GLuvsMtb

Think its over the public holiday this year.

Both rides have alot of district dirt roads. Nelsons Creek have a bit more technical riding (assuming routes stay the same as previous years). I'd rather do the Nelsons Creek one to be honest.

Paid about 25% on top of the R value, so not complaining.

Guess I got lucky

Well I ordered a parcel a week ago - lets go see at the post office if I am lucky or not...

Have at least 2 riders with you and stay alert at all times. Avoid pedestrians as it seems that these thugs frequent routes where pedestrian traffic is common. Kromme Rhee is a better option as you can get onto Helshoogte Rd and avoid the Saturday morning traffic through the Town. This route also carries less pedestrian traffic.

To put things in context you have to take other things into consideration as well: 1. Rider weight. Surely my 90kgs is harder on my equipment than my riding partner's 70kgs (riding at the same pace) 2. Riding style. I am more prone to mash my gears than my riding partner that has the ability to spin up steep technical climbs 3. Conditions. A wet Epic stage will change your mind - guaranteed. 4. Luck or lack thereof. Sit on a wheel of a rider that suddenly comes off his bike or catch a rock or a sharp stick and you'll be in for some repairs afterwards. So GO PREPARED. Nothing will be wasted because you can use it afterwards. Only buy spares at the event as a last resort because the tech support guys will charge you double what your LBS is going to charge afterwards. I have an arrangement with LBS to take spares on "consignment" for big races. If I don't use the spares I simply return it in its original packaging after the event.

There hasn't been a wet stage on the epic for the last 2 or 3 years. The law of averages dictates that there should be one again...soon. If any of you rode one of those wet Knysna stages, you'll understand why the majority of riders tell you to come prepared. I had to spend R3K after a wet stage 2 at Sabie this year. The bike was serviced before the event, but I had to do Cables, chain and cassette and also had to replace my BB and have my rear hub serviced after a really wet stage. Sabie is not nearly as tough on your bike as the Epic. Carry at least the following spares: Extra Chain, extra brake pads, extra casette, extra cable inners, extra tyre and take 2 hangers with and some sealant. Stay away from the high pressure cleaning if you can. Use a foldable camping washbasin (you get those canvas ones that fold in).

Your expense only start with the bike... think about the "training races", nutrition for your long rides, servicing and replacement of components as you train, physio etc and you will find that the bike is only the start. You want components that is durable and relyable. If they are light too, its a bonus. Think XT, or SRAM X9 minimum and think good solid wheels, tubeless setup and a reasonable suspension system. Its been done on Hardtails before, but for about 5k extra, you'll have alot more comfort. And lets face it: You've got the use of the bike for a few more years. You should be able to get a good duelsus bike for about R25K.

Did the 60km last year. A bit of mud during the middle part of the race. Took just over 4 hrs. On a wet day it would have taken 5h30. Enter for the 60km, if wet on the day, downgrade to the 42km.

My big gripe is that you don't know what you get for your entry. I also volunteered in 2008 to get a guaranteed entry for 2009. And then they decided to change the race format to the clover-leaf system they have now. I felt cheated. You now put down a lot of money and you only find out in October what you are getting for it. On the current format I rather go ride eselfontein one weekend and oak valley on the next (combined with Lebanon) and do 3 multi stage races and have kleingeld at the end. I would love to do a proper epic (knysna to CT or even something like Cederberg to Hermanus).

You have to differenciate between the top-end and lower end here as well. Sure below 10k - buy the best spec for the price, above that, start to look at things like geometry of the bike as well as what type of guarantee you get on the frame and components. Not nice cracking a R20k bike and then you do not have proper support. There is the emotional component as well to consider. Does the bike "talk" to you? If you like the look of a bike, chances are that you are going to want to ride it. Unfortunately more expensive bikes come with bigger maintenance bills too.

Saddle bag (only big enough to fit the following): Tube with slime in it (I am assuming that you are mtb-ing) Tire levers (spend a little extra and get the park tool ones. The cheapies bend and break too easily) Sml multi tool with chain breaker on it Chain links (your LBS will sell them for about R20 a set) Tire gator (a type of patch to line your tire side wall if torn by sharp rocks, sticks etc) Hanger (little aluminium bracket that connects your frame to the rear dereullier) Fit a sml hand pump to your bike (normally fits on the down tube behind your water bottle cage) Learn how to change a tube, change out your hanger and how to break and link a chain and you will be covered for 99% of on-the-go repairs.

no offence taken buddie. We all get frustrated sometimes on the ST, but pulling the brake stunt only works if you assume that the guy infront of you is going to act in a predictable manner.

