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Hmm, lots of other posts on this matter under other headings, may make interesting reading. Dirt Rider, there legally has to be mention of the possible extra cost (ie) IF you happen to be unlicensed - on the "ON LINE ENTRY FORM" - not the web site. You ARE agreeing to pay X amount for a service here, you are only agreeing to the published price, and if you are not made aware on payment that you may be required to pay and additional cost on registration- this is considered "non disclosure" and has legal consequence. I only mention this because I am unlicensed, will not be entering so have not bothered to look.

Hmm, yes, I sort of only heard about the vasbyt now Scotty - just shows how "out of the loop" I am!!". Anyway, I got in a quick 80kms and a refreshing lunch in a pleasant surrounding so it was not a totally lost cause.

took myself off to that little hub of cycling Vanderbijlpark to ride the IFM 102 race. The week before it was punted as one of the BIGGER races in the area so I was expecting a great turnout and an exciting race. ..............well, what a disappointment, if there were 40 cyclists in the long ride (80kms) and here I include both the licensed and open catagories, it was a lot.!!! - I personally counted about 30. The 40kms was not much better from what I could see. Out on the road it felt like we were riding alone and the only time we saw another cyclist not in our little bunch of 5 was after the turnaround point when you saw the others trudging along and wishing they were elsewhere. Anyway, the beer and burger lunch at Stonehaven afterwards was as pleasant as usual, and worth the 210kms round trip, but where was everybody.??? widget2007-04-02 02:02:26

My moneys on the "Spanish Armada" this year - Caisse d Epargne - with the likes of Valverde - (who I note is now the highest paid cyclist in the world - shows how the team values him), Pereiro, Sanchez, Zabalio and the like they will be almost unbeatable in the small hills. Vino has the pedigree for sure but I think this is really his last chance age wise and I am not sure his team is that special.

Yes, I took myself off to the race yesterday as well, but did the 80kms route. This is a standard common route from Stonehaven, quite flat and fast, - going the other way you tend to go up that wall (Ertjiesberg) so be thankfull it was just a few cars and trucks and busses and taxis - I mean it could have been a tough ride as well. Just kidding. - but yes it can be rather scary.Although the marshalls seemed better than normal. I enjoyed the 80km route as I havent riden in the Vaal for a few months now, and the finish at Stonehaven is always good for a beer and burger lunch - now if they can just do something about that pesky driving wind out on the flats past the dam..........................!!

Sure, I have no issues carrying a number either.

There are ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS that every cyclist knows. These may be differant to RULES - for various reasons, sure its legal to take up the entire lane, but its not motoring friendly, its not safe ,its not condusive to public relations and its not going to be much of a saving grace when the police tell your wife and kids, "unfortunately your husband collected a 40 tonner, but the good news is, he was legally in the middle of the road".! Its quite simple - 1)Dont ride more than two abreast. 2)Keep left, irrespective of traffic congestion OR lack of it - make it a habit to ride on the left of the road - the yellow line is immaterial, 90% of my training is on roads without a yellow line. If its there - hey use it.! 3)Keep your hands on the bars - no abusive sign language. 4)Put a foot down at every stop street. 5)Dont jump red lights. 6)Make yourself visible at any time. 7)Use a light at dusk or early morning - actually use it all day. 8)Be pleasant and friendly to other road users. More than that we cant really do and I doubt any motorist would expect more. Its very simple, its very basic and its very clear cut.

Thats a differant scenario Titus, there were no potential muggers lurking around here, they jumped the light, rode across the road and most probably would have had no hesitation in using a few abusive hand signs had someone approached them - why - because they dont care about the image they represent to the motoring public and they have the herd mentality which increases the sense of false bravado,- but in all liklyhood, they would be the first to holler loud and clear if one of them had "bought the farm" under a coal truck. But, as I said, thats fine, its a free world and you can behave like an idiot if you like, but when that image increases my risk on the road, its now my business too. widget2007-03-20 07:46:18

It amazes me that some folk consider this a joking matter and make some inane comments which seem to me to be condoning the actions of the cyclists. Now, if one of these cycling hogs had been run down, there would be a big posting saying ANOTHER CYCLIST KILLED" and everybody would be adding their sympathies and condolances and "tut tutting" about how dangerous the roads are and how cyclists are targeted. Obviously some folk here on the site couldnt care a damn about holding up traffic, riding in the middle of the road, rude hand signs etc, well, Okay thats fine, but you cant sit on both sides of the fence and choose what suits you and when, you need to draw a line in the sand and say "I will ride like an idiot and accept others will join me, but when I get flattened by an 18 wheeler I dont expect any sympathy, or I will obey the rules and try and be more aware of issues like this which gives me a bad name and increses my risk on the road. Take your pick.

