Velouria

I pay just over R600 a month, and am covered for around R120 000 of bicycles plus accessories. As it works out, it's the accessories that I claim most for... My experience has always been positive with Cyclesure - been with them for around 7 years now, and had some major claims without incident.

I use the standard stainless steel ones that came with the wheels, and I'm super impressed with them. Haven't tried the ceramics (I was too scared to ask ASG for prices on those!).

Shimano hub part numbers: Fulcrum RS-113 Campagnolo FH-BUU015X1

Oh yes - those parts numbers I suggested are for the Campag compatible freebody. Not sure what the Shimano code is (didn't even think Shimano).

To fix the play, all you need is an allen key. Leave the wheel in the drop outs, loosen that little screw on the bearing cover (see pic below) a couple of turns, and turn the cap until it is finger tight - adjusting the preload. Once the play is gone, tighten the little screw again. Over tightening the QR will cause damage. http://cdn1.coresites.mpora.com/rcuk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Fulcrum-Racing-Quattro-front-hub.jpeg

I don't hang out here that much any more J&J Cycling are the local Campag guys - cheaper than ASG, but still costs a small organ. I think it cost me R1300 to bring the parts kit in from overseas... Can't fault Fulcrum wheels - did over 35000kms on the original bearings, and they are still as true as the day I bought them!

I've just been through this with Racing 1's, and when quoted around R4k for bearings and a hub from the local importers I had to find an alternative. Since Fulcrum is just Campag kit with another sticker, you can have a look at ordering the Campy equivalent. Racing 0/1/3's all use the same parts kit (although there is a ceramic option for the Racing 0's - I think). The parts you are looking for are RS-100, which is the bearing kit (Campag code: HB-RE100). The freebody parts kit is RS-005 (Campag code FH-BO015). http://www.i-ride.co.uk/Root/Images/Fulcrum-RS-100-HB-RE100-R1134826-Hub-Renewing-Kit-For-R3-1-0/Large/7358_6536_135109.jpg The Camapg option is slightly cheaper in this country, but it's quite considerably cheaper overseas. Places I found include xxcycle.com (no it's not a porn cycling site, and they do get good reviews), and the usual UK sites, depending on stock - Wiggle, ChainReaction, Evans, Probikekit. I eventually used the freebody and bearing of an old Racing 3 wheel that I had lying around, while I waited for the parts to arrive.

From Cycling Tips - Road tripping Ireland Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Another gem of an event. I'm always surprised that this event doesn't attract more riders. Apart from the exceptionally scary potholes, this race is perfect (and even then, the potholes add to the character) My race report is here

My first Niner - March 2010 After breaking the frame above, I got the new A.I.R 9 - April 2012 While not a Niner, I used the Niner geometry when custom building this frame

I rode with this on my chain for the first 80kms of the 36One. My bike was uncannily quiet, so much so that I was able to hear other things making a noise (headset, BB etc.). My joy ended when the lube guy at checkpoint 1 got hold of my bike - 10kms later my drive train was making a racket. Definitely going to give this a go, even if I have to lube the chain the night before (I'm very much a last minute chain luber).

My race report is here. Now that a week has passed, the pain is forgotten, and the bum feeling much better, I think I could do this race again.

My race report is here. Took me a while to get over this race and come up with something nice to write. But now, I'm already thinking about next year.

Here

What a tough ride! Certainly the toughest "normal" event I've ever ridden. Going to need a few weeks (or months) before I even contemplate doing it again. To each and every finisher - well done. And before we get too carried away about prize money etc - I think it's a good idea to lure the pros out. Us normal people don't do these races for the prize money (I'd be a very hungry cyclist if that was the case) - for us it's all about the experience. And if that means having to get the pros so that they can get the media coverage, so the sponsors can get value, then so be it. As long as I get to ride my bike in a well organised, well thought out event. Well done Dryland and 36One. And let's not turn our noses up at the people that only rode half the distance - 180kms with all that climbing in the heat is an achievement in its own. It's mostly dirt roads, so a HT is fine. There was a section from about 220km to 260km where I would have killed for a DS - quite a bad, rocky, loose road surface.

On any other forum that would be quite an intriguing post

In the years that I'm riding Epic - I love it. It's the greatest event out there. And in the years that I'm not riding it I hate it and all those that are riding it. But that's just me being jealous. I used to be a pro Epic, anti Sani guy - real MTBers do Epic and wannabees do Sani. But they both serve a purpose, and cater to different needs. And in their own right they are both fantastic events. In fact, we're so lucky that we get to pick and choose from the stacks of amazingly well run events - week in and week out. Comparing different events is pointless, even comparing Epics over the years is pointless. Was 2008 harder than 2013? Was the rain in 2006 worse than 2014? It doesn't really matter. Finishing an Epic, or finishing the local school fun MTB ride can be as much of an achievement to different people, and we should respect that and be happy for those people.

Naah - those old routes were just as tough, but they also had long district roads. I don't think I have ever walked up so many hills as I did in 2007 and 2008. If anything, the route these days is more ridable because the organisers have options. Back then there was one route, and tough luck if you couldn't ride it. Nowadays they can take us on tough and challenging routes, that are technically tough, but completely ridable. The Epic has got easier, from an off-the-bike perspective. Back in the day, the second you crossed the line the real work began. Find food, clean bike, fix bike, wash kit etc. Now they wash your bike for, give you food, there is a chill zone, meals are better etc. And riding for two days in crappy weather certainly can't be easy!

5 Giro's, 2 Vuelta's 3 national time trial titles 2nd Critérium International (behind Jens in 2009) 5th in World Fun Ride Champs

I know, and I've been half regretting the decision, but with 36One and Panorama coming up next month, it was the right decision. Just like 2012, where I wished I was there, and wished I wasn't there (mostly because of the weather). And it's rather cool watching the race unfold on twitter and the Hub. When you're riding it you don't really care about the leaders or anything else - it's just about getting you and your partner to the end of each stage each day.

Got an invite on Friday night, and almost took it. Just wasn't the right sort of guy I'd like to spend 8 days with. Hopefully next year again.

Sally Bigham didn't finish in 2013, did clean up everything in 2012 though - 8 stage wins.

Lesson learned. I shall refrain from referring to all people who prepare food as chefs. My wife is now "that person in our house who tinkers in the kitchen by randomly mixing various ingredients together". I'll let you know how she handles her new title, although I fully expect her to bury the "that person in our house who tinkers in the kitchen by randomly mixing various ingredients together" 's knife in my back while I sleep. P.S. I also mentioned The Plague - just to clarify, this wasn't the actual plague that decimated Europe, but instead a bad case of New Delhi Belly that the rounds. P.P.S Flash is a guy, and wasn't actually pregnant. P.P.P.S The Cape Rouleur is still an awesome event, despite the culinary qualifications of some of the participants.

He's a decent bloke, makes some tasty food, and rides a bike quite well. That's enough for me.

The great thing about HotChillee events is that they cater for all sorts of riders. You've got your racing snakes up front averaging 32+ km/h in Group 1, and then at the back in Group 3 you've got the Captain's of Industry - the cycling tourists - the guys who work too hard to spend too much time on their bikes but want the pro cyclist's experience - trundling along at 24km/h. There's rolling road closure, mechanics and medics with each group (how often do us normal people get to put our hand in the air when we puncture and have a guy jump out of a van with a new wheel?).