The Drongo

Sheez dude ! The other two (the fourth slid out in panic) seemed to be all ok besides some grazing. So were you the chap with the gashed arm and the triple vision??? How did you get back to the start? Did the bus/quad take you or did you pedal? I would have stayed to patch you - serious, but the marshal was coming over the grassy rise as I started (and I was aiming for time under 2:30 ) so we put you to the side and I bolted. I would have done so if the response had not been so quick. From what I (thought) I saw, either you, or a rider just in front lost it in the deep diagonal erosion rut and t-boned, or was t-boned, by the rider behind. Someones bike was about 5m in the air at one stage, but I am afraid I was negotiating that section myself at the time, plus thinking of braking and avoidance. My max was 61,5 on that bit ! Glad to hear you are ok though. The way you went 'ragdoll' I kakked myself. Just monitor yourself mate, and go GP if anything seems strange in the next few days, balance, taste, hearing etc. You had SERIAAS concussion! IMnsHO I really think that the obstacle there should have been flagged for a race!

Yes, as in the Durban aa(h)z. I do unnerstaan.

Conjecture.

You mean generally, or for bicycle 'borrowing' in particular?

I think you mean - aaz !?

OOOHHH! OK! You win.....

Ok. But has this foreign bicycle attrition thing been proved yet?

"If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking." Gen. George S. Patton (1885--1945). Thanks.

An "as new" bike part is one purchased from a recognized retailer, backed by an invoice and in most instances a warranty and the CPA. Anything else is SECOND HAND. The seller can ask what he wants. The buyer can choose to pay, or not.

Not good. What the hell is the story there in GP !?

Listen Roadie. Whilst those may LOOK sweet, take a closer gander at those 'venty' things on the side. That 'foamy' stuff does not keep dust out. The OP said "VERY sensitive"..... ****nice try though.

Or just BLINK more....

Indeed. Hence the Cap vs Helmit option.

Not an option Roadie!

I will have you know sir that those are 21'st Century Bentley driving goggles an cap ! The cap is optional, but i fear those dust repelling gogs will look a bit silly with a peaked MTB helmet.

.

Touche'

Fixed ... LOL Ya Muppet!

As an aside.... There were 3 guys (4) who wiped out badly just in front of me on the tricky downhill jeep track about +6 k's before the end. One of you was seeing three fingers to my one. I will just say, before asking, that it was a spectacular wipeout !...However, if you are out there and no longer seeing triple, how the hell are you?? I was impressed by how fast the Marshall got there (she was fairly schweet!), and the bus not far behind. Well sorted race. Kudos to the organizers.

About 15 on that, and NO. A plus was the removal of that damned hill from this year.... although that little hook up out of the forest is a killer. Reminds one that the granny gear should never have come off. Brilliant race. Do it next year dude !

Dude. NEVER too much singletrack. Just too many slow riders! Tell your mate to train harder. Then he won't get stuck behind the slow ones! To.my mind there was too much jeep track and I certainly didn't notice any "technical" climbing! That said. Big up to most riders. Everyone I got behind on the ST let me pass. NICE ride!

Hello MAL 1. Thank you for changing that avatar pic. I got as much of a fright as you obviously did ! 2. That shall be your face when coming upon your first off camber, blind corner drop-off. 3. Borrow a decent bicycle of the right size, with flat (training) petals. 4. Take the training wheels off. They just snag everything on singletrack. This is MTBiking, not Roadie. 5. You will love it. 6. Unless you buy a crap 3k bike. 7. In which case you won't and you will go back to swimming - MEH! 8. Budget about R12000,00 (look for second hand) - sell some of that swimming stuff!

Dude. Based on the size of rear ends I see on some bikes I am doubting that all can 'feel' their "sit bones".

Spotted this bird standing by her car at Subaru Classic Sunday. Red/yello/pink mohican and tats. Me: "you have got to be a SS'der" She: "Fo' shure" True as nuts, 1x SS lying faithfully by.

Which is then termed 'violent and forcible entry/means'.