Hooch

Hi Guys, Just wanted to let all you Tokai forest riders know there's a new mountain bike coffee hang out in Steenberg Village. We found it the other day (its only been open since 11th July but awesome stop off place on cycle route to and from the forest.

Please let me know if you've lost a pair of 'JT Racing USA Life Line MX gloves up at Tokai. I've picked them up so call me to identify. Dee 072 583 2990.

I can't say any of the organisation was bad. It was quite confusing with runners & cyclists coming from both sides on their finishes. A friend of mine said she cried on the 28km saying it was gruelling and someone else said a lot of people had to get off and walk on some of the major rocky downhills.

Does anyone know where we get the official times from for Mereendal??

Ouch, for you Pro guys, yeah, the false start must have been a real mess up. I on the other hand (having done the 30km Die Burgher) last week, was expecting a nice chilled 15km race today. Ummmmm Mereendals 15km was the hardest race i've ever done, 80%+ uphill with serpentine down hills and I even (like so many other 15's) had to get off and push my bike up the hills. Most definitely hard work today!!!!! Despite this, I enjoyed the day but agree if I'd be caught in the false start, i'd have been very miffed.

To the garden for cleaning and poof up after yesterday

I'm in!!!!

wow found my time: 02:24:01. very happy with that. http://www.trailtag.co.za/

oh and how long before I can find the times on the web????

I managed to complete my little 30km Die Burgher challenge today somewhere around 2hrs. Absolutely loved it, felt bit tired half way through (never ridden 30kms amoungst others before) but found the course to be very manageable. Up hills quite a challenge but Tokai has got me used to plugging on until reaching the top. I also Managed to hit my highest downhill speed and due to lack of technical routes never actually fell off, but did have to stop when on two separate occassions someone either fell off or stopped directly infront of me. All in all, a fantastic experience.

Wow Karka, that must have been devastating!!!!

Yeah Domestique, your right, I never realised how much i'd pushed myself (obviously wasn't ready for mast stint) so all in all its taken nearly 3 weeks to get over. Today I ache in my back from yesterday but am being sensible now and giving myself 2 days off ready for Sats 30km (which will be the furthest i've ever ridden). Thanks for the support

To everyone who advised me on the leg burn. Thank You. I cycled from Tokai Forest down to the Stone Church at the Range & back to warm up and then did my up, turn left past Lizard followed by a right short cut after Boomslang, past Snake Eyes & then back down to the car park in 59mins. In all its about 11kms but 6 of them are up hill. But I did it without the legs burning out. Thanks Guys, Very grateful for the support.

Lol, had to look that one up!!!!!! Under recovery is also probably part of the problem Going to cycle again today - its too beautiful a day not too - so will warm up first and see how it goes

OH LORD! I drive to forest, get out of car, get on bike and hit the track. Heavy Legs is exactly what i've been getting within yards of going through the gate Also Tokai is all uphill from start to any of the above levels. It all makes sense now I feel much better now, was very despondent before, now I'm sooo looking forward to Saturday Thanks

Excellent advice from everyone, thanks!!!!!

I do usually cycling alternate days unless I feel like wonder women - which isn't often, I think I just overdid it

Such a simple process and yet I think your right, I don't stretch at all before riding. Memo to self to now do so, thanks

lol, thanks Dom, I was actually referring to leg muscle burn.

Oooopps Think I should have posted this in 'Training & Nutrition'. Sorry

Hey Rookie, Thanks Catch you on Saturday

Hi Guys, I'm looking for some answers to leg burn issues. For the last month - 3 x weekly, I've been going up Tokai Forest main track; turning left, continuing up and then zooming off in all directions. It's obviously been hard work (wasn't very fit couple of months ago) but its been a pleasure and great learning experience. Then one day (following same up & left track as always) I ended up on a track (where the rock fall is) and asked a passing rider where the track went and was told "to the mast". Having plenty of time to play I just carried on. It was hard work but not impossible and I felt good cycling even if a little nervous about the tech sections (big rocks etc) and being so high up. So end result is I got to about 3.5kms on the tar road away from the mast and gave up. Not because of fitness but i'm a bit agrophobic, I was on my own and I'm the first to admit I'm terrified of downhills. So my question is, since I did the mast ride, every time I get on my bike I get leg burn within minutes, to the point of actually struggling to get beyound level 3 in Tokai. I'm signed up for the 30km Die Burgher on Saturday and I'm just a little confused as to why I'm still getting leg burn when the mast ride was over 2 weeks ago. Anyone got any advice please?

Hi Guys, Can anyone give any info on the alledged attack by a suspect with branch who stole two bikes from male and female mtb riders recently in Tokai Forest???

So to everyone who offered great advice re Faerie Garden (FG). Today I went and did FG at least 8 times up and down conintuously until I couldnt see if I was on the up or the down of the track. Yes I fell at least 6 times, but at the end, i'd accomplished completing the whole track (with out bridge section) without falling off. As for the bridge, I did ride it but with one foot down and the only other part of the course I really couldnt do was the drop going into the bridge. other wise, I feel very proud of myself and will continue to make FG part of every ride up Tokai Forest. thanks again for all the advice and support!!! It works Have a great long weekend everyone