Munga 2021

[eddy]

20 hours ago, Jewbacca said:

 

I really want to do the Munga next year. I'm going to keep an eye on the classifieds for a discounted entry, unless anyone wants to sponsor me. 20 inch bike for charity!

I'll contribute 20% of the entry fee if you ride your 20"  for @Reinet.

I know she will be facing a new and possibly harder struggle.

I had my last Chemo a month ago and got the all clear yesterday. I know the toll the last year has taken on Sue - watching, waiting, supporting and living with the constant fear that we may have limited time together and then a lifetime apart.

@Cois will not be forgotten but Reinet is sure to need our ongoing support.

Edited December 9, 2021 by eddy
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[Jewbacca]

48 minutes ago, eddy said:

I'll contribute 20% of the entry fee if you ride your 20"  for @Reinette.

I know she will be facing a new and possibly harder struggle.

I had my last Chemo a month ago and got the all clear yesterday. I know the toll the last year has taken on Sue - watching, waiting, supporting and living with the constant fear that we may have limited time together and then a lifetime apart.

@Cois will not be forgotten but Reinette is sure to need our ongoing support.

SOLD!

I was thinking of doing something like that after Vetty set up his fund. I am really really glad to hear you have the all clear. I was actually thinking about you yesterday and wondering how it was all going. 

Maybe I should chat to Vetty and see if I can piggyback on that as the account is already set up.

RAD. Cause locked and loaded. I may use Argus in March as a springboard to get the ball rolling. With a better seeding and slightly different gearing I reckon I can get under 03:30, which will be a good place to start.

It's on 

EDIT: Got in touch with Vetty, we will likely use the current setup and I will find a way to promote etc while doing a few 20inch bike things through the year leading up to Munga

Edited December 9, 2021 by Jewbacca

[Shebeen]

32 minutes ago, walkerr said:

The weight is low - the trouble is, by being at the top of your head, which already bobbles around, it generates a fulcrum/lever effect. Overall, it's just a few grams, but it's exerting a rotational force some distance away from your neck. I'm convinced that as well as the other measures I mentioned above, dropping 200g from the weight I had up there has helped me avoid suffering it again. The one time I got close to triggering it again was when I experimented with aero bars - I've had to ditch those. They saved my hands, but nailed my neck.

sure.

according to google the average head weighs about 5kg. losing 30g is about 0.5% of the package there.

 

so ja, swap your batteries out if you think it makes a difference it probably will.

but if you believe in that then you should really take the whole torch off.

 

or do some research and find something agricultural like here

https://www.welovecycling.com/wide/2017/08/10/creepiest-cycling-condition-shermers-neck/

 

 

 

 

10 minutes ago, Jewbacca said:

 

Shebeen is a Freedom trail Blanket wearer and old school and current expedition Adventure racer. He is also the biggest stats/kit dork.

To the point where he has built batteries from the ground up to save weight, save carrying things etc..... 

 

not sure i remember that story, but will take it!

for the record my FC headlamp was a petzl myo xp, light unit on visor and battery pack on back of helmet (4 x AA).

nothing on handlebar. (this was in the time before google earth and 29ers). no schermer's neck, but plenty of other things to worry about

 

[Shebeen]

4 minutes ago, Jewbacca said:

SOLD!

I was thinking of doing something like that after Vetty set up his fund. I am really really glad to hear you have the all clear. I was actually thinking about you yesterday and wondering how it was all going. 

Maybe I should chat to Vetty and see if I can piggyback on that as the account is already set up.

RAD. Cause locked and loaded. I may use Argus in March as a springboard to get the ball rolling. With a better seeding and slightly different gearing I reckon I can get under 03:30, which will be a good place to start.

It's on 

this seems like a really dumb idea.

 

so do it!

[walkerr]

2 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

or do some research and find something agricultural like here

https://www.welovecycling.com/wide/2017/08/10/creepiest-cycling-condition-shermers-neck/

 

That's James Hayden from TCRNo4 (or maybe TCRNo3). It didn't work. He pulled out with Shermer's neck a day or so after this shot was taken.

Whether the helmet+torch weight is enough or not - all I can say is, as someone who has suffered this nasty condition, I haven't had it since i dropped the weight up there. Maybe that's actually more about conditioning from having done more endurance events, or maybe not. But I won't be going back to a helmet torch anytime soon for long distance events.

[Jewbacca]

6 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

 

 

not sure i remember that story, but will take it!

for the record my FC headlamp was a petzl myo xp, light unit on visor and battery pack on back of helmet (4 x AA).

nothing on handlebar. (this was in the time before google earth and 29ers). no schermer's neck, but plenty of other things to worry about

 

You and Alec built up batteries AND torches!

