davetapson

I've read somewhere that single speed cranks should be on the short side - can't remember the reason, but probably to allow you to spin. I've also read that crank arm length doesn't make a whole bunch of difference - one of those marginal gains thing. Ergofit says I should be using 180mm (I'm 183cm tall) and I'm running 175mm. Would be interested to see if there was any diffs with 180mm... maybe when I buy another bike / crankset.

Been doing the sponsor schmoozing thing that he has to do with Nedbank etc...

We'll be spending a week or two down in Ramsgate over Easter. I normally ride Ramsgate / Port Edward and back via some of the little coastal dorpies, but would like to extend to Beaver Creek Coffee Estate for a little extra distance, plus a cup of coffee. The Izingolweni road looks a bit dodge in terms of being narrow and having traffic. Does anyone know of side roads / alternative to Izingolweni Road. I think the local groups ride there quite a lot? Edit: MTB, so tar roads not necessary.

that's flippen' fast dude. ..

you ridden Barberton / Sabie?

Sorry, I did see that. Just didn't seem to make it from eyes to brain. ..

There is some weird **** that goes on with magnesium and LCHF. You have to supplement quite rigorously. Htone mentioned this way back in the thread and is mentioned in one of Volek's 'The art and sience of low carb..." books. I find that I need to take three tabs a day (using Solal mag glycinate) if I am going to ride races hard. Also find that taking two Rennies an hour while riding pretty much stops cramping. I've changed to Cramp-ease which contains a mixture of salts to see if that is better than the Solal stuff. Apparently the formulation to go for is Mg Citrate, but I've not yet found a cheap source of it (not that I've looked particularly hard). Sounds like you're coming right - at least you didn't have that staring death in the face feeling - particularly as you were SS'ing. PS: (and off topic) - is the SS a dual susp? Wondering how a duallie would turn out as a SS. Intuitively doesn't sound so good.

I've got one standby that is boring but do-able - and not a whole bunch different to yours. I take 2 - 3 eggs, scramble them and then add about an equal amount of cream. The cream I get from a mate at work who gets it from a dairy in Springs - costs R22 / half litre and is so thick that it doesn't always pour so lekker. I also chuck in whatever is lying around - normally left over veg from last night. I microwave it, so it's quick. Otherwise I take double cream greek yoghurt, chuck in a handful of mixed tree nuts, add an equal amount of cream and mix it all together. Makes a change, but doesn't always keep me going to lunch time.

I did it one year on three weeks training so it can be done. Also requires a lot of walking out of the valley on day 2. Proper high intensity intervals probably best during week - doesn't take long to get knackered if done properly and best bang for training buck, and then Suikerbos / Breedts once each weekend depending where you live. Take it easy, adjust your expectations accordingly.

We used to stay at Basie Vosloo's cottage (Gateshead) at the end of the road on the top of the mountain. Is a bit out of the way, and, let's say, um, rustic. We like it tho.

Fek, is that what it was. I left at 6 and it was still perishing.

Hey - it's Sani, not the Epic. I did one on three weeks training starting five weeks before the year my kids were born (and on no sleep). So I did a bit(!) of walking...

Enjoyed this - but it is pretty flat. Which is why I probably enjoyed it...

That's about it... Although, there are also similar characteristics between those at the front (no sense of humour), the middle (some sense of humour, possibly) and the back (where all the humour is) of each day.

Umbrella! Don't forget your umbrella...

Ja, what he said. Pay some attention to hygiene - in terms of washing your hands etc. I've not been bust by the gyppo's yet (touch wood) but when I'm using common facilities used by those that do have gyppo's I go a bit out of my way to try and make sure I don't get it. *Ahem - your friendly health advisory over* I think the one year people got it from where they stayed before the race, and another year I'm not sure where it came from - but I ate the food and didn't get it, so it wasn't that (as far as I know).

Your list looks fine. Sani is not a rough ride and there are plenty suppliers hanging around if you do need to buy stuff. I use maxxis monorail front and crossmark rear. Don't stress about tyres - just choose something that is reasonably easy rolling. The only real challenge that can confuse things is if it rains - then you may need the extra brake pads / wish you had slightly more aggressive tyres, but now that the race is in May, in theory this is less of a risk. I take less and less each year. Just make sure your tyres/sealant are in good nick, have a good condition granny/middle ring / chain to make sure you don't have chainsuck and you're pretty much there. The rest you can make up as you go along.

Martin - what do you reckon of this for marathons? I'm keen to get one for my 50th, but it will be the last bike I would be buying for a good long time and I wouldn't want to be going wrong. Marathons are mostly what I do. I'm replacing a 26" GT Sensor, which actually has the same sort of characteristics that are said of this Pyga - climbs well and can be hurled down mountains at speeds that seem way beyond one's capabilities and generally good all round. I love it, but I want to get 29" wheels.

JC / Others - what do you use for post ride recovery. Sure, maybe not necessary on low intensity / endurance rides, but when I'm doing high intensity stuff followed by having to ride the next day (I commute) I think that I might want just a little help. My current strategy of seeing what biscuits the kids have left / rusks isn't doing my reflux any good, and that's the main reason I started this whole malarky...

But you can get an XT spic Pyga for less than that?

27.5 or 9r..?

Always wondered what compact was...

Jeez. "That's why I don't ride in the rain / off the tar / when the wind blows / if it's raining somewhere / if there is a breeze / if the sun is shining / if the sun isn't shining"... Buy a steel cassette. It's cheap. It weighs maybe 80g more than your expensive one. That's a mouthful or two of water or 1/5 of a good dump. Buy steel granny and middle ring - they weigh... who gives a toss... more than expensive ones and last way longer. Go ride your bike. If your drive train is stuffed but not hassling you, leave it until it does. Why spend money when you don't need to?

Fabulous pics. Even got one of KE actually on the track...

Easy