davem

Hi Garfield If this is for Challenge CT, don't swap now. Challenge is 2000m odd of climbing. You probably going to be out the bars quite a bit anyway. One of the biggest adaptations to make when switching over is the building of the neck muscles. Depending on road quality, the little corrugations in the road put huge strain on the back of your neck. Which takes a month or two to get used to. As said above, you do use your leg muscles differently which also needs to be trained. Once you have made the change, the difference is significant, not only to your cycle but also to your run.

Can you guys post the details for SBR, sounds great. Where is it exactly? Cost to get in? Hours open? Route? Any other vital info? Thanks.

The non financial issues might also be a significant factor with the Gautrain decision. Not having to drive, spend x hours staring at the bumper ahead, far less risk of accident, reliability of being at work on time (lets hope), opportunity to do something else (work, read a book, play on thehub!), shorter commute time (maybe)

I think the challenge I face with this personally is that the event is structured in such a way to be an expensive and time consuming event. Registration closes at 10h00 so must be there probably by 9h00. Start 13h15. Bike check out after 17h00. Ironman check outs are very slow as you have to hand back the chip. So really I can't practically make it a single day event. Accommodation costs, food costs, house sitter or putting the dogs in kennels Fri, Sat and Sun (very few kennels allow collection on Sun). Time off work to drop and collect. Awards ceremony with likely an entry cost for my partner. (The R300 at Ironman is galling for what you actually get). My little 2h30 Swim Bike Run now requires a family weekend expedition which makes it very difficult for me personally to participate both from a time and cost perspective. This event is structured in such a way that excludes me. It is not practical to do this as a one day event. I feel a little miffed after being so excited about having another event to participate in. That said, I like Paul Wolff and his extremely well run events. I love Ironman and 70.3. They are incredible. There is no doubt that the particpants will have a fantastic time and probably get fair value for the money they spend. Unfortunately its unlikely that I will be one of them, which is very disappointing.

Hi rudi I couldn't agree more. I was just putting the info up for people to talk about. Trying to be impartial. For the exact reasons you give, I probably won't do the event myself. It will be a verrrry long day to drive up from Joburg and back the same day, particularly if the awards presentation is worthwhile going to (and I have paid for it in my entry). Although my initial reaction to the price was quite negative, I see what the organisers are trying to achieve. It is a different type of event. Whether there is enough demand to make it successful remains to be seen. When I look at the Roodeplaat BSG, the overwhelming support and vibe with 1000 competitors made it a great day and yes, it cost very little. How many of those thousand will go? Ironman SA has always put on amazing events. I don't know whether their vision for this will meet with mass approval. If they only get 200 competitors, then they will probably change their approach. What it does create is a gap for the Troisport Tri Series to fill or a BSG Olympic distance (hint hint). If fact it makes them look very reasonably priced. We do need more Olympic distance events. The fact that people are so upset about the entry fee indicates there is great demand for the event distance but there is a limit in the current economic climate.

The 5150 website is up www.5150.co.za Very good website. So much better than the really poor Ironman SA site (www.triangle.cc) The event actually looks really good. It will be a very different experience to the BSG series or Troisport series. More of a full weekend event, compared to the "be home by lunch" of the other events. The entry fee of R800 is actually only going to be a small part of the costs for the weekend. Unfortunately the website does not give details of any race pack goodies included or of the awards function (particularly costs). One of the silly costs of Ironman is the R300 for your partner to attend the awards ceremony. Hopefully not the same here.

From the Press Release: "Series points for Elite/Professional triathletes 10 qualifying slots per age group for the 2012 Hy-Vee 5150 US Championships". Anyone know about this? Is this an annual series points system to qualify and just limited to a one race series this year? It is items likes this which do differentiate for the faster athletes.

Under Ironman SA section on www.triangle.cc My link I see Werner Smit is Race Director, has he left Troisport?

R800 is a sizeable entry fee. (ignore the discounted early bird rate, as most will pay the full fee). That is USD 114 at approx current exchange rate. By comparison: 1. The Global 11 at Sun City in November is USD 55 (R385). 2. The Suncoast Olympic Race in Durban on 17 July is R300 3. The BSG Ultra last December (70.3 distance) was about R700 if I recall. Is it good value? The race numbers will tell the tale. The problem with a strong brand, is that sometimes you start to believe your own marketing. Ironman SA run the risk of creating a whole lot of negative sentiment about themselves by just milking the cow a little too much. Besides, their profit margin should really come from Sponsorship revenue. Sponsors like large numbers of participants, which means more sponsor revenue. Smaller entries, smaller sponsor revenue. Beneficial circle vs vicious circle. I think they may have made the wrong choice. With reference to IM70.3 pricing, for that you also get a Pasta Party and an Awards ceremony. The event also takes place over a whole weekend requiring a lot more event hire costs than for a one morning event.

