Hi!

I have recently heard that SAMBA is going to unify with the SACF. I am wondering whether this is merely another rumour or will actually take place. On the same topic do you guys think that this could be detrimental to mountain biking in South Africa - by this I mean that we could become just a little discipline within the whole cycling picture. Keep it up guys - the new site looks bitchin' !

D. McKenna
Gauteng

We will keep you posted on the developments with SAMBA. But it does sound like amalgamation will take place in the not too distant future. And No, I think that things can only improve with the proper structures in place. - SIMON

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Welcome back!

You guys deserved a break after the brilliant news and updates over the last few years - but did it have to be so loooong? The local magazines dont give us the info we need (although I see you in Sa Cycling!) and you have been providing the news for longer than the oldest magazine (RIDE), and doing a better job. I lurve the new look and will now check back all the time. Keep it up and start a print magazine! Regards,

T. Dunbar
Pretoria, Gauteng

We are working on getting the mountain bike coverage in SA CYCLING right up there with the best oversea's magazines. Give us time - things are looking up in the print media, but in the mean time remember the website will always be here with the freshest news! - SIMON

GRAVITY DOES NOT SUCK!

Hey Bru

I am from Durbs and when I was in CT for the RedBull DHX I saw you with your broken shoulder helping a couple of guys with funny BMX bikes. I heard the announcer call them Gravity Bikes. I found this soopa interesting and would like to know more about the sport and why it was not on the DHX programme, as all the people I was with thought it was the best part of the whole show. What happened to the guy in the gray leathers when he crashed right infront of me? I heard that he broke a leg or something? Shot for the great site - see you in Maritzburg for the national.

Superman
Durban, Kwazulu Natal

I will make a point of looking out for your red underpants and cape in PMB! Yep, you heard right at the DHX - those funny fairinged, disc braked and pedalless BMXes are called Gravity bikes (short for GPV - Gravity powered vehicle). Its growing and CT has seen another race since then. It looks like it may be an official event next year - so start building yours now and keep reading MtB SA - as we will cover this new discipline in depth! The guy who got hurt was Deon Ebel - he broke his ankle. Pic above.- SIMON

Hey there everyone

Thank you for finally updating the MtB SA site! I have fanatically followed almost every issue over the last four years - and then last year was shocked to see no updates for a couple of months. Then I thought that my trusty source of information had perished, but alas it is back again! Great job on the new look Simon, I find it easier to navigate and most importantly I think that the information has become richer for the average joe like me. Keep it up!

John Chapman
Milnerton, Cape Town

Thanks for the good words. I remember reading a letter you sent me a few years ago when you broke your ankle!! Remember to check back next month when we have the injuries section up - I am compiling quite a bone chilling list of accidents! - SIMON

WHICH BIKE IS BEST?

Hi MtB!

Awesome new site man, I love the photographs that you guys put up. Just one question that has puzzled me lately. A lot of the bikers (especially you guys in CT) rate the GF Suger as the best FS XC bike but here in Natal I hear the guys rate the Giant NRS. Please tell me which one is the best for my riding style and also which performs better. I am just on 6 foot and weigh around 86 Kg and ride mostly long XC routes although I enjoy the odd DH run. Any help is appreciated.

Richard
Westville, Kwazulu-Natal

Richard, If you come from a strict XC racing background run with the Sugar - but for all round riding and XC racing (just contradicted myself!!) then go with the NRS. The NRS is light and climbs like a hardtail whilst still absorbing bumps. We love it and reckon it is the way to go. Expect to pay around R15000 for the NRS1.- SIMON

DIRTOPIA - LETS TALK...

Hi!

Thanks for the site, I really appreciate the trouble that you guys must go through to present such a lot of information. But the topic of my letter must revolve around the recent and very much hyped Dirtopia festival. As a recreational rider and subscriber of OutThere magazine I was lead into believing that this was the Utopia of MTBing. Boy was I wrong! Although the concept and event schedule was brilliant - the organisation (which must have been a nightmare!) and behaviour of some participants left much to be desired. Lets get proper plumbing, catering and spectator routes and things will be 1000 times better.

Anonymous by request
Cape Town

I can see the point you are making about the bathrooms - eeech. On the whole, the small bit I did attend was really well organised, except for the few (as there always are) who ruined certain things, like shouting during the early hours. I will get Meurant from Dirtopia to comment in the next issue. - SIMON