Rapunzel

opsite flexigrid is also a clear plastic breathable dressing. I used it on a deep roastie on my elbow and it stayed on for a week and when I took it off, the skin underneath had healed well and there was hardly any scarring (cleaned the roastie first with antiseptic solution and a nailbrush and put a thin layer of bactroban on)

Just double checked - one small chip (about 2mm)near the BB and the bike has done about 10 hours per week over the last year, mostly on trail (majik, kliprug, hillcrest, contermans, ...). Picture sucks - bad light and no flash.

my carbon 29er has a kevlar protector on the downtube with the same paint finish as the frame. It has taken some big knocks from rocks and has lost no paint (1 year old and works very hard). The paint on the top tube was damaged when it connected with the brake lever after the bars turned during a crash but it was a hard enough connection to bend the brake lever.

My hubby and I have the reverse problem as I'm stronger than him. We have a "gentleman's agreement" that we won't ride together so that it never becomes an issue. While it is great for partners to participate in the same sport, it shouldn't have to be a stress on the relationship. Alternatively, get a tandem

try adding zinc supplement with your vitamin c. I normally take it just before I go to sleep if I've got a sore throat and it is normally better by morning.

Also get the bike shop to check your shock pressures - sag on the front shock on your 29" hardtail or on the rear shock of your 26" DS may be causing the problem.

occasionally take one in the closing km's of mtb races but try to stick to fruit and home made goods where I know what goes into it. Have found gels to cause me to cramp in long distance events (4+ hours).

meerendal isn't exactly a gnarly trail to destroy a wheel on. You're well enough to post the pics so presume your body survived the endo?

Thanks so much guys - the reason for the size discrepancy is I'm considering buying a 2nd hand kcnc ti-pro. So I can go for the red bull with wings option or get the CRC shim and use baby powder if it slips. I think I'm sorted :-)

I'm considering using a shim to fit a 27.2 seatpost on my carbon hardtail which requires a 30.9 diameter seatpost. Anybody tried using a shim? What are the pro's and cons?

I'll second that too - clearly a great effort was put into the event and the turnout was surprisingly good considering how little advertising was done. Thanks STBB

best not let Brussel read this thread - he'll accuse you of crashing more than me I managed about 4 years of road and track cycling with no broken bones - fun factor about 6/10. Then I started mtb'ing about 2.5 years back and I've had 3 broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder and elbow and had numerous roasties, cuts and bruises - fun factor about 9/10 Medical costs not a joke at all and hospital plans cover very little. Considering how much money the radiologists make out of us, it would be nice to see them sponsoring some events

I'd love to experience something like W2W or Sani with my husband but he refuses to ride with me

I started using the Nivea 50+ (small white tube with blue lid) and am very impressed. It's water resistant and not thick and greasy like other water resistant sunblocks so it spreads easily. I've not had any problems with it stinging my eyes unlike other products I've tried.

Are you going to be rehydrating on stans again? I remember your race report after completing on a rigid single speed - that was hardcore!!

you can try http://www.medacsport.co.za/?wpsc_product_category=rockets-active-compression-for-women how much of a difference is there in the cut for men and women?

what about scars? I have collected more scars in the last 2 years than in the previous 34

oh dear - think we chased away the downhillers clearly we share the "thrill" gene but you managed to miss out on the "crash" gene. but what happens if I try the descent again on the 26er and it's faster?

6:18 on a hardtail 29er this morning - awesome fun

what about chicks on clown bikes?

a group of us came across a rinkhals in Cedarberg a few years back - amazingly beautiful snake (we got a bit close and he reared up and spread his hood). Sadly not seen any on the tygerberg trails.

a group of us came across a rinkhals in Cedarberg a few years back - amazingly beautiful snake (we got a bit close and he reared up and spread his hood). Sadly not seen any on the tygerberg trails.

Maybe also try aiming for a race after Karoo and think of the Karoo as a warm up event. That way, if you find yourself still not well enough to ride / get a good position, it's not a crisis. Stress will dent your immune system and this would probably help take the pressure off.

no red meat but I do at least eat some fish and eggs (also don't do dairy). Tried calculating my daily protien intake and it is about 40g which is a bit low so trying to do eggs for breakfast, tuna sandwich for lunch, ... Anybody else adjusted their eating habits after reading this article?

Let's not get confused between a high protein/low carbohydrate diet like Atkins and what Prof Noakes is recommending. What he is saying makes huge sense. In a natural environment, we wouldn't be exposed to refined carbohydrates such as flour, corn products, sugar, cereals,... , nor would we consume dairy products. The gap left by omitting refined carbohydrates would be filled with carbohydrates from fruits. I'd like to give it a try but being vegetarian really throws a spanner in the works Anybody up for the challenge?