Lefty V

I clearly have less appreciation for these things since i was too busy worrying about having fun on my mtb instead of taking notice of doping...had to google things like WADA, TUE (which I took to be the day on which you were allowed to dope) and PED since it occured to me that I have never had any qualms about taking meds like pseudoephedrine to clear up my chronic sinus and phlegm and to stop it from turning into an ear infection... never knew it but I must be both stupid and and evil cheat....

I am considering getting professional advice for the first time to help me prepare for the Craft TransAlp in July. (after 20+ years of firmly sticking to the "ride what you love because you love" it way of "training") I typically also have only done up to 4 day stage races, so think I could do with nutrition guidance. I am not going to top any table, but am keen to for once be 100% prepared for a race and limit junk kilos - especially to effectively prepare for the volume of climbing waiting in the Alps. So, I would appreciate input from members who have used coaching options in and around the Cape Town area about both good and bad experiences - if you had particularly unhappy experiences and do not want to unleash a shitstorm please feel free to PM me.

Should only be open to non GoPro photos - in the interest of getting more GoPros into different hands... hey fault me for trying to improve my chances ;-)

What is meant with/ the importance of contact area? I never realised that I was missing out so badly on something with my eggbeaters... I have eggbreaters on all my bikes and love them - oldest pair going strong after 6 years (migrated from 2 bikes) and only had to rebuild bearings once. I believe that the "float" on the platform helps as far as knee strain is concerned. Pro's are definately mud shedding (especially when you have compressed mud into your shoe and try to cleat in, it simply works) for my liking the ease of cleating in and outbut never cleating out unwanted, fit and forget.

He tried to but could not get them to say good morning Vetseun, I liked the free bike set-up advice you tossed in there for good measure. Glad to hear you salvaged a ride in the end. Lekker week.

...wouldn't you say that Karma was in action already?

Lame, I know, but I can't resist stating the obvious: Any race is better with more CleatsnCleavage

I'm in. Looking fwd to the ride and being out in the Cederberg again. Just hope there is some technical riding.

Only the ones who greet me - common decency. I take it from the vociferous response that the non greeters feel a flying F for this dead horse topic. …so just for fun to P you off I will greet all of you tonight. Oh, and by the way the tampon reference was both old and offensive in equal measures

1. If there is too much single track at the MTB burger or Argus, you need to train harder - once you get fit enough to start in a decent group and hammer the first few k's to get out of the traffic it is a case of more is always more. 2. this topic is almost as stupid as a wheel size debate

Have to disagree Maybe if you thinking of riding in powdery snow on slopes that actually would need a snowboard, but as far as riding on single track covered in a few centimeters of snow and ice goes (with or without spikes) it can be a great deal of fun. (9/10 for me)

good advice. and for your price range I would definately buy used. To put that in context: I would also buy a second hand Hilux instead of a new GWM

I am suspicious about the age. Looks like a much newer model.

That would teach me to click the massive "Read More" link.

WTF - I just saw on the interwebs that the Grape Escape will not be run in 2014. Does anybody know why not?

I think you made your point the first time – let’s not ask for more sales pitch and rather keep to the topic. If you still feel miffed about the KTM guy putting his hand up, go ride until the red mist fades. As far as your choices go Rebel, there are bikes in between your current HT and bikes like the Camber or Trigger... such as the Epic if you are keen on a Spaz. It might be already enough suspension for your liking/riding so maybe give that a test as well if you have not considered it previously. PS. In the end I can only echo the point about going with what gets your blood warm, because that is the bike that will make you want to ride more.

No need to say sorry - had me stumped inspite of 20 years of cycling , but it is apparently not as cool as a switch back.

If Parks actually built trail for mtbers I think we owe someone a Bells and if the trail is actually a little technical we should make it a double. As far as the need for manicured trail and signs telling you that you are riding single track go … I am having a bit of a Chopper Read reaction to that.

No, but it is wrong to tell us about it

Cannondale. ..or if you want to go high end in metal,how about titanium?

At least we can agree on the "tired of doping" bit. Hey, this Chris Stone person might share that feeling with us for all we know

"It is the likely scenario as the substance in question is not a traditional performance enhancer." as opposed to your "farkin cheater" and "Whatever way you look at it - glucocorticosteroids benefit those taking them (illegally benefit). " statements? So with facts I mean facts about things like motive and circumstances because your reaction of wanting to ban for life and defame the guy speaks to that, and not to single reported fact of the positive test.

Ugh, clearly Friday, but hey since it is, I might as well.... "Positives like Craig Stone's I'm pretty sure were a result of trusting the wrong doctor/ignoring the problem/not educating yourself on what is legal etc." First flame the guy, then make rambling justifications based on more ignorance? How are you pretty sure now? How about taking the radical option of basing opinions on facts once they become available?

Chip on shoulder?

ditto underwear