ACM

In the past I had absolutely NO issues paying my CSA fees. BUT, after CSA decided to 'ban' all racing on Madibas funeral (Sunday) the Sabie experience race organisers had no choice but to cancel stage 3 of the Sabie experience team wannabe event. This effectively cost me R750 just for the 'lost race day'. This year I'll be paying my fees, but unwillingly!!!!!! If I had a choice I would not have paid, until I recovered R750 :-(

Kcnc makes a 50mm stem (flyride) which weighs 96g (if I recall correctly) - I was also looking for a short stem and got the kcnc. Nice bike!

ride more often and get more endurance so I can stop cramping

Or you could just take your hack saw with the steel cutting blade.... I did mine like that and going slow ... no splinters, nothing - cleen cut.

Accommodation in Dullstroom is filling up quickly - contacted 3 places and they're already fully booked. At least got a nice place on the edge of town and making a weekend of it

Entered for both marathon & half

You make some very good arguments River Rat - and I guess ultimately you're right; loss of 1 stage vs. loosing Madiba doesn't compare!! We'll go back in 2014

True; but if you read my original post it puts it more in perspective (a fun ride vs. stage 3 of an event one trained for, look forward to all year long, etc. etc.)... but let me stop sulking about it and get back on the bike :-) training...

No it didn't. I took my 10yr old son for a ride from merry pebbles to/over the floating bridge and to the bullrun (he did the chicken run part). Was good experience for him :-)

Fully agree.... freedom (of choice)... everything Madiba stood for was taken away from 600+ riders. How's that for celibrating his life :-(

In for the marathon :-)

Here's my 2 cents on the funeral vs. riding.... I'm your AVG weekend warrier (not even) - probably get to do +-10 races a year (if I'm lucky) - mostly half marathons. I maybe get on my bike 20 times a year! Orignally my partner and I entered for team lite (as that's what I thought was within my fitness level). Then we trained very hard during November and by end of November I felt fit enought to tackle 3 days. Yip, so (at a cost of R1,500) we upgraded to Team Wannabe (3 days). And as it turned out, I'm EXTREMELY dissappointed as I was ready for this. We felt great after the two days (2:14 and 3:14 respectively) - we would have managed 3 days (not with a smile, but finished) - and pushed our boudaries (becoming better at the sport we love). I don't believe for ONE minute that Madiba would have cancelled this event (stage) for his funeral. He would have loved for us to ride in his name / honor! I'm very very dissapointed for not having the choice to finish / ride stage 3. I think SASCOC should cary the cost for the decision they made... R1,500 for me & partner down the drain. I have much respect for Madiba & loved the man and what he stood for and what he has done for us AND I believe he is looking down on this decision and he is AS disappointed as me for us not riding. SASCOC, you made a bad decision on behalf of the people you service... goverment style!!! Sorry if I upset some people with this post, but this is my opinion and in the country of freedom (thanks Madiba) one is allowed your opinion!

Entered for Sabie Marathon & Half (on the Sunday)... hopefully not going to regret it :-)

Glad you enjoyed the ride... we slept in... packed up camp and headed home... will be back next year for more than just the 2 days!

Problem for us is that we've pitched FULL campsite (caravan, full tents, etc) & to pack up takes about 2hrs+. So doing a 5hrs ride, packing up and driving (with caravan) back to PTA in one day not really nice to do. So we're going to tey and do a 35km ride from 6am and then packup and head back. Really disapointed that we've missed stage 3 of wannabe team event. Maybe we'll come back in 2014 for revenge!!!

Tx for the info River Rat!! We'll sleep on it and decide tomorrow!!!

Bitterly dissappointed about tomorrow's stage being cancelled!!! Riding on Monday, packing up camp & driving back to Pta not a good plan; so still contemplating what to do; but will probably settle for 2 days riding and head back monday morning :-( Really dissappointed!!!!

Floreat hotel until 18:00 and then race briefing start at 18:00 (same place)

On our way to Sabie.... Going early; need to setup camp first :-)

On our way to Sabie.... Going early; need to setup camp first :-)

Are you currently running 2x9 or 3x9? Can't exactly understand from info supplied. For 2x10 you would need a 2x FD (front derai...) & 2x front shifter. Your current xt shifters might be able to switch between 3x and 2x (if it's the later/new xt shifters) In terms of RD (rear dera...)... Short, medium, long depends on your shifting and how you ride your gear ratios and you front & rear chain ring/casette sizes (ie how long chain you need and how much chain slack the RD should pickup). On a 2x10 you would typically have 38&26 front and 11/36 (like you have) back on which you'll run a medium cage. I have 2x10 with 38/24 front and 11/36 back and I've gone for long cage (no clutch though). Lots of information on the web available regarding cage lenght. Enjoy the convertion :-)

???? Mud is not going to make me be laugh... Hope the sun shines the next couple of days!!!

After consultation with the Vice President, General Manager and General Secretary of Cycling South Africa I can advise you that the overwhelming opinion is that you may go ahead with your race as planned as long as respect is shown towards the relevance of the day. Riders must be addressed as to the importance of the occasion, respectful mandatory silence observed and black armbands worn by all participants. Riders who may choose, of their own accord, not to ride should be respected and allowed to continue the following days stage. We understand that the day has not been declared a public holiday and that the request to cancel sporting events is not supported by the introduction of law but should this change we will advise accordingly.

I'm 165cm and ride a small (15.5") with a 50mm stem. Had an 80mm stem, but because of lower back problem I need to sit more upright. 80mm killed my back, went to 50mm and what a difference!! I think at 163 you should be on a small frame.

Just receive another mail - looks like we'll be riding - those that choose to.