Mamil

Love my Garmin 830 which is basically the 530 with a touchscreen. Pretty sure I can get 6 or 8 equally sized blocks. Sometimes I imagine what my grandfather (who loved gadgets and had the first ever calculator watch) would say if he could see the tech on my wrist, in my pocket, on my bike.

There can be only one ...... Mamil....

In such circumstances I tend to just note the behaviour and adjust my expectations and level of collaboration accordingly. Cheap school fees in the end, could have ended up doing business with them. When splitting a bill I generally don't quibble about 50 bucks here or there with my mates cos over time it's bound to even out. But if I notice someone consistently having short arms and deep pockets I have no qualms saying something.

In order of menace... Porsche Cayenne, any Audi, taxis, anonymous white Bakkies of various provenance. This statistically derived from thumbsuck estimates based on today's little loop to houtbay. It does seem to be getting worse and worse out there.

Don't be stingy. If I was your riding buddy I'd buy you coffee at the trails. And as I can carry 2 bikes, next time we go I would offer to lift you. And you never know when you'll need an extra bike carrier. Spend the dough

100km... About R2.50 per km... Still cheaper than a car though!

It doesn't seem to do that to me during exercise for some reason. If I drink one at rest my hr goes up a good 20bpm but during endurance events it just makes me feel perky and provides a sense of ease and strength. I do know that there is a fair amount of variability in people's response to caffeine though. As it happens I mixed my red bull with my hammer perpetuem at cp2 on 36one and not only did it pick me up it tasted fabulous!!!

Of my 22 hours 20 something I was not moving for 2 hrs and 40 something minutes. I don't think I could have ridden much faster so that means trimming down the eating, resting, chatting, changing that happened at the stops. Assuming I do it again. Which I haven't decided yet

Quite sure @DieselnDustwe rode together or lose enough to hear the groans. I also did 22hrs 20 something mins. Was wearing a pink mtbgoats top on sat morning.

Ha ha ... Ja. Climbing those early bits of rooiberg I thought this isn't so bad. Then I got to the waterpoint that a quick consult of my notes told me was the bottom of rooiberg and realised that the fat lady hadnt even drawn breath yet. The moon set. Darkest before dawn I thought as I elegantly caught my sagging jersey pockets on my saddle mounting up and heading off. As you say, a proper day out and I am hugely pleased with myself and this achievement.

Listen okes - those were not rollers --- looking at the profile afterwards they are almost as high as Rooiberg and longer too. A roller is a little hill where the momentum you get on the downhill is enough to give you a serious boost over the next uphill. The pain from Calitzdorp to the 40 to go marker was real. Sweet school kids at the last refreshment stop too - 5 of them surrounding me each with a platter of something tasty.

Excellent race. First class refreshment stations and control points. Memory of a lifetime: descending from rooiberg towards calitzdorp as dawn broke across the mountains. I've repressed a few less pleasant memories, specifically from 280 to 320 .... In whose twisted imagination are those "rollers"? World class event.

Didn't T de M have covid earlier this year? Gotta wonder if that's got something to do with it.

Not too much different from hitting the proverbial wall on an analogue bike at the bottom of Patrick's psycho plunge when the car is parked at bloemendal.

This would be a much shorter video on the corner of Durban and liesbeek Parkway .... "Stop... Go back". Splat as taxi doesn't do either of those things

I think that's a brilliant idea and I'm implementing it.

As if in answer to his silent 3am complaint about his chilly head, there appeared a very nice buff halfway up Rooiberg. There is a deity thought the hypoglycaemic mamil as he unclipped and took off his helmet .....

Planning my boxes for the big ride and contemplating treats that might act as a pick me up .... Looking to put a red bull in box 2 and another in box 3 as an example cos I frequently stop at the Noordhoek garage and get one for the 40km home over chappies after long rides. Always makes me feel good. Anything special others are putting in their boxes?

From a native of those lands - There's only one climb - How hard can it be? It's not South Easter season - we'll all be fine

You really ought to be doing the full so you can push me up Rooiberg!

Fomo. Next year, like Arnie, I'll be back

Weather forecast (the Norwegians) predicts perfect conditions. Hardly any wind. Not too cold. Not too hot

Fair point. Nothing worse than being on the side of the road with nothing to be done to get oneself mobile again!

There will be water stations. Depends on the organiser what there will be at those stations. Usually water and coke. Probably 4 of them I would think.. Carry enough nutrition for your anticipated time plus a little bit. I carry 2 tubes. 3 bombs and the inflator thingy, tyre levers, a small multitool with a chain breaker. A quick link. I'm a mid pack rider. Racing guys will probably carry less. Im also riding it. Looking forward.