Witkop

they are almost as bad as those trail runners that run up behind you snorting on the mtb dedicated trails.

This thread has the potential to become a very personal issue. So far we all agree that WHEN ON THE SINGLE TRACK most riders will fall in behind the slower rider, and quietly wait for the first safe opportunity to pass. Obviously as the guy is powering up to get past fluidly and safely, it is porbable that he won't be having a conversation with you while he/she is doing it. (Some riders are very introvert during hammering sessions, also there are some fringe elements that ride groenkloof on singlespeeds and need to maintain this fuild flow, so will be concertrating on keeping speed over having conversations). Now you say "you are riding down the sand roads and the next minute a rider comes through the middle without any warning" which means that you are cycling abreast with your partner, leaving no safe place on the left or right for the faster guy to pass you. Which means that that a very large gap (big enough for a guy to go through!) was the only safe piece of road for the guy to aim for......Long explaination, cut short, "you were hogging the road"....... and again let's spell it out there are guys and girls that train/ride very hard at Groenkloof, and are on the rivet the whole time, (me not one of them), and the snort is actually a very long conversation for them, so please give them a bit of slack as well?

use rock and roll degreaser/ lube in one. Remove the chain once a month (after mess ride). Clean it in clean green/ parafin ext. lube it again clean the cluster and front blades replace the chain

Groenkloof is not an easy ride, especially when you are doing an expression session (ie hammering it). Obviously the fast riders are moving so fast that they are on your wheel before you realise it. Most will wait patiently (on your wheel) until the first clear place to pass. In most cases the "Snort" is actually a "hi, there, I hope you are enjoying your ride, and thankyou for letting me pass." Unfortunatley there is very little breath for anything else. So sorry if it freeks you out.

Eugene, I hope Etrisia is okay.

now to join the SS.......

Okay this is a massive incoherent rant, but one that must be made. After a short 5-7 year retirement from competitive amateur sport, I returned to be shocked at the latest developments. When I left in the early 2000's, in all the sport disciplines there was an active adult component being led by the 30 somethings. In fact the trend was pushed that the sub vet-vet catergories were keeping may running and bicycling shops going, and that this was a good thing. ON the return, I notice that the junoir and "kids" races are now the main attraction and the adult (age grouper) races are an after thought (it was the opposite 10 years ago). IN the past the athletes outnumbered the parents, no if there is an adult near event, it is because his kid is racing. (Also the standard of junoir competition is not has high as it was ten years ago. In chess this is proven by a general decrease in the kids ratings per age group, despite an increase in numbers) THe parents have not limited themselves to the sidelines however, and are also now very active in the administration, with petty rules to ensure "fairness" for their kids. In the past arrangements could be made between administrators (ie past atheletes) and atheletes to ensure that the best was done for the atheletes and the sport, now the adminsitrators are so focused on the rules that the atheletes are needlessly penalised for minor infractions. Finally, parents are more worried about their kids that they arrive late, make unreasonable demands on event organisers, and generally make it unpleasant for everyone. This trend to some extent in all the sports I have been involved in and some that I have not. So am I ranting about the wind or is there some truth in what I say?

go mtb rather. It is cruel to expect a newbie to start on road. Maybe you are wanting to save on divorce lawyers fees? (doing a Dewani?)

Yummy, will truely consider this when the merckx rusts away.

there was a guy selling pegoreti's but you could still snap up an eddy merckx corsa from queens (maybe). Lastly, there was a supplier or Ciocc bikes that did a good steel and carbon mix. I think Tommisinni might still do a steel frame. However, ifyou want a good steel frame , you are in a niche market.

and the true gauteng spirit comes out. Maybe all the guys in CT are really just softies on the inside. The first rule in racing is "do unto others, before they do unto you". Simple equation, either he falls or you fall. For everynes safety rather let him fall in the first few km's of the race.

okay, the answer is for all CT riders to withdarw from any even that this rider enters for. OR when he arrives at the start line everyone sits down until he is removed from the race. Cite something about personal safety ext. If you are forced to race gainst him simply sit in his slip until he can no longer keep the pace and then attack him, so that he cannot make the selection. Finally, I suppose there is no such thing as a dirt wheel in the Cape?

sooner or later he will have to race in gauteng, and here they will dish out his own medicine back to him.........

simple answer: You don't. Style police dictate: You will not place foreign objects or fluids into your tubes. Only Mtbkers are that perverse. Go and apologies to the Roadie Gods for even thinking about it. WTF wheels are supposed to be light, and now you go adding weight to your bike. What are you a FUN RIDER? (ps leave your camelbak at home next time. Just now mtbkers will start using 29inch wheels and ten speed cassettes with only two front blades?

when a roadie sits slip on my back wheel, I jump the pavement and head off on a single track. Woooweeeeeeee. There are fairies, and then their are faeries...........

okay, I will now stop wheelsucking on the singletrack in Groenkloof

could get a good reception from the mtbker and cycling tourists if it is inexpensive and low on maintenance

no, I mean steel. There are some very good niche brands out there, like on-one, GT, cotic, singular and rocky mountain that make steel frames. For a HT alu is too frigid and gives a dead but hard ride. Steel is just better on a HT.

yes it does as it is a gps

http://www.shrani.si/f/12/mA/3XstG9U9/fatbiker.jpg thew ultimate 29er

http://www.imagesphotospictures.com/data/media/29/funny4.jpg

consider this bike: https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/102928-all-mountain-steel-hard-tail/

the 29er debate is an attempt by roadies to impress mtbkers. It is simple, a roadie is a weight weenie, equipment geek, and will always talk about his tools, where a mtbker talks about the trails and the sweet spots (and wipe outs). So are you a roadie or a mtbker?

very old time favourite: Only happy when it rains - Garbage

Linden cycles is good. Go there drain their coffee pot and chat with them for about two weeks or until they beg you to either buy a bike or go away. THen you will know enough to spend your money