linnega

Check the B&B's in the Hilton area. GO to www.sleepingout.co.za and browse through SA - KZN - Midlands - Pietermaritzburg - Hilton. All will be about 10km from the start but 7 of those are a wicked downhill ride. Cool way to warm up

Not quite true that Cyclelab don't charge. They use the index as a way to get organisers to pay for their online entry system. So you do have a right to expect it to be updated. I believe the main problem with the timing of getting results into the seeding index is to do with the format of the data. My understanding is that Cyclelab expect the results in a predetermined format. What would have been better is if from the very beginning the Cyclelab format had an interface to accept the data from Championchip in Championchips format, especially since the CC format preceded the seeding list. That would have meant that CC could have simply sent their raw data to Cyclelab (probably on the same day) and then Cyclelab could load it as soon as they wanted to. But unfortunately we are talking about two organisations with limited expertise in an area that is not their core business.

Looks like you will be spended R3.5k on carbon aesthetics. Get a set of Eurus and you will have saved a few bob and the wheelset will be lighter and probably stronger. Alex wheels (or A-class as they brand some wheels) are notoriously inconsistent. I don't think there quality standards are great, so you may well end up with a white elephant.

Seems like the other charity is using the goodwill built up by LAF to promote their own needs. Personally, I don't believe there should be any legal implications for the charity being sued. They are not taking away from LAF, simply using the goodwill built up by LAF to further their own charity. This form of ambush marketing is only detrimental where there is possible damage to the Livestrong brand which I don't see happening unless they pursue this petty lawsuit.

Don't worry Bruce - he doesn't answer questions requiring an answer, so no chance the rhetorical question will get a (direct) answer.

Isn't the wind always terrible in your part of the world??!?? But you guys are correct it is pretty easier to get an exact distance - you can even use Google Earth and plot a route. Even the Eastern Cape is on the map.

Believe it or not, carbon bikes are pretty tough. They can be ridden on dirt roads without any damage. I ride my Giant through dirt paths often - only mud and sand are a problem because of the high-ressure, skinny tyres. Never damaged my bike (or wheels for that matter). An MTB is not much stronger, just more practical to use in mud and sand, and easier to jump onto a kerb or over rocks etc.

PS: When are going to come and present a wheelbuilding course in Durban??

Okay now that we have gotten way off the topic, what do you recommend for muddy race wheels Johan. I was warned against XTR hubs, but frankly they have been excellent (don't tell the anti-Campag crowd). The Mavic rims, not so great. A little out of true from the first few rides. This may be related to my 80kg frame and the fact that I went with DT revolution spokes. So if you were to recommend a replacement wheelset would you recommend: 1. I keep the XTR hubs or replace them? 2. What rims bearing in mind that I try to race, and that I choose to ride tubeless (currently converted Mavic 717 rims)? 3. What spokes - I do prefer Sapim on my road bike? And how many - I have 32 on the current wheelset which seems adequate for a 26" wheel?

Can't go wrong with Khamsin wheels. It is just the G3 spoked version of the Proton. I have never had the slightest hint of a problem from any Campag wheelset (Proton, Neutron or Eurus) or my Record hubbed Mavic OP's. Shamus - basically you are using a Campag cassette (made by BBB), with Record levers and derailleur. The only possibly incompatible item is your chain, and since all chains are the same from pin to pin (length-wise) the only difference is the width. So not really a good example, as Ergo levers are indexed to shift a Campag derailleur by the exact distance between Campag cassetted cogs (even the ones made by BBB). Shimano cogs are spaced differently, so it is more likely that you will have shifting problems although careful (or lucky) setup may prevent problems. linnega2007-09-07 04:15:58

You mean a sprinter like Anriette?

But when you put 3L on your back you have more weight on your back than between your legs (even when you are on the bike). That said, I use the M.U.L.E for everything over and hour or so and fill to what I expect to drink. If I feel I am drinking more than expected, I take a couple cups of water or elixir (coke) from the watering stops to top up.

Depends what brakes we are talking about. Avid brakes have a tiny allen bolt that comes loose by itself and can lead to them not stopping even though you squeeze the lever all the way to the grip. You will need a tiny allen key to adjust the damn thing, but any cheap one will do. I carry mine in my pack all the time.

Think about it - 1000 riders (many with a penchant for rear wheel skids) through muddy singletrack before the leaders of the "race" arrive.

