Virtuoso

Lost lost lost... A small group of us went off into the distance at around the 40 km. Then as I got back to the initial point where I thought the wrong turn happened another small group rocked up asking me where to go... Once I got back to the actual root the markings where everywhere. Don't know how we missed them or if they were replaced. Is it possible to get the routes before hand and load them onto a gps? I know the bigger stage races have started doing this... will be making a purchase shortly if this is the case.

Made C batch. Batching looks similar to Van Gaalen to me...

What was ascent on the marathon? My endo reads 1090m would like to know how accurate it is...

Think the congestion made it impossible to climb for the lower batches. There were definitely a few bits that seemed impossible to cycle even if you had an open trail.

Someone please keep a look our for my sense of humor... think I lost it around the 50km mark... tough bloody race.

Got a mail for the 45km entry. Nothing for the 75km. Friend of mine got his 75km email - registered both of us at same tkme - is seeded E. Seems very low compared to our usual...

I think most people would. Only concern would be warranty claims.

Thanks. It was grueling but wanted my first 75km finish. Only thought about bypassing the derailleur and going SS after speaking to a friend 5min after the race. Guess it's all in the learning process. Had a good few chats with a couple of the guys wanting to help along the way. Thanks to everyone that offered.

Very nice shots. Caught me pushing my bike to the finish after a broken derailleur at 60km... wish there was a huge sign stating how much I suffered to give the crowds an idea of how I felt.

Thanks for quick input guys. Guess I'm going with a medium cage and dropping a chainring or two. Have a friend that can bend old hanger straight or possibly even has a spare lying around. Are there any complications on just shortening chain and going SS without running the chain through the derailleur? Would the chainring and selected gear on cassette need to be aligned or could you put the chain anywhere on the cassette and it wouldn't try bounce out? Will definitely be doing the makeshift SS trick next time in the race.

Hey Guys, Recently broke my rear derailleur in a race. Was wondering if it would've been possible to take some links out the chain and convert it to a SS somehow to finish off the race? I also have a horribly bent hanger now and wanted to know if it needs replacing or just straightening? Then finally would a XT with medium cage be fine for my 3X10 setup. I know that technically certain gears that I should not need would not be selectable. Would I damage my bike by changing into these gears? (The post i read said that it would just cause the derailleur to fold in on itself and possibly throw the chain off but no damage). I seldom make use of my 30T ring and doubt I have or will ever select one of the non-selectable gears. Would it be a good idea to go for the medium cage to avoid pick ups in future and for faster changes or should I play it safe and go for the long cage?

Extremely well organised event. Just a quick question - were there any showers available at the event? I did not see any and had to drive back to our accommodation to clean up. The water points were absolutely fantastic. And thanks a lot to the guy that forced me to drive through a patch of sticks which bent my derailleur into my spokes and then cycled off saying something along the lines of "You going nowhere like that". Really need more people like you in the world(sarcasm). Slowed us down for over 2km on the single track and then rushed to clip in and not let us pass at the only wide section after pushing your bike up a hill. Ended up pushing my bike to the end from the 60km mark and cost my partner his sub 4hour for our first marathon. To the 50 odd cyclists that offered help you make the sport worth it. Hopefully there are 50 of you for every 1 of him. Sorry for rant but hope the lovely person reads this and feels ashamed.

Hey Guys, Been looking for a pair of MTB cycling shoes. I have tried on too many to mention and finally settled on the Shimano M240's. Problem is now that I see the new range is out overseas. I would like to order the XC70s as they are the M240's replacement but I'm not sure of sizing. The XC60s I needed a 44 and the M240s were a 43. Would anyone know if the XC70s would be same/smaller/bigger than the M240s? Logically they should be the same but if the XC60s are tight then maybe the XC70s follow this convention after the name change? Thanks.

What was the elevation for the 45km? Made Dullstroom feel like a kiddies ride.

Good race. Why were there so many DNFs in the 50 and 30km? What was the elevation for the 50km? Endomundo says 460+- but I remember the profile said 960.

Conrad Barnard : http://www.livetime.co.za

First MTN race. They took my time from a different batch from what I can tell or their timing was off. Didnt record my friends time at all who came in 5min after me. And even though when we handed in our pre booked bikes when there were only 40odd bikes there we ended up coming back 2hours later to find that they had formed another line for online bikes - which ours were, and just left our bikes in the old line. Had to wait 3hr30min then got bike back with the rear derailleur still blocked up with mud. Luckily they gave me some powasol to go wash my bike properly at home. Is the bike wash normally so terrible or was this race an exception?