IanJ

We just beat you guys then, I was in VM (started together with VB) and finished in 2:55:05, my son was in A and just beat me in 2:54:21. We actually rode together for a bit when A caught up to VB/VM but then I pulled ahead up Chappies. Well done to you and your son and good luck in trying to keep up with him in the future.

I just wanted to thank the organisers, marshalls and especially Captain Slow and the other helivac marshall that were with Cat3. You guys did an awesome job in controling the race, the traffic and also ensuring that no slower riders jumped into our bunch as we passed them. The "A bunch" that we caught were a group of about 20 that had been dropped by the main A bunch. Well done to all. :clap:

Ok so if I do 5 SA Active events I will get 15000 base points plus 5000 bonus and if I then do an assesment I will get no base points and up to 7500 bonus points. That is what I thought. Thanks.

Cool thanks, Diamond here we come

Can you still earn points for the fitness assessment if you have the individual max 15000 base points from SA Active events?

I will put my head on the block and say that if the Tour does ever happen again it will remain in the Cape area. The Giro has happened there for a long time with no major incidents. Johannesburg and it's residents don't deserve a race of this stature.

Just a few comments: 1) I am a member of one of the clubs that responded to the call, at very short notice, to provide marshalls along the route yesterday and today. Of all the clubs in Central Gauteng Cycling only 3 provided any marshalls and most of those were from a club in Soweto. Yes it is unnaceptable to expect clubs to respond at such short notice but surely we could have done better? 2) Yesterday Stage 1 was controlled entirely by Tshwane Metro who seemed to have done a very good job of controlling the roads. Having said that they only had a very short piece of road (Cedar and Witkoppen) to control bringing the race into Johannesburg. 3) The method of operation was that the Metro cops secured an intersection before handing it over to a Think Bike Marshall or stationary marshall and then rolling through to the next intersection. The roads were closed for all through traffic and traffic from front and back until the last rider and sweep had passed. 4) Today we stationed ourselves on Sandton Drive at the corner of Alice Lane near Sandton City. From what I saw there were just as many Metro Cops and Think Bike marshalls as yesterday. Some Metro Cops did not seem to know the route and asked us which way the route went. We were assisted in securing the intersection by several Think Bike marshalls and with a few exceptions motorists were fairly patient and well behaved. 5) The problem seemed to be caused by traffic already in the route ahead of the race which could not be cleared before the race got to the backup. This would indicate that full road closure would have been the only way to run this route. Having said that I doubt motorists would have tolerated full road closure for 2-3 hours on a Sunday afternoon on such major roads. 6) I might be wrong but the way I read the story about the Metro Cops "disappearing" was that it only happened once the race had been officially stopped i.e. the riders and race convoy was left to fend for itself to get back to Monte Casino from Sandton. This is also inexcusable but is different to what is being protrayed about them deserting the race whilst it was still in progress. Certainly the major blame has to be laid at the feet of the race organisers but I think there were lots of contributing factors which have to be taken into account.

The Drongo - That would be 'always write him a long letter'

Did they mention anything about saving a Mavic Cosmic Wheel? I know of another guy who's bike is there but not sure of the model. Seriously, I hope everyone is ok there.

Yeah then we can have a criterium MTB race at Groenies.

I believe that the planned developments will not affect the section of the farm used by the MTB community. We also need to get back there more often, I was there for Diepsloot Dare and as you say that new single track by the river is great.

Interesting thread. I was one of the first to try 32GI when it came out earlier this year and have been using it ever since, I ride road and MTB in the licenced Vets (50-59) category. My experience is that it is perfect for long sustained rides at a moderate intensity but I find that when racing at high intensity it sometimes does not give me enough of a kick to respond to attacks and sudden increases in pace. I also use Whasp Kiwi gel during a race, 1 serving after 1 hour and 1 with about 20km to go for the finish. I also started experimenting recently with a combination of 32GI before (including carboloading the previous day) and for the first half of a race and then switching to another product for the second half where the pace inevitably increases. This combination seems to work well for me. There is no doubt that for long endurance events at a moderate intensity 32GI would be perfect I just find that at race intensity you need a bit more of a kick.

I took my bike there but wasn't worth it, you can ride 1-2km up and down the roads in town but try go anywhere beyond and it is just thick sand. As you know all the roads in and out of town are sand so you don't have much choice.

