Yang

Susan Boyle?- then I will certainly not be acting myself. This was the first time that I have seen this LBS with a stolen bike, altho' I can't say wht has gone through his shop which I hardly ever go past. In this case he passed himself off as a go-between for the "owner " of the bike and he claimed not to be making anything out of it (pull the other one pal). There are alos other "bike shops" which are mostly open air bike workshops. I've seen at least two bikes being ridden out here by the most unlikely people int erms of the value of the bike. A few months ago I saw a Giant Anthem, and a few weeks ago there was a Scott. There is also a place called Chokwe about 120 km's north which is the centre of stolen goods in this region, for everything from quads to moto's and bakkies, fertilser from our company and other stuff. The major centre for bikes in Moz is probably Maputo. The LBS owner wasn't around yesterday and I'm expecting a call from him today to wrap up neg's for the reward money, because I told him to tell the "owner" there was no way my mate (Intern) was going to buy back his own bike. So he promised to talk to the source to cut his losses with this bike, and we'll see what happens. The saga continues.

Now here's the thing- I couldn't just "steal" it back. I contemplated it, but not for long. The okes know where I live here. They know I train on the road, and that I've got bikes................. Same as if I'd reported it to the cops here. Crime is on the increase around here as well. The bike was stolen from Intern's place on Friday around midday. It got here on SUNDAY!!!! That's how quick they moved it- from Jhb, via Nelspruit, through Ressano Garcia probably on Saturday, then finally here on Sunday. So while the okes were keeping a lookout for it in Jhb, it was already long gone.

Quick gap- I went to the local market on Monday at lunchtime- you won't guess what for- to hand out pamphlets for a mate of mine who had his hard drive stolen over the weekend from his house here, offering a reward for its return. 15 yrs of work on the hard drive! So as I entered the market I saw this unmistakeable flash of quality as this guy rode past, and I reocgnised the colours as a Spes SWorks. I had read Intern's post through when it came out, and I knew it had to be this bike. I drove up to him asking where he got the bike from- very cagey response, saying only that he wnated to sell it. I told him I wanted to take it NOW and he refused to hand over without cash. Got my contact number to HR and a call from Intern, and then went back to the market to find this guy. Only this time the guy was nowhere around, but the bike was parked up against the wall of the LBS. Jumped out, loaded it up no questions asked, then called the LBS owner telling him I had the bike. End of gap- gotta run.

Xinavane, 130 k's north of Maputo - cheers guys- gotta go.

Wow- overwhelmed at the interest. I feel my delusions of my grandeur are becoming even more pronounced. Have started a response a few times this morning before being dragged off by some demand or other, and yet to find enough discretionary time to give justice to your posts. The episode has not yet finished, and am in the process of negotiating a "reward" with the thief, through an intermediary who has a "bike shop" in the village here. Will give details when I have a chance. In the meantime I loaded up the bike and it is now safely a guest in my house regailing my bikes with stories about the Epic, showing off its war scars to the bike smelling nice with Mr Min's Pot Pourri (I only ride females).....................................

PM me your contact number, urgent Intern.

Speak for yourself jagwil. Take me for example. I used to be conceited' date=' now I'm perfect.[/quote'] .....and delusional too, I see. Naaahhhhh- someone once told me I suffered from delusions of grandeur but they were just being jealous. I have often wondered if it should not be "delusions of adequacy" rather than "delusions of grandeur" Ermmm...... oh oh....just realised that I do have a disorder- OCD- I'm obsessively compulsive about pain and sweat while on two wheels, and I Love Wifey. Other that that I'm perfect.

Oi, believe me, when this happened he nearly cried. He drove back to Durban. When I got to the race finish he was there shouting for me, and then I nearly cried. But now I rag him about it and we laugh.

Speak for yourself jagwil. Take me for example. I used to be conceited' date=' now I'm perfect.[/quote'] .....and delusional too, I see. Naaahhhhh- someone once told me I suffered from delusions of grandeur but they were just being jealous.

