Antoo

When I read some of the comments on the Hub and the nature of the engagement, I find it hard to be surprised at the rude response to landowners, as mentioned earlier. Society seems to battling with "engagement issues'...........and I find it very difficult to believe that it's a 'South African' issue, because human nature transcends borders. Starts with me/us - temper the manner in which we engage. Agree to disagree, without aggression entering the fray. Partially off topic, but......

Had ongoing issues with my 510 - first software, then started stopping/ switching off during outings. Opted to try Whahoo... My 230 has been going strong.

Must admit that there's a perverse interest that keeps one reading thru some threads - the imbalance of pessimists and optimists - those who have good reasons why things won't work, or can't be done - then there's those who confirm that it can be done, 'cause they've done it..........

I reckon that Wakefield has offered up some very sound advice. Going to race in Europe as road kill is tantamount to asking fellow cyclists to fund a working holiday. Show your metal in the local events, so that when you get a GoFunMe going, we recognize the name.

I must admit that the response on the road was a bit over cooked, but must add that posts like these make me feel that the poster is looking for validation, when their behavior was not necessarily kosher. Like some folk find it alright to stand under your armpits in the ‘bank queue’, or to insist on a conversation(in the same bank queue)which assumes that you share the same political ideology. Personal space..... People cycling, whether mtb/road does not equal an homogeneous group. Unannounced, whether on road/mtb, I think that you disregarded another’s personal space......

I’m a shade of black myself, and while not offended by the description of the driver, I find that in many instances the colour of the offender/victim has no direct bearing on the incident/event. A cyclist was taken out on ‘Said str’ - cycling forum - relevant ‘cyclist’ - colour descriptor not relevant to the basic fact. A classmate of my kid was ill today - the colour descriptor has no bearing on the fact that a kid was ill. More often then not, when retelling a story, we feel the need to add a colour descriptor which, more often than not, has no bearing on the story. Whether racist/a poor habit, it’s not something my wife and I practice, nor would like our kids to learn. I have neighbors and they vary different shades of white/pink/brown/black, but they’re all pretty much neighbors, who we address by name, not colour. I cycle with other cyclists, not a colour group. I have some amazing friends - not black/white/brown/yellow friends - just friends. No need to be pc, just leave out unnecessary descriptors - it’s liberating

Sounds like a blast! Be safe and keep the updates coming

Generally rides Tues/Wed/Thurs/Sat mornings from Woodbury Garage(Google can help) - message Spoke. Vertical Spaces has the Boxing Day Short run on Boxing Day, in the Midlands(check event on Facebook) You’re welcome to message me when down here, if you’re up to some road riding in the Midlands.

Well put buddy - always enjoy well reasoned input, rather than the knee jerk stuff that social media is infamous for

‘Patch’ exposes some harsh realities.... I’ve seen pics of poor kids bumping sweets off cyclists traversing the Himalayas - looks more acceptable ‘cause they’re not ‘Black’.....sad, but speaks to our bias. A certain sector of our society is now promoting the American ‘trick or treat’ tradition in SA, which IMO is a more dignified way of begging, but begging nonetheless - I’ve yet to hear the moral out rage. I see the eager anticipation in my kids eyes when it comes to ‘treats’ and I’m left without a doubt that if circumstance was very different, they could easily have been those kids on the side of the road..... So while my initial response may be irritation, once my Oakley Prizm lenses of privilege have been safely tucked into my matching helmet, empathy becomes the reality. Cause poverty must fall

I'm honestly trying to understand how CSA is responsible here????? They have the organizers deadlines, like all other race organizers, which we're not met - they then tried to work with the organizers to ensure compliance, in the name of rider safety. Their intervention, if anything, has saved a bad situation, from getting beyond control! Kudos to Mike and Kelvin for having our best interests at heart

Meeting with local authorities a fail, with race organizers unable to provide any relevant/required docs, which also impacts on permission from local traffic authorities. The safety file goes beyond CSA approvals..... Organizer says he will postpone, to get his ducks in a row, but given the runaround his given the local authorities, I await his press release

I have it on good authority, that, as things stand, road permissions have not yet been given by the local authorities and we can lay to rest any pipe dreams around road closure. There is a meeting currently on the go to seek resolution, with relevant authorities, including CSA, in attendance. Will update once I have feedback

To save on speculation, the chair of KZN Cycling has confirmed that there will be no sanction for licensed riders participating in LETape, due to them entering under the premise that CSA had already rubber stamped the event. The organizers have released a brief statement, saying that they are in the process of gathering the requisite documents etc for compliance. I am of the opinion that CSA has made the correct call. To promise full road closure in the Midlands, for a day, is a tall order! To shut the Midlands down from Mooi River to Dargle is highly unlikely