manjafel

Right, there is this challenge called Parallels, go check it out. Basically it a see how far you can go in 24 hours type of deal. But the unique selling point is that your distance is measured as the crow flies. To illustrate, if you do a circle route of 200 km; your distance, according to the rules of this challenge, would be zero km. I think I found an excellent route. The N14 between Vryburg and Upington. It is straight and it is flat. It drops from about 1200m above sea level to about 900m above. And the route would be about 406 km on the road but as the crow flies it would be 377 km. But I do not know how safe it is. Consider that I would cycle through the night so heavy traffic (there is mining activity in the area so a lot of trucks) and high crime (where is there ot high crime) would would put a nix on this route. I need some advice from locals. Thank you

But then again it is not the second toughest race. If I had what it takes (R100 000) I would enter.

With that price tag this is not aimed at South Africans. I will watch with interest how this develop. But will rather save up and train for the Freedom challenge, which does not take you through a dessert in summer.

Yes, or a 2nd hand Morewood. Thank you for that insight Eugene.

Thank you for your advice guys. I do not think the Stride replaced the Alpine though. I spoke to the guy at my LBS and he loves the silverback Alpine (He is also a silverback dealer). The Silverback is well speced (according to the website http://www.silverbacklab.com/2011_website_SILVERBACK/alpine1.htm and the LBS guy) The Momsen is almost the same but just a smidge cheaper (http://www.momsenbikes.com/bikes.cfm?prod=al300_12) The two bikes even look alike.

It is time for a new mountain bike. I'm looking for a durable bike rather than a lightweight bike. I'm stuck on three bikes the Momsen Al 300 the Silverback Alpine and Merida matts tfs 300. And then there is the second hand market. I need some advice.

Did anything come from this? I moved to Parys recently.