I managed to get it right once during the Lost City race. I carefully measured the chain after putting it on the middle chain ring and the middle of the rear cassette. I then removed the wheel and joined the chain. I put the chain back onto the cassette and then had to force the wheel back in to the drop outs to maintain the tension. if it is still too loose remove the wheel again and move it up to the next biggest gear on the cassette and try again. It will only work if you have it fairly tight and running fairly straight. Good luck.

Question out of interest. Would that be because that is where most power is created in the pedal stroke?

The plot thickens: "There's a noticeable bulge in the seat tube on the Project Black frame that doesn't appear on the Roubaix SL2" Still don't think it is likely though.

The gruber assist is the only one that we know about. If it could be built for 31.6mm' date=' it could be built for anything. Making the conspiracy even deeper. Batteries could even be stored in the frame where it runs from the crank to headtube. Throw in some nice light batteries in the construction of the frame, no one will ever know about it. [/quote'] Maybe... the frame IS the battery! when constructing the frame they added a couple of Li-Ion wraps to the carbon!!! Genius! Even better, the frame is a solar panel

The device does exist, see the following articles: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-denies-reports-of-motorised-doping http://www.gizmag.com/gruber-assist-electrifies-just-about-any-bicycle/11609/

Yup. Still coughing up bits of lung and the watts are BAAAADDDD...... So this will be party ride whhoooohoooo Yeah right, I can just see it now, when Spidey realises as the sprint begins that he actually does have legs, there will be snot and trane and bits of lung everywhere. See you up there dude and enjoy your ride/race.

Sounds good' date=' but was it one of those once-off things in the area or are they planning on continuing it in the area? Is the message getting to the Argus-94.7 fun rider type riders as well as the more dedicated riders like the type found on the Hub? Just seems that there is little point in "preaching to the converted" so to speak.[/quote'] It is widely accepted that clubs are being very proactive in getting the message across, unfortunately members are not always listening to the message and sticking to the rules. The CGC campaign is aimed at both clubs and individual or small group riders. The campaign will certainly be an ongoing effort and as mentioned will be taken to other areas as well.

As mentioned in the letter above last Saturday saw the first of the CGC awareness campaigns where they were stopping cyclists and handing out brochures of the CGC code of conduct. As far as law enforcement bodies getting involved.... watch this space.

At one of the recent ongoing meetings between the cycling fraternity and Cradle Residents it was agreed that a letter would be posted on the Hub claryfing the issue of the lawyers letter mentioned in this thread. Below is the text of that letter written by the Charman of CGC Giovanni Mottalini. Please note that the participants at the meetings had agreed not to post matters on the Hub as it usually leads to more arguments and inflames the situation even more. I can report back that at the meeting held last week we do seem to be making progress and with the participation of all the parties involved including representatives from cycling clubs, residents, CGC and Mogale Public Safety we are confident that we can move forward. One of the biggest problems identified is the condition of the widened road, this is being addressed as a matter of urgency with Provincial Authorities. Letter from CGC: Dear Members,<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> As I am sure that you are all aware, the Cradle Area has been designated a cycling friendly area specifically to promote cycling on the route. However the use of the roads has to based on good road riding ethic. As a member of a CGC affiliated club, members are made aware of the Cycling Code of Conduct and club rides are held accordingly. Noncompliance by riders on the route just brings negative criticism to our sport. As a cyclist we are obligated to abide by the rules of the road as any other road user, cycling does not exempt us. There was an incident earlier this year on the Cradle Route which was highly emotive and generated a thread on the HubSA and a lawyer?s letter was posted as well. The letter was related to a specific incident and referred to the residents of the Cradle area, at a recent meeting regarding the letter in question it was agreed to remove the reference to the residents, the letter however, has not been withdrawn. This past weekend saw the beginning of a CGC awareness campaign which is to be run across our province and will require specific clubs to manage similar events in their areas. We really do need to ensure the correct use of our roads by our cyclists and I believe that if we are seen to be making an effort motorists may do their bit. CGC have got the support of the authorities to assist in improving legislation with regard to cycling and in so doing try to align ourselves with cycling across the Global Village. To all our members we call upon you to assist CGC and your clubs in getting the message of safe cycling to all cyclists that are not affiliated, when out on our roads. We welcome all constructive input and should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact our office, thanks. Yours in safe cycling Giovanni Mottalini (Chairman)

And shimano spd cleats to screw onto the bottom of the shoes (they don't come with cleats)

Howzit Slave, improving every day thanks. Getting my replacement bike today and with lot's of begging and pleading to my physio she has agreed to let me take her for a very easy spin tomorrow. How's things going with you, any idea how long before you can start some light training again?