gogo@

So, we are almost ready to roll. Bike washed, kit packed. The bike she is standing in the sun gleaming, ready to load. Was very very quick. No scrubbing for the cassette even, despite the spiderwebs ???? Because why? Because packing for this one appears to be finished before training started ???? Sigh. Tourist class for me again.

Somebody in JHB please give Kevin a hug for me. I'd give blood too if it would help. I'm go to start donating again. Got slack about that. TW hang in there!

Thanks for the update Kevin, there's so much I'd like to say that I find I have no words.

Every bit of this is so true.

Thanks for the updates - have been checking FB et al all day. Feels like I'm holding my breath. Stay strong TW!

Sheeeeeet. Just saw this now. Was wondering where the PG updates (at al) were this morning?!? Counting on you TW. BE STRONG. Please keep us updated, those who know?

Details of how the vehicle landed up on the course?

For all event info and to enter, please go to www.grahamstown2sea.co.za

First coming up. Bit nervous so glad to hear it's "really not that hard" Thanks Swiss!

Don't forget: online entries close Monday 18 April! Cash prizes for first three places in each event, spot prizes and lucky draw hamper on offer. Food and drinks on sale at the Golf Club and a jumping castle for little people not riding their bikes. Come join us!

Route maps and profiles for the three events: 15km Adventure, 40km Challenge and 70km Race.

Routes and profiles: More info and entries at www.belmontvalleychallenge.co.za Please note: online entries close Monday 18 April.

Some of the jeep track on the 15km route - lots of peppadews, mielies, views of the valley - and fun!

Double Trouble on the Red Trail; Belmont Valley with the golf course where all races start and finish; and the trails on Radway Green where the real fun begins. The marked Manley Flats Developing Trails start at Radway Green. To get to the Trails follow the B&B signs from the R67 (Port Alfred road, 15km from Grahamstown) and look out on the left past the farm house for the yellow bicycle. It's 0.5km down the dirt road where you can park behind a closed gate (do close it behind you!) and enter the trails. You can ride the marked trails anytime - just pay your R30 for the day and sign in and out on the register.

Event Name: Belmont Valley Challenge When: 24 April 2016 Where: The Belmont Golf Club, Belmont Valley Road, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape Category: MTB Be ready to ride lots of single track! All three events start and finish at The Belmont Valley Golf Club, just outside Grahamstown. A highlight is the extensive trail system on private farms, some of which will only be open for these events. The event is organised by Albany Saints & Sinners Multisport Club, the guys who bring you the G2C in July. Route descriptions: The "Race" (70km) makes the best use of 4x4 and cattle tracks and trails developed specially for MTB. After leaving the golf course, on dirt road the 70km route heads for the top of Belmont Valley then crosses the Port Alfred road, dropping over into some spectacular riding through farmland and Eastern Cape valley bush. Large parts of the route flow through untouched forrest, over hills (and down!), crossing fences (where you "post" your bike through or hike over the style), along streams and open lands with views to the sea (if you have the time). Then there's the final crossing of the tar road to ride the rolling dirt road (that means another climb, yes) before a sweet piece of downhill track drops riders back out on the finishing straight to The Belmont Golf Club. The "Challenge" (40km) follows the 70km route out of the Valley, across the railway line and tar road, dropping into the trails, tracks and challenges of some of the best bush and farm MTB on the Red Route at Manley Flats Developing Trails before heading home via the Manley Flats road. The "Challenge" may be shorter, but it includes much of the best riding on offer in the area. The "Adventure" (15km) rolls around the valley, along farm and jeep track, then heads up "prickly pear alley" to cross the railway line before zipping back to the golf course. It's not too technical, offers some challenging hills, but will have you back in time to watch the long distance junkies come home - and promises to be lots of fun! You can ride the marked trails on Manley Flats Developing Trails at any time, using the self-issue permit system. The MFDT is a project supported by a number of farms in the area. Be prepared to "post" your bike through a few farm fences or hike over styles. Enter at Radway Green, off the R67 about 15km before Grahamstown from the Port Alfred side - follow the B&B and trail signs). Go to Event Page

What chances of charity entries not being taken up at R2000 a spot???

Anybody entered and paid already who can see their entry reflected on racetec? I did mine in the PPA window but nothing on racetec yet.

There's also the little matter of the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act 2/2010 which requires police clearance, which requires sanctioning from the national sports body... The two work together and CSA has, according to themselves, had SAPS along to shut down races that don't have their sanction.

Hectic. Also thought of Field's Hill! Glad your mom escaped it...

1. Get 'road onto rail' - don't we have the highest axle load limit in the world? What's that stuff doing there!! 2. Check, police, police and check what's left on the road. 3. Zero tolerance of drunk driving and drugs. Make it mandatory that blood tests etc are done at accidents. 4. Road blocks at hotspots and blitzes around nightclubs where everyone gets to blow into the machine. Over the limit? Night in the cells. 5. Demerit system. Too many points, license suspended and ultimately revoked if necessary. 6. Regulate taxis. Police them and enforce stopping in designated passenger stops. 7. Provide safe affordable public transport. 8. Educate school children regarding road safety. 9. Plan, build and promote cycle lanes. 10. Emphasize traffic policing over revenue collection 11.etc... Ha ha ha ha, if wishes were horses... Actually, some of these things are not impossible so why have I become so cynical? Probably because more and more one sees and hears the attitude that laws are to be obeyed only if and when my personal interpretation is that they are valid! Like stopping for a red light. Or slowing down in a residential area. The idea of behaving in a way that is cooperative and aimed at the common good seems long gone I'm afraid.

Should automatically become a charge of murder/attempted murder if driver does not stop - if it isn't already.

Why would SAIDS agree to the 2 month reduction??

Agreed, sounds like cable tension. Find the 'neutral' ie middle of the range position of the barrel adjuster and then try working from there, using conservative adjustments... If you've got gears 'over' at one end of the range and not reaching the other end of the range, then at least one of your problems will be cable tension. You'll also need to check your limit screws again if you fiddled with those. Have a look at the section on dérailleurs on www.sheldonbrown.com for an excellent guide on how to get this right!

Double post