Speak for yourself jagwil. Take me for example. I used to be conceited, now I'm perfect. BTW, very sad about what happened on the Spruit. I have a mate working on contract here at my company who regularly rides on the Spruit when he's back home, and speaks very highly of the route. Yang2009-05-24 14:46:23

I know someone who drove all the way down to Durban from Mozambique, then all the way from Durban to Pietermartizburg for the start of the Amashova to get out the car to kit up, to find he had left his shoes behind in Durban (and no, it wasn't me)

I wasn't going to add anything to this post, but after thinking about it, I thought it could be heartening to Kim's family that in the midst of their grief there are people who are thinking of them, empathising with them for their loss, and praying that they will find a way to take their place back in their shattered world, so that they can resume their life as quickly as possible.

Who saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. At least while us older okes take a little longer to recover, we've at least gotten smarter and wiser over the years- experience counts when you're racing. Yeah- well- I suppose then the diminishing returns kick in.

I've done 8 Argus', and with the exception of one my times have been improving, from 4:17 in 2001 to 3:57 (equal to about 3:17) this year. Next year I want to do a sub 3:15. I reckon my improvement is because of hard efforts and consistent training, as per article. There are some strong boys in Maputo that I ride with that have made a big difference to my fitness and endurance. So as I get older I get a huge kick out of the fact that I'm holding my own against some 30 yr olds. You know what Moz is like- flat as well- so a lot of my pedalling is non-stop when I go out- great enduro stuff. And Fred missed out another couple of points- you gotta love cycling, and you got to have a little bit of boy in you.

Boa noite Grande H. I believe strongly that in cycling you can get better as you get older. My race times are proving it, with my best times coming as I get into my 50's. But what Fred says about keeping up the riding is vital. I intend doing the Argus when I'm 95. I remember reading another article on RBR some years ago giving why you can improve in cycling as against other sports, especially running. In cycling the absolutely dominant motion is circular. with low impact on the skeletal structure and the elasticity of the tendons. Joint cartilage remains intact. So a runner will experience declining performance as he gets older, as a result of loss of elasticity in his tendons (he doesn't push off the ground as efficiently as a younger runner), and joints, subject to the wear and tear of high impact, cause aches by the body. But then they also say that high activity cyclists have to be careful of regulating their calcium intake, since you lose calcium in your sweat, and the low impact of the sport does not strengthen your bones. This is important to know for older active cyclists to supplemnt with calcium to prevent serious breaks when pranging. Good article- wish there were more in the media.Yang2009-05-21 14:43:12

Mind you don't hit bridges as well.

Eat the hamburger and return the rest! WHY does stroking a cat come to mind? BTW, how you gonna separate the hamburger from the rest, to send her away?

Looks like Lance's bike has had a breakout of something awful.

Just to explain, I am saying to Big Aitch that he took a long time to respond to my post, and I speculate that he went to look for his little friend to help him to translate what he wanted to say. The I ask him what his little friend's name is? Johnny Gay? And I ask him how he repaid him the favour, and whether it was with another favour? I expect he's with his little friend right now working out a witty repartee.

Haga, demoraste muito tempo a responder. Foste procurar o teu amiginho para traduzir o que quizeste dizer? Ele como e que se chama? Joazinho Mariquinhas? Como e que tu pagaste ele para o favor? Com outro favor?

Seems the main difference between this and the Chorus and records is material and weight. The mechanism seems to be exactly the same for all the gruppos, ie, you can drop from big sprocket to small with one click of the button.

Ei Grande H, como e que vai ai em Angolsh pa?!? Tems de notar que o Senhor Min foi value for money, com 30% mais para o mesmo pre?o. Besides it offsets my manly BO and puts me in touch with my metrosexual side.

This is my bike cleaning kit. I swear by it. Spray parrafin onto the drive train with focus on the chain. Let soak for 10 minutes. Spray Cleen Green on and soak for 10 minutes. Spray off with water spray- no hose. Spray the frame with water after cleaning the drive train, dry, then spray with Mr Min to take off any grease spots, and wipe shiny with a cloth. You can use your chain afterwards to scrape clean your tongue (just don't let anybody see you.).