Sean Badenhorst

I interviewed Vladimir Kotov this week for Best Life magazine. He's 50 and finished 8th at the Comrades Marathon this year. He won Comrades three times - 2000 (set a new up-run record), 2002 and 2004. His last win was at age 46! He's 12 years older than me which gives me hope!

Did someone fall off it? I was about to say no ways' date=' it was about 2m wide but then I reconsidered. Anyone else remember this bridge. Green steel with wooden slats and 2 or 3 nice steps to ride down on to Field n Study side.[/quote'] Yes, I remember that bridge. A huge eucalyptus tree fell on it and smashed it a good few years ago. It was never repaired, but eventually removed. Riding-wise, there's really not much to get excited about on the Field and Study side. Nice for kids and dogs. There's a decent coffee shop on that side though.

Good for him. He's pretty much achieved all he can as a locally-based MTB racer. And he can always come back and win the Epic when he's done with the pro road scene. I see he was 10th at the Tour of Ireland and 19th at Tour of Britain, neither of which had long climbs which suit him.

No, but I hope he does. He's one of the most committed pro athletes I've ever met and a really nice guy! Would that be a Euro road or MTB team?

Agree Mallo. Riders should be seeded on ability, not age. Kevin Evans is actually a damn good road racer, but I get your point. Some old-school racing lessons can be dished out to the new generation by mixing riders of similar ability rather than similar age.

Nice bike Swift. Now for the important question: Is the engine tuned?

You have got to be kidding! You rushed back to work to enter before midnight because you thought they would not accept your entry if you didn't. This despite telling us in the next paragraph that they extend the entry limit date every year. for once i thought the organisers would adhere to thier threats of not extending limit date i know it was stupid thinking on my part i hardly ever think i also forgot to add that i was in the parking lot after finishing work at 11h45 It costs a little more, but know this: Barring a couple of high-profile MTB stage races, you can enter just about every cycle race in the country right up to the day before the race. Okay, so you might not get a free T-shirt and a goodie bag, but really, are those things important?

Sigh. Just saw this now. Was floating around my pool on a lilo for the third day in succession. Was a bit knackered after my third successive mid-morning MTB ride on the Braamfontein Spruit in glorious sunny' date=' warm weather. Note to self: Must apply a stronger sunblock when riding. How's that Cape Town weather been the last few days? [/quote'] THe weather is actually pretty nice today. Instead of riding I've been bodyboarding the last couple of day. You guys can't brag about surfing can you? Nope we can't. Not the surfing you're referring to. But then if surfing were my thing I'd probably not be a member of this forum and I'd probably live at the coast. But it's not, I am and I don't. Oh, got to dash. Must move the sprinkler and apply more sunblock... Sean Badenhorst2008-09-17 05:52:57

You have got to be kidding! You rushed back to work to enter before midnight because you thought they would not accept your entry if you didn't. This despite telling us in the next paragraph that they extend the entry limit date every year.

Sigh. Just saw this now. Was floating around my pool on a lilo for the third day in succession. Was a bit knackered after my third successive mid-morning MTB ride on the Braamfontein Spruit in glorious sunny, warm weather. Note to self: Must apply a stronger sunblock when riding. How's that Cape Town weather been the last few days? Sean Badenhorst2008-09-17 05:05:32

Good suggestion. Of course you just know that some guy is going to ask for the official calibration certificate if that scale says 6.795kg... And then the prizegiving will start even later. Sean Badenhorst2008-09-16 12:55:56

It's a UCI ruling mostly to ensure safety and a reasonable level of equality in terms of equipment. However, technology has advanced considerably since the ruling was put in place which makes it possible to make a very safe bike over 1 kilo lighter that the UCI's minimum weight.

Agreed - I would not be surprized if it weighs in under 6kgs. My position on this is that I would not lodge a complaint for a bike that is too light - on the flattish routes we race' date=' 500 grams wont make a big difference. But somebody could lodge a complaint about this. What will happen then? Perhaps a disciplinary hearing & possible fine will be applied? Or stripping of his points? If we stick to the letter of the rule book, a bike under 6.8kgs is cheating. [/quote'] Then you'll have to weigh everyone's bikes. I guarantee two things: 1. You'll find quite a few more than just one bike under 6.8kgs 2. You'll have to delay the race start somewhat

He has...........it does not even have bar tape..... On a lighter note' date=' that Scott of his is beautiful, just needs bar tape and a good owner.[/quote'] I am willing to bet money that that bike breaks the rules as well. That thing is definitely below the 6.8kg specification... Well nobody weighs the bikes before a Vets race. Come to think of it, I haven't ever seen any bike weighing at any international or local Elite event I've covered in the past 18 years. Scott's new road bikes are under 6kgs. The guys at Scott think the UCI bike weight rules are outdated. So do I.

Thanks Sean... I think? Although I am working on my tan! Hey, well done for your results in the VSS, DvG. If I'm not mistaken, your team comprises, er, well, it's just you. Correct?

Aha! And I remember who OB's second was, his dad, Dries, also a former SA road champ if I'm not mistaken. Was a killer course that! I remember doing the Investec Vets Tour in Graskop in 1990 (I was obviously not a Vet - they had an amateur category) and having dinner at Dries Oberholzer's restaurant. There was a huge live python there as you walked in. He kept us very entertained with his old racing stories. Tough, old-school guy. Can see where OB gets his character from.

You were There???Yep. Elites did 18 laps of Klapperkop (10km per lap). I raced Juniors. We only had to do 10 laps. Were you there too? OB's comeback was almost as impressive as Lance's. After having his lifetime ban rescinded' date=' he apparently went on an 8-hour training ride with the Minolta squad. The story goes that he dropped everyone and was subsequently awarded a ride on the team. I remember doing the Jock when he rode for Minolta. He had a bike with no small ring. Rode up boulders in his big blade! The man is a legend [/quote'] Maybe I should write his biography ? The Beast from the East. I reckon it would be an interesting read.

You were There??? Yep. Elites did 18 laps of Klapperkop (10km per lap). I raced Juniors. We only had to do 10 laps. Were you there too?

Sean, you are responding to Owen, not to me. We just share the same avatar. Oops! Sorry. From a distance, you guys all look so similar in your team kit. Now OB I would never mistake from a distance. And the last time I saw him was when he won SA Elite road champs in Pretoria in 1989!