Acre

http://vimeo.com/76161256 Video of day T-P day 6, looks like Oli got pretty beaten up. Got to love his comment "I was gonna take the bus" ,,,,,this after he crashed I presume. Tough luck bru, hope you make a full and fast recovery.

http://vimeo.com/75998807 Video from day 4, I thinks it's the Pinner at 02:47. Looks like such an incredible event and these daily postings puts one right there in the moment. Gotta love the last scene with the dude being chased by the dog. Go Oli, you can do it although I don't think you too concerned about your position but more about simply being there and pinning that incredible route in awesome surroundings.

.....which is dependent on your fitness level and experience but if the route is similar as Roneblack46 describes then you will be fine and will really enjoy it....awesome place to ride.

VG has various type of terrain from easy and flat to very rocky, steep and technical. Most of the longer race distances will be a real challenge and testing both on bike and body. Elevation gain for a 70km race route averages at about 1100m. A 50km race distance will be about 800m. If you choose the longer distance, just be prepared to experience lots of rocks and technical riding and probably 9 out of 10. The area gets VERY hot during the summer so be prepared and don't rely too much on the water points.

Go to www.eventry.co.za to enter. Look forward to this one.

Loved this race as always, love VG...proper MTB trails close to JHB that's why I try my best to get out there at least twice a month and spend the whole day riding. My first ride there back in 2009 was hectic but things got better and if I couldn't make it on a techie bit I turned around went back and tried it again. I do hope that in the future Advendurance will not "scale-down" the 70km route to suit newbies. My opinion is that a newbie should not be on this route, I do wish people will not only focus on their fitness but also their tech riding skills. I thought the batching worked well and there was no congestion and hats off to Erik, his team and the Advendurance team for providing us with such a wonderful event. I'm not the fittest at the moment so paced myself and enjoyed the ride knowing what was ahead and managed 04h06m but I did ride the entire route except the steep incline off the steel bridge where the ladies were washing the laundry. I will be back there on Saturday for RacetheRhino and I can't wait.

Mmmm, I wouldn't want to weld on a steerer tube due to stresses etc but I was thinking about the expanding wedge type insert.

Got the same problem re a short steerer. Just for interest, has anyone had experince (good or bad) with them extension/adapters? I think it would add quite a bit of weight but do they work and are they safe?

Done two 50km events at Redstone and the routes were very similar with two laps of 25km. If the route for Sunday is the same then there will be a very steep climb up a concrete road and a very technical and loose descent the other side, some cool single track and all in all a very enjoyable ride. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/143359101#

I'm curious to find out how CSA go about selecting the team for the MTB World Champs especially this year's event in PMB. I would have thought the top riders in each category on the latest points log simply get selected in that numerical order? I can only imagine the huge disappointment having worked very hard to be up there and one gets left out.

anyone?

Well done to all who've been selected. Just for interest, could someone explain the selection process, I would have thought that the top riders in each category on the latest points log simply get selected in that numerical order?

Spot on right there mate, the organisers should educated ALL riders and make them read the regulations ie.No3 Rules and safety...Fair Play. Slower riders must keep left especially if walking and know what the word 'track' means. To keep everyone happy, and I know it's not always possible, the organisers must keep the routes separate, it's as simple as that. As a rider who enjoys real technical stuff including the climbs, it's most frustrating when a whole bunch of people are blocking (walking the whole track full) a very rideable section and don't give a damn about anyone behind trying their best to ride it.

I haven't read all the posts but my thoughts are as follows, the VG trails are so varied, fun, fast, challenging etc etc that I just keep going back again and again even though I live 65km away. Every bit of the R40 we pay goes straight back into the 90+ kms of trails to try and keep then in good order for our us to enjoy. People should ride these trails more often if you want to become a better rider, IMHO, if you can ride ALL the trails properly then you can ride anywhere. I try my best to fix or straighten signs that may have been tampered with, perhaps painting the sign on a rock or concrete slab will be a more permanent solution. It is sad that people say they'll never go back just because they got a little lost, I've noticed that people are generally too proud and keep themselves if lost or are too shy to ask for help which adds to the problem. A "Learn the VG trails" workshop would be nice for the new visitors which could be a once a month very easy and relaxed ride stopping along the way to point out key points and landmarks. I would even volunteer to do this once in a while so that people can appreciated the place for what it is. just saying

Where is the Ale House? Been riding at VG for about three and a half years and have never come across it, I've been missing out. VG has to be my No.1 then King's, I still need to visit Thaba.

Great ride but also did not enjoy those river....err sewerage crossings, that water is filthy. The extra loop on the 55km was great though especially the single track after the koppie descent. I rode 2hrs 9mins