Rear view mirror

As we wind down 2011 and speed upto the start line for 2012 we took a look in the rear view mirror of 2011 and all the interesting stuff that we shared through out the year. Here are our top 5 most popular posts for 2011 according to our stats.

# 5: The training experiment

# 4: The journey to the ABSA Cape Epic

# 3: Weather or not mountain bikers should ride

# 2: Howick Mountain Bike Trails video post

And the number one was a world sensation that you will never forget if you have seen it and can't be excused if you have not seen it

#1: The amazing footage of "Buck van der Spuy" and then the follow up Mountain Biker gets taken out by LION - CRAZY Footage -...

Let us know what your favorite post was for 2011 and tell us what you would like to see more of and less of in 2012

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Why you should be on tubeless

Tubeless tyres on mountain bikes have become the performance standard here in South Africa. We have some big camel thorns and some seriously sharp Karoo rock. The best way to get you and your bike through these African hazards is nothing! Thats right nothing, fresh air between your rim and your tyre! There are 3 solid reasons why you should ride tubeless rather than tubes. Firstly you will have less flats that's for sure and you definitely won't have any of those snakebite or pinch flats that tubes are prone too.Secondly performance, there is a reason why cars today are on tubeless tyres. Its because the tyre can perform the way it was designed to, and that's just what you need on your MTB. The last reason is because you will be able to save some more weight by ditching the tubes. So if you want to have less flats, save weight and go faster then get yourself a tubeless conversion otherwise just carry on plodding along.

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The journey to the ABSA Cape Epic

Last night the journey to the 2012 ABSA Cape Epic began. Our entry was confirmed and we will be representing OFM radio. It has been more than three years, three kids (between the 2 of us), and for me 12 kilograms since we last took on the great adventure. So, yes, things will be very different, and the road to the 25th of March 2012 will not be easy. But it has been a goal for us to return for a 5th time and next year we will do it.

Watch this blog for updates on what will hopefully be progress towards the greatest mountain bike race on earth.

The real average guy.

Weather or not mountain bikers should ride

This weekend there was literally a storm in a tea cup down at the Whine2whales stage race in the Western Cape. A rather unseasonal cold front moved through the Cape and brought some seriously wet and cold weather that prompted the organisers to cancel the 3rd and last day of the event. There was mixed reactions from riders and on lookers alike. Burry Stander was clearly having none of it when he tweeted "7deg with wind and pissin rain. no thanks. #dodgedabullet" then there was local Cape rider Shan Wilson who was less than impressed with one of his tweets "This must have been a back line decision from the touch rugby squad!!! Riders signed indemnities!! ". I don't suppose it helped that one of the main sponsors was Maseratti, maybe with a good old Subaru or a Toyota Hilux or even a Nissan bakkie the organisers would have been able to supply the necessary backup and support to finish the race off. You just have to look at the Freedom Challenge to know that there is no limit to where and when you can go on your mountain bike. So was it the riders or the organisers who had to HTFU?

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The training experiment

Mountain bike training and achieving physical fitness may be an exact science but getting it to work is not nearly as exact. There are so many variables at play like the type of activity, length, intensity, age of rider, rest intervals etc. Putting all these things into place forms the basis of a training plan and so the possibilities are endless. However one thing you can be sure of is that experimentation and adjustments to training plans will bring different results. So if you are not performing as you think you should then look at changing your plan. If you are performing then look at your plan and see what it is that you could do to perform even better. Goals, focus and discipline in terms of the overall plans as well as individual exercises will be cornerstones of any successful training experiment. If you need some ideas check out Joe Friel's Mountain Bikers Training bible.

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The secret about tyres

Tyres are usually the last thing you look at when you buy a new bike. Thats quite normal because they are the easiest part to change on your bike once you have it. But many people never do. If you think about it tyres are one of the most important parts of your bike. They affect the weight of your bike on the wheels where it really matters. A saving on your tyres can easily translate to a kilogram or more which is huge for weight on wheels. Then of course the tyres are where you and your bike meet the earth. So the power that you apply to the pedals goes through those knoblies, the traction that you need comes from there and that all important rolling resistance or friction that slows us down is purely a function of your tyres. So pay attention to your tyres next time they may be able to help you more than you think.

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An Epic Route Revealed

The Absa Cape Epic is out with a fresh new look and new route. 

Launched yesterday the new route is unexpected as usual but as tough as expected. A monster Stage 3 Day of 147km and 2900m of climbing may prove to be the hardest day at the epic yet, something you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. This year there is no time trial "rest day" in the middle like last year. The race will start off with a time trial in the Durbanville area on Contermanskloof singletrack which should be great. Then it will visit the towns of Robertson, Caledon and old stalwart Oak Valley before finishing at Lourensford. If you haven't started training then you had better get some training advice and get on your bike immediately is you want to make it past day 3. 

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24 hours of mountain biking

So where is the soul of mountain biking at the moment? It seems to move around as the sport of mountain biking evolves and develops. Spend some time at a 12hr or 24hr mountain bike event and you would not be mistaken for thinking that this is where the soul of MTB is. This race format is popular because it caters for many different types of mtbikers. It brings together a group of weekend warriors, you see the baggy clad hippy types, the hardcore solo endurance racer and there is a good laid back vibe with music and beer. All the ingredients for some good fun, then take away the sun and you have a night riding vibe. The route is usually interesting and technical, long enough to be interesting and short enough keep it safe. So pack your cooler box, camp kit, bike and load up your friends and family for a really fun event.

