NotSoBigBen

I also enjoyed it! Registration was quick and efficient. The start was a bit chaotic and it would have helped a lot if they either explained, over a PA we all could hear, or gave a handout to help. Specially arrived early to get a decent start near the front, with hindsight could have stayed in bed much longer! LittleBen rode the 3rd fastest time in the Juniors but was DQ'd for starting in the wrong group. This was our own fault and fair so no issues there! Would however have done it different if we had known better but ja! Shouldn't have done it anyway so we have egg on our faces and won't do it again. It was a bit crowded out on the singletrack and so on but hey everyone knew there were lots of riders and not much space so decided to have fun and not get stressed. I mostly don't take gu's, water etc. on rides less than 3 hours or so as I seem to carry enough of my own so no problem there. On the Gu's, I would only take if it was ones that I had tried before (anyone remember the don't do anything 'new' on raceday theory?). Did notice that most of the Gu's lying around were 'Fast Fuel' one's so ja maybe those who normally wouldn't take? The finish was pretty organised and I am not unhappy with the 'value' I got from the race. T-Shirt is cool, the medal is different and I think like in most people's case a medal would just have ended up thrown amongst all the others I have collected over the years! 10 bucks a cooldrink is pretty steep though! Nice seeing Dirt-Rider (nice ride boet!), Daemon, Bored Girl (still with her chainring protector on), Thug (you're a frikkin animal!) and also meeting IanJ along the way (left me for dead of course just after the start!)

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Cool gianni, the smart part was just sarcastic after the previous comments made in another thread not a generalisation Should anyone have felt insulted or aggrieved by my comment please accept my most deepest humblest apologies! 2 true stories both overheard in a bike shop :- 1) 2 cyclists (neither racing snakes BTW) discussing whether to buy a C/F bottle cage How much less does it weigh than the one you got now? About 60g's why? Save the 300ZAR and rather wear just one sock! (hence the sock comment!) 2) In a famous but no longer around's bike shop Guy (largish) busy looking at the Bridgestone RB1 and RB2 (showing my age?) Bike store owner goes to answer a phone call Another customer says "what's up bud can't decide?" Buyer "this one's 1000ZAR more expensive but 1Kg lighter" Other customer "If I were you I would buy the cheaper one, lose 1 kilo of weight and put the 1000ZAR in my pocket"

Sure I'll get flamed and insulted and and and ........ but here's my take :- Get over it guys, for most of us back to near front guys a 100g's here or there actually makes no difference (Did you go to the toilet before the race?). Take a corner as tight as possible? Only brake when it's absolutely necessary so as to avoid 'losing' time or needing extra effort to get back to speed etc. etc? I'm not saying ride a brick but a reasonably light bike is fine for most of us! For those that have no more body weight to lose (not me that's for sure!) and are missing out on winning races by seconds, hey it may and probably will make a difference! When it comes to cost it seems to me that there is a point at which it is extremely expensive to lose more weight (on the bike that is!) and you may be better off to only wear 1 sock if it's that critical (OK maybe 2 so you don't look stupid!). Or have I missed the point completely? Wasn't there a recent post that said something to the effect that pro cyclists aren't that smart so all this 'high' fallutin talk isn't helping them that's for sure!

Sorted ! Index Interchangeability Chart Shifter* Cassette/Freewheel Derailer Dura-Ace 6 speed Shifter 6 speed Dura-Ace 1984-96 6-, 7-, or 8-speed Or: Other Shimano derailer with alternate cable routing (B) Dura-Ace 7 speed Shifter 7 speed Dura-Ace 8 speed Shifter 8 speed Any 9 speed Shifter Other 6 speed Shifter 6 speed Any 1997 or later Shimano Rear Derailer Or: Any S.I.S. Rear Derailer Except pre-1997 Dura-Ace Other 7 speed Shifter 7 speed Other 8 speed Shifter 8 speed Any 9 speed Shifter 9 speed Any 10 speed Shifter 10 speed Any 10 speed Shifter 9 speed Standard derailer with alternate cable routing (B)

Crux - you have my vote!

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tooltips/truing.html If that doesn't help consult your nearest LBS!

Ai Ai Michelle, if it's like that again maybe we should rather go to Capetown then!

- looks excellent to me! Just ignore all the carbon MTB naysayers, they do go away eventually!

I seen a lady at our club with pink bar tape and pink bottle cages!

I thought we agreed on the Epic But that Stumpy is real sweet, hope you have many many happy trails on it! You also chose a real good 'supplier' (Anton of Summit!). Well done on both accounts.

Icarus' suggestions are what we used in my Iron Man days, works well!

This is much neater and nicer :-

I have mentioned this before (in fact to Cherry!) that you should be careful of ladies with red hair - they so vicious they eat the first baby!

aah' date=' but nowhere near as bling [/quote'] as even your current XC steed Thug!

IanJ - I would agree with your thoughts:- 1) Never got a shock that came without oil ex-factory (would really surprise me!) 2) If that amount of oil leaked out you would surely know! 3) When you buy a shock and fit it yourself there is nothing in the instructions that says check the oil! In fact it's ready to go!

Thanks guys - Myself, LittleBen and BrotherBen all riding them and are happy! Have moved to the LUST ones though as the normal ones are prone to sidewall cuts in my experience.

Spinnekop - you may have to start drawing pictures soon!

Scotty - for our sake I hope not, LittleBen couldn't concentrate on the riding had flippin tattoo's all over the place!

I FLY - your thoughts on the Crossmarks for general riding?

Spare cleat screw Small cable ties Now there's 2 items to add to my 'emergency kit'!

HR - I was there! Dipped my bike (yes the whole thing!) in that big drum thing with water in to try and help! I also always ride with lube (Squirt in my case), a powerlink and a few other things as well. In fact my LBS owner commented last night that if I had a compass and a box of matches I could ride the Epic unassisted but ja!

Now that interests me, will check out the trailer (thanks HR!). Done 3 now in a 4 man team and will be back this year again.