[RIP Alan van Heerden]

May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, until we meet again.

[Your favorite online cycle shop?]

For the multi-sporters out there:

 

Nytro - great prices and service

Trisports - I buy just about everything from them

 

[Oom Neelsie]

moving story and one of those that makes you realise how lucky you are and just why you should stop procrastinating and get out there for a ride while you still can.

 

As for the bike, there was an 'disabled' athlete that used to train at Bob van Reenen (Krugersdorp track) on a tricycle. I cant imagine that it was very easy to corner at high speed but I don't think thats an issue. If memory serves me correctly, he was from United Wheelers so perhaps you can contact them for more info.

 

There is also a tricycle TT league in the UK and they have a number of frame builders that specialise in these bikes. I know of a local builder that might be willing to give of his time if he can get a blue print to work from and someone to sponsor the cost of the materials.

 

[How to take care of your rear end!]

 

Yes why not dry them on a washing line?Does it make them stretch?

 

Yes. The SA sun is too harsh for dainty lycra and its new-age derivatives causing it to deteriorate rapidly. The end result is that shorts (and vest for those triathletes) dont fit properly anymore which leads to uneven surfaces that irritate and eventually cause infection.

 

While I understand that not everyone has the means to purchase new clothing on a regular basis, I cringe when I see a guy riding a 30k bike complete with team kit (Phonak or Discovery/Postal) and the chamois is hanging between their legs like a army overall!

 

[Anyone have there own blogs?]

http://www.tricape.com/

 

&

 

http://www.ironcrazy.com/

[Are these forks any good?]

Being a roadie those black & white alloy things are of no use to me but I would certainly fork her!

[Crank length change]

since your cranks go round in circles, you may want to consider moving it back, or forward, by 2,5mm ...

 

Crank length is not a factor when determining saddle height, leave it where it is and avoid the tendency to crunch monster gears with your new found power. At least until your body is used to the changes.

[Measuring Resting Heart Rate ?]

Your RHR will probably be lower at the end of a day because of a number of factors including fatigue and diet. The best time is 15min after you wake up and have been to the toilet.

It doesn't really matter when you do as long as you do it consistently, i.e. at the same time, place and manner every day if you intend using it as a benchmark for anything.

 

Additionally, a low RHR is not an indication of much more than genetics because there are many unfit people that register in the 40's or lower but put them on a stationery trainer or treadmill and they will be at their lactate threshold within a few minutes of light exercise.

[Conti gatorskins]

Michelin Carbons. Great ride, decent price and pretty good with punctures (2 in over 2000km's aint bad). The ProRace 2's are excellent all round tires and my front has lasted for what seems like forever.

[Dangerous drivers reg. no's list]

I once 'wrote down' (actually captured the number on my cell phone) and the guy stopped at the next light to apologize.

 

Unfortunately it doesn't count because the guy was an American tourist who had genuinely made a mistake. If it was a South African they would probably have stopped at the next light to shoot me!

[Elite Riders on the Hub]

I rest my case!

[Elite Riders on the Hub]

The reason the SA pro's are so rude is because everytime some wannabe fun rider talks to them they ask a stupid question like "why dont you wear a helmet?"

[Nokon cables]

They can be a little rough on gear cables but the addition of an Avid Rollermajig solves that problem.

Zabel used them complete with the extreme bend ShortLegs is referring to and had no complaints. Since he is quite particular about his equipment I think that's an indication that they work pretty well.

[Group size for training?]

How far and how fast?

 

Big groups are nice but it is hard to find a lot of people all interested in the same ride.

[Nokon cables]

Fritz Pienaar Cycles in Joburg, otherwise contact the importer directly:

 

Manny Ferreira

Maestro imports

0825519497

[Don't drive left of the yellow line]

not really, Lars Ullrich is a prat!

[Don't drive left of the yellow line]

There is a moratorium on any stats that might cast the authorities in a bad light, thus we all sit in the dark and tell ourselves that the light at the end of the tunnel is not a freight train travelling in the opposite direction!

[Overtraining]

Depends on how 'overtrained' you are and what your definition of overtraining is. Personally I like Floyd Landis' theory and if I ever find myself asking if I might be overtrained, I go read it again and then go training!

 "If you overtrained, it means that you didn't train hard enough to handle that level of training," Landis says, his fingertip rapping the table for emphasis. "So you weren't overtrained; you were actually undertrained to begin with. So there's the rule again: The guy who trains the hardest, the most, wins."

 

http://outside.away.com/outside/features/200607/tour-de-france-2006-floyd-landis-3.html

[Don't drive left of the yellow line]

Amazing how many motorists towing trailers forget they are there when passing cyclists or even other motorists for that matter. There should be a proficiency test before you are allowed to tow a trailer and that includes parking and reversing with one (recent road rage from the Harrismith Engen!)

[Wearing a Helmet]

Even Lance always wore a helmet(Giro) and definetly not the cheaper ones.

 

The reason Lance or any of the professionals out there wears a helmet is largely commercial. Giro and Bell are some of the biggest sponsors in the sport and organisers and riders are obliged to market their products by wearing them.

[Wearing a Helmet]

In those days coming out to bat with a helmet was an invitation to get bounced. There was still some semblance of gentlemanly conduct at club cricket level and good batsmen wore a cap or nothing at all. Helmets were reserved for the tail enders who could exact their revenge when it was the offending bowlers turn to come bat.

[Wearing a Helmet]

Sorry, bored and stirring up the emotions a little. Honestly though, I have been riding for over 20 years, most of which without a helmet or just a hairnet. Yet, despite countless crashes on both road and track, I have never once had so much as a scratch on my helmet or head. Which makes me question the frequency of everyone else's stories.

Does anyone actually know how hard the head has to be hit to cause an injury? I dont but I ask because I was once hit on the head by a delivery from Garth Le Roux which was probably around 130km/h (and a cricket ball is hard) with only a mild concussion to show for it (no, I didnt wear a helmet back then either).

[Wearing a Helmet]

Everyone has a 'story' about how a helmet saved their lives except me. What am I doing wrong?

[Wearing a Helmet]

Were you by chance helmetless?

In that case' date=' what happened makes sense!

[/quote']

 

No, I had my helmet on like I do every time I go for a ride. Thats the choice I make and they dont disparage me for it, probably because I dont give a rats arse whether they wear one or not, it's their choice.

[Wearing a Helmet]

Cyclists with no helmets is "organ donors" and what makes me also da moer in is when the "cool" cyclist do not say or wave hello when you greet them!

I passed a group of pro's (Barloworld, KM, etc) out doing some base mileage this morning and none of them had helmets on but they all greeted me.

 

I also passed at least three other fun riders with all the latest bikes and kit, including fancy helmets and despite my greeting them they didn't even acknowledge my exisitence.