singletrack

Funny how my 3x9 on the 26" (previous bike) and the 2x10 on the current bike has never given me any issues with chain drops, no matter the trails and or terrain I am riding. No chain guides are attached to my bikes so I guess I will have to go 1x1 if I want 100% total peace of mind.

Don't get Hairy excited!

Hairy, for one thing, if anyone can keep upright on a bike with only 1 leg upfront, then that alone should be reason for respect ! No to mention the wealth of knowledge and experience GoLefty so generously shared. Why ban someone for that? #MindBoggles I guess we will call him "GoneLefty" from now on

USN = Useless Sports Nutrition Will not touch the stuff even while wearing a hazmat suit.

Tygerberg MTB Club have certain contraints and limitations they are working in and, nonewithstanding, ARE doing a brilliant job. The comittee have considered a number of alternatives to allow non-members more freedom on the trails, however, given a pinkie and the whole hand was taken, hence the restrictions. I ride Jonkers at least once per month and gladly pay my R25 for entry, I do not see the need to buy an anual permit just yet. Botterlay Hills also have some good trails and I I will gladly pay my entry. Do I make requirements as to how much I want to pay for entering or riding any trails? No. Do I request that certain allowances are made to accomodate my requirements? No. SANPARKS / trail owners will just laugh me off and show me the door. I know what the trail rules are and the club's rules are and abide by it. Each and every person(rider) has their own requirements, limitations and motivations and cannot expect a club having 4000+ members to accomodate every rider showing interest in riding the trails's requirements. That is just not going to happen. That will be a disaster waiting to happen. The corridors are members only and have been made such as a result of a number of reasons that shall not be divilged. Each person also has a different perception of what value is to them. You need to decide if that is worth YOUR while from a monitary standpoint. One should also understand that it is a previledge for us to ride these trails. Not our right. And the fact that non-members are allowed (with a valid day permit) is also a great aspect the club is allowing. Thank you Tygerberg MTB Club!

I have been using these lights for the last 4 years come rain or shine on the road as well as MTB's http://www.ravx.com/products/lights/super_sight.html not the lightest, but if you want visibilty then these lights have 5 LEDs' with major visibility and 4 flashing modes. They are close to R100-R150 which is a small price to pay for your visibility/safety. The claimed 800m visbility is pretty much accurate so not marketing hype. The rounded shape of the lens ensures the light is spread at a wider angle increasing the spread. The bracket will fit almost all seat posts and is easily adjusted horizontally and vertically. Use it/Dont use it

I have been using these lights for the last 4 years come rain or shine on the road as well as MTB's http://www.ravx.com/products/lights/super_sight.html not the lightest, but if you want visibilty then these lights have 5 LEDs' with major visibility and 4 flashing modes. They are close to R100-R150 which is a small price to pay for your visibility/safety. The claimed 800m visbility is pretty much accurate so not marketing hype. The rounded shape of the lens ensures the light is spread at a wider angle increasing the spread. The bracket will fit almost all seat posts and is easily adjusted horizontally and vertically. Use it/Dont use it

Good luck with the Doc

Hiatis hernia was suspected initially but that's why I went for the X-rays and the Barium scans. I needed to illiminate all possibilities. Fortunately it was not a hernia in my case, but I agree with you, it could be a hernia. It is better to go see a quack and be sure

