mtbsmurf

Sutherland recently. SALT Telescopes in the background (next post, still getting the hang of this).

Wakkerstroom

With scars on both ankles from bites, I was chased down again this weekend on the route between Hekpoort and Van Galens by two dogs. Amazing what adrenalin can do and thankfully had my support crew with me but this not much fun at all. Heal up well mentally and physically and watch for infection...

I have teeth tattoo's now on both ankles. Bitten twice in one year just riding along on my bike. Also a Yorkie the first time. Every ride is now an emotional battle trusting dogs. The other day an owner told me to kick her dog in a attempt to teach it not to bite cyclists. Another owner thinks its hilarious as she watches her Yorkie chase down cyclists on the Spruit. I know these debates have been going on for years but it is not right.

Agreed.. The owners of the dog admitted that they had not immunized the dog. They then decided to go ahead. I was lucky though, they did the worst of it in theater while I was under. I had to wait 3 days for the infection to die down first though. Was just horrible.

Boerboel left its marks in my leg about a year ago. Farm dog. The attending doctor at Trauma suggested Rabies but the Surgeon not. They went ahead anyway. The rabies injections are not fun and very expensive. Watch for infection as the results of that can be just as bad.

I recently went through the same pain / trauma and series of consultations with doctors, physio, massage, chiro's. The solution came after the second neurologist, orthopedic specialist and MRI - also L5 issue but I was very lucky. Some muscle relaxants and a dose of steroids and I seem to be sorted. Was muscle spasm in the glute and inflammation due to the irritation of the nerve at L5. The healing was not immediate but getting better every day. Swimming and keeping the cycling to an hour at a time for 2 months. The neurologist compared it to a torn hamstring and you need to allow it to heal. Work was my problem. Sitting at my desk for 8 hours at a time caused it. Also thought it was piriformis but my doc said it was the latest 'in' diagnosis. Also got told I had diabetes and that was causing nerve damage (not).

Was probably the same guy who started swearing at the group pf people that had gathered to help the couple who had just been bike-jacked at the farm. WTF?

Been bitten twice - once on the Spruit up top Alberts by a Yorkie type dog. Dog was on a lead, just a pity the lead was not attached to the owner. Came out of no-where and I could not un-clip quickly enough. That was the left leg. Owner ran away very quickly. Earlier this year out on a training ride in Brits on the district roads, a Boerboel took a big chuck out of my leg - week in hospital, rabies, gangrene etc. No fences around the yard. First a Jack Russel came running out and we were watching him and this brute dog came after from behind. Never saw it coming. That was the right leg. Owners denied any responsibility. Take care out there!

We managed a 'loop' with only a little tar on the downhill section where the trail ends near the Kromdraai turnoff. Swing right at the circle and nail it down the hill on the tar or the dirt shoulder. When you get to the bottom of the hill, just move onto the dirt on the right and there is plenty of walking path / jeep track all the way to the turnoff back to Kloofzicht, just keep left for about 4 or 5 kms. At the Kloofzicht turn off, if you keep left, there is an awesome little single track path taking you down the hill to the circle, then take the dirt on the right up the hill. 32km loop much much enjoyed.

Also fresh from an MRI - pinched nerve at L1 - was at an orthopedic surgeon as the symptoms where so strong in my leg that I thought my hips were giving in. Referred pain they call it. Now off to the neuro recommended to me. Stayed off the drugs as much as possible - Cataflam did work for me when it got real bad although racing proved quite challenging due to light headedness so I stopped taking it and just remain on my feet as much as possible. Sitting is a painful experience at the moment. Much more common than I thought!

While we on the subject On Saturday 1 November the Belgian Chamber of Commerce for Southern Africa is hosting the very first "Belgian Market Day" at the Fourways Farmers Market in Johannesburg. The Market opens at 9am and runs throughout the day. Please come and enjoy an array of creative arts and crafts, famous Belgian beers, waffles, chocolates and much more! It promises to be a day filled with fun, sensational food, drinks and music! No admission and free parking. ...

I did the event at B'sorah yestetrday. So much of fun! Adds a new dimension to riding your mountain bike. Don't underestimate finding routes to points, not as easy as it would seem though. The trails at B'sorah are suitably challenging as well.

Not cool dude. Sorry to hear! Will miss seeing on our afternoon rides. Heal up soon ok! M

After many experiences similar to this, I have ended up not insuring anything (except me car). The one thing I have learned is to take better care of my belongings as I have no recourse. Stuff I cannot replace financially is in secure storage and the rest I have a rainy day fund for. Not sure if this is the solution either but does raise the awareness of being responsible.

Love my Scott too. Got my new Contessa a week before W2W last year and enjoyed trouble free cycling ever since.

Thanks for the info. Always wanted to give the trails a try, heard Cascades is awesome too. Also with the racing on Saturday thought it be a bit busy. We are doing the marathon on Sunday only. Will check it out. Don't get down there too often so trying to make the most of the trip.

Awesome - thanks very much! Hope the weather plays nice.

Heading down to KZN for Karkloof this weekend and thought we may pop in at Cascades. Is it open to the public at the moment, anyone know?

Heard a rumor that kitchen gloves (those plastic ones from PnP) work a treat under normal gloves as cold / wet insulation.

I did their (Detour Trails) trips along the Wild Coast and No Mans Land last year. Outstanding in all ways least of all getting to ride real trails. Memories to last a lifetime and unlike any formal event / race I ever done.

The Spruit fairy has put a wooden bridge at that dodgy section at the Rustenberg Road underpass! As for the rest, pretty bleak I'm afraid.

While on Spruit matters, just a heads up on the movement of a tree (who would have guessed)! If you come along the top tree line at Emmerentia - by Marks Park, take a short left at the end. The tree as you come around the corner (always was a bit of a dodgy tree) has moved and is leaning severely. It is unlikely that you will make it through between the stump and the tree without a dismount. A route has been opened to the right of the stump but just take care!