Rapunzel

I don't use a scale but think 1-2kg's this winter. The cold makes it really challenging to make wise food choices

It was in some of the magazine calendars and Tygerberg MTB had it in their newsletter. I'm increasingly seeking out non-PPA races as they generally offer better value for money.

What an awesomely organised event! Tough route (wind did play havoc with some of the arrow boards); great watering tables (didn't stop but riding past they looked jovial and well stocked); bike wash at the end; complimentary brandy and glass; hot showers; free massages, sweets, chips and Rehidrat at the Rehidrat recovery zone; Bokomo breakfast zone open from 6am with free breakfast cereals and rusks; generous prizes. Thanks so much to the organisers, we'll be back next year, even if the weather forecast is the same

I was trail running on the hillcrest cycling trail (durbanville) last summer and had a very close encounter with a cape cobra in the long grass. I heard him hiss before I saw him and it is amazing how high they can lift themselves up when they spread their hood. Fortunately he moved at speed away from me and while I quite like snakes, that got my adrenalin going.

we thoroughly enjoyed the show although the previous film, "Follow Me" was a bit more action packed. We were a bit frustrated over the late start, maybe advertise next time as "drinks and eats available from 6:30 and film starts at 8" to avoid confusion and unnecessary rushing. As for the price - we have no problem paying R65 for a movie of this calibre - it's not designed for the mass market and if we fail to support these smaller productions, they won't be financially viable. If you want to watch something cheaper, Smurfs 3D is showing

Was that where the warnings were for the drainage ditch on the descent? One of the guys in the 1st 60km batch came down behind me on that ditch and the sound effects were scary. Going back to cost of photo's, cost of entries, value for money, ... I thought it rather disappointing that the bulk of the income comes from the shorter distance events but they only give prize money for the 75km. Giving people boxes of fruit juice and socks for a top 3 finish in an event with 500+ entrants is not great, particularly considering the high profile sponsorship the event receives.

sounds lovely - heading out there tomorrow :-)

Willie Engelbrecht stripped a Felt Elite for a client and the frame was extremely light but don't recall the exact weight. Wheelset is heavy and coloured spokes are gruesome but on your budget you can upgrade the wheelset to something lighter and more tasteful. Maybe first try a test ride, varying builds and geometry will change the way the bike handles and what is suitable for one person won't work for the next one.

I'm now C - I'm speechless!!

Took me a little of 6 months to get the card. Phone head office on 012 426 5000 and demand to speak to mr David Mabunda (CEO). If you sound aggravated enough then you'll at least get to one of the director's PA's who are very helpful. Don't bother speaking to Hein Grobler, the head of Wildcard, he's arrogant and useless.

no need to run - I rode on a 29er and I found the short steep climbs really taxing on my legs. I dare say that given the nature of the route, I may have been as fast on my 2"6 dual suspension as I was on my 29" hardtail. but that's just me

If I'm ahead of you again next year I'll clear the little critters out with my mace!

both last year and this year I ended up on my own through this stretch - last year one of the youngsters hit me on the arm hard enough to leave a bit of bruising and this year one of them picked up a branch and he and his friend chased after me saying they were going to hit me. Probably just an idle threat but it's kinda difficult to out ride them through the thick grass. Think I'll be taking mace with me next year. Other than that - lekker ride

Did the 60km again this year and was pretty poked by the time I hit Pappagaiberg. Still managed 7min faster than last year so couldn't have been too bad. The multitude of short steep climbs really do hurt the legs. btw, did anybody else have problems with the farm kids after crossing the calvert under the stellies/klapmuts road?

It will also hinge on fitness and intensity. I did the burger 60km last year a bit under 3H30 and only consumed 1x750ml bottle of fastfuel and 1 energy gel with caffiene which I keep for the last 10km. However, my rule of thumb for longer rides is to consume something substantial like an energy bar or banana every 90min.

contact pedalpower or racetec. Alternatively, fit it to your shoe by feeding the last velcro strap through it.

running races are cheaper as they attract far larger fields than most cycling events (particularly mtb). If dropping prices to half would attract fields twice the size then we'd also be quick to complain about congestion and incompetent riders. My personal solution to the cost problem has been to be picky about the races I ride and I don't participate in those which are too far or offer bad value for money. We're extremely lucky to have so many races in the cape and thank you to most of the organisers who get very little in return for the effort they put in.

she'd look even better with a dose of mud :-)

I've attempted to speak to Hein Grobler and when I did manage to get hold of him, he was arrogant and obnoxious. I've subsequently laid a complaint at the South African consumer union. The phone was answered within 1 ring and the competant lady I spoke to has vowed to take action pending me mailing her the details. Please can you also follow suit - 1 voice sometimes isn't enough. Please take a moment mail your details of your complaint to sacu@sabs.co.za

Thanks for the ride Brussel - we sure are blessed to be able to bike in such awesome areas :-)

From Durban rd, go down Old Oak road (towards Willowbridge centre) and turn right into Tygervalley Road towards Kenridge school. Turn left into Van Riebeekshof rd and majik is on your right at the traffic light intersection with Jip de Jager. No cost to ride but you'll probably need somebody to show you all the routes otherwise you'll miss many of them.

I've got a hardtail carbon 29er which is the "race machine" and then an anthem 2 dual suspension. I'm far more comfortable on technical and overly bumpy terrain on the anthem and I continue to use it for multi day races. I do sometimes lack power which the 29er requires at lower speeds and during accelleration. However, I find that over the course of an average cross country race, the improved rolling of the wheels over the majority of the terrain coupled with the lower bike weight makes it faster. Hope this helps

ouch!! rather try 6: technique find somebody experienced to give you a few pointers such as choosing appropriate gearing. Strength to weight ratio is important but with the right technique you can still climb well without having to do some serious dieting.

agreed - if you're needing some decent training in the morning your best bet is to do hill repeats on speedway (the road leading up from poplars/d'aria) or to head to the residential roads. Tygerberg has evening riding at Meerendal on Thursday evenings if you're keen to hit trails in the dark.

ran in the B seeded group last year for the half - ran a good time on cycling fitness but could hardly walk the next 2 days. Will be watchingon the telly this year so good luck to all of you and enjoy