Lifer

8&6

Yeah, likewise, also been wandering about this. For me, I think it is a mix of: Move and resettling taking up time and diverting it elsewhere - new jobs, kids settling, meeting people, looking for houses, new friends with different hobbies etc. Distance to get to trail - I was spoilt living in Stellenbosch before leaving. I could jump onto world class trails for a lunch ride if WFH, or last minute just pop out to Jonkers from my garage with options of any length desirable. Now it's an hour in any direction to anything interesting (but there are options). We are currently looking at different areas to live, and closer to trails is a consideration for me, but put off by perceived lack of schools that would suit our kids. Last yr the weather lottery also mean't a drive + chance of mud fest meant even less inclination to go. Cycling buddies - As above, new friends have other hobbies. If I had some people nearby that were keen with the option of jumping into the car at short notice to go for a good session, then I recon I'd be more keen then driving alone for an hour to ride for a few and an hour back. Better still if the families gelled. My cycling buddy in STB before leaving's partner was friends with mine and kids similar ages, so a morning technical 50k was often followed by a family braai in the afternoon. None of the above is insurmountable, so I'm still hopeful to put the new bike I got just before leaving SA to decent use at some point...

Hi, sorry busy weekend. I signed up to the 100km to force some fear induced Achilles recovery and thinking I could downgrade to 50km if necessary but looks like that will be sold out. So plan currently is to attempt to slug it out. Your option looks a good one, my girls are still a bit too young for the 25km but may look at the shorter options. Yeah, I'd be keen to join you at any of the above! I'm away this weekend but should be good thereafter.

Zoning, not that we are unhappy at Churchill Park.

Anyone still getting on their bikes? I managed to rupture my Achilles in October just after my bike arrived in country so its been idle. To get some recovery motivation I've entered Whaka 100 (Oct) and Highlander 45 (May) but probably need to actually get onto some trails before then (been commuting and Zwifting). Given our location in Eastern Bays I'm struggling to find time to get out though and only managed a solitary Totara Park ride but would be keen to explore Woodhill/ Riverhead/ Hunua or any other if anyone is keen for company.

Churchill Park -yeah we were pretty envious of the golf shirts at Glendowie.

On another note, how insane is the cost of a new school uniform? We are just next door to you at CPS with their tailored button up shirts 🤦‍♂️ going for as much as my best work shirts. Highly recommend going the second hand route or starting up a disruptor business. The sports shirts are also way overpriced vs what I pay for a quality dry fit 🤑. Good school I believe, she will love it.

Hello, my bikes are finally on-shore and now need a bike rack. Looking to get a 4 bike carrier so the whole family can come along. Any opinions/experience on the various towball mounted options available in NZ, some of which look pretty much the same but with a fair bit of variance in price: 1. Ezigrip - https://www.evocycles.co.nz/Product/284654/ezigrip-enduro-4-bike-rack-with-light-board 2. Torpedo7 - https://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/T7CATN9QT/title/quattro-towball-mount-4-bike-channel-rack 3. Shogun - https://new.grabone.co.nz/automotive/other-automotive-parts-accessories/p/bike-carrier-rack And then of course there are the pricier options of Thule and Yakima. Hoping one of you may have some insight having experience with them or heard from others who have?

For us, fibre was the best option (if available), especially if can benefit from swapping any DSTV for streaming and potentially lowering phone spend by using it for calls too.

Morning, also fresh on shore and will be keen to join some rides, just as soon as my bikes arrive if our container ever gets picked up from Singapore 🙂. The withdrawal is bad...

Ha ha, a bit of everything. She wasn't sure of fitness so started way too slowly. Then had a bit of tech support along the way and a few short stops. In short though, were just cruising to make the cut-offs but weren't aware of the 7hr thing. Guess a bit hoodwinked thinking the last groups finish cutoff would be aligned to any time limit. Not sure why they made the detour though... Would have made it if a) had found and read the time limit in the race rules piece - but I'd suggest it is publicised next to the cut-offs too, b) not had the detour and gotten off the bike. It seemed a bit dangerous for the slowpo less confident and very tired folk at that time. There were a few that had to hop off and walk down whilst I waited at the bottom. But ja, there are some questions to self to pose too.

Anyone know why the route was diverted down Seacliff road by Bantry bay instead of the usual M6. This was late on. My wife freaked out as was pretty buggered by that point and ended up having to walk down as it was too tight and steep for her at that stage. Turned out there is a 7hr time limit to qualify for a result and we ended up 7:02 ... Bit of spilt milk for her, now unofficial, first attempt. Probably should have read the rules to see that there is a 7hr limit but we had assumed the cut-offs were the only issue and that any time limit would have been visibly shared alongside the cut-offs. Bit bleak but lesson learned.