banna

I think the only issue is that for the DH races at Jonkers they build wooden ramps for the road gap jumps, which get taken away after the race. But the rest of the DH sections are still there.

Jonkershoek is where the Africa DH champs was held not so long ago, so you can give that a go as well.

So clowns can also have orgasms?...who would have thought.

Cool. Wanna build a new AM wheelset, but wanna try to get the weight down from the 2.1kg of my current XT AM set. I think about 1.8kg is probably a good weight for a set that could still take a serious bit of punishment.

Cool thx. Will have a look.

Does anyone know if there's a tool somewhere that can calculate the approximate weight of a custom mtbike wheelset if you select certain components e.g. Hope hubs, ZTR flow rims, DT swiss spokes etc etc. I want to have a custom set of wheels built, but I just wanna be sure about the weight before I have it done.

After seeing that Fabien Barrel AM dvd, I think most of us are actually over building our AM rigs. That bugger does all those jumps and drops with a 150mm Fox 32 and XC Mavic rims. Ok, I do understand he only weighs like 70kg and has slightly better skills than most of us ( ) but still.

A buddy of mine has the 160mm Lyric (air) and he's extremely happy with it. Wonder of the Totem won't be a bit of a overkill? You are going into serious freeride territory with that thing.

Well then it's settled?

Ha ha! Ja, it took me about 3 months after the Epic to get back onto my bike. But ja, nothing like Jonkershoek singletrack to get you back into the swing of things!

You're right. We trained for about 6 months and I must say by the end I was really gatvol! The one day I rode with Brian Strauss (who's come in the top 30 a few times I think) and he also said that it's not necessary to do these 7 hour training rides. Rather try to split it up in say 6 rides of 2 - 3 hours. It basically echoes what you said. But again, Brian has been riding for years, so he doesn't really need to train specifically for the epic.

Ja I agree, but surely it also depends from what base you're coming off? If you're a doppie like me, who before the Epic only did a Knysna 50km race as a longest race ever, the training must differ from guys who's been riding stage races and marathon events for years?

We did 15 hours a week coming from no prior stage race experience, and we finished with no major issues in the middle of the field (even though we got a few technicals, upset tummies, a cold etc). If you wanna be in top 100 or so, I guess you will need to up to at least 20 hours. We hit our peak in February and then just maintained. Don't think it's necessary for a training plan. Put in the hours and you'll be fine. Just remember it is a tough race, no matter how hard you've trained. Fear it! It will make you train harder!

Was cycling in the Baardskeerdersbos area (close to Gansbaai) a few years ago. So I came around a corner and there was a long branch lying across the road. So I moved to the side to pass it... and then the branch started to move in my direction...on closer inspection it was a beaut of a Cape Cobra. But ja, I did k@k myself in several shades of brown, and ja, I did have my eyes tested the following week.

Yup, very true. I think the AM category will probably see the most growth in the next few years. It provides the "freedom factor" that you only get when you can go up and down over any terrain with the same amount of confidence.

Please don't use the words AM and lycra in the same sentence. In some countries you could be shot for such reckless behaviour.

"High jack on" Hmmm....now at what point does trail become All mountain and when does AM turn into Free ride? "high jack off"

I looked at them a few weeks ago. They look a bit scimpy and light for the Atta. Would rather stick some Maxxis Monorail/Crossmarks on for a rough one like Attakwas.

Awesome bra! Love that colour. Many happy miles!

Thx Chubs. Got the bar from Chain reaction for a steal. I think it was like R180 or so. They had a special on parts and that Funn just looked the bizness.

Eish. I wonder if there aren't okes around who can air brush the graphics on? Will probably cost a bit.

Thx Patchman. Ja I was actually kinda disappointed that the HR's look so thin! But i guess looks can be deceiving. I'm sure they will grip like snot in the corners with all those gnarly side knobs.

Crow are you running the 2.35 or 2.5 High rollers on your AM bike? Just got one 2.35 for the front yesterday from CRC. Never ridden them before, so can't wait to give them a bash over the weekend. Always had Nevegals, but decided to give the High Rollers a go. The funny thing is, the HR's look thinner (less bulky) than the 2.35 Nevegals on the rim. But they do have a much more aggressive tread pattern than the Nevegals. Will be interesting to compare the grip between the two.

Oh ok, just checking. Please continue. Oops gotto run, have some freshly painted walls which I must go watch drying.

Er...what is the point of this thread?