Rudo

Good concept but it would have been much better it they had guys on the bikes sweating it out with their weight way forward, their crotches right up against the stem like for a power wheely climb type thing...otherwise I can't see them not falling over backwards...suppose they'll probably loose to much traction that way... I guess ABSA couldn't work either

Quite a bit of my experience regarding this comes from the Alexander technique (if I don't say it now I'll be accused of sneaking in a sales pitch at the end...despite having nothing to gain from it<?: prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /> <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Sitting (on a chair saddle) is a fairly modern activity for which we weren't originally designed/ evolved. Cycling long hours is probably no worse for our backs than sitting at a desk except that our head (weighs about 5kg!), which should be balancing easily on our necks in stead of dangling in front of us. This means that we have toeither hunch our sholders and pull our necks in or strain our back to keep our heads from lopping onto the chest. Sure, I fully agree, too much riding for the strength of our core muscles increases the strain on the back and spine. And you need a good-as-possible bike setup!! But riding a bicycle is in itself "unnatural" just as sitting at a desk is "unnatural". We weren't designed for either. Nor can we live without either!! The good news is that we can reeducate our bodies to perform each activity optimally and to return to a strain free state as soon as possible. If this does not happen we carry any strain around long after necessary, until it releases over time, if at all. It is also quite easy to reeducate our bodies. Even changing the way you think about what you are doing starts changing the way you do it. Thinking towards the top of your head for example keeps your back lengthened and takes strain off the spine. Generally everything in us needs to move further apart. And we should be balancing! Being aware that you are dancing on the pedals much more than sitting on the saddle subtly changes the way you use your body while cycling. I can't say whether the changes are optimal aerodynamically for example. But my experience was that, from the moment I started improving the use of my body, my endurance increased as did the ease and efficiency with which I pedaled - I think because my body stayed relaxed and extended. And I became easily aware of when it tensed up. This of course as a bonus to preventing back problems. In trail riding staying relaxed and balanced plays key roles, an added benefit of learning good use!!! I cannot tell you how to initiate improvement only that I learnt good use through the Alexander Technique and that it should be worth looking into for anyone, for sport improvement and pain prevention, but especially if you are already experiencing back trouble: Go to www.alexanderteqnigue.com to find yourself a teacher. PS, in a sense it is good that you are aware of pain or discomfort in your back. Many people are just not really aware of it until it is suddenly acute, after years of making bad use of their bodies. Modern man is generally not very aware. Good luck with sorting it out though!! Rudo2009-03-19 10:10:33

Any one knows when this will be?

An off-green fleecy jacket Or useful stuff like small sun tan lotions, small deoderants, small toothpastes, small bottles of cycling lube. I find these things very handy as you don't buy them in these sizes normally but they are great for travelling or squashing into your cycling bag. And I have absolutely no use for satches of biodisel rub or any type of powder.

Same thing here, I had some rust on my brand new chain after cleaning but not properly lubing following Sani. Inspection told me its cosmetic and prmarily on the outside of the chain only. No problems with stickyness in the chain. I Q20ied and dried it, lubricated, rode and lubricated again. I'll risk it

Wow, awesome picks Ronelle! Makes better photo's than the xc if you ask me

Ok, so I tried through the valve core and struggled. So I took it to Bowmans and watched the mechanic do it. He removed the tyre from the rim on one side, cleaned it, hung the wheel from some hooks and put the Stans in from the side. Said its less of a struggle than through the valve so I next time I'll try this.

Bicycling website has a "rate your race" feature which may help judging races value for money but not all races feature and not that many people vote http://www.bicycling.co.za/rate_your_race/race_rankings/all/2009 I think it will be great to see a very simple ratings poll based purely on value for money for races. Actually I am not so much interested in the best value for money races as I am in the worst value for money races, which I'd then avoid. There was an article in Ride mag last month by a race organiser (Dullstroom) where they explained what went into the organizing of their MTB event and how difficult it has been for them even to break even. They claim a loss some thousands of rands over 7 years not even taking into acount the hours of labour they have invested. They said that everything becomes more viable once one can secure decent long term sponsorship for a race. This is often dependant on media coverage which is in short supply for MTB events. Imput cost is one factor but as with most products pricing can possibly also be detirmined by what the market is willing to pay for the product, with the aim of achiving the optimal balance between profit margin and sales volume. I think the best one can do is to avoid poor value for money races and make yourself heard regarding the negatives as well as the positives. Rudo2009-03-16 05:13:03

It is the same day as the Geard Pharmacy ride which also seem to be the only MTB race in a month in the Westen Cape (except for the Vinge a Vinge and Tokai mast, both of which is allegedly "kaak duur") But this sounds good and I wouldn't want ot miss it. If I have to choose I'll rather join you guys in Ceres

I'm glad I got to see your joke before it was removed because I thought it was brilliant!!! You don't need an opinion on the matter to see that that it was a joke and to find the joke clever!

Agree! But some airport peronel obviously don't. Thanks for all the info though. I'll try refilling the sealant and inflating with a Co2 cartrige. I read somewhere that Co2 leaks through the tyre walls and should be replaced with air or it'll deflate in a day but I don't know if this is true. Suppose I'll see. Once I've read a bit more on the theory I'll also try the front wheel conversion. By the sounds of things, once its done and working, one does not need to worry about redoing anything too often though.

OK, sticking to CO2 cartridges then, there seems to be only confusion regarding these by security personel. CPT-DBN opened checked luggage to remove the cartridges. Only some bags though but they broke open our locks. Some were also confiscated from hand luggage and some not, regardless of the pasanger's race. Gennerally the same thing with DBN-CPT. One guy said they allow one cartrige per passanger in hand luggage but nothing in checked luggage, but I don't know whether this is the same for all carriers..

Does anyone know whether there is policy regarding the transport of bombs on planes? As far as I could see bombs were sometimes removed from both check-in and hand luggage. Is there any universal policy, carrier specific policies or any other guideline regarding what is alowed as far as bombs and planes are concerned?

I recently had a conversion to Tubeless, and its been great sofar except for all the Stans leaking all over the airport floor after deflating for the flight! (I had alot of amused and not so amused onlookers while the white stuff dribbled everywhere I went) So some advice please 1) What do I do to get the tubeless working as it should again? 2) When flying, do you not deflate the tires or only deflate them partially? 3) Is this allways a problem with deflation or only in the begining? 4) If you do happen to get a puncture...not sure if this ever happerns...how do you repair it? 5) Is it easy to do the conversion yourself? I only had one done at the LBS as the other tire was still in good condition. Also, it would be nice to understand the mechanics and what one need to buy or use for future reference or is it more complicated than this? Thanks

Eish, this was to be my first sub 3 year, but Boyes drive looks like a spanner in the weels. Some sort of improvement in overall position now seems a like a better goal. Thanks for all the info, profiles etc!