Stefan Cremer

I never enter any race in an attempt to just finish it - but this is strange in the sense that the preparation for it is a bit of a dark area for me, as I have not ever done such a long event. Would I like to win it - hell yes, who wouldn't???

Dr. Drey - do you have any lessons which you have learnt which you could maybe share?

Flippen heck, 2nd solo is really impressive! That length of time on the bike is hectic, mental toughness will surely be something which will be tested to the max! Thanks for the info on the lights.

Having entered the race a solo rider, I am truthfully in the dark as to how to train for such a long ride! Are there any hubbers that has done this event solo, if so, how did you train and what is it like to keep on going for 361km? Furthest solo rise have done was 167km on the MTB on farm roads, which is still 200 odd km off the mark...

The distances indicated seem to generally be indicative when referring to 50, 60, 70, 80km, etc. If advertised as a 73.5km race, you would probably end up riding something very close to that distance.

I have had really bad experiences with Thule platform rack - Euroway G2 specifically. For me the biggest problem is the amount of torque required when clamping the top tube, especially on a carbon frame. I have lost a carbon handlebar due to the clamp slowly twisting due to the road vibration on a recent trip to Hilton, the wheels were still held by the straps, so the bike literally just fell over and the road surface removed about 3cm of the handlebar in a couple of hundred meters. Similar thing happened with the exact same rack to two guys that I know. I now use the Thule top suspended type one, much cheaper also. O, and I drive the same car as you do - ground clearance with a 29" bike is not a problem, not even on rough dirt roads.

1) My opinion on noisy bearings - either clean up and grease or replace. Simple. 2) I ride with SRAM - steel bearings and they last quite well in my opinion. On durability - my Spez Stumpjumper HT has done in the region of 11000km on the previous BB30, so no worries there as you ride a road bike and the terrain is a lot cleaner...

Epic - no doubt! Had an Epic - best damn bike ever made. EVER!

I ride a L Specialized 29" - 189, 88... Remember that the larger a frame is the more cumbersome it is to maneuver. I would never ride a XL MTB. Road, complete different story.

Information must be slow there in "die Noord Kaap", XX is like XTR on steroids!

Wishing you a speedy recovery! However do not get drawn back into MTB too quickly and do not put yourself at risk with that shiny new hip... I have had two major hip surgeries subsequent to an accident, the muscles really took a while to get back into the swing of things. Good luck!

The okes that reckon the Free-State is flat are just plan uninformed - a major portion of the province borders on Lesotho... Having grown up there I can tell you that is NOT flat. Re the Netherlands, we can only dream that we will all one day be able to live in unity and harmony. Dream on!!!

Jungle Oats bar, any type except for the light - does not have any oomph. Don't waste your money on Powerbar, way too overpriced. Also try some nuts and wet biltong for proper proteins.

Have any hubbers done this race before as a solo event?

If you cannot bunny-hop without clipless you can't really bunny-hop...

So, I can't seem to figure out how to load a picture - advice?

Serfas thunderbolt - NO question about it, for me it is the best light around.

1x10 Will kill the legs on some rides, I really like my SRAM X.0 2x10 setup - hasn't given me any hassles ever! The only gripe I have with it is the effort it takes to get the back wheel in and out. Rode XT and XTR before as well, not too much of a difference - the SRAM might be slightly better in really muddy conditions, but that's about it.

X-King sure has the grip and lowish rolling resistance you want for front tire, however the sidewalls are rubbish, even in the Protection guise. The X-King cost me a top 10 at Tulbagh, again in Wellington and around 25minutes at Rooiberg - all sidewall scuff marks that just continue to leak air. Rubbish tyre. Rooiberg was a properly tough test of skills, those marbles kept the downhills really interesting!

Must agree with you, PROPER MTB race - got exactly what I was looking for from the race! One thing I would have liked is proper seeding... Started mid-pack and had to put myself way deep in the red in the first couple of kilo's to pass folks and probably lost some time early on on the leaders.

Maak nie saak nie. Dit is net 'n helmet...

I first notified GrouponSA of a cancellation of accommodation I bought through them in early March, got notified on April 2nd that a refund will be made - it is now 24 May and still no refund...

Kyk bietjie na Specialized se helmets ook - daar is vir my niks wat so gemaklik sit soos hulle sin nie en die straps is AWESOME!

I read the article last night and could for the life of me not understand why Ciolek's second place took preference over the victory by our very own awesome saffer racing over the seas? A German in an African/South-African team should surely not take preference over our own rider... BLOODY WELL DONE DARYL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You might be right on that one, I do not know. However the smaller races also carry a lesser weight in terms of the improvement of the seeding result. The saseeding website explains this I think... What I don't get though is that the Kiamtbranking system got launched quite some publicity and now there is absolutely no activity on that site... Anyone know what is happening there?