Hennie VR

I saw a guy on a Cyclocross bike !!! HUGE RESPECT. Made me look like a real amateur.

Thanks Bud. Needed you out there for the moral support on Saturday but I think you had a lucky miss. Damaged list thus far: Chain, Cassette, Rear Shifter, Brake pads, might as well change wheel bearings as well as all cables. The mud got in everywhere and washing the bike at every stream didn't help. I can see a complete bike strip and clean coming up. Rode in my Hub kit and I can't even get that clean. Seems Omo has met it's match. Went for revenge after last year and Sabie made me it's B**ch again.............but I will be back in 2015!

Think it's time to go ask the boss if I can leave early. Need to go and prepare myself mentally for the challenge ahead.

C batch this year. Nervously excited about Saturday.

I have seen a path close to the quarry. You can access it from Poortsig ave. The path is heavily overgrown and loose stones and a steepish slope make it virtually impossible to ride though. I don't know how far it goes in or how safe it is. Will go check out the trail soon

He even went forward and warned other slower riders that we were approaching.

Did to much work in the first 60km. Worked my g@t off on the climbs to keep the pace steady and on the first big climb almost the entire BL bunch passed me near the top. Don't know were all their energy suddenly came from. I sat up and let the others do some pulling. 16km to go there was almost a big crash and the bunch thinned out. I put in a big effort to close the gap and did catch up again but that was me done. Got dropped about 6km to go and the bunch pulled about a 400m gap. I put in another big effort and closed the gap a bit but lost momentum when we joined the short distance again. Would have liked to stay with the bunch but I'm fairly happy with my 3h06min. Lost about 3min I hate riding middle to back of the bunch. People don't keep their heads up and don't look forward. I cant count how many times there was almost a crash with people suddenly braking and pushing in because the road narrows or there is oncoming traffic. Come on people. CONCENTRATE! Also a special thanks to the bike marshals. The guy that rode with the BL bunch was great. He went out of his way to make traffic aware of us. A big to you Sir!

I agree , and that reminds me that I forgot to bring the cookies I got to work to make tea time more exciting

There will always be sprints out of corners if you sit too far back in the bunch because you have to brake more than the guys in the front that have less traffic and can carry more speed into the corners. So don't sit too far back. Same goes for climbs. You are going to need to sprint over the top to catch the bunch already half way down the hill and you won't have the energy to do that so try and move forward on the climbs.

Thanks for this. Never knew where to look it up. I see I have some SLOW mtb rides in Cape Town pulling my seeding down (man did I suffer on those ). Two more races and that should be sorted.

I agree. I feel much safer driving close to a township than riding anywhere in Pretoria East where people in their expensive SUV want to show you how close they can get when passing you just because in their small mind they believe that cyclists don't belong in the road.

BL start for me. Who is joining me? Will be in my Hub kit again pacing up front making life hell at the back

If I look at that vid I see that the road isn't very well maintained. I see potholes, sand, ditch at the side of the road and driveway curbs extending into the road. That bunch is much safer riding abreast which give them some space to swerve for said hazards without having to worry about cars behind them.

Maybe I am. So what exactly is the purpose of this tread then?

And how much time did you lose due to their riding 3 abreast? Maybe you should have gone around the block, hoot at them so that they can through you the finger and then we can shame them for that as well.

Chances are good that the car at the stop sign gave them the go-ahead to cross the intersection before him/her. I make eye contact with drivers at intersections and most often they show me I may cross before them. I then don't come to a complete stand still because I don't want to waste the other persons time.

Uncleat.................Aim..................Kick bars. And whist he is down he can sommer pick up his sticky wrapper and use it as plaster The above method is so much more satisfying if the person responded to your request to pick up his litter with a F@ck You.

Oh shoot. Thats my Argus start group No R4S start time yet.

You can check you Racetec profile. Looks like I'm in G with a 6:35 start time.................G..............Good or bad? Was in B at Fast1

If your getting one from your LBS, WHY not just ask them for the specks. It's really not that difficult!

Your seat post is bent. Bike's a write off..............Can I have it pleaaaaaase! Damm that Cruz is sexy!

I use plain sunlight soap and put a small amount on the tire bead (both sides) using my finger. I then use a compressor or go to the garage and inflate. If the air escapes ask someone to just pull the tire at the area where the air escapes whilst you are inflating. When the tire catches inflate enough to make sure the bead seats properly. I usually do this with the valve core in but you can also try and remove it until it's seated.

A person that does that better hope I can't get up after such a fall because he will feel my pain. Some people get real dof when they start riding.

Flying Spur incoming!

Sad. RIP Rider. Condolences to the family.