walkerr

Agreed - I fear that 30 weeks countdown timer they have on the site is gonna spin down quicker than my fitness spins up

I looked at Thule, but went with Atera - BuyCycle had quite good prices on them: http://www.buycycle.co.za/buyparts/bike-racks-and-carriers/atera/ Got the 3 bike rack. Worked well for me so far, bit of a jigsaw with all 3 MTB on - but quite snug when all locked in place.

Yep - no real surprises there, maybe one year they'll juggle things up just to confuse us. This year I didn't stop training - been racking up the kilos

Just went up on DC site today I think

Bought, built and done: https://www.bikehub.co.za/gallery/album/1049-jolly/ Did a light 30km today, rides a dream - very happy.

Totally - there's always that 1 part left over at the end ....

And here is the end result: https://www.bikehub.co.za/gallery/album/1049-jolly/ I chickened out slightly - got William to help with (aka "do most of") the build. Was impatient to get it altogether quickly, and after all the time and effort researching I figured a few extra bucks to be sure it was all done right was money well spent. It was enjoyable to see the process too.

My issue is as an amateur - how do you know? I finish some rides feeling great, and others on my knees feeling k*k. Often it's down to over exertion above my training level - sometimes though, I'm pretty sure it's dehydration or electrolyte depletion. I don't think I've gone into over hydration coz I'm a sweaty g*t but how do you know? I'd love it if when you crossed the line they could do a body scan or pinprick blood sample and say "you need more X when you ride" where X could be fluid, carbs, sodium, more training etc etc. I hate just guessing and never being sure the missing elements Edit - fix typo

FWIW - I'm having a couple of wheelsets built by my LBS (Williams in Somerset West). His charge was I think R300 (forget exactly). He's supplied some of the parts (rims, spokes + 1 rea hub). I've supplied 3 of the hubs. His labour charge was flat, no extra because some parts I sourced. His build charge was actually higher than a couple of other LBS - but roughly in line with what some of the top wheel builders charge. I've got a lot of confidence in the work he does, so would rather pay a tad more and get a really solid set of wheels that I know I can get tweaked and adjusted with no quibbles if there are issues. Just my 10c

Cheers for the feedback - new bike almost built, so I'm def going to need some proper setup to make sure I'm positioned on it properly

Singlespeed ... you're awesome! (How was that?)

Haha - nice !

I think I'm being the dumbass now - you lost me ....

Haha - yes, very true!

You have perfectly summed up the 2 reasons I gave up entering MTB events: 1 - I am one of those slower riders on technical sections 2 - I got sick of being shouted out by people with the attitude shown in your post above So I decide rather than paying R100 - R200, I'd stick to weekend riding with my mates on trails where events aren't being held, and spending maybe R20 to R30 a go. If you don't like crowded trails - either get out in front, or if you can't, then don't enter Either way, quit moaning.

Count me even crazier then ... also training towards the LEL too

Agree on stores & choice - oddly, I think it might help some stores especially nearby ones. I like that I can drop in to both CL and Heldeberg CW when around that area - twice the fun and goodies to tempt me!

Also dropped in while passing today - staff seem friendly and helpful. Obviously they're still getting ramped up, but kit range seems ok. Glad they didn't have a CAAD10 to tempt me Anyone belong to the Cycle Lab clubs in other areas and got views / feedback to share? I've been pondering joining a local club just to give me an alternative to training solo when doing home area training rides. Seems like CL could be an option to consider. Guys in the store reckoned they're planning to get that up and running in the S'West store over next couple of months.

Cool, good news. My new frame just arrived - so build-up with my shiny Ultegra 6700 groupo will happen next week

It would certainly be a very interesting change to the usual - back to the old roots of cycling, with road bikes getting some dirt for a change. I'd go along for the fun of it, especially as I'll soon have got my new audax bike built up with tough rims and 28mm tyres, which would be more than capable of some rough stuff.

Agree it's not the most interesting of routes in terms of variety - but I reckon "cr*p" is a bit strong. I really enjoyed the Plett ride - some nice woodlands and scenery, and the hills were more than tough enough for me to make it a decent challenge. I guess that's the beauty of riding though, we all look for and enjoy different things.

Haha - 2 laps at audax pace maybe Not sure about a C or D team - from memory, I think cutoff is 10.5hrs so there's not much scope for being that much more social than the 9.5hr end of our 8.5 to 9.5 target. Give me a shout if you want to meet up for beers and chat audax. Aside from being mad keen to do a DC since I started cycling here, I'm also looking at it as a near term target towards LEL next year. A pace of 25km/h over 200km is way higher than you need for an LEL or PBP, but I figure base fitness is base fitness, and it'll then be easier to step down speed and up the distances to some 300km and 400km training rides start of next year. Edit: typos

Hi @berry You'd be more than welcome to join us for training. At that pace though, we might all be sitting wheelsucking you We are at 13 initial members at present - so there wouldn't be a guaranteed place if we all stay the course. But of course entry date and the actual event are still some way off so it's quite possible spaces might open up. Drop me a PM with your address if you would like me to include you on the email list.

Cheers @LOUDMAC.The Hub B / social team target is a much less ambitious 8.5 to 9.5 target, but it's great to get some feedback from those who have done it before - I'm sure a lot of your thoughts apply to all teams, whatever their speed. Especially the bit about the last quarter of the race, very tempting to look at the profile and think the work is all done so very handy to know we must keep something in the tank.

Good tips - thanks!