Sir Fed

It's been said before, what's the point. At least for the foreseeable future it will be unreliable and heavier than the existing mechanical systems. If it doesn't make life easier for me then it's not worth having. Look at how long it has taken to get electronic accelerator pedals in cars and that will give you some idea of when this will be available to the mass market.

Recent research into the benefits of cross-training have shown that while cycling benefits your running, the converse is not true. In fact athletes who used running as part of their cycling training showed a decrease in performance which leads one to suggest that it is a bad idea unless you ultimately want to enter multisport (duathlon, triathlon) events. My personal experience is that you can build better aerobic fitness through cycling than through running as there is far less 'wear and tear' on the body when riding (hence most peoples concern about their knee's amongst other things). By the same token it may be easier to do anerobic (speed and strength) sessions while running as you need less of a controlled enviroment (anerobic sessions on a bike are difficult when dodging cars, traffic lights and other nasties) but then the research mentioned above has suggested that while it will improve your running it is unlikely to help your cycling. Unless you are have aspirations of being a 'pro' then I would say carry on running as a way of getting off the bike without losing fitness and also because it is a great form of exercise for those that enjoy it.

The rule of thumb is that if it's in the head you can carry on with light training (nothing over 75%). If its below the neck then you have a virus and should take at least 2-3 days off. With less than 2 weeks to the Argus you should be in your final taper anyway so any training you do now will not help you in the race, you need to rest and recover. I would suggest seeing a doctor that you can talk to. Explain that you dont want an antibiotic since it will further supress the immune system (yes you will feel better initially but you will be sick again come race day). Alternatively hit your local pharmacy and get some viral choice, take it 3 times a day and make sure you drink plenty of liquids (and that does not mean alchohol). If your schedule allows, get some bed rest, you will be surprised what even one day can do. Lastly watch what you eat, 5 small meals a day, up your fibre and drop your simple sugars, it's easy to comfort yourself with the wrong foods when you are feeling run down but think of the consequences and find something healthy instead. Sir Fed38775.5699884259

I thought I would never do this but here it goes ... Back in the old days (when we walked 20km through the snow to school - each way!) chamois was made of exactly that. For those that have ever left a chamois in the sun to dry will know, it goes rock hard and resembles something more like sandpaper than anything you want in your crotch for a couple of hours. Creams weren't a luxury but a necessity (especially if Mom did you a favour and dried your cycling clothes in the warming draw - smileys/smiley2.gif). Fairways, what do you have to say about that? Jy's ook 'n kaapenaar en moet seker meer as een keer met 'n nat chamois gery?

With only 8-9% bodyfat, I consider myself to have a racing cyclists arse but sometimes (not every time) on a long ride (5+ hours) I will sit slightly off centre and then it's broken skin and rash time. When this happens I reach for the cream and treat the problem as soon as I get out of the shower so that I dont have discomfort the following day. In 20yrs of cycling I have never had to take a day off because of a saddle sore but I have ridden in intense agony many times as a result of one and I would rather deal with the problem than let it become something more than it has to be.

David Bloom Pharmacy, Duty Free Shop, International Airport Cape Town. Tel: 934 6818 Pick 'n Pay Centre, Tokai. Tel: (021) 715 8735

Since you are in the western cape, Dr Blooms baby bum creme. He used to have a pharmacy at the P'nP centre in Tokai but that was years ago. I am sure you will find him if you ask around. Alternatively Bennett's baby creme but it's not quite as good as Blooms.

What about all you triathletes out there? Nothing stirs my emotions quite like a TT bike. I dream of the day I can finish this off with a Scott Plasma frame.