sometime

Just when all the racism, bigotry, ignorance, arrogance, brand/lycra/SS/29er/made in China snobbery & BS threatens to get too much on this here forum, along comes a thread at encompasses all that's good with TheHubSA. Well done to the OP - you have my respect, envy and admiration.

Or just save yourself over R1000 and buy the Shimano SLX brakes which produces more power than the XT's and weighs only 19 grammes more.

ZTR Crest (or Arch is you're over 85kg) plus Hope Pro 2 Evo hubs are a pretty bullet proof, well priced, reasonably light overall package. Available from a number of LBS and online retailers in SA

Dry and dusty you ideally want low profile knobs packed closely together (think Kenda small block). Conti Mt Kings are the opposite of that with pronounced knobs and wide spacing along the contact patch. Invert everything above and you have the reason why Crossmark are no good for the wet and mud and good for cycling across the Kalahari ten times. In fact swap your answers around and you'll be much better off.

One of my training mates has a similar problem. Depending on your budget you can get a frame custom made based on your measurements as he did. Else the Santa Cruz offers a true XXL frame.

http://www.tunisia-live.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Thrifty-families-boost-McDonalds.jpg

Nice ride!

A ride to and back from Thaba, with all the blue loops and and a lap of the green loop whilst there, ticks just about all the boxes I need ticking from a technical and training perspective. I rode the full length of the spruit from Emmarentia to Paulshof, and back via Alberts farm and N'cliff this weekend for the first time in a long time. I'd forgotten what a good ride that can be.

Mix and match Shimano 105 & Ultegra and then spend the sizeable balance left on the best wheels and tyres you can buy

I can only assume you haven't done much bunch riding in a fast group. Touching someone to let them know they're too close is common practise. Secondly just 'moving away' isn't that easy without compromising your position and others around you. Either way responding to this by hitting someone is unacceptable and would lead to a suspension or a ban had this happened in the elite group.

well done!

We rode with Chris Froome doing the double for Joel Stransky's Lumohawk charity. With some pushing we managed to get our whole group across the line in 2h56 for the first lap and then headed out for a more leisurely second lap but with a lot more pushing this time. I'd forgotten how 'messy' it is at the back of the field - broken people and bikes everywhere and some real chops with no respect for other cyclists or the risks they take pushing through non-existent gaps.

I'm not familiar with this term - please explain?

32x18

Respect!

I'm now riding for a different charity on Sunday but I do have something called the Cape Epic before next years 94.7 so maybe I can raise some money for CHOC there. Otherwise next year sounds like a great idea.

Pinarello fixie was very cool - they just need to put some retro brakes on it.

With pleasure!

It's a pity I didn't make the 2 laps decision earlier as it would've been great to help a great cause like CHOC - next year!

Thanks for all the replies. I'm starting shortly after 6am and should finish closer to 2.5 hours so no problems getting back out before the last bunch. The intended pace for the second lap will of necessity be relaxed so will get to enjoy the atmosphere for once. I think safest option is to lose the chip, restock from the car and head back out again (thanks Eldron).

What's your alcohol and/or sugar consumption like? Try cutting both/either out of your diet completely and see what happens?

I meet your requirements but am JHB based?

I'm planning on doing the route twice but I don't know if there are any issues with timekeepers/rules/officials etc. I would prefer to avoid having to take my timing chip back to my car so I guess I could try bypass the timing mats at the start and end of my second lap. Anyone else doing 2 laps or know if there are any special permissions needed? Thanks

Don't drink and post

Very cool looking bike! Love the colour! P.S. Your plants need some supplements...