Ollie

Thanks! I'll be as early as I can.

Thing is, as far as I know, the organiser's (http://www.dieburgercycletour.co.za/contact.asp) number is: Tel: 021 685 6551 ...and they've left a wonderful message stipulating their office hours, which do not include Saturdays.

As a result of being busy with a move across town this week, I was unable to register at Cyclelab or at Paul Roos. Neither the Burger Cycle Tour nor the PPA's telephones are manned over weekends, it seems. Is there anything I can still do, or should I sleep in tomorrow morning?

Well, after approaching Helshoogte for the first time a couple weeks back with much trepidation, I can now say that it isn't an issue anymore. Climbed Hels four times on Saturday (three from the front). I don't remember too much of Ou Kaapse Weg though, although it is where I used to "train" (and fall) in my school days.

"Dear John RACE NUMBER: R3861 START TIME: 06:53 Please note: If you have dropped a group since the provisional seeding, this is because we have taken recent race results into account which will have caused other people's seeding to improve." Missing Klein Joostenberg took me from Q to R.

Will be doing Helshoogte x 3 on the weekend as punishment for not starting Klein Joostenberg. Wait. Which is worse? Helshoogte x 3, or Ou Kaapse Weg x 5

That's not too bad. I noticed a puncture on the way to registration today. I only have one spare, and I wasn't about to ride 88km without it. Pity.

I'll be there. /time-trialling at the back, no doubt

Had a look -- they've only got pics from Tour de Vino and Geco.

There was a photographer taking pics up Helshoogte -- anyone know how/where to view these?

How would I know if my "performance" in a couple PPA-sanctioned (and Winning Time timed) events will result in an improved seeding? What are the criteria to be reseeded? I am currently in the Z group, and I've done four events (although none have been the long route).

We recently bought Sew Simple as a multipurpose clothing adhesive. A thought crossed my mind the other day that I could stick my race number to my jersey, negating the annoying task of battling with safety pins. Any future re-seedings could just be stuck over it. Anyone know how these numbers hold up in the wash?

I'm not sure if this is the best way to go about my training, but it's at least more structured than the current "do what I feel like" ad hoc rides. I'd have a look at the main ride of the week, and plan the training schedule around it. Something like this: Key phrase: undulating countryside. So I know it won't be very flat. With that in mind, I reckon I should focus a bit more on the hills with my training this week. So: Today: rest Tuesday: 21.8 km hilly route Wednesday: 45-60 minutes of climbing the same +- 8 min hill (intervals?) Thursday: 25 km mostly flat Friday: rest Saturday: RACE Sunday: Slow 20km to loosen the muscles. Thoughts?

you never know! give us a kit & bike description and we'll look for you!I doubt it. Blue Quicksilver t-shirt on a silver/blue Raleigh rm1.0. I did the 38km route.

No pics of the slow people?

Thanks for the advice. I've got a tentative pre-Burger Western Cape calendar: 13 October: Tour D'Worcester -- 38 km 20 October: Durbanville High School Funride -- 49 km 28 Octover: Renault West Coast Express Funride -- 80 km 10 November: Simonsvlei Funride -- 82 km 18 November: Klein Joostenberg Funride -- 88 km 02 December: Burger Cycle Tour -- 101 km I suppose, at the moment, the only reason I've concentrated on increasing my speed (and even then, in tiny increments), has been to fit in a larger distance before work. But I hear all the advice regarding time, and that's what I am going to do. I've downloaded the "Just Finish" Argus timesheet from the official site, which I will compress from 15 to 8 weeks in order to use it for the Burger -- think this is a good idea? Thanks for the advice, everyone.

Hi all, Backstory first: Before a week ago, I hadn't been on a non-IDT in at least six years. And even when I did have a bike, it was an el-cheapo mountain bike that I used to ride to school, or to gym, or to buddies after school. I've done one 40-odd km funride in my life, and one full day 75 km "tour" of the Cape Peninsula -- both during school years. Goals: I have entered both the Argus and the Burger. Which means I have a 101km seeding ride in just under two months. I have no idea what a reasonable expectation should be for the Argus, so I have set five hours as a preliminary goal -- just over 20kph average. I don't think I'll make five hours for the Burger. Equipment: My colleague has lent me his Raleigh RM 1.0. Shimano Acera 24spd gearset, SR Suntour crankset, and slicks. It feels very heavy. At the moment, a very basic computer as well. Training: How would you suggest I go about this? Time is an issue. I have a young family, so I can't just go for a ride whenever I want to. At the moment, I do a short ride in the mornings (10km Monday, 12km Wednesday, 15km today). Route is relatively flat, and I've increased my average speed to just about 24kph. My first ride (Sunday morning) was a 21km route in a hilly area. Not such a fantastic idea, but it's in the past now. I have a 50km "base" ride planned for Sunday. Should I take Saturday as a rest day, or utilize it for a decent ride leading up to the bigger one the next day, and leave Friday to rest? Or should I forget about rest days altogether at the moment since the rides aren't particularly long yet? I am able to monitor the following: Current, average and maximum speed Trip distance Trip duration Current, average and maximum heart rate Soon, I will be able to monitor cadence. Your advice would be appreciated!

Thanks all for the feedback.

I'm trying to decide on a cycle computer and I've narrowed my search down to these two: High up on my priority list are 1) value for money and 2) cadence. Cateye Astrale 8 -- R300 http://www.cateye.com/sites/cateye/upload/products/253-og.jpg Blackburn Delphi 3.0 -- R315 (virtually the same as pic below) http://www.blackburndesign.com/images/pop_delphi.jpg To my knowledge, both have: Current speed Maximum speed Average speed Trip distance Total distance Trip time The Blackburn edges out the Cateye on cadence functionality however, with current/maximum/average vs current, respectively. The Astrale 8 gets a clock. Is there a reason why I should buy the Cateye instead of the Blackburn? I won't need a clock as I'll always be riding with my Polar wrist watch. Additionally, is there anything else I should consider in this price range?