Me-rider

+1 Stretch, stretch and keep stretching. Remember that you don't need to force the stretch so that it feels like your knee will snap. Gradually increase over a few weeks. That will not put undue tension on your knee. The problem with stretching is that it is a time consuming ball ache with no 'visisble'benefits. That could not be more wrong. Stretching is worth the time spent. Get a thorough program and do it at least 3 times a week. As you build the habbit increase the frequency. These days when I start hurting it is usually because I am being lazy with stretching. Also don't expect immediate relief, it will take a few weeks to pay off, but you will notice a difference in how your body feels. One last thing, STRETCH!

All I know is the 29er has done wonders for the second hand 26er stock... Thanks 29er. In a few years when we go back to 26ers I will pick up a bargain on second hand 29er.

All you are doing is trying to simplify 1.9km swim, 21.1km run and 90km cycle into 'comparable' figures. So you take the smallest number and divide it into the others: 1.9 / 1.9 = 1 21.1 / 1.9 = 11 90 / 1.9 = 47

It is an interesting way to look at it, but I am not sure that is entirely correct to go on distance. Maybe times or expected times would be more accurate? It takes far longer to swim 1km than it does to run 1km and cycling 1km is even quicker. So your ratio would reflect more accurately the time spent on each activity. I also think it would depend on what your strongest section is. If you are a marathon runner already, you would have the muscle memory for the run and it would be far easier on your body than say the swim. I think if you do a search on triathlons you may find some training programs which you can get a base plan to tweak. Google Mark Allen, he is former IM winner and has a website with some helpful training advice.

Good point. As cyclists we are more aware of bike jackings and the happenings through the hub and fellow cyclists. As non cyclists most people are not that aware. I think it is a GREAT start. (as I said earlier) When is the next awareness ride? Edit: Just seen on FB its September sometime.

I agree! Huge step in the right direction! Thanks to everyone who made it possible. Could they have investigated in more detail? Most probably, but to fully cover the issue they would need a mini series.... Lets just keep the momentum going.

Such a pity this place is closing, a couple of loops of this was great training and had fair amount of climbing. I was there last Saturday and half of the park was already closed off. After climbing the long and slippery climb next with the fence on the right we got to the top of the hill which had been fenced off, so you could not go down the other side and ride on the section next to tar road. I can't ride this weekend otherwise I would be there.

A "mate of mine"... It was you wasn't it?

Thats the the site I was thinking of earlier. I am in. Lets make them yellow and tell people we have combined the best of livestrong bands and powerbands. A large portion goes to a charity trust to buy bikes for Me-rider and Edman. We may need some advice from Juju on setting up the trust though.

No dude, it is all about the angles. The guy tested my many times and same result. Its a small and subtle difference in the force but it has a large effect. Believe me I thought long and hard about this as I do not like 'magic tricks' I can't explain. I also came across a similar trick on the net. It was used to show how you can manipulate someones mind into thinking something works

I was at braai a couple of months ago and some guy there happened to be a salesman. He was showing us the benefits by doing a simple test. Basically you stand on one leg and balance with your arms out. (T shape) The guy then pushes down on your one arm and ofcourse you lose your balance quickly. Then he hands you the powerband and you repeat the test. Low and behold you are able to maintain balance longer and you feel much more stable. This worked for every person "tested" and everyone was convinced. I am too cynical to believe that but I could not work out how he did it. I thought it was the placebo affect or to do with the fact that while holding something tight in my hand it activated my core and therefore I was more balanced. Each time he re did the test the same thing happened and he was pushing harder when I had the bracelet and yet I was more stable. Based on this, you would have to agree they seem to work right? WRONG!!! Although the force used by the salesman was the same (or more in bracelet case) it was not applied in same direction. So without the band, the force was applied at an angle of 45 degrees which would pull you off balance as well as push down. When you held the bracelet the force was applied at 90 degrees to the arm meaning you only have to use your balance to correct in one direction. So that begs the question: If they really do work, why are salesman using a scam (you can find a similar scam on the net) to sell it?

Not a bad idea to do something. Alternatively instead of one large protest just have 2 -3 guys there while the shop is open to keep turning customers away. Not sure this is very practical though? Maybe someone else has a better way to just slowly suffocate his business for a few months so that he goes under.

Try looking up a Giant Yukon, possibly 2008/9. It is a hard tail and looks a lot like that bike. I bought one second hand while in the states for $300 bucks. Incidentally was a nice bike but only had mechanical disc brakes and bottom of range sram.

No but next event I plan to. I will then stand outside the toilet selling it... should pay for my entry.

This is an interesting topic as I am in a similar situation. Been riding for just over 14 months now and in last 3 months started Marathon distances (70s etc). Previously I would just hammer around the course and be done in 90 - 120 minutes so eating and drinking was not as important. My first few long rides I only ate around halfway as that is when I started to feel hungry. Problem is that my legs would give in shortly afterwards, and I would feel weak. Last 2 races (Hazeldean and Walkerville) I have had a better plan and felt much stronger at the end. This could also be because I am much fitter and experienced at longer distances. Wake up and make a watery mix of whole wheat pro nutro which I can just drink quickly. I then get in my car and drive the hour or so to the venue eating a banana, a pronutro energy bar and drink about 500 ml of water. Arrive at venue to register and drain my bladder. While setting up my bike I eat another banana and then go for my second piss. (all the water and nerves I guess) I ride with 2, 750 ml bottles of game and 3 pronutro bars. I eat at least 2 during the race starting 30 - 45minutes in and I will eat half every half an hour. I normally am close enough home so don't need the 3rd bar, its just in case. Depending on how I feel I will stop at water points for drinks or snacks as need be, but if they have boerie rolls its a mandatory stop. Any idea on what the pros do when they race? Or are they done so quickly they don't even need sun block let alone food.