NotSoBigBen

Despite the mud I had a lot of fun! Managed 5 laps and then called it a day (probably could only have got in 1 more anyway!). Thanks to the hubbers for the company, like IanJ and Zaskar said it does help to ease the misery that could have been. Helped a marshall and a lady rescue her bike from the 'raging' river after she had a go at washing it off! Crossmarks <> mud !!!!! Must agree with Daemon on that score. However my gears and brakes worked fine all the way. Still not sure if it was better with the glasses on or off, on they misted up and I couldn't see and off I got mud in the eyes! Luckily DR built us that lekker cover overnight and didn't need the 2 gazebos . Seriously though thanks to IanJ for the 'reservation' and invitation to join the crowd. Nice to finally meet Crux. The venue was great and had it not rained it would have been a superb course, well done to FPC guys! DR I hoped you enjoyed the Amstels later!

Thanks 1H! Hope to have it built before Race4Victory. This daughter with a boyfriend that owns a bike shop thing is hard! HR - Would you mind not to

One of these will be arriving today! No it's not my couch and nothing around it is for sale! So yip it's a good time to be a cyclist.

Hey CRUX - the wheels are on the way to Cliff as I type this! Will let you know how it goes, took before pics so we can compare.

mrmed, you right except ................................. you will have done 78k's the day before with also 1800m of cllimbing and then the yet to be shown days 3 and 4 to go! On the other hand yip all roads out of Sabie lead up luckily so you normally have much more down coming back (sometimes you may however not think so!)

Gonna have to start with new brake pads and take spares again!

Yip AmorynS - it looks tough!!!!!!! You not going to the pre-ride?

Pops - http://www.usn.co.za/products_weightloss_phedracut_xt.htm

Hey hagar are you going with the 3 * 4 tablets per day? As I said I am just at 4 in the morning, 1/2 an hour before I go out to train for an hour with B/fast after that and then 4 again at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon then I eat a fruit about 30-40 minutes after that. Yes I do have supper and other stuff in between!

This is my first week and I must admit it made me feel a bit strange the first day or 2 but now it seems OK. Only taking 4 in the morning and 4 mid afternoon (before 4pm!). I am controlling the diet and training lots so had already lost about 8kgs since 1 September prior to starting on this. Only want to lose another 3-4kg's max and then find a way to keep it there. As I said we'll see!

Scientific folk huh? Where where?

LegPower - I'm training on average about 8-10 hours a week so ja no problem there. Just haven't been very disciplined on the diet thing, am now and using the Phedra CUT. Not saying much but lets see how it pans out in the races!

I have successfully used the Shimano pins in both 9 and 10 speed over time. Have had just one 10sp pin failure recently when I had to use the aforementioned 10sp SRAM link. It's just a lot easier and convenient with the removable links I guess.

IanJ - From my LBS in Alberton (Just Cycles). Will have to get a few of those QR one's so that I can split it for cleaning etc.

Ok so here's my 0.02c's worth (lucky we not talking petrol here else you'd get nothing! So maybe you still do!) I have used SRAM powerlinks on 9 speed chains (MTB and Road, SRAM and Shimano) for at least 2 years now and have had no problems whatsoever. In fact 1 of my MTB's has 2 Powerlinks (due to a stupid moment at the XC national in PMB this year but that's another story!). Undoing and re-assembling the chain for cleaning, rebuilding parts to other frames has been no problem! Having said that my experience with a 10 speed SRAM link on a Shimano chain was very different! It is extremely difficult to get it to clip in unlike on the 9 speed. In fact LittleBen had to get on the bike and give it some stick on the crank to get it to finally clip. I doubt it can be easily 'un-clipped' that's for sure but I have not tried yet! Haven't tried with a 10sp SRAM chain so sorry can't comment on that. BTW - the 9sp SRAM powerlinks are gold and the 10sp are black.

I would imagine it would be the small front and small back that would have an effect? i.e. 'cross chain' thingamajig! Also read somewhere that with modern drivetrains that wasn't so much of an issue.

Scotty - perhaps you wouldn't be having 'shifting' issues with the MTB if you watched it ?

I'll comment once we get them! HR - we're mountainbikers not girls, what would we do with arm warmers

Ordered just 8 from Howzit but ja!

Hahaha ShaunH - The Ducks comes from the sponsorship received from Duxbury networks!

I have ordered some from Howzit sportswear in Capetown! Not yet received or used so can't comment about the quality. Expect delivery next week. This is the designs used:-

Any one use dietary supplements to assist with keeping weight in check i.e. USN Phedra CUT or something like that?

I wonder if he had to 'numb' the area?

Hallelujah brother!