TYGA

I've got stomach issues too....can't stop eating! Saw this before the start...would've made for interesting handling down to CP3.

An "Up" Baviaans would be suicidal. Period. After all the weather forecasts, speculation about rain, headwinds and freezing temperatures we ended up being blessed with cold but sunny skies and a tailwind for the best part of the ride. The first 100 kilo's into checkpoint 2 took just under four hours and spirits were high pulling in for sosaties, boerie, potatoes and roosterbread...perfect. The next 20 or so clicks flew by as well and then the climbing began. After a hectic and rocky climb / ride / push we only JUST made it before dark into checkpoint 3 at about 6PM where our lights were, I am sure quite a few riders were caught in the dark with their pants down. Bean soup and roosterbread, dry clothes and about an hours faffing off we went again. There was quite a bit of bike pushing getting out of that valley and the deathly silence with the full moon above and nothing but a line of riders' tail lights off and up into the distance and a line of headlamps when looking back down and below to CP3 was an awesome and surreal at the same time and the magnitude of the task at hand settled in. We finally made it into Patensie at about 10PM where our legend seconds were waiting with solid food...sorted out some mechanical issues, grazed a KFC Famous bowl (suprisingly possibly the nicest thing I have ever eaten) and even though the thought of another 50 or so kilo's was a mental challenge left there feeling strong. The neverender was exactly that but we gave it horns climbing up and over and eventually pulled into JBay just before 1 AM. This was by far the longest ride I have ever attempted. Technically it's not challenging, the majority of the mileage is fast but it's the hours on the bike that eventually wears you down. Keeping the pace down, nice and even, not starting too fast, eating more than sufficiently, excellent seconds, the support of two great partners who never stopped talking shite for a second changed this from survival to enjoyable. Given the logistics the organization was great, hats off to the team that put it together and I am looking forward to attempting the proper Baviaans next.

Eet daai olifant met klein happies, ons plan is om HOPELIK nog bene oor te he wanneer die klimmery op 130 kilo's begin.

Crikey that foot between the wheel and fork looks like the kind of mess you don't want to get yourself into.

I'm going to chow so many of those checkpoint jaffels, vetkoeks and sosaties en route I don't think I'll have an appetite left for anything but a beer at the end. I'd be lucky not to put on any weight during this ride.

Other than that it should be fairly straight forward!

35KM's seems to be conservative...more like 35 KNOTS! http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=68531 Every day the last few days has brought a suprise....too wet...now cold...then route change...now wind...going to be tough...can't wait! Anyway absolutely nothing you can do about it now except grab the bull by the horns.

You can buy On One products online direct from them in the UK. I hope that Cyclespro can keep the price point where Kiwi had it...been eyeing a 456 for some time now, would love to add a TI van Nicholas to the stable when I grow up and maybe another Inbred '29 to wash it all down with. Not much info on Cyclespro site, anyone know if they they will be operating as a distributer to retailers, direct to public, have a store or do online sales?

I think Dangle summed it up properly when he said something along the lines of missing the days when we'd all just rock up at races and ride old hardtails and no-one knew any better - but now everybody wants to be a pro. I miss those days too. Of my bikes my simplest cheapest nastiest boneshaker is still my favourite and gets used the most...if you see me pushing what resembles a dikwiel up Botmaskop be sure to say Hi!

Anyone know if there are any good "spectator points" for the wifeys and little ones to come cheer on their ultimate heros? I haven't ridden this in ages but the crossing at Hangbrug came to mind...are we going through there again and if so approximately how long after the start? Anywhere else? OK did some very light research and found the map... http://www.dirtopia.co.za/BURGER/DieBurgerMTB/english/images/Long.jpg

I chow an item an hour like someone said above but I think Dick hits the nail on the head regarding running out of steam at 40 KM's below.

On One 456 if you can find one locally else order a frame direct from On One in the UK and build it up to your spec.

Nice!

I reckon the 24" Luxus but I see it's out of stock. Would that frame have enough clearance for a knobbly or fatter tyre if you want to use it on gravel?

Birthday unicycle has been approved. Much easier than I thought. Having second thoughts though now that my usual impulsive compulsive excitement has worn down a bit. Did a bit of research and it sounds like 24" wheels are the ones to go for if you are planning on doing anything more adventurous than riding along a pavement. This one looks like the business though I'm sure once you've been posted, VATted and Dutied it'll be a whole lot more than 90 quid. http://www.unicycle.uk.com/unicycles-1/learner/learner24/24-trainer-unicycle.html Maybe this one. http://www.unicycle.co.za/index.php?option=com_jhshop&shoppage=Unicycles/Adult-Learner-Unicycles/QU-AX-LUXUS-24

This one looks the business-on-a-budget. http://www.unicycle.co.za/index.php?option=com_jhshop&shoppage=Unicycles/Adult-Learner-Unicycles/QU-AX-LUXUS-20

I'm def going to get strange looks from the wife when I request my next birthday present...something acting my shoe size and all. Looking forward to chasing her around the house on it...watch this space! Hey Slowbee maybe we can get bulk discount? I reckon once you master that beast it'll be a perfect match speed wise for the young'un on his scoot bike.

Hey Johnny Reggae, which of the uni's on the oddwheel website would you recommend for someone that wanted to learn...I see quite a few in the region of R850 - R1200 so I guess one of those. Not for Muni....just plain Uni... you catch my drift. Maybe something a kid could also use once they get bigger unless there's no such thing. What's the short and sweet on wheel size and other things to look out for when buying one? OK just saw this. http://www.unicycle.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=148&Itemid=202 What about frame material, seat, bumpers, adjustability and all that..what would you look out for?

Looks like my kinda ride that. Have always wanted to master a Uni, you would have needed a perlemoen lever to get that thing out of my hands after a few beers. Concussion would probably have worked too.

Where's the studio and what times are the afternoon sessions?

Lucky bastard. Loving those "sandman" bikes, never seen them before...very cool.

Are those forks available for 29ers?

Hey DV, I assume you are running the Alfine Gear hub. Have you used it offroad at all and if so, how do you find it? I've been toying with the idea of having an Alfine wheel built up for my SS but was wondering how it would handle serious abuse.

Here's the JD Bug. http://dragonsza.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-jd-bug-trainer-bikes.html I like the new little KTM plastic ones...Ratty's kid has one..any idea how much they go for?

Loved the ride, awesome. Felt shorter than 35 K's though, did anyone check the distance?