LeTurbo

If your rafters are exposed, just hook the front of your saddle over one of them. If that's too high, tie a noose (yes, like the picture!) and put the saddle's nose through that. For myself, the bikes are all in the lounge so I use wheel hooks made by Giant (Sportsmen's Warehouse or most bike shops) with the bikes alternating - one up, one down, one up, one down - so I can save space.

The purpose: cyclists aren't just the lycra-clad roadies you see on Sunday. People from all walks of life, young and old, ride. Maybe there's someone you know. Bicycles belong on the street. See how many of us there are. It's the bike version of toyi-toyi. The bigger it gets, the more people notice. The more other cyclists and noob cyclists join in. In Cape Town, we have Critical Mass and Moonlight Mass. We have other get-togethers at pubs and clubs happening. We have bike polo. We're getting the city centre closed for a "bikes/skateboards, roller blades/etc only' day. The authorities respond. Community police are starting the close the roads for us. The City Council are starting to negotiate with cyclists - they realise this is good for the city. We're getting cycle paths along some main roads like Albert Road. That's what Critical Mass is for.

Well yes, I am insane, but that's a whole different thread. I can't even remember what happened this afternoon, let alone last year. And my maths is terrible; I think I got an F on standard grade. All that 100 over 1 stuff - who thinks them up?

I would be soooooooo on the brakes myself. That's intense, intense concentration there. Bravo Greg, you biscuit!

It goes to charity.

Decisions, decisions ... the one time I didn't ride, I got so damn pissed off and jealous at everyone else. So I guess I will, Puncheur. As long as I don't cramp like last year, from around Smitswinkel. I'll drink Coke and eat Rennies all the way! Good luck with your race (you won't see me at the start 'cos I'll be waaaaaaaaay behind.)

I'm disappointed. I thought this thread would be about bikes called "Christine"

Well, at least it means FRAIL won't have to get up too early to ride to the venue, do the race, and then ride back. I suppose I should pay my PPA sometime ...

W@nna-Be, I hate your cycling too. Hold your damn line! Actually, I hate my cycling too. Not fast enough. Not far enough. Bum gets sore too soon.

Haha! That's fantastic. Great spirit!

We need a Critical Mass around the Velodrome - but then it really would have to be a Mass, not the half-hearted turn-out it sometimes get. If the Velodrome was saved, things would have to be jacked up: nobody ever hears of the events, as HeartCoppi points out. Incidentally, there's bike polo at The Palms centre on Sir Lowry Road ... Saturdays 10am to 2pm, and Wednesdays at 6pm, I think. There's something the Velodrome could do too? And an amateur hour? A chance for roadie idiots like me to do a "time trial" and see how fast we can get going. Killarney-style training? I dunno, it just seems the limited Velodrome usage doesn't merit having the place really, to be a Devil's Advocate.

So how come my mate says his receipt reads "11 March 2012"?

Bad timing ... it seems to come just when cycling is getting a whole new boost - critical mass, moonlight mass, commuter cycle paths, Levi's commuter range, bike polo ... a huge number of lifestyle events and products and the brands getting involved. I was at coffee the other day where a hipster was raving about having been to the velodrome for the first time. Maybe it needs to be marketed differently?

It seems to have cleared up here in Greenpoint rain-wise, but the wind is still strong and the sea looked plenty mean today. I have the fire crackling and popping here rather nicely and it would take a bit of a wrench to leave it ...

Full moon tonight. Your first Moonlight Mass, I think? It's blowing like sheeet in CT. Dunno we'll get many.

Herr Olaf Klosterman - Crosstown Cycles, 2 Mains Avenue, Kenilworth - 021 761 0112. Also good for fixies and SS. Otherwise Nils Hansen at Woodstock Cycleworks, 99 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock - www.woodstockcycleworks.com, I think.

What's a helmet? When others shout, "Where's your helmet?", I tell the truth: "In the cupboard." In future, I shall wear a pineapple. "I am old, I am old, I shall wear the bottom of my trousers rolled."

The trouble with Boyes was all the once-a-year cyclists smashing their gears and trying to climb in the lowest ratio! Man, did I lose time there. Two years ago there was a lovely pile-up, thankfully just behind me.

Nice collection! My wallet wilts at the thought of all the bits though.

Blimey, i haven't been here in a long time ... retro seemed to go dead for a while. Georgev, that bike looks awesome! Ja, old Olaf is a master - haven't been there in ages, I must drop by sometime. Ride her well on the Argus. And Macdaddy ..... grrrrrrr! Are all those yours, you lucky bliksem?

When I bought my MTB I didn't even know you had to pay for most of these tracks - I hear you even have to pay on Table Mountain? There's just not enough information out there ... bike shops could tell people these things.

Down at the flower sellers on Adderley you can: 1) tell them all to get their *** out of the cycle lane - a lot of f words are used in this conversation, as well as references to maternal parents; 2) pick up motorcycles parked outside KFC and shift them onto the pavement; 3) tell pedestrians to walk where they're supposed to (see 1 above) 4) get into a foul temper and destroy all the peace and tranquility your bike had instilled in you along Albert Road.

Howzit Puncheur (and other regulars)! Ja, missing the Hub - only have 3G right now, waiting for my ADSL. All very expensive, which I could be spending on my babies. I hope everyone's keeping well?

At the risk of repeating something that's been said in the last 60 pages ... It's not Lance who loses here (though I'm behind him - this whole thing smacks of McCarthyism). Obviously, cycling loses. How many more stupid comments are we going to have to hear from non-cyclists? Second, I think it has the potential to destroy the TdF. What point will there be to the race? Every single winner will be in doubt. I think everything's got out of hand. Cycling must be the most tested sport of all, and the poor buggers can't even take Vicks Medi-nite if they've got a cold. All bloody silly. Very, very silly.

Jirr, their prices have jumped! Or is it just my imagination? Pronutro's fighting back; I saw it at the supermarket for R19, down from R26!