Pom1

Mmm I did advise him that I had done a few Multi Stages in my life and had a good number of podiums in my Cat. I just wanted a brush up specifically on the real rocky stuff, the least I thought they could do was to assess you then advise, oh well he lost 2 customers.

We were riding in the Suikerbosrand NR last week and came across this Snake,the tube was leaking sealant, so I assume it had been changed and either falling out of it's owners pocket or left for dead. I picked it up and binned it at Diepkloof.

I wanted to attend the Tread intermediate mtb skills course, but was told I have to attend and pass the beginners course first?

The route was changed in comp. to last year was lookin fwd to that tuff downhill) However, the race and ride was still good. Fritz , I am sure will find the guilty Marshall who put the waste bin in front of the split markers (at the last WP) and waved a number of 75km guys onto the 40km route, thus resulting in an additional 17km for a number of us. It was annoying as it stuffed up the whole Cat. classifications, now it'll be a lottery sorting the Results.

As we started (VC group) there was an accident where are white car was on the grass verge with a seriuosly damged roof, hope there was not a cyclist involved? someone on the floor was being taken care of by 2 paramedics. Does anyone know what happened?

did not go... due to a cold, who won?

The 240 hub alone on the DT is legendry, i've done +- 25k km on my 1540's & only changed bearings & 4 spokes. Love to get a set of 1450's

The climb out of GR was far harder thn BP.

This was as hard as it comes for a 1 day mtb race. we totally under estimated the ride from CP-2 to CP-3 48mins over schedule and then from CP-3 to 4 +32mins. We spent far too long at the CP's. CP-3 was a mess up 1 soup kitchen served by 1 person the queue was 10mins Minimum. I agree with the support vehicles, they were a pain, some MB Panel van driver decided she was faster than us going down from the "Mast" we could not see for dust. All in All though what a great race , I was totally , the Alt. route was Brutal in comparison. Since 2007 this race has grown, we are privledged, Thanks Wikus .

I bought a UST Schwalbe Rocket Ron for the front, as the Non UST version let me down in the Lionman. I tried fitting them on my Spark 10, DT swiss factory fitted rims, they will not seat properly as the bead is too thick, I have not tried them on my other DT Swiss 1540's yet, they have a slightly higher side wall. Has anyone else had fitment experience of Schwalbe UST tyres?

Well this years riding conditions, compares to SCUBA diving & Mud wrestling as opposed to cleaning my bike with a hose or HP hose!

The shoes? sometimes you go fishing and catch SFA, other times well you know, but why is it mentioned?? clue: Nothing to do with his culture or birth pace

I heard an interesting point of view last week, a guy had a dirty bike, when asked why he doesnt clean it, he stated that it causes more harm than good. The guy always wears Suede boots (off his bike that is)

"Dry Lube simply cannot do the same job"? Why not? "eliminates chain suck in really extreme conditions and staying in your chain for much longer": Chain suck is caused; primarily by worn chainrings, a slackish chain and force applied, after lube and into any ride the lube is soon void from the outer rollers, a well lubed chain is evident within the rollers and pins!

Brazil out of the WC BRILLIANT! then it just leaves Argentina, The Crouts and Uruguay to get KO'd and we have a WC winner who has never won the WC before... thats what I would love to see, come on Ghana, Holland & Spain!

Chain wear (source wikiapedia / sheldon brown) Chain wear, or chain stretch, becomes an issue with extensive cycling. Although the overall effect is often called "stretch", chains generally wear through attrition of the bushings (or half-bushings, in the Sedis design) and not by elongation of the sideplates. The tension created by pedaling is insufficient to cause the latter. Maintenance: Liquid lubricants penetrate to the inside of the links and are not easily displaced, but quickly attract dirt. "Dry" lubricants, often containing wax or Teflon, are transported by an evaporating solvent, and stay cleaner in use. The cardinal rule for long chain life is never to lubricate a dirty chain, as this washes abrasive particles into the rollers.[3] Chains should be cleaned before lubrication. The chain should be wiped dry after the lubricant has had enough time to penetrate the links. Hope this clarifies a few issues JB!

