Velouria

So Avatar - I want to hang a cool picture on my wall but don't own a hammer. Can you come around and do it for me please? Shouldn't take you more than 5 minutes. Thanks.

And yet the trail was more exciting than the 24hr events I did at Rietvlei up country. There wasn't a big climb, but that said, we still climbed over 100m on the 7km lap. The Malmesbury 24hr was held in September, and we never encountered rain - just some rather chilly evenings. This event filled a nice gap in the season - after Baviaans, but before the road season got up to speed.

These links only point to articles about foods that have been modified to include a pesticide. The one study found " The 90-day-long tests are insufficient to evaluate chronic toxicity, and the signs highlighted in the kidneys and livers could be the onset of chronic diseases." Hardly a convincing argument: "It is realistic to say that in the present day standards, it is impossible to monitor what some of the chemicals in GM foods will do to our bodies as they build up over time, because many feel that not enough research has gone into this field." And lastly: "Should the research survive scientific scrutiny -- a serious hurdle -- it could prove a game changer in many fields. It would mean that we're eating not just vitamins, protein, and fuel, but gene regulators as well." There is nothing concrete listed in those links, and much like cell phone base stations, this seems very much like a 1st world problem.

FutureLife were in the process of modifying their packaging, and will reflect the GM ingredients. Here is their response to the whole GM thing: Hi friends, here is some background to the GM issue.. We at FutureLife source our maize and soya from South African farmers. Presently more than 80% of the seeds used by farmers that grow maize and soya in South Africa have been genetically modified to suit local African conditions. This has been the practice over the last decade. This effectively means that any product made from locally produced maize and soya will contain the genetically modified ingredients. The practical way of ensuring that products produced contain no genetically modified maize and soya is to import these products from overseas. The question of the health impact of GMO versus NON GMO is an on-going controversy. This is further complicated by the fact that the United States Food and Drug Administration, (FDA) actively supports GMO products. It would be presumptuous of us to even enter this debate. Generally products produced in countries are a function of their agricultural policies. We being a South African company support local farmers and it is impossible to guarantee GMO free because of the way the products are grown, stored and transported. Importing maize and soya from overseas would add significant cost and be at direct odds with our strategy to provide great quality food products at value for money prices. We at FutureLife have rather taken the stance of placing more emphasis on the process relating to the cooking of the maize and soya, as we believe that through this process we are able to maintain the important structure and health properties of the product. Given the impasse between the GMO and NON GMO supporters, and the farming reality in our land we still believe that the FutureLife Product provides a well-balanced and healthy proposition. We care deeply about being an ethical company and the trust of our customers in our brand is the most important value of our business.

FutureLife - got all the goodness one could ever need

Farmer Glen has personally removed all loose rocks, and I think there is a bounty on any loose rocks that are spotted within a meter either side of the trail. While there is a bit of climbing, there isn't a leg busting climb on the whole route. They're either gradual uphills, or short sharp ramps. Plenty of opportunity on the route to eat doughnuts. And muffins. And burgers. And bananas. And sour snakes. And fruit.

On several occasions I was the last A rider on the road. I don't think I could even see the front from way back there. But at least it was safe there. Only after we'd shredded loads of riders did I venture any further forward. Finished in the bunch (naturally at the back), among the broken machines and grazed bodies of what was left of the Vets and ladies... TinyK - thanks for your turn on the front - much appreciated.

The one with all the antennas on top of it

The only difference I could tell was that in the race the stage winner get prizes, fame, glory, podium girls etc, while the stage winners of the adventure get given doughnuts and forced to eat them on stage as clearly they climb too fast and need to be weight down.

For a small town I'm always amazed at the cycling dynamics in Hermanus. If you ride with rider A, then you can't ride with Rider C, and if you wear Company X's kit then the morning group Y doesn't want anything to do with you. Buy a bike part from shop I, and mention you saw the same thing in shop J and you get a death look...

ummm - Minty is a Hermanus local. And PPA have the info up on their site about the trails: http://www.pedalpowe...ese-mtb-trails/ Back to the original topic - you can also do some dirt road riding along the Karwyders road, or head up the Valley towards Caledon - not terribly exciting, but a good enough work out. Perhaps the best thing to do is get a lift up the valley with the kids, and then freewheel all the way down to the Engen...

