Yellow Zebra

i think riding on the M5 is illegal? It is a nice and direct route, though... Sit down with a map book, and check out some route options. then maybe consider a combo trip (bike + train), to see if how easy it is (in case of rain), and to give you options. My 5 c - use it/dont' use it! Like the fact that we have another commuter! Good luck

Hi - I have a project frame that I will consider selling (needs repair): Reynolds 708 tubing, give me a shout: 0722117725. Chris

just read the 3 pages, now I better understand the issue (had 3 year break from riding till last week). 1. Like the idea of a 'known' date; say last Sat of every month (L.S.O.M.) 2. like the idea of a banner hung for 1 week prior, advertising trail repair day (Trail-Rep) 3. like the idea of a 'fixed committment' time period, say 2 hours to get max people involved; if some think of a half- or whole-day committment, then fewer will attend (A 'Hole' 2-Hours) 4. twelve repair mornings (one per month)focussing on a problem area each time would make a big difference. (12 x Focus points)] 5. could be sold as 'come and repair your hole, then ride over it!!!' repair-and ride Finally, this thread should become a 'sticky' for a while on Rant& Rave, Wanted, For Sale, etc, so E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E sees it! Oh, and let me know when!

is the 'D' for Super Downhill?

@Bram-on-Madone wrote: "Eat something on the morning, but nothing that will overload your digestion (e.g bananas!)" Please clarify for me: eat something, eg Bananas OR Bananas will overload your digestion???! Cheers

like the advice says, don't train until over it - yuo will just prolong your recovery time... and Antibiotics treat INFECTION, and proper flu is a VIRUS... Many Doctors will give an antibiotic if you have the flu for 3 reasons: 1. patients dig leaving the consulting room with a 'promise' in their hands... 2. antibiotics CAN be useful in a small number of cases where there is an opportunistic infection IN ADDITION to the flu virus - not a frequent occourence in practice... 3. Doctors MAY think that antibiotics could help with flu symptoms, but in reality they cannot... Google: inappropriate use of antibiotics, then get a cup of coffee.... http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/6044.aspx Cheers

reply to an old post, but in case OP is still on the forum, here goes... Nice 50/50 on-road/off-road ride from Hout Bay, to Hout bay, good for Epic training... Start in Hout Bay, up Chappies on tar, down Chappies on tar, left up San Michelle in Noorhoek, then.... offroad up Wa Pad into top of Silvermine, accross and down level 5 in Tokai, along Spaansemacht road, take shortcut road (Pagasvlei), cross Constantia Nek road (low down, before High Constantia) and then SLOWLY/REPECTFULLY/ALONE into the Constantia greenbelt, greeting everyone, kind of tip-toe-ing around respectfuly... then up Southern Cross Drive OFF ROAD (behind line of trees) and into De Hel, which leads thru to near top of C'Nek, again: SLOWLY/REPECTFULLY/ALONE , greeting everyone, kind of tip-toe-ing around respectfuly... down 200meters, and up the PIPE TRACK (off-road)into Houties... There! You just completed your 1st 50/50 route! I did it a few times when I was genuinely concerned about riding up C'Nek in late-afternoon traffic. Cheers

I rode with Club 100 in CT 5 years back, and was involved on the committee, and organized their obligatory annual club-hosted race. I left the club due to poor riding attitude by a few individuals - always wanting to chat, chat, chat, and thus riding 3 or 4 abreast in inappropriate areas. The club also went slowly through red traffic lights, but individuals would get MOST upset with taxi's, etc doing the same. For a while, it did seem like one rule for cyclists, one for all other road users, so now I ride alone, or with a mate, and never (rarely ever) give any motorist any cause to get upset/annoyed with, and hopefully set an example to others. In my experience, a few cylists are their own worst enemies, and motorists are mostly understanding - obviously exceptions apply. Cheers

1. Training – We know that plenty km’s / hrs in the saddle are required BUT for the average working person what training in your opinion is critical to finish the Epic. road miles do count - so if you cannot get out on the MTB, then do (some) road mikes as well... 2. For the lazy ones – What is the minimum training that someone has done the Epic on and survived to brag about, honestly!! 3. Hydration – Over and above the standard water bottle and puncture stuff…. is a hydration pack and emergency kit (tools/ spares) really required and if so what should a team (divided between the 2 riders) carry on each stage. We rode Epic 2005/2006/2007, and learnt along the way. We ditched Camelbacks, and let the bikes carry our water, and there were plenty water stops along the way, even when racing flat out. 4. Recommendations regarding accommodation methods for non participating partners and spouses, where does the Wiff stay where she can be close to the action and sufffering. 5. Accommodation suggestions for riders other than the standard epic tent option and the expensive Epic BB option, if you are allergic to tents is it feasible to do your own BB arrangements. We hired a camper van between 4 of us (i.r 2 teams), and then slept in tents but used camper to get to start (Knysna) as well as bike repairs, resting up before tents, storing all gear, etc. Worked brilliantlyy, lowers the cost. 6. Bike maintenance – Other than hiring a mechanic for the week or doing it yourself, are there other help options available at the stage start / finish each day. We took along a keen cycling mate as our driver/nutritionist, and he taught himself basic bike repair skills along the way - anything real technical we sought professional help (there are heaps of pro-mechanics in adjacent camper vans, just ask them how to repair xyz...! Best single tip? powdered pronutro in a zip lok bag, with a little sugar and milk POWDER added. Get to water station, open zip lock, add water, close, shake vigourouly, LEAVE CLOSED and bite little corner off, brilliant meal-in-a-bag, any flavour you want, easy!

everything everyone else has written here has merit......... PLUS th epedal 'platform' can also play a role; the BIGGER the pedal surface, the better the load distribution, so you could TRY pedals with a larger platform, (borrow from a mate), as thi soften helps... Good luck Cheers

please make me a (reasonable) offer. thanks

Hi MonkeyBoy - tried - and failed - to upload pics (taken with iPhone) last night. Any help you can offer me to upload them? Am not as youg/tech savvie as many online here, so need a little help! I can also e-mail them direct to you if you wish. Cheers Chris

very nice ride from the Alphen Hotel (Boer & Brit pub) once a week, especially in Winter, very nice route, relaxed group of 10 - 15 guys, try it!

Swapmeet WOULD be interesting! In the meantime, I've got some older stuff I'm selling, which may/may niot be of interest to the afficianados!: 'Christophe' Chromed pedal clips 'Christophe' Leather pedal clip straps 'Selle' San Marco 'Rolls' Saddle 'TTT' Alumimium Quil 110mm 'Miche' (Italy) pedals - (needs minor repair) 'Zefal' SoliBloc frame-fit aluminium pump (495mm) 'Suntour' Cyclone '7000' Crank set, 172.5mm 'Soubitez' Dynamo 'Shimano '105' front derailleur 'Reynolds' original sticker set 'Fiemme' Dallas bars, 40cm. (most of the stuff from around 1987). pictures on request. Cheers Chris