MJ - that is part of the sport and its the same for everyone. Change your attitude and maybe the "dikgat" will let you pass. The best shirt I ever saw was a lady rider's it simply said: "Don't swear at me because you can't climb" Maybe we are spoilt in CT, because event orginisers go out of their way to make sure that traffic is not an issue. MTB-ing is an inclusive sport, so next time show some consideration to the "Dikgat" that is on his bike and not on the couch eating mcdonalds.

I've spent close to R20k since June last year at CRC. Upgrades and tools was more than 1/2 of this, parts for replacement was about R7k and the rest was consumables. The year before I spent about R36k at my bike shop on my bikes for repairs and consumables only, so yes - it is alot cheaper and I've learnt a thing or 2 about bikes since working on my bikes myself. Twice I had to collect parcels at Cape Mail, but I suspect that when the parcel gets bigger, they think up a reason to get you to go there yourself, rather than sending it to the PO.

Its simple: Its not because you are a girl, its because we are boys. And boys will be boys as they say in the classics. I am yet to go out on a leisurely ride that doesn't turn into a race... even if it is to the coolerbox in the back of the bakkie to crack open a cold one.

Why do I buy online? 1. Choice and availablity: Its so nice to go to CRC / CWC and stick everything you need into a basket, check if there is stock and pay. It is so frustrating if you want something specific and you need to phone 10 bike shops to try and get the stuff you want. Click and collect 5 days later. 2. Price: Sure there is a discount, even when you add the import duties and VAT onto it. Why do I support my LBS? 1. Expertise - I am busy buying a new bike. I want to make sure that I get exactly what I want, and my LBS will make sure that I get that. 2. Support - I want to know that if I have an aftermarket issue, my LBS is going to bat for me. I will not buy wheels, shocks or frames online for exactly that reason (perhaps through CWC, but not from overseas), but you have much less risk when buying seatposts, cranks, consumables and the like online. 3. Urgency - something breaks on Friday afternoon and I have a race on Saturday. I then have to pay the inflated prices to ensure that I am ready to compete the next day. Interesting bit on the Mavic Wheels and Dragon sport - I suspect that they are concerned that if there are aftermarket issues, the guy on the bike is going to come running to them to sort out CRC stuff. I like the idea of more than 1 agent / distributor to ensure that competition is healthy, as long as we don't have a vodacom / mtn type deal where they decide beforehand who gets what part of the marketshare and fix their prices. With the phenominal growth in cycling (and mtb-ing in particular) it will become attractive for more players to enter the distribution market. Are we killing the local economy? Definately not! We are simply exercising choice.

Zula frame incl FOX shock RS Reba Team 120mm Mavic SLR wheelset / American Classic Wheelset (still have to decide, but Am Classic is cheaper and will reduce the price) Crank +BB Truvativ Noir (sorry I said Stylo before) Cassette - SRAM PG 990 Chain - SRAM PC 991 Shifters SRAM X0 Gripshift Front Der - SRAM X9 Rear Der - SRAM X0 Brakes - Avid Elixir Cbn/Mag Handlebar, stem, seat post Truvativ Stylo Team Saddle - Fizik Gobi Tyres - Crossmark UST Grips - Contours Frame protectors - BBB Tube skin Tubeless valves and stans Pedals - Shimano SPD M770 Head Set - Chris King

Thanks guys. I have decided where to get the Zula as well. Not going to publish shop names on here, but I consider a few things when buying a bike: 1. Past experiences with the particular shop. 2. The shop's know-how and experience on the product 3. Convenience for me to get there to have my baby serviced 4. Riding mates' experiences with the shop 5. Price of the bike. For the record: I asked a few shops about the Zula (not mentioning that I intended on buying one, but asking questions in general) 1 shop didn't bother replying to my mail (ironically I've supported this shop for years and was excited when they decided to stock the brand), 2 tried to sell me a bike without asking me any questions on the bike. 1 asked me about my needs as a rider and why I am attracted to the Zula. We only later came to costing the bike. Naturally this is the shop I am buying from