HDW

Haha Now at least I know why everyone keeps finishing in front of me

I'm looking to do a race over the weekend, and was wondering about this little number in Worcester. Has anyone done it before, or know some of the trails there? Thanks!

Any space there for a MTB'r, who hasn't been on a road bike for 2+ years? Just bought a road bike again recently, and keen to join on Wednesday nights, if there is different classes, etc?

Might I just add that it is indeed a beautiful bike

Hahahaha

Agree with the guys here - Even if its not all about Argus seedings, its still worth joining and supporting them. With your discounted race rates you start chipping away at that joining fee anyways, and the biggest advantage (as stated above): at least you get to start your races/fun rides in a seeded group. This is great for obvious reasons. The biggest advantage I've noticed is at the MTB events, where starting in an earlier group often means skipping most of the bottlenecks, etc. All in all, the PPA tries its best, and does do a decent job

So far I know you have to renew your PPA Membership every year around July somewhere. So you subscribe for a year at a time. The seeding: PPA seedings are only valid in PPA events, of which the Argus isn't one. There is some official Argus seeding events (which I'm sure you can find somewhere on the internet), and I think Die Burger road event late November or early December in Stellenbosch is one. Just make sure. But I think that's your last chance (in and around Cape Town) of improving your seeding for the Argus. I might be wrong though, but I'm pretty sure that's it. Just bear in mind that to qualify for a PPA seeding you obviously need to firstly be a member, and secondly have a Racetec chip. Just a membership, or just a chip, wont get you any times/seedings. Hope this helped clear things up a bit

It's a simple strategy, yet it seems to work very well I'm in Durban for work from Wednesday till Saturday...any good cycling shops I can try and get around to, maybe scout for something new I "need"?

My personal opinion: Rather eat some "real" food before a race. Bacon and egg sandwich, muesli, oats, Future Life. Whatever you prefer. But I suggest something Low GI, and as I say, real food. For me, 2 slices of whole wheat bread, 4 or 5 eggs and an avo works well

Try mixing up your training supplements and see how you react? I doubt whether your body can get used to the additional nutrients absorbed from an energy drink, but I'm no expert at all. I suggest you try different things. For me, an easy ride of 2:30 - 3:00 hours I will only drink water, but an intense workout of, eg 1:30, I might have some Energade, etc. So I guess it depends on what works for you

I have a 750ml bottle of 32GI Endurance on my way to the race, and another one while I'm racing. That, together with half a bar one, or some GU Energy gums (hate the gel) every 45 mins, and I haven't hit the wall ever since. Leaves me with enough energy to finish strong

Agree . Nutrition is where the difference is at

Hi Guys I'm thinking about traveling through the Netherlands and Belgium on my bike somewhere next year, sleeping in backpackers along the way, etc etc. I kind off have an idea about how to approach this whole thing, but I was wondering if there's anyone on here who has done something similar recently, and who wont mind to share some tips and advice? Maybe possible routes, places to stay, etc? Thanks!

Beautiful looking thing!!!

Ja that's maybe a bit expensive... I think CWC got the Merida Race Lite (2013 model) with a full 105 spec for 12k. If your not pushed for time, maybe wait for the new Giant TCR and Cannondale ranges that's about to come out. Cannondal might still be a month or two though. Good thing is, I hear the new 105 spec CAAD's will be coming out in Team Colors, so it should look nice

My guess: imports will take it by far. With the massive difference in price, and more people servicing their own bikes, it makse sense.

What a pity, was looking forward to a race over the weekend! Ja, Swellendam is a bit far.

Hi Guys Anyone know if the above mentioned event is on this weekend? It is on the Dirtopia website, as well as on the Bicycling website, but I cant seem to find anything about it?

Night ride sounds awesome, and once a month seems like a good idea. Should at least create a good turn out. Keep me posted!

Thanks! Most of the finishers I've talked to agree that the race profile is an understatement of the actual race I was actually thinking of doing the Staalwater if I can fit it in, so I hope it works out well

We should make a plan some time! We mostly ride around Durbanville, Stellenbosch, etc, so I'm not too familiar with where you ride. Will be cool to explore some new tracks I'm very flexible regarding hours, so if we can get a couple guys together for next weekend maybe, we should talk. I also only leave work at 5, so if we can do a 5:30 every now and then I'll probably be able to join in the week, seeing as its starting to get dark a bit later and all

Do you guys ever do weekend rides together?

Think I might approach it in the same way. Thanks again for the info!

Cool, thanks a lot for the info! What kind of training would you suggest if I'm aiming at about 5:30 finishing time? How is the nutrition at the water points? Any good?

If this weekend is on us to soon we can fix next week Saturday or Sunday?