Climate

Mont Ventoux from the Bedoin side is long, but the gradient is not too bad (you'll be fine on a 39/25 gear ratio). But what is strange, is that it's the only climb in the region ... the rest of the vicinity is flat (Provence). So if you want to go climbing, visit the Alps - there's a small town called Bourg d'Oisans from where you can ride in any direction and climb the likes of Col du Galibier, Alpe d'Huez, etc. Here's a view looking down from Mont Ventoux, which illustrates how flat the surrounding region is:

I think it's fair to say (and proven by the comments on this thread) that most of us have hooked trucks before ... hey, it's a thrilling experience. I've checked my heartrate during these "adventures" (yes - of course it's after the fact, cause technology allows me to download the data and scrutinize it at my leisure) and the exertion rate is always higher than normal riding. Typically, you're far more alert - watching the brake lights, peeping past the side of the truck at the road ahead, etc. So how many injuries have you heard of due to guys hooking trucks? If I've left the forest on my way back home (unfortunately I live in a suburb where the roads are tarred) and a truck trundles past offering me a tow ... I'm gonna hook it!

I've done the Knysna MTB in the past with FF gloves and ended up bumming bites of energy bars from other riders on the route, because I thought I'd forgotten mine in the car ... just couldn't feel the bar in my cycling shirt pocket

But for in-your-satchel folding, you gotta take a look at the "locust" ... not sure if it's on the production line yet though: http://ridethisbike.com/2007/01/answers-locust-folding-bike.html

Since carbon doesn't have memory, it doesn't suffer from fatigue like a steel or alluminium frame. Manufacturers are getting better at making stiffer frames ... just take a look at the headset and BB areas on new carbon frames (much more chunky / bulky than older frames). So the new frames will definitely feel more rigid ... but that's not 'cause you've ridden your old one pap!

You've probably seen footage of Cannondale's ON bike ... unfortunately not on the market yet, but have you seen this little gem? http://www.optimalride.com/folding-bicycles/if-mode-an-innoative-full-sized-folding-bike.html

I realize motorbikes have been sporting one-sided rear swingarms for many years ... I was commenting on the rigidity claims made wrt the Lefty design (specifically: "Some trail forks now approach the stiffness of Lefty but those weigh nearly 2Kg..")

Initially the lefty does look different, but one gets used to "different" (I use a conventional fork ... just commenting on the look). But if the design concept is so much better, why haven't Suzuki, Yamaha, Ducati been convinced to do something similar on their bikes ... they also shave weight wherever they can!

Best method is to get yourself measured at a bike shop that offers the service. But a quick alternative, is to measure your inseam length (in socks and cycling shorts). Then multiply that measurement by 0.65 and you'll have the frame size of a conventional frame geometry (not a compact frame). You tend to have slightly wider scope with compact frame geometry ... the top tube length however, plays a critical role in the comfort stakes and they differ across manufacturers for the same frame size.

Try adjusting the Polar sensor so that there's a slightly bigger gap to the magnet. I had a similar problem once (on a coded Polar sensor), which I solved in this manner. Good luck!

I was listening to an interview with Greg Minnaar the other day ... and some other downhillers. The impression I got, was that these are some really chilled fellas. But from what I've read on this thread, sounds like some of you need to give Greg a call and set him right!!! I too love a downhill ... I too have to ride up the hill first (that's why it's called Mountain biking). So if I'm on a really technical steep climb, don't expect me to yield ... you all know how difficult it is to get going again on those sections. But if I see a guy whooping down a quick section having a blast and my piece of uphill won't be too difficult to saddle up again, I'm not going to spoil his/her run unnecessarily ... just ease to the side of the path and watch their line (to see if I'd prefer a different one). But we're intelligent beings, so exercise consideration (and some caution), based on the prevailing situation.

Anyone used a lanolin based oil? I purchased a product called Fluid Film at the IronMan expo, but don't know how it performs in dusty conditions over an extended period of time.

With a longer crank, your foot will be moving faster than with a shorter crank at the same cadence. That is why the pressure on the pedal can be reduced ... because you are moving it physically further over the same period of time. Also remember, that with increased crank length, your knee has to bend more at the top of the stroke (assuming you adjust your saddle for your knee angle to be the same at the bottom of the stroke, before you made the change). So the impact of adjusting crank length is effectively double what the length difference is (ie. that difference at the top of the stroke, plus that difference at the bottom of the stroke).

Saffa ... we're all assuming this is a factory-fitted towbar, but a company called StarTrek also retrofit a detachable unit to BMW's. If the reciprocal is square, it may be one of their's (www.startrektowbars.co.za).

I was always of the understanding that the red would simply dry hard, whereas the blue would remain more pliable ... but didn't know that red would eat into the threads?!

If you do end up having to do it yourself, you'll only need to source a new spring ... then watch the movies: Disassembly - www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t0ttU_Jm0Y&feature=related Assembly - www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSAnAmBXYSY

You sure the goose-neck's not sitting off to the side ... kinda swings down from the right when released.

What do you use Anthony?

Sorry I didn't see this thread earlier ... could have saved some keystrokes by the conspiracy theorists. I've attached a picture of the same seatpost (except that it was my wife's - she weighs 55kg and did NOT have an accident to cause the failure). This post was about a year old, when it failed. The bike was hanging in the garage when the failure must have happened, because when she took the bike down for the next ride, the saddle was dangling!!! I suspected the bolt must have been over-tightened, but without proof, simply replaced the seatpost (with the same) and it's been good ever since. I also use a Thomson Elite (4 years of regular use and 72kg load) ... no problems.

... or just black tape and black bottle-cage

And because we don't need to change lanes to overtake other cyclists, it often appears to motorists that we are riding abreast, when we in fact are not. I've been hooted at for doing just that ... even while staying on the left of the yellow lane. But I'd strongly advise cyclists NOT to ride in the middle of a lane and holding up traffic ... it seriously reduces the patience of motorists.

I had the same problem a few days ago - the trojan was identified in one of my temporary internet files. So I deleted them all, along with a cleanup of all cookies. But the problem came back when I reloaded the Hub page (that was on Monday). On Tuesday, I cleaned out my temp internet files and cookies again ... voila => no problem!

My experience has been that the taxis are usually pretty tolerant of cyclists, unlike the Golden Arrow busses. If I were to make a comparison of incidents, I can count many more occurrences of being squeezed on the road shoulder by a bus than a taxi ... even when there is no oncoming traffic!!!

That must have been the longest stretch of road for you to ride Birdie, knowing that your brother had been injured. You did the right thing by getting to the finish and arranging a car (would not have helped at all to stop at the scene and simply sit with him). And on top of all that, you too had already endured some serious conditions and were fatigued ... I know from experience, that we don't always think clearly in that state, so hat off to you girl. DaveM - don't know where you come from bud, but rather stay on the couch!

We're still struggling to deal with Craig's tragedy ... and now Colin's too. It's not okay for a vehicle to drive past a cyclist and "just" miss him/her, because there is no shoulder. A bike can change it's line by up to a meter in seconds ... due to glass, poor road surface, wind, or whatever. I'll say it again - there need to be measures in place to keep vehicles from passing so close to cyclists (as mentioned before, motorists in parts of Europe are fined heavily, just for passing a cyclist with less than a meter berth). And we're on African time, so the 30 seconds that a motorist loses by slowing down behind a cyclist until it's safe to pass, won't be noticed anyway!!! Condolences to Colin's family and friends, our thoughts are with you in this painful time.