MichH

I agree, the organisation was amazing. Well done 94.7 and Pick 'n Pay for an excellently organised race, heck the road cops were even cheering us on whilst keeping us safe from crazies! I thought the hay bales across each road made the road closure much easier to police, and I was also amazed and thankful for the MANY supporters (my hubbie chose to run away to rock climb in the Magaliesberg instead!). I believe from some of my dad's friends in motorsport that last year's use of Kyalami cost the organisers R800k. This year the new owners wanted R2 million!!!! So they moved the venue and hopefully taught those guys that they are not the only venue in town (even if that extra hill killed a lot of us!!)

I'm just glad, when I read the title I thought they'd sent you aaaaalllll the way back to unseeded!!

Hope you don't mean in time for 94.7!! Find a group to ride with on weekends. Start building a base again. Once you start getting a good base of long slow distance miles, then you can start with intervals and a more tailored program (lots of pro trainers on here). Then get a group that rides at your speed/ slightly faster than you and relearn bunch riding skills (you should still have that!!). Get into some races and start working your way back up. OK, so I'm pretty new to this as well, so I'm sure someone else will give better advice!

I'll go read it sooon....

Nope, sounds nice though

Why thank you bikemonster (wink!)

Shock horror! Fattie, you could get banned for such direct attacks!!

I prefer his other description. And this is a shameless ploy to bump your post!

Aw Rock, I would but I'm a silent advocate for stoning him for being so dastardly! And anyway, then I couldn'y use them, AND I'd have to rebleed my brakes, I'd rather kill myself!!

Epoh, Don't have quotable sources, but also agree that exercise increases mitochondria which is good for burning sugars, therefore less risk of Type 2 (adult onset) diabetes. Being overweight is the major indicator in diabetes, so cyclists are probably less at risk. However, need to look at what your Omega-3 intake is, when cell membranes are hardened by trans-fatty acids, you can't absorb sugars as well, causing problems. Sounds very vague when I read through it again. Might give you some keywords for further research.

Sounds like a good move, thanks The Thug. Knowing you I guess you've had a MTB set up?

The only comment I have on this is that you need some form of warning about a metal barrier running parallel to your direction of travel. In the later photo, it seems apparent that the visual aspect of the barrier would be minimal. Jason and Michelle's comments on narrowing make sense, but cones seem to be the wrong material. Let's hope those in hospital heal fast and are out on the road again soon.

Mind my ignorance, but I don't even know what a bar end shifter is?!

That's a SERIOUSLY wide bar (chuckle!). After clippin a few entryand exit gates at Logwood, I'm ready to cut the bars!!

This sounds like a well run, and excellently thought out campaign. I will see what I can do to raise the R6 000...

Hmmm... GoLefty, I know the small Scott is really too small for me, but the frame was R2000 with back shock, rims, hubs, seat post, and I got caught up in the buying fever. I'll fiddle a bit to get it closer to ideal based on your guidelines, thanks! i'll let you know how it goes...

P.S. the whole bike build up cost R10 000 and change. Worked out really well. Although my bank account is inexplicably emptied!! Wink

Hahahahaha TitusTi, we ordered through a 'connection' in Durbs. He is a registered Shimano sales agent, but 'coz he's alomost family, he charges us much less than retail. He ordered directly with Coolheat, and when the order arrived, Voila! New bling shifters! I was at Logwood on Sunday and Geoff was saying that there is a waiting list for them and people would KILL for a set! Hmmm... thinking of that, I better not let on where I live and work, my life may not be worth much!!! Giggle!

Thanks GoLefty. Dad was trying to get it as close to my Schwinn as possible. Not neccessarily the best method of fitting! So if I get you right, I should try a shorter stem and fit it upside down (huh?) ITO less rise, I have a friedn willing to lend me one to try. Amazingly it is exactly 620mm wide (perfect!) What am I aiming for? Bars and saddle about the same height? What about length from seat to bars? NB or not? Also, do I need to worry about my bars being too far over the front wheel? It seems comfortable but you're spot on, climbing was horrible!!! Who in Jhb would be able to help with MTB setup? Any recommendations?

Sorry people, my tale is a sad one. I ordered full XT drivetrain, disc brakes and Dual Control Shifters, but they were out of stock on the shifters, so they upgraded me free of charge to the XTR!!!! I'm devastated!!! Heeheeheee hahahahaha!!!!!

Thanks guys. I think the next step is to take it to Linden Cycle and get some setup advice. Dad and I built the bike up so there's still room for improvement in the small stuff (stem and bars, etc) P.S. my shoulders when hubbie measured were 430mm! Hmm... just remembered that slowpoke took this 'full frontal' pic on Sunday. Looking now, my bars are definitely too long!

So, as you know I took the "baby girl" out for her first dirt outing to Logwood. I was amazed at how great full suspension is, and I really felt like I fitted the frame pretty darn well (bought a size small for a steal, but I'm 176cm tall!) Anyway, she cornered nicely, I felt really quick, it was only on Showtime that I struggled a bit with hitting the entry and exit gates. So, when I left I was chatting to Geoff about shortening the bars, and generally about the size. He suggested moving to flat bars as "This would solve a lot of the problems". What do you all think? Should I change? Also, what is the ideal width for handlebars? I've heard they should be the same width as your shoulders? Here is a pic. The long stem seems to work OK (makes sure I don't feel too cramped on the bike) but if another person suggests that it's a bit long, I may be open to changing it!!

Hopefully there will be clouds but no rain!!

Take it easy WW...