Grogs

I think it's great!!! People are supporting the bike industry, which is good for all of us. And I must say that I do get a bit of a rush when I whizz past them on my 6-speed steel framed Viking 105 (1989 model) with frame mounted shifters and that weighs 12kg!!!

I think it depends how competitive you are - I know it would make me ?#$%*! crazy, but then I'm a competitive person - many would just shrug it off. I think that competitve peeps like me should just remember that palookas like that are only cheating themselves ... if I did it, I would always think (whenever I looked at my seeding) that I'm actually really just a loser (which isn't nice)!

I was on such a high (having just finished the 94.7) before reading this. It's just not fair. RIP Chris, and condolences to the family. It's just bizarre - on my way to the race this morning (at around 6 am), I saw a car that had hit a robot. The towtrucks had already arrived, and I saw an individual (clearly unable to stand on his feet without having to be held up by one of the towtruck drivers) who I presume was the driver, and who oe can only assume was drunk. At 6am on Sunday morning (when many cyclists are out training), there are STILL people like that out there driving around. I am so angry I'd better stop typing.

Was also my first - great race!!! Was seeded with the VAs (the organisers made a mistake - I should have been in about the G open category based on my seeding index) and was old that I could not drop back and start with a more appropriate group (doing so would have meant that my time would be based on me leaving PMB at 06h20). It's very quiet with the VAs ...

Have used them for years and they're great. So what if they look a bit "different" - they're functional - it's not about the image (or is it?) In any event, I did see one of the foreign pro teams at the Epic (this year or last - I can't quite remember) using them ...

My trusty steed (a six speed steel frame) looks like it is about to die, so I'm looking at getting a new road bike. I will spend up to R12K - what's the best value for money bike under 12K (minimum spec: aluminium frame with carbon forks, 105 groupset and wheelset to match)? Any unbiased comments without vested interests are welcome (my experience of cycle shop salesmen is that most of the time, even if they seem to know what they are talking about (and often they don't), they are trying to sell you something either because either it's the only thing they have or because they are trying to get rid of it).

Thanks guys!!! Any idea as to whether it is open in the mornings?

Did a lot of mileage last year and earlier this year at the track, but haven't been since just before the Argus. Apparently, the crowd that were managing the "cycling concept" are no longer doing so, and I have been referred to the Kyalami Racing website, which says nothing about cycling. Anyone know whether the track is still open to cyclists at certain times?