mazambaan

Maybe I have missed something but I gathered that the main query about CF's perceived "cleanness" was the prednisone in the Tour of Romandie that got a remarkably quick TUE (Cookson jnr was mentioned) and was administered in doses which some felt were high for an athlete in competition. It also seemed contradictory to Sky's no racing with a TUE "policy". I'm being careful here. But at that time CF and his Sky handlers may have seen themselves as being in competition for the top spot for the TdF with Wiggo who was whacking all and sundry in the Tour of California. Not sure of the dates.

I haven't ridden a CR 500 but have ridden the 4 speed YZ 490, the KTM 495 and the Maico 490 back in the day. For sure those bikes pulled like a train down a mineshaft. The Maico had very little low down power but the YZ and KTM (admittedly an enduro bike) pulled fantastically well pretty much everywhere. If you were used to riding big bore 2 strokes they weren't terrifying but if you treated them like a 125 you were in for a shock of note. A real handful on a muddy track as well.

Not really the boss but once had a call from a very important client while riding on the trail overlooking the sea at Harkerville. Had to mumble and try make excuses about the background noise. Eventually told him but he was a little short about it - envious I reckon.

Well done Hayley, very brave. Tall poppy cutters are part of life and the taller you get the more wind you catch. That is just how it is so being criticised can be seen as acknowledgement of standing out. In sports requiring courage and commitment (big wave surfing, big river kayaking, climbing, mx, hard enduro, and downhill mtb etc) I think most people also need to be gradually sensitised to the apparent danger that lurks. I know a few people in these disciplines or have tried them myself and know you cannot lead an exposed rock climb, go out in big surf or nail radical uphill steps on a dirt bike the first time you see them. Unless you are massively brave or stupid. After a few years break even you battle to pick up where you left off (I do).

An MTB vs m/bike would be most interesting Patches; maybe to get GM to try both bikes (a YZ 125/KTM 200 say) on the same track!! There is a niche of fitting small engines (XR 100 size) to what are basically hybrid offroad bike and MTB / downhill bicycles I wouldn't bet on the outcome. I'm guessing that both here and worldwide there is quite an overlap between offroad bikes and MTB; even road bikes if you think of Guy Martin (the amusing nutter). Not downhill but noted quite a few local national enduro riders at Sani2c this year, and for the past few years.

I'm not really an AC fan (the doping cloud) but when I saw his spirit in the chase I had to admire it and it was exciting. Hopefully he didn't burn too much and will recover for the TdF. Sky, well I think they have a few problems; Froome, tired, sick and sore with inhaler and TUE gossip not helping. Wiggo, possibly grumpy, sick and sore after just a stage or two in Switzerland. Will certainly make the TdF interesting.

The speed and precision of his lines through the rocks and roots is astonishing. I'd be walking.

Ha, at least they are walking. One better is to actually stop for a rest, imagined puncture, saddle adjustment etc etc. All in the riding line. Very strange.

Still donating. First sort out Carpet then use balance as you see fit.

_C50_ snap; yours a bit cleaner than my 2006.

I'm not kicking the habit. 2No. KTM's taking up garage space - 525 and 640 Adv.

From N Roche's blog I see that a Giro fan on a bike was killed a few days ago. Colliding with a wall. Roche notes that he had no helmet. Maybe being hard headed Russian makes it ok?

I think that the nicest thing about the small tube method is that you don't have to worry too much about disturbing the seal around the tubeless valve when topping up the air. I've had two flats that wouldn't seal from this.

I am glad there quite a few people who (admit to) take their backpack on every ride, short as it may be. I feel a bit stupid with my backpack - with all its *** but no water on a short ride when I use a bottle. Never know when you may need a space blanket, toilet paper, sunscreen, specs, gear cable, cable ties etc etc.

I think that with the advent of online bike shops like CRC and much more international travel prices in SA have become a bit more rational. I think I paid less for a Fizik Gobi saddle a year ago at CWC than what it was selling for 5 years ago in my LBS. Prices on items like chain wheels, chains etc seems to have stabilised to match online shops. An overseas based friend bought a top end Spez MTB in SA on price when he could pretty much have bought anywhere in the world as he travels a great deal (pardon the pun). The useless bloody ront is our main source of pain. But maybe there is still a niche or two. I would only buy if prices were massively less for closely comparable items..

Pull the buggers out at home. If you leave them in they move around, a little sealant seals the hole and you don't even notice or maybe the tyre needs a little air now and again. But the sealant can get used up quite quickly and then it's a proper puncture and no sealant to plug it. Worms may not seal it as there is no sealant to help (unless you are organised enough to carry some spare sealant which is wise), your tube has perished from not being used and you now become grumpy. Repair now depends upon sweet charity - thanks guys. This I have learnt the hard way. In any event, top up the sealant.

Two marginally related questions: I know Shimano say the 10spd chain is as strong as the 9 spd but if you take away some of the lower gears is there not a risk of larger forces on the chain, particularly cross chaining with an 11spd rear only and hence chain breakage? Lot of breakage among the pro's recently it seems. Does the Shimano 11 spd shifter have a more than one gear at a time / rapid change facility (maybe only on the XTR?)? Pity no Gripshift. Not that I am in any way considering 1 x 11. I need a proper granny.

A little off topic but was is one D Impey up to these days for OGE? Maybe he's lucky not to be at the Giro de Injury.

It's sad that some "rogues" should both jeopardise access to trails on farms and steal from those that make a living from manufactured and maintained MTB trails (Hola & Giba say). Rumour has it that in KZN a few farmers are very unhappy about Sani2c trails being ridden without permission by riders that leave gates open etc as well. Prosecution for trespass isn't that easy as I understand it. For various reasons the law is quite "trespasser friendly" as I understand it. I believe you have to have signage, then prove that these were ignored. So the best way may be to first issue a clear written warning, take photographs of the "rogues", then try prosecuting (laying a charge with SAPS) if they are caught again.

Eish, been there, done that. I'm with meparak. One or two "offroad" rides where the pewter chain shatters or the play doh derailleur disintegrates and you have to walk to your car or home pushing 20 odd kg is enough.

One thing you could try in certain areas is to fasten some random stuff like a feather, a dried lizard leg, a smear of something that could be blood or worse, maybe a bit of dried fat or sinew etc. Never know; just don't give yourself botulism, groen aap koers etc

How do you stop cheating? By now plenty of people know the Sani route and, mostly, if you get off course there is a district road nearby. Perfect for 29'ers.

Great service guys!!

Expensive pedal service. Suddenly Crank Bros at around R200 for both sides doesn't look too bad.

2 tickets bought and best of luck for the raffle and season.