wouterretief

There is the LIDO Hotel Winter Fast one on the 1st of May 2012

I would go second-hand ... but make sure you know what your looking at. New: Schwinn MOAB good beginner bike or if you can MOMSEN.

Hi there. I am 5ft 9 and have moved over from 26inch to 29inch. If your doing more marathon and less technical the 29er hardtail is maybe the way to go - then I would check out MOMSEN. If you do more technical stuff consider 26inch full suspension. The 29ER rolls so easy and it's fast ... Both have their ups and downs ... but long terms and the style of riding your interested in doing should be the deciding factor.

Just for some info: the Dunblane March Hare is very very similair - flat and fast - so diarise for 2013.

I have moved over from a 26" (9 speed) to a 29" (10 speed) - both have their pro's and cons. 26" agile and fast in every way. 29" is a bit more sluggish and is more suited to marathon kind of rides. You will se a major difference between your performance between that of your friend and you when doing a long flat and fast race. Nothing beats the 29er on a long straight where you put your head down and grind and it's very fast down hill - some-times scary fast. Pick your races better. Spinning classes help but not standing in your seat - sitting down and going through every conceivable resistance seated and weight training on legs also helps lots. I am tall and am heavy - so for me the 29er is more comfy.

Steve - won't be long and one of the uprights will be broken - I am sure. Thanks to all the guys on scramblers and 4 wheelers and guys parking in there with their "skelms" - because of them it's closed. I doubt the fuel depo will happen. Still the part in the forest and between the runway and the highway where the lake is - it's still a nice ride - I did it last night.

Hey guys. I cycled this route over the week-end and the gate was open. Monday evening I did'nt go but did the wattle forest last night with the aim of finishing off at the big open area afterwards - but the gate was locked .Found a hole in the fence close to SMD / Denel - crawled through and dragged the bike through as well. Had a awesome ride - the course has been prepared well and it's dry. Bad news though - spoke to a guy at Sweat and Gears this morning. The airports company has decided to use the land for fuel depo and after the race will be closed permanently. I don't know how this will affect future MTB races there - maybe none at all. I wonder how the residents living next to the field feel about aircraft fuel being kept so close to their houses. Still it's a major pity and it sucks big time. I am glad I am racing on Saturday because it may be the last time I will be able to cycle the part where I first started mountain biking. The wattle part is however still open. By the way - for those cycling on Saturday in the race - spray yourself with Tabard or Peacefull Sleep. There are horse flies in the open part and their bite itches for a couple of days.

Close to the water towers in the residential area there is a park with a new palisade gate. I suppose the route will change slightly compared to last years. I stay about 4km from this track and cycle it at least 3 times a week - it's not bad. There is a 30m muddy patch that makes the route interesting. As far as bottle necks - I did all the NISSAN Advendurance Half Marathons last year - and even these routes had it's fair share of bottle necks and crappy areas. But I suppose if I am not up for the challenge I should rather buy a road bike where all the roads are tarred. It's a great race to start the year - and I take my hat off to Lee and his team. I know they want it more controlled and accesable but also safe for us mountain bikers in future. OFTEN I cycled past guys with their cars parked in the field and off road bikes / quad bikes and even guys target shooting. Once or twice a guy with hunting dogs chasing the rabbits and wild birds - so hence the closing of the area. Who knows maybe we will be so lucky that it could become a MTB area, even if we have to pay a entrance fee. I will be there on Saturday riding the 40km and next year and the next. Answer to the initial question about the ride and area: it's varied with a forest and single track with some nice jeep track and tests you over allot of aspects - TRY IT, you might just like it but then I am also a newby that has only been cycling 1 year (Emperors MTB 20km 2011 being my first). Yes the Groenkloofs and Rietvlei's and Teak Place and Suikerbos Rand are all awesome .... but this is our "home" course that offers you some-thing different.