Acre

https://maps.app.goo.gl/q34N61kWcxcRPk5u8 I also cycle (commute) this route often and am very aware of these two lumps of asphalt in the emergency lane, I'm sorry I didn't try and report it long ago, they have been there for more than 12 months now.

I've been commuting via Kromme Rhee numerous times the last four months and is indeed hair-raising without a shoulder. Today I was pleasantly surprised to see that they have filled and graded the gravel on the sides and I felt a lot safer to ride this section on my MTB.

As much as I love bicycles and riding them, life circumstances haven't allowed me to ride since March this year and the bike gathers dust unfortunately. The only reason I head over here at the moment is to see how you doing Cois. It's heartbreaking to read through the last few pages and I don't have words to adequately describe my emotions. All I can say is all strength to you and you Mrs during this time and I pray things can improve for you to at least travel to the mountains and be at peace. I won't use the crowd funding method any longer due their fees but I have made a small donation to your investec savings. Sharing your story on here for the last three years has made me more grateful for good health each time I read your updates. You have touched many lives and are a true inspiration.

I see the OP has solved the problem by purchasing a new crank but just to add to this, helicoils are junk in my opinion and a proper threaded insert is a way better option, there is a difference between the two. The most common thread size for most pedals will be an imperial thread form, the size will be 9/16"x 20 threads per inch British Standard Cycle (BSC). This size and thread form is very specific to the bicycle and older motorcycle industries and you will not easily find an insert or a tap off the shelf from any engineering supplier in South Africa let alone for the left hand thread. The Park Tool kit is the best option and definitely a bicycle specific solution for stripped threads in an aluminium crank arm however best used by someone with a hands-on engineering background and the correct equipment, you don't want the new thread tapped skew which would cause the pedal to wobble.

Does anyone perhaps have a Gamin EDGE 500 (working or not) that I could buy and use for spares? I am in need of the rear casing if it's in reasonable condition. My unit is now 11 years old and still works perfectly but the rubber moulded buttons on one side have given up. GaminSA aren't really interested in this old model and don't carry spares understandable. There are options to purchase spares online but thought I'd check here first. (colour - blue preferable)

Just to add to this, the items the OP sourced on ebay are the correct items needed to perform this type of repair. You need a threaded insert and NOT a helicoil, helicoils are terrible things and will not conform to the bicycle specific pedal thread size of 9/16"x 20TPI. It isn't an easy repair if you don't have the correct skills and equipment. The setup needs to be correct so that the new thread created for the insert is perpendicular to the original hole otherwise you'll end up with a wobbly pedal axle when pedalling. Man how I wish I had my own workshop and the time to help people out in situations like this. I could do it through my work but then the cost to the company will be too high and the repair not economically viable.

When I was young and dumb I signed up for a medical aid with them and the smooth talking 'salesmans' sold the idea to me that having a life policy, my retirement annuity and their 'rewards' program linked together with the same company would be beneficial. Time went by I realised that their system completely benefits them and the sheep slave away grow the empire. 5 years later, having reached the shiny hard cubic rock status for two years, I cashed out my 'payback' , moved my RA to another company, cancelled the Life and also the rewards program. Last week I canceled my bank account with them too. All I can say is that a big life lesson was learnt and life is now way less complicated, the best decision I have made since signing up with the puppet masters. I am saving a fortune every month and quite rapidly on my way to financial freedom. Don't let that system complicate your life.

For me, Sabie has always been special and probably the best mountain biking I've been able to experience, it can be very muddy and slippery in the rain but I will always go back for more if I could. I suppose wet, slippery conditions isn't for everyone but I loved every moment of it. It seems entrant numbers are dwindling and I'm surprised there isn't more discussion regarding this year's event. I noticed there isn't even an advert in the events section. From what I've heard, the town is taking strain, it's quite saddening as the Sabie trips remain quite memorable to me. Go and enjoy those mountains, beautiful part of country.

Of course I'm not happy with his statement, as I mentioned above it's the same ol' statement copied and pasted from the past and I agree with you that's it's just not good enough. As others have stated above that if we not happy then we simply shouldn't attend these events, I disagree with this, this is a NATIONAL series and the standards should be very high regarding all aspects and I really want to attend as many of these races as I possibly can. By not attending and not voicing concerns, other suckers will simply 'fill the gap' left by those choosing not to attend and they will then experience the same problems and also go away unhappy and so the cycle will continue.

Advendurance have been doing these mass events for long enough so there is no excuse to not have the basic requirements in place and route merging at the end should just not happen, period. I have always supported them since the beginning when they took over the Sabie Classic and introduced the Trailseeker series and to be honest, with exception to one two events, I have always praised the experience. I am one of them that will never complain about the weather, this is beyond anyone's control.