Euodia developed those trails with funding from PPA. You can also try the Urban Assault at the other end of town

Or the Maties rider in the A bunch who tossed his bottle going down Chappies. I think he's been watching the pro's too much...

I am keen to hear too. I know you can head off on the N2 towards Jeffery's, and then ride into Patensie and up Berg Plaas - but that is a long way to drive for a ride...

Then you missed about 19999999999 crashes 1. UCT 2. Edinburgh drive 3. Blue Route 4. Boyes (at the bottom) 5. Past Simon's Town, going up to Smits 6. Fast section after Smits 7. Bottom of chappies 8. Just before Blues in Camps Bay 9. Famous left hander before circle onto Beach road in Sea Point Granted - I do sat at the very back of the bunch, so I get a good view of all the action

It was Vets and Masters in the same group as the ladies. Sub Vets had to ride with the Elite riders. The real solution would be to do away with age based racing and introduce categories based on ability. People of equal skill and ability get to race each other, and the guys who ride a road bike once a year get relegated to the seeded bunches.

My Pick n' Pay only has banana, and it's the one flavour I don't like. The Crunch is also quite nice, but also rare as hen's teeth. FutureLife will be introducing a strawberry flavour in April.

And your partner (and he will break you too)

There is not a single piece of flat road in Mpumalanga - it's either up or down. That said, it is a fantastic event, well organised, beautiful scenery, a challenging but doing route, and great bike racing. The two man team idea on the road works well - adds a new dynamic. I "raced" with a mate, while our wives had more of a fun ride. Show me a water point at any other race that serves vodka shooters and pizza. My race report from 2011 is here

Don't worry - it's just talk. I know he is going to be carrying 3 tubes, 4 bombs, half a banana tree, and 6 PVM bars taped to his top tube. He has a standing duel with his brother, and should his brother happen to beat him because of a puncture, Foe Fighter might be forced to give up cycling for good! I also might not be able to ever speak to him again should that happen. Oh, and to stay slightly on topic: Tube Levers Pump Bomb 2 Gu's Two bottles of Game Beer money

Get as many people to do as much for you as possible - budget dependent. Mechanic, massage, lunch etc. Try to spend as much time off the bike doing nothing. Always eat all your meals, even if you don't feel like it. Eat as much as you can. Communicate with your partner - have the same goals and objectives, and let him know how you are feeling. Slowest rider sets the pace. Sun protection for your lips Ear plugs Avoid taking a tent anywhere near the toilets Take a camera along - stop and use it. Duct tape and cable ties can solve most emergencies Get into a routine as soon as possible - wake up, toilet, breakfast, toilet, pack bag, get to start chute, have 6-8 hours of fantastic riding, bike wash, lunch, showers, massage, afternoon nap, mix bottles, dinner, bed. Repeat x 8 Enjoy the Epic experience - hanging with the foreigners, chilling in the chill zone, the views, the scenery, the riders around you - everything that makes the Epic such a special event.

What the heck is a hand up? The A bunch is agro enough - you swerve sideways 3mm while taking your bottle out and 176 riders k@k all over you, while the other 143 grab brakes and lock wheels. Do this hand up thingy from the back of the bunch, out of sight of all the grumpy riders who didn't make Elite/VA/VB and you should be fine. I'll be near the back to check it out - keen to know what a hand up is... I'm hoping the A bunch can make it onto N2 before we have our first crash...

Then a 29er dual it is (as much as that pains me to say).

How tall are you? How long will Trans Karoo take you? Will this be the same bike you'll use for cross country and marathons and ultra enduro's? I think you have two options - a 26inch dual, or a 29er hard tail, depending on your answers to the above questions.

Err - watch out for trains?