walkerr

Jeez - didn't see that. Sad to hear Hold thumbs he's all ok.

Also lost the E train - around Paarl in my case. Luckily there was fast group just behind that I managed to stick with to get under 3. Congrats on the big improvement - feels good eh? Back on the bike Wednesday and into normal training schedule again - can't wait. Just got to get William to re-lace my front wheel now the CX Ray spokes arrived.

+1 to that - also heard people have done that Well done on the sub 3 - special day!

2:57 - my first sub 3. Last year I was 3:48. Chuffed as nuts with the improvement. Looking forward to the 99er now!

His name is Darren Don't worry, after the stick we gave him I don't think we'll be seeing those shorts again ...

You're gonna have a blast - plenty of great riding around here, as per Cassie's post. I'd also add Jonkershoek to that list too - some decent riding there also.

That BikeBoxAlan is a fine piece of kit - shame it's so pricey, esp. when you add on shipping to SA

If you look at the profile though, the next 22 are downhill and flat - so you get plenty time to make up your avg speed. Don't be fooled by Helshoogte - the real work (IMO) comes keeping any kind of pace up on those 2nd two 30kms, especially the last. I never managed it

My forecast still saying chance of rain and fresh NW for Sunday - least if that holds we'll get some help down the R44 home

Have seen those - like the idea of no disassembly - but not so much the idea of battling London Underground at rush hour with one Edit: How many hubbers have used these, # trips, experiences etc. Even with the hassle of a bigger/heavier case, it could still work for me if it is totally reliable in protecting from damage.

I think that's part of the point - without the cushioning you are forced to develop a "light feet" running style, which I'm told is both better for your body and faster

Check with where you buy it from. On my old roadie they swapped out my Tiagra 53/39 for a SRAM Compact crank a while back - I'm pretty sure the SRAM crank was not 9spd or 10spd specific. I didn't have much chain wear though.

Caveat: I'm no runner! One of the girls we cycle/train with is a big fan of 5 fingers - reckon that they really help improve a more natural running style, and considerably reduce aches and injuries. HOWEVER ... she also said you need to build up very gradually with them, it takes time - and, she does Ironman's and Comrades, so she's an experienced runner

Haha - and here was me hoping to keep that a secret

Cool - will check that when I investigate them more

Useful feedback - thanks. 50 flights is some testing, I've read reports where cases themselves have started breaking catches and stuff in less than that, let alone the bike inside. I'm a bit paranoid - been training for months for a UK event next July. Would be gutted if bike got damaged on way there and blew all the hard work

+1 to that. William has built two sets for me - heavy Mavic/Hope set for training and long endurance rides, and lighter Velocity/DuraAce set for events and "races" (not that I am really a racer). Both sets have been A1

Was just looking at cases yesterday - are the Racecase ones any good? They look kinda soft in pictures, doesn't seem to be much protection from airline baggage handlers throwing them around and generally squashing them with heavy stuff. I was looking at the Polaris EVA Pod (available on BuyCycle) and Bike Box Alan (UK only and lot more pricey). The racecase is cheaper though, and local is good - if it's tough enough.

We were aiming for 8hrs but gave up worrying about time after 100km battling the wind. We ended at 9:05, but still smiling and with 11 of our 12.

Wannabees: http://wannabteam.co.za/ If I'm honest, the name was part of the thing which put me off for a while - shallow of me, I know, but there you go. They're a great and sociable bunch though, so I'm very glad I got over myself and signed up. Now I just smile when we ride past a group of other riders and get the standard "wannabee!" chant - just as often we get comments about what good humour we have in our bunch, and can they join us. I think Somerset West Cycle Lab may have started a group too - I know they do have morning group rides. I'm more of a social rider though rather than a racing snake, so the Wannabee club is a good fit for me. We had an awesome DC ride together.

I'm mostly a "black stuff" rider. Prevaricated for years about joining a club, but finally bit the bullet last May and have enjoyed some great group rides and camaraderie since. So I'd say yes, based on my experiences

Somehow got promoted to E from L last year. Would love a sub 3, but this is 1st year I've ridden DC and then Burger 1 week later, so no idea what will be left in the legs over those rollers home on the R44. Looking forward to it loads though - will be few of my DC team mates too, so be a nice re-union

I was thinking maybe time to pick up a Sig P290 ....

Not sure about most recent one - previous two were a Sat, early AM, and a Sunday (not sure on time).

Yep - makes 3 (poss 4) in that triangle of R44 or R304 into Stellies in the last month or so. Not good