Clinton1

First, why do you insinuate that this is something I should be embarrased about if it was the case? And second, how exactly did you reach that conclusion?

Now I'm confused as this seems to be in full agreement with what I said. And your first paragraph sums up my view on skills clinics early in your "career" as a recreational rider. My girlfriend knows no better. She goes down hills and over rocks that some of the more experienced ladies are hesitant about. Why? In my opinion she has not been to a "skills clinic" where they discuss how "complex" something is and how you should approach (and overthink!) it. She just goes. Everyone else is doing it so why not her. She was doing switchbacks without thinking and the other ladies where taking special lines and pulling this elbow in and moving that knee out.... and falling!

I had made a miscalculation in the gym example but you too are not factoring in the Vitality cost in your saving. It is not as long as stated by myself though. I have no problem with Discovery medical aid and attaching Vitality to that. I still see it as a elaborate marketing scheme though. They deflect attention away from what the actual medical aid pays and focus on the Clicks, Adidas, and the like, discounts. These are things that excite people. That is what marketing is all about. The problem is Discovery risk premiums, even with integrated discounts, are usually not even in the same ball park as their competitors. And then you add in the uncertainty if unforeseen medical expenses affecting your risk premium and the like.

We are sitting chatting on a cycling forum....

I initially typed a lengthy response stating why I feel it is a marketing gimmick but as a result of you pointing out my occupation, and hence ensuring my personal and professional opinions were interchangeable, I chose to delete it. I have done the math for a number of clients and, as stated by yourself, it can work for some but for most it is nothing more than a gimmick that lures them in. Gym is one. People ask for Vitality specifically for this. Ignore the other Vitality benefits, as many of them do too and you will find that only once you have been a member of the gym for more than 4 years do you actually start saving anything. I tend to prefer to sell Discovery on a realistic scenario rather than the best case scenario that most Discovery tied agents do. They promise wonderful discounts to someone who is very unlikely to ever acheive Diamond status.

ANOTHER thing that pees me off! Runners and walkers get free access to the park during the week so they are contributing nothing. The runners in particular use all the same facilities yet at no cost during the week and minimal on the weekends.

HELL YEAH! It is ridiculous. Now I'm not blowing my own trumpet but I have an affordable car, a R4.5k bike and live in Pinetown, not Kloof or Gillits or those other fancy places yet I have my annual membership card. The people I do hear riding into Giba from St Heliers are usually always those living in those more well to do areas with their fancy 4x4s and expensive bikes. Really pees me off. They need to have proper access control at St Heliers. No doubt doing so will result in extra costs but the increased revenue stream may compensate for this.

Please man. I started riding a bike when I was probably about 4. Yes, I stopped for a number of years but you are telling me all those years of learned natural instincts on how to stay on your bike are crud? And my brain does just fine at sorting out when to lean where. Not sure whose brain tells them to lean forward over the handle bars when heading down a steep hill! Whenever someone argues vehemently in favour of something I think they may some financial interests in the said field. My GF has just started riding. I ride with her with the Giba Gals. Throughout the rides she is getting tips from the more experienced riders and is already handling amazingly on a far inferior third hand bike. As stated above, most people are not jumping on a bike for the very first time so those bad habits are already learnt! What you are effectively saying is that I should send my 3 year old daughter on a skills course now as she is starting to ride and will no doubt be picking up bad habits already. I don't want her to spend years unlearning those habits if she gets serious about riding one day! Again I will disagree. If my friends and I decide to go and play tennis on the weekend I don't go and get some coaching before hand. I pick up the racket and whack the ball. Same with soccer. We go to the park and kick the ball around. We are doing it for fun. I'm not trying to out play Messi and win the champions league. Yes, if I decide to become a pro one day then I better get a coach and get all the skills 100% but until then I will continue to have fun and learn as I go along. You seem to imply that I currently do not enjoy every minute on my bike. Rubbish. I probably enjoy it more as I am just doing what comes naturally instead of constantly thinking "stick that leg out", "move that elbow there".... The bike industry has become big business and people are trying to cash in all over the place. I view "skills clinics" as one of these places.... EDIT: I listen to some friends who are "serious" about mountain biking and they honestly do not sound like they are having fun. Constantly analysing what they are doing ( and falling a lot more than I have!), checking out that they are in their target heart rate zones, keeping an eye on the ascent and descent of their rides, constantly wondering if they need a new component to lose a few grams and gain a few seconds. Sorry but that doesn't sound like they are having fun. I ride. I enjoy it. And all those measurements and what not are secondary and take care of themselves.

I always find this argument a little disturbing. So your kids might have seen breasts. Wow. They're just breasts. Have your kids not seen yours? Too many people seem to equate naked bodies with sex. They are quite distinct really. Unfortunately in most cases children are brought up to view naked bodies in a taboo fashion. If my kids saw a pair of naked boobs they'd probably think nothing of it.

