Paul Ruinaard

HI, I am in need of advice and some information on diet and LCHF and my slow or no loss of weight. I have moved across to eating LCHF mostly. However I am having mixed results and i am wondering if the issue is the "mostly "" part. I am especially frustrated in that a guy at work who i got on to LCHF has lost 27kgs. Yet i stay stubbornly fat. I am therefore trying to understand the reasons for this. I think that i am doing something wrong, i know i am not exercising enough and i know that i cheat a little too much. But i was expecting better results. Therefore, seen as though the gurus sit on this forum and I want to be like my 27 kg lighter colleague I am asking for advice/comments: 1.) I did have a DNA assessment done by DNA diet analysis which indicated that i have a genetic pre-disposition to storing fat rather than using it. This makes me wonder if a high fat diet may be the wrong approach for me, or is there a way to kick start the fat burning process better. Sure as hell i have enough stores of the stuff. 2.) How religious do you need to be - especially wrt carbs and sugar. Carbs i have basically cut out altogether and am happy that way. The only concentrated carb intake i get is when i am riding and i use 32 GI in my bottles or GU sachets. Other than that no rice, pasta, potatoes, bread etc. Sugars - i sometimes snack on or crave sweets after supper and my wife always has some chocolate. I know this is bad. How bad though - can it undo all the other good work. Alcohol: Do you need to cut it out totally, or are you able to have a glass of wine every evening? 3.) Is there a person or body type or DNA that would be a totally no no for LCHF. 4.) The only other thing i can think of is quantities. For example breakfast consists of a boiled egg, some full cream yogurt mixed with a bit of cream and some fruit (strawberries etc.). Is this too much. Other than that i really enjoy the plan and find it easy to do and simple to maintain. In fact i have been doing it for over a year now. SO i am wondering should i dump LCHF, or do i need to correct my bad habits and i will get the success my 27 kg lighter friend has.

Cape Union Mart for base layer. Or Sportsman's warehouse. Unless you want thermal fleece lined cycling longs - then your lbs.

Sounds to me like you are looking for something to spend money on, and those bucks are burning a hole in your pocket. How much you got? What you are saying about hubs and group sets doesn't make sense in terms of actual upgrades that make the bike better to ride. Unless they are broken or worn out or really basic. On an existing bike, wheels i.e. total wheel set, makes a difference. Forks are also very important. So are tires and whether you are tubeless But as long as your raw materials are good Otherwise admit you want to get some bling toys and stop looking for technical justification for the upgrades. Make yourself happy by buying a new computer or a GPS based computer etc, or some new glasses. But if you are riding an old clunker then rather buy a new bike. Upgrading piecemeal doesnt make economic sense

I think that there are many people out there riding their bikes including some high end brands, not only Pinarello, that are in for a rude shock. But here's the thing - whilst they are blissfully unaware, shouldn't they be left to smile and wave as they think they are on their dream machines. This is such a can of worms. Sorry mate. I get your financial pain. But does it ride worse now that you know its fake? Or did you lose a place on the race. Probably not. So enjoy it anyway. Its probably a stunning machine and your baby until now.

Aah yes. Another thing i did. Cheapest and best upgrade ever. 180mm rotor front at least. 180mm rear is a bit overkill, but great when going downhill.

I am now on ZTR Arch EX rims as i now fall in to the big fella/weight limit category. There are lots of good rims out there but the build also matters. Straight spokes on the ones you want strong and a good builder. The reason i think everyone is going on about wheels is because as i have noticed, its this area that the manufacturers skimp on to reduce the price, and as the post says, it they fail you have a big get off. So lots of bikes that look well specced have cheap rims. There were some horrendous photos on the hub of Scott and other brands whose rims pretzel at the first sign of a big drop off. The bike is cool otherwise. But pay attention to wheels as a big guy. I bent a set of ZTR Arch rims in 6 months, which was totally predictable.

You can get extra Boa fasteners from their website shipped here as replacements which includes the tool. Just Google it or go to the Specialized website. Took about 7 days and i had three new sets of fasteners including the tool. I am sure Specialized stores will have, but its not rocket science. Its just a tiny Allen key so you don't even need the tool to open it. FWIW: Each shoe uses different fastener so you need to get the correct one for your shoe model. All the detail is on the Boa website.

See attached for what i just finished with about 3 weeks ago. I am loving it. It wasn't a cheap build though so i am not really going to be a font of wisdom for your build, but tires are always a fun topic.

The guy that died at Clarens was rumored to have a possible bronchitis a week or three before. Your call.

HI, Anyone know where i can get a K Edge Gopro/Garmin mount, or if anyone locally has the new out front GoPro mounts?

I have used the plain polar fleece gloves from Cape Union Mart for years, for MTB as well as road riding. They aren't waterproof but are far and away the best gloves i have had. Cheap as chips, comfortable, wind proof, thin and warm. R 220-00 per set. Don't get something too thick or something that the liners come out of as you will struggle endlessly with them.