Mate - you needed to ride the first of the Landrover MTB series in KZN. Race started 40 minutes late because the organisers took a chance and put the markers out the night before. Those were promptly stolen. Race then started with 2km of tar WTF? First section was cool but they took us right next a sewerage farm - again WTF? Then all hell broke loose because no-one knew where to go. Some guys like me did 35km on lap 1 (of a 2 lapper 42km race!!), others did 9km on their first lap. Halfway through one of the loops, I came across the top KZN riders on a dirt path going in the opposite direction.The main race wasn't the only problem - the 10km race took the kids (on our route) up a 20% sandy climb. There were 6 year olds bawling there eyes out everwhere. That is a poorly organised race.

Mmmm...easy in eh DR. Anyway - got my entry in at about 12:45 after their site went into overload on the first entry attempt. Paid by 1pm so that should cover it. Is everyone doing the adventure? We are - if it rains, the course is gonna be a mess for the main race.

Should be with an extra 400 spots up for grabs this, but I'm not taking any chances.

There are far more important races to get entries for on Monday.

The 94.7 is slick and efficient, but lacks the atmosphere of the older events. I have only done once and the vibe did not grab me. I prefer the Argus as the hills are a little longer and the sea on the left is much better than the township on the left.

Goofs and Windbreaker - I thought you guys had grown up a little and got past your TCS / Cruxpearl issues. Perhaps you should reflect on the fact that Crux has organised a club where the members are happy and the cyclists within the team are successful. The club has been such a success that they have had to close ranks to decide where they want to take the club. There are not many clubs that are able to set up, deliver what their members want and get invitations to international pro events all within a year. It took my club decades to establish the structure and this could only be fully utilised when a big listed, corporate sponsor came on board. Perhaps if some of this energy and vigour was chanelled into the CSA there would be more successes there.

I bought a second hand Peugeot Mirage for R400 in 1987 which was a bargain. By the end of '88 the spokes had a nice brown rusted look so I convinced the parents that they were about to break and kill me, so I changed them all to stainless steel spokes (all 72 of them). In 1989 I bought a pair of used Patrick shoes (remember the ones with the yellow sole) to go with my red plastic toeclips and straps. In 1990 I had saved enough to buy a pair of second hand Look "clipless" pedals (just like Greg Lemond) and a pair of Lemond-style sunglasses. They definitely weren't Oakley's. The following year I did a bit of linesmanning at the SA Open tennis tournament and earned myself a decent salary for a 15 year old(don't tell my teachers - I called in sick). With that cash I bought an entire Shimano 105 drivetrain (which I think was still 12 speed). Shifters were still downtube. I also upgrade my brake levers to aero brake levers that hid the cables. I had run out of cash by then so I sprayed the fork in a chrome colour instead of getting it anodised and removed all the Peugeot stickers. The frame was a stealth black with a chrome coloured fork - ahh the style!! Sadly, when I got back from varsity in July 1994, I found my brother had misunderstood the difference between "loan" and "give", and had sold the bike to buy himself one of those *** massive tubed Cannondales that were so popular in the early 90s (in Durban anyway). I only bought my next bike in mid-2000 after a 5 year break. Fortunately that mistake (a Trek 1000) was resolved by palming it off on some unsuspecting American while I was living in the states. The bikes I have had since (Orbea alu, Look carbon adn Giant TCR comp) have all been much better bikes than the Peugeot but I regularly scan the local Cash Converters for a black Peugeot Mirage that I can ride when I feel nostalgic. Not sure where I would get the Rolls saddle but I'm sure I could make a plan.

Cashandra - two points you make that need to be challenged. Firstly, I doubt the ladies in the front bunch have the best view of who is around them and who has ability. Perhaps from the team, but (good) TV would be best to get a good picture of who is racing the strongest and smartest. Secondly, the selection does have something to do with me, at least as much as it does you. This team is a South African national team and represents me and the whole nation. I, and everyone else in this country, has a right to comment and demand reasoning behind selection and non-selection.

Eish, you may need to be more specific. In general, join a club, ride in a group and talk to a number of experienced cyclists (don't believe what they say, just listen for good humour). Decide what you want from cycling and find some like-minded people to share that with.

Yes - cassette, rear derailleur, levers and chain.

Congrats on the new arrival. Just a little concerned about how similar she looks to my little BOY, Daniel: Had to pick a manly outfit as they look too similar in babygrows.