This is what makes mountain biking - its a great way to get around irrespective of the elements. You just have to realize that like anything, water and mud conspire to accelerate wear. If you going to ride in the rain (a) expect to get wet and (B) wear on your bike will be accelerated. Park the idea of court action - nothing is more ludicrous. It was your choice to enter and you participated under free will. I had a great time and thought the event was very well organized and the organizers did a great job under the conditions. We need to support every event we can get in the region and the Kouga Challenge is a great addition. An event such as the St Francis race (in dry conditions) probably does more damage to a bike than Sundays flooded Kouga challenge. Why? Sea sand is more of a grinding paste than wet fynbos. The Imana comparison is apt. Basically you write off your bike once you ride it (swimming rivers and beach riding) so whats different with the Kouga race? Well done to the organizers and may you go from strength to strength in future events! Oh, and one more thing. Its not like it was salt water in the back of the bakkie. It was fresh water and the dunk probably did not wear anything - only cleaned the bike. The real wear comes from a combination of water and mud (or salt), not from the water itself.
