Witkop

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This is a storm in a tea cup. If authorities were to enforce antidoping on all levels of sport, then amateur sport would die almost immediately. From a running perspective, if they did dope control on the bronze medal (and even the back end of silver) at comrades then there would be almost a 70% positive return. But the don't, the focus on the professional runner, the podium finishers. However, what the Cape Epic is trying to do is to please everyone, they wanting to have an elite UCI event AND a challenging funride as well. This does not mix. Cyclists must accept that if you enter the Cape Epic you are entering an international UCI sanctioned event, you are now a professional/Elite cyclist. You have to obey the events and the UCI rules. failing to do that makes you a cheat. So if you enter and cannot do the distance and need a bit of "pick me up" then you are a cheat, fraud and liar. Live with it.

there are sizing charts on the interweb. Evan's cycles has a good one. Google is your friend

handy chart, one of the better ones:http://www.hartscyclery.com/images/bicycle-sizing-chart-road-bikes.pdf However remember as any mtbker will tell you reach is everything. Tope tube length always trumps stand over height (especially with a compact frame).

Chain on the right side? Fear of losing the drive chain? Try going into the turn with your pedals at 3-9 o'clock position. (Roadies use the 12-6 oclock position as there are no rocks, roots and branches that jump up at you on the road) As you go through the turn lean the bike into the turn (stay upright) and gently load the outside pedal (it will drop towards the 6 oclock position. If you are standing on the pedals, this will result in your hips adjust your body weight keeping your torso straight. Failing that go by Brian Lopez's book on MTB Skills. It has more graphics than a loslyf and hustler put together and you will see what to do. Then practice, practice and practice.

A 54cm is a rather big frame. Your son should be over 170cm tall at least for that frame. No use buying a medium adult frame if your son is still having to grow into it. A too big frame is as uncomfortable as too small frame. You can get away with about 2-3cm on frame size either way by using shorter stems and so forth. Remember on a classic frame the seat post is extended by about a fist width, on a sloped or compact frame that will be at least two fist widths. The handle bars of a road bike should be between level with the saddle and up to 15cm below the saddle NEVER above the saddle. (this is determined by the cyclists flexibility) happy shopping

Difficult problem. If you had started with campy a component transfer to progressively better frames would be the thing to do. However, in the last ten years there has been a parts "revolution" in shimano and SRAM (And campy) so much of the components will be "last season". (Campy wears in, shimano wears out) But as your son is a roadie and growing the other option is to see how much you can sell his bike complete to raise seed capital for another one. (This allows another boy to start cycling). But if you cannot do that then buy a good frame and move the components. Donate the old frame to a charity (your LBS can help here). this will open up space in your bike shed. The other problem is that the wheel set will also need upgrading eventually. Also his age will determine what his cluster restrictions are. No use buying him a 11 speed bike if he can only ride the 27-14 range.......

This post is useless without pictures

Marius of lenterhausen cycle shirt fame. Welsome back dude.

awesome selfies

At least Craig was a super team manager. Hadley also help organise some cool shirts and stuff. Big thumbs up to them for last year.

Tell me about Canada emptied my savings big time....Wife has banned me from going for the next few years at least....

This is good for the sport. I hope the entry fees will drop as well I remember when Andre hosted a miniman almost every second week at Rooiwal Laerskool (10 years ago...... ). Those days were fun, 10km run in the morning, followed by a short late start road cycle race and a duathlon in the afternoon. and then sunday races in Joburg. We were spoilt for choice. Also does anyone remember SA Duathlon champs at the monument? Now those were tough.

http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/the-anc-s-election-list-of-shame-1.1659818

As the hub lurchers to its 10th year. MAybe we need to organise a few celebration rides. Sort of ride plus coffee and reminicence. So that the first ones can meet the rest and we can explore the "lost art of face to face". I was thinking a sort of lap of groenkloof/fountains followd by a tour de Klapperkop finishing at a M&B of Cafe 41 for coffee and koek. Anyone interested? If I get some names I will start a new thread with all the details. Canaris/Konafan/Paddaman/Witkop

Does that mean Andre and Francosports are not involved any more? I was wondering after looking at his race organisation schedule at Babba's this year.

last year it was top eight in each age group. This resulted in between 1-4 athletes in each group saying yes. If you were in the top eight watch your mail. (if you indicated that you would be open for the long distance you may also get a call back) Also there is a 10% clause which may/may not be used to expand or reduce the numbers. But as Lappies finished inside of 2hrs, very few will get within 10% of that time (and not be in the top eight of their respective age groups).

starts in May/june official website is http://www.duathlon.co.za/

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take up duathlon, and then you will get to know real cramping, and with it how to ride on the edge of it. It is kinda empowering knowing that you are on your limit and any harder will result in a hammy knot or a calf lump. Shove a thumb in it and start again.

after the last punch up with the police in Cape Town, maybe the guy was afraid to give the police an excuse to really mokker him.....