Yang

I think he just chose the smoother lines, avoiding rocks, stones and steps.

Guys, use psychology. Tell her that the fact that you love cycling is a reflection of your loving nature, which also manifests itself in your love for her. If you didn't love cycling, you probably wouldn't love her or anyone else for that matter...... umm... do any of you okes have blonde wives??

Sorry, I'd be like the blind leading the blind- first time for me as well. But did you see the last newsletter? They repeated like a dozen times to take a sleeping bag. I did a couple of races this weekend with some Swazi guys who have done it, and they say its lots of climbing, and its likely to rain. Rivers to cross, and there will be lots of carrying the bike instead of the bike carrying you.

Great idea- . This will turn the ride from a 30 into at least a 40.

Hey, some good suggestions, especially going back as domestique. As for the 30k event , I'll use it as a warm up to carry on with a training ride through the cane fields. I've got the Logico Swazi Frontier coming up. BTW, the guy most likely to win in my place certainly doesn't need the bike since he has his own general trading store in the village- which also happens to sell bikes. I reckon what I'll do is domestique for one of the other good riders- just like in the TdF- cause an upset.

HAHAHAHA! But yes, lumps can be caused by CO2.

Well, let me be specific. What do you guys think? Do I wait for the the guy in second place and let him overtake me before the finish line? Do I win the race and give him the bike? Do I win the race and give it to Matilda my domestic worker, to give to her son? Do I keep it for myself? Should I take part? Will the locals appreciate the token if I don't win? Do I provide the example and give them something to stretch for next time?

Apparently he was a cardiologist. Condolences. I can only imagine the grief felt by his family, but also by those people whose lives he saved.

So. The local sports club in our small village has organised a 30 km race for tomorrow. The racers will be on their skedonks, old racing bikes, and no doubt there will be the odd decent bike. First prize is a Dunlop bike, Shoprite special. I've been asked by the organiser to ride but not to win.

Fully agree. My fighting weight (confirmed at my annual medical) is 70kg's. I'm down to 71,5kg's from 77 in 5 months and what I've changed are: From morning corn flakes bowl to oats with chopped pecan and raisins. Cut bread consumption radically from a roll a day to only once or twice a week. More vegetables and smaller portions for dinner. (We have a veggie garden with lots of lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, beetroot, and spinach). The mango trees are full on flowering, the bananas bunches are coming up, and our litchi tree will supplement my fruit salad, with the pawpaws. I would reach the 70kg's easily if I cut out my 4 tspoons of sugar in my 2x daily coffee, the honey in my oats and the 2 or 3 blocks of chocolate after dinner- but then why deprive myself totally? But I also eat less rice and pasta is left to the 2 or three days before a race. Losing weight slowly also allows your body to adjust - losing too quickly will stress your body if you're racing and cause exhaustion/fatigue and you risk burning out- similar symptoms to over training. Now all I have to do is get to bed earlier..... g'night.

In February I cut bread rolls from my lunch to salads with chicken, and dropped from 77kgs to 74. Then in March in time for the Argus I cut corn flakes from breakfast and replaced it with corn flakes and with training got down to 72kgs within a couple of weeks. For dinner I also have a lot of salads, vegetables and fruit with a healthy (small) dose of chicken or beef. Pasta and bread is for the days before a race or hard training session only. I did the Panorama and the Sani2C and got down to 71kg's. I'm now at about 73, and want to get down to 70 in time for the Logico Swazi in October. I've taken my belt down 2 notches and people who haven't seen me for a while say nice things like "hey, you've lost weight!" Oats is the bomb- with chopped pecans, raisins, a couple of spoons of muesli and a spoon of honey.

All done. Roll on 17 May.

Good luck SF.

Got accepted for the Race soon after logging in this afternoon- and by 17:00 got a confirmation email from Farmer Glen (gloatgloatgloat) . Two happy customers on this side.

HAAA- got the very last issue at Exclusive Books, Pavilion in Durban yesterday. It was dog eared and battered, but the video was still stuck to the cover.

I went to Giba Gorge for the first time today- public holiday so the place was packed. I was astounded by the number of kids palying around on their bikes- on the bmx track, on the grass, riding on the road, all under no pressure, and I said to myself that this was the way to go- those with talent out of these kids will feel the pull and go out and become snakes, all on their own, without daddy and mommy pushing. Fully agree with buckstopper.

It sounds like lube used for motor bike chains- very sticky and suitable for high speed/high performance chains which come into their own at high temperatures. This point begs some views from experienced users.

Expensive- true. But the events are amazing hey. I'm going own to SA from Moz for one week, and there is an event on the weekend I arrive and another in the weekend before I leave. And i just did 2 races this last weekend. I feel like a kid in a toy shop. And with all this riding I dont get saddle sores because i use an ordinary WTB saddle on my MTB. On my road bike I use a Specialised Toupe.

Strange this. I was in that group overlooking the elephants which weren't too far away. If there were shots we would have heard them. And if there were flares we would have seen them. So I'm puzzled about all the talk of shooting and flaring and things.

That's the assometer. All Specialised stockists should have it. We've gotten quite advanced in SA.

Intern, the timing of me checking this thread came at a really bad time for your cause. I finished watching the Sani2C Adventure on TV tonight and relived my experience on the Race. This past weekend I did the Imfolozi ride in KZN and the next day I burned my legs in the Hluhluwe Rhino race. BTW, the Imfolozi ride was held up half way through by a herd of elephant, and I said howzit to some hyena on the way back to Hilltop at night. Now I'm watching the Renosterveld 3 day stage race on PVR. Not to mention the events that are coming up for the rest of the year still to be done. BUT- I'm glad that you're happy in NZ.

What were the black tights that Andy Schleck was wearing the other day on the podium if not compression tights??? I got a pair of full leg compression tights before the Panorama and wore them at the end of each day at the Sani. Do they work- don't know. Are they cool- don't care ( but I will not be seen in those ridiculous compression socks).

Good on ya mrmed

At night while watching the TdF replay I get onto my TacX trainer and choose a route of the same distance that the riders are on. Like the other night they had about 50 km's to go and I chose a virtual 50 km route (probably Lombardy if I remember). Then I raced them. I had 15km's to go by the time the winner got in. They must be doping to beat me by so much. I've read both books, but I believe that the current blood doping passport will sort out a lot of the problems for now, until technology finds new ways to hide the doping.

I pranged a few weeks back and one of the struts on my lid (RP Zuma)broke. I called up ASG and they said there was no problem with replacement at 35% of the price. It makes good business sense since it keeps me loyal and my hands off another brand. It also gets us talking about the brand on chat forums- self-perpetuating publicity- win-win. Ups to ASG.