Druffster

It was at about 18h50 on Thursday evening. Guys, just stay away from the Garsfontein road between Mooikloof and Woodlands shopping centre. I just noticed today after my morning ride that my helmet took a bullet from the back through to the front. 2 mm closer to my head and it would have hit my scalp. Here is the image below. It went in through the left at the back of the helmet and out through the right at the top of the helmet...

Just in case you missed it in the other post here it is again... It wasn't a group of riders this evening that were shot at it was just me and another guy from Parkview Night Riders (PNR). The place where we were almost bike-jacked was going down Garsfontein road from Mooikloof a few hundred metres before Woodlands shopping centre. As we approached these two guys the one guy tried to pull something out his pocket and it looked like they were going to attack us, we sped up and the next thing we heard three shots fire at us. We didn't look back and just carried on cycling.

It wasn't a group of riders this evening that were shot at it was just me and another guy from Parkview Night Riders (PNR). The place where we were almost bike-jacked was going down Garsfontein road from Mooikloof a few hundred metres before Woodlands shopping centre. As we approached these two guys the one guy tried to pull something out his pocket and it looked like they were going to attack us, we sped up and the next thing we heard three shots fire at us. We didn't look back and just carried on cycling.

I'll also be in Balito next week and I want to hit the Holla Trails on one of the days if anyone is keen to ride in the morning during the week. I'm pretty fit and looking for a decent ride if anyone is interested. Please let me know or PM me.

I'll be in Balito from Monday 26th - 31st August 2013 and I'm looking for a group or a single rider to ride with at Holla Trails while I there. With the risk of sounding pretentious, I'm an above average rider. Failing that, is Holla Trails safe to ride alone?

Yeah, that was me who hit the rock and went over my handlebars. I didn't even see the rock because I was so close to the guy in front of me. I was riding and the next thing I know I was tumbling on the floor. I stood up, immediately grabbed my right shoulder and felt my clavicle sticking out. Four other riders hit the same rock while I was picking up my things. I cycled back to the start and medics and they took me to hospital. The guy with the broken wrist was in the ambulance with me. Man, he was in pain. He was also next to me in the ER. I hope he is ok. I dislocated the AC joint in my shoulder and I'm having an op on Monday to re-build all the shattered ligaments. No riding for 3 months...eeeek!

I hear you V, I didn't have a small front ring coming out of the valley of day2 which kinda sucked. So my 2x10 had no granny gear and only the big front year which made me pretty tired.

Haha, no problem. It was good riding with you for some of the way.

I missed the BOE photographs at the finish of day 3. Anyone know where I can get hold of them?

I did the Trail this year which was amazing, my partner was a machine and we ended up 6th overall, but my question is...now that I have done it, apparently it's easier to get in next year, however does anyone know if I can change races and enter the Adventure next year?

I was planning on paying R700 to hand over my bike after every day's ride to mechanics who will clean and service my bike, however I have been recommended not to do that because you can wash your own bike or pay someone to and then if there is something wrong with my bike I can just get it fixed after the day then only pay if something is wrong. Anyone have experience on that? Added to that I heard that if I have a Specialized, like I do, Specialized will service my bike for nothing. Is that true?

I have entered the 75km marathon however I might just cancel and do the 40km half marathon because Ieave for Sani2c two days after on Monday and start the Sani on Tuesday so if it is a hectic marathon like Dino says it won't be wise!

I have been onto the sani2c website but I cannot find service packages. Do you know where I can find out more about them?

Haha, the hair dryer is to dry my kit, not for my hair just by the way!

Ratty, that makes total sense, thanks! I was just thinking about a hair dryer as well minutes before I read your post. That leads me to my next questions, is there electricity at the cycling village on each day to plug in a hair dryer, charge my cell phone each day etc?

I was only able to get one branded kit this year for me and my partner and I was wondering if anyone has washed their kit after each day in previous years or on other stage races and has it dried in time? I know it isn't advisable, but would it dry in time, especially the bib shorts? It also depends if it rains I guess. Any advice apart from getting three sets of clothing?

My brother and I are riding the Sani2c in May and we're trying to get in as much riding as possible leading up to it. Over the weekend of the 20th - 23rd we are staying at Sun City and I was wondering if there are any known trails of around 70-80km. I have viewed other posts, but I haven't found anyhing apart from asking reception which other guys didn't have much luck with.

Hey cptmayhem, thanks for your response. I used to be a roadie and now getting into mountain biking and "the word on the street" from a few biker mates who race say 29er is the next best thing and the way to go. Their race times have reduced quite dramatically...so that's why As for my LBS, the sales dude did seem like a bit of a novice...or maybe it's not the best LBS to go to. Thanks again.

Thanks Trapper I heard the Fuji is a nice bike in that range! I'm in Pretoria so I'll check it out.

Thanks for your response Squier. That sure helps!

I'm looking to buy a 29er full suspension for around 20k. My local bike shop said the big brands will be coming out with 29er full suspension bikes in about 2 or 3 months time. Any recommendation for a dual 29er I can get for around 20k?

Yes it was the 1200. I have the option of buying a 2nd hand Pina FV4 (Pinarello) carbon hard tail at the same price as a new Merida 96 1200 soft tail. What would you guys choose?

Thanks for the advice. Even if you could get a carbon hard tail would you still go for the Merida?

Thanks. The guy at the bile shop was trying to sell me the Merida 96 aluminum soft tail for 17k. Friends of mine suggest a better hard tail. I weight 79kg, by the way.

Thanks silver boy. I'm sure mountain biking is different, however I used to be a serious road cyclist and used to do motorcross and supercross etc so I do have biking skills.