ZaRuK

On the whole I was rather disappointed with the course. Granted the previous weeks weather had a role to play but I found the course to be rather mundane. Virtually no single track or technical sections (riding 500m on soggy turf is not technical) on the bike and made up mostly of sand roads or jeep track... i.e. not really a proper mountain biking course. The swim was a little tough with quite a bit of chop and murky waters, my gripe here would be the positioning of the 1st buoy right into the sun. Couldn't see it until I was right on top of it. Run leg was ok... again not very technical but challenging enough for most due to conditions and terrain. From organisational aspect, Goodie bag was excellent, race day organisation was good, trophy and photo was a nice touch, aid stations nicely stocked and well located. +1 on the bike wash for next year...

Ride an Adamo on the TT bike. No issues with comfort at all!

How on earth are these guys gonna figure out who took the shortcut and who didn't?! I rode past riders from A batch that I had passed right at the start of the race! Results for the 50 should just be null and void, riders should receive an apology and a discount on the next entry.

Reckon the route was fair. Some of the single track was a bit sketchy with the ruts but overall I think it allowed for fairly decent flow considering it was a lap route.

Running Geax Mezcal front and a Geax Sangauro rear. They came with the bike. Previous toy had x-king front and raceking rear. Was initially sceptical but am so far quite impressed. Grip is pretty decent. Better than the x-king upfront...

Might be worth looking at a Momsen or a Titan aswell...

I'll say one thing, it was fairly well organised. Nice goody bag too. Not a race I enjoyed however. Have come to the realisation that road riding definitely ain't for me. The miles and miles of monotous drafting has gotta be the most boring thing I've done in a loooong time! Seriously don't know how you 'roadies' do it!

Sunday was my 1st attempt at the full Iron. Did a 15:02 in absolutely appalling conditions! Swim and bike went ok but an unhappy ITB cut my run down to a walk by 16kms into the run. Pretty much had to hobble the rest of the way. Congrats to all competitors! Even those that withdrew. It took some big "ones" just to hit that swim! Much thanks to all supporters out there aswell!

Assuming this nasty forecast holds true, at would point would the event be changed to a duathlon?

Have you discussed the option of disc replacement as opposed to fusion with your Doc? Considering that you already have degeneration, fusing a few levels will probably cause other levels to degenerate faster resulting in more fusions at a later stage. I have a fusion in my neck and have regretted it ever since! Took ages to to recover and still isn't 100%. Hasn't stopped me from sports though nor did my popped L5 disc...

Personally got stuck in several of these bunches. As soon as I made a break away up a hill, I'd get swarmed on the downhill. So it was kind of a catch 22...

Unfotunately it would seem that this kind of financial crap happens in more then just 1 sport... I used to be involved with motorcycle racing and the same comments were made about MSA and what exactly it is that they did for the competitors. They(MSA) recently lost a court case around being the "sole" motorsport body for the country: http://www.saflii.org/za/cases/ZAGPPHC/2011/210.html One wonders if this could possibly set a precedent for future disputes with so called governing bodies...

Feel your pain... Also recently herniated a disc. Not a pleasant experience. Rather heal up before you bugger up your sciatic!