Klaus

I beg to differ. I have spet time in both these countries and apart from a few small redneck type areas, and the few idiot drivers, cyclists are given a wide berth. In the UK I have ridden where there were no bicycle lanes and the traffic backed up. They will only pass you like they pass a car and not squeeze past you in case get pushed towards the pavement or hard shoulder. The states is very similar - drove down the big sur, possibly one of the nicest routes to cycle in califonia and cyclists were treated with the most respect. This is not only done because they are normal people but because of the reprocussions from the law and personal litigation if they hit a cyclist. Cyclist are seen as road users and also can get the wrath of the police

I do notice that not a lot of people stretch after or before. After some time with a Bio sorting out a knee issue I do area specific stretches as part of my activity and have had no issues since. I suggest going to the Bio - I feel they understand more than GP about the issues with active people like cyclist and will give you specific stretches and routines rather than just sending you to the pharmacy for some narcotics to mask the problem. Get it sorted properly as this will affect you again and again when you least want it to

I think this is incredible. I wish we could have the same my side of town. I suggest opening an account and those that make use or want to make use the support can set up a payment schedule into that account. With the amount of riders the amount doesn't need to be big and should be at there descretion, R10, R20, ++ per month to assist with things like petrol, food at coffee shops and other associated costs. I dont even ride there and I'd be happy to support knowing that some awareness is out there. With this type of support you are educating the drivers on the routes that cyclists mean business and they are there to stay. Those contributing,however small, can get a little sticker for their bike showing their support. Just my idea. Again, this support is fantastic

@ Edman - Thanks, I will look into getting one. Sounds a better plan than shipping or boxes. @ I Felt - I know with Airfrance if you going to Europe you can prepay for the excess luggage online - about R400 - last time I looked and is well worth it if you taking a bike with. Check with your airline if they can do a similar deal. Prepaying for the excess is generally cheaper than on the day rates and stops them being silly when you least need it

This has probably been on before but just in case: A TAXI driver with two previous convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol was yesterday sentenced to an effective 12 years in prison for killing university student Jason Kruger two years ago. Kruger, 20, of Sedgefield, a first- year linguistics student at NMMU, was knocked off his bicycle by a taxi near the campus in February 2009. Initially, Luthando Lennox Bonkolo, 40, of NU5, Motherwell, was charged with culpable homicide, but this was later changed to murder. Bonkolo, who was granted R1000 bail on December 10 last year, pleaded guilty to murder and driving under the influence of alcohol. The level of alcohol in his blood was found to be about five times the legal limit of 0.05g per 100ml when the accident happened in Admiralty Road, Summerstrand. State prosecutor Mark Drimann yesterday emphasised the seriousness of the offence and requested a jail term. Earlier, defence attorney Robin O‘Brien said his client was remorseful for his actions and had requested forgiveness from the Kruger family for their loss. He said it was a tragedy that had not only changed the lives of the Krugers, but also of his client, who was unable to sleep at night and drank excessively thereafter. Earlier, Jason‘s father, Zwai Kruger, told the court he and his family, particularly his wife, were struggling to come to terms with the loss of their first-born. “It‘s difficult to accept what happened and it‘s something you do not get used to,” he said. Kruger, who is a lawyer by profession, said he accepted Bonkolo‘s apology. Whatever sentencing Bonkolo got, it would not bring his son back. Magistrate Dewald Allers said the pain and suffering of the Kruger family had not escaped him. “To raise a boy and send him to a varsity in a foreign city takes guts, and to hear that he has passed away is devastating,” Allers said. He cautioned taxi drivers against reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol. Bonkolo was jailed for 12 years for murder and two years for driving under the influence of alcohol. However, the court ordered that the sentences run concurrently. The university yesterday welcomed the sentence. “It will not bring Jason back, but we are hopeful the sentence sends out a clear message that abusing the rules of the road will not be tolerated,” said NMMU spokesman Roslyn Baatjies. My link

Disgusting ! Not even a fine - I think this sets the tone in how cyclists are perceived. I feel for the family, this cannot be easy to handle.

How has this bag held up with the airport staff chucking it around? Does it secure properly and what sort of weight do it end up been with the bike in it?

Its difficult to understand and cope with the outcast issue for a while. From experience of living overseas and returning I feel I am more of a foreigner in my own country than anywhere else. Jobs are not easy to come by if you are a specific gender and colour and the general looks of distaste I get (maybe I over analyze things) are not welcoming. It seems that I fall in the inconvenient group that are only useful for the tax we pay and nothing else. I had nothing to do with the past nor did my family benefit in anyway yet I am punished - "currently disadvantaged". I dont enjoy having to ride and drive around with peppersprays or batons nor having to keep in constant contact with those I care about when they are out and about to confirm they have arrived ok. I am very proud of those that are overseas and are making the best of it - the best of a real situation ! I have come to terms with the understanding that for the rest of my life, whether I remain is SA or live overseas, that I will be seen as a foreigner.

