I FLY

Thanks. I had two days to decide on whether to accept the transfer and start working in Witbank. My office borders the Witbank dam and nature reserve so I am really looking forward to summer when the sunset is later.

Now that I have moved to Witbank I don't need my ss for commuting so I am passing my GT Peace 26er onto a friend and going big wheels. I have purchased a Silverback 29 er Vida 1 and going to donate the drivetrain to my Santa Cruz FS.

PM sent

Ha Ha. Going to live here. According to my friends I will have to get:- boat fishing tackle beer belly kharki clothing brandy and coke biltong knife Ford ranger/hilux double cab bakkie I already have an Afrikaans wife

Around the Witbank dam

I have transferred to Witbank and work right next to the Nature Resrve. Are there any groups that ride after work during the week?

No I did not. But I did get an email to say that shipment took place yesterday and was given a tracking number. I was not expecting such a fast delivery anyway as the estimated shipping date given when I placed my order was 9 -15 May 2012.

Good to hear. I ordered on Friday as well.

Same routine except the Mosque visit

Next year's shopping list for cars Wife - Subaru Forester S-Edition Me - Subaru BRZ

That is my wife's actual job description

I think the website is www.od-event-photographers.co.za and the photos will be online by Friday.

I have also sent a copy of Karma's comments to the race organisers

Same light and experience for me.

Not really. I was 48yrs old and did an Epic with 3 weeks notice off a 12 hour a week training base. It is more mental than physical

That is my response to "wannebies" who scream and demand track. "The pros went passed me without any fuss and still thanked me for not getting in their way"

Why? All your friends know that you have done an Epic(s) and the 1st thing that a new mtber in your group asks is " Who has done the Epic?"

If you send me your email address via PM I will send you the full listing of all mtb stage events in 2012. I will mark the ones that I think would be suitable

At a schools xc race last year a junior girl came past where I was watching on a Yeti DS with 3 perfectly preserved Epic stickers on the top tube. Obviously a hand - me - down bike from a parent. If only we had the technology to make other products as durable as these stickers.

Fox - half finger for summer and full finger for winter and rides with lots of thorn trees ( Trans Kal )

+1000 - Rear facing - we have the same light on our seatpost - motorists often comment on how bright it is. And we have the red Blackburn flea light mounted on the back of our helmets. Plus we wear hi- vis vests Front facing - On handlebars we have a magiclight ( Claimed 900lumens) and white Blackburn flea light on our helmets.

Left - back Right - front When I started cycling I thought that the back brake should be on my stronger hand ( I am left handed) and they have stayed like this ever since. However I think that a commuter bike in SA should be set up with left - front and right - rear. My reasoning is that if you hit a car's mirror your brake may be activated. If it is the front brake you could go "endo". BTW - this happened to me a few months ago. Luckily I ended up on the pavement and not under the car.

In 2008 I got a viral infection two days before the race started but thought I could ride it off as my partner was aiming for her 3rd finish. I struggled through the prologue and 3 stages just making the cutoff by a few minutes each day. On the 4th stage I missed the cutoff by 15 minutes and decided to stop. I was more shattered at letting my partner down than my own suffering as she was in fantastic shape and could have finished easily.

One of our friends did the Freedom Challenge on a rigid singlespeed.

Similar experience - except grey horse stepped out from behind a bush next to graveyard on one of my night laps.