G-Unit

FPC Paulshof - Wednesday FPC Gift Acres (wrong side of boerewors curtain) - Friday

http://www.usn.co.za/bulletin/press-releases/usn-mtb-cup-6-results-R282.html Try that for results. I don't know if copy and paste works for these kind of things?

I heard something that really got me thinking - and should be probably do so for everyone considering this route - apparently Specialized will NOT be doing any 650B bikes next year. Apparently the rationale is that the in between wheel does not offer enough of an advantage to offset the weigh penalty of a slightly bigger wheel. In effect, all that is created is a slightly heavier, more sluggish 26er. Now, when a bike manufacturer who ploughs millions of dollars into R&D arrives at a conclusion like that, I think you gotta listen. (BTW, I know Scott are dropping 26 and only doing 650B etc.) Food for thought, or fuel for the fire...

WTF??? This isn't Nam all over! You can get up for a pee without Charlie sniping you...

I think we gotta give credit where it's due - that course was amazing! Dylan said before the race that they had cut new single track and I thought 'yeah, right'. But there was so much more than last time. Amazing race - well done guys.

Don't be shy. I'm doing USN, Nissan, 94.7 and I just got an invite to do Double Century (not too sure about that, though). Those will be be my training rides for the 24hr.

Gees, doesn't get any better than that. 10/10 to Dryland.

That's the beauty of a brand new route - you have no idea of what you're in for. Very much of excite!

1275m of climbing in 66km is not exactly deadly. I guess it depends on the terrain though.

The 'Tour de Pharmacy' joke has been around for a while.

That immediately sounds much better. How far did you tow your trailer?

Good idea. Interviews for a soigneur for my team next year are now open!

Thanks for suggestion, Musashi. But, with all due respect to those who love caravaning, I would say that anything that involves routinely emptying out a toilet does not constitute as a holiday.

Well done on the finish Gerhadc! You WERE looking a little flat those last couple of days! When you burn all your matches in the first few days on a race like that you really are in a bit of a hole. And added to that that fact that you rode it solo must have made those last 3 days pretty mean. Look forward to seeing you around. J2C maybe?

Entered online for this last night. Now we must pray that the rain stops today, so that the trails will dry out. Otherwise, we're in for a gore fest.

Entry completed last night. Looking forward to this as it is entirely new. Always nice to be a guinea pig...

Ja, if I was an ex-pro with skeletons in my closet, I'd be keeping my head down about now...

Cool. For me the most difficult thing about the 24hr is the temptation to overdo the beers around the campfire that night. Usually involves a substandard performance the next day. Mental toughness and all that...

Hey, is this thing still on? I haven't heard anything recently. Always a nice way to end the year.

Basically anyone who is willing to put in a weeks leave for the privilege of driving people around thanklessly without the joy of getting to ride a bike.

I actually did the drive from Oudtshoorn to Prince Albert and back in the car, as I had to skip that day, and it took about an hour each way. Coming from the crappy Gauteng traffic we drive every day, that's not too bad. That said, your suggestion is even better. Its the best of both worlds - the road trip factor with the comfort. Even with all the driving and the accomodation, it will definitely be cheaper than 'platinum' upgrade. The only catch is to find a good second. Damn, now I'm getting excited for next year...

I'd have to cough up more than that for a morning spent with the missus at the mall, so cheap at the price :-)

Lots of single track. Quite fun, without being too challenging.

Thanks for the heads up on the 'platinum' rip off. I have a plan for how to do my own upgrade next year - I'm gonna get a second and base myself out of a B&B in Oudtshoorn. Every morning, get dropped at the start, have breakfast and then do the stage. After finishing, get the lunch, free beer and hang out a bit. Book bike in then back to Oudtshoorn in the afternoon, for a swim a snooze and dinner later. Repeat x7. I know the accommodation will cost about R5000 for this. I'm sure that once everything else is added, you'll still come in way under the R18000 mark. The furthest point from Oudtshoorn is Prince Albert which is just over 100k, but places like De Rust and Louvain are less than 30 min drive. This is a much more enjoyable, flexible way of doing it.

I plan to, if I can do an entry on the day.