Drunk drivers are a danger to everybody, not just cyclists. Unfortunately on this occassion it was a cyclist who was run down but it could just as easily have been a jogger, a old lady walking her dog or your kid crossing the road. Its NOT a case here of cyclists been targeted by motorists, its a criminal case of drunk driving - nothing more nothing less - of course its very sad and I extend my sympathies to the family, but its not selective. On the other point of courtesy on the road, I was on my way to work at 6am on Sat and watched as a group of 6 cyclists ignored the red stop lights at the corner of Witkoppen and Nerine drive - just sailed right through - the car in front of me had to brake and take evasive action to avoid them, she hooted and of course we had the usual loutish hand show of arrogance by the cyclists. Nothing changes - sadly.! widget2007-03-19 02:20:00

Hmm, unless you are a politician in SA, society generally dictates how one behaves. No parent / teacher / lecturer swears or shows insulting signs in front of their kids / students, - why - because its not acceptable in society. How Mr Hunter behaves in his private life is his business, how he behaves in the public domain is EVERYBODIES business. Whatever faults LA had he was always a good ambassador for the sport and kept his name and that of his title sponsors above the mud - he was heckled, spat on, sworn at, threatened but never responded badly in the public eye - and he climbed a few big hills as well.!!

Quite correct DR - WHAT some of the guys here dont seem to understand is that there are thousands of moms and pops out there who are not interested in joining a club, they dont care about the CSA, they are not interested in changing something which in reality has never interested or affected them, they dont want a license dont know what its for and couldnt care if they are timed or not. All they want to do is ride with their mates on a sunday and be part of something big a few times a year. Why must they license.???????

Well on point A they can expect a drop out as not everybody is interested in joining a club. On Point B - yes agreed, however you can get as many temp licences as you like, the fees are around R80.00 / R100.00 per annum and race entry is much cheaper and usually includes a lot more. Take the following - CLUB FEES - R150.00 LICENSE - R75.00 94.7 RACE ENTRY - R200.00 ARGUS - R200.00 total - R625.00 Family of two or three riding - R1875.00 - fairly pricy past time.!! ............but even if the money is not the issue and we are prepared to pay the cost, the hassle factor is just not worth it for mom and pop who just want to be part of something big and enjoy the day.

First of all Mr Mottalini needs to address us in a respectable fashion and engage in a discussion about how things go forward. Making rules and regulations is fine and well IN CONSULTATION - as ChrisH says "who died and made them boss". I rode licensed vets for 6 or 7 years, this year I didnt license for my own reasons (basically I am tired of racing) my wife who rides for fun when she feels like it, (but more than 2 events a year) has no interest in belonging to a club an affilliation or any other crap they want to invent to suit themselves and raise money which will no doubt get ploughed into something which dos not affect me, so, now what..................must she stop riding?? - there are thousands of others just like her, believe me - must they stop riding?? - not everybody is interested in racing and a finish time, some folk just want to get out in the sun and enjoy the day, (and lets face it they are the MAJORITY), why must they be inconvenienced for the Minority?? - so there it is - I belong to a club but I have no further interest in licensing, my wife is never going to bother either.!! Maybe when the 94.7 has 2000 licensed entries, they will re-think the situation and CONSULT with us. Sheesh - and I thought dealing with government and muncipalities was a soul destroying task.

Not at all, in my opinion its just another ride, and a rather overated one at that. The only reason I still go is so that I have an excuse to go walkabout from the office and replenish my wine supply.

Sure Christie, but thats really just the tip of the iceberg (the Astana / Unibet affair that is) there has been a long standing "tit for tat" reprisals between the two groups, with the grand tour organisers saying its their races (and between them they own probably 10 or 11 of the most coveted events on the calender) they have invested heavily in them and have the right to decide certain criteria. The UCI has in retalliation threatened to move the calenders so events clash (tour of Germany / Vuelta), threatened to shorten the durations of events like the Vuelta,dictate to the organisers who may race (Astana / Unibet) or ban some of the events from the Pro Tour calender altogether (Paris / Nice). Personally, I cant see the UCI winning here either, the Pro Tour legality has been referred to the European Commission for validity, ASO and the other organisers have the backing of most of the European cycling federations who have offered to help, the cyclists themselves see these events as very prestigious on their "Palmares" and want to ride, and theres no pro team who dos not want to be involved in at least two of the three grand tours. What team will risk loosing their invite to the TDF especially.? widget2007-03-02 01:27:34

Wonderfull response from ASO - what did the UCI expect them to do?? Roll over and capitulate?? Will never happen, ASO has every right to make a stand, although as most of the teams have said they will defy the UCI threat and compete in the Paris /Nice anyway it looks fairly open and shut in ASO s favour to me anyway. Watch this space.......................!!

Hey. It is the Sponsor's color scheme of their business. What the sponsor says' date=' rules!!! [/quote'] Yup, just watch Danilo Di Luca fly in this years Giro and the classics now that he has a Cannondale.