Joe Low

Spent some time thinking about this today & going through the website, cuz being fit from other events, it was half-tempting. My conclusion was that it seems to be under-prepared, so I'll look out for it next year when there's been time to get everything straight. The dealbreakers for me: No route established or even partial route description available until after entering and one week before the event No control over support vehicles, and envisaging 100 cars on the route trailing their teams around - profoundly depressing for all concerned The rigid team structure There's lots of other bits and pieces I'd like to know too, but it can wait til after the first edition has run. The idea, start location, proximity to Jo'burg etc is all good. So good luck in getting it off the ground.

My Mrs is very happy to have me cycling from a health and happiness point of view; which is surprising cuz i'm worth a lot more dead.

If you move into a house where the neighbour has chickens & they wake you up early and smell; it's very different to already being in your house and then the neighbour goes and gets some chickens. So, did your Mrs know the risks when she took the job (you cycling), or is it something you have since sprung on her?

I dont think you need to justify it Dracs, a cycle lane isnt really built for club rides so there's always going to be "spillage". Glad to know you guys are doing the best you can to use it.

And if you think the Craddle is bad, its even worse in the Cradle. Along the lines of "every silver lining has a cloud", I wondered if repairing the holes would complicate a claim against those responsible for maintaining the roads by the family of the guy who died there. ie its harder to prove the cause now. In any event, its a shocking way to go, just out for a ride on your bike.

Said it before - Bedfordview power-walkers with their water bottles, you want a country invaded, call this lot.

I always thought i'd have many sub-3s on this race; but am now glad for the near heart attack that got me 2:59:57 a couple of years back, and the only sub-3 out of 8 attempts.

Got ours for free - mustve been the 'after sunrise special'. Then again, there was bugger-all jaffles when we got to cp7.

Must've been somebody else - and anyway I was saying we'd meet again, not necessarily we'd ride again. There must be loads of reasons I could end up in the Eastern Cape and bump into a hubber.

Thanks a mil, but carbon fibre wouldve been better! Great meeting you and your other half; it wont be the last time.

Me and Nancy Drew finished in just under 21hrs. Highlight(s) - completing it & being a team Lowlight - hill past dilapidated buildings after cp7, thought it would be a breezr to the end.

I know what you mean but seeing the SABC forecast today you can see a clear split in the weather round about the Eastern / Western Cape border goin North - maybe its got someting to do with the meeting of the oceans. Anyhow its a lot better on the Eastern side of the line.

or on da udder hand Darren Slowbee, "Check before you post"

Why has the robber stolen a bike that he cant ride? carrying it in broad daylight with a mask on is a bit of a giveaway. Bloody amateurs

Aha if thats me then, lets make a well known phrase or saying using the words "blind" and "leading". Otherwise, I see the weather forecast has improved. Temps now 6 - 17; wind has changed from West to North, so still not bad; and only predicted to rain again on Weds after today and thats just a couple of mms.

Thats my inspirational team leader - you go Nance!

Some days you just want to ride - crappy people are around all the time, if you miss an opportunity to confront them today, there'll be another tomorrow.

I think it's a choice, not a responsibility and no need for others to get aggro about it.

hmmm dunno but i'm not taking them off.

Sure, but with sealskinz, take them off to cross just in shoes and put on again to keep feet dry in-between crossings.

I wear last year's if i'm running late

Gymnastics, boxing - two essential events in the Olympics for me, both have judges. And go easy on referring to yourself in the 3rd person, that way madness lies, Joe Low says

A comment in the paper yesterday is that the issue is bigger than the technicality of him being aided. i.e yes he does get an advantage, but it makes the world a better place that he competes with able-bodied athletes and we turn a blind eye* to the assistance. (*cool paralympic pun, right there)

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the OPs post, it brought out Hayleyearth's views which I thought were really cool, reasonable and specific. I went to Linden once to hire a Mtb. From the Hub i was expecting something special & it wasnt at all. Conversely, I go to my lbs & its really good because they know me. Most people going there get issues and a lot are put off. Because its at the end of my street i persevered and its been well worth the effort. Got a friend who loves Cajees Boksburg cuz he took time to get to know them. I go there and I'm not keen, but its ok to get a couple of things from them. Bottom line not all customers are equal in different shops.

That would be the fabled neutral zone; 0 - heart attack in 50mtrs.