I am sorry not in a million years will you convince me that Thicker oil is better or any oil come to that for both MTB and Road... The contact areas are primarily the chain roller inner surfaces and outer. By using thicker oil or any oil that sticks to the chain it does the following; 1; Yes it may retain itself inside the roller surfaces longer 2: however, eventuallly due to the non captive area of the outer contact surfaces Gear cog and roller it eventually wears off, as does all lubes 3; In the process of wearing off (here is the concern) oil picks up dust particles and forms a paste (similar to that what we use to lap valves in) and wears the Cassette and Chain rings out pronto! (it is OK if you are riding at snails pace as one does on the Freedom challenge) but at race pace 250w + wear takes place far quicker and chain suck is far more prevalant. 4; If you want to Lube with Oil do so it will last longer but ride at low watts to reduce the wear on your drievtrain 5: if you want to race I would strongly reccomend a dry lube as it is less prone to picking up dust, and therefore will extend your DT life. p.s. the above really is only specifically intended for MTB users, Roadies... well the oil, personally is too messy and generally there is far more longevity in a road drive train than a MTB (measured in KM)

Hi JB your statements seems too subjective for me, I would really appreciate some facts and data to back the following up... as my lecturers used to say Diesel is not (a good lubricant)! depends on the application? It splatters off very quickly! data please for the application... we're talking about "Road bike Chains" Diesel is certainly not a better lubricant than motor oil! facts please based on the application "Road Bike Chains" Low viscoscity has no advantages, since thicker oil penetrates through capillary action... Explain yourself, does Diesel not have capillary action or does it have less? how much quicker will it "fly off and evaporate" what SAE oil are you comparing it to?

JB: Diesel by the way is a lubricant, otherwise diesel pumps that inject at 14bar+ and their elements would seize! you only have to grip a diesel pumps "old simms" plunger then try putting it back in its cylinder and you will find it will not fit. So Diesel in my opinion would be far better than normal oil due to its finer viscosity (ability to penetrate) and less prone to attracting large dust particals. however, I would apply it sparingly.

http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/specs.html?b=1794 Try these guys they cut out the "Middle Men" and sell direct to the public at Gr8 prices all over the world!

None! I would've bought some proper lube at registration, or begged borrowed off of fellow competitors!

Try importing a Scott Spark 35 from Slane cycles http://www.slanecycles.com/scott-spark-35-bike-2009-p-1993.html it will be at least R5000 cheaper than any LBS in ZA, you will have to take the risk regarding warranty (but Slane will honour this albiet in Ireland).

Just went to Myrace logged in for my wife and myself, paid, received confirmation for both of us, lets see how long it takes to receive the license...

Personally whether in a ride or a race, like Stage 2 on this years Sabie Exp. there is not a lube that will go the full distance, however, if you clean your chain with a dry clean cloth then apply copeus amounts of Squirt to your chain after each ride / race overnight. I have found this to be far longer lasting than wet lube for both wet and dusty conditions. If you want endorsements read the article (I think in Tread Mag) on this years RASA winner and see what he uses across what must be the toughest conditions that SA has to offer... yes you've guessed it, Squirt! Stay clear of oils as all they will do is accelerate the picking up of fine grit, mixing with the oil and creating what mechanics call "Grinding paste" (used for lapping in valves), making quick work of wearing your drive train.

Love it! or Knock it! Fundamentally it is one of the worlds premier MTB stage races which attracts the Big Boys (and Girls) and the Forex to our shores! I am so glad that it is South African and in our own backyard, After 3 years of Epic training it is out of my system now. Kevin Vermaak good luck to you (and CFC ;-) and may you grow it beyond EPIC proportion. 25K! we say. so what! next time I am at the Epic I will be a spectator or Volunteer. Outside of the Epic, guess what? the Cape Pioneer has popped up, what a fantastic event this is, do yourselves a favour and enter this next year! oh yes and we have the inaugral J2C... 9 days down to the coast in 2010! are we spoiled for choice? why? perhaps it has something to do with Mr. Vermaak.