UnfitnessFreak

Damn. That's very sad. My kids are not allowed to ride on the street. It's a shame, because we grew up riding bikes on the road, but then the roads were not 1/10th as busy as they are now. If you are hit by a car then wearing a helmet is not gonna help very much. A cycling helmet will only really help if you hit the ground. It's not the same as a full-face motorcycle helmet (and even then a motorbike helmet is only useful to a point). So sad!

I agree, cyclists should always be on their best behaviour on the road. I personally make a point of always being courteous and respectful to motorists, since I'd like them to look out for me. I agree that as a cyclist it's your responsibilty to be hyper-alert at all times, since the danger is all around you. You must ride defensively and ASSUME that motorists will make mistakes. Act as if you NEVER have the right of way. That's the safest way to act in my opinion. However... I admit to going through red robots. But it's not like I'll just blow through them without looking. I stop - or slow to a crawl - and take a good look in both directions and then proceed if it is safe to do so. I'm not saying it's right, but stopping at every light just destroys your rhythm. And I don't believe I'm giving all cyclists a bad name by doing that - as long as I'm not cutting in front of people or endangering another individual, it's my risk, not theirs. Cyclists who swear and flip the bird at motorists and act like they're god's gift to the tarmac are the ones who give cyclists a bad name. Also, reading about all the guys that have been killed, I get the impression that it happens most on long roads, without robots, where the cyclists have been taken out from behind without any warning. It's that kind of driver you've got to watch out for.

Hmmm. As a matter of interest, who can tell me the rules of the road regarding traffic circles?

I listen to music yeah. It's the only way I can get up hills. In the early morning I listen full blast, but when it gets later I turn the volume down a bit so I can hear the cars coming. At speed the wind noise is so bad you can't really even hear the ipod though so I don't know how you'd hear a car. I don't think it's that much more dangerous, unless you are riding on very fast/busy roads. Some slower (slower driving) residential roads I don't think are too dangerous. But if you're riding on fast main roads or some of those winding roads by the coast then I think it best to keep your wits about you. I've seen some guys cycling on the national road between knysna and george and the cars zoot along there at 140km/h +. If they come around a corner in the yellow line as they sometimes do and they encounter a cyclist it will not be pretty.

My first couple of rides I learned quickly that most cyclists do not smile or wave, or greet anyone on the road. In the beginning I would smile and nod or wave, but I got no response so I stopped doing it. Although 2 weekends ago I got a wave from 6 or 7 cyclists in a big group going down kyalami hill wearing orange kit while I was going up. I nearly fell off my bike I was so surprised! It was a pleasant surprise so I think I will start greeting other cyclists again anyway, because it could catch on.

Road bike. I have a MT bike, but I also have a dirt bike that is 1000% more fun in the dirt. So the MT bike doesn't win that battle very often.

hmmmm. I've just checked out that site, run by Seth Rotheringham, which is at best boring. But of interest was this video in the 'about' section. The man appears to be retarded. And somewhat arrogant. Possibly homosexual.

Hey all. What's the policy on putting green slime or sludge in road tyres? Does it stop punctures? Seems to work on MTBs? Any reason I shouldn't do it?

Never hit a tree stump personally, but I've seen a guy on a yamaha do it right in front of me. Both bike and rider did a complete somersault. Rider knocked out cold and 1 x broken collarbone. eish. you gotta watch out for those things.

Ah - ok. No I'm not cross chaining. It's typically when I'm in lowest gear or highest gear. I checked and the derailleur is not hitting the spokes. I'll take it to cyclelab and have them check it out. Thanks dudes.

hmmm... what is cross chaining?

Hi people. This new bike of mine is great. I really love it. The only thing is when the bike is in the tallest or lowest gear it has a tendancy to make a clicking sound. Nothing serious. And the gears don't jump or anything. It's just an annoying clicking. Is this normal or can the gears be adjusted to take it away? As someone who is used to tearing down a dirtbike motor at the slightest odd vibration it's not something that I regard as an acceptable state of affairs.

Good day smart people. I like to keep my garage tidy and I'm thinking of hanging the bikes on the wall using those bike hooks you can buy from the hardware store. I've noticed some people do it. Is this advisable? Does it damage the rims at all? They do have plastic sheaths around the hooks, but I'm not sure a bike is designed to be hung like that. Comments please.