First race is in Bela Bela on 13th August 2011. No further details on www.5150.co.za That water is going to be cold in August!

I have conclusive proof that when I decided to headbutt the tarmac on Beyers Naude that it 100% reduced the level of my injuries. I was rather glad that the big dent and crack in my helmet was not replicated in the my head. Perhaps the 'reserachers' should use themselves as test subjects, their interpretation might change a little.

Whasp friend Please give us an update on the status of Whasp. I have been told countless times by Dischem and bikes shops that Whasp has gone out of business. Obviously the brand still has some traction. Have you or someone else purchsed the brand? I have always enjoyed using the gels and drink and hope they will be available again soon.

Old tubes make a cool tug toy for your dog. Just cut out the valve.

To the two dudes riding two abreast on Frederick Drive, Northcliff this morning, you really need to evaluate your desire to stay healthy. This must be one of the narrowest roads with no escape routes and drivers charging along at crazy speeds. I know you probably will make some defence about your rights etc, but its dangerous and riding single file for a kilometer won't ruin the conversation, and you are more likely to make it to Monday.

Chat to Kevin Garwood, he knows a lot having made a custom trailer for Nikki. Get him on his facebook page, Team Garwood.

Woodmead Dischem told me they had been discontinued? Is this from manufacture or from their stock list? Solomons and Northcliff Cycles both had expired stock. I hope it is still going. Don't want to use anything else.

Write to Paul Woolf and tell him.

I mentioned on the previous thread that I wear an ICE ID bracelet. On New Years Day, I came down big time while training in the Cradle. I was not able to provide any details as I was unconscious for a time and pretty gaga after that. I carry three forms of ID on me. 1. My ICE ID wrist bracelet 2. My ER24 band around my seatpost 3. A small aluminium barrel with full medical and contact details attached to my key ring. You can get these at Sportsmans Warehouse. ICE ID was used by those on scene. The other two were not used. ER24 remained attached to the seat post, the aluminium barrel was unopened. The ICE ID was so obvious, no one had to look any further. But there were still 2 backups. The critical thing was that my medical aid number was visible immediately ensuring that I was admitted to Sunninghill emergency without any hassle. I believe that a critical element to this is the elimination of human involvement in the availability of the information. Calling a number requires a phone, the person on the other end to be competent, the computer to be online, the availability of pen and paper etc. ICE ID addresses all those issues.

RIP to Andrew. Sad news. Get an ICE ID. I came down hard on New Years Day and was admitted to hospital unconscious. My ICE ID had all my medical details and ensured I got the medical care I needed without any hassle.

Hey Collin Where can I get stock in Jhb of the gel bottles. Solomons stock is past expiry. Dischem Cresta had nadda and Northcliff Cycles stock had also expired (Purchased one green bottle). Exhausted my normal suppliers. Don't want to use anything else. Tried something else a few weeks ago as was all out of gel, almost spewed it was so chewy.

Had a chat with Mark Williams there, also enquiring about fit. Did not like the way he dissed other fitters, like he was the only oke capable of a good fit. I am sure he is very good but not necessary to put down other people, especially to someone you don't know. Put me off the place a bit.

Sort of regret that I did not go. Not in my character to be a fair weather racer. But, from looking outside, the multiple weather forecasts of rain on the net, and the rain stats from the Dept of Water Affairs, really did not think there would be a swim or a cycle. Just for interest: At 04h40 the Vaal River was running at 20 cubic metres per second. At 10h00 is was running at 400 cumecs. It peaked at 1400 at midnight last night. The height of the river rose 2.8m. The Vaal dam has gone from 78% to 88% from yesterday morning after midnight to 6am this morning! Vaal system water levels

Mike Thank you for the time you spent with me this afternoon and your willingness to openly share information. You clearly know your stuff and I will definitely be returning after 70.3 for my Comrades running shoes. Your knowledge and scientic approach will definitely set you apart and attract a strong following. I am very glad I made the trip to find you. Regards Davem

Troisport is a great shop with nice guys but their margins are a little too fat for my liking. Some competition should help sort that out and make Troisport a great and reasonably priced store. SBR does seem to be a little out of the way. Look forward to seeing what they got.

The title of this topic is a statement. The question mark on the end is just a grammatical error on the statement. The topic is irresponsible and designed to perpetuate rumour and is totalling unwarranted. A valid topic would be: "Why are xxx not showing in the DC results?" The hub will continue to lose credibility as a discussion forum if no moderation takes place. Eventually all that will be left is a classified section.