BigGuy

I agree with most of the replies here: this is not normal, so take it back and have them fix it while you wait, and test everything you are not happy with before you leave. Ask for Obie, he knows what he is doing. Although I service my bike myself these days I have had mostly good experiences from Mervyn's shop. Mervyn and his dad are good guys. PS. I have found out the hard way that bike carrier racks can stuff up gear cabling big time if you are not careful... maybe that's the problem?

I found the hardest race is the one I did not train for properly.

I am not defending Floyd here, I think they all dope, even more heavily a few years back, but there was an interesting article on the Saris (Powertap) website a while back where his power output was analysed during THAT stage. Apparently he was climbing at his normal power levels, nothing special compared to previous performances. What did differ from his rivals on that very hot day was that he emptied a water bottle every few minutes over his head and body, something that his rivals did not have the luxury of doing, because their team cars were not close by. He probably got nailed because most of his rivals dehydrated badly, while he was just being smart about it.

I read in this morning's newspaper that one of the culprits involved in mtb attacks in the Irene area the last few weeks (scar face) was caught on Wednesday evening.

If you have had an MRI done then your specialist doctor should be able to determine quite accurately what the problem is. Typical remedies will include anti-inflammatory drugs and exercises / stretches. This condition can heal itself, but like you stated, the actual cause should be investigated. A bad fall / injury or stress-related (long hours seated on an office chair) perhaps?

The Forest 2 Falls at Sabie should be the benchmark for all other races to aspire to.

I am no expert but here goes. Seated calf raises will improve the strength and size of the lower part of the calf (soleus). Standing calf raises target the upper part of the calf (gastrocnemius) where it inserts at the lower end of the hamstring. Donkey calf raises and calf raises done on a leg-press machine is also a good choice if you are a cyclist, as it mimics the hunched position on the bike. If you keep your leg straight, then the upper calf receives the most stress, when you bend the leg, even slightly, the soleus will take more of the strain. Just be careful when you start out with these exercises. The achilles tendon (the one above the heel) can rip if not used to the effort, even if you feel strong, and a painful set of calves can leave you immobile for a few days. Use light weight and minimal reps for the first few sessions, and do not rush through the motion. Eventually work up to 15-20 reps per set. Start out with only one set twice a week and add a set every second week until you are at 3-4 sets.

No idea what you are talking about

It probably depends on the rim/tyre combination. I can run 1.5 to 2 bar on Mavic / Crossmark LUST combo, but normally 2.5 rear and 2 front. That's with a little bit more than 100kg on board. Non UST tyres seems to sit a bit looser on the bead?

Didn't they get matching socks? Not bad for mtb kit, won't show the dust and dirt. They are mtbers. right?

Naais!

It is plain and simple assumption. Let me give you a better explanation: If I can ride my MTB for 2 hours in Gauteng at an average speed of 20km/h' date=' that means that I will finish the 110km Sabie Classic in roughly 5.5 hours.[/quote'] and whats wrong with that ? Sorry my mistake! ...If I can ride my MTB for 2 hours in Diepsloot, Gauteng, and manage not to get attacked either inside or outside Northern Farms, at an average speed of 20km/h, that means that I will finish the 110km Sabie Classic in roughly 5.5 hours. Typically I find my average going up to 35-40 km/h when passing through Diepsloot. You do the math then.

It is plain and simple assumption. Let me give you a better explanation: If I can ride my MTB for 2 hours in Gauteng at an average speed of 20km/h, that means that I will finish the 110km Sabie Classic in roughly 5.5 hours.

The big problem is what is called "condonement". As mentioned earlier in this here thread, you fail grade 8, but get "condoned" to grade 9. This means that if you pass grade 9 then okeydokey. But now the individual fails grade 9, but again gets "condoned" to grade 10 and so on and so on. This should not happen but does in most cases. Eventually he/she ends up in grade 12 and fails. Now said person is looking for a job, the only qualification being a grade 12 report with failed symbols. What do the employer assume? This person should have at least passed grade 11, but that is mostly far from the truth. No, I do not have a solution.

Yes it was a Fortuner.

Another one bit the dust yesterday afternoon on the N1 north at the New road onramp. Highway was closed for about one hour. Coffin on wheels.

Not really a problem. Just add ceramic BB of your choice to make up the difference.

Nice track, nice vibe, nice mud, nice burgers, nice beer, sh*tty ablutions.

Phew thank heavens I am not a top of the range rider, I can get away with riding not so top of the range equipment! But..., I see on the local newspaper front page that the recession is over.

My last opinion on this: Most of the riders with GPS use it as a training and reference tool, and like to see where they have been and how they performed at specific altitude, elevation, grade, distance etc. That is a very large part of the memories you have of the race where the average entrant have to extend his/her home loan just to participate.

My guess is this is more of a selling point when bargaining upfront with landowners: "Hey, no GPS tracking allowed, so this will guarantee no trespassing on your land afterwards." Silly rule, and it cannot be enforced, unless they strip-search after every stage.

I was there for a while. Chatted to the guy from Cannondale... he (and Merida) brought a trailer with a few bikes so that the guys who travelled from afar could at least do some riding. There were maybe 15 bikes in total, nothing in my size though. The guys who did some riding weren't exactly covered in mud, and there were a lot of cars in the parking lot when I left (more than 100), people who just came to do some riding with their own bikes.