As a fairly new rider myself these topics always interest me. Now I know tigglescat mentioned a R10-R12k budget but, wow, to think I have started out on a R4.5k HT Silverback Phoenix and am more than satisfied with how it is serving me. Now I read on here about recommendations of Specialized and the like. Yes, I would love a R6k fork. Yes, on occasion I do think rear suspension would be nice. But I am quite capable of motoring around Giba on what I have. And I hear this talk of skills clinics and the like, and each to their own, but I just got on my bike and rode! No better way to learn skills than to just do it. Technically I may not be doing somethings 100% right but you soon find out when you come off and you learn.

I never stated my occupation here and as such was providing a personal opinion. However, as a result of your question, let me answer you and say no. I am an independent broker and as such have no affiliation to any one company. I am big on telling it as it is though and not selling my clients bells and whistles.

Marketing is precisely what it is about! If anyone thinks that Vitality is anything other than a marketing gimmick then they are delusional.

I won't post my photos as I have a proper camera phone in the Nokia N8 and doing so will result in you guys crying ha ha Most camera phones can take decent photos in optimal conditions but it is in trying conditions (poor lighting conditions, fast movement, macro) that the true king emerges The lack of a proper xenon flash on virtually all of these "camera" phones only magnifies the issues.

Capricorn, I think you are misreading those stats. The SA innings one is NZ bowling stats, if you know what I mean. It refers to the team batting. AT one stage, late in the match, the commentators mentioned that this could end up being a world record by NZ for no extras conceded, whereafter they bowled a few wides.

I read this blog with interest the other day as I know the swim leg is always the most daunting for most newcomers. I know it was for me and my mates. http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/2010/03/wildman-olympic-triathlon-race-recap.html

I always find these arguments in favour of stand alone devices interesting. It often comes up when discussing a camera on a phone. The point is that I prefer to have my phone with me when I cycle in case of an emergency. I also like the idea of being able to snap a picture if something interests me along the way. Then, of course, I want to be able to track my route, check my speeds, elevation gain, and heart rate. So why carry three seperate devices when I can slip one in my pocket that does it all? And if the truth be known, my choice of phone does all three excellently. Please note I do understand you are expressing your opinion. So am I

Are BBs not compatible with the HRM? On other makes you can use a bluetooth Polar HRM with the Endomondo app. Works great!

I gave up on Endomondo, after only switching to it again after everyone was raving about it on here, due to the perceived inaccuracies on my Nokia N8. And it is not the GPS chip as that phone has a great one. Parts of the trail were being cut off and when transferring online it would lose some of the data and not allow a reupload. Sportstracker follows my trails with pretty decent accuracy, obviously as with any GPS some tight corners may be missed but nothing major like Endomondo.

Do any of you have experience with the Rudy Project Zuma helmet? I have read some reviews saying it is not the coolest helmet around.

I spotted a Bell Sweep on there the other day, came back today with money in hand and it's sold hence me now asking. I'll check the one you refer to. Thanks

Yeah, that sweat issue is a big one too. I often get it building up on the forehead or eyebrows and then on occasion you'll get some in your eye which stings like a bitch. Bizarre in that I'd think having something more on your head would make it even hotter but worth it for the dripping sweat. Yeah, I have noticed that the less helmet there is the more you'll pay for it. I've always liked the look of the Fox Flux but it is not cheap. I also wondered with that extra back protection how cool it is. Not heard of that other one so I'll check it out. The problem with trying on in a shop is that it will give me an idea of fit but without a quick ride on a hot day I'll not really know how it handles the heat.

Hey guys, I know this will be a little subjective but in your opinion which is the best mountain bike helmet for hot weather? I am currently using a cheap one and it gets hellishing hot when riding on these hot, humid Durban summer days. It has nowhere near enough vents. Any suggestions welcome for interests sake but I will not be looking at spending a fortune so, and I'm not sure how possible this is, but ideally under R500 and if that is not at all possible then definitely not over R1k. Thanks.

I'm not certain I am fully understanding the alternative then? My naivety would assume that you then mean you ride in the lane and deliberately hold up traffic and make them wait behind you? I'm not sure I know of any other option? Rather coincidental that after posting here I went on to Facebook and saw someone post this : "a bunch of cycists, triple riding with a van behind them - illegally!!! Think Bike sticker should rather read 'THINK ROAD'!!!" The majority of the comments were obviously not too kind to cyclists.

Do you two not own cars? I have been on both sides and will not just automatically accept one side because of what I do as a hobby.

Riding down at a pace you can handle is the issue. The jumps now mean having to brake often to ride over them instead of jumping them. No more free flowing down hill cruising. And unfortunately there are not actually many places in Giba where you get this sensation that I am aware of. Anyway my opinion has been shared