porky

For me it would be difficult to pick just three, I would say on balance of experience- Vino and Kloden,Valverde has never finished so it may be bit much to expect a win, but a podium is certainly possible certainly top 6. Schleck, Evans and Leipheimer, I cant see making the podium, top 10 yes. but I also fancy Denis Menchov and Popovych, and I think Alberto Contodor may take the "king of the mountains" from Rasmussen this year

Okay, thats reasonable Hendrik.

Running races have to make the same application Spinnekop, perhaps they are just more pro-active than the cycling fraternity? Often races are organised by more than one club and each club will help with marshalls, raising capital etc, but it is odd that a cycling race costs R100.00 upwards, where as a