Thanks for the feedback Fritz, as mentioned above, the marathon route was amazing and I really enjoyed a tough day in the saddle but come on Fritz, your statement is the same old same old which you have used time and time again. Surely it can't be that difficult to keep the routes separate near the end?....it really is unfair on ALL participants whether it be ultra elites or short distance riders to try and negotiate tight singletrack. On the water points, get the farming community involved with their water tankers man, most farmers will have a tractor drawn bowser as part of their kit. No excuse not to have registration peeps ready and waiting at the advertised Fri time of 17h00. Come on man, we want to support you but forget about maximising your profits. I will be at Sabie because I know for sure that the locals who are involved know their sh*t when it comes to MTB.

Which event you referring to? If it's Dec then it's the Sabie Experience stage race, entries normally open end of May and the event will probably take place 12-15 Dec. If it's the Sabie Classic you thinking of, this now forms part of the MTN series and takes place 22-23 of this month, google Advendurance for details.

Did the 75km, well done to the organisers on a great event, no complaints from my side. Barberton has some big mountains, my Garmin showed 1000m of ascent at 25km and 1760m at the finish. After the ride I took a drive up the Swaziland road to look down on where we rode, the scenery is awesome. Great prep for Dulstroom and Sabie and if all goes well I'll be back next year for more.

very bad timing for you but take it easy and hope you heel up soon.

Did the 50km, very fun indeed. Only two gripes, they should never merge the 10km and 50km, those poor kiddies must've been frightened by the guys passing at speed and it's also extremely dangerous. The other issue is the start chute, the batch area was far too small for the large batches and you had to load from the back but some guys made so entry points in the barrier to get into their respective groups. Apart from these, an awesome event overall and that Copperlake Ale put the cherry on top.

I'm one of the taller blokes at 187cm. I've always and still ride 26" however I have tested a 29er for one day. I recently purchased an old model (2009) GT Zaskar Carbon XL frame at a giveaway clearance price. I built it up with a 2 x 10 drive and I can tell you I've never had so much fun on a bike before. I really enjoy technical riding so I suppose the smaller wheel is a bonus however I finished top 30 for the Sabie Experience Solo and top 20 for Sunday's Summer Fast one mtb race passing a lot of 29er on the down and flat sections. The point I want to make is, all three wheel sizes have pros and cons however I do feel that it comes down to how you feel on the bike and personal preference. A lot of times people will buy into marketing just because the 'pros' said so but we are all different and some bike types will suit some but will be totally unsuitable for others.

No I am not one of the organiser but was a participant. I was not defending the organisers but I was defending Erik who should not be part of this argument.

Fair enough. Apart from the minor mishaps, I failed to state that we had a fantastic time and will be back next time. Big ups to Erik for preparing a very fun and balanced route which was in no way boring and kept us awake.

Erik was not the organiser, he only provided the venue and sorted out the track. This was my first 24hr event and reading the reviews from last year, decided to pre-cook at home and bring the food along. Also sad that the actual organisers (not Erik) "forgot" to recognise the winners of the two person mixed team at prize giving.

I've been following this Norwegian weather site for a few years now and I must say they have a 99% success rate in my experience but no matter what it's going to be awesome , my first event and riding two person mixed team. I really am looking forward to it. http://www.yr.no/place/South_Africa/North-West/Skeerpoort/long.html

What a fantastic weekend it's has been, very affordable and not far from home. The timed-segments format on Saturday was great fun and very social in between each stage. A big thank you to the organisers and the sponsors and I certainly hope the event will grow and continue into the future.

Agree with all the names already mentioned. Another worth mentioning is trail builder Erik Skipper of Van Gaalen Cheese Farm for the legendary network of trails he has created in and around Skeerpoort.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.694374190574636.1073741876.120222044656523&type=1

This rusty ol nail went through the tread and out the side during a ride one day. A second or two of escaping air then silence as Stans did it's job. Did two more rides like this then decided to pull it out with a pliers, once again Stans did it's good work allowing me to ride this tyre until it was worn out. Whichever route/method you choose, you will definitely appreciate it.

Spot on and can't agree with you more. People should never compare venues because each has their own uniqueness. VG trails which as you rightly point out crosses about 40 different properties covering an area of about 6000 hectares with total distance of about 90-100 kms, hardly comparable to the few kms and beautifully manicured trails of say PWC Cycle Park. Long live Erik and his drive to make our ride so much more enjoyable, will always love the place. Can't wait for the Dirt Fest at the end of November.