Cool heat= monopolistic bunch of lazy chops with the best product agency you possibly wish for. I have a lot of stories about their cr@p service. Please buy overseas and post on Shimanos website so we get another disty locally.

New Santa Cruz Nomad . Its the coolest thing out there and i still regret the day I sold my last one. All the rest are like piles - every arse has one. The new Specialized Enduro and Stumpjumpers are awesome as well.

Hmm This all brings to mind the last time that jump lines etc were put on to the spruit. It ended with a guy paralyzed from the neck down from falling off the teeter totter below DHL, and possible court cases. Plus the local Caxton rag splashing it all over their front pages. Which lead to it all being destroyed by the good Samaritans that built it as the risks were too high. People wont take responsibility for their own actions and always want to blame someone else when they get hurt. Hope it doesn't end this way again....

Hmm - are you sure you were using Stan's . There is no way an ammonia like substance like Latex can eat Aluminum alloys, so you have another problem. Maybe you need to investigate where that hubber that you bought from got those rims and what their provenance was....

Hi so i tried wearing my airline socks after a ride and hey presto compression socks seems to aid recovery quite a bit. So a couple of questions: Can you get compression garments that go all the way up to your upper legs - or are these tights? If so which brands are best, as i think i want to try some. But i want something atht will provide compression for the upper thighs as well.

Where are you in Jhb. There are a lot of trails in the cradle area and there are all the normal Jhb rides. Braamfontein Spruit Northern Farm Cradle Rietvlei Avianto etc etc Lots of races every weekend if you want.

Eina, i have used one at the gym. The thought of a foam roller on sore, swollen muscles after a long ride. Eish Eish Eish. I also struggle to recover so i think i am going to try the roller and the compression socks thing. Are you recommending full compression socks i.e. full legs.

Conti Gatorskins. GP 4000 are nice but pricey. Whats your budget is really the question.

It's a Chinese frame from deng fu, carbon black spade 29er wheels I got second hand on the hub, a Shimano CX 70 crank, 105 shifters with an XT long cage rear derailleur and an Ultegra front. crank Pedals as that's what I have on my MTB, plus some other bits I got form Bike 24. I got some Conti CX 35 mm tires running tubeless. The brakes are cable discs with Shimano ICE rotors. I don't need the ICE rotors but I may go to the new 105 hydraulic/ mech group in the future First ride this morning, and I was very happy. Copes well with the gravel. I need to take it for a more off road ride next.

] You mean one of these. Sorry couldn't resist. Just brought my new baby home :-)

Update. I got angry and called Specialized in Stellenbosch. Turns out they have the tires on order so now the story is they will be delivered soon. I am not sure who to blame here but its just so frustrating. I just want some honesty really - tell me 2 weeks and i am happy. Anyway so i told them I love their products but their service needs to be ratcheted up to meet their brand quality. As i said i love Specialized - i have since before they were even in SA> But its endemic to the industry. My other rant is now trying to buy Shimano pieces. I wanted a new set of Ultegra shifters. Sorry sir no stock, so i ended up with 105 cause that's all they had. My XTR derailleurs wheels are word so i am now trying to get replacements. Would you believe there are none in the country. WTF? The last two are not anything to do with Specialized Cedar - I think its Cool heat. But they are destroying the Shimano brand equity in the country. I love the stuff. All my bikes have it (and some Campagnolo). These guys have boutique agencies but cannot run a bath.

New Cyclocross bike - Disc build with a Chinese frame. Tomorrow hopefully I am all smiles. And All Black - so i can finally post on this thread.

So I am now officially completely disappointed with the Specialized Concept Store in Cedar. These guys have all the shiny new stores but its service attitude stinks. I went in there two weeks ago on the off chance that they would have a CX specific 35 mm tire i was looking for. It turned out that they did have in country and after chatting to Conrad he said no problem he would order them for me and they would be there in 3 days. I walked out with a big smile as not only were they what i wanted but 2Bliss as well. What a win. Happy customer. We'll call you when they are here. 2 weeks on. No tires No Calls Every time i phone them its the same. We've been invoiced for them, they will be here next delivery etc. When is suggested that they maybe call Specialized and tell them that they are holding up a new bike build and i want these tires, they looked at me as if i was mad. What? Why would you do that? No - never. Just wait until the next delivery. So the problem is again - shiny new store populated by the same poor excuses for human beings that the cycling industry attracts. I have 2 x Specialized bikes hanging in my garage, plus multiple pieces of their after market kit. I love their equipment. But their brand is being done a disservice by Conrad. I wanted those tires. They fitted exactly in to my plans and the store didn't order them specially, they were in stock and no problem to get according to them. So go in there with eyes open.

Don't worry you are not alone - there are no XTR jockey wheels to be had as well, cause the local agents, the cool thieves, haven't brought their shipment in. Its just amazing how i get glee out of ordering online every time, so they don't get any of my money.