ccc2

i saw lots of cyclists losing chains - the reason (i think) for the last 2 years riding into the wind meant that most of the riders were in small blade all the way to Smits. this year with little or no wind, meant big blade. the problem comes on the little bumps when one tends to shift until u are riding 52/25 and then suddenly realise that you need to shift down. off pops the chain. u just gently have to shift in back again, most times the FD cage will take the chain back onto the 52.

that's a good time. i know what your went thru, i did the argus a few years ago with a buddy and we started in the PPA open group @ 10am.

well, it seems as if the training paid off because we all had great rides. weather aside, all of us who have been training in this group still had plenty left in the tank in Hout Bay when we had to climb Suikerbossie and for the dash down to the finish. i have ridden the last 4 act's on a tandem with my son and i think we improved our time by 40 minutes and finished in about 3.35

the fly is correct, sonny boy. in the "old days" the distance was 105 kms and finished up the hill as you exit Camps Bay.

ja , that was us. i feel funny riding on the road and then seeing u guys on the path but i wouldn't like to meet up with u face to face (if u know what i mean).

our training group of 2 has grown week by week. we are averaging 5 riders per ride and there has been a total of 10 different riders attending. one or two need to dash off early to be be home to take kids to school etc and they only attend the rides that stick to the immediate area. this morning we rode down to Perde Eiland, we averaged 33 kph into the breeze along koeberg rd, had a quick dash down to the circle in Big Bay, a new youngster battled a bit with the pace on the way to the Dolphin Beach lights, so i looked after him. i made the group ride thru & off for 20 sec on the way back. i was surprised that that the 2 newcomers slotted in quite well and we easily maintained an average of 36 kph into a nice little breeze. 20 secs was just enough time on the front.

i started giving the event a miss when i think the entry climbed to r100 a few years ago. i have raced over these roads so many times over the years that it did not seem worth the effort/money. so i will do the club 16 k TT on saturday at a cost of R0.00 i see a few other events are also following suit and charging entry fees outside the norm of the ppa events.

is this the extent of your knowledge regarding where the officials fit in? if so, then let me educate you. the Officials are an independent association and organisers rely on their "expertise" to officiate the event. if they do a bad job, toughies, you just hope that the imcompetents don't last long as an official and find something else to stuff up on a saturday afternoon.

the champs was disaster - no two ways about it. the major organisers were the Eastern Province Cycling Association. the chose the route and should have ensured that all the logistics were in place. if you know just a little about organising a cycling event in this country then you would not accuse the CSA of anything other than being conned into thinking that everything was in place by the organisers. heres something to think about - in the "old days" sa's were held on a saturday afternoon. cyclists either raced seniors, junior scholars , senior scholars. now we have every category catered for and imho i think it is just too much for "old blazer brigade" to handle.

Granted - organising & results go hand in hand. the champs are organised by the WPCA and they were well organised. the results are controlled by the officials association who come out on the day to officiate, the fact that they can't keep time or keep track cyclists in a race can't be blamed on the organisers.

to The Badger 2 - you need to take your head out of your arse and take just a little bit of interest in how a cycle race gets organised. then comment.

i took part, what was the problem?

to Scultura - you will be able to handle it. there are 2 very fast sections on the circuit, so if there is minimal wind then it is very fast and good for legspeed/pedalling technique. the bump i'm refering to is on the HVerwoed road up to Plattekloof, i'm usually just off the pace there but we all regather after the traffic lights.

good gosh - we were pulled around our circuit by Theo at an average of over 33 kph. the sprint now takes place up the 'little climb' instead of the Giel Basson section.

ride (fast) to survive

the wind was a bit hectic on the way down to P Eiland. we didn't dip under 40 kph on the way to Big Bay and then it was thru & off back to the Paddocks at a good average of about 30 kph into the wind. distance 46 k's.a good quality workout. Wednesday - meet at the Letchworth BP - to the Bothasig Circle, up plattekloof, turn into P'kloof ext and do 1 climb, back down to P'kloof and then onto H Verwoed,down to Jip d Jager do climb and then take it from their deped=nding on the time.

i have a gilet that was made by Venezia (i can just about make out this name on the label) and i would want something similar in club colours. i have googled the name but can't find them in CTown.

what's up?

this Tuesday we ride from BP down to Paarden Eiland via C City , Sanddrift and Koeberg road. We then ride down otto doeplessis to Big Bay, turn at the circle and back to E'mead. we get back at about 6.30 - 6.45 depending on the wind.

to Slipstream Sean thanks for the advice , much appreciated. the thinking behind our (my)schedule was as follows: i normally still have stiff legs from a Sunday race, hence a rest day on Monday when i attend a pilates class. in the past i have suffered on a Tuesday doing hill repeats so i decided that a fast flat 40-50k ride on a Tuesday is better to get rid the tired legs. the Wednesday hill repeats is a 4 min climb and we try to do it 5 times with a half hr ride back home. the sprint sessions haven't really worked because the wind has been blowing quite severely so we have just worked thru & off into the wind and then worked on pedaling technique and leg speed when riding with the wind. we then rest Friday.

i have been tasked by my club to purchase gilets (winter jacket) for all club members. any suggestions for manufacturers in Cape Town?

Yesterday we did Jip de Jager hill repeats - the little Tierberg climb in Parow really gets the heart pumping. J d J is about a 4.30min climb. this morning we did a 9 km circuit along Plattekloof rd, down to Giel Basson and then the Hendrik Verwoed link back up to P'kloof. good for legspeed (down p'kloof) power into the S'easter along G Basson and then that little power climb up H Verwoed. total dostance 41 kms at an ave of 29 kph.

we absolutely flew this morning - 45 kms, back in Edgemead at 6.20am.

what time do you go out in the morning? you can join us and be back home by 6.00am by taking a shortcut. Flat ride - depends on the WIND. the hill repeats are done on Jip de Jager sprint sessions along Giel Basson

a group of road cyclists from the Edgemead/Bothasig/Monte Vista area will be meeting at the BP Service station in Letchworth Drive at 5.00am every Tuesday,Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Tuesday - 40 kms flatish ride Wednesday - Hill repeats Thursday - Sprints We should be back at the BP by 6.45am on each day.