Kranky

I found a pair of Specialized gloves at the bike wash at the Tokai parking today. If they're yours, let me know. Otherwise, does SANParks have a trustworthy lost and found person I can hand them to?

Shall we organise a poor man's provincial championship?

In and around Cape Town, I rode a 1x9 comfortably with 32T ring on a 11-34 cassette.

Awesome! Pretty far away from the Cape though, so my attendance is unlikely. This one as well. Looks like a jol though.

Shifting causes wear, irrespective of the chain condition. As does the chain engaging with the chainring. Add to that some unavoidable real life conditions like water, dust, sand and mud. How is it that the chain can wear past this critical point but the chainring can walk away without any wear? Even if the chain is a much softer metal, never is a long time

Shimano's next step better be to invest in South Africa then, because XCM ain't that big everywhere else and many disciplines of mountain biking have pretty much laid the front derailleur to rest.

More info and entries here: http://www.cycleevents.co.za/mtb-events/funky-fynbos-mtb-race-trail-run-2014/

You answered it for yourself #trolling

I don't believe that paying users should have more rights than non-paying users. Unless, of course, there are clear policies, rules and signage in place that dictate such things. There are some places where limiting the type of user would make a lot of sense, like the DH trails for safety. But I wouldn't necessarily make the distinction purely on fee payments. We're all mountain users, irrespective of our chosen discipline, mutual respect and friendliness is the only way to have a happy mountain. What I will say is that it would be nice if SANParks used more than just a token amount of the mountain biking fee for trail maintenance. Heck, even some basic environmental management would be welcome (i.e. burning the snake trail area after the logging).

Hoping some of it is incorrect. How does one cycle up or down Skeleton Gorge or Nursery Ravine? People carrying their bikes up and down for Freedom Challenge training perhaps

I understand the problem (and sympathise) but I'm not sure how sharing a race route is to blame for people ignoring the law. Rogue riders on private land are acting illegally. I don't believe lawful users of trails should be made to mask their activity (unless expressly asked to do so as a condition of access) because of the illegal actions of others. Especially when these private routes are publicly available through many other means, often including the race or venue website.

You could use the privacy zone feature.

I guess this is why the Epic bans personal GPS. But rogue riders could just as easily use Google maps, race route maps or the likes to plot routes. Do you mark your own rides as private when riding these routes?

If you're scared enough, simple solution. Set it to private.

Yes, it is confusing. I felt a bit awkward just rounding the closed gate, until I saw some fellow riders who must have done the same further down the road.

I'm worried about my hubs. Haven't gotten around to opening them up yet.

The one and only time I ridden there, I parked at the buildings (before going right) and rode my bike to the closed gate. There is a path to the right of the gate going around it with a pedestrian gate you have to unlatch. Not sure if it's legit but that's how I got in, and out and I saw others doing the same.

BlinkFan, where was the closed gate? Before you get to the buildings or after turning right at the buildings?

I wonder how many of these people think that their Chinarello is the best ride they've ever had.

Oh, yes Many forum names to a face today. She did pretty well for her first race.

Yup, that was me.

I had a good time, the mud actually added to my enjoyment. I was very happy to be riding single speed today. Note to self though, get thinner tyres for better mud clearance in winter. Maybe a little more single track next time. Johny, I think I chatted to you about your derailleur on the single track. I was relieved for your sake to see the bakkie not too far from there. Can't believe they didn't give you a lift to the water stop

Rain reported from today to and including race day. Dammit.

Enjoyed climbing the new piece on Wednesday. Didn't hit the jump on the way down though (the steep landing makes it look pretty big) but after hearing everyone say how easy it is, I'll have to pull the trigger next time. Vasbyt is not narrow if both parties are even just mildly respectful of each other, there shouldn't ever be a problem. But wow, there are some selfish douchetards going both up and down. You'll probably get better results removing that segment from Strava than making it one direction Plus it is only busy on weekend mornings. Go midweek or in the late afternoon/ evening on the weekends, I find that you are unlikely to pass many, if any people, on Vasbyt.

I like Might give that jump a go now. Looks like a much smoother landing.