SeanMort

I wouldn't advise it. Aside from the big differences in bikes, the banking at each end of the Velodrome with your normal road bike cranks are most probably long enough to to clip the concrete followed by a tumble and some roasties.

I guess the puncture protection tape refers to tyre liners ? In which case I have to say that it is a long term bad idea for use with road tyres. Rather get a tyre that has good puncture resistance such as Gatorskins. Tyre liners cause their own punctures eventually by chafing friction lines into the tube along the liners edges. Tubes normally shift around on the inside of the tyre casing when riding, and with the liner between the tube and tyre it creates problems.

I'd change it at 4 days and leave on another 3 days or so. Should be almost healed by then. Sometimes the dressing peels away from the skin after a few days and then you have to change it anyways.

Opsite Flexigrid or Tegaderm dressing is hands-down the best treatment. Clicks normally sell both types. Don't let the wound get dry, or you'll be in for a longer and more painful recovery. Clean and disinfect the wound area and put the dressing on. It also helps to shave off any hair around the wound so the dressing can stick better. You can cut the dressing shape to suit the wound and it allows complete flexibility, and also allows you to shower or bath as the dressing is waterproof. Leave it on a few days, even if it starts to smell and look dodgy.

Hmmm, I got 93 odd Km's on my Cateye, my stoker got the same on her Cateye (rear wheel sensor). We pushed off in L group on stokers seeding after enquiring from PPA, a few days beforehand, whether there would be a separate tandem start group, and being told by email there wasn't. We were then asked at the start of L group by PPA officials, including the chairman Steve Haywood, why we didn't start with the tandems group ?!? I mailed PPA today on this. Don't they know their own business ? Anyways, we had a fast start and broke clear of L group within 30m, taking a single rider with us. We caught the J-K group before the Fisantekraal turn, and rode with them most of the way until the last 20Km. We paced a few of the dropped riders back to the bunch a few times until the gap was too big for us to bridge on the last few rollers. We finished on 02:46, so it was a good training ride/race for our DC prep, and only our second tandem race together. It seems there's lots of things to get used to in racing a tandem, but we're making good progress ...

Probably me and the other-half on the tandem.

"Preferred brand" is subject to opinion. I just use MarkII, but if you search the forums here you will find a vast array of 'preferred brands' :-)

Comfy saddle or not, I would still use chamois cream. One tub should be fine. Take 3 spare tubes in case, but it's a good idea to take another wheelset with, especially if you want to save your tyres. Also take a pump, chain cleaner, lube and some bike cleaning things if the support vehicle won't have (check with them). I once rode almost a whole afternoon in the rain and had no choice but to clean my bike for the next day. My drive mech sounded like a pepper grinder. Other than that my bike had no other issues. With your fitness as you indicate you should be well fine, just don't ride too hard, and don't feel bad if you cut any faster guys loose. Let them cook their legs for the race.

Did this trip a few years back and it was memorable and fun. The fun aspect obviously depends on the group of riders you'll be with, and the survival aspect depends on who has structured the trip and will be supporting you. I've since done quite a few similar trips over the years. Quite often the bunch splits into 2 groups and the support vehicle is left with the slower group. The first trip I did we stopped every few hours for food, drinks etc. If I remember correctly we did 280Km the 1st day, 250Km the 2nd day, and about 80Km the 3rd day. I don't know what your level of fitness is, or your 'Shova aspirations, but try do the trip comfortably and don't ride out of your comfort zone. Put on your sense of humor cap and keep it on for the trip. Nobody likes to ride with a grouch for 3 days. Start upping your carb intake at least a day before the trip and eat/drink well during the ride day, especially carbs with a bit of protein. Make sure to have a decent recovery protein mix after each day's ride, and use L-Glutamine and Ultimag supplements to prevent cramps and limit muscle damage. I would also take some Rehidrate Sport for riding in hot conditions when you lose more body electrolyte. Eat pasta like a monster at dinner, and have a decent breakfast with oats, fruit and yoghurt. Just eat healthy and sensibly where and when you can. Save your body for the race. Take at least 2 pairs of decent shorts, if not 3. Try use different brands so that any chaffing doesn't happen in the same place each day. Use chamois cream !! I cannot emphasise this enough. You'll be sorry if you don't. Same can be said about sun-block. Use UV arm-sleeves. If you anticipate being away from the support vehicle for extended periods take at least some spares, rain jacket and a rear light with, and exchange phone numbers with the support vehicle. I'm sure there's a lot more that you can add to this, but just have fun.

I used to have the same issue with Dura-Ace STI's. The STI cover plate is the usual cause of the rattle, as it doesn't fit as snug as it should onto the STI mechanism. Take the STI cover plate off (with the brake lever depressed you will see that the cover plate is held in place by a small screw - sometimes it's the screw that's simply loose causing the rattle). Put a thin layer of silicone sealer on the inside of the cover plate and let it dry. Replace the cover plate and the rattle should be gone. You could also try some layered pieces of insulation tape instead of the silicone sealer.

Check your seeding first before you think of entering league. Otherwise you'll have to prove your pedigree.

Good to see the increase in cycle commuters along the cycle path to town. Our 5am training group rides alongside most of the route on a Tues morn from our Paarden Eiland turning all the way through Blouberg to Big Bay and then back to Edgemead. We avoid the cycle path though, as it's too risky going against the commuter traffic at speed with a training group. I've ridden the cycle path to town a few times and there are some sections that make me extra cautious because of missing drain covers (why did they have to use metal ones and not concrete ) and suspicious characters. One of our club members was in fact mugged a few months back on the route out of Paarden Eiland, but have not heard of another incident. Just hope it stays safe.

As I said, last time this happened they organised a specific "league only" race (no funriders), which consisted of 2 laps around the Paardeberg circuit for each of the different categories.

They'll chuck in another league specific road race to make it up. 2 laps of Paardeberg circuit bring back any memories last time this happened ?

Yeah, not too badly, but I remember at one of Spring league races (a year or two back ?) when the organisers marked off the hot spot incorrectly. We were informed that it would be around half-way into the race, and I think it was actually at the 20Km mark (stand to be corrected). When the bunch came upon the markers everyone looked at each other as if to say wtf ?!? Some went for it, and some said it can't be. The organisers did apologise though

I'm not going to enter. The league entry fee Vs the races chosen is a weak offering. One has to question the cost of entry against what you would normally pay to ride as a funrider, even though there are additional costs of running the league including prize purses etc. Plus you have sponsors ?? It just don't make sense. I'd love to see the balance sheet of this organisation.

It also reminds me of the road down into Die Hel valley. Did that on the Hell & Back Mtb race. It winds it way down into the valley with countless twists and turns. You have to be pretty careful not pick up too much speed on this descent, as you will be doing a John Lee over the edge. Awesome section of the race though.

It's called Opsite Flexigrid. Clicks and Dischem stock it. Works great.

@ CAAD4 - can't guess a good reason I would move back to Jozi ... riding in the rain builds character, riding in the wind builds strength, and it's a great feeling riding with the ocean in your view. It sure beats riding through the industrial areas of darkest East Rand whilst dodging potholes and listening to the grumblings of Messr's Carter et al There's still something appealing about gassing it up Allandale Road with you lot though

Alternate your current efforts by sitting as far back on your saddle as you comfortably can, and use a slightly harder gear when doing this. Try this on 50m stretches, and try keep a constant speed.

Contact Jennifer at Eye-On-Design - jennifer@eyeondesign.co.za . Based in Cape Town but I'm sure she can arrange shipping to you easily. She has designed and printed cycling jerseys for quite a few companies including our club kit.

A couple of us did a test ride into town at 8am yesterday from Tableview along the cyclepath and then caught the MyCiti bus back with no hassles. Admittedly this was then at 9am, so peak hour was long gone, but we did need to get back to Tableview in a rush, so riding back wasn't an option. They allowed us to keep the bikes with us in the aisle even though the bus was empty.

Well it was a privilege to be a part of this event. We started out before sunrise in freezing conditions. Our role was to ride with the leading male runners, and so a number of us rode alongside them, taking care to give the accompanying media clear camera shots etc. The lead was held for the first hour or so and then some strong competition between Mr Price and Nedbank runners saw the lead being swopped a few times. I was surprised to see how fast these guys ran uphill ! I managed to hold my own on Chappies and up the Nek :-) What was surprising and annoying were the amount of recreational riders on the route from Chappies onwards. Going up the Nek I encountered a group of cyclists coming down towards us. Wtf ! At the finish one of the support riders encountered a situation where one of the recreational riders was riding alongside one of the leading female runners giving her time splits ! We were not allowed to talk to any runners, nor they to us. This has now triggered an investigation which could lead to runner being DQ'd, whether the 'assistance' was unsolicited or not. How difficult would it be for cyclists other than support to be forbidden on the route. I hope those that took part in the run achieved their goals and had a good run.

Ok then, you can join our club (again) and then tell me

Yeah, I want to play the winning one all the time ! Where does one go to find this ?