sometime

My second year doing this race and just reinforces my opinion that it must be the most fun you can have in a 3 day stage race. Unlike Sani2C and Berg n Bush which have been sanitised to the point that you can ride a CX bike on the trail, this is real mountain biking with some seriously challenging but fun riding. Families are welcome in the race village which is not something you will find as easily in other races. Whereas I got bored with Sani and BnB as they got dumbed down year after year, I can't see myself getting bored with this race for quite a while to come. Highly recommended!

Been racing with Racing Ralphs for years all around the country with essentially no problems at all. Front Ron;rear Ralph

Condolences to the deceased rider The new route is fantastic; a real challenge in every respect. The water tables on the other hand are extremely poor. There were a few occasions where they either had no water or only water. They had no chain lube and the only effort at providing food were a few token bananas lying on the table. This is unacceptable for race of this stature. A few boiled potatoes, maybe some more fruit, some fruit cake would not cost a lot of money but would make a huge difference to the ride rather than expecting riders to carry piles of food in their pockets. If this was the case then tell the riders, that unlike pretty much all other MTB races, there is no food at all, so you need to make your own plans.

Says the man who no doubt has never attempted this event?

So after 5 years at last a 1x system offers the range of a 2x system but at what cost? This review is incomplete with no mention of what it's like to have an 8 tooth ramp between the 42t and 50t cogs and before that the 6 tooth ramp from 36t to 42t. This is one of the most obvious and serious shortcomings of any 1x system and too often I hear of riders complaining of being between gears.

I've done this event a few times and always regarded it as one of the better stage races on the calendar and a real challenge. The Lite version was introduced to cater for those not up to the challenge of 3 days of good, hard marathon racing so why they are now 'dumbing down' the real race is a mystery to me. I'll give it a miss this year.

No idea on this race but he is a podium contender in vets racing

Good to see them catching one of the many vet racers 'competing' at the sharp end of vets racing who are juiced up. Keep it up SAIDS - test more of the vets riders and I can guarantee you many more positive results.

Fit and forget. Worth every cent

It's only a good thing when brakes don't break. Your problem (apart from your spelling) as mentioned by others is those rubbish Avid brakes. Shimano SLX offer the best bang for buck brakes on the market. Fit them - you'll thank us later.

I've had two warranty claims on Giant Anthems and with the help of my LBS have had them both replaced within a week each. One of the reasons I will continue to support the brand.

So you can only cycle once you have paid something to someone - i.e. there are no free rides and there are no cheap bikes? It's a rhetorical question so don't bother replying...

Robyn De Groot has been riding Trek for pretty much this whole year?

I've been the same weight as an adult for the past 25 years. I follow this diet in moderation (unless I'm racing in which case I eat HFHC) purely from a health perspective and feel better for it.

For during the week when I don't have much time I typically have one of two meals for breakfast. 1. I heat up some frozen mince (cooked the way you like it) which I made over the weekend + a bowl of plain double cream yoghurt + a serving of fruit OR 2. 1 banana, 1 apple/pear/pawpaw, some berries, a few spoons of plain double cream yoghurt, two raw eggs - place in a blender and drink. It's very quick to make, tastes good and contains all I need. For something a little different try a Bullet Proof Coffee if you have time http://www.bulletproofexec.com/bulletproof-coffee-recipe/