HomerSimpson

If the Hekpoort stats are correct, then it's just about like the total climb to the Taalmonument in Paarl (that's about 3k's at 7.7%, although the first 2k's are at just about 10%). Suikerbossie is about 2 k's but I guess no more than about 5.5%? Chapmans is 4.4 km at under 4 %. So coming after 90 km, the Hekpoort climb is to be avoided at all costs!

Route details just revealed: check it out on www.letour.fr .

I tend to use a light lube for road (stay away from waxy stuff), and I clean my chain once a week when I'm riding regularly. So WD40 for the road bike (I hear BikeMax in the background getting ready to protest) and clean the chain with Clean Green (rode about 11 000 km on previous chain, never had any problems, now about 5 000 km on replacement. Then when I started MTB, I was worried about dust clinging to a "wet" lube like WD40, so I started using WL, but I found I had to relube VERY often. So right now I'm still experimenting. Actually found that WD 40 did very well in an extremely muddy 40km event that I rode in September, came home with the chain still well lubed and very clean! Changed back to WL when it became drier, but still not happy. Will probably try Squirt next.

Soos ek dit het, is hulle stadig maar seker besig om die gemors uit te sorteer, waar mense se transponders duidelik nie opgetel is aan die einde nie is die PPA besig om mense te bel en uit te vind wat hulle tye was. So ek skat die "unknowns" sal stadig maar seker al minder word. Ook geen wonder dat van die groepe se tye nie opgetel is nie....die mense bliksem dan in die equipment vas! HomerSimpson2006-10-25 03:56:47

When you are marshalling it's a no-brainer. During training rides I will always stop and ask. During most funrides I'll ask if the person is OK. If it's a situation of (for example) a cyclist having to replace a tube in a dodgy area I'll sometimes stop and chat while he/she fixes the problem. When you are racing in a licenced group, don't bother stopping, unless there has been a bad accident and you can assist. Otherwise the sweep vehicle/marshals will adress the problem. But heck, if you are doing a funride, who cares if your time is a few minutes longer? I believe the wheel always turns...do unto others as you would have others do unto you.....

Sy het so bietjie kortpad gevat...... Uiteindelik was die afstand op haar computer maar net 28 km.......mis iewers so 12 km!

Hey, I rode the MTB event. As far as I'm concerned they got the sequence right!

Thanks for asking, Spidy...now I know as well......

Everybody. My oldest son got us involved, so now we all cycle....must admit the younger of the 2 boys is not that interested in anything involving endurance, but he does like going downhill (fast), on his MTB.

It's your Avatar that is causing the distraction....

Michelin Megamium (II)

Alles van die beste vir die jaar wat voorl?...gesondheid, lekker, ongeluksvrye fietsmyle, en sommer 'n paar groot forelle ook.

Yes, I was wondering that too. (Carmichael suggests training doing hill repeats alternately sitting and standing.)

I've only been doing this MTB thing for about 9 months now...and with age comes fear! This, coupled with the fact that a spectacular endo on the track about a year ago, followed by a few on the MTB since then has left me with a pinched nerve in the neck region, has made me somewhat reluctant to try dropoffs that have the potential to pitch me on my head! Bottom line is: I separate in my mind the can do's and cannot do's and I live with that. Any suggestion from fellow MTBers about my apparent yellow colouring I treat with a certain gesture. I also subscribe to the walk it once and then ride it...I you walk it twice you will probably never ride it. Having said all that, like DR said, is it not strange how we fall off where we KNOW the obstacles? Ducked inder a branch last evening, and came up a little too soon.... funny how quickly a MTB can change direction!

I see it's official, the Tour D'Winelands is now a seeding event for the ACT.

Started off well with a 35 km group ride at 6 a.m (my first early morning ride for some time now, so I thought I'd share....) Now I'm feeling kinda empty...think I'll go get a nice cup of coffee and a donut...

Question here: who started the vets too early (who gave told them to race)? We have the situation where the leagues are organised by Falcons and policed by officials and commisionaire(s) that are (hopefully) CSA accredited. However, the start is done by the event coordinator from the PPA (or it was done at Worcester); who is in contact with the traffic officials who gives the "green light" as it were. Communication gap?

Looks right to me...only one way to find out, though

You don't pay import duty on bike parts. Only VAT. Why bother taking an old frame?

And there was also a granny run, which some people managed to get onto... http://static.flickr.com/80/234790761_7cc899680f.jpg and some people did not quite.... http://static.flickr.com/93/234790758_e2dabc4c4d.jpg

Some guys (amongst the first few 40km riders) knew how to ride the dropoff.... http://static.flickr.com/87/234790755_46a5e4bcd6.jpg http://static.flickr.com/97/234790754_6450ba0c35.jpg

Well, sanity prevailed and I decided not to ride because of flu etc..so I took my son's little digital camera (my own is travelling in Europe at the moment) and headed up Papegaaiberg, saw a medic near a drop-off and decided to hang around... and sure enough, this bloke came hurtling down the slope.... http://static.flickr.com/87/234743749_2ef0a3e0a2.jpg and he did not quite make it...did not get the picture, ws too busy avoiding the flying bicycle... but here is the evidence.... http://static.flickr.com/81/234743750_6e72dc3a8f.jpg more later...