Jigghead

I've just ordered one based on this post. Got me worried a bit. I ride alone quite often. What sort of info does consensus say one should put on this tag? I've thought about name, medical aid name and details, emergency contact details? KONA KULA, I hope you're back on two wheels soon, that looks eina.

Any one know when the complete results and photos will be up? I need to see if there are any photos that I need to pay to have permanently taken out of circulation.

I didn't enjoy the day, not because my goodie bag was empty, but because it was hot and I was under prepared. Makes me want to work harder and do better next year. As for affordability, I do not even own a road bike due to affordability (I borrowed one). I need to choose very carefully what I race in because I cannot afford to enter races I do not intend to ride in. I have a total racing budget per anum of around R2,500. 25% taken by this race alone, never mind accommodation etc.!!! You are all welcome to your opinions, as am I, this is why I chose to voice mine, as apparently did you. PS. My apologies for the "whinger" remarks and any other personal "name calling". It came out a little harsher than it was meant, so please accept my offer to eat as much humble pie as you collectively see fit

RANT ON: Personally, I swam the whole swim, it was quicker than walking, I started in wave 3 and had no problems with traffic. The event was well organised, had people giving direction at the turn around on the bike route and even swapped my bottles out for 5150 bottles at the water point (mine were empty, added to my goodie bag as well) Water points across all routes were very well stocked with GU, ice cold water & coke. My question is, why did those complaining about the goodie bag contents not check it out before entering. Frankly, I enter these things to challenge my athletic ability (although after Saturday I feel that I needn't have gone so far to mount that challenge), not so I can get nice little surprises in my entry bag. The shirts were good tho. The traffic on the ride was not ideal, but it was manageable with little more than a bit of diligence from a rider's perspective. The swim (walk for some) was not any worse than any other open water swim I've done before. There is always going to be traffic in the water at these events. If you don't believe me, have a look at the Iron Man and 70.3 websites and see the mayhem that looks to be happening in the water at those swims. Saturday was a walk in the park compared to the Midmar Mile for sure. I personally hope that the wingers stay behind next year, unless you're racing for money etc., what are you there for? Go and have fun, in spite of the little niggles that will inevitably occur in every race or event if you look hard enough. My only complaint was that after prize giving, I was hoping to get hooligan at the party and me and my mate were the only two guys left in the public bar sending a few cold ones home. Even the VIP's called it quits in favor of the Bulls giving the Sharks a hiding. So no party for us :-( This was only the second Bela Bela 5150 EVER (afaik), frankly they did a sterling job and I'll spend the money again next year irrespective of what's in my goodie bag and the way they manage traffic or dredge the dam to stop the lazy ones from walking. I'm sure I couldn't have walked that in 22mins which is what my swim took. Why is it that not many come on to applaud the good side of these events, but we get all the whingers coming out of the woodwork to complain about what a crap time they had? +1 Bela Bela 5150 Team RANT OFF

Grumpy, the name says it all. How much did you pay to get there? And then can it for R30? The mind boggles some times.

OK, finished the race yesterday, 3:42. Well organized event. Definitely be back next year.

That's nothing, my dad didn't even stop when he threw us out the car.

Here's mine. only partially cycling related, but in time for Bela Bela on Saturday...

MTB, more place to ride. I've used my MTB for a few road races and although you're not going get lighting quick times, you can't take the road bike on the single track. MTB races are also much more fun.

Contact a company called Madan Engineering, they make custom bolts etc., not sure if they can do a one off. Call Richard on 011 900 1112

I booked and had all the extras taken out. I already have a CSA license and a chip which is still valid (they're permanent I've used mine for a few races).

Some say she does the same training routine/routes as the guys who do The Roof of Africa Rally...

This year was pretty crappy weather and the water was fine. Did a 34min swim and no problem with the water temp. I've done a few, sometimes with not even being able to see the other side due to fog etc. I've never felt like I would have needed a wetsuit before, great race, only draw back is the traffic in the water, but it's not a train smash. Love the event, well organised and loads of fun. Doing 70.3 next year, so may skip Midmar, but planning to be back the following year. I've done around 4 or 5 I think, can't find my medals etc.

Terry, From my side, I should be thanking you. Your assistance and speed thereof was unrivaled. +10000000 to you and your company. J

I'm there, see you then. Just got my wetsuit, so keen to try it out.

Can't remember, I bought my pair at last year's Walkerville MTB race and rode with contacts up until then. Dust was a problem. Got the glasses on special (SWIFTYS) I think they were around R900 after taking their voucher into account (came with the race number). I can't even remember what the prescription was, medical aid paid for that, so I didn't really take notice of the cost

Definitely the Rudy Project photochromic lenses. I bought mine and had them done by my optometrist. Bonus is that replacement lenses are quite cheap, so when your prescription changes, you just go buy new lenses and get them done again. I ride early mornings during winter, so the photochromic lenses are the best option, no need to keep changing them out. They're also strong, I've sat on mine a few times and to be honest, I'm not as light as I should be given the amount of exercise I do. They haven't broken yet!

Thule Cedar Square is also tops. Seems these guys have the right people working for them. Thumbs up Thule.

Did 1500m in 35mins the other day, I like to think I could break 30mins in open water (no turns, breaks etc.) I'd be happy with those times. I'm no pro tho.

Thanks to all.

I am a mountain goat at heart, but I have entered a few triathlons that require a road bike. My budget is around R7,000-R8,000 maximum and I'm at a loss as to what to buy. Any ideas on what provides the best value for money in this price range would be of enormous assistance. Jigghead.

Same here, I got notified the day my auction ended. Paid and sent proof straight away and received my goods before lunch the following day. It's my second pair of Rudy Project sunnies and I'll never buy anything else. It's 'cause of ASG!

Love them both :thumbup: :thumbup:

I've had quite a few citis, great little cars. Even when I bought them new, they were never very fuel efficient, I think i used to get around 400km to the tank (55l if I remember correctly) Bear in mind that if it's a 1998 model, you're not likely to get the same consumption as you would have when it was new. also, i found that if it was parked in the sun it would "loose" fuel for obvious reasons and would go through it a lot quicker as well. I remember the 1300 needing to be revved quite hard in order to get much performance out of them, so this could be a factor as well. If it's the 4spd, this is aggravated even further. I drove the 4 & 5 spd models and always had an empty tank, could have been the fact that i was also a student and was often carrying plenty of mates around. The extra load probably didn't help either.

Depends, if it's Cajee's wearing the rubber, you'd want Durex I suppose. Do they make a 29"er?