NotSoBigBen

Look I don't know about sponsorships, feel good and all that stuff but clearly on the hub WINATALLCOSTS is the only thing that matters ????

#NoGearsNoTears

By this exact analogy my brother and I got a 'free' entry in 2011 just a month before the event ... we hadn't been training for it but had been riding our normal 3-4 days a week as we have been like forever (ok since '89) We took the entry and decided to just aim to finish every day nothing more (no position/speed targets if you will) I'm not going to lie there were many pretty tough days and lots of f'ing and blinding as my wife calls it but we did finish. As far as bikes go we just serviced what we had, took some consignment bits and bobs from my son in laws bike shop at the time and hoped for the best. I well remember a spectator saying as I went passed on the prologue 'daai groot ou sal nie klaar maak nie' ... vat so ou!

Started with my wife saying 'you need to be back by 9:30' for a birthday breakfast ... left early then got a WhatsApp at 8 to say 'it's cancelled no more rush' so just kept going ???? Before I knew it a ton was done! Love how miles just pass on a gravel bike ????

That's why I generally start at the gate nearest to the circus ....

I've ridden on the road from Alberhoughton to Parys and back on most of the little 'back roads' and you need to clearly be cautious but I managed ok and would do it again anytime but that's maybe just me?

Thing is leaving that early then being lumped with lights and stuff doesn't really appeal to me ... thinking to get a lift there, ride back home after the event rather

Like already mentioned take the right tool for the job, its way more fun! Just to reiterate that you make sure the road bike is setup properly for you and do try do a few rides on it before the time.

You just don't get that green here in Gauteng, especially not on the Highveld

That age group thing in the 80k irritated me somewhat, they bothered to have correct age groups for the 60 so why not for the 80?

Always thought it was 'Brentjens' ...

'There is a big difference between solitude and loneliness, loneliness is a negative state, marked by a sense of isolation. One feels that something is missing. ... Solitude is the state of being alone without being lonely. It is a positive and constructive state of engagement with oneself' No I'm not lonely out there ????

As you say forks and shocks I can understand but bearings as an example, my old man used to tell me 'use whatever grease you have but just make sure they are not dry!'

I know the hub 'engineers' will defend the specific grease for each application but I laughed when I read this ... 'There's nothing special about any "bike" grease. It's just re-packaged overpriced general lube. The lubrication needs of a bicycle are about one step up from a wheelbarrow.'

Most people at least in my experience, are used to the fit and forget groupsets up to about 10speed I guess. No fiddling about, take the bike in for a service now and then. Clean and lube occasionally ... Modern 11/12sp although having many cool benefits has become really 'needy' ... IMHO of course. Special inner cable for this and outer for that, service this every 5 hours, replace that every 50 Heaven forbid you haven't complied exactly to the letter should you have a problem #SMK

A few years ago my now daughter in law didn't finish 94.7, she got to about 70k's ... I cut my medal in half and gave it to her ... there were tears is all I'll say

I'm one of those take it or leave it types, if they hand me one I take it, if there's no medals I'm not fussed either

Not at all! Give me a shout

How does one know what is 'accurate' and which devices are actually correct? Is there a list somewhere perhaps ...

Hence I said 'CamelPack' and not Camelbak ????

Have the 'CamelPacks' made a comeback now that they look like you're wearing a 'GoPro chest mount'? Even saw one at a local race in Alberhoughton yesterday ????

It was supposed to be in 'winter' but had been postponed a few times due to the 'rona ...

Well done! Though as my mates ask me occasionally 'having trouble at home?' ????

I thought Tardozzi had a heart attack in the Ducati pit ????