Gumpole

My one experience with Solomons (Pta) was promising. They measured me (height, shoulder width, leg, arms, elbows, knees, feet etc etc) and entered the figures onto a computer (i think the software was from trek), which spewed out ideal bike measurements for my shape. Then they set up a 'template' bike to these sizes and got me to sit on it and check if all was well. Then they took all this down and set up my bike as I wished, when I picked it up they put it in a turbo trainer, checked I was still happy..... all this cost me zero! Haven't had any problems since then with the bike and discomfort or injury. BUT I did get this service during the week. Going into a bike shop on a saturday morning and expecting quality service in ANY bike shop is impossible, especially pre argus/94.7

or Solomons... with their new branch in Jhb territory

I thought it was funny, problem is the title of the thread is damaging if read alone... and adding 'Joke' infront obviously ruins the joke!

I don't have my Cyclesure policy with me at the moment so can't check the exact wording they use in the 'precentage system' explanation, so I'm wondering out loud here. My bike is insured for 45k. Current replacement cost is probably 70-80k. I can understand that if it's underinsured and I claim for a crash like Fand's that they apply the percentage system. I've kept it at 45k partly because I don't expect to make a profit from the insurance company(I am too nice) and because I'm already paying R350/month and don't want to pay R700/month! Let's say it get's stolen. Are they then going to pay out half of the replacement value ie +40k or half the insured value ie +20k...? Thats right. You are underinsured by x% so they will pay out 100-x%. Why should they pay more? What I realised is that (if) a bike gets stolen they dont pay out for all the little extras that I didn't insure - computer, polar mount and sensors, upgraded parts etc... but that is my fault and I was still happy to get what I paid for the bike back.

do these things have 'back-pedal brakes'??

Single woman shouldn't be training alone,.. in the dark ..crazy, but if you do at least carry around a mace or some sort of weapon and if you get attacked by some undesirable (rapist, psycho, hijacker or MTBer)... just spray!

thx AdS, found the link eventually. Run leg cant have been 10km, no ways I could shuffle along so slow and still do 52 minutes. I think the swim leg was very short as well. Unless swimming in open water is much EASIER than a pool. With all the swimming in the wrong direction, bumping people and breast stroke I still swam faster than I have ever done in my life in a pool.. As an aside, I saw a lot of people with HRMs on the swim. Are polar 725 waterproof??

training started in earnest 1st January Training was doing 30 - 60 lengths twice a week in gym, Spinning class or 45 minutes on stationary bike twice a week Longish (7-9km) run on road and another 20 minute on treadmill. and a weekend 40-60k ride. I would definitely say that the I overlooked the running leg and will need to get a lot fitter before i try the next one

Did my first Triathlon yesterday and had a great race... enjoyed it immensely even if it didn't go very well. The swim wasn't as bad as I expected and after the initial 'washing machine effect' at the start it was quite fun, must say it is very tricky to swim in a straight line when you dont have lanes so I switched between breast stroke and crawl to make sure I was travelling in the right direction. Most difficult thing was swimming through the grass/reeds at the second bouy. Didn't have my HRM on so have no idea how slow this leg went. Transition area was tricky most guys run in, slipped on shoes and helmet and ran off with bikes. I had to put on a cycling shirt which was amazingly difficult when you are in a rush and completely wet. Lost about 20 places in the transition area . Cycle leg was lekker - 4 10km laps with NO cars. drafting is obviously illegal so there are no bunches. I felt like I was really going fast until the leaders lapped me. sh*t those TT bikes go fast! Anyway I spent the time trying to keep my HR at around 160; and not draughting. The course was quite tricky - a 'T' shape with three 180 degree turns on normal roads! Finished the bike leg in 69 minutes which was better than I expected and my legs still felt quite good. Change into running shoes was quick and I was off on the last leg feeling strong. Then about 1km later my body just seemed to hit the wall. I felt completely stuffed and the heat was incredible.. what sane person could run in 30+ degrees? The run was tough - also 4 short laps partially on pavement, partially on road. I took it slowly to avoid walking later and eventually finished in about 53 minutes. I was surprised because it felt a LOT slower. But apparently the 10k run in a triathlon is only 9.7km long (these triathletes are ) Overall I did 2:06 + ? for swim leg = ? (hope they are better than WT with posting results) I'd recommend this to any cyclist as a great fun alternative to road races with 2 reservations: 8am is bloody late to start a race, especially when you have to run at the end of it. Visibilty is perfect at 6-7am and water is the same temperature so why not start earlier. I felt really sorry for the guys doing the sprint triathlon which started at 10am! race isn't cheap - R250, and while the road closure is appreciated they only use about 8km of road in total.

Thanks ND... I get this position though.. ** any idea where it is from my marker? I assume it goes Northwards from the R563? ** and cant upload pictures either! oh well its a friday

Anybody know where I can find the co-ordinates for Hekpoort hill?? been searching onn google-earth and feeling a bit

you will pay tax though!... no pedals

not bad - just need to channge saddle colour... what are 27.5 and 1274?

try: joining a club - morning rides of varying length, difficulty 365 days a year. cycling at kyalami, open 4 days a week early evenings spinning MTB parks track (?) IDT Tazers, mace etc are very unlikely to help a single person against a group (usually armed) of muggers.

interesting, did you take every finisher in the group or streamline it a bit... eg omit slowest 25% in each group who are sick/crash/multiple punctures/badly hungover etc.... I think this will give you a better idea of the speed that you should be riding at in a particular group

I just got a bottom of the range Trek MTB from Westdene Cycles for R3100 last week, 2008 model but why bother paying 25%-30% more for a 2009 bike when the only difference most times is the paint job?? applies to all brands, not just raleigh.

onset of Flu? (dont want to jinx you ) cure... rest

Paint job is awful. A TT bike should look sleek and aerodynamic, this paintjob does the opposite and would be at home on a MTB or a BMX. Agree about the black

thats just Nike propoganda - sore losers! dont think drugs are the answer to the new records, plenty of drugs in the last olympics to. as for speedo cycling gear - isn't this what Zipp have been doing ??

Richmond/ wimbledon parks are great, Or follow the thames, my favourite, although it does have a lot of pedestrians in areas. - go to the barriers in the east, or as far to the west as you like...

WOW thats expensive to relieve your fingers of a tiny bit of pressure while changing gears... rather buy Normal Record (Or DA) and put the change into wheels, frame upgrade or tertiary education.

got the last few seconds.. simpson said that TBL was going to replace Duenas with Amy Winehouse. ..sure its on 5fm's site