Jules

Chris I've been waiting a long time to buy some white bar ends. When are you getting stock?

Works very well until it starts to unravel. I usually relegate my old road tape to the MTB.

I make the 29th a Sunday.

You could check if it's the indexing by clamping the cable in a point where the shifters would be on 8 but the chain would be on 6 or 7. If the gears shift fine on 3 and 4, then it's not the indexing... This method could also help you determine if the problem lies in the cog?

The seeding for this race was a bit cock-eyed. I was stuck behind some okes who clearly had no hope of finishing in the top 50 and yet they were on the second row of the start pen. By the time I'd passed them, Burry and co were already at the top of the first hill. The oke who finished 9th overall was seeded A5. He ignored that and started A1. As Eldron says, the course didn't allow for much recovery. My average HR was 171 and my max was 191, which is high for me. I guess the course was about as good as you can do in that area. Who knows where they're going to have it when that property development is sold. One advantage of the credit crunch is it delays the development on MTB routes. The bumpy bits, especially that bit right near the end, were extremely unpleasant. I was hoping to get the elusive sub four hours for the two 94.7s but clearly that's not going to happen with a 2:07 today. Jock Green could be in with a shot. Perhaps AM, depending on which group he rides tomorrow. I think he's done it before, as has JP Pearton.

In the spirit of transformation' date=' I think you should get Black bar-ends!! [/quote'] White is the new black! I very nearly bought a pair of white Assos bibs at Solomons yesterday. Fortunately sanity prevailed

I've noticed that the last few CWC newsletters have been written by someone with a very good command of the English language. They mystery author (no offence Chris, but I don't think it's you) is doing a great job at marketing CWC. The one containing a not-so-subtle dig at alleged price fixers was a hoot! Now when are you guys getting white bar-ends in stock again?

We can't let these hairy MTBers take over our beautiful road race with their camel backs, helmet peaks and baggies . Roadies, I say we unite and pitch up at the 94.7 MTB race on Saturday, complete with carbon deep sections, white shorts and yellow booties. We make sure we're the first ones to the river crossing, and then let the mayhem ensue!

If you're in a racing category, it is not hard to ride to the front of the bunch, pull over and do your thing as the bunch passes. If you're lucky, you'll be done in time to latch onto the following team cars as they pass. I have done this many times. I've also seen that when one oke stops, it encourages others to stop, and then everyone can work together to rejoin the bunch.

I'd disagree with 'Para. In my experience chains come prelubed with a very thick oil. This oil provides the smoothest, quietest chain performance you are likely to experience. Unfortunately, it is liable to get dirty quickly and, if you're a mountainbiker, it'll go dry after a few rides. Then you'll need to clean the chain and re-lube. Which lube you use after the original has become dirty or worn off is a topic of much lengthy debate. However, most agree that it's a good idea to clean and lube your chain regularly and the area of the chain that needs lubing is the inside, not the outside. It is also common cause that Q20 is NOT a good chain lube.

On more than one occasion, I have seen guys whip it out in the elite start pen and just go on the tar. Nice. So next time you're wondering, it's not Energade.

Just further evidence that no-one in this country has respect for the law. It starts with the president and chief of police and works its way down through dodgy government tenders through to the financial scams ripping off pensioners and orphans and ends with the liquidators and lawyers. I'm in Polokwane at the moment, where the Range Rovers are plentiful, double parking here outside the Garden Court, where the newly enriched owners meet for drinks and other shady transactions. Land Rover sells more Range Rovers in Polokwane than anywhere else in the country. The reason? A Range Rover secures you a government tender. Can I prove it? No. Am I sure I'm right? Absolutely Sorry for the off topic rant, but the lawlessness makes me rant, rave and foam at the mouth.

Thanks Velo! I'm going to put a carbon seat post to complete the colour scheme.

My Colnago is finally built up, thanks to the arrival today of down tube shifters (ordered from the UK at great cost). It's not completely retro but it works for me. Thanks to the hubbers who contibuted to this project including no.one.knows, WayneDude and Mallo. http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs226.snc1/7330_320321710640_868120640_9259614_2238696_n.jpg http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs2261/7330_320321730640_868120640 http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs206.snc1/7330_320321755640_868120640_9259618_4012805_n.jpg

24 hours solo, geared or not, is sheer insanity.

I saw a beautiful old Litage in the bunch at Stonehaven today. It was in mint condition, built up with a new Dura Ace groupset. The owner was no slouch on the bike either.

XTR. Japs make a better wheel than the French

Well done Willem! There was some tough competition for this bike. Are you going to ride it or keep it unspoilt as an heirloom?

Yes. Probike sells the Raleigh brand here in SA. They probably have the permission to use the brand, but I'd hazard a guess that's about as far as the relationship goes. Probike buys the bikes from Taiwan and slaps Raleigh logos on. If the Raleigh in the UK happens to buy the same bikes, then it's purely a coincidence. From the look of the photo, they do not buy the same bikes.

If you install a new hanger, does it virtually guarantee that your derailleur will line up nicely (provided, of course, that your derailleur is unharmed/new)? If you have had to straighten your existing derailleur hanger several times, is it advisable to buy a new one? Jules2009-10-07 13:07:39

Rainbow means you get to pose with unique clothes and kit for the rest of the year. Of course the downside is that the non-cycling coffee shop crowd might mistake the rainbow kit for something else entirely...

Thanks guys! A win is a win and I'm happy to take it, but I must confess that the competition wasn't its usual standard. I'm VERY grateful to my usual nemeses Alex, Henry and John Michael for racing elsewhere yesterday I think my time was actually the slowest winning time this year. I have in fact done significantly faster times, with worse positions in the past. I k*kked myself, because my tyre started spewing air in the last 2km and wouldn't seal. Was very lucky to get a plug in before it went completely flat. And Damn, was it HOT out there!