I FLY

Cue Dirt Rider and his knowledge of the lyrics from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"

Thug and I rode from Northcliff and got to Northern Farm at about 11h30. We expected to see a huge bunch of hubbers still there. Instead it looks as if everyone had seen DR's new bike, got hammered by the green -eyed monster and gone home with their tails between their legs. Remember people - "its not about the bike"! PS - Thug now understands when I say that my place is uphill. He did 150m climbing from his place to mine.

Thug, It looks as if I will be riding to NF from my place. Not sure of the routing yet. So I will phone you tomorrow once I have had time to think about. We can give you a lift back to your car afterwards.

She tried to pick up my ego without a crane! She crashed twice over the Easter weekend and used her hands as impact absorbers. The bruising and swelling went away but not the pain. She went for x rays this morning.

Wilddog is going to be at NF towards the end of the skills clinic as she wants to talk to the presenters and participants. If she can ride with her injured wrist , we will be at NF early in order to do a long ride as we are doing Giant's Castle the following Sunday. This will include the area outside the farm. If her wrist is broken she will drive to NF and I will ride from my place in Northcliff. Either way I doing a long ride with as many hills as I can find. Will post my option tomorrow if anyone wants to join me.

What you will learn Bike Set up, puncture repair & safety checks Correct use of gears Braking Cornering techniques Climbing techniques Descending techniques Single Track riding techniques Drop offs VENUE: Northern Farm DATE: Sun 22 April 2007 Sun 29 April 2007 TIME: 9am to 12pm COST: R375.00 Per person TO BOOK: CLICK HERE MTB SKILLS COURSE: LEVEL 1 Pro: Adrian Ilsley Gavin Pelser The aim of this course is to introduce the participant to the basic techniques required in off-road mountain biking. Completion of this course, will equip you with the skills necessary to successfully ride many of the permissible natural and purpose-built trails in South Africa. The course will develop your ability and confidence and will also introduce and reinforce safety awareness.

I rode Larsen TT's from Aug 04 until Nov 06. Had no problems with grip (except in mud) or punctures. (Sabie x twice, Giant's Castle, Epic) Changed to vredenstein Killer Bees (tubeless) in Nov 06. They are light, super fast but offer surprising grip. The rubber is a bit soft and the back tyre is worn after 5 months. The next tyre I am going to try is the Kenda small block 8.

I would be interested in the assessements. Payments - offer both options

Or the name of the spokesperson quoted in the article 'Tha_other_one"

I guess my problem is that I don't ride fast enough for wind flow to occur. Have to eat more beans.

No, I dont wear vests unless the temperate is cool. I did try on a hot day when I was first given one but found that it stopped the wind flow against my body, even with my shirt zipped open, and at the end of the ride the vest was damp against my skin. When I was young I played baseball and softball. I had similiar arguements with my team mates who insisted that a cotton undershirt helped to absorp the sweat and kept them cool and dry. My counter was that the cotton undershirt made them sweat more, was damp and caused their arm muscles to cool down unnaturally. This lead to sore arms and tennis elbow.

I am also old school. The less I wear when it is hot ,the cooler I feel. ie wear single layer when cycling I wear a "vest" when it is cool and a hayley (spelling) hansen undershirt when it might rain. Although photos of the overseas pros almost always show that they wear a "vest". Different climate!

There used to be an MTB race from the Sani Pass hotel to the top of the Pass and back in December. Not sure if it is still on. I will check my race diary tonight. Also on my do list ( before it gets tarred)

At that HR % I normally use 650kj/hour. I weigh 77 kgs.

Same score. Same comment.

I noticed that some of our hubber track cyclists were logged on this morning but no-one offerred any comment. I have also heard that race reports from any rider except CSC are not forthcoming for the media. Grootlem, did you hear anything last night?

I have had these brakes on my bike since 2001. In the beginning the back one dragged despite many visits to LBS. Eventually they realised that the hanger on the frame was slightly out of line. They fitted a small spacer and the problem has never reoccurred.

We ride hills in Northcliff on 2 mornings a week. My chance to be humbled and do my impression of a wounded buffalo. Almost no traffic, just the gentle sounds of birds singing and me sucking air.