NotSoBigBen

Hey a bad day on the bike is still better than a good day at work! I would still ride but just take it easy and enjoy the scenery.

YES YES YES! I am excited as you. Last minute training? I heard that now, if in doubt leave it out! We'll put in a big week this week (13+ hours), consisting of 1* 1 hour nightride (done last night, for 24hr), 2 * 1 hour roadbike and 2 * 1 hour MTB during the week, a 100+k (3-4 hours) or so through the Suikerbosrand nature reserve Saturday and a longish 60k (3-3.5hrs) or so MTB ride Sunday. Next week easy before the 24hour, I will be away in Dubai anyway Wed - Fri. Then another few easy rides after 24hour leading up to the Sabie experience. Probably nothing more than 2 hours or so. Then just a mere 23 sleeps away the big day (or 4)!

TitusTi - can you comment on pads perhaps? I run Juicy 7's, have the Avid pads in the rear and BBB pads front. Just installed these brakes, bought them second hand. Do you have any experience regarding Avid original versus 'OEM' pads like BBB?

Anyone know someone who may be at the registration or just left? I'm thinking to go now, wondered what it was like at the moment?

EWEP - does the sister know of this impending purchase? Hope for your sake she does!

Spidy - you TCS okes (includes Crux of course) are upsetting me! Just when I get into that 'I'll have to make do with what I got 'then you start a thread like this. How must a man now concentrate for the rest of the day? Very nice and I hope you have many many happy miles on it, Cape Epic again? Sabie Experience maybe?

OK so day 2 & 3 are up on www.flatdogs.co.za !

A report of my Sabie experience pre ride a few weeks ago is available for those interested at either http://www.sabiexperience.co.za/ (intro and day one so far) or www.flatdogs.co.za (intro and day1 already there, day 2&3 busy uploading!) Not much of a writer but tried to give some idea of what it was like! Can't wait for December 14!

My vote is for Sara !

And there are some who still ask me why I am 'nudging' my son towards Mountain Bike racing rather than road?

I like to go to a bikeshop where they know my name and ask about my wife and kids (also by name!). I think it's known where I go, Anton at Summit cycles Midrand for those who don't. A visit there is more like visiting a friends place to me. We laugh and joke, talk rubbish, exchange ideas about settings, kit and training etc. and now and then I actually buy something. he just offered me a set of Juicy 7's at an excellent price, I probably shouldn't but will take them anyway! He also knows how to press my buttons or is that the credit card machines buttons? Also is cool when he and his appy mechanic also ride! I go to another bikeshop where they also know my name, I get good service and pricing. The manager there has never even learnt to ride a bike! Zainab from Cajees Oakdene in this case. Know I will probably get crucified for this but sometimes its an attitude issue from both sides. Misery begets misery? In Eweps case I don't understand, you couldn't wish to meet a nicer chap!

Thanks T-Bag, sounds a bit more realistic!

Lets say for 30 minutes? 10 does seem a bit high to me!

Anyone know what sort of max power / power to weight ratio a 16 (ok nearly 17) year old would produce if he were a fair to good cyclist? Just wondering!

But DR won't be there to push anyone off!

FATTY - I understand that dilemma, came down from 98.5 (tough hauling that around!) to 87.3. Problem is I guess as for you, you get to a point where the bodyweight is not the problem (without getting anorexic and sick!). In this case such equipment is essential! Could you write me a short justification for my wife? Probably won't help but worth a try! She doesn't believe me that now only spending money on exepensive light trick bits will help. It would help should you mention Titanium a few times!

Nipples cracked? I thought that only happens if you breast feed!

Byron rode that pink Specialized Epic 'test bike' at Sabie experience last year as well as a few laps at the 24 hour Northern Farm. He loved it! Talking about Titanium, my wife got a Titanium belly ring on Saturday. I'm so jealous! No I'm not getting a belly ring but hey I don't own anything with titanium! Just got rid of my 'belly ring' anyway. I wanna be like Fatty and own something made of one of these unobtanium metals!

Just waiting for my flight back from Germany! The pre ride was absolutely brilliant! Rode Fri and Sat with the slow group. Friday it poured down all day. 75k's with about 1800m of climbing. Sat warmish no rain but still mud. Long day out, nearly 80k's with 1640m of climbing. Sun had to cut short to get to airport but still rode 60k's with the fast group and managed to keep up. Some observations, have new brake pads in at the start of a wet stage (I didn't but luckily took spares and could put them in at halfway), if you change anything (new bar and stem for me) make sure you have ridden it before. I never adjusted the headset properly and thought it had failed! Full report,with photos next week on Flatdogs website.

So back to the subject! Had no problem with Joe's at the Sabie pre ride this past weekend, 3 days 220 kays and about 5000m of climbing with all possible conditions but then neither did Byron with Stan's but ............ on the last day my boetie got a sidewall cut on a Crossmark (he had the same thing on a Larsen TT at last years event, perhaps the rider?) that didn't seal proper but could take enough pressure to finish the last 5k's (Joe's), another rider had a puncture with Joe's about the same time that wouldn't seal, it did appear that the bead got hurt, possible pinch on a rock? So no conclusive evidence either way! Just still carry a tube? I will.

Ok so 24 hr early Dec, leave starts that next Friday. Sabie experience 14-17 Dec, wife at work week after but me and Byron home. Ewep/DR we may be up for some riding then but only for fun! Xmas to new year no riding, back at work 2/1/2007 then back to normal training.

I did the 3 day Sabie experience pre ride this past weekend. Drove straight back to JIA uhm sorry ORTIA to fly to Germany. Issue is that upon my arrival my calves and ankles were pretty swollen and sore! This despite the fact I did get up and walk about a few times during the night. Any suggestions to prevent that?

Squirt

Nope started out a roadie even though I now MTB more than road! I'm also not stupid, I do know my limitations and they don't include riding on the edge of a cliff (amongst other limitations that is!).

Hey SP - Hope you get well soon and remember the advice you gave Byron about proper recovery etc. etc. His shoulder is now 100%, off to Sabie tomorrow to ride the Sabie pre-ride, neither of us can wait!