Velouria

Stage 9 after party. Most important stage of the whole race.

Ride the Prologue as you're going to ride the rest of the event. Don't do anything stupid. Don't worry about seeding (unless you're racing for a podium), you've got 8 proper stages to sort that all out. Stay safe.

Let me know when the next one is planned, and try to start a little later - I hate starting off in the morning wearing all my kit and then having to find pockets etc to stash it in. I've a 6-7hr LSD on the cards for next weekend...

The guy who rides to work everyday, come rain or shine, because his bike is his only means of transport, and he is the only breadwinner in his family. For him cycling is not something he does for fun, it's a means to improve his life. That's the most committed rider. Whizzing along a tar road in tight lycra 5 times a season and then demanding prize money and a percentage of the entrance fee of the rest of the participants, all in the name of fun, isn't committed - it's poncey and brattish. When did we go from a slap on the back, a handshake and bragging rights to demanding prize money? Do you honestly think that the other "recreational pro's" who don't finish on the podium race for prize money at a league event, or for the thrill of just racing each other? No wonder mountain biking is doing so well in this country - people just want to ride their bikes and have fun. Sani2C attracted 7500 riders, of which maybe 40 had aspirations of prize money. Win a 24hr race, and you get a bottle of wine and a pair of socks, but it's the experience we take away that's priceless. And I'll bet this - PPA will find the (directly or indirectly) the next Burry before CSA does.

I just want to ride my bike - safely - on the roads and trails around the Western Cape. I want to do the odd race here and there, occasionally venturing upcountry for something different. At least I see PPA standing up for me as a cyclist with City and Provincial legislators, the most recent example being the rather ridiculously titled "Safety of Cyclists" draft legislation . I see them handing out lights and helmets to cyclists that aren't as well off as me. I see them investing money in new trails and campaigning landowners for access. I see them growing the sport and at the same time making a difference to those less fortunate than I am. PPA, through their up to date, current seeding system, also gives me the opportunity to recreationally race against my peers - to all the other "racers" out there - get over yourselves. Unless you are earning a salary from cycling you're still just recreational cyclists, you just go a little faster than the guys behind you. The one time I've ever actually wanted something from CSA, after paying fees and subs for years, they didn't even get back to me. I realised that day that they need me far more than I need them, and I'll rather spend my money on an organisation that makes a difference. To all our pro's that have made it overseas I think they made it despite CSA, not because of them.

Depends how fast you plan to ride. You can almost make the last water point in the light, in which case you don't really need anything if the weather is fine. But make sure the weather is going to be fine. If you're a little slower, and the weather is fine, arm warmers and a jammer at Doornkraal or BergPlaas (depending on your speed), along with lights. If it's wet and cold and windy and muddy, start in all the kit that you own and don't take any of it off until you're in your guest house in JBay.

My Sani2C race report: http://www.velotales.com/2013/05/sani2c-2013.html Farmer Glen and all the others involved once again out did themselves.

Give Brett and Lesley from The Swazi Frontier a shout - they'll be only too glad to hook you up with some trails. info@theswazifrontier.sz

Some cool tips for Strava KOM Whacking: http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2012/05/strava-strategies/ Start the segment fresh Go for low hanging fruit The Leadout Start at the back, finish at the front Stay away from the PRO’s segments. You don’t have a chance… The comments provide some of the more sneakier options (like wait for the wind to blow, or define private segments...)

Patensie and possibly the climb up Berg Plaas. You can do most of the ride on dirt...

There's also: Thandi New Hermanus trails Eden

I agree with the other replies above. They roll nicely, have decent enough protection, and wear quite well. I had one bad week where I got 2 side wall cuts on the rear (you know how hard it is to throw away a tyre that is only a week old!), but otherwise I'm quite happy with them. I'm close to 80kgs, and have done almost 10 000kms on the road bike this year with 2 side wall cuts, and 4 other punctures. Not bad going...

Yeah - Riis and Tinkoff. Not the most ethical of team managers, apparently. Maybe the UCI are scared to upsetting those two, as they probably have quite a bit of ammo to fling back at the UCI. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer... ??

I rode the new PPA funded trails in Hermanus yesterday. The routes start at the Wine Village (Euodia is in there) and head up the Hemel and Aarde Valley. There are several routes depending on your fitness level and technical ability. We did the 33km Black route yesterday in just over 2 hrs, while the ladies opted for the 25km Red route, and took them around 2h30. For maps and profiles, check out: http://www.pedalpowe...-trail-opening/ Another option is to head off towards Stanford and Salmonsdam Nature Reserve: http://www.mtbroutes...n-stanford.html As mentioned - Oakvalley, Thandi and Lebanon are all options too.

Said it yesterday on the other thread: Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

I've ridden Oak Valley, Sani, Baviaans, Swazi, Lourensford, Botrivier, Eden and W2W on these Racing Ralphs - not a single problem. I rode the Attakwas on the old Conti Race Kings (the non tubeless ones converted to tubeless) and never had an issue. My advice - aim to miss the rocks

Yip - ordered the same thing yesterday, arrived in Stellenbosch today. And the two Racing Ralphs are cheaper than what I paid for them a year ago, from the same people.

Spoken like a true fun rider! Welcome back to The Hub pansy...

Still trying to get my head into the right place - I've had a month filled with pain and suffering. And are you calling me old?

Powernaps? I usually take mine after 12 on Sunday

My race report: Team HotChillee http://capcha.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/IMG_0863.jpg

It was a tough day out, and the speed at the beginning was ridiculously fast. Our two imports were superb - total and utter professionals and did the lion's share of pacing us in that wind. Well done to everyone who got onto their bikes on Saturday morning - makes the "Windy" Argus of a few years ago look like a gentle ride in a light breeze!

While the free 30 minutes offers a welcome break when you're suffering like crazy, it does change the complexion of the race quite significantly. It essentially becomes two races to stop the clock - one of 110km, and another of 90kms. Speed and efficiency at the feed zones are no longer rewarded, and I suspect that if the weather is better next year we'll see a sub 5 hour winning time. For the future of the event, the changes are a welcome innovation. That said, it certainly is safer, particularly from Op de Tradouw to Montegu with the lack of backup vehicles. Imagine the carnage on the road if there'd been vehicles in the mix with that wind and rain. Well done to the organisers for putting on the DC this year - it might have been testing for us cyclists, but I think the conditions, both in the run up and during the event, had them checking the contingency booklet a lot!

Internet consensus suggests that it is between 38% and 41% (I couldn't find anything definitive though). Have a look at his blood values for his comeback, as well as the explanation here. How accurate these values are is also open to debate - perhaps these are post emergency saline transfusion values. http://cdn-community2.livestrong.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/9/10/c981f7be-e46c-4245-aa9d-d61ae110a264.Full.jpg

My Wines2Whales race report This event is maturing into one of the better events on the MTB calendar. The attention to detail is improving each year, and above all, they place the riders' interests first. Oh, and there is some fantastic riding too