Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

I have a hardtail now, and even though I've always ridden HT's (think since I had my little black police bike 29 odd years ago) and have learnt an amazing amount of stuff about lines, handling and how to treat a bike thanks to the bronco underneath me, would definitely get an FS if I were looking for a new bike. If you're starting out, I'd go hardtail. If not, then FS. The differences between HT & FS on a racing circuit really aren't that huge to be overly concerned. The main thing to be concerned about is how comfortable you are with the bike itself. I'd take the FS purely because I don't want my ass to suffer when all I want to do is go for a leisurely ride somewhere. Having said that, I'm mainly out of the seat, so it's really my legs that take the brunt of it!

Well, 4 days into the week (sunday included) and already 8 hours on the bike, all of it in Tokai. Before, after or during working hours, then home to work some more. My arse isn't happy, and neither is my washing machine, but I'm getting into the swing of things once again. And I now have no excuse, because my bike has now taken up permanent residency status on my back seat (no bike rack yet) as well as my helmet, gloves & shoes. We'll see how the week turns out. Topped out at 99% of HRR this morning, so I know my fitness is getting there. Previously, after 10 mins at 90% I was kakking off. Not anymore. I haven't really changed eating habits all that much, but will be needing all the normal carbs / oats / protein etc that I'm having now thanks to the increased training. Bring on Monday and the scale!

Looking good there, Chaunce! What you putting on her?

Okay, it was yesterday evening. Top of Silvermine side of Tokai. Personal best up to that point, and then 30 mins getting back down using ALL the singletrack available. Was awesome. Did the same today, and set another PB, but went down OKW back to a mate's place for the pivotal post-ride caffeine fix. Will be going again tomorrow if I can. So far, that's 4 Tokai sessions in 4 days. The arse is starting to complain!

Tread. Only one that comes close to any international mag. As for non-local, MBUK all the way... Need to get myself a subscription to that one!

I used to use Endomondo but found that the Garmin native software was just better & easier to use. Got myself a 310XT for an extra special present time thing event and haven't looked back. Plus, I use it at the gym for the HR & swimming, which you can't do with a BB or iPhone Having said that, the challenges on Endomondo are pretty cool. As is the ability to track yourself against other users...

Don't know what it's called, but it's pink, or green (different brands) and comes in a big tub. Feels like that facewash with the grits in it, but with FAR more grits and it would take your face off if you udes it to wash your face with. Gets everything off. But - if you're struggling with cash - get some sand, some sunlight/handy andy and some water. It basically becomes a rubbing compound, and that's all you need to get the grit off.

Spot on. I used to suffer from huge cramps in my calves on a weekly basis. Then I changed my diet (from all *** to hardly any ***) and they've almost entirely disappeared. And when they do appear, they're much less intense.

No, wait - hang on. I am strange. Nevermind...

with the knowledge that each time you do it, it gets better? with the knowledge that there are so many new lines to investigate? the drive to get faster? No? Oh - then I must be a bit strange...

Echoing Racer X - for the singletrack on the way down, put your seatpost lower and rest on your quads. You'll be amazed at how fatigued your quads are at the bottom, especially if you've been giving it stick on the downhills. Don't sit down on the way down, rather let your legs (as opposed to your ass) abosrb the bumps and jumps. Your quads will gain a lot of strength in a short amount of time... It's kinda like doing one long, drawn out 20 to 30 minute squat, with your bodyweight as the squat... Just keep your pedals flat and your butt off the back of the seat!

nice one! Fuji, although lesser known on the MTB circuit, make some quite alright bike, IMHO

That is flippen awesome!!!

I have the Reba on mine. Lovely fork, and very good for the price!

I think the world cup version would be slightly lighter due to more extensive use of carbon, but I could be wrong. The WC version has some nice little rainbow stickers on it, whereas the XX version is the one that is being sold as part of the full XX offering from SRAM, and will complement an SRAM gropuset pretty damn nicely. Other than the weight difference and the stickers, I can't think of anything that the XX has that the World Cup wouldn't, and vice versa...

look at all the usual suspects - Silverback have a very good offering in the lower-priced sector of the market, as do Scott and Giant - although the Giant equivalents are a bit heavier than the rest. Also look at the Merida range. What price point are you looking at? You might have a bit more luck trawling the classifieds here or on theGumTree to see what you can find...

The Sid is the better option if you're looking at weight and bang for your buck. You will not get better than that, except maybe the XX version. The Fox is, as Mampara says, the middle of the road option in terms of Fox forks. In my opinion, Fox are overpriced compared to RS, and you will get far better value out of the RS than the Fox. Go for the SID if you can afford it.

99 again. A weekend of boozing and braaing doesn't help. Yesterday was another "new start" to this challenge for me. Went for a 2 hour play in Tokai yesterday morning, and going this afternoon as well for more training. Also changed the eating during the day - dinner is all good and healthy - it's the stuff I eat during the day that is so ***!

no problemo, Tankman... glad to help a fellow financial okie! Even though you are, most probably, my competition :-)

yes - you can go back without a shower. It's a simple step-test, with 4 sessions of 2 minutes with a 30 second rest inbetween each session. But it's not a hectic step test - more to measure how fast it takes you to reduce your heart rate to a lower level.

Yep - from Blouberg area through to town. This looks as if it's right by the Engen at Sunset Beach...

98 for me, still. All my fault - same eating, no training. And teh stresses of a new job as well. Gym is just down the road now though, on the way out of the office park. No excuses now!

In its liquid form?! Bu-byyyyyyyeeeeeee! That's frikkin scary. I didn't get far enough in engineering to start doing the endo / exothermic reactions or any sort of conversions, but I can imagine that shoudl be summed up by one (final) word, if/when it should happen... Fu.. (speech ends due to vaporization)

Yep - can't go wrong with those.

oh - and 1,500 posts! Yippee!