markStockton

You realise that you have an excellent opportunity to earn some money from the state. Sadly you have to make a deal with the devil , sorry I mean deal with a lawyer in the process.

On the plus side, the price of tyres now encourages one to learn new skills, like patching a huge hole on my Racing Ralph with one of those tubeless tyre patch kits. Worked fine right up to ripping my rear derailluer off!!! Even remained inflated for the hour long walk back to the car

I do believe riding with Mr and Mrs Slick should come with a health warning. In fact some would go so far as to say that they break everyone who rides with them. Seriously, thanks guy's, it was a great couple of days. BTW - HR, I see you online again, I do believe you have a story to post on this thread.

Ouch

Cool, you with B4S?

Yip, it is Cian. How do you know her?

and would you believe they didn't get lost at all when they rode off on their own after breaking the poor guide.

Move done, Slick unpacks his new phone. Mrs Slick and kids trying to figure the phone out while Slick consults the manual Kurtis, Sam and Eldron return from a run. (l-r) Slick, Mrs Slick, Eldron (fish and champagne please) and Sam at dinner on the 1st. Another campers tent after being battered by two storms on consecutive nights.

Back at camp and the pootjie is already on After the new years storm, the Slick family decide to move to a more sheltered camp site.

The important post ride breakfast at Tamboti Lodge. Complete with good beer and champagne as promised by Calabash. Thanks Dude. Zoo Cookie and Mandibles. Our excellent guide, sorry I didn't get his name.

What was left of Slick's gazebo after a storm in the early hours of 01-01-2009. I hope the rest of the year is better, Dude. The start / finish of the ride at Tamboti Lodge. Some of the ladies stopped after the first +- 10k ride. During the ride we saw zebra, giraffe and lots of different buck. However those pictures really suck when you resize them to under 100kb!

Playing on the single track / obstacle course at the lodge. It was very overgroan and not used much, but we still rode it at least once every day. Lots of potential.

Our camp at Nokeng Eco Lodge, later renamed to Ecoli Lodge by some one The Slicks arrive and set up camp next door. Important note, see the gazebo being assembled (more later) markStockton2009-01-02 10:40:17

I'll be there. See you tomorrow afternoon.

Very nice pic's Mands. We have just got back and I'll work through and post photos over the next few days. The are a few stories to be told, incl: - The Chronicles of Slick, a story of camping in the wild in it's most challenging. - HR, chip in here. - and, the ride itself. Had a very cool time and really enjoyed the extra day with Slick and family as well as Eldron and co. All you guy's who bailed, you really did miss out. Calabash your guy was excellent, sorry if we broke him. Looks like he needs a fair amount more base before playing with the race snakes like Tnose_E, Great White, Slick, Eldron and Kurtis. Calabash, what are the chances of a night ride through the reserve? markStockton2009-01-02 10:33:29

I'm leaving some time in the morning. See some of you tomorrow, see the rest in 2009.

Everything on: AC/DC - Black Ice Live - Live at the Paradiso Both albums are awesome.

Thanks Nancy. My main objective is to find the night racing course and there after assess how tough and technical it is. You do realise we start at opposite ends of the spruit. However I really need to push up the MTB miles I do, so I'll give you a shout.

I believe Commencal will arrange a test ride. I think they run them regularly in the spruit. Maybe get hold of them, let them do a proper set-up with you (very important with a dual sus) and if the bike feels good, buy it.

Cool, how much of the trip is tar? I need to decide which mtb to take.

Can do it later. No problem with the attitude, everyone has bad days. Kurt "bonked" just before half way, he was really grumpy and miserable. If possible on the next outing I'd like to swing past Delta park and see if we can find the night racing track and do a lap. I need something to occupy my Wednesday nights while there is no racing at Rietvlei.

This is an easy one. I don't really like road races much, I go because the rest of the family is riding. So for me it will be much, much more MTB.

I'm thinking that maybe this ride should become a regular event on the weekly calendar. Anyone up for doing it again on Sunday?