CJVDM

I guess this is more a case where red tape got in the way of proper customer service. But my 2c, the workshop is actually good, i have been to numerous other workshops (in CPT and another in Durbanville) and have gone back to CWC because the guys working on my bike actually do a good job the first time. I dont know all their names but Shaun normally works on my bike and certainly go back because of his quality work. Then re the GP manager, he greets me every time by name and have given me nothing but good service so i wouldnt fault them just yet, it could just be growing pains of the new store. There could be some guys who has some attitude but Evert has not been one of them, hes always been helpful. (and the Willemse's are always friendly and helpful).

Anyone knows how the trail has held up aftet all the rains? Think last night also rained more rhan expected.

Found a Nokia (those old bricks which fold open with keyboard inside) today on the Bottelary hills trails. Contact me if you are the owner or know him/her on cjv002@gmail.com

Was going to do this ride but the amount of rain that came down today worries me that the course might be the same mudbath as last yr. not in the mood for the repairs afterwards. Will now prop sit this one out

Glad its sunny, last year's mudfest (although fun) costed me a crapload of money in new brake pads / chain / cluster ect due to the mud.

One of the races i enjoy the most during the year. lotsa climbing but the single track is worth it. The mud last year ruined it a bit but its dry it will be awesome!

Yep, lobo is the best! pop some ice cubes together with yor water and it stays cool for a long time. certainly keeping my water cooler than a bottle

Ek kan dit nie glo nie, im truly gutted Het gisteraand nog a rerun van hill2hill gesien waar jy saamry in sy baggies. Nog gedink, wow... die ou is cool... en nou.... what a loss.....

Dasklippass just outside Porterville in the Western Cape. Worst gravel road ive ever ridden to get to the pass which then turns tar.

Yep, you are right although i have never seen a HT trail bike before but i take your word for it. The bicycling mag also only showed DS trail bikes but they could be biased as well. The point i was trying to make is that the more suspension, the more comfortable ride you will have and only the real race serious guys should (in my biased opinion) go for HT bikes. Of course the HT lends itself for better value for money option and each to his own. If it was me, i would rather save some more and then buy a DS or buy a semi decent DS and then upgrade along the way.

There is still more than enough time to get ready for sani2c. I did thw wine to whales quite eaisly with approx 250 - 350km of training per month. Will do sani as well and will prop lift my training a bit. It depends on whether you want to tace it or just complete. if you can do 80km easily then i dont think you will have a problem in completing the ride.

The Jan 2013 bicycling mag has a very nice decision tree when deciding on the optimal bike. Have a look at that...but basically if you not a race snake and in it for the enjoyment, then a trail bike would be best, which basically points to a DS. i recently switched from 26ht to 26ds and wow, what a difference, did some farm roads today which i could possibly describe as a road fro hell (super corrugated) and i cant even fathom how a ht must have felt. The 29er ds would prop handle it even betterthan my 26ds. Many of the dualies can pretty much lock out the back suspension if eeded and i use that function a lot but when it gets rough, nothing beats the ds ito comfort.

Yes, you can.... Do yourself a favour and switch to Shimano (SLX or XT) SLX is perfect, i have both SLX and XT and wouldnt mind riding with either one. Also had Avid 5's and CR's and they are crap.

Difficult question to answer, Steve Bowman at cyclelab specifically set my handlebars in the correct position as i understand many ppl tend to set it incorrectly. On long rides (60km+) ive now taken to taking 2 ibucods (pills with 400mg ibuprofen) which works like a dream... but i dont think its good in the long run. Ive seen in this post that most ppl push the ESI grips but i thought the wing support might assist me Sorry, to also answer your question: the pain is on top of the wrist (i understand it feels similar to carpal tunnel, although ive had it checked and tests came back negatively - was a loongg time ago) but the pain persists. Def worse after a hard day of riding.

Anyone tried these grips before http://www.cwcycles.co.za/product/selle-royal-mano-grips ? i have a lot of issues with wrist pain and hope the wing support might help..

Eenzaamheids - Leeuwendans route this morning - 80km on the Durbanville backroads - a but warm @ 34degrees though

i put some l-glutamine in my waterbottle which apparently helps to utilise my protein intake (after ride meal) which rebuilds my muscles. that and a jump in the pool after a ride do me wonders.

Distance?

if you tried all these tips and thebrakes still rub , just do yourself a favour and get shimano brakes. Even shimano SLX would be better. i changed to slx on my prev and was very happy with them. have xt now on my new bike and it feels the same as the slx. both better than avid 5's

Also, what type of brakes do you have? Avids have a narrow space between the callipers compared to shimano. i might get flamed but thats the main reason ive changed from avids to shimano.

Yep, i think in the end (and i hope it is) this is possibly the reason. ive rested now for a week and a did a pilates session this evening, so lets hope i feel normal tmwr. if i feel fine by tmwr, i might do a easy 30km at low pace, otherwise will do my 1st real ride agin on the weekend. lets hope for the best...

Total control yes Just a pity im exactly like the cheetah, like lightning over the short distances but shyte over long intensive distances. also the reason i start mixing base riding with longer intervals. but ill keep it slow for the next week and start upping the pace again next weekend if the shivers dont return

Thats the difficult part! i just cant let the roadies pass me by on my mtb and then drop me.i always have to tag along and try and beat them in a sprint. but yes, ill take it slowly..

Yep, im def feeling better and havnt done any exercise since last sunday. The question is now whether i should start some easy rides or wait another week? Needless to say i was already thinking abt doing a slow 2hrish ride tmwr... to get back into things

Dont think so, as per wikipedia glandular fever's symptoms onclude fever and sores in the mouth and headaches which i dont have. Muscles ache is prop a result of my training.