Enticement

Per definition we distinguish between various components to conditioning, however we cannot really separate them. The sequence for developing speed is Stamina > Strength > Speed endurance > Muscle endurance and then Speed, although they all overlap with each other. Speed development really pertains to establishing a neurological track that synchronizes the nerve impulse carried to each muscle cell to contract, and the better they are synced, the more you develop speed. This however all within the boundaries of your genetic make-up of fast twitch and slow twitch fibers.

Fortunately Mother Nature offers more than trails suitable for only 29ers - its all about riding style and preferences. The perfect bike has yet to be designed!

When you have set your goal and you commit yourself to it, stay focused. Do not allow any trivial challenges to side-track you from your "battle plan" ... PS. The 80km on the SA XCM Champs 2013 it will be (as agreed).

Nope, he initiated by saying he will beat me with one leg - that started the whole thing. So that was the challenge.

Gewoonlik laaste naweek in Feb maar CSA kalender is nognie beskikbaar nie.

Its the XCO World Champs in Aug 13, but the XCM World Cup starts with Sabie Classic again in 2013.

Its not in my nature to chicken out, and I have a REAL good battle plan, and I've been sticking to it for some 5 years now - lots of things I had to learn! I will anyway be at the SA Champs and hopefully also the Worlds, be it God's will. Whoever is there will be racing against me. As for exact time/date, CSA calendar is being finalized. The only way my name will be gat is if I don't ride at my best, so Dangle, no honor is lost if when I beat you!

Keep on guessing as this forum is mos ananymoes

Ha ha, not that beat, although that is also necessary some times, but not them beating me ...

This year there were 2 - the ultra in Wellington and the marathon next weekend in Hilton KZN. I'm pretty sure it will be somewhere up north next year but will let you know when I have the information.

I know nothing of Dangle - I even doubt if that is his picture. I'm not even interested in his performance as I always ride my own race. I will be 53 with the next SA Champs so I'm an old man that only started competitive mountain bike racing in 2008. You can check my workouts on Endomondo as I log them all there - I do around 300km a week mountain biking (not road), which is around 11 hours per week, and my aim is to do well next year, specifically on XCO. I used to by quite handy on the 800m as my genetics doesn't really make me a good long distance endurance athlete, although I have done a 2h45 marathon (running). Just ordinary, but enjoying every moment of it! I have 4 children and we keep each other quite busy - sometimes they beat me, sometimes I beat them.

Can I offer you a conditioning program - this one is for free

That is actually called a "soft-tail" if it doesn't have a pivot point, compared to a dual suspension with a pivot point - I'm not familiar with all the marketing terminology manufacturers use. Sorry- thought you were referring to real zero pivot If you bend a tube, the tube sides become thicker where it is bent and the thicker the sides, the easier it bends on that spot. Similar to taking the exact amount of metal to manufacture a tube and a rod of exactly the same lengths. The tube will be harder to bend than the rod due to the increase in surface and consequently surface tension. With hydro forming manufacturers succeed to retain sidewall thickness in tubes that are bent. I am no metallurgical expert or have detail on how they do it - more interested in the results.

No chiken out, no money bets, just fun.

I will see you at the 2013 SA XCM champs and will ride the crap out of you on the 80km marathon - it should be to your advantage as you have age in your favor. I'm not an ultra distance rider and focus on XCO, but will accommodate your probable lack of bike skills.

Great Idea, however I'm concerned about timeous recovery before the Epic.

There are 3 categories of elements that constitute an ideal bike choice What do you enjoy most when riding - breaking sweat, burning lungs, adrenaline rush, etc What type of riding activity do you enjoy most - technical, short with high intensity, long with low intensity, gravel roads, single track, etc What do you expect from your bike - should it be light, durable, low maintenance, reliable, etc Only if I have an empirical and verified indication can I suggest what type of bike (not brand).

I'm an "old man" and need time . I'm on a long-term preparation plan for XCO and will only peak 2nd 1/2 of 2013. So, will it be SA Marathon Champs next year? I'll compromise, we can do the 80km to shorten your time of suffering.

How many different bikes have you used (not merely tested) over the past 3 years - remember mountain biking is an experiment and if you cannot talk from experience you also practice "true crap you find on Google".

You name the race 2nd 1/2 of next year - how about SA XCO Champs or SA XCM Champs if you want to suffer. What about XCO Worlds 2013, or then Hilton 2013?

Remember the perfect bike has yet to be designed! Single pivot is mainly used where you need lots of travel, like with downhill. The biggest down-side with the design is the trajectory of the rear wheel which is elliptical, implying "chain growth" when pedaling hard and you suddenly ride over a rock with the rear wheel. With 4-bar linkage you can fit a link like the Horst-link that results in a better rear wheel trajectory, saving energy in that context as you have better movement control. Down-side with 4-bar is lots of pivot points which equates to more flex potential. Zero pivot is becoming popular but is like a "purist" clan. I grew up on single speed hardtail fixed fork so I like my "comfort". If you're really budget conscious I would suggest hardtail, good suspension fork and fat takkies (with multidirectional casing) used a lower presure. That should take care of your small bump absorption. With carbon frames the flex in the frame can be controlled better as most of them are hand crafted and direction and layers of carbon can be manipulated. With aluminium, techniques like hydro-forming, butting, extrusion techniques and others are used to ensure surface tension that eliminates unwanted flex, are used, all adding zeros to the price. Remember what Tom Ritchey said - in cycling, pick 2 of cheap, strong and light, and forget about the 3rd one.

If that is so, why are there no 29er downhill bikes commercially available? Your comment is valid from a certain perspective, but is it not application dependable?

If you have not proven your genetic ability to perform on that level yet, forget it - redefine your goal. If you have the genetics but have not started with your preparation 3-4 years ago, forget it - redefine your goal. You can take an active rest day on 13 Jan 13, with a recovery ride on 14 Jan 13.

Bicycle ranges are updated every year, sometimes only with a new paint job. What do you use to guide your next upgrade - do you rely solely on the sales person or do you make sure you acquire some knowledge before you part with your cash. Like which is better to buy, a 29er 100mm travel dual suspension or 26er 140mm travel dual suspension when you have a limited budget (like we all have)?

Define exactly what you want to achieve with the Epic - be it just finishing, or top-50 or podium. Make sure your battle plan for preparation supports that and then stick to it. Use that as a project plan, inclusive of milestones and dates. Make sure your plan guides you through a off-peak, pre-peak and peak period as the focus on components of conditioning differ between these periods. The peak period should start around beginning Jan 13. Do not be misguided by misplaced comments and remarks, stick to your plan ...