TALUS

Here is a bit of tech that can be mastered. Had to remove a rear der, remove a section of mangled chain and do a S/S conversion with a very painfull left hand. Then climb and descent a further 600m.

Froome Contador Valverde Mollema Cavendish Sagan Greipel Degenkolb Kwiatkowski Edit: Kittel swopped for Greipel

Well that is sadly the reality. If you benefit from public adulation you must also know that public humiliation is possible. Refer Joost et. al. If you live a private life as an unknown worker bee nobody really cares. Due process is being followed. Many people like me are really hoping for a good outcome but it is becoming are real test of faith. Does anyone expect the masses not to have an opnion? Or are we only allowed certain opnions? I REALLY hope this turns out well but deep down I am getting tired of being disapointed.

B sample was +. Doctors dont prescribe negligently if they prescribe for an apropriate use - it is the athlete that should check (unless it is a team/sport Dr). I still cannot find a single reason for "accidental" ingestion.

And that is exactly it! If the name says Enduro I know that I am way out of my league. Right or wrong it has evolved so that XCM is now seen by the middle of the bunch as endurence events with some basic tech. I find the W2W (at B bunch pace) as tech as needed to have fun and not to feel like a dirtroad event. Naturaly an event organiser can put in what he or she wants to but be aware that the majority of riders (read "the paying crowd") will at least expect a warning that the route (new to them) has a bit of tech ahead.

Funny that - how do they get into A and B? Lucky draw? Oh maybe if you trackstand too much you never ride enough to get fit - just a thought. Use it, don't use it... (not aimed at you since I don't have an idea what your abilities are)

Is this for the PC?

Here is another confounder: I know Groenkloof well and will go through most spots at a reasonable clip. Some local races that I rode a few times I would also get better/ faster than those that I have never seen before BUT the race organiser / routemarker does know the route well. I actually learn to trust the markings of the race as I go. Call it "the middle of the pack test". If the middle of the pack rider needs to be warned then a sign is needed.

chicks with bee-hive hair...

When I saw the heading I knew all the heroes will be out... Tech comes in many forms: loose climbs, drops, jumps etc. I doubt that everybody is equally good at all of the above. To me it is about risk. I have more things in life than the thrill of not being injured. I do like to cycle but I cannot afford to be injured because I am a manual labourer with no such thing as paid sickleave. When I phone it is to decide whether I should pitch up or not. So it helps to say whether there are drop-offs, jumps, bridges etc. Also say whether most people ride without a hike-a-bike or not. I recently had to slow down on a descent at 91km/h (road) because of the crosswinds. I felt like a cheat until a heard some guys actually stopped dead on that spot. Is riding on the road technical? Sometimes it is. I think a honest question should get an honest answer.

On my tubeless Rims I had Ultremo ZX. Liked them. Now running Bontrager because they make 25C in tubeless.

Nobody or institution is above scrutiny but it is a very typical reaction to focus on the system rather than on the real issue. Is he guilty - will be decided still but currently to the best of the system's knowledge YES. If so what is your feelings and why?

As I understand the athlete has the right to be present with the B sample thus some logistics involved. Also there was minimal delay between A and B here. Contador, Lance and others were stripped in retrospect.

Open Corsa was /is (?) on special in certain sizes at 60% discount at CRC. They are great on my deepsections.

It feels to me that Ti represents more bang for buck vs. carbon. That true?

What am I missing here. If Forensics takes a year to get prints matched, DNA done etc. the evidence will still stand - no? Surely the only issue could be storage and handling and I am sure that will be tested. SARS can nail you for years, why not doping agency?

300W ave will be a 5min race for me.

Ben Johnson (with a little help from his friends)?

I really feel hugely dissapointed. I have been playing Gerrie Nel in my head trying to find a possible excuse - so far nothing. This drug was already "outdated" when I still did drug testing in the middle to late '90s. Maybe someone can find previous arguments used in defence by other athletes (baseball etc.). It really is not used in many scenarios and I dont think it is ever used in animals or food preparation. I hate to admit but I think this is going to stick (hope I am wrong!).

Who was the Pro today?. I did not make it - sorry. Urgent work stuff. @PowerTap: the huge benefit of this is that there will now be lots of VirtualPartners to train with. Maybe consider making the race over a 24h period - times will stand and those that miss out can catch up later at night.

Yes

It would be hard to explain accidental ingestion. It is used for very well defined situations. Would highly unlikely be in other drugs or food. Doubt that concentrations will save anybody. Looks grim from the outside.

Dont do PC for live racing. It works fine if it is not live racing. Then you choose rouxtjie as virtual partner and watch him dissapear into the sunset.

OK. Now stop pussyfooting around and tell us how you REALLY feel about this thread.

Very impressed. Make sure we know how to get hold of you. I would still like Espresso near my bed at 4:30am.