pedal menace

Wasn't the best weekend for me. I looked so forward to it. On Day 1 I suffered way more than I thoughtI would. Guess there was a reason...became sick after day 1 and suffered from fever (ice cold, then darn hot) the rest of the weekend. I am so dissapointed. I was really looking forward to these 3 days. I guess 1 out of 3 counts for something. Seeing all the MTB'ers leave in the morning leaves a scar...Hope you all enjoyed it. Can't wait for Dec, although the heat of Day 1 serves as a reminder fo what is potentially waiting for us (even worse). Measured 39 degrees. In Dec, on a hot day it gets to around 45.

well since the sabie pre-ride is next week...start praying for no rain!!

I saved a long time to equip my MTB with SRAM X-0...but I do realise more and more that it is expensive to maintain...too expensive and not worth the gain at the end of the day.

Well at least that is cheaper than a service that in total is going to cost me R2700 (that is now new tires Conti Mountain King). Perhaps one CAN survive on bread and water? I had Kenda Karma's on and now that they look like slicks I guess I can justify to replace them.

And that is exactly what I am doing after each ride...water and soap...chain cleaner with degreaser...new lube and bob's your uncle. Now the shop says you can continue as is, but.... I was riding fine before I took it in. I needed to replace tires (not included in this price BTW)so I asked them to service at the same time. Now if I leave it as is I am going to wonder if she will fail me somehow during the Sabie Experience pre-ride I am doing next week. So I have no choice I guess....but damn this is expensive. I am a mere mortal and cannot afford this with every service. Does a chain/cassette/middle blade only lasts 1000km? And this is/was winter so hardly any mud to speak of.

I just got of the phone with my LBS where I took my MTB for a service on Saturday. And the bill..... R1912. Apparently the cassette, chain and middle blade needs to be replaced. But heck...I just replaced some of this with my previous service. I wash my bike and lube it after every ride I do. My gosh, I cannot afford this for every service. This is going to force me to give up what I love so dearly!!! It costs me more to maintain my MTB than my actual motorbike (and she is BIG). I feel like screaming, even crying...and as the shop states...you under no obligation to replace these parts...but if you don't...well you pretty much will be grounded soon. And trust me, my LBS doesn't charge unnecessarily big. I checked and that is what these parts will cost. I need to vent, as this is killing me. I so wanna ride MTB, but the maintenance is going stop this...really soon. OK...finished venting...I can breathe again...I WANNA CRY!!!!!

RS: The only stress full part was after my crash looking at my baby and wondering if she got hurt....I won't survive if she gets hurt! But alas, she is one tough baby! Just a small scratch and lotsa mud! PS: I was glad I could see the first lady coming in..aaarggghhh COME ON please do not let me start again...concentrate on the race...

Absolutely! Obvioulsy all is nicely plotted on my Garmin but I think quite a bit was on private property which makes it riding it later a protential problem.

Damn...you beat me?????? Next time..watch your back! Well, perhaps I was the one on your back the whole time? In that case...thx for the slip..hehehe.... The best sight of the day was looking back at the first lady coming in...damn she is so sexy...sigh...OK..I'll stop now! Concentrate on the race....concentrate on the race...Hummm....hummm....

Shamus...I support you! If my safety was at risk at any time during the race then I would have really complained. It was well marshalled, excellent course and as you say....I HAD FUN!!! if your only concnern is a water bottle.....geez....I'd rather keep quit. Thx FPC for organising it. It was R140 well spent! It bought me a hell of a lot of fun!! PS:

Come on guys...there will always be complaints. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. I fell my ass of around the 48km mark. A fun rider turned straight in front of me and boy I bought some major ground. I got up, not quite sure where I was, saw the blood, assured everybody that I am still alive, started laughing (perhaps the pain), jumped on the bike and continued. Finished in around 2:22. Saw this morning that my name is not on the results and called Wessel. He was very friendly and assure me he will rectify the problem. It was still great fun on the day! Thx FPC!!!!! PS: My friend's wife rode home after the race on her MTB, fell and broke her jaw. What bad luck! Get well soon Madelein!!

And I thought MTB is a gentle, loving non violent sport..now we are fighting our own bikes...

Oops...wanted to say...Just be there!!

Starting the post ride braai? Ensuring the beer is cold? Warming up to give us all a nice massgae upon our return? Come on, how many more ideas you want? Just

When I say just...about 10 minutes ago...

I actually just removed mine of my GT Marathon to put on some Specialized hand grips. Mine came of without any problem. Just the small "allen screw" and bob is your uncle. How long has yours been on? Could be some sweat/water/dirt causing it to be tight. Perhaps a bit of Q20 spray?

Well I'm riding with my bike to the start tomorrow morning. What do I do with goodie bag...pretty crappy organizing I agree!

Pace will be comfortable, i.e. no racing. There will also be a vehicle following us with refreshments etc

It is 17,18,19 Oct. R100 per day/person. You do a full stage each day excl last day. Check www.sabiexperience.co.za

Oops..I meant owner of Merry Pebbles...old age showing

Apparently all the forest roads around Sabie are in fact private roads where in theory you are not allowed to ride on. The owner of Sabie informed me once that the permit is only for pre-marked routes and they are quite "short" in nature. No permit actually exists that allows you to just go into the mountains and ride. Too dangerous they claim with all the trucks etc.

I'll be honest, been on many Sabie rides, never with a piece of paper. I guess it is more for record puproses (i.e. MTB, many cliffs, dangerous fun stuff) should you not return. Do what I did..begged the wife to stay at home and allow me to have a obscene amount of fun for a few days......just kidding! Be like Nike...JUST DO IT!

Excellent! I am there...! Perhaps a lekker KUIER/BRAAI in Merry Pebbles Sat evening?

Stupid question... This for pre-ride or actual Experience?

Merry Pebbles indeed! Will bring caravan and beer! Just what you need for recovery! Anyone doing the pre-ride?