lone one

Didn't do the race so cant talk from experience, however look at the finishing times of VA and VB there were plenty of riders all within a min of each other. Groups must have been massive

I need some assistance! We had a sound plan for a group of us to come down to the Argus this year, things have dramatically changed and fallen apart I have decided to do the trip myself, at the moment i have not yet confirmed accommodation and was wondering if any of the locals can advice me. I have family to stay with in either Durbanville or Kenilworth, how can i get to the start (Start 6.38) as i am led to believe it is chaos in the morning with the road closures - any options of a kinda 'park and ride' facility - maybe a group of guys arranging transport? Other option i find a hotel within +-10km radius of start and try get in there for the Saturday night

Apologies double post, HUB just hung

Perfect weather for racing, BL - first climb was a nice reasonable pace. Next climb seriously go caught napping and missed the sudden surge in pace. Second BL group was good Thanks the big guy in the midvaal kit - pulled me through the cross winds. Cradle was interesting, to all the shorter distance guys trying to catch a free ride, you did nothing more than to disrupt the group and then get spat out the back 200 m later - why? just stay clear! Todburg hall climb was were i called it a day (and i saw black stars!!) slowed right down (mainly to try stay on the bike) Not to chuffed with time of 3.08 put was a good church session just praying for the end to come Why do we do this to ourselves

Perfect weather for racing, BL - first climb was a nice reasonable pace. Next climb seriously go caught napping and missed the sudden surge in pace. Second BL group was good Thanks the big guy in the midvaal kit - pulled me through the cross winds. Cradle was interesting, to all the shorter distance guys trying to catch a free ride, you did nothing more than to disrupt the group and then get spat out the back 200 m later - why? just stay clear! Todburg hall climb was were i called it a day (and i saw black stars!!) slowed right down (mainly to try stay on the bike) Not to chuffed with time of 3.08 put was a good church session just praying for the end to come Why do we do this to ourselves

That seems like quite a serious warm up!!I am going to go to the parking lot at the shopping center early and then do about 4km down the road and then back again.

good point - starting BL, will be going on a warm up ride before if anyone wants to join in

Going to be interesting, anyone have any good ideas where to park and do a warm up (was thinking of the other shopping center down the road - where the big Mr P sport is, might be a bit far) - its going to be balls to the wall from the gun BL - please wait for me

Compared to the fast on - excitement levels umongst the Hub community seem VERY muted

Anyone doing the Berge en dale race this weekend?

Has anyone tried Clif Bar - I have a mate doing Tri in the US and he swears by it

Out of interest what is the big block that has been burnt into his back - line i assume is from a HRM - Block - team radio??

Stunning -

if you are entering the sport and "worried the novelty will wear off" why not look around for a good second hand bike. You will get a much better equipped bike for that price range, or could even be left with a bit left over for the kit needed

Def go second hand, dont even consider new - if you can get a 29er good, 26er will serve you well however - I still thoroughly enjoy my 26er!! Shop around there are some very good deals out there (and on the hub) - esp on 26er's The kit adds up quickly - I have listed in priority the kit: - Helmet shop around you can get some good deals - (remember it is your head you protecting though!) +-R1000 - Saddle bag (if you going this route), Co2 bombs and adapter, spare tubes and tire levers - if you going saddle bag, stay away from the bags which only hold on with Velcro, slightest bit of mud and it will not hold. - +-R500 - Water bottle - get a good one, the cheap ones ALWAYS leak!! - or go with a camelbak if the budget allows - Bib pants - you can get normal riding shorts, however personally i find bibs alot more comfortable on long rides. I have found good value in anatomic or first assent - reasonable value for money. +-R700 for bibs - shoes/cleats/pedals - same thing shop around you get some descent shoes for under R1k cleats are about +-R100 (you need to make sure these are compatible with your pedals) - Shirt - i descent riding shirt makes a more comfortable ride - again anatomic, first assent, cape storm +-R500 Just the above is close to R4000 - so i strongly suggest get some good advice and make sure you buy right the first time around (this certainly dosent mean you need the most expensive). Suggest you buy the most expensive bike you can afford after taking the kits needs into account - its gets very expensive if you start wanting to change bikes

As much as all goods and services are affected by macro economic factors, Perishables realize these factors alot quicker into the market. So fluctuations in the rate of exchanges, supply and demand of farming pesticides, changes in seasonal climates which affect different factors of each items pipeline all play an immediate roll in the selling price. The fact some of these increased have been realized over the festive season is just unfortunately a timing issue, RSPs are handled via head office but the labour cost and disruption to reticket existing stocks in stores over a festive period is highly unlikely to happen - should new merchandise be delivered and a price increase is negotiated then the existing merchandise will be repriced, again some what unlikely over a festive season. Smaller non national retailers and small restaurants do def take a chance to capitalize on the holidays as it is easier for them to implement and control. Expect to see: Big increase in chicken prices -goverment is clamping down on imported chickens Increase in maze prices (this has a wide affect on many things) - late rains across the region have delayed planting Imported merchandise - especially out of asia is going increase rapidly as of feb, fex covers were bought at premiums compared to summer inputs and a big shift in RMB currency to US has impacted negatively. Winter last year on this winter coming - expect nothing less than an average of 25-35% increase in selling price This current summer on this coming winter nothing less then 10-15% @best The affects of etolls haven't even started to be felt on retailers! I am not in anyway posting this on behalf WW or any other national retailer! (Just have a small understanding of the market) If anyone wants to buy bike goodies do it before mid jan/feb - prices ain't going to be going down - however keep your eyes open as i suspect there is going to be alot of promotion activities across the board

I am keen, been a very lazy holiday and added a few kgs so need to. Ill only be back in jhb on the first, so maybe the 2nd and 3rd

very, nice! Where did you get this

yip thanks already entered the race on sunday, you doing it?

In Sedgefield till monday morning, anyone here and know some good routes to ride?

I have not come across a co-op set as highlighted in these posts - HOWEVER i have many a time had to mission to find a LBS to assist with fixing small things on my bikes (transferring/replacing - cassettes, BB's etc) I can fix most things on the bikes, but the cost of some of the specialized tools often leads me on this mission. I see a multiple benefit for many of us out of this co-op set up and if other see this to, i suggest we start putting something together - thoughts??

Look through the Chinese Carbon thread - it will answer 90% of your questions

With a budget of 10 to 15k you can pick up a reasonable new bike and probably quite a good second hand one. Look around don't rush into it - and make sure it is the right size to start with, pointless getting a good bargain but the size is incorrect. You many need to keep a little spare cash for shoes

with out any Vaseline

Specialized Turbo Pro's!! Not sure if you can buy them locally though.