I FLY

My vote is Greymont shopping centre. I can see it from my place so I can't get lost.

I rode from my place on Northcliff through Alberts Farm, Emmerentia Dam, Delta and Spruit to Paulshof Mugg and Bean and back on Saturday. Distance was about 46kms. Time was about 4,5hrs which included stops for breakfast,visit to Fritz Pienaar shop and chap stops with riders we met along the way(meet Thug on William Nicol side of spruit.) There is a Spar and a Wimpy in a shopping centre in Bosmont that we could start at. The directions are exactly as MichH gave except the distance once you have turned at Northcliff corner is about 4kms and not 10kms. The start of Alberts Farm is about 100m from there.

Ascent. Elapsed time HR

Point of post was that some cyclists give themselves even less chance than normal by having no lights. I can see cyclists going up the road 1 km from my house if they have the red flashing lights at the back of their bike. Normally ride in Northcliff , Parkview, etc. Thought that a change was good for my soul and being that early there would be less/(no) traffic. Also thought it would have less climbing as my legs are sore from my first gym session in four months. As it turned out we climbed as much as we normally do for a hill session.

Why do some cyclists think that the sun rises out of where they sit? This morning, at 5am, a cyclist with no lights or reflectors was came past me on Hendrick Potgieter. Although I knew that he was in front of me I could not see him at all. How are cars suppose to avoid him? I am riding with two flashing white lights in front and two red ones behind and I still feel vunerable.

The previous post on Hill st repeats refers. I live near the top of Northcliff hill and I was curious as to the altitude gain from Hill St back home as it always feels like a drag. The profile above shows why. I seem to train hill clinbibg just to prevent the embaressment of having no legs on my way home. If we go home via Fredicks and Rockcliff then we end up climbing 600m.

Dumb Question. How do I upload my garmin software onto my new laptop that does not have a serial port? I went and bought a serial to usb converter but the install software still does not recognise this.

I have done this race 3 times. Last 2 times on a tandem. It is a fantastic race for tandems. The 1st climb is not much harder than going up Hillsnaks ( Krugersdorp) and the downhill is fast - about 95kms/hr clocked last year. You also get the elites catching you and it is unbelieveable to watch their speed, tactics and to pick up the pieces when their workers bees blow.

Only the 3rd time that I have done this route. It was certainly busy yesterday with 3 groups doing training rides. Did you see Andrew McLean and his epic partner doing hill repeats at race pace? Adele climbed both sides of the hill with her front disc brake dragging badly and still passed riders.

One of my MTber friends is such a weight weenie he drill extra holes in his carbon bottle cages to remove more weight.

I have used Cytomax since I first started cycling in 1998- my neighbour was an ex pro and he swore by it , switched to Fit in 2002 when the Rand died against the dollar, and switched back again two years ago. I have had no problems with it. I only use the race juice.

I am running tubeless killerbee tyres at about 2bars and they are fast.

I have heard take it takes about 300kms of off road riding before one feels comfortable on one of these saddles.

I did the 05 Epic and was scheduled to do this year's but my new partner has postoned our ride until 08. We plan to do a different race schedule to what we normally do.

http://www.spinman.co.za/default.asp?id=11358&des=content&scat=supercycling/mountainbiking&cl=yes This the link to Terry - Spinman's Epic packing checklist.

nice - can you PM me the details? dischem is starting to charge a bit much for the stuff! Sent via PM.

Cytomax - I have importers contact details

Well I did my best... Tania (Raats) and I arrived in Joburg at 5:30. Got to the hotel at er 6:35. The thing started at 7:00. Im proud to say I went from scruffy mtn bike girl to less scruffy' date=' elegant lady in 20 min. Tania took 5 min longer, but then she had to blow dry her hair... oh the trials and tribulations. Our escort nearly fell over because we were so quick! [/quote'] I think that all the men at the function fell over when they saw the transformation of the female cyclists into elegant ladies. Only give-aways were the tan lines and their walking in high heels.

Sani2C Tour de Lesotho Race up Sani pass (and back) Panorama 4 day in April Paris Brest 24 Hour in Utah

I ride both disclipines and have done so since I started riding in 1998. Although my preference is MTB I do a fair amount of road races. Regardless of which crowd I am with, they talk about the "other side". MTBers are generally dismissive of the skill levels of Roadies whereas Roadies are in awe/amazed at MTBers seemly casual approach to technical terrain. My advice to Cherry is:- momentum is your friend and many "proper" mtbers will make errors and fall. The only good fall is the one no-one else sees. My training is almost none existant at the moment. Combination of leg op, year-end audit deadlines and weather have seen me ride 3 times in the last 6 weeks.

Toyboy has retired from cycling - he had an unhappy ride last year because of sore knees and saddles sores. My 07 partner is the "psyco chick from hell" who rides a tandam at MTB races and edits a cycling mag. My multi day races partner listing would make an interesting case study for a bored shrink. 1.Middle aged yuppie - who owns every cycling gadget available and knows how to use them 2.Toyboy race snake - a big hit with the food stall women in the finishing towns of Epic stages 3.Gay pensioner - who is as tough as nails ( real nails not the kind one gets at beauty saloons) 4. Psyco jock chick - who has more degrees than some of us have fingers.

I dont know Mielie but I have been dealing with Westrand Cycles and Eben for a few years now and cannot believe that he would ignore a customer needs in such a manner. I took the liberty to call Eben. The bike was taken to W/Rand on 22 Sept 06. Being a long weekend they would have looked at the bike the following week. W/rand took photos and submitted the necessary documents. They have followed up with Dragon Sport on a regular basis. The bike owner has taken this opportunity to also try and get an upgraded frame and this has slowed the process down. The quoted cost of this upgrade is now also a bone of contention. There are always two sides to a dispute.

The real fun only starts about 2 months later when the body is healed and the mind has forgotten the pain. Then the whole race was easy, scenery stunning, bike gave no trouble, mobile showers/loos added to the experience, and your training schedule was spot on. Ps I now officially have an Epic 07 spot.