mr_stig

Thanks folks, much appreciated.

I have ten thumbs and a tendency to break things that I try fix. Having said that, I think being able to service your own bike must be a big money, if not time, saver. Is there any "bike servicing bible" available? Also, do any shops stock "service your own bike" type toolkits?

I went the clip-on route for Ironman and have decided to get a TT bike at some point. However, there are far fewer tri races than cycle races, so if you are happy to cough up cash knowing you will only compete a handful of times, then get a TT.

I thought a thread title that included "money maker" would have a picture of Pam Anderson in a low cut top.

That is pretty stupid. So you can walk slowly but not run? Unless they don't want runners on the tarred roads? Maybe lace up the trail shoes and run on the hiking paths?

SBR was a hell of a shock when I switched from a compact crankset (50/34) to a 52/39. Definitely an awesome training ride, even if you do use more foul language than you'd like to!

Silly question - I don't know the geography of CT well, but will the recent shark attacks and beaches being closed present a problem for the Challenge?

There is also a new shop opening near Cycle Lab, just off witkoppen road.

3 laps of Suikerbosrand? That sounds rather mean. I once did a brick session - cycled one loop and ran a short loop. One day I will attempt the double.

Agree - that is going to hurt. My IM this year helped inspire my decision to start saving for a TT bike.

I say a cocktail of wine, morphine and vicodin is the way to go. Not for racing, but for day-to-day use.

It's easy to spot new instructors (I know because I am pretty sure I was totally crap first time I took a class). I feel sorry for them - the courses available in SA are fairly inadequate and you don't even have to be a cyclist to qualify. That's why you end up in class doing unrealistic drills such as trying to spin your legs faster than the speed of light, push ups on the bike and pretending that your spinning bike is an aeroplane. The problem is that not all gym members give a toss about cycling - they want the benefits of the sport without having to buy a bike. Instructors have to try find a balance between entertaining the average gym goer and providing a work-out that benefits a cyclist. Some get it right, some get it right most of the time, some will always be clueless.

That's what I thought. Unfortunately, for a bike that won't wear as quickly you will probably have to spend over 10k to get one similar to a spin studio. The best bet for your price range might just be a trainer/rollers.

Bit disappointed. I thought a thread entitled "Hooters" would have at least one pic of Carmen Electra.

@Cyclefan - A year of training felt nowehere near as long as that final minute waiting for the start of Ironman!

I am signed up for Comrades - finances and leave permitting I will consider another IM.

I need to stop visiting this thread or I may just spend my SARS rebate on an Ironman entry!

I have bought from them before - got the feeling they are a small operation and the owner/manager/accountant/secretary/tea lady is one and the same person. Still usually reliable.

Hmmm, tough to say. The bikes we use in spin studios are usually Startrack or Schwinn, but these are probably in the region of 15-20k. Cyclelab used to have Le Mond Spinning bikes which were over 20K. The difference between the the bikes at Sportsmans vs. spin studio bikes is that spin studio bikes are built to take more of a beating. My only concern with the Sportman's bikes is that the bike will wear out a bit quicker, though you won't be using it as often as a spin studio bike. I would say shop around - contact technogym, startrack and schwinn and see what bikes they have - there is a reason the big health clubs use those bikes.

You can chat to Phil, he is the swim coach at Brightwater Virgin Active. Earlier in the year he sent out a mail about starting the Aqua Tri Triathlon Club. Contact: Adrian - adrian at aquaathlete dot co dot za or Phillipe - triedgedynamics at yahoo dot com

Stripped down, the post reads "one group needs to do something to become a lot more like my group." Is it any wonder we have bigotry and xenophobia if we can't resist the urge to stereotype and group in something as trivial as disciplines within the sport of cycling? Don't get me wrong, some of my best friends are mountain bikers.....

How technical is the ride? I've spent the past year doing tri's but would like to spend a bit more time on the trails.

I think it's part science, part personal choice. It's all good and well having someone suggest the most advanced drink, but if it makes you queasy, find something else.

This is a badly disguised "Mountain bikers are better than roadies" thread. I've got news - you get idiots and nice folks in all walks of life, in all sports, and in all variations within disciplines. It is interesting, from a psychological point of view, that humans have a natural tendency towards grouping, stereotypng and bias.

I am tempted to enter, did my first one last year and though I cursed on the day, I finished and will do one again. For now though, I will live vicariously through the people on this forum. Enjoy! It's an awesome feeling once you cross that line.