Klaus

Good value bike - Bought when I replaced my last bike and haven't had any problems ! Good for the weekend racer

Check out SilverBacks offering for new bikes. There are some good options to get you started and on some trails without busting the bank. The Reno doesn't have such great spec but a few of my mates bought them to get onto some trails to test the water and they did the job - many races and logwood/toyota parks days. You then can move up from there if you start getting to be more of a race snake or trail junkie ! My theory for newbies is to cut the cost on the bike and then get decent kit (Best Helmet you can afford) thats better than normal beginner make do's so you enjoy the ride more.

Was just watching some supercylcing covering the Epic. Its seems a current thread with these chaps that they need to blow some smoke up the proverbial of the cricket/rugby/ insert school boy sports players. If I was interested (which I'm not) about them then surely I'd watch the relevant dedicated program. We don't get enough coverage of our sports in the media but when we do we spend it talking about its connection with another. Maybe I need someone to explain how this helps us or enriches our experience/lifestyle - I'd rather watch some more trail footage if they run out of relevant people to interview. I think it would be more preferable to hear the story of a lot of others for motivation like business owners and 8 to 5 er's excelling against the odds. Anyway will try to figure it out, maybe I should watch some other sports programmes - they might talk cycling !! (What are the odds)

Similar incident happened to me many moons ago. I learn't two things from the ordeal: 1) There are some real pratts out there who need to join the mondern age 2) To remove my roads shoes in such incidents - a) to assist with me staying upright and not dancing around like a ballerina b ) to issue the relevant pratt with a distiguishable cleat impression on his forehead (help for indentification purposes later on!) Best is to ride on but sometimes the shoe option is the only option !

Quoted as their "INCOME" target for the month. I wouldn't want to miss quote the paper but I'm sure wé are able to make the necessary assumptions

Looks like golfing world has taken its spot for tonight

+1

Awesome thread - one day when I get brave I'm gonna move away from my XC habit a little bit and get me a bike that'll get some airtime !

The first of many !

I’m so relieved. After reading the latest Randburg Sun that the Metro Police have a definite, tangible and measurable target. According to Gerry Gerneke, The director of law enforcement for the metro police stated that they have to meet the target set out by the city council of R30 million a month. Such a relief because targets like Protect and Serve; prevent, combat and investigate crime; maintain public order; protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property; uphold and enforce the law; create a safe and secure environment for all people in South African; investigate any crimes that threaten the safety or security of any community and ensure criminals are brought to justice seem to be a little ambiguous !

+1 Last time I was in Cajees they did the bargaining for me, sales chap knocked 5k off the price of a bike without me asking and without a blink. Got me thinking about the rest of their offerings and so I dont go there anymore. Voting with my wallet

My local bike shop (JHB) gives them out for free. Maybe try one close to you.

I think it can be a useful tool but it will be subjective - most people on our roads don't know the correct rules anyway I would also worry on their side about building a file that can later be used to build a picture of behavior - but also a case of defamation

Thanks Scotty - will try and get out there next weekend !

That sounds awesome ! Had mate knocked down there a couple months back. How are these rides organised ? Can anyone join or is there a club involved? Well done !

Make the best of it ! Theres plenty of good riding there - if you get the chance do the End to End in the Isle of Man. Cold but one hell of a ride. Whats is awesome there is that you can hook up some trails (even in london along the Thames - up by Kingston and Richmond - are some great little trails) and then ride to the pub or coffee shop for brekkie wihtout too much hassle from other road users. Dont buy any more kit here. Winter gloves here and winter gloves there are different

Sounds like a normal race year for most of us then......

Last time I checked the specialized Allez was a good price and a good value racer/commuter http://www.specialized-sa.co.za/images/bikes/bikes/bike261.jpg

I think the guys in your area should recommend a good bike shop where the sales guys are there to help you and not remove as much money as possible from you. I have had many sub R10k bikes that have taken me to sub 3 100km rides and then taken me to the coffee shop on the weekend for breakfast. I dont think you'd be too happy with an out and out race bike by what you've said. I have a mate with a scott speedster and many have a time trying to keep up with him !

I'm all for it - I agree that the pro cycling should be run like a business. To many people telling others what to do while not listening to the teams and the fans ! If it makes our sport larger and brings about more awareness for cycling in general then I'm all for it (maybe one day we can get decent coverage rather than watching month old cricket/golf replays) (On the radio issue why dont they just allow it but do similar to nascar and allow the broadcast of the radio traffic to the media and fans !)

X2 And the Crater Cruise for the MTB days

Whether its Roadies riding like idiots, Taxi Drivers or silly women talking on their phones in their two ton SUV's the problem is that no one is held accountable for their infringements. While we have police sitting under a tree looking for speeding fines and some only hittting certain profiles for one or two specific infringments we'll never have any order (read: safety). You just have to spend some time in the state, uk or europe and you will see that you become accountable for everything; speeding, jumping lights, non road worthiness, abuse of others in public (road rage) etc..... We need to educate the enforcers and then the rest will fall into line.

I used to commute quite a bit on the bike both in JHB and when I lived in the Isle of Man - This is a great attitude to have and should be laid out as one of the Golden Rules of Commuting !