[Shebeen]

1 minute ago, Jewbacca said:

You and Alec built up batteries AND torches!

oh. that was entirely him. but yes 3d printed 18650 battery packs and all

 

I did build bike lights in about 2002.

basically these

https://www.instructables.com/MR11-12V-Halogen-Bicycle-Light/

a 12V halogen downlight fits really well into pvc tubing, and a motorcycle/gate motor 7Ah battery can be attached to your saddle rails. this was the R150 DIY version vs the R2k imported lupine/serfas options.

but they were crap, and would constantly overheat 

[Shebeen]

11 minutes ago, walkerr said:

That's James Hayden from TCRNo4 (or maybe TCRNo3). It didn't work. He pulled out with Shermer's neck a day or so after this shot was taken.

Whether the helmet+torch weight is enough or not - all I can say is, as someone who has suffered this nasty condition, I haven't had it since i dropped the weight up there. Maybe that's actually more about conditioning from having done more endurance events, or maybe not. But I won't be going back to a helmet torch anytime soon for long distance events.

Hey if it works for you, it works for you. That's all that matters!

 

i am REALLY surprised we still don't have helmet options with integrated torch/headlamp features.

surely by now there's demand?!

[flatrat89]

WE'VE EXTENDED OUR FUNDRAISER TO 31 DECEMBER 2021!

Any participant riding in this year's Munga MTB race can now join our fundraising campaign.

Get a sponsor to donate R5 to NIKA for every kilometer of your 1153km journey through the Karoo (Or any amount you are comfortable with) and you could win an amazing MEGAMASTER patio gas braai! *If total funds raised by general riders >R20 000.

NIKA Capital NPC is the official charity partner of the Munga MTB Race. NIKA aims to create pathways out of poverty by investing in and supporting school communities.

Sponsors can make safe and convenient contributions by visiting munga.nikacapital.org.

[_David_]

8 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

Hey if it works for you, it works for you. That's all that matters!

 

i am REALLY surprised we still don't have helmet options with integrated torch/headlamp features.

surely by now there's demand?!

[bolt67]

1 hour ago, Shebeen said:

sure.

according to google the average head weighs about 5kg. losing 30g is about 0.5% of the package there.

 

so ja, swap your batteries out if you think it makes a difference it probably will.

but if you believe in that then you should really take the whole torch off.

 

or do some research and find something agricultural like here

https://www.welovecycling.com/wide/2017/08/10/creepiest-cycling-condition-shermers-neck/

 

 

 

 

not sure i remember that story, but will take it!

for the record my FC headlamp was a petzl myo xp, light unit on visor and battery pack on back of helmet (4 x AA).

nothing on handlebar. (this was in the time before google earth and 29ers). no schermer's neck, but plenty of other things to worry about

 

Two stories last year on Freedom where riders had to resort to similar solutions : must be hell. Luckily did not have shermers as an issue on Freedom (did take the batteries out religiously but only because that's what previous riders had advised) but as you said had plenty other issues/ things to worry about as well ...... saddle sores being one of them  

[The Ouzo]

something stupid I heard the other day, but certainly has some merit.

Hold a bottle of water in your hand. How much does it weight ? Now hold that same bottle of water in your hand for 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours continuous, how much does it weigh now ? Technically the same amount, but the progressive fatigue on the muscles makes it feel like that much more.

Could be a similar effect happening with the neck.

 

Thats about the only input I can give, I've never done in endurance event to have experience with this.

[DJuice]

Certainly learned something new today.

When I did the Pyrenees 50 Col Challenge, my neck took a hammering, almost to a point of wanting to quit. 

Stupid me thought the cause was looking up into the mountain for hour and hours on end.

Shermer`s neck sounds better.

[Koos Likkewaan]

5 hours ago, Vetseun said:

I am totally gutted to have at to pull the plug at 1060km. Unfortunately  I could not ride any further looking down at my top tube. I would have had an ugly crash.

The legs were there. My neck wasnt.

There are some hardcore okes here on the hub and I am sure some of them have experienced shermers neck. Not pleasant.

Anyway, no race report from me, my opinion of giving a race report when you had a DNF was clearly stated in the great Hub fight of 2017.

Anyway, I have to get on with life. Sorry Cois, really wanted to show that I could fight hard, as you have shown us all that you can. 

 

 

I saw it as a finish ! Riding for a cause must be seen as worth at least the last 91km's.

Well done ! 

 

[SSCC]

You don't really need a high powered headlamp for the Munga. There is no real single track so you are not turning sharp corners and a handlebar light works just fine. To light up your GPS get a small ultralight headlamp from a running / outdoor store. I've got one that weighs 30g + 12g for the 2 coin batteries. 

If you get Shermer's neck raise your bars, shorten your reach and get a very light helmet. Learn to relax when you ride and not hold tension in your hands, arms, shoulders, neck, face, jaw. Do some off-bike body conditioning. 

If you cant get comfortable with aerobars then you have them setup wrong. Setup right you should be able to fall asleep on them and have no neck or saddle pain.

 

[_David_]

Does this count as a light?