Sean Badenhorst

Of the dual sussers I have ridden in the past 18 months, the Yeti asr-sl and Tomac Carbide XC stand out as my faves. I see that Scott have a new Genius for 2009 - new frame design and new rear shock with three settings (150mm, 100mm, lockout). Looking forward to riding that. Sean Badenhorst2008-06-22 04:31:03

My mate was in that situation once - oncoming car overtaking - he was opening his energy gel at the time (Corn Syrup in those days) and lobbed it at the windscreen of the oncoming car while taking evasive action. Did you know that Corn Syrup can virtually bring windscreen wipers to a halt... Glad you're okay Bateleur1. Personally, I'm with those that ride two abreast if it's safe to do so for this very reason...

11-speed? How thin is the chain?

That Freedom Challenge is a REAL MTB challenge! Good luck Carinus! I see Fiona Coward (organiser of Sabie Experience and Panorama Tour) is also doing it. And my buddy from way back when, Tim James. May you all have a safe, memorable ride! Glad to see Toyota are involved. It's the perfect platform for an off-road motorcar brand.

Agreed Drivetrain. The winner won't feel quite as much of a winner if he's not racing - and beating - the best Tour riders. Astana got a last-minute invite to the Giro. In these strange times, who knows what may still happen in the month till the Tour...

Valverde is still my pick for the Tour. Yesterday's TT win at Dauphine shows he's on track. Hope he's not peaking too early though... When Tim Brink and I interviewed Miguel Indurain in Cape Town about four years ago, we asked him who the next big star in cycling will be and he said Valverde.

Found this on international coach Joe Friel's website... It was only one ride; and it was with the most organised club in the country, but at least it's something positive for a change! Cycling in South Africa I'm in Johannesburg, South Africa for a few days on a business trip. Arrived on Friday morning and leave on Monday afternoon. Yesterday I rode with the CycleLab Saturday morning group. If these riders are reflective of what's going on throughout S.A. cycling then I can report that the sport is quite healthy here. I can easily see S.A. becoming a world powerhouse of cycling in the next few years. The rest is here: http://www2.trainingbible.com/joesblog/blog.html

How to start a rumour ? ask Christie... MTN's team sponsorship runs until end of 2010. Sean Badenhorst2008-06-10 11:32:24

Oh dear. When will these cyclists learn that it's dangerous to get too close to the white line?

I reckon see a GP about it. Might require some proper medication if it's that itchy...

Originally posted by Hammerhed: Sounds gross, but it only hurts after a shower and is a slight discomfort. -- Stop showering. Seriously though, I don't think it's your shorts. If you only experience it after riding in a specific pair, then maybe you could blame the shorts. Have you switched to a new washing powder recently? Are your shorts being rinsed properly to rid them of any soap? Does it occur on days you don't ride?

Keith, speak to Shaun at Shaun's Power Cycles. Tell him I sent you. I'm sure he'll make a price-point plan for you.

If you're looking for new, Silverback Phoenix R4399 or Mongoose Tyax Super Disc R4395. Was involved in entry-level MTB review for Bicycling's May/June issue. Was one of the testers. These two shone bright.

Ever need a chuckle, check out uncylopedia. A satirist's delight. Some stuff is pretty basic/offensive though, but most is a hoot! http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Search for Robert Mugabe and South Africa for starters... I like this bit from the Mugabe page: In March of 2007, Mugabe welcomed his MDC brothers into parliament with celebratory fireworks, rockthrowing, and gunshots, showing his appreciation for opposing ideas. He then commissioned an official state-paid massage for Morgan Tsvangirai, which he received from three masseuses wearing ski-masks and brandishing clubs. Mugabe admits that maybe they may have worked on his hamstrings "too well".

How does he get all that into his cell without the prison guards noticing? Oh, sorry, almost forgot. Hope they're on the hunt for the prison guards on his payroll too! I'm committed to a life behind bars too. Handlebars!

Black. Glossy black. Always classy, always 'in'.

Never challenge Gareth Cliff on air - or any DJ for that matter. It's the same as writing a complaint letter to the editor of a magazine/newspaper. The editor/DJ always, always, has the last say... Just don't listen to his show. I listen to Jacaranda 94.2 in the mornings. Darren Scott has a great breakfast show and doesn't try and be smart or funny or controversial. And today he had Mike Naiker and Mel Miller in the studio ? very entertaining. As for that horrific Mexican crash, it made me sick. Apparently one died and five are critical! Hope that driver never sees the outside of a prison again.

If you want to lose weight, eat nothing. Works. Promise (although you do this at your own risk). Then, when you get home, fried eggs on toast with cheese and a good protein/recovery drink (I use Cadence Revive) generally allows you to resume normal functioning... If weight loss isn't your goal, then take cash and stop at a shop and eat whatever screams loudest at you... Sean Badenhorst2008-06-02 13:43:44

Every Feb/March there's a front page newspaper story and associated lamp post bill claiming that cycling causes impotence and can lead to prostate problems or even cancer. The article usually quotes a local sexologist or urologist and doesn't offer any counter argument. I usually just email the offending newspaper some stats putting the record straight and attach pics of pro cyclists with their kids on podiums. Naturally, they never print my response. Can't stand one-sided journalism and medical articles not backed up by facts and stats... Bottom line: Cycling does not cause impotence. Sedentary adult men are more prone to being impotent or having prostate issues than cyclists. Naturally, a good saddle and decent shorts are essential if you ride lots. And of course if you ride a heck of a lot, you never actually sit on your saddle, you just perch on it...

Originally posted by widget: "OH" come on Sean!!. I cant believe an educated intelligent man like yourself believeskids of 12 should be just "willy nilly" allowed to follow their dream.! When I was 12 I wanted to be a Circus Clown, thank goodness my parents didnt let me flunck out of school and follow my dream. I didn't say that, widget. I'm saying that talented kids should be given opportunities to grow those talents, even if it means missing school for a few weeks, or in some cases, repeating a year or even two. I'm not saying they shouldn't go to school or finish school. I'm saying they shouldn't be denied the chance to improve themselves in other areas other than those that are traditionally accepted. Just because cycling isn't a school sport, doesn't mean those kids should be denied a chance to race abroad for a few weeks. If it was a school rugby tour where they missed three weeks of the school term, would it be more acceptable? Don't you sometimes wish you'd been able to follow your dream to become a circus clown? You might have made a very good clown. But now you'll never know...

Originally posted by kingjreid the thing is that i've heard it from the very best in our country in road cycling, and he is at a loss with what to do with his life. Heck, i just don't want those kids to end up like him. If he's 'the very best in our country in road cycling', then it's his own fault if he doesn't have a succession plan. This topic is about talented teenagers, not established pros that haven't been thinking ahead. What he's facing is just another challenge of being an adult, faced by millions every day. Maybe an attitude change will help him with his impending career change...

Originally posted by Porky Originally posted by Sean Badenhorst Originally posted by kingjreid And why do people still talk about 'having something to fall back on'? That's so 20th Century. Surely you set your sights on something and achieve it. If you don't achieve it, try harder, try again or aim for something else to achieve. Imagine living your whole life having 'fallen back on something' that you don't enjoy... Sad. They talk about it because its important.!Some old school points still hold water.! I dont agree, kids of 15/16 cant even set their sights on next weeks dinner, let alone a life goal. How many of these kids make it into the big league?? Give me numbers.?? 1 maybe 2 ???? What about the others......................no education, meansno future, so unless they feel like flipping burgers at Macdonalds for the rest of their lives its a bad call. As a parent I would NEVER allow my youngster to forfeit her futureon a whim. When she has a full and complete education, she can do what she likes, but until then - NO WAY.! So Porky, you're saying that if your daughter was really talented at a sport or an art (singing, dancing, acting, music) she should wait until she's about 22 to pursue it properly - once she's got 'something to fall back on'. Too late. World class talent is nurtured early. Imagine if Roger Federer's folks had that same attitude... Sure, the kids that are clearly not super-talented (but can't see it) should be guided in a more historically stable direction. But the ones that really have talent should be given all the right opportunities and given the relevant support. Three weeks off school once a year is hardly going to compromise a kid's education.

Correct Ronelle. If Cycling South Africa had a decent youth cycling system, the second theme wouldn't be popping up here because there would be a proper (sponsored) national academy with full-time staff nurturing the talented youngsters AND managing their education. But since we don't have this (yet), people like Jill, through her Mr Price Youth Academy, are doing the next best thing and enabling promising young cyclists to see what international racing is all about. That way, they'll be able to see first hand just how tough and competitive it is out there. A few will shine and become successful Elites and the rest will be richer for the experience as they pursue an alternative career. But today, now, they are talented cyclists and for them, this is an amazing experience that may never come around again. I say let them take three weeks off school to broaden their cycling skills - and life skills. Life skills is something that's only touched on at schools these days, but so very important to every single school lever no matter what path they choose. I agree with buckstopper in that cycling at a high level requires discipline, commitment, sacrifice and a high work ethic. All admirable qualities that usually stay with those individuals whether they pursue cycling or sales or graphic design as a career. Lem, you're introducing a whole new topic, which is also very relevant, but not unique to cycling. Look at swimming and track and field. Most of the registered competitive swimmers and track/field athletes in SA are at school or completing their tertiary education. How many of those go on to become professionals? A handful. These sports need a big youth base to reveal the super talented ones. And not all of those super talents go on to become pro. But if they didn't get opportunities as youngsters, we'd have and even fewer stars shining in the Elite ranks... Sean Badenhorst2008-05-29 13:15:53

Originally posted by kingjreid thats all great and stuff, but the lure and attraction to trying to make it big time is very, very tempting, especially if you are talented. If the guy/girl gets a couple of good results, they are sucked into thinking that cycling is easy and that they are good. thats wrong, and cycling is really, really hard. Furthermore, I somehow think life is different from when you were at school. Being a white male in this country nowadays with no degree/qualification whatsoever is not a position i would like to be in, no matter how much i love the sport... Yes, but if you're a white male with no degree/qualification but have a unique sporting or artistic talent, that's been nurtured through some international experience while at school, you've still got something exciting to pursue... And why do people still talk about 'having something to fall back on'? That's so 20th Century. Surely you set your sights on something and achieve it. If you don't achieve it, try harder, try again or aim for something else to achieve. Imagine living your whole life having 'fallen back on something' that you don't enjoy... Sad.

kingjreid, I'm not saying an education isn't important. It is. I'm just asking how many 18-year-old school leavers know exactly what they want to be/do for the rest of their adult lives. An extra year or two of school to accommodate the talented young athletes/artists who get talent-building opportunities like this abroad isn't such a bad thing. I went to the army for two years after school (I was 17 when I completed matric) and used that time to improve my cycling and decide exactly what career I wanted to pursue. I then studied journalism and am still working in that field, thoroughly enjoying what I do.