Daideron

@'Dale...that crash of Uran was bad! I felt so bad for him, not only because he was out of the race, but mainly because that must have really hurt!

I think it was an interesting race. No 7 & a half hour race is gonna be exciting for every kilometre. It is what it is, a 272km endurance race, not a match-sprint!

All's fair in love and war! I think he was a deserving winner. Thats tactics for you. In the final selection he gambled and it paid off. He was against two Spaniards and a possessed Nibali, and had the legs to be there at the end of the epic race, so I say congratulations Mr Costa! I just hope the curse of the rainbow jersey does not spoil 2014 for him. J-Rod and Valverde did an incredible ride, just a pity Nibali had to come away with scars and no medal. Nibali has such an aggresive racing style, and would have been a national hero had he won. I was openly hoping Cancellara would win, but along with Sagan, Gilbert and the other big favourites they got a lesson in riding they would rather forget! I think we were the big winners being able to watch an epic race live, and it sure was an entertaining race!

This has the makings of a truly epic world road champs, such a testing course in the wet, 272km and a wide range of favourites! I predict that whoever wins today, will be truly deserving of the rainbow jersey!

09h50 start according to DSTV info

Incredible ride for young Meintjies! Absolutely brilliant ride for him. It was a brilliant ride for silver, his going on the offensive and never giving up was inspiring. He didnt wait in the bunch and wait for a sprint, he displayed experience beyond his years in my opinion. We should be very proud of this young man! And I am sure we will see his name on the world stage for years to come. And well done to Doug Ryders MTN team for developing this young guys talent on the European scene! @Christie...a few pages back there was a discussion about the equipment restrictions enforced by the UCI. I would like to add a few points to this discussion, and they are not argumentative points! Firstly, you said SPINERGY wheels were banned for no apparent reason? Are you referring to the old four spoke wheels? If so, I need to say that those wheels were banned for safety reasons. A rider nearly lost his hand after a high speed crash in a bunch where his hand got lodged between the spoke blades of the spinergy wheel. So in my opinion they were justified in their decision to ban those wheels. However, at the same time they banned the 12spoke deep sections for the same reason. That in my opinion was unjustified! The banning of equipment that increased performance was interesting. Consider the Hour record and how many times it was broken in the 1990's. The bike designs and riding positions without doubt aided the riders. The Lotus Sport, Hotta, Pinarello Espada and Obree's monstrosity had a huge advantage over a standard TT bikes. You just have to look at Boardmans hour record on a "superbike" in relation to his hour record on the "conventional" bike. That is proof enough that equipment plays a huge part, and needs to be regulated to keep it as fair as possible. Without such regulations guys will be using whatever crazy thing they believe will help, safe or not! Those ZIPP Sub9 discs apparently aid the rider by 11watts at speed. Thats a huge advantage in a TT/TTT. A lot to consider?

Maybe I can muscle in on this thread to ask a question of my own? So you stand 2m tall and weigh +-150kgs and want to start road riding, obviously the size of bike will be determined by a proper fitment. But what wheels would be suitable and strong enough for a rider of these proportions? And I presume a 25c tire would also be in order? And is it advisable to suggest a carbon frame, or aluminium?

You wont win any style awards, but then again who cares if it keeps you visible and alive?!

@Karma...my approach is to try dissipate the hostility by positive reinforcement! My approach will make you guys want to see these guys with their boards!! Your suggestion, if truth be told does have more appeal to me! But I just cant agree to it because I know I have slipped up and been out training with a number still present!! But I like your thinking!!

I believe in seeing the good in a bad situation, and I will be so bold as to suggest turning this "race number spotting" into a drinking game. Nominate one rider in your group to keep score, and at the next braai you have to down shots as per the number seen on rides. Just a thought!

When I started riding way back in the day that dinosaurs roamed the earth, hardly anyone used a helmet. And if you did, it was nothing more than a piece of leather, which I still to this day cannot see how it would help you in a fall. Looking back its hard to believe just how fortunate I was to have never had a bad accident. In the early 1990's the UCI even tried enforcing a mandatory hard-shell helmet law for professional riders, only to have the pro's pull a COSATU move and stage a protest. The UCI relented and allowed them to ride 'sans casque' and agreed it was pro choice. Then Fabio Casartelli was killed and more riders decided on ignoring the traditional image of the sport and started to wear helmets. The sport has come a long way, and I personally believe in never riding without a helmet. Its just foolish. However with all due respect to the person who started this thread, calling someone a tonsil or starting a thread about their stupidity is a little harsh. So much hostility for something that could be so easily diffused. Consider this helmetless tonsil's point of view for a second, he knows he's not wearing a helmet, and maybe, just maybe he would listen to reason. But the second he gets screamed at, of course he's going to take offence. Maybe he gets a rise out of upsetting people?! My point is, you can shout all you want, but eventually he will see the error of his ways and decide for himself. And as for all this 'hooting' and shouting at people, I agree it just adds to the anger and misery on the roads. Anyone who gets 'hooted' at is going to be offended, and as stated nobody will, in that moment accept and agree that they were at fault. Quite the contrary, they will be angered. And angry people make bad choices. My pet peeve in life is a parent who allows their child to stand on the front seat of the car while they are driving. It simply makes no sense to me how a parent could allow their child to be so unprotected. But chances are if I were to hoot and startle the parent, they may just brake hard and make their child a missile. Once again, my point is simply this, yes they are in the wrong, but approach them in a respectful manner. (They may not deserve it) You catch more flies with honey than Vinegar! Original poster, I am not looking for a fight with you, just trying to suggest a more peacefull resolution! I applaud your desire to make a difference, we need more people with a desire to change. But maybe lets try do it with less hostility?

@Christie...was wondering the same thing! That Sub9 disc is worth it for sure! Great ride Daryl! What an incredible year for him, a stage win at Le Tour in the TTT, 2 days in yellow and now a Worlds silver medal. Thats an incredible year for Daryl or any rider.

Very cool picture! Some say I am slow off the mark with certain trends or topics, but as mentioned, you are using the GoPro in the event that you need evidence should you encounter a problem? Personally, I think that is brilliant! Honestly I am wishing I had thought of that! I sincerely hope you never have to use your footage for anything other than self reflection, or to prove you really did drop Daryl Impey! Stay safe and thanks for the innovative idea!

Looks to me like a staged photo, in a studio. They dont look familiar to me, and I am pretty certain that was a picture from an old Cycling Weekly ad from Europe/UK. The other "giveaway" is the perfectly positioned hats, yet no sweaty fringes, and the fact you just cant make out the names on the bikes. For the record, Robert Millar was much smaller than the guys in the picture. But it is a fantastic picture. The Simplex shifters and the MODOLO levers are a sight for sore eyes!

7am opening time. Closes at 6pm so make sure you are finished and out with time to spare

Eldron thats the truth! At least Rob's had success, Farrar on the other hand, not as great a rider as he is made out to be, in my opinion. (Sorry Mr Farrar, on the off chance you are a Hubber)

Dunno about my wheels, but sure felt like I had misplaced my legs!

Yes, the best place to ride in Gauteng by far. But the constant disregard of other riders who insist on riding the wrong way is an issue. I hate to sound like a broken record but why is it so difficult to obey a simple rule? I wish we could ride the opposite way, but we cant and therefore have to abide by the rules. Please tell all your friends that this is an issue for us cyclists as the management are looking for an excuse to ban the riders and the guys who ride the wrong way are giving them the excuse to do so. Please guys?

Was there a penalty for missing the said final?

Thats disgraceful.

This is a great idea! Would love to know the outcome, as well as how much fun the day was? A nice fresh and productive idea.

Why did the rider miss the losers final?

...innertubes, "bombs" and GU sachets are an acceptable form of currency/payment You have had road rash You have broken a spoke Vowed never to have to use your LBS for spoke replacement ever again Learned how to build wheels Learned the hard way that you didnt know how to build/repair wheels Found another LBS to repair wheels You know the difference between "bonking" and "cracking" Given advice or your opinion on any of the things mentioned in this thread, to a wannabe cyclist

"Dogma" does not have any religious relevance to you, although you have pleaded with God for one

PAK where did you watch Suits season 3?