HOEKVLAG

May they RIP.

I've been back sonce Monday, but this is a lazy week....

First Barberton MTB race First sub 3 Argus - hope the weather plays along Third Sani Helping the wife to complete her first 94.7 Having lot's of fun on the bike

That's what my wife keeps telling me as well!

Very excited to be doing my first Barberton MTB race! Entered the marathon for now - might go longer next time...

I'm as excited as a little boy about this race! I've always wanted to do it, but never had the opportunity to do it and was really bummed when it was not on for next year. So now I've made sure that I entered (the marathon for next year, might go further in future) and will tell all my cycling buddies about this one!

I've never been able to convince myself to spend the extra money on Assos bibs - but after reading all of this I'm starting to wonder! I like the Italian brands (Giordana, Santini, Nalini, F-Tech) and have had very good service from all of these brand's bibs. I also like the fact that Santini and Nalini still makes chamois from real leather...

The website gives carbon as an example of a sensitive frame to be used with the Outride as you don't need to clamp the frame. That's the main difference between the two. With the Outride you remove the front wheel and clamp the fork whilst with the Proride you clamp the frame directly. I've got the Proglide (but only aluminium framed bikes), but have a couple of friends that uses the Proglide with carbon frames with no issues. It's real easy to use. Remember you'll have to put the front wheel somewhere when you remove it on the Outride...

I definately prefer hot and dry conditions. Cannot lean into corners at speed in mud so for me it take most of the fun away. I just love the flow of (dry) singletrack and hammering it as quick as I can.

Was explained to me in exactly the same way. Don't know about the calibration of different shock pumps though...

Coming back to the OP's question. If you want to ride with the MTB, use the knoblies. They will wear a bit, but you'll have a more comfortable (slightly slower) ride. If you don't want to ride the knoblies, use the road bike. You'll be able to complete the race easily enough - altough a bit more uncomfortable but quicker.

Wow, what a race! My first Amashova, but definitely not my last! Started from B, got dropped on Fox Hill, but formed a nice group and managed to get in under 3 hours. This really is not an easy race, but the scenery more than makes up for it.

Done

RIP

Hi Guys Tx for all the (mostly positive) feedback. This was the second year that we as a cycling club were involved in presenting this race and (as last year) we have again learned a lot. Please accept my sincere apology for the 20km race starting earlier than scheduled. That was wrong and will not happen again. In defence of the starter it has to be said that he realised that it was extremely cold and didn't want the people to stand around too long. Like I said, this was wrong and I apologise for the inconvenience that it caused. Last year we timed the race using the numbers and this lead to a lot of unhappyness and querries. In order to improve this, we decided to have a timing company do the timing for us this year. This has a significant impact on the cost of presenting the race (no matter which timing company you use). When we compared the different companies, we decided to use Championchip for a couple of reasons. Firstly they have been timing the road race we've been presenting for a couple of years and we've established a good working relationship with them. Furthermore they are well known and do timing for a variety of events. As a cyclist I understand the frustration of having a couple of timing chips and I have pitched to events with no chip or the wrong chip (like the Jock last year!). We did not, however, foresee that so many people would not notice the fact that the event is timed by Championchip this year. It was stated on all the posters, at the point of on-line entry and where we did any kind of advertising, but from the comments this was not enough and we'll definately try and improve this for next year. The intent was not to confuse or upset people, but to improve on the timing as done last year. I want to thank all of you for comning out and supporting us on the day. Our main aim was to provide peolpe who love cycling (like us) with a fun, well marked course and from the comments it looks like we've succeeded. I do realise though that the whole experience has to be a pleasant one, and we'll definately improve on the issues raised. I hope we'll see you again next year! Kind Regards, Org Langenhoven

I have a Trek with Bontragers (but the ones before the Mustangs) and managed to bend the front rim - even though they are pretty solid, just not indestructable! Upgraded to Stan's ZTR Crest with Hope hubs and it probably was the best thing I ever did. Those wheels are light and run as smooth as butter (for lack of a better expression). It changed the whole "feel" of the bike - it seems a lot nippier. I also really like the load noise when freewheeling...

Event Name: Auto Alpina Springs 93.9 East Rand Stereo Cycling Challenge When: 8 September 2013 Where: Nigel Dam, Gauteng Category: Road Fast and flat race for everyboby to be enjoyed on some of the open country roads in Gauteng and Mpumalanga Go to Event Page

I've used Polar for some time (F6, AXN500, RS800) and have started using the Garmin (Edge 800) for heartrate since the Sani. Units from both manufacturers work well when they are working. I have found that it takes more effort to get the Polar to pick up my heartrate (basically have to shower!) than the Garmin, but I've had issues with irratic heartrates with both manufacturers from time to time. I've had similar issues with the heartrate on the Polar dying after about 20 min. In my case the wrong battery was in the strap (CR2025 i.s.o. CR2032) so check that. W.r.t. the Polar service, I think it's crap. I don't want to schlep to them everytime I need something done - and then have to make an apointment (sometimes) weeks in advance!

Aahh the wonders of getting a tubeless tyre to seal properly the first time! I agree with the above. In addition, check the valve allignment, valve core and for leaks in general as explained. Spin it and let it lie on both sides fo ra couple of hours. Also, I've found that going for a ride helps - don't know if its has to do with the seating of the tyre or the distrinution of the sealant....

The best earphones I've tried i.t.o. sound was the Bose ones as mentioned. Have not tried the Dr Dre ones, but believe that they are really good as well. The best ones for sport is Aftershox. It actually sits on your temple and not in your ear. You can still slisten to the music - and it has a really good sound - but it does not cut the noise from the surroundings.

I'm running std (53/39 x 11/25), but I prefer a low cadence - have ridden 150km in the 53/11 to see if I can once. Lots of fellow cyclists have told me to increase my cadence and I've tried, but just don't feel comfortable with it. Did the Jock over the weekend and was still feeling strong at the end.

i've got Candy's on both my MTB's - X on the one and 1 on the other. Never had any issues, find them better in mud than the Shimano SPD's - although to be fair I ha dthe entry level Shimano's. I also prefer the float of the Crankbrothers on the MTB (I use Shimano on the road...).

Event Name: Auto Alpina Springs 93.9 East Rand Stereo MTB Race When: 24 August 2013 Where: Nigel Bottling, Prosperita, Nigel, Gauteng Category: MTB Fun MTB event for the whole family with distances from 20km to 66km though the farmlands and koppies of Eastern Gauteng. The route is flat and fast consisting of jeep track, single track and some secondary gravel roads. Food stalls available at the venue on race day. Go to Event Page

I've had Bell Delerium and Sweep helmets which I wrote off in crashes. Currently have a Bell Volt and a Fox Flux. All of them were/are black and I've never had a problem with temperature - even when touring through the Karoo on the way to the Argus in temperatures above 450C. Never had a problem with the weight of the Flux either - actually find it very comfortable, even on long rides...