Sunblock

go read LOre of Running. This is a cycling forum.

At SA's last year in my age cat anyway, about a third of the already small field didn't turn up.

have u ever seen swimmers run? I mean very good swimmers. Usually they have proportionately more upper body strength, and are bigger, and taller. runners tend to be slight and wiry - generally speaking. does that make sense of do i need to explain further?

Psycho have you noticed how quiet MWNN has been today? He's been PM me, with apologies - but based on: I'll apologise if you do. Pretty weird. In ordinary cycling races - funrides and such, there's also some jostling which can lead to carnage. Usually it's a total idiot, but sometimes it's a rider trying to show someone else his status. Not exactly terrorism, unless, of course you lose your cornea, or rip off your ear. Since cycling can be done by almost everyone (you don't really need a special talent as you do for say swimming, running or ball sense as in soccer or rugby) it means it's a fairly level playing field. Even the old toppies think they can push people around and show them who is boss. (until the next big hill) It's sort of funny. It's part of what makes it a fun sport. Some of the African riders in the Free State really take each other out, mostly verbally. They give each other a lot of hell, but what they're fussing about I can't say.

It's not just betting, it's also the team's (and sponsors) getting additional contracts worth millions, sometimes tens of millions of dollars. I've heard that horseracing is bullsh*t. It's rigged from the start, so is wrestling. One wonders if money is talking (controlling), what sports aren't rigged, because it's possible they all are. It may be possible, but somehow I doubt it. If it was rigged would the guys train so hard? Abdu as I recall wasn't looking where he was going. He was looking down when he hit the barriers.

Maybe if you pay me Psycho...or if you're good enough on the day.

what's to prevent a guy going for a stage win from arranging someone to throw glass (via spectator) on an open stretch of road? if they're willing to dope, wouldn't they stop at nothing?

Ja maar ek gaan nie daar wees vir jou nie. En my buddy is nou te siek om te ry.

I remember that one. Think the cop was a lot worse off.

Like I said, she did apologise to me, so perhaps you should get the story from the horses mouth, so to speak. Even she will admit she didn't treat me the way she treats everyone else. I think her case is a matter of falling into a habit or stereotype of expecting the worst from a stranger you don't know. Most people here don't know me because I've been overseas or living in Cape Town for a number of years. Only reason I came back was to be with my girlfriend, and closer to my family.

I think you're forgetting that I'm not taking part at SA's. I'm one of those people who believe respect has to be earned. It's like someone said, you're only as fgood as your last race. Why should respect be any different. And obviously when people don't respect you, or treat you disrespectfully, it's easy to do the same thing back. Most people know this.

What are the worst things spectators (outsiders basically) have done to cyclists in a race? I've heard that spitting is common on the Alps - something that must be an incredibly tough experience if you're so worn out, and moving through a tunnel of screaming people, and you're desperately hanging on on endless, excruciating climbs. I know there have been plenty of unintentional mishaps, drunk cyclists being basically trampled by the leading mottorbike, Gianni Bugno fell once and pushed his bike as a spectator, missing his nose by a whisker. Does anyone know about people intentionally throwing glass in the road, or thorns or nails to take riders out in big races. And if so, what was done about it? Because I'm not sure what can be done. (Witrot, don't yawn)

This particular lady whose daughter I respect a lot, was also extremely rude to me on race day. It wasn't the only time either. Once on a downhill on the N1, she screamed at me that I would be disqualified if I went over the stippellyn again. I guess I must have been the only rider to do it. At provs she kept insisting I stand in line and then helping other people who arrived in front of me. I confronted her at the table and she just ignored me. As a result, valuable time went by and it was because we had so little time that I believe they said, look, it's too late, this guy can't race, we have other stuff to do. So that was her component in it. She also stood in on the meeting held that day, and I called her afterwards because I was quite sure she had protested anything that would have benefitted me that day. I don't believe she did, having spoken to her on the phone, but I don't think she is quite off the hook either. When I called her, I wanted to know why it was necessary to point out to me where I must stand, and yet she was helping everyone else. She apologised for that, one to one with me, but wouldn't say anything else. I asked her on the phone: Are you a human being? Because I've just spoken for a long time and you have nothing to say in response each time except: take the issue up with your club. It's this attitude that needs addressing, because it's not helpful. That same lady took my time when we were just 5 cyclists practising the timetrial route back in April. I know she's dedicated, but she ought to respect that I also go out there and do the work.

a very well stated case. you should go into law (I better say just in case u don't get it, I don't really mean this sentence right here, or the one above).