Hi there, I have been experiencing the same issues the day after the 2009 DC and started to become progressively worse. What I did notice is that this happens when I eat things like oily food (fried chips, crumbed chicken burgers etc etc), oats, bread food containing yeast. I used to pop Gaviscon like smarties before I started to make the connections and since I have cut bread, oily foods and oats out of my diet, i have not needed to use Gaviscon even though I have a tube with me just in case. I also noticed that red wine and beer for some reason increases reflux as well. Such a shame really Have a look at the similarities between your event and my event here: Dinner the night before the DC; Chicken Pasta Breakfast on the day of the event: 2 packets of Oats (choc flavor)and 2 cups of coffee Dinner the night after the event: cheese and ham sarmies (was to tired to make descent dinner) I was sent for X-rays, Barium Scans (which costs a crap load of money when not covered my medical aid) and everything was declared healthy and clear. The results did indicate that my PH balance was way to high and this caused the reflux but the foods trigger the feeling and burning sensations. It has been about 4-5 months since everything started to clear and I will keep away from anything that contains yeast and or deep fried. I am not sure what triggered this initially and the doctors are also not able to say. The weather was about 34-35 with a dry SE breeze and I was close to the point of de-hydrating, so I would assume that had an influence. Good luck there mate, I feel your pain Jacques

Scott breaks to much :-) Rather give me a Mongoose the thought alone makes me shiver

When I got into Mountain biking in '03 I was not impressed with Giant's appearance what so ever, so I opted for the GT Avalanche in the same price bracket. Did plenty miles on her and loved the feel of the bike. I was then given the chance to buy an XTC NRS1 and this is where things started to go wrong for me, as in badly. To cut a short story long... I now have my 2nd Trance (due to affirmative shopping of 1st Trance) and love the bike, It is my Presiousssss :-) I even went and got me a Giant Roadbike!!! Now comparing the bike with any other brands I have ridden before is not fair as each and every bike is different in design, geometry and setups and will have a different feel. Been on 2 Spech Epics, Scott hardtail, Scott Genius, Crack-en-Fail Prophet and Rush and my trusty GT. None felt as comfortable in handling and performance in comparison to my GT and Trance. Possibly due to setup and geometry. I am not dissing any of the other brands, but I feel that you get a quality bike for a reasonable price when buying a Giant. The bike will not stand out in the crowd, but it gets the job done. Oh and as for going up hills and down hills and people passing "all the Giants", that is more a rider's technical ability issue than a bike issue :-) Oh, I still ride the GT after I gave her a facelift

I agree with NOBODY to a certain degree, except for the "mowing them down part". Examples must be made, and sadly, some of these examples have to be hard lessons and it should be directed to the cycling community in general. I had the opportunity this year NOT to ride the Argus; however I was there observing. From what I have seen is that the attitudes of the cyclists is a disgrace to say the least. And this towards each other of all things. This leads me to believe that it is easy for that attitude to spill over into their general lives, which includes driving cars while talking on the phone. I have posted on another forum and it reads as follows: We are all devastated with all the cyclists knocked down and who sadly passed away, but we need to get our own house in order first before we can expect the motorists to treat us with respect. At this very section (the section of the Argus route I stood at), the attitude amongst cyclists were nothing to be proud of. Actually, it made me want to ditch my bicycle in the sea and deny the fact that I am a cyclist. Bumping each other all over the place, swearing at each other once they get the opportunity to pass another cyclist when given the chance. This makes me wonder how they drive their cars! All of this for a few seconds better/faster? Is it really worth the stress you put yourself and the other cyclists through and making you want to forget this particular race? Coenie, You said that we are responsible for our own safety? What about a situation whereby a motorvehicle driver was frustrated about something a cyclist(s) has done to him recently, like eg, cycling 2/3 abreast and said driver "takes a chance" and it turns out for the worst and knocks/kills a cyclist? This has happend before. have you ever heard a conversation start with "You know, those cyclists... they just piss me off so much because they....". How do you feel about being associated with these cyclists under the blanket of "those cyclists"? the ones who gives our sport a bad name when you try your best to be responsible and obey the rules of the road? How can we take responsibility for our own safety if it is caused by the irresponsible actions of others in our sport? In Closing: Nobody... Someone had to open their eyes. If they want to take offense to it, then so be it. It COULD just mean that they are one of the guilty ones.

apparently there is a LBS in plattekloof as well. I have been told their prices are very good as well. Just past SPAR/De Kelder and they will be on your righhand side. I am also looking for a new LBS as WE is sadly no more. Will have to check them out shortly.