dracs

I enjoyed riding with the CL guys. After bad memories from last year I made sure I got there early and kept myself in the first 15 or so riders for the first 50ks when things tend to get hairy further back in the pack. Did a few turns at the front but for the most part most guys weren't too interested in working early on. Otherwise managed my race really well until about the last 20k's where I got caught napping when (with a slight gutter wind) a few gaps starting appearing and I was slow to realise it. Burned a whole bunch of matches to get back on, and then you buggers at the front surged again at the top the drag about 18km's out and I couldn't respond. Rode in with a nice group of about 10 riders to finish 3.08. Love this race always - but the cones - bad idea hope its not repeated.

I'm undecided on KP being sidelined. Yes he's that good and hard to see how you can drop your best player. BUT then look at his history. Flower is not the first coach to have an issue with him. Wherever he has been, he has had fallouts with administrators, coaches, captains and a huge number of teammates - from KZN, to CSA, to the ECB. The only common denominator is mr KP himself. if you're that much of a box, all bets are off "maverick" or otherwise.

8 elites doing the 160?? Assume this is wrong. edit - sorry I see this was commented on above...

Well done to him. And now he's a hub celebratory too

Also not much of a kicker... This may seem like a stupid question (and been meaning to google but never got there...) should you kick from the hip (ie entire leg up and down) or more from the knee (lower leg). I hate kicking drills, so pretty much don't do them, but when I do I am aware my entire leg is moving up and down and can't help but wonder if this is correct / necesary or am I wasting energy...

probably doing a short race - happens all the time at races such as ride for sight... not ideal. To make it worse for the kid he probably got told "keep left" (but using slightly more expressive words...)

Apologies couldn't find - mods pls merge

Well done Daryl Impey - another successful defense of his TT national title. And third for the caveman!!! Ladies are on the road now about to finish. Some bad luck for Cherise Stander rolling her tubby off on a bend while going well. Expect Ashleigh to take this one yet again...

Ditto. I had a bad fall last year after some genius decided to cut accross a pack going at 50kph to grab a water sachet... back for more anyway... (its a great race and idiots will be idiots)

wash it?

Rule for life: If you find yourself asking the question: "is this too good to be true?" you already know the answer.

Cheers - does he work on weekends? Anyone recomend anyone closer to Sunninghill/Woodmead/Kyalami? Alternately Greenstone area (office)

Can anyone reccomend someone for deep tissue massage in either the above areas (or near by)?

Havent been able to find Motorex for a while... anyone spotted any in Joburg lately?

Yes, and it does have to be said that Hamilton had a front wing failure a couple of days ago... Early days though. My take so far - Merc the best front, Mclaren the best (not prettiest) rear (assuming its legal), Merc the best powerplant On the last, time will tell really, as in truth the quickest engine won't be the most powerful, but the most efficient. Since they all start with the same fuel, if you have the most efficient engine you will be able to run the most avg power over a race. (I do fear races like Monza being economy runs - that would be sad)

merc front wing detail http://img3.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Lewis-Hamilton-Mercedes-Formel-1-Jerez-Test-28-Januar-2014-fotoshowBigImage-6f08dc23-751083.jpg

Ja I really don't understand how that was approved as legal...?

classic crowd expressions there.

HAve to be honest, my first impression was the quality of the fabric itself was fine - didn't seem insubstantial for a cotton shirt. I will have to check it at home though - perhaps I am not discerning enough! Obviously you are not going to gym in this kind of shirt though! Yes the design was less than exciting - but don't think it was a quality issue. The quality test will be whether the screenprinting lasts better than last year's - and so far I don't think anyone has said this is coming off after first wash etc as happened last yr.

“Here I don’t have an eye fixed on my power meter. I’m looking left and right to see where the animals are,” he said.

This has been discussed elsewhere, but a reminder for those here who think successful businesses and business people put good money into the sport for no good reason http://www.moneyweb.co.za/moneyweb-business-of-sport/cycling-is-the-new-golf

Have a look at the type of corporates sponsoring local MTB teams or events... they are generally targeting high income individuals or other corporates, and this speaks to the people who participate in mountain biking events. So its really not so much a about physical spectators or live coverage - the target market is decision makers and infdividuals who love and partake in the sport. So, yes - there is a very strong value proposition for local sponsorship - especially MTB. Also, although its one race a year, exposure at Cape Epic is global - and very significant for brands such as Specialized. The tour de France is no different for the roadies - sponspors get 80%+ of their ROI from the tour.

look again...