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I find this is generally the norm; if you make a show of slowing down for a stop street most drivers will wave you through. Which is nice... I also stop for pedestrian crossings (as long as someone is waiting to cross of course!) this can cause some consternation as happened a few weekends ago riding into the Waterfront: I slowed down and unclipped one foot ready to stop as a large family with a wheelchair were waiting to cross. A quick look behind and had a Yikes!! moment as a couple of bikes were steaming down looking like they did not expect me to stop. Luckily they did stop in time but looked a bit wobbly. In hindsight I probably should have looked behind sooner and made some sort of obvious signal, but I still would have stopped.

Gotta own the lane. Use big hand signals and try your best to make eye contact. So many morons have no idea how to use a traffic circle, even if the lanes are clearly marked.

Here's my Boxer Cassie and my Tonkinese Thomasina. They've been best mates since Thomasina was a kitten. I had this photo published in The Guardian. Well chuffed!

I've used these guys to get a frame from PTA to CPT and other stuff from DBN to CPT. Very efficient and cheap and you don't need an account. Just make sure the box is as small as you can safely make it. http://www.internetexpress.co.za

Except it's in Canada.

A small contribution: I ride between 200 to 250km per week with about 50 to 70km off road. I detest the gym and get bored very quickly doing repetitive exercise. However swimming I find to be not boring (the element of trying not to drown when you're knackered tends to keep you interested) and the upper body strength gain is noticeable.. I'm a fairly severe asthmatic and the rhythmic breathing necessary to swim efficiently has helped my lung capacity significantly. I usually get off the bike, cool down in the pool and then swim about 280m (40 lengths of my 7m pool). It's a great finish to the day/ride if it's a commute or a weekend bash. I would recommend swimming wholeheartedly to anyone who wants to train a bit more but can't or won't use a gym.

Always. I find it easier on the bike than the motorbike. Also car drivers don't seem to want to kill you quite as often when on a bicycle; or is it the bike is a lot lighter and easier to manoeuvre than the moto...

Guinness. Hydration and carbo-loading in one (or more) velvety pint(s).

<rant> I really wish these schemes were no longer referred to as "Medical Aids". Because, put simply, they are not. They are medical insurance policies. There's no aid involved, it's all about profit. I'm probably preaching to the converted here but it really hacks me off. </rant>

The moral of this story: Think before you post....No quarter given here and nor should there be.

Crashing in mud doesn't hurt too much. Falling off in hot and dry conditions is like smashing into concrete. Well the way I fall of it is...

Read the comments below the article. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/nov/14/london-cycling-deaths-cycle-superhighways-infrastructure Some of them made me feel quite ill.

And top tw@t Boris Johnson: http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/nov/14/fifth-london-bike-death-bus-superhighway The man is a buffoon.

I"m in London three or four times a year and usually stay with my Mum in Craven Hill near Bayswater Road and usually cycle to work to Agar Street close to the Zimbabwean Embassy. This normally takes me about twenty minutes through Hyde Park and cutting through various other streets. I don't think I've ever had an incident free ride, usually someone; a taxi or bus and sometimes motorcycle couriers try to kill me. Still better than sitting in traffic though!

My local independant guy says if you want it he can get it. Which I've had no cause to disbelieve over the years.

A major problem is the distinction (or lack of) between cyclists and pedestrians. Drivers of motor vehicles have to treat cyclists as vehicles yet see them jumping red lights and stop streets (bad); taking short cuts around traffic lights and having their own demarcated areas on the road (good). This provokes envy and I think there are quite a few tin box pilots who think cyclists and their bicycles should be licensed. This would serve no purpose except to satisfy the ire of a few nutcases who turn apoplectic every time a bike zips past them in traffic. It would also damage the cheap and green image as multiple layers of bureaucracy would be added to the simple and beautiful process of buying and riding a bicycle whether it be from a shop, classifieds or a mate. As far as the law is concerned; I am not an expert but am led to believe that it (traffic law) is based on a give way/yield system i.e. if a pedestrian is in the road it is your responsibility under the law to do your best to avoid them. I would think this applies to all vehicles including bicycles. So idiots saying they actively "Go for cyclists" as mentioned earlier; would they have the same attitude to a pedestrian or a motorcycle? I ride a motorbike as well as drive a car so can say with some degree of conviction that some car drivers like to go for motorcycles as well. That said no one tried to kill me at the weekend and some drivers shouted encouragement as I was struggling against the wind. At least that's what I think they meant....

@eddy: Looking around, there seems to be the odd bargain frame in the used market although I've been enlightened to the fact It doesn't necessarily have to be second hand as the example dillon posted shows. Also I want to build my own. I think I can get pretty much what I want without compromising too much. I've been disappointed in the past buying off the floor; I already have a decent wheelset and brakeset so finding a good frame and groupset seems logical (to me anyway!).

You sir, are a gentleman and a scholar. That's an excellent combination I was expecting to pay about the same around (6.5k) using locally sourced (i.e. used) equipment. I have a decent spare wheelset with discs. It's just a shame there's no stock of the medium frame....yet. The ratio works out to about 2:1 groupset to frame, which at this end of the market seems pretty good; plus I'll have an excellent few hours building a pretty nice machine.

2k frame only.

G'day all, Been lurking, reading enjoying and learning for a while. This is a question to which I find difficult to compose a sufficiently satisfying answer. I'm looking for a medium second hand hardtail frame (26er) and expect to spend no more than 2k. What would you consider a comfortable frame to groupset ratio? Bearing in mind this bike will be used for soft trail and commuting. Thanks for any thoughts. Cheers, J

You can buy Velcro fasteners which are adhesive backed and have a tear force of about 15kg. They come in a pack of two sets of 50mm x 100mm strips. They work well, just ensure you allow 24 hours for the adhesive to cure. They can be found at Builders Warehouse (other hardware stores are available).