PeterM

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Thanks guys! This explained a few things to me and some mistakes i have made......

It was a hard ride plus i had some stomach cramps; was not in good form. Had to really work hard and took plenty of pain. Aimed at 3h30 ® but got an unconfirmed 3h58. Eish!

42.) And everyone is coughing on me

36.) And ... cyclists who have a great need to chat while waiting to start (I am not a morning person, sorry - wait 45min and then i can be all nice). 37.) Those disgusting porta toilets. 38.) My body when it does not listen to my brain's instructions, especially while going uphill. 39.) At 84km when my bike makes a strange noise and you think to yourself: " i should replaced my ####..."

Well said!! Let's focus & aim our energy (and anger) in the right direction and not at each other. PeterM2010-03-09 04:31:22

Okay, got 2 armbands madeup at the tailor. +-4cm wide elastic bands; it took them 2min to make; was R10 each; will ware them at tomorrow's morning ride; made an extra one - will offer it to anyone on our Tues AM ride.

I'll go down to our local tailor in Mowbray and get something madeup.

This really hits home! There is so much we want to do, but i know what i can do right now: Will get myself a black armband from the local tailor and wear it when ever i cycle this week, including the Argus. And teach my children, family and friends about safe driving - car & cyling.

Why has he NOT been charged with murder...... that should have been done immediately if there was eyewitness accounts!!!!!!! The driver has been charged

The latest radio news (Cape Talk) said that 4 cyclist were hit; 3 died on the scene; the 4th is in hospital. The driver said that the rising sun blinded him and he did not see them. A sad day for cycling.

Chaunce is totally right. Ride a lot till Mon and then just rest till the 14th. Use the bike you know; don't use the new one even if it is better. enjoy the funride and do lots of stops!

City Cycling is very good; also try The Outriders (www.theoutriders.co.za) I joined them two years ago when i started cycling. Am glad i joined them. They cater for beginners all the way to pro riders. Come to Saturday's 7h00 morning ride and see for yourself (3 rides = Sweet 'n Easy 32km; Leg Loosner 45km; Leg Breaker 55km). And have some coffee afterwards!

You mention those bikes weight - maybe go to the shop and actually weigh the bike's weight(same size). results might differ!! Quality is fairly good - both bikes. Also look at the quality of the service at the shop - if they are not from the same shop. Makes a big difference to get good service after the sale! I would get the Merida as i like that make/brand.

I use two sets of wheels: 1.) On set has basic rims with gatorskins and the tubes have sealing slime in them. It is heavy but quite puncture proof. This is a good training/general set-up. 2.) The other set has DuraAce rims with Force/Attack (Continentals) tires that i use for my races (trying to cycle in a race). Those tires have a different size and format between the front and back tyre - a really nice set-up. I am happy with this compo as it works for me.

Wow, those are close stats! You guys should team up and race together during the Argus - jump from bunch to bunch. Good Luck! PeterM2010-02-28 05:05:55

If you are starting from G - I would be surprised if you do NOT do a sub 4h. On the other hand, if you are starting in GG, than a sub 4h would be a good time.

the 2010 Knysna roadrace - is it still an Argus seeding race?

Crown Cycles I am very happy with their service, price and repairs. Other shops have a bigger selection, but my bike only get's fixed at Crown Cycle!

What about dates (those growing on trees and not those on Friday night)? Many guys i cycle with take a bite from a block of dates during a training ride. Some of them also use the block of dates during a race.

Cramps - what works for me is to eat a packed of olives (spanish) the night before. The salt and vinegar seems to work well. If i dont eat them, i do cramp. I got the idea from reading that the roman gladiators drank vinegar the night before any big fight.

24th Jan10; Simonsvlei league race & funride: - unusual high amount of cycling crashes seemed to have occurred in a specific area; - cyclists were injured; - cycling equipment was damaged - emergency support services seemed to be unsatisfactory at that specific time and place; - image of cycling was negatively affected - the image & brand of Simonsvlei and other sponsers was tainted - image of PPA as the event (co-)organizers was negatively affected

R as well and R for me too!! (also my 3rd Argus)

More-or-less. The real tell-tale is your start number which is like your seeding number. So if you were in 2009 in group F and had a start number of +-4500; and this year, 2010, you are in E and your start number is +-4100 then your seeding has improved. Same with our finishing time - we are too focused on the actual time (3h59 vs 4h01) but the finishing ranking (4755th / 28 000) is more telling than the time, as circumstances change each year (weather, rain, wind, route, Boys drive, etc). One of the brilliant aspects of the Argus is that it is our national cycling benchmark. 30 000 ride it on the same day in similar circumstances. Makes comparing results quite easy. i am really looking forward to the Argus!!