Bianchi

Well as it was, it's rideable for the experienced, but I did get off to walk a few times. The normal mud-puddles are fine if you don't mind the mud.

I was at Groenies on Sunday with the mud.... and I've got my hardpack tyres on still. It was really really slippery and dodgy (read dangerous) the first half. The southern end with all the climbing was fine though.

It could very well be there already. I know Pta's SAPO people were striking the other day, but they've started working again afaik.

Actually not. You just pick up interference. They are coded and pair with your unit. The only way you could get screwed is if everyone starts their hrm's at the same time.

You can try salting them? On a serious note, try some apple cider vinegar, I know it works (yes, it does sting) or some diaper cream... it will dry the blister out nicely. Then from there on make sure they don't chafe, else they won't heal as quick.

Still a relative newbie to the mtb scene. Only reflexes I know of is dodging glass, rocks and potholes

I'm assuming 26"? I only see the Protection in 29"... well according to their website, at least.

This is one thing that people neglect to mention when a)asking for and b)giving, advice. I'm still running on hardpack tyres (Kenda Smallblock 8s) but am looking for general use tyres, useful in both wet/dry and of course puncture resistance (lots of small thorns here, and some rocks). It's come down to two basic options for me... maybe someone has a better option for the "Gauteng North" choice. My first choice is Mountain King 2.2 front and X-King rear or second choice, being heavier and apparently less mud-friendly, Crossmarks LUST front and rear.... my budget is also around R1200 for the set. Stans is a given.

I went through this method.... cost me R135.... yeah, they whacked a nice bumper onto the exchange rate. Installing it on a virtual machine for now while I am busy with my exams so that I don't spend a whole day transferring documents and settings and installing updates.

Bwahaha. The first is genuinely funny. The second... eish...

Saw one of those racks here a few weeks ago. Looks pretty cool.

Mtb. Definitely I bought a nice carbon groupo and a very nice racing wheelset..... and these buses/ reckless scare me so much I haven't touched my roadbike in ages. The puncture factor is a bonus too.

That to me is the only scary thing about bar-ends.... getting them hooked and knowing that you're going to see your gat now.

Indeed. But let that be a reminder to all.... anticipate the gear you will need to use when you approach something, especially an uphill rocky bit. I'm not one to talk, but others will have more experience in that and will know what I'm referring to.

Brakes are for people who want to stop or are scared of the speed they are doing. "V" isn't either of those.

As mentioned now by everyone else (I couldn't figure out how to quote from my phone), Cash = what you have, ie !credit. I've bought expensive upgrades, a set of Campy wheels all paid out of a 1-inch envelope.... but yeah, now EFT has taken over. I don't ever have cash on me, except R50 in my jersey pocket for Groenies and a chocolate/Coke if I need it.

Cash..... cash .....and cash.

Mostly duty free, but you still pay tax. Total: Tyres, according to it is 30%. Electronics 15.4% Other hw: 15-30% depending on what it is.

I take my hat off to Lance Armstrong, he's cheated for 7 years using drugs. I did drugs once and I couldn't leave my room for a week. You know, there's been so many people stripped of their titles for the Tour de France due to doping lately. I was in France in 2003 and I rented a bicycle to go sight seeing. They called me up yesterday and told me I've been officially placed 23rd in that year's Tour de France.

Tammy tune my, ek het begin van die jaar nogal useless gevoel, maar wie't gedink einde van die jaar sou ek net soveel tour de france titels he soos lance armstrong Will translate: Tammy tunes me, "you felt useless at the beginning of the year when you started working here, but who thought you'd have as many TdF titles as Lance Armstrong by the end of the year?" (A friend's colleague tuned him this at work today)

Well none of my Chrome vanadium spanners have any sign of anything on them... and they've over 20 years old, and everything else in the garage has rust spots on them (from damp through the walls). Some of my expensive SS cutlery has started to rust though, after 3/4 years.

Also an under-pronator (or over, I can't remember) and a few years ago, on recommendation from my trainer I went to the Run Away Sports shop in Pretoria. They sorted me out with the correct shoes (I think it was New Balance) and it made a huge difference for me. It turned my stress-fractures in my shins from a painful running experience to something that could forget about when running.

This is about as close to a "training program" as you need to get. Get on the bike, do a distance you're comfortable with. A week later, go 5-10% further. A week later, another 5-10%. Make sure you don't over exert yourself, of course. On the 4th week, taper off a bit, spin the legs easy. The next month you follow this again. Make sure you get some riding done in the wind, on hills and flats. A group ride and a couple of races is a must. The guys are nervous so you need to be able to ride with other people comfortably.

Most likely.... all of them (bar two who are new to the sport) have 16-22 averages for all their other races

Is there a serial number on the frame? Find it, get in contact with the Merida distributor, they should be able to tell you which retailer got it. Then maybe they can narrow down who might have bought it.