hayleyearth

Why don't you go show her how to ride it?

Attacked? Rustenburg rd?

So a fellow hubber and I pulled one of our crazy moves again (to go ride a crazy long distance by ourselves unsupported) and we went to go ride this route on Saturday. Yip, the full route, one go (well we stopped twice to fill up our bottles @103km and 154km). THE WIND. JOH From the 129km mark right into Clarens was head on, but between 133km and 154km was PURE madness. There was no 'recovery' zones because you had to work hard on the downs too reaching max of about 18km/h (on downs!). Luckily for us two we don't rely on being drafted over these distances, because I am sure single file through there would not have helped at all with the wind just coming from front and left and right - kinda 'picking you up and moving you 0.5m sideways'. I think if the wind blows like that on race day it will be dangerous. The route itself - accept for like 2 or 3 *decent* climbs I actually thought it wasn't too bad. We carried a speed of about 29km/h till the 126km mark (remember we were riding mostly next to each other in the very wide and pleasant shoulder from after Bethlehem till the start of the Golden Gate, relaxed pace). After 134km the thought started crossing our mind to throw in the towel MULTIPLE times (not that either of us will ever I think). 100m felt like 1 km. Did I mention the wind? Lichens pass was not too bad. Somehow I think it was because that one section of mountain protected us from the wind which at that stage felt like heaven (accept if you did right bends for some reason), but Mynskag! WOW. I thought about getting off my bike and hiding behind a bush till someone comes to fetch me. I think I would have walked faster up there It was honestly very tough for me (I in general HATE hills, although I don't voice this on rides....hahaha...*Best riding partners don't moan on rides, right? They bring their sparkling personality with* ) The rest of the ride: We started around 5:30 (45min later than out usual starts), but I was lazy. It was cold. Very cold. My fingers felt like they were frozen for the 1st 28km (all those dams around there doing their job at evaporative cooling I will say). We actually both said this morning how we had brain freeze for the 1st bit. This part also had no shoulder and we rode most in the dark. Road surface nice except for a few pot holes. 28km - 39km is up on the N5 into Bethlehem. The 1st part is new tar, but feels rough. Then the busy, uneven and potholes galore through town and then right onto the R714. 40km - 76km nice broad shoulder, quiet road. Tar is new so kinda rough too. No pot holes and FAR to your right you can see the mountains you have to go explore later Some long but gradual climbs. 76km - 126km some more nice shoulder and new tar, but it feels rough. Partner and I agreed that somehow it feels like you 'pedal harder' on that road surface. LONG but gradual climbs again - when you see some of them from a distance they seem like it is going to be a HUGE struggle, but somehow one just ease up them. At 126km you turn right onto the R712 which take you back to Clarens. And our thought was after a gentle 29km/h till then "ag only 50km home, lets do this". Till we got to the 129km and it felt like we were going no where To everyone that is racing/riding it...good luck! And enjoy.

Quite a few of us are lucky enough to stay close enough to ride from home

I can vouch for the "proper dedication = proper results" even in just like a month (been amazed what one can do in only one month!) , but for me unfortunately I don't continue that "proper dedication" for longer than that at a time so it doesn't build, it feels like a restart everytime. I've read all the/your posts on here and I would actually like to see what my actual figures are. I like figures/math in general so maybe it would add to the motivation... Haha (I am a lazy rider though, so I'll have to get my mind around that.)

That bikes name is Ghost

Winter is coming! Went up Linksfield and Munro view point this morning before the sun was out..

Well after my medical this morning lets see if I am even going to get the visa! The doc heard the "shlosh" sound my heart makes and now he wants me to go for an ultrasound. He thinks it is because like he says "you are super fit" (whahaha! ya I laughed too, but that what he thinks cause I can ride 100km+ for a breakfast ride) but I know why it is, but didn't want to say anything because I don't think it is an issue, but lets see what they find. I am truly so pissed off at this moment though. If all of this that has happened happened just for me to find out that my heart is in a worse condition than I believe it is (not what previous doctors has said "you should not be riding") then I am going to be extremely pissed off with life! It can be SO unfair. Anyway, done moaning for now.

