River Rat

Sorry Tankman I can't answer that one.

Oh by the way the process is outlined in this document http://www.cyclingsa.com/App_Resources/Uploads/FILE00000140.pdf

Tankman, I am pretty sure of this as the process definitely went through two approvals the first being club which took 24 hours for Roag to respond ( it could have been quicker but i was offline) and then it waited for a response from the province which took about 6 hours. I have a feeling that this step was instituted on request from Central Gauteng so that they could collect their fee. The CSA website specifically said that "some" provinces want to approve membership first. This would seem to be Mampara's experience.

Tankman, a step I forgot to mention was that I sent my province representative an email when I saw that the process had reached that stage, it waited for club first (and by the way Roag was listed on CSA). Although I had no direct response from province I did have provincial approval within hours of my email

That's correct as I said I am no racer (well maybe one day when I grow up!). All I wanted is to get rid of the day license issue and at R125.00 I have a payback of 4 races What impressed me was the speed and simplicity of the process.

Big J have a look at my post under Rant it might be the way to go but it could be specific to your provincial set up.

Gauteng North! But I was anticipating a problem which did not materialize.

Hey where's my change?

With all the posts about the complexity of obtaining a CSA License I started the process with some trepidation but surprise surprise it was quite easy and relatively cheap. I am no racer so the cyclosport option was my target. Step 1. Log on to www.roag.co.za Step 2. Join Roag (free) Step 3. Join Club Roag (R50.00) Step 4. Log on to www.cyclingsa.com Step 5. Apply for membership (R75.00) Step 6. Wait for clearance from Club (took 24 hours) Step 7. Wait for clearance from Provincial body ( took less than 24 hours. Well done Retief!) Step 8. Log in to www.cyclingsa.com and download membership card. Hey presto I have a license R125.00 and 3 days later.

When the person that has a point of view that differs from mine but presents his /her argument in a logical manner without the name calling they have my respect. But it is my contention that the name calling starts when the person doing the name calling has lost the argument and lacks the ability or humility to concede gracefully. We can argue about semantics or whether a certain word is appropriate in context or not but for me when you resort to name calling you've lost the argument and my respect. It then becomes difficult to respect your point of view and any further debate is pointless. Asking Admin to moderate is akin to asking them to protect people from themselves. Why bother I ask, as they will self destruct in any case when nobody values their opinion and hence don't bother to engage with those individuals who resort to name calling. They will be left talking to themselves in what can only be a form of intellectual masturbation. Just my 5c.

Ian any group rides going over December?

To me it is quite simple ask her how she thinks you would feel if she did it. That answer would give you more insight to the future of your relationship than any answer you could give.

Now we're talking

And he has accepted that it wasn't racism but rather a problem with the goods that his mate was trying to sell 3 pages ago. It goes to show that some people just can't stay away from an argument.

You know Splat at the time it looked more like a horror movie as you just knew this chap was going to come to grief somewhere. But now as I sip a chilled glass of chardonnay looking out over the Olifants River I can recall the look on this roadies face, it reminded me of one of those sheep that you see on the back of the farmers bakkie sort of bemused and concerned at the same. Am I going to the stud or the abbatoir!!!

So here we are, after the 56km crater cruise ...time for some R&R, driving down Aries road in Waterkoof Ridge on the way to KNP, MTBikes loaded for a cruise amongst the beasts. This roadie having just cruised up Klapperkop overtakes us and a 10 ton truck between the vehicles and the pavement bombs down the road past the Pretoria Country Club with no regard for traffic when some poor uncle going about his own business with the right of way turns into the traffic circle. With a downhill red mist fever our intrepid roadie with Millstream kit klaps his bakkie and lands in the back of the bakkie, I kid you not, the gods were smiling on you my brother you were shaken but not stirred. The bakkie had a dent behind the cab which shows that you were clearly in the wrong. The poor oomie shook your hand out of concern, the truck stopped, we stopped, thank god you fell into the load bay and not under the wheels. But what were you thinking!!!! You could have been killed and another thread would have started with all and sundry complaining about stupid motorists. This was entirely your fault, you rode like a tosser but fell with an angel carrying you. You were lucky learn from it!!!

Fitter (I'm not sure if your name has relevance in this discussion), I have tried the more art than science chaps with zero success, which also does not mean that someone else may have better results. In my case the computer and lasers worked for me. But you are of course entitled to your opinion (unless you are a more art than science fitter yourself which may hint at a bit of bias).

Used to be, but now I becoming a real hardass.... hang on why am I discussing my butt with what could be another bunch of men? Hey Aggies what's wrong with you? Unless you are female in which case I'll PM you a photo of my butt in exchange for yours ... you first! B)

A simple check for core muscles strength is to try the following: 1. Place yourself a push up position but not on your hands but effectively on your elbows with your forearms on the floor ( I think this is called the plank position). Hold this for 60 seconds. 2. Remaining with the plank position lift you right arm abobe your shoulder. Hold for 15 seconds. 3. Lower right arm and raise left arm. hold for 15 secs. 4. Lower left arm and rasie right leg. hold for 15 secs. 5. Lower right leg and raise left leg. hold for 15 secs. 6. Lower left leg and raise right leg and left arm simultaneously. Hold for 15 secs. 7. Lower right leg and left arm and rasie right arm and left leg. hold for 15 secs. If you can do all seven steps without a break your core muscles are up to scratch. It has taken me 3 months to get there.

I must add that it is not Cheap circa R1500.00 and you might be able to claim from medical aid. But I did it to remove all doubt that set up was the problem.

Mark is quite correct. My problem started as a hamstring problem to the extent that I could not sit in a canoe or even a car for anything longer than 45min. My current exercise regime includes hamstring lifts as well as core. If you want the ulitimate set up, Garric Vosloo is my recommendation he does the only computerised / laser set up that I know of in the country. He has a Physio practice in Blue Hills / Kyalami contact him at Sun Valley Physio, garricv@mtnloaded.co.za.

I have had quite a problem with my lower back which effectively put an end to canoeing for me. I went to a sports doctor who after xrays diagnosed two fractures in the L4 and L5 vertebrae. I took up MTBiking to try and get some exercise but I had the same problem after about an hour and a half of riding. In an attempt to solve the problem I bought a full suspension which help a little. I then decided that the bike set up was the problem and I had a complete computerised/ laser/ medical set up done, which helped a little more. In desperation I decided to listen to what the Doc said " The only way you will ever fix the problem is to strengthen your core muscles!". After 3 months of core muscles exercises twice a week I can ride 70kms with only slight back ache. If I skip the exercises for two weeks the problem returns although less severe. My conclusion is that you can play around with the set up of your bike forever and a day but the solution lies in the core muscles and fitness. Do the core first and the fitness will come as you become more comfortable on the bike. Try it, it won't hurt.

What is concerning for me is the fact that we can't seem to see that the onus is on us as cyclists to get our own house in order first. If we are wrong and it is pointed out to us it is up to us to fix that first before we point fingers at the the complainant. What would be fantatstic is if we can set the example by correcting the behaviour of those cyclists who transgress and having done this I believe that we will get closer to having the right dialogue with the residents of the Cradle. Any takers?

I got X0s and wouldn't go back to triggers.

Hey PJ I saw this on a flyer and have been thinking of trying it:- www.mistyvalleylodge.co.za. If you try it let me know. Ps have you bought that 29er yet?