100%

Most of these races are run for profit. There is nothing wrong with that. In the past four/five years I've pretty much done an event every weekend in the race season - sometimes two. As mentioned before you have a choice which ones you go for. I have had a bit of a rush to the brain and figured out roughly what this has cost me and I ain't laughing. I now will pick certain events that I enjoyed the most, provided me with best bang for my buck and are the best organised. (funny enough certain organisers are quite good even at different type of events and I tending to follow this) Your money - you choose. If you cant afford it then offer some support to marshal - maybe you get a free entry to another event. With the late entries I think they have their place but need to be limited. To many times we've sat on the start, freezing/boiling/getting wet, while they carry on selling entries for people, most, not all, of which where too lazy to do the online entry. I factor in travel and accommodation costings as well and certain trips to North West, Durbs, Limpopo etc... are now off the cards as I feel these are more of a rip than the ride/races

Its probably the police or their mates

Fantastic Result for everyone - Great to see everyone getting involved. Man would I love to kick those idiots in the head !

Why dont we organise one on major commuter routes to actually get some mileage from the actual point of the critical mass. How about William Nicol - fourways to Sandton in the North and Klip River - Alberton to town in the south. Do it on the last friday of every month or something like that.

If its full of water then its added weight. I dont see the advantage. Shouldn't be to comfy either and that would have a performance disadvantage as well IMO.

+1 Been back for a few months now from time in Europe and the States - dont quite know why!. My Road bike is on the indoor trainer and the mountain bike only gets dirty at bike parks and races. Would love to ride to a coffee shop but alas my area wont allow for that. Welcome to SA - the answer is NO

Its called an opinion, he doesn't like it, this is a difficult concept in SA but it does exsist, some people have them. I dont like it for other reasons but that is my opinion from experience.

In another thread a few days ago someone said that at the start of a weekly group ride that there where a few unsavories hanging around and taking a lot of interest in the bikes. They could be just phoning ahead on common trails with details. Who knows but I dont think they stealing them for transport

Agreed - a little petty ! Some might say that glasses and even gloves are non essential. I'm sure a good set of either may affect performance !

I think its about time we do a protest for acknowledgment as users of the roads. I had an idea of all of us driving very slowly up and down some of the major routes with our bikes on the back of our cars slowing traffic flow. with "If it was safer we'd ride" banners. RIP - another good one gone !

This is sounding more like the hijacking of cars in the late nineties when it was at its height. When I was hijacked I was told, when they got the bugger, that it was an "order" and I think this is just what it is with the bikes been stolen. Because of the costs involved with bikes now I would not be surprised if some of the people we ride next to are ordering bikes this way instead of through the bike stores ! About a year ago, when I was at my storage garage I saw a couple of bikes, wrapped in blankets, been loaded into a horse truck trailer. I didnt see how many where loaded and It could have just been someone moving with the same habit of me, I never sell my bikes hence the lock up. When I went for a closer look the truck was closed up. I will keep an eye out to see if I see the trailer there again and see whats really going on !

This is awesome ! I always cause *** with those football and golf boys saying that its not a sport if its apparatus fits in your boot, now this one will really shut them up a bit !

I carry one of those collapsable ones that the police in Europe/States use. I have two sizes, a small one and a medium one(about 21cm closed -52 open). The small fits nicely into the jersey pocket when riding. I've had them for years and have come in handy plenty of times. It defers at lot of trouble but if it persists then the person/car on the receiving end will need to have their medical aid/insurance up to date. They aren't the lightest but handy enough for me to use the larger one for trail running in the afternoons. Good to keep in the car too

+1 I always carry a baton. I was once attacked while I had pepper spray and I used the whole can to no effect. I think those that suggest this method should let us know which brands actually work.

I already carry one ALL the time - for years now ! Good attitude adjuster

I have a lot of friends that bought the Reno's in 2008/09 to start out. Most of them still have them and pass them out for races and rides when someone wants to try a MTB. They take a punishment and cheap to sort if something does go wrong but I haven't heard any complaints ! I had an entry level Raleigh (Still do in the garage - will never get rid of it). I took it overseas for commuting/training and it did more mileage than my car in the two years there so it is also a good option but that was mine and I looked after it. I personally would suggest the Reno as I've seen five or six of them all bought at roughly the same time and last a lot of abuse (even when some not so well looked after !)