I have been really disappointed with my latest 5Tens - like your model, just the ladies ones (blue). After the 1st ride the stitching and sole around the toe area pulled loose (it was a short 16km coffee ride on the Spruit) and then I went riding with them again yesterday and my feet kept on dying/getting like pins and needles...and no they aren't too small, I think the soles are too thin. I have had a previous pair of 5Tens for over 2.5 years now and NO such issues and they are still in good condition too....but I have now heard from others too that the quality of 5Tens has gone down BIG time Too big a hassle to send them back etc - and I don't have the time for that admin at this moment.

Oh this is that code I told you about weeks ago - that if you don't have that you will be taxed 45% Ai, I am so smart...hahaha

I am fortunate, the company is booking my plane ticket and accommodation for the 1st 4 weeks when ever I am ready with my visa ...(they apparently have 'contacts' and apparently it will be this place: http://www.questapartments.co.nz/Accommodation/457/New_Zealand/Auckland_Suburbs/Quest_Highbrook/Welcome.aspx)....work is basically across the road They are even sending their shipping company 'contacts' to my house next week to come and look what I want to take with so they know how to pack and when best to pack and send. The only responsibility I have is to get my visa sorted asap.

Now that epic is done and I am leaving soon when are you going to ride at Hakahana with me/us with your fancy enduro machine?

Which area you guys going to be based? Flip, soon we can arrange hub rides in Auckland like we did in JHB....hahaha

Huh...you reading wrong. I mean that side. All my questions were for that side.

That machine helps me bake lekker cakes and banana breads too When is your kids birthdays? I will bake them creative cakes when I am there *can't believe I have put it on the hub that I bake*

Coooooool A lady from there phoned me again last night to speak me through immigration things. Man they are 'kitted/sorted out'. She told me also they are on a 44 acres land with a lake in the middle. That they are on average immigrating 40-50 people/families a year currently! At this moment this lady is also assisting another couple from SA, I wonder who they are... Went for my finger prints yesterday for that police clearance form - wow that was a horrible situation. Felt more scared inside the police station than outside it. Some dodgy cops there. Medical tomorrow. Then visa application - the lady said they are processing most in 4 weeks these days. Wayne, do you know of a storage place close to our areas (my work and around because that is obviously where I'll look for a place to rent) I can store a bed and a few small items (like food processor, vacuum etc)? I need to give a shipping address to the shipping people wanting to do the quote. Also, what has everyone else done regarding: medical aid pension funds (I am thinking of staying with what I have at PPS for the moment - my work pension fund I will have to take everything from and don't know what I am going to do with that) insurances (car if bought there, house hold goods, bikes, etc) The lady last night asked me where (area) I want to be placed in for the 1st 4 weeks - she somehow wanted to put me in the city center as she said in her kiwi accent "nice bars and going out options" and I just replied "i would prefer closer to the outskirts where the MTB trails are thanks"....she laughed. Like I told a friend last night - I don't want to get tooooo excited YET because everything is still so unreal. How it all happened (fell in my lap) and I just have a feeling something might just go wrong (the pessimist in me I guess)

I rode a reign (small) over the last 10days....I had to put the dropper at min-insert point (was the 380 I think only though), but ja.....I could see why I was always happy on a Medium in general...on my Intense (m) a 150mm will be ideal. this was one pic with the seat completely up and inserted to min-point, but I needed a bit more height actually

I will be smelling some Clarens air this weekend!

We are planning that ride too soonish - from up in Linden it will be about a 180km ride though. It is one of my 'have to do's' before I move to NZ.

Which date are you and M landing there?

So how much is it to import my own car from here? Haha

My dad with his 1970 DHC. He was 16. (he is the one on the right )

I love back to back endurance rides.... I hope StevieL is reading this....we need to get back into our looooooong rides too

Like my dad said last night.... "I don't think you'll ever be able to drive anything less than a 1.6l or something small like a hatch little car".... Oh boy I've been spoiled in SA regarding cheap good cars.

Anyone here know how much one can ship over for $3000?