Squier

Disappointed, but it was just not on. Made it to the parking and then called it. We'll catch VG next weekend for the 24 hour!

Some good riding. Mostly singletrack with some rocky technical bits. Routes are well marked and really well laid out. A real good workout, it's not flat, but really fun. Haven't been there in a while. Time to go back!

Yes, you could take testosterone for recovery and more, but the main variable for a grand tour rider was hematocrit. Even when epo was undetectable you could only take your hematocrit to 50. Hamilton said it; you need threed things to compete in the Tour: 1. you need to be very fit. 2. you need to very lean 3. you need a high hematocrit points 1 and 2 are within your control, but point 3 is limited to 50% for everyone. Though I won't go as far as calling it a level playing field, getting the edge over your competition had more to do with points 1 and 2 than your doping techniques.

That's my mention on Twitter! I asked the question, because I also found it strange. I'm sure Lion Man will still happen, just not under the advendurance banner. Hoping that they move it a week earlier as it was the weekend before sani2c this year.

He had Ferrari and a plan. Just as the others had Fuentes (for instance) and a plan. I'm sure you read Hamilton's book. He makes it quite clear that doping was not rocket science.

Sure, there was motoman but it's not like hamilton quit doping when he moved to csc. Everyone had a plan and a 50% hematocrit level. Reading the books its not nearly as sinister as you make it out to be.

What lengths? He had a doctor that gave him some epo and transfusions (mostly). You make it sound as if he had to take a ring to Mordor to get the stuff.

I wonder if legally KE can sue DG. I know he wont, but hypothetically speaking such a case should have some merit?

But we've known that all along...

This is a really fun race. Have done it twice. Giving it a miss this year as I am opting for Cradle Quest at Van Gaalens. The first half of the race is flat and fast and the last half the exact opposite. Underestimated it a bit last year.

There's also Rosemary Hill in the East, that gives you 20 odd kms of fun singletrack.

I have absolutlely no idea who those riders are. Good to see though that testing doesn't only happen at the sharpest end of the sport.

Public bio passport. Full disclosure of blood values to be scrutinised by anyone at anytime.

It's a 12km lap. Route map and profile are up on www.24hourmtb.blogspot.com EDIT: sorry, replied to a very old post.

Ja, like last year, the climbs upfront will break you making that last kick up at Vulture Canyon a bitch! I remember that last year I actually pushed my bike up oom Piets, which is not steep at all. I was just so knackered at that stage! Can't wait... Sufferfest coming up!

That's a tunnel going underneath the road.

It's a good strategy for Sky. Bagging two out of the three Grand Tours will be awesome for the team. (and if they keep Wiggo out of the Tour he might even have a shot at the Vuelta). Although, Froome will have a fight on his hands. The Tour will is going to be a helluva lot more competitve than it was this year.

I'm going to believe that Kevin is clean, simply because I want to. I do think that he needs to step up to the plate now and publicly confirm that he is, indeed, clean. We, as the cycling community, also need to make our voices heard and show our support on the social media platforms (@Nedbank on twitter and Nedbank Sport on fb) and encourage Nedbank to stick around. They may or may not care, but if there's the off chance that your voice can make a difference it's worth a shot!

A good read: http://inrng.com/2012/11/epo-the-wonder-drug/

I'm still looking for that write up that some or other pro wrote about using EPO and all the dangers and stresses involved with it. I read it on a thread somewhere here earlier this year but for the life of me can'tt find that thread again. It's the one where the guy speaks about setting alarms and getting on the trainer in the middle of the night. Any help?

Did the last of the Nissan series on Saturday at Hakahana. What a great ride! Got snapped by Zoon Cronje in the process...

Here it is: http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2012/10/11/3608613.htm It's funny how all of a sudden Betsy and Tyler are now arbitrators of the truth.

It was a tough one but really awesome. Went out to hard and struggled a bit with cramp about 50km in. The climbs were tough but the views amazing! We ned more races like this!

Not too sure about Mr Menchov... and the fact that Andy was able to stick to Contador day in and day out is also rather suspicious.

"Vorster’s vision is to develop Hakahana as a mountain-bike training venue" Great news!! One more place to ride your bike close to home!