walkerr

After one too many soaking rides, I figured I've earned enough rule #9 credits and ordered an indoor trainer. Heard good things about Sufferfest and Chris Carmichael videos to train with, wondering which series people feel are better. Leaning towards the Sufferfest ones because they're downloadable, well priced, and have kick a** sound tracks

Oh that Denmark, I thought it was the one near the equator ... shortlist reset back ...

Awesome - gone up my shortlist of countries to move too

Also considering for 2014 - next year is LEL, won't get time off to do both sadly!

2nd broken spoke on my Easton EA90 SLX in 8 mths and around than 2,000 km of riding. Front spoke this time, last time it was a back spoke. Left me stranded at Rooi Els and missing the last 30km of a glorious day for riding. Not a happy camper. Last week the rear hub worked loose and needed a rapid service too. Maybe I just got unlucky with a bad set - but my experience of these is that they are k*k in terms of build quality, wouldn't choose them again.

Ah ... sensible plan!

Don't tempt me! Coffee machines come under same category as bikes and cameras with me - ideal number I "need" follows the N+1 or S-1 rule.

Love this thread - one of my favourite on the hub. Got trip to US coming up and will be adding the following to my current stable of grinders and brewing apparatus (Krups grinder, Saeco semi auto, Bosch drip machine, 2 and 4 cup mocca pots): http://www.amazon.com/Aerobie-Aeropress-Hario-Grinder-Package/dp/B004785HAY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3OTYMWZTV0VMQ&colid=1F1WUKW08SUT2 Read good things about the Hario hand mills and Aeropress - seems perfect for camping trips and when Eskom decides to throw the power out. 100% concur with comments that decent beans and a grinder make the difference. Even with just a cheapo Krups grinder from Dion, being able to grind my beans just before brewing has made a huge improvement to my coffee's taste. Even the drip machine (don't laugh!) makes a passable quick morning cuppa with a fresh grind of right coarseness, long as not left standing on the hot plate).

Ditto (and I'm a Brit!) Wiggins has the talent and team to be able to win this year - and quite possibly if he avoids bad luck he will. But I just can't make myself want him too. Just seems to be a lack of humility, almost an "I expect to win this" attitude. Just seems to make me happier when other riders (Froome, Nibali, even Menchov and Evans) do well. Really loved watching Voeckler's comeback and Voigt's daring push at the end of yesterday's stage.

I would steer clear of EA90SLX - mine are light and fast, but in 2,000kms I've had one broken spoke and now my rear hub is loose and wheel wobbling which I need to take in and get fixed. Personal experience of course, but that model doesn't count as bomb proof to me.

I got a 2011 Stumpy FSR last year and love it to bits. I'm strictly a recreation rider, MTB is purely for fun - this does all I want of it and more. I'm sure the real experts would recommend something way more serious, but for an average rider like me it's a great machine.

Nice. Have other riding plans next year, so earliest J2C for me will be 2014 - all being well though, hope to be there

Haven't done either, but joburg2c is on my TODO list. Epic less so I'm afraid, since it stopped have the "tour" aspect to it.

One that came with a free entry ticket

Oops - posted before I saw this. Congrats on getting sorted, hope she enjoys the new bike

Williams in Somerset West stocks Giant - bit of a drive for you I know. Nice guy though, and very knowledgeable.

Agreed. Take us further (+/- 150 per day), show us some more of this great land, adjust the price to be more realistic, and I'm in!

Now that sounds an awesome prospect - very tempting, although I suspect it would cause divorce my side since we have family over around then and I'll just have come off DC training.

I think all the current SA Audax events in the Joburg guys. Think there should be info and contact details on main website http://www.audaxsa.co.za/ Last discussions I saw were that the Western Cape ones would recommence in Spring.

Yep - it probably is, certainly priced that way. UK may have more villages, but stuff often costs more too. I still don't see how you get to R9k though, especially when you're camping not paying for B&Bs Each to their own. Maybe there's a target market it will appeal too, just a bit sad that isn't me. A well priced, well thought out road tour would have me sold right off.

Least if you ride it on nobblies and full suspension you'll feel like you've done more than 66km

Looks nice - but holy cr*p that's a lot for a road tour. Look at London Edinburgh London, 5 day tour all meals and dorms included for approx £290. Ok, it's not a like for like comparison in terms of what you are getting, especially on the accommodation standard front, but even so 3 times the price? Road touring is something I love and would be really up for a decent road tour, but the price would need to be half that or less. I don't think you can seriously stick an "Epic" price tag on such an event. And if you like road cycling or touring in any way, 66km a day seems way too short. I'm not super fit, but I'd want to see at least double that to make it a proper tour. I reckon most people who like road cycling would be fit enough for a 100km+ ride each day. But hey, just my views, maybe they'll get takers

Yep - annoying as hell when expensive kit gets scuffed up.

Also suffered the "not enough layers" last week and had to do some urgent kit replanning: put an extra thermal T under long sleeve Polaris Jersey (which is also a warm fleece/wind stop jersey) on went the leg warmers a booties went out and got some warmer long gloves also picked up a lighter/packable shell - gilet was just not enough, and "heavy jacket" too bulky for jersey pocket if it warms up while riding Was 2 degrees when I headed out Sunday and above helped avoid the "ice block" syndrome on feet and hands - made for much more pleasant ride

Sure - if you're pedaling fast enough to burn your shoes I hope you're not cycling anywhere dry. You could start a fire!