had something wrong with the damper. Send it to local agents through my LBS (I have a good relationship and buy most stuff from him, except when there is a real big difference in price). The fork was repaired under warranty. Big companies can not affrod to not support their product internationally, as we live in a global village now.

Luckily I have had my kids... http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=4&art_id=nw20090629131226567C953510

For Sani, 2 tubes are too many. One tube is sufficient if you are tubeless and have plugs. Putting tubes into tubeless setup must be last resort, as you never really get the tyre inner clean, and you end up with punctured tubes just about 90% of the time. I will take a gator on the Epic - sidewall cuts are probably more of a possibility. On stage races I am not even carrying bombs - my Lezyne pump, pumps a tyre nearly as fast as a bomb, and you can use it over and over. Otherwise, masterlinks, dropout, brake pads (if it is a wet day), multitool should be sufficient.

Had some of the first Monorails in SA. Did about 2000 km on them, when one of the lugs came off. Otherwise I was very happy with them.