Grondpad

Just got back from entering the race. Nice smooth process without any hickups. Was also the first time ever I was asked to show my CSA license. I dont normally care about the goodybag but this one is really nice. Cola, water, chips, mints, choc snack, pack of cookies, 2 muffins, cycling mag and a t-shirt.

+1 here. And they don’t care about the riders that are left behind. I tried to get my wife to ride with them but every time we went with them they just didn’t care about keeping the group together. I have to say that the rides we did were with the old management of the shop, so it might have changed a bit now. It seemed like they were more focussed on racing one another than doing a social group ride. My wife joined the Epic cycles group a couple of times on her own and she enjoyed it. She said they are very friendly peeps and that they keep an eye out for beginners and ladies. Maybe give them a bash?

This will be my first road race and I see the site says it is a new route. I just hope I didnt pick a nasty one to start with.

Thanks

The 70.3 is currently the big race I am aiming for but I did the calculations and for me to goe and do the race (accompanied by my wife) it will be about 5K. So I dont know if it is worth it. I have started the Triathletes training Bible and am in Base1 currently. So we will se how it goes as the longest event I have ever doen in Tri was the Xterra Buffelspoort this year. Whould the athletes that have done some 70.3's say it is worth the 5K (travel, accomodation, race etc...)?

This past Saturday I saw the coolest thing ever! An Old Oomie en Tannie (I would say 70+) cycling on the path opposite of Bruce Reyneke in Lynnwood road. They looked so chuffed with themselves, smiling and waving with their helmets on and casual clothes. Freaken awesome I also noted that the amount of bikes on the roads are picking up. There is this other old Oomie communting down Voortrekker and then down Soutpansberg. Respect to all the senior peeps. When I grow old, I want to be like that!

It is the SLX. My road bike is 7.6kg and this one feels about the same weight but I have not yet weighed it. Re the fork: it is very very tight. It’s very difficult to turn with this bike. Another issue I have is due to the old tyres. I will have to get new ones because if I go to about 3.5bar then the top of the tyres rubs against the fork. That is how tight it is The other day I took it for a spin, and it being a fixie it almost got into trouble trying to stop. I think for rides like CM I will get another rear wheel that has a freebody. I am also battling to find the same type of leather for the seat. It seems to be a very difficult colour to find. It’s almost a type of 'rooigrond' colour.

Are you involved in organizing the race? If so, can you give a bit more info on the road closure issue? How will you get all the cyclist through the busiest streets in PTA?

They say the harder I train, the luckier I get, but as I have followed numerous programs I have come to realize that this is so true. Doesn’t matter how hard your train. It will only get you that far. I have made piece with being the 25% to 50% of the field. Don’t get me wrong. Training programs do work and I have seen excellent results, but genetics is where the champions are @ -- (doesn’t that sound like an advert for cereal?)

I climbed Mariepskop on Monday Here are some pics of the ride. It’s a really leka climb with 1795m vertical accent over 64.25km.The big climb is 8km long with 1125m vertical accent. Mariepskop is in the centre of the first pic. About 30km from the top

Bought: Lights X 4 (those that you wear on your head) Tyres X 4 Bibs X 2 And my Road bike (Felt F4) about a month ago All good with no issues

Thank you ASG Unfortunately I could not get hold of any T2 in any of the shops I phoned and visited. The hubbers made some great recommendations and I phoned all of them (even the ones in EL), but no luck I eventually settled for the Trivent and I am picking it up tomorrow evening Thank you anyway

I will be doing this climb this coming weekend. Whoop whoop! Just one quick question: Where is the end of the climb? I heard that you get to a gate with an army guard. Do you go through it of is that the end?

Fontana has lost his saddel

Really hope Burry has not blown!!

I have gone through all 1trillion frames on alibaba but it seems like they only make HT and no DS frame. Does anyone have a link to 29 & 26 Chines DS frames?

<p>FTW!!</p>

Is this a worldwide thing or a "local is lekker"? Maybe time to start one in PTA as well. I think it’s awesome when cyclist just get together and do the cycling thing without interference from a regulating body

I am not sure of this route. Hans Strydom, Rigel, through Hatfield etc. Those road are very busy. The last 100km batch leaves at 9:30. That is a full day with cyclist everwhere from PTA east to Hatfield & Lynnwood. It would be great to do the race but the logistics will be a nightmare

How I wish I lived in CT. I really envy you peeps down there. Enjoy!

Thanks routjie! Great info!

All this info is very handy thanks! So is most of the ride to the Nek actually next to the tar road? Only for the turn-off past the garage does it become gravel or am I misreading the map?

Come on! Post some pics please?

It took a while but I after a couple of months I found this bike on Junkmail.

How brilliant is that link! Thank you javadude!. Number 4 is exactly what I need.