TALUS

I thought controvercy normally helps the advertisers - more publicity (eg Nando's)

snakeskins do ok. The rest of the Schwalbe clan dont. Geax have served me well but they dont go on Stans rims.

Man that is an impressive reply! Thx. I am still new and edgy in a bunch so I tend to get out of the bunches. I was focusing so much that I cant even recall all the detail of the route. I will go and check all your data on the profile maps. What is your take on the total climb?

Thx for your trouble. U sure about the climbing? Had double that last year.

I am doing Babbas, wine2 whales, 94.7mtb. Time will tell....

I agree - cycling is not life and death. We all watch it for the entertainment value. That we got for sure. Now we will get new faces. He is guilty and must be punished. We are not and must move on. Unless we spend as much on doping control as the athletes can gain from winning, there will be doping. Sela

So what time at the Sattelite "medium" would translate into sub 3? I did 2:54 (with the compulsory mechanical of 2min). Still have Babbas, wine 2 whales and 94.7MTB before then, so I could improve a bit... Please say I should be OK.....

Just saw that too. We may have another case of Lance....

Did the 92k in 2:51 despite some mechanicals. Weather was good. Marshalls were great. Some horrible bunch riders, but all and all much easier than I expected (only 900 odd metres climbing). Should have gone harder but I had a mechanical in the first 600metres and was chasing the bunch all the time. Vrekpoort was nice but far from a killer ( at my slow speed of course!). Will definitely be back. Now for a nice Mtb race...

I think we forget that early period in your riding where you just hope things wont happen because you dont really know how to fix them. During these times you ask because it is the done thing, but hope not to hear a yes. I think the stranded should rather ask for what he needs like "do you have patch" or "I am all bombed out"etc. so that you can say yes or no. Also I find it weird to actually patch and bomb someone else's wheel while he watches and I use my last bomb with many k's to go. I prepare carefully with gear and carry all this stuff around only to be beaten by the gungho crowd. always bitter-sweet to help someone that just nailed you up that hill...

Avulsion implies that the muscle was pulled of with a piece of bone - maybe you mean small tear? Was this diagnosed with sonar or MRI? If you have sciatica (sciatic nerve irritation) then you will have sensory changes down your leg (or sometimes weakness). Most likely u have scar tissue that cannot stretch and contract with the surrounding normal tissue. Get an precise diagnosis - it may now be different to your original. ABSOLUTELY NO LEG CURLS until you are fully rehabilitated. Lots of ice. Running uphill is dodgy. Rather spin. Try sitting more upright - will use less hamstrings. Be patient it will take months to recover. Good Luck

Thx Clive, enjoyed it. Becoming a rather tough challenge now. The cyclesport website is useless for results. Where (and when) will it be posted?

Why is it more important what he says than all the other positive opinions above?

I like the idea of Klapperkop. Would then have nearly the same climbing meters as the 94.7

Were you the good looking and friendly marshall near the hostel intersection? I enjoyed that person!

Two rear derailleurs, a cluster, chain, Nobby nic set, shock services AND a rear (carbon) triangle - sorry but it is the same in P-town!

Where do these girls normally train? Will they only be doiing three races per year (with full road closures)? Who took the wrong turns? Is it not the rule that it is the riders' responsibility to check the route? It was available on the net and at registration! Last year most of us in the front of the B group in the 94.7 MTB race took a wrong turn, is it now the worst organised race ever? Stop whinging and go spinning or start doiing something to make cycling safer in the whole country! This is cycling everyday for most of us - that is why I do Mtb training and only occasionaly venture out on the roads (and being scared most of the way). Race organisers cannot do miracles. No I am not involved but would certainly not want less races on the calender, and yes I also had a scary moment coming down Queen Wilhelmina at the unmanned ROBOT but was aware and took responsibility for my own safety! Please improve on this next year so that we can return to bigger and better!

+1

and he came in at 10th?

Well that is the problem with being so elitist - not PERFECT enough I suppose. MOST of the Cyclelab (read Mclean Empire) clubrides are on these roads. I enjoyed it and really hope it can be improved with each event. I would love another big race for the people. The racers have enough elite "championships" etc. The biggest concern was the big intersection just outside Silverton. At least 10 Metro personal standing by the side of the road 100m past the intersection and not lifting a finger. Nice try and let us have many more cyclists with positive attitudes so that we can work towards total road closure!

I am hoping to get in the first 200 in the mtb and sub 3 road. Not doiing any road training now (will try some club rides later). Will be fresh of the wine to whales so hoping that climbing in grannygear will somehow help on the road. Pushing late Vets and only cycling 2 years will count against me, but losing 28kg in 3 years should help. Will it help to start earlier (entering via a charity)?

I think it was a good try (starting from scratch). I found the goiing much tougher than expected from " a not very technical" route. After 5 rounds there were still some spots that I couldn't figure out, and had to unclip. I didn't carry water for 3 hours - a water table would have been nice. Is it necessary to service the BB after goiing through the water 10 times? This race can never be done in the summer - water levels will be too high. NEVER AGAIN paper numbers on a mtb race!!!!

I did both the road and MTB. enjoyed both although had a mechanical with my Di2 and did 60k in one gear on the road. BIG respect to the single speeders! The new plan for the Mtb route worked well with much less congestion. I would have loved more kays but all I did for both rides was to ride back up to vacation club. 150m elevation with gradient 14% in places- that gets me settled nicely! Will be back...

My griphifts were flawless all the way through, and the type 2 derailleur didn't put a foot wrong. I saw your blue one (PRETTY!) and also the yellow one. Didn't see a LTc though...

You should stop using cheap weed though....