Nick G

Yeah I don't think 1 guy can carry ALL that has been suggested otherwise his Camelbak is really gonna be heavy. Depending on where u r riding and how long you will be in the saddle depends on what you will need for that particular ride.

Thanks Benjamin - I agree. I'm cycling the K2C with 4 mates from my work so I think I should be okay. Great advice for future rides as well though thanks

Yeah - good point. I've got Maxxis Crossmark tubeless on both front and rear

Ahhh man - I knew I would need another set of legs lol. It was also suggested that I buy some pain killers for the 100km

mmmmm unfortunately I agree. Really bugs me that I now have to go get some pepper spray, but rather safe than sorry I guess.

Ah good one. I forgot about that !

I have been an avid MTB'er now for about 2 yrs, but have not done any seriously long rides. I have entered into the K2C (http://www.karootocoast.com/) and have since found out that I need to carry some "essentials" on every ride - Thanks Mke for pointing this out ;-) Below is what 'ol Mikey sent me. Any other suggestion are welcome. Thanks Minimum essentials for every ride: - Pump - Tube (with slime) - Tire levers - Phone - Cash - Water bottle / Hydration pack Recommended additional items for longer outings : - Bike knife (multi-tool) with Allen keys, andscrew drivers - Tire boots (to fix big cuts in side walls etc) - Quick links (missing link) for your chain - Chain breaker (Can be part of multi-tool) - Cable ties - Duct tape or insulation tape - Snacks / energy bar / gel Night rides - Backup head light or head lamp to allow for inthe dark repairs or main light failure Additional optional items - Squirt or some kind of chain lube - Leatherman - Jacket or Gillet or sun cream J

I always take a cap-full of Vicks Medinight just before I go to sleep whenI'm feeling flu'ish. Feel right as rain the next day, but you would need to catch the cold early though. Hope you feel better soon. Cheers

Brilliant will do that - thanks for this

Ok so this creates a small problem in the fact that if anyone has a Polar watch or any HRM then as that person gets fitter they would keep needing to update the "3 zones" of their HRM ? Mmmmm, not so keen on updating my watch every other weekend BUT maybe I can just set it to what it is now and then check in about a month or so to see if any change has occured. Would really be nice to get my HR down. Thanks for all the brilliant advice

Thanks. I just called the Sports Science Institute in Newlands now and it will cost R750 for 1 hour of work to calculate your V02 max. A bit expensive, but I guess that if that's the only true way of doing it then a "once-off" visit will be okay. Mmmmm will have to think on this for a few months while I save up

Brilliant. Thanks a mil Think I will need to re-calibrate my Polar FT80 according to the 3 zones again (sigh). My last funride was on Sunday (35Km) and my average HR was 186 so I'll need to up my max HR. Any suggestions on what the 3 zones would look like ? Start and end HR's for each zone...

Yeah, agreed. I think I'm over-analyzing the whole "heart-rate" debate. I should stop being so concerned and just ride and enjoy. Thanks for your input Awesome

Thanks I'll give it my all and then in my dazed 'n confused state will check my HR - only jokes. I'll definitely go for a nice long uphill and then as you say, harder, and then harder still......Will let you know how it all turns out. Going for a ride on Sat hehe

Makes me feel really unfit when cycling up a mountain and then the guys I am cycling with are like : "hey, lets pick up the pace" and I feel like saying "No ways mate" busy dying over here...Heart feels like it's gonna jump out my chest LOL

Thanks Guys. Really appreciate the input. Am learning lots ! Okay, so, will definitely have to adjust mt polar then. I have an FT80 and have set it up according to the "220- age" rule. Guess I'll need to adjust that now....

I have been a "semi-serious" mountain biker now for about a year - entering races and such, but my concern stared a few months ago when I told 1 of the guys at my work what my average HR over a 30Km race was 185 bpm (I am 34yrs old so the old method of 220 - 34 = 186) so my Max HR should be 184, but this seems to be my norm.... They said that , that was quite high and that if their HR goes anything over 170 they feel like falling off their bike I stated asking the other cyclists here at work and they all seem to agree with the fact that my HR is way to high and I should really be taking it a bit more easy, but when I cycle I'm normally in the middle of the pack, buy way out of breath. I would just like to ask if this is something I should get checked out ? Or should I be more concerned ? Or just forget it and keep on riding ?

I have been a "semi-serious" mountain biker now for about a year - entering races and such, but my concern stared a few months ago when I told 1 of the guys at my work what my average HR over a 30Km race was 185 bpm (I am 34yrs old so the old method of 220 - 34 = 186) so my Max HR should be 184, but this seems to be my norm.... They said that , that was quite high and that if their HR goes anything over 170 they feel like falling off their bike ! I stated asking the other cyclists here at work and they all seem to agree with the fact that my HR is way to high and I should really be taking it a bit more easy, but when I cycle I'm normally in the middle of the pack, buy way out of breath. - Sorry to barge in on this forum but I would just like to ask if this is something I should get checked out ? Or should I be more concerned ? Or just forget it and keep on riding ? Thanks guys

I clocked 32.5Km on my Blackberry using the Endomondo app

The 35Km funride was the 1 that I rode - not dry, muddy mate, very muddy

Yeah, gave the bike a half decent wash off in the damn. And, No, you are right in saying that it's not the organizer's responsibility, but would definitely have gone done well for the riders.

Rode this one yesterday. WHAT a muddy ride ! And no place to rinse off your MTB either.

Agreed. I'm on their site daily looking for good mtb deals and really wanted to get a pair of Rudy Project Rydon's for my birthday. Alas "Out of Stock" :-( They only getting in stock end of June.