Sean Badenhorst

Can't understand why cyclingnews.com changes the team's status to read Professional Continental Team, when MTN Cycling 2008 is actually registered as a Continental Team. There's quite a big difference! One would think a major specialist site like that would know. It's like calling the Falcons a Super-14 team when they're actually a Currie Cup team...

When I lived in Durban, there were plenty of great hills to train on. All the usual ones like M19, Fields etc but then some other memorable beasts include: Buttery (off Riverside Road), Rubbish Dump Hill (off Umgeni-ish), Marriot from under Greyville Race Course, that one from Marianhill to Kloof (can't recall the name) and Kloof Gorge... If you live in Durban and are a weak climber, you have a problem...

Great to meet you Shaun H and Wolverine. Shaun, as per previous conversation, I'll be speaking to the big race organisers soon to see how they can help. After all, safety of their entrants should be a priority all year round, not just a few weeks prior to their race.

Men: Daryl Impey Women: Marissa van der Merwe

Raynard is the most under-rated South African athlete. His humility counts against him unfortunately. For the amount of time he trains and for what he gets out of it as a professional is a shame. I have nothing but huge respect for him and his commitment and passion. Although it's tough, he's living his dream. Bet most of us aren't...

There's a review in the Dec 07 issue of Mountain Bike mag (comes with Bicycling) on the Commencal Meta 4.2. Also reviewed are Ellsworth TiRuth, Tomac Carbide XC1, Giant Trance 1, GT Marathon Team and the Wheeler Falcon 10. All around 4 inches of travel dual suspension bikes - ideal (for the majority) for stage racing and marathons. Mag should be on sale at 94.7 Expo later this week I reckon. More similar category bikes to be reviewed in the next issue of Mountain Bike (Feb 08). Sean Badenhorst2007-11-12 01:31:04

Topic: Red Light Runners Posted: Today at 10:56am By lurker Personally I think it's a respect issue. If you want other road users to respect your right to be there, then respect the rules of the road. It's simple, if the light is red, stop. Oh and before we start ranting on how motorists don't respect cyclists, if you want respect, you've gotta earn it first. I'm afraid CycleLab's official spokesperson needs to have a think about his statement. Any club with the sort of exposure that they enjoy should be "man" enough to police their members correctly and to advocate adhering to the rules of the road AT ALL TIMES. Anyway, having to stop at red lights allows you to do a short interval once the light goes green, consider it additional training. -- Lurker, I see your location is Western Cape. This probably means you've never done the Engen ride in Jhb northern suburbs, so I'll put you in the picture: This is not a Cycle Lab-only ride. It is a ride open to anyone that many Cycle Lab and Club 100 members do because it is near where they live. If anything, having a Cycle Lab use it as a regular weekday ride improves the safety because they have a large Cycle Lab van that drives behind the slowest bunch or rider for the entire duration of the ride. The van also provides assistance to stricken riders (punctures, chain hassles etc) and transport back to the Engen garage if necessary. The van is really only meant to support stricken riders in Cycle Lab kit, but I've seen it stop and help anyone. It also ensures cars approaching from the back are aware there is a bunch (or bunches) ahead. It's mix of riders (as many as 500 or more this time of the year) so to expect Cycle Lab to 'police' them all is unfair and impractical. Oh, and by the way, I am not a member of Cycle Lab Club.

Kiwi, do you hit brakes down Sandton Drive to make sure you don't break the 70kph limit? No club or club captain condones breaking the law. However, the majority of club members are adults that should have a decent level of responsibility as well as a desire to live a long, happy life, so are highly unlikely to purposefully break the law AND risk death. Judging by how unhappy you were after your ride this morning, I assume it's unlikely you'll ride with the Engen group again. However, if you do, then ride near the front (anyone is allowed to ride there) and you will notice that there is a fairly high level of responsibility regarding the safe of unsafe conditions at red lights. Bonus: More people will also notice what cranks you have if you ride at the front. Like Andrew says, it's when the bunch sizes are so big that potential problems can arise. But if you're in the second half of a huge pack and see the light changing to red, it's your own decision to keep riding through regardless of whether there may be vehicles from either side. In seven years of riding regularly with the Engen group (at least 600 times), I have never seen one incident at a red light where a vehicle has ploughed into the pack. Most of the riders hit by cars are riding alone or with one or two others and their lack of visibility counts against them. These also usually happen after 7am when the traffic volume is growing. The Engen ride is usually over by 6.45am and most are home by 7am. I am in no way condoning breaking the law, but if I was to stop at every red light on the Engen group ride, I would get home 20-odd minutes later and be just as grumpy as you were today. And I don't want that. Note: My personal opinion does not necessarily reflect that of any publication I work for (except maybe those sex tips I wrote once for FHM a few years back...)

With my current workload, I get excited about riding for 2.4 hours, so won't offer you any advice. However, I strongly recommend you take TitusTi's advice. He's too modest to tell you that he's the reigning SA 24-hour MTB champion and finished something like 12th at the 2006 World 24-hour champs in the US with far less support/back-up that most of his rivals. So it's obvious he knows what he's talking about...

I've used both Stan's and Joe's this past year and find both to be really good. Shudder and gulp when I get a test bike to ride that's not fitted with tubeless...

As far as I know, kids become teens from 13. So I reckon up til age 12.

Topic: Annual Hubber Awards 2007 Posted: Today at 3:16pm By andrewbell pics were posted, can only vote on what you can see Very good point! I can't even get this 'Reply' thing to format correctly, so don't hold out much hope on getting a pic of my children on here. Will try when I get a chance though... When is the deadline?

Topic: Annual Hubber Awards 2007 Posted: Today at 1:53pm By andrewbell Prize for best looking Hub memebrs child... Bobbie, how you can nick this one as well. And you've seen a whole lot of pics of Hubbers' kids to make this call?

Topic: Annual Hubber Awards 2007 Posted: Today at 11:32am By scotty Longest Hub member Consider all the ambiguity and innuendo in this statement and rephrase please...

Spent 10 memorable years riding those roads.

That's tougher. Looks like a school. Kearsney College?

Looks like Winston Park.

Ewep, I would take a saddle you already use or have used and that you know is comfortable, so yes, it would have been ridden in/worn in. I didn't have to alternate because I had no chaffing issues. I suppose you'd change to the spare saddle as soon as your chaffing becomes unbearable. Some guys also take different makes of bib-shorts with different chamois styles so as not to irritate the same contact points day in and day out.

Just buy three pairs of quality bib-shorts and wash them after each stage. I know of people that have pulled out of the Epic because of raw, bleeding saddle sores. I've seen them bending over in full sight of the riders at medic points during stages to have them treated - screaming in agony! You spend thousands of rand on an entry, preparation races, bike maintenance etc. Why get all scrooge-like when it comes to shorts for your goal race which you have dedicated months of your life to? Buy one pair a month from now, or ask Father Christmas for assistance... And here's a good tip: Take a second saddle along. Not the same as the one you start the race with. Different saddles offer different pressure points so can relieve or diminish the onset of chaffing. I took a spare saddle for my one Epic, but didn't have to use it because I had three pairs of quality shorts (Nike) and a Fizik Arione saddle. If you must buy cheap, First Ascent if the best local brand (cos they're made in China).

Fizik Arione on my road bike, tandem and MTB. Did the Epic (slowly) on the Arione and didn't have one hassle. Use Arione on all test bikes to ensure consistency and comfort!

Pleasure Shaun. This world needs more people like you. Hope the article makes an impact and we all benefit.

Buy an Apple Mac and never have virus stress... Been using Mac since 1994 and never had one virus issue yet.

Would those be sunken eyes then? Did they have dark rings underneath?

So are they more like tiger's eyes then?

BRILLIANT! Best news I've had in the last 24 hours!