SimpleDom

Actual tears, in my eyes.

Agreed. I Should clarify... I probably wouldn't buy their special bars.... I just thought that's where they'd position them. I take plenty of fat with me.

I found that I wasn't replacing as fast as I was using... Stage races don't really seem to cater for the high fat requirements. Or at least the peplett didn't.

Multi day events? Eating for day 4,5,etc....

Of all days to run out of beans! Luckily I ordered online from Truth over the weekend! #likeachildonchristmasseve!

My daily carry. Love my benchmades!

Beautiful knives those. Saw my first one in the flesh last week. Riding with an open knife, even slowly.....

Hi. Due to the amount of climbing, we averaged only just over 14km/h. My heart rate zone average was between 3 and 4. The odd spike into zone 5, never for long periods.

I thought I'd give some feedback on my LCHF experience over the PEPlett last week. I have to say, this wasn't easy in terms of the catering provided by the race. The food was tasty enough, but there were no real low carb options. We had to make do with what was there, as well as supplementing with stuff that I took with. Typically, I ate the eggs and meat choice for breakfast (With added farm butter), as well as make shift bulletproof coffee. They didn't have any cream, but I took MCT oil with me. On the bike, I ate only fatty biltong and Dry wors. On the last 2 days, I included some nuts (Macadamia, almonds, pecans) on the bike. Plenty or water. Like 5-6 litres each stage. The only carbs I took consciously was in my recovery drink straight after the ride each day. I have to say, I could feel the impact of this within 30 mins of drinking. Lunches weren't great. Basically cold meats and salad (Again, I added lots of butter). I took coconut cream with me and drank about 200ml after lunch each day. Supper we ate the meat and salad option, again adding butter. There wasn't really enough fat, but I had also taken nuts and pork crackling (AWESOME STUFF) with me. Days were 125km, 94km, 76km, 74km. Loads of climbing (Total of about 7500m over 4 days). I felt plenty strong during the rides. Never felt lack of energy. Climbing was very strong. My only concern is that by the end of day 4, there was very little fat left on the body. The veins were sticking out everywhere. Legs and Arms. I'm wondering how long this could be sustained for stage racing before depleting the bodies fat reserves... Also wondering about fat loading before going into a race like this. Has anyone done any fat loading? Any methods to suggest?

I start the day with bulletproof coffee, and a fistful of almonds or macadamia nuts or pecans. Then, ride to work. Then, 3 eggs with butter / cheese / sometimes as an omelette with bacon. Lunch is usually a salad including avo, loads of olive oil, and good leafy stuff. Dinner is usually some nice fatty meat and good veg loaded with cream cheese or butter (Or both). Desert : double cream Greek yoghurt, nuts, and blueberries. To drink. Coffee, water, or milk with 2 table spoons of cream. Snacks, dry worse or biltong or nuts. Or just a spoon of mct oil. Or coconut oil. Fat shake makes an appearance sometimes too when I can't control my hunger. Commuting needs lots of fuel.

The routes were great. I've never ridden so much different terrain in so few days. You name it. Gravel, single track, Jeep track, grass, tar, river crossings, portage, rocks, sand, mud, roots, forest, stones, huge climbs, awesome decents. Some great technical parts. Some easier stuff (which was greatly needed by the body). And so much climbing. If you don't like the hills, you'll probably not love this race. Changes in scenery were awesome. Each day was different from the last. There were parts that someone will undoubtedly moan about, no matter what you throw at them. In summary, I felt it was a great test of mountain biking. Oh yes, and there was some climbing involved. A really tough 4 days, but manageable. Certainly enjoyable. I'll be back. Did I mention the climbing? There was some of that.

The selfie compo was a little weak.... I knew about 10 other riders, and I think hardly anyone took any notice.

Yip. I did it too. Great race! I found the organisation pretty good. The route markings were absolutely flawless. Well done to all.

Once again, tool up comes to the party with this offer: "try the Epicon, and if you don't like it we'll give you the epicon value off the Reba." Amazing.

Thanks for the feedback all. I'm probably going to go with a 120mm option. Still undecided on whether I go Reba or Epicon. It's going to come down to how much more the Reba is going to be... I know it's more expensive, but pretty convinced it's worth it.

I see myself buying 2 forks in the near future.... I'll definitely start with the Reba. I'm not sure I'm hard enough for rigid just yet. Thanks for all the feedback. I'm so excited.

The thought of rigid has definitely crossed my mind.... I figured while I'm spending, go suspension... I can always buy a rigid in future for a not so massive outlay.. Mm

I'm building a single speed. It's going to be built around a Reynolds steel cotic simple. I can't decide what fork it deserves. The frame can handle 120mm of travel, and I've got a dropper post for it too. The aim is to build a single speed trail machine. Any opinions on forks? I've though from a suntour epicon (to keep costs down) all the way to a Reba (just bite the bullet). It's Friday, so let me have it!

I finally found free range (organic would have been better) pork crackling snacks! Country meat in Fourways has it, along with all sorts of mind-blowing grass fed goodness.

Those are some Sassy Pedals! Nice build. Again, I have "the jealous".

It starts.... I'm excited. Thanks tool-up for the deal of the century!

Double post....

Commuting has made me so much stronger. It's great base training. And I'm such a grumpy bastard on the days I don't ride!

I have noticed that too. Fair weather cycling! ????

Why do I live so far away!