Honkdonk

+1 for SBR in Sunninghill Village.

Spare wheel and slick on the back for the IDT. Towel draped over the front wheel and wrapped around the headset to protect that and also covers the front wheel to protect hub and shock - Yes, MTB on the IDT Then another towel on the top tube to protect all the mech's underneath. IDT is outside on the stoep with a view of the garden, rubber mat underneath, but the pools of sweat lying about after are a sight to behold! Unfortunately its packed away at the moment..

Advice: Get in early on race day, like as in 2 hours before the gun early. The traffic back up can be a total nightmare going into the farm. Find a spot to park, then go get a coffee and a bacon and egg roll. Its a cool race and some of the new sections on the black route are tricky, don't be fooled. Get a good spot in the start chute and you will be fine. If its your first time there it wont be your last

As in any sport, being amongst the cream of the crop its a good living. Hard work and talent will see you through. Just interested to see what the local bank on a monthly basis and how much the sponsors cough - flights, race entries etc

Ya, thought as much.

You could prob pick up an entry as late as early April for the 80k

40 - 60k take home? Throw in a car, bike, nutrition, suppliments, weekly races and all the rest and you have a deal I can manage that Pick me!

This is one of those races that if you don't train enough it can become very unpleasant towards the end. Cool at the start but gets nice and warm towards the end. The last climb had me loosing my sense of humor, and the babe in front of me was using choice words to express her opinion! Flirting with entering again for the long one, but with the family about to get bigger I have my doubts about getting enough hours in to make a enjoyable experiance. And no, I cant just do it for the fun of it

Just out of interest, what do these guys get paid? Part of the package I would imagine would include sponsored bike, kit, helmet, shades, shoes, nutrition etc But what does the sms from the bank say on the 25th of each month? Pardon the ignorance

I know that stuff well.Have you tried Beast of the Deep?

I struggle to eat solids during a race. Mouth all dry is not in the mood for much. Its ok if its a training ride and I can stop, admire the view and wash it down with lashings of Game or whateva, but during a race..? Nought. The mouth goes into reverse. Try chewing a peanut butter sarmie with no moisture to mal it over. Need to relook my strategies

A tough one this. Lost my sense of humor towards the end. There was one last descent that was just silly. I caught up to the 40km riders and there was no way between them and the niggling cramps that i was going to ride down it, plus you could hear the sounds of the finish and just as you thought you were finished there was a last sting in the tail. Fingers got cramps in them from holding onto the brakes going down some of the rocky sections. Almost lost the fillings in my teeth from all the rattling - and I ride a dual.. Just sneaked in on 5 hours. Did the 40k the year before and came 11th. The 2 distances don't compare The monster is a tough climb, but not the worst, its just looooong. There was one climb towards the end that had a fine assed lady I was following uttering some choice words. Rode Breedts Nek in December and stopped to appreciate the views and get a better feel of that part of the route. Nice cold beer and vibes afterwards in the beer tent Hint: Stay at Sparkling Waters for the weekend.

Ask anyone who grew up and learnt to drive in Welkom on how to correctly navigate traffic circles...

Colleague of mine at office bought one. Carbon something or other, forgive me for I am not a anorak.. Damn, was good looking and all that. Sexy in black with highlights and trim and everything, plus that ballbox thing for keeping your spares. Cost double what I earn in a month. Hope it makes him go faster

Ride more, do sub 3hr 94,7. Do MTB stage race With new arrival coming in March and a very demanding job I foresee a tough year ahead..

Its all relative to age, fitness and how drinking fit you are.. I find my HR is above average if I have had a few glasses of wine with dinner the night before. Dehydration is your worst enemy. Headaches and cycling are not good mates either Moderation and tolerance is the key. Gotta to know where that 'off' button is..

How hard is hard and how much sleep did you get? Cant imagine myself heading out for a 80k MTB ride after 18 beers, bottle of red, a few double single malts and a couple of tequilas on 4 hours sleep..?

This is a problem the whole city faces. We need a multipurpose outdoor venue that can host the likes of a Jhb Day, Cycle Challenge and a pile of other expos and events that require the use of a big outdoor space with ample parking, centrally located (to a point), easy access and loads of infrastructure.. Nasrec seems a logical choice, but that brings with it a MOERSE route change and a whole new chapter on the logistics of the route and all the suppliers and partners. At the moment its pretty much plug and play each year. Suggestions on a postcard please..

Same here Take a month off and it will take about 2 weeks to get back up to where I left off, almost. Problem is that I never quite get to where I want to before I take the time off - damn this work/family thing that gets in the way

Hmm It was also my 1st attempt on a road bike on Sunday and i thoroughly enjoyed. So much so that i will be in the market for a road bike to use once a year for this. Stomach bug aside, which put a abrupt end to my sub 3 ambitions, I also need to relook my race eating plan. On a MTB ride I stop for a bit and eat something real - peanut butter and honey sarmie, bilton and nuts, jungle oats energy bar etc. However when racing (MTB included) I have come to realize that I cant - my mouth is too dry and it becomes a safety hazard, so i need to look at other options. A good hearty breakfast is a good start and then I need to find a way to keep the tank topped up over the course of the next couple of hours. I have always veered away from GU and the likes, but I think its time for a rethink on this.

Battled a stomach bug since Thursday and my mantra for yesterday was 'do not follow through in your shorts' Struggled hard to keep the pukes away but managed just on 3hrs.. Sub 3 next year it was a great day out and well done to everyone who was involved and took part

I would hate to be married to you. Some flexibility in life and the ability to be less highly strung goes a long way

There was a double booking on the venue as far as I know. Interestingly enough it is the World Association of Anti Doping in Sport that is on there, but I dont know which venue it is in. Someone had to lose out, and it generally comes down to a cost thing as the venue would take the highest bidder in terms of paying for set up days etc

BTW, you also paid for parking in Sandton..

Its the venue that charges for parking, not the expo organizer. You don't have to park in the paid for section, just park further, walk further and save R20. Big deal.. The number collection is always a bum fight. 30 000 peeps squeezed into a window period of 26 hours. That equates to 1153 peeps per hour, at a steady flow, which we all know is not the case as there are peak times and off peak times. Dont make this sound like the MTB challenge. Accept it for what it is. It is once a year FFS!