Groentrui

Polkie is gonna take it slow. Will tell him to check thehub.

Yes me... Will be my third one, I always do the 45 km. Really a beautiful ride, but don't expect an easy. On the last two rides, cramps always hit me halfway of the race, but I will hopefully be prepared this year. Check the 45 km profile on the Magalies Monster website. Those climbs are quite steep, and one of them you need to carry your bike. No way of riding that hill. Riding conditions vary from dirt road, with very sandy sections, to really rocky parts. If I remember there is one or two river crossings and a couple of wooden bridges. Somewhere to the end of the race you ride on some kind of sement wall. Lookout for the wire handles sticking out of the concrete slabs, although they are clearly marked. Also, if you gonna take it at a leisurely pace like myself, check out for the leading riders of the 70 km which might overtake you there. For them it is seriaaasss racing, so let them pass. They really appreciate it. There is more than enough water points, with lovely naartjies. Hopefully the late rains have not spoiled the harvest. The only tip I can give you, I would try to follow as well this year... Don't start too fast...

Thanks people! So they'll stay on for the Magalies, since there is that portage stukkie in the middle...

So it is for muddy riding. Thought about replacing them with rubber studs, that may help during portage in our highveld conditions. Doing the Monster next week (the little one though), but there is that part where you have to carry your bike up a steep hill.

After 5 years I replaced my MTB shoes. For the new ones you can screw in some serious studs. I've cycled with it at Groenkloof, cause it looks cool, but couldn't yet figure out where to use it. All I know is it can be hazardous to tile floors.

In the last couple of years I had quite a few bad experiences with LBS's in and around Centurion, so I started servicing and working on my own bicycles. Earlier this year I came across Epic Sports in Doringkloof. I saw they had quite good prices on services etc. so I took my set of road and MTB wheels for rebuild. I was surprised with very good workmanship and the work done in a relative short time. So after a whole year of road racing I dust (mud) off the MTB to spend as most as possible of December on some Groenkloof single track. I had some trouble with my rear derailleur (don't want to stay in second largest gear), and decided to get it checked out by a more skilled and experienced technician, since I could not find the problem. So Monday 21 December (2009) I drop off the bike at the shop, and kindly ask them to have a look at it at see if they can see any cause for the problem. They inform me of how busy and understaffed they are, but they will get around to it before Monday afternoon, and I will get a call before they work on the bike. I also told them that I would like the bike back before the 25th, before they close for Christmas. "Yeah sure" was enough to convince me. Monday afternoon I call to get some feedback. Sorry, but they have not had a look yet, but they will let me know ASAP. I don't like to niggle people, so I waited for them to call me. This morning I woke up to birds singing and the sun shining. Quickly went to the shops to get the last few things for a lekker potjiekos and drove to Epic Sports to pick up my worked/unworked on bike. Surprise, surprise.... THEY'RE CLOSED!!! I don't know till when, or if it is only for today for a year end function. The door is just locked, no print informing when they'll be open again. The only thing I can see through the window is my 5 year old Schwinn Moab, wishing to get some mud on her. So, again I'm in need of a good LBS. You can rebuild a wheel, you can regrease a chain. But you can not give me back 9 days of summer to spend on my MTB... (That is 26 Dec to 3 Jan, the 4th is back-to-job) If anyone know how I can get hold of a owner, manager, technician or janitor of Epic Sports, please let me know.

Yes, it's a 175, will put pics up later tonight

No, it is the older ISIS style crankset. Replaced it with a GXP external bearing one.

The cranks are still fine. The Truvativ (used on MTB) has got some 4 years worth of scratches though. Will take some photos tonight of the whole bunch, and put it up on the "for sale" (or rather "for take") forum tomorrow, with more detailed specs.

I've changed a lot of components on my road bike and MTB. What am I supposed to do with all the old components? It consists of the following: - Tiagra Crankset (Used) - Truvativ Firex Crankset (Very much used) - Chains - Couple of used cassettes I do not like throwing things in the trash, especially if it can be re-used or recycled.

I chose to go through the river, not over it. Arrived at the start with 3 minutes to go. Still alive, but I might be growing an extra few toes....

I really want to hear some of your comments on the parking for Pretoria/Midrand people after reading how you felt about the Expo.

Did a couple of laps around the track on Wednesday and wondered if anybody ever measured the profile. Searched the forum but couldn't find anything. If nobody has it, I'll log the track with its profile on Tuesday evening and post it on Wednesday (if anybody is interested). Just don't point and laugh at the oke with the moerse GPS on his roadbike going around Kyalami on Tuesday...