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The most watched MTB video in Africa

Its been all over twitter, facebook, youtube and sky sports and must be the most watched South African MTB video on the internet ever. Evan van der Spuy proved that you can't outrun a red hartebees. At a race in KZN he found himself going head to head with the buck. The dramatic footage was caught on film by the rider behind him with a helmet cam. The video was put up on youtube and has clocked up almost 6 million views in less than a week. You can check it out on our facebook page. Buck van der Spuy as he is being called doesn't really remember what happened, checkout this Bicycling interview with him.

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Howick MTB trail review and video

Tucked away in a dip less than a stones throw from the busy N3 in the Natal Midlands lies the little town of Howick. It is all hustle bustle but unassuming, old school and filed with farm vehicles and people. Over the rise in the bordering Sappi forests lies the secret network of some of the most awesome single track that you will find in SA. Laid out in the form of a fan from the highest point in the area is a selection of mountain bike trails from smooth flowing forest lanes to gnarly rock gardens that will make you clinch or break your teeth depending on your skill level.

The Howick trail system has been setup and controlled by the Howick Mountain Bike club. This mountain bikers paradise is not well known, not because it is hidden but rather due to its low key nature. Checkout our cool MTB trail video from Howick

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If you ride you race?

What is it with bicycles and racing? There is something that happens when two bikes meet, be it on the trail, on the road, in the woods or on the playground.

 

Just take two kids who have just learned to ride, put them together and before you know it they will be racing. To see who can get there fastest or who can pass who. Two arbitary people can meet on the road, one on a daily commute with a single speed with no brakes and the other out for his training ride, you can be sure that if they get close  enough the race is on. Maybe it is just a combination of man and machine that want to discover what their potential is or maybe its is just because it is serious harmless fun.

 

Roadies have come out in the open ages ago, they blatantly admit wanting to be the fastest. But mountain bikers whether you ride trails, downhills or just commute, you have to admit that there is a bit of a racer in you, it just happens when you get on that bike.

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Help find stolen bikes

Bike theft is a world wide problem, don't think it only happens in SA. There is a great initiative setup to manage the trade in stolen bikes, it is called the National Bike Registry. They are appealing to all buyers and sellers in second hand/used bikes to list serial numbers of their bikes on the net. This in support of a campaign to put pressure on organized bike theft in South Africa ... sometimes under violent conditions. Visit the National Bicycle Registry South Africa at www.nbrza.co.za where you can list a stolen bike and check to see if a bike that you intend purchasing has been listed as stolen. Also report any incidents or keep an eye on @bicyclesafetysa on twitter.

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Handmade in South Africa

When you talk mountain bikes made in South Africa then there is one name that stands out head and shoulders above all else, MOREWOOD. The 100% South African bike brand cut their teeth on the downhill circuits of the world and made a big name for themselves outside of South Africa. Patrick Morewood was the man with the vision and the know how to build some of the finest downhill mountain bikes in the world. It was only in the late 2000's that they started to become more well known in South Africa. The factory is in Pietermaritzburg where they continue to handcraft beautiful mountain bikes including downhill, cross country and 29ers. Gary Perkin recently did a factory tour and made a superb video of their production facility. It is an awesome feeling watching a video like this and knowing that I ride one of these world class bikes with the cool label on the seat post that reads "Handmade in Pietermarizburg South Africa". http://vimeo.com/garyperkin/handmade

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Medeocre to winner, what does it take?

We received a mail from an aspiring mountain biker Rodney Pedro who is on a mission to become competitive. That got me thinking about what it takes to be world class mountain biker? What qualities do these super humans poses and how much of what they have is talent? Well the most comfortable answer for all of us is just to say that they have genetics and serious talent, that makes us all feel a lot better and lets us justify our own mediocre performance. 

Interestingly training guru Joe Friel has a different view on this. Writing in his blog about excellence he lists the qualities that by experience he has detected in successful athletes coached by himself. They are most importantly of all motivation then discipline, confidence, focus and patience. Notice that he didn't say anything about innate talent, physiology, skills, or even experience in the sport. All of these things can be developed and learned if the other predictors are there. Those predictors are also the same ones that differentiate people who can stick to training programs and those who can't. So if you really want to get on top of your improved fitness or performance then think about your motivation, discipline, confidence, focus and patience.

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Switzerland has it all - Eurobike and world champs

If you were wondering where you should be this week then we will tell you - Switzerland. That's not because they have the Alps and more MTB trails than you can dream about. Its because they have Eurobike 2011 and the MTB World Champs on this weekend. Eurobike is just one big bike party, sure its business but really, can you take anyone in the bike industry seriously? Judging by the photos from the #scottparty definitely not. Nevertheless there will be loads of new bike models and cool accessories and other bike bits coming out of this mega bike show.

The the MTB World Champs is underway in Champery and there are many South Africans riding, not just the big guns Burry and Greg but a whole crop of youngsters too. There will be coverage on Supersport 5 this weekend so look out for that or checkout Freecaster.tv for live coverage. Word on the trail is that the 29ers are getting hammered by the 26ers, interesting .... 

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