Sunblock

thanks I have. it's called a blog. Witrot I can't match your brilliant acumen so I'll leave you to discuss more important things - but for you, preferably in Afrikaans. Chat to Michelle. Think you guys will get along well.

More proof of the pudding. No wonder we're sukkeling in this country. The majority of citizens are incapable of debate, never mind intelligent debate. Afraid of confrontation and when confrontation happens, unable to handle it with style or finesse. But this is useful background for an article on The Forum Experiment: how avatars bring out the worst in people

2pm sounds awesome. I'll be there. And let's do the race of truth how real South Africans do it - by beating each other up. No doubt the best and man will win. Good point guys. You're really shifting my paradigm. I thought Psycho was Johan L.

good idea. what time and which distance. i'll also need a small crowd as its only fair that i get the sort of attention everyone else got. Craig - def. not insulting you. The point was is the course easier/faster than 2006. As you say, for a guy who also works great job. So what time guys. And bring your cameras.

Witrot the best FSS athlete in 35-39 - according to the result - is Eugene Gotz. I'm pretty sure I'm a lot better than him in the timetrials, I know I am better in terms of last years kermesse. His wife happens to be the secretary or voorsitter of the club I applied to, but I doubt whether there is a conspiracy there. I'm just saying it's not a very clever/positive/rational move from my province to cut me out of a national championship when I am (arguably) their best representative. I don't think it is good for me, or for cycling. But I think you're missing the point. The point isn't how good am I, but: 1) are our standards for cycling high enough (in general) 2) is it acceptable that we have double standards - we allow some riders to ride because we like them, and others we exclude to spite them. Because there are double standards in our officials, at regional and national level, and this is unacceptable. The answer is pretty obvious once you get over this game of tit for tat, namecalling and nitpicking ping pong. I didn't ride today because I was purposely excluded. I made it very clear that it was my goal to ride today, and so specific people went out of their way to prevent that. I take heart though that I'm not the only person in this position. Benni McCarthy - if you check his case carefully - has also been spited and excluded by the soccer authorities. Now they want him to take part - and he is SA's best soccer player. And he's not interested. What he probably deserves is an apology. The country should demand one on his behalf if they care about soccer. But do you think the soccer officials will ever apologise? Not a chance. Never! As far as they're concerned, they are more important than he is (and by implication, than the sport). That's not right. Exactly the same in my case, except I don't imagine I am that good. I'm no national treasure, but I do have something to contribute, don't we all. I'd like my place in the sun. My time and my life and my goals are important to me, even if to no one else. That's what I am defending. What is particularly unacceptable was that it was not an accidental error, some individuals purposely sabotaged my attempt to compete. That is a disgrace and that needs to be addressed. Not me. Forget about my finger and rather look at whom it is pointing to...

ja he's from Vanderbijl originally. We started racing at about the same time; he demonstrated quality and consistency from the start. What makes him even more hardcore is he tends to train on his own and still gives the guys carrots. So ja I really admire him. I think if he'd gone into pure cycling only he'd been in the BarlowWorld team right now - in terms of his triathlon his cycling quality has always stood out.

Witrot, stick to die Moedertaal. I agree, credit where credit is due. Those who did well, you know who you are, well done.

David's is a world standard. Maybe Cherise Taylor. The FSS performance is good in the 30-34, probably their best performance in any category. Raynard Tissink's time last year was 40:30 and Craig went under that by only 9 seconds. Good for Craig possibly, but perhaps, to be fair, we have to compare apples with apples. Would have liked to have seen Raynard ride this course. My personal opinion is it ought to allow much quicker times as it is much flatter. So I'd assume Raynard would have gone under 40 minutes easily. maybe even under 39 minutes. Actually I'm not referring to the prologues. I've seen 47km averages and higher for races 60km and further, and that's in a tour scenario. The longest TT distances here is 40km, which is about the minimum distance your average triathlete will do. Personally I think it's not far enough, but then I'm not as familiar with cycling as everyone else. But if you look you'll find triathletes popping up everywhere - Donovan van Gelder, David Hyam etc. They're used to timetrials twice or three times as far. btw I'm no longer in the 30-34 age group (happily), but I notice the top 15 of my age group has 1 Free Stater, so I would have liked to have tested those top 15. 35-39 looks pretty shabby from the point of view of the FSS in comparison to the previous category. But then it should - I'm not there.

I've been looking at the 30-34's, in fact I've been putting up a comparative table on my Blog. I know all the guys from the Free State - Jean Fourie is a newbie to the pure cycling thing, lives quite near me, he usually sticks to the Ironman. He put in a nice ride. Ideally if I'd been riding I'd like to be putting in times competitive to Jean's. That would be the standard I'd like to reach. Petrus is very very hardcore. I'm sure he'll go for a win next year. Coen is also quality. None of these guys were at last year's SA's. Interesting to notice is the 12th placed guy's time was 2 seconds slower than mine (and I came 13th, dead last last year). I'm very impressed with David George who averaged around 47km/h as I understand. Would have liked to have seen it but have to work. For a long time I noticed the Tour de Frances average TT speeds were much higher (even in the last third of the Tour), where they are moving closer to 55-60km/h average. Which made me think our guys (me included) weren't trying hard enough. The tour is the leading edge of cycling, but it also proves what is possible. I've witnessed the Eurodisney to Paris TT stage (when Jan won) in France and that really gave me a snapshot of just how beautiful a time trial can be with humanity integrated at its higher level (that was '97, so it must be super fast now). If you ride to your maximum and find a guy has beaten you by 3 minutes, it asks you to re-examine what you think your own potential is.

I see Craig Harvey went 9 seconds quicker than last year's best time (set by Raynard Tissink), but a lot quicker than his own time last year. Those who have ridden both, isn't it fair to say this course is easier/faster, or does the wind/weather cancel out that advantage?Sunblock2007-06-01 08:20:03

what rims did Arran use?

The reason David George was made an exception is in recognition for his talent, hard work and potential. The reason the same exceptions aren't made to other cyclists is obviously a lack of recognition or even respect for their talent, hard work and potential. It's a double standard. Cruxpearl and Latriunus have to answer to CSA. No surprise in that. If they don't control content on this site, they're in trouble. But Cruxpearl, from your language: whining and whimpering you set the standard for hubbing drivel. I think a broader audience - bloggers, citizen journalists etc, would be interested to see what level (standard) is going on web forums with regard to public decency, just general content, and the level of administration (which let me point out is basically non-existent). The level here is definitely questionable. On this forum I have stated a case and been variously attacked, insulted etc. included by someone I know very well who was hiding behind his avatar. Now that I know who he is, he has apologised and not said a single thing in response. This is why providing your identity at least asks you to bring yourse;f to the table and have a little discipline (if on the road, on your bike, why not here, why not everywhere?) Everything but a mild mannered discussion with suggestions etc. Very interesting. As for BMW driver I have your quote (on how to commit suicide) logged in my email folder. It will be interesting to see what the broader community think about discussion here. I personally found it disappointing that so little talk about cycling happens. Seems to be more about bash the individual, or barrel beating on some other inane topic unrelated to cycling, or shake and stir. Once again. just an observation. Meanwhile, here's the first article on SA's. http://www.reporter.co.za/article.aspx?ID=RP21A480690

that says it all though - registered in other provinces.

doubtful. very doubtful. I hope Raynard does well. I hope he's here. Anyone know if he is?