RocknRolla

my spoke breaking is not related to the chain coming off. the spokes are black - as are the rims. this is very strange indeed. but so are my wife's spokes and she has yet to break a spoke in 2 and a bit years. i'm starting to think it may be related to landing. ("flying is easy - it's the landing part that can be difficult" ) i will ride "softer" from now on mebbe later i change my rear spokes to something more staunch

dunnow if it's the same spoke. cant see that it's too low spoke count. I think maybe the spoke gage is not right for me? (1.8) i like to clear obstacles in the road - IE if there is a washout on the road, i jump it - could it be that sometimes the landings are too hard - and i then end up breaking a spoke? (full sus - normally on lockout) what i am trying to get at, is that perhaps i need to change my spoke gage on the rear? will this help alleviate the problem? do i change my riding style, by being more mechanically sympathetic, but not doing unnecessary jumps etc (although it goes against the principle of practicing skills)

I have now broken my 3rd spoke on the rear wheel. since December 2010 I am getting frustrated as this to me does not seem normal. Perhaps i am doing something wrong - i have had no major offs (i sometimes cant clip out quickly enuf - but this happens to most i assume xt hubs with dt swiss spokes. the spokes all break just above the nipple. it's a PITA to replace because the tyre needs to come off, slime replaced etc...

what's the date for the fountains race? Sorry i missed the avianto race. a nice area to ride in!!

core exercises. (all those girlie ones, do them in the yoga studio where none of the ironmonkeys can see you ) strength training in the gym.

For sure the easiest way to get an entry.

Kingskloof is awesome for technical training, and to get some incline work done. B) But not for the feint of heart.

Thinking about the last weeks worth of criminal activity, i am re-thinking my early morning rides. it's difficult to vary one's route especially when pressed for time. But thinking back, i keep on seeing the same guys (pedestrians) on the route we ride on, it's very easy to realize a pattern in our riding schedule, and route. Only alternative is to vary route, and days riding.(obviously this requires more recce work on weekends - reserved for longer rides) Are bike parks the only alternative for safe training (and then not even 100%) ?? Time to dust off the indoor trainer and train in front of the telly.

Well i think gun ownership causes more sh$% than anything else. I know of a case where a cyclist protected himself (and his friend) by shooting an assailant. He ended up in court over a period of years, he was even arrested, because he chose to protect himself. Always think about what happens when you escalate the situation. EG - the assailant has a gun - you escalate the situation by producing your own weapon - this has normally dire consequences - the attacker is there with one purpose only, and he has no regard for life as you know it. Thus he will not think twice about shooting you, even if you only produced the gun in order to scare him off. I dont know what the correct way of protecting oneself is. But trust me, i am thinking twice about going out alone. Normally i ride past Zandspruit in the week, and i thank my lucky stars i was not there yesterday when the riots hapened around 6am in the morning. i am thinking of getting pepperspray to keep with me when i ride. - once again if i end up bringing pepperspray to a gunfight. it will not be nice

Stabbing - Krugersdorp hill area saw this topic after i posted my message.

Hi, New to the site, I am keen rider, and live on the Westrand. I just heard about an attack on a fellow Mtb'er in the Silverstar area. (apparently in the tracks behind silverstar Casino) Happened Yesterday afternoon before 5pm. The rider was stabbed (seven times) by an individual with Dreadlocks, he was also robbed of his bike. Luckily his cellphone was not taken and he was able to call for help. Currently in the hospital, where he will soon be undergoing surgery to repair some of the Damage - Punctured lung etc. Please take care, don't ride alone.