Colonel KFC, can you read: I think my 2005 timetrial in the Ironman was good, not based on time or average speed... Take a minute or two and see if you can make sense of something, and then respond.

Am I really the one who is confused and stupid? You're doing internet searches on my behalf, desperate to prove how wrong/dumb/stupid I am. But what does this behaviour say about you? Like I said in my manifesto, I'm prepared to stand by whatever I say, because what I say I believe to be true, and since I disclose my identity I need to be at least a little restrained and disciplined in what I say, even if I am passionate in my response. The difference is, at least I am providing a genuine response: why else would I put my real name here. Naturally it's very different if you're being insulting from an avatar, trying to entertain yourself and your mates (basically time-wasting) but claiming to be the centre of truth and the fountain of knowledge. If you're so convinced of how right you are, why not just say who you are? Bit of a confidence problem I'd say. I at least get paid for my writing and opinions, plus I have a full time job. Sorry, you probably won't want to hear this, but I was also selected to represent citizen reporting in SA. So I think I have a good idea of what's going on, generally, and specifically, and specically in cycling. Do you get paid for anything? Do you have an opinion on anything that makes sense? Is there anything you stand up for? Can you stand up and defend what you believe, or do you perhaps not really believe it/can not support it?

Okay Groot Lem. Ek sal 'n camera by my he. Jy kan my help om die ouens te ID, dan kan ons hulle op die Hub sit. Nowhere to hide in the TT of course. gaan jy by omdraai punt wees?

Given your reciprocal behaviour vis-a-vis name calling and your point, No Brainer, is what exactly?

I wouldn't mind more regional TT champs throughout the year.

Mamparra, that horse avatar of yours is a classic. Okay, let's have a demoncratic vote: which month, all things considered, is best for SA's?

I haven't been doing the triathlon thing for about 2 years, reason being, I wanted to try the cycling thing full on. Wanted to get provincial colors in cycling. I got a silver at a provincial race last year, but otherwise didn't ride well for various reasons. I've taken the liberty to read up on the posts guys are writing, and I think you could do with better content, and a more constructive approach. BTw, the reason I heard about The HUB was someone copied and pasted a story I wrote on Free State Cycling, and then lots of people (like Witrot) starting making comments on my behalf. Since we're on the subject of standards, there's an interesting piece in the Sunday Times about the legal position of bloggers and people who post on the net. For those with avatars and who think they're anonymous, you're not. Every PC can be tracked. Every PC has a unique identifier, and it's not so hard to find. Also, be very careful with outright insults. You can be sued. I have this rule of thumb: it's not libel if it's true - in other words, you can't be sued (theoretically) for stating a fact. But having gone through some of the content here, I do wonder what the moderators are doing. When you start calling someone a name you have to be very careful. If that person feels like it they can take you to court, especially since you are doing so in a public place, and especially if you are using that person's name and surname. People do have a right to privacy, and they have a right to their privacy being respected. And there are other rights we have besides. So better be sure your quotes are accurate, and if you say something that isn't nice, make sure you're willing it back it up in person in the real world.

I can handle it. Can you handle this: http://3xluck.blogspot.com/2007/05/iceman-to-crack-north-pole-swim.html

Man with no brain: If you look at the top of the post, the person who asked the question is a VET. His Argus time was 2:41. Not sure if you realise this, but some people who do the road thing also do (or want to do) the MTB thing.

ja dan is dit baie. wel, kom ons los dit dan so. ek onthou by verlede jaar se sa's was daar iets soos 5 ladies wat deelgeneem het. as jy 'n sport wil KILL make the championships as unpleasant (not difficult, just unpleasant) as possible, as difficult to enter, and on the coldest day of the year. Human beings take part at the end of the day, and it takes time to toughen up a human being. Below: SA Ladies Start...and the crowd goes mad.

Ja I remember him from triathlon. His bike was a monster, and then his run aswell. We should all try to be that good in our old age.