Jocklaw

Won't attract too many people showing dirt road riding. Should highlight what single track there is. Anyhow, no way I am going anywhere near the Middle East!!

The adjustment of the grinder is a large part of the art. Beans are different from shipment to shipment, and I prefer to use a manual grinder rather than the modern electronic (but admittedly better looking ) grinders.

The grinder is rubbish. Permanently set on the finest macro and micro settings. You're right, time to send it to the shop (for the decaf only, I hasten to add) and buy something decent.

my home set up.

I reckon 12 a week for 3 months, assuming you are a regular rider is fine. Maybe 2/3 weeks where you take it up to 16/17 hours if you can.

I'd like to hear about the route. How did it compare to last year, was it more technical, and enjoyable?

I had my mechanic convert mine, should be no problem at all.

is there an affidavit from the pharmacist?

I managed push of a climb on my 32, doubt I would have made it on a 34. Hope that helps.

There is a bike shop in St Francis, get hold of them, they will know. Not sure of the name, sorry.

at Sani 2013, Spez gave my partner and I Epic S-Works to ride all 3 days. We both now own Epic S-Works.....great marketing!!!

It takes time to recover from multi stage events. It may be too much too early, it all depends what your level is. Probably worth your while to see a biokineticist for a training program.

the quality of your shot of espresso is due to the marriage between the fineness of the grind and the tamping pressure ( textbook definition is 20kgs). Your flow of espresso should look like a mouse tail. The bean will determine flavor.

It's gonna be awesome when Usain Bolt gets caught.

It may be plausible in Hillbilly land....but not for me!!

maybe 440 or so.....

Get the best Epic you can, you won't regret it, it's the best bike out there.

i am interested to understand why you say that?

correct. No housing for a front derailleur in the frame.

I have the XO1 group set, with a 32 ring on my Spez. I have done the Attakwas, Epic and Sani2C with it. I weigh 80 kilos and it's the best thing since sliced bread as far as I'm concerned. The only places I could not ride, everyone else was walking too. No chain suck, ever. I highly recommend it.

Hill intervals, and do them as hard as your body tells you.

So why's the avatar a pic of your husband?

Thanks to those who offered advice. I am enjoying the twist grip. I prefer it to the normal SRAM shifters, I must say. At the same time, I got XO1, 32 by 10/42, and after Attakwas and the Herald pre-ride I have no reason to regret my decision. I walked where almost all others walked and was able to ride where most others rode. The crisp sound of the twist grip shift is a big plus too.

The only advantage to turning 50 - from Dad to Dad......

Specialized Phenom.