mr_stig

Years ago we hiked and picnicked there and I didn't feel unsafe.

Are the overall results available anywhere?

Shout-out to the wind for making the racing even more challenging.

Just to check - does the racing start at 10; or can we register from 10 with the races starting later?

....when 5fm played music worth listening to?

Willing to bet more delegates and MPs get sent than athletes.

This looks like fun. Although you may need to time me using moon phases, tides or a calendar.

I've heard of a swim technique called hypoxic breathing. Basically, you swim lengths in the pool and increase the amount of strokes before taking a breath. ie. breath on 1,3,5,7. Not sure if that's strictly hypoxic, but a swim coach I once met reckons it's a good way to train.

I have done some commuting on my MTB between Randpark Ridge and Houghton. It wasn't too bad but there is one other problem to address: Joburg is a pretty hilly city. If you have to cycle even 15km to work, chances are you will be drenched in sweat in the summer months. Few companies have shower facilities wear employees can freshen up; even fewer have secure bicycle parking. But as others have commented already, an open patch of tar on a Joburg road by default belongs to taxis and morons who think they are more important than any other road user. My other concern is that this will be like the Gautrain and compromise of limited routes that benefit few people.

I did my bit and sent an objection. I don't think they have thought this through - sure - they may stop trout accidentally entering new rivers/streams. But at the expense of entire industries that either promote fly fishing or breed trout for food.

Starting in AL but it's been a while since I last raced so I am probably out of my depth. It could be a looooooooong time trial for me!

Good ride to test your endurance. It's also well organised from what I remember.

While we are on the subject, how often are time trial races held? And where can we find details?

According to the World Health Organisation vitamin supplements are just that - supplements. If you have a deficiency they may assist, but should not be your first port of call. Your diet should be. Now if you'll excuse me, I have an egg McMuffin that needs my attention.

I must beat him, no matter the cost. Somebody give me the number of Contador's butcher.

I think cheating in general has been part of its make up. I read a book about the tour and in its earliest days, competitors would break rules. Cyclists would carry glass milk bottles and shatter them on the ground to shred tyres of those behind them. If the tour passed through a cyclists home town/village, the local residents would often pummel other riders to give the hometown hero an advantage. I think there has always been some form of cheating. Doped or not, those guys suffer. It's excellent to watch.

Where can I watch Le Tour if I don't have DSTV? Will it be streamed live at all? I'd like Andy Schleck to win but I think Froome will take it.

Random trivia: Ouma rusks are from Molteno which is in the Eastern Cape if memory serves me. Though that's just the story on the box. They're probably mass produced in a factory in Boksburg.

You get one bag for the cycle leg, one for the run and you can only access each bag once. You're correct about receiving outside help - you are not allowed to get food, clothes, spares from spectators. If you do put clothes in your run/cycle bags, be sure to collect them even if you don't need them on race day. Special needs bags are all thrown away. You will not be able to track your bag down. Don't forget, you can keep your warm top in your run transition bag and take it at the start of the run if you wish. If you decide to leave it, you will not lose your warm gear as you still get your transition bags back after the race.

I didn't touch that stuff. I'm not sure having something that is pure sugar, caffeine and guarana is good for an endurance event.

They used GU products this year. The gels were fine but I did not enjoy the GU sports drink at all. In future I will use my special needs bag to keep extra drink on the bike leg. I did some training on GU but in retrospect, not enough - after a while I got bad stomach cramps on the bike leg and had to stop a few times. On the run I stuck to water, had some coke, and ate marmite sandwiches. In general though, GU products are good. Something in the electrolyte drink didn't agree with me but I reckon if I spent more time using the drink in training, I would either have adapted or at least known not to use it. If you are aiming to just finish before cut off, then take sachets, stop at the water points and mix your own muti. If you plan to beat a certain time then train with the sponsored nutrition or plan your special need bags accordingly.

I'm just glad the Hub is back. I've spent the last day and half being productive.

I ordered a TT bike and was really impressed by the guys at Black Spade. Knowledgeable and helpful. I'd been looking for a TT bike for some time and feel that the price to performance ratio is excellent. I do feel they are let down a bit by the bike shop that does their Joburg set-ups and builds though.

Wish I had seen your reply before I went out to Lake Heritage a week or so back to swim. I see that some open water swims take place at Florida Lake. Anyone know if it's ok to train there?

Entered, accommodation sorted just need to book flights. Will be my second one. Hoping for a better time but will see what happens on the day.