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Me-rider

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Everything posted by Me-rider

  1. +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!
  2. 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.
  3. 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
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. A "mate of mine"... It was you wasn't it?
  9. 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.
  10. 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
  11. 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?
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. No but next event I plan to. I will then stand outside the toilet selling it... should pay for my entry.
  15. 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.
  16. Coke, is magic after a race. The drink is not bad either...
  17. You can see that we are amateurs cycling for health reasons.... We are all concerned about the number of calories and not the fact they go up hills at 25 mph...
  18. I am just starting with a cold this morning. My fault though for going big Friday and Saturday and then riding Walkerville on minimum sleep. Its ok though, good excuse for me to rest.
  19. Your opening post opened you up for some personal comments. I reckon if you had just stuck to fact that races are too expensive you would have had more people on your side. "Mature Posts on the Hub" - is there such a thing?
  20. Dude you make my point, I said its 30k per year, so you actually have 120k over 4 years. Damn right there is no way you can expect your folks to pay anymore than that. I was a student too and studied something which required 4 years of study as well as board exams over 3 years of working long hours for well below market related salary. It was not easy, I had very little time as well but I can't complain because i was fortunate enough that my folks could afford my university fees. I sympathise because it sucks not be able to afford things now, but in a few years you will be able to and you will appreciate stuff more.
  21. We could just nationalise MTB races and then ride through the abandoned mines for free?
  22. That was my point - you have a choice. I am not saying you can't also get a part time job, my point was that R30k a year means that they can't feel sorry for themselves. I was a student too and got bursaries and jobs etc to fund my sporting activities.
  23. Yes, it sucks for students who can't afford to enter races, but my point stands, they are fortunate enough to have the luxury of university education. They could choose to take that money (R30k for 4 years) and use that to cycle every race they wanted, but instead they are choosing to use it to study. Sure its a no brainer decision but still they had a choice and they should accept that they are going to not be able to afford the races.
  24. Mountain biking is not a cheap sport! (stating the obvious) Yes I would prefer that the races were cheaper because it can be quite costly however: 1. Simple Economics (which can be part of a 'silly' BA) is supply and demand. At the current fees most of the big races are full, therefore it means that there is plenty of demand for races at those prices. A Mtb race is still cheaper and more rewarding than round of golf at a decent course. 2. Life is not fair (probably covered in philosophy course which is also part of a 'silly' BA) and you have to make to with what you have. If you want to race you have to sacrifice in other areas, if you still can't afford it then as someone else said, you have to make peace with it. 3. You won't be a student forever and clearly you studying something that will one day pay well so then you will be able to afford all the races you want. The majority of the country however work their ass off as doing manual labour etc and will never have the luxury of owning a bike let alone riding a race. Edit: No hijacks on them stealing bikes please...
  25. Whatever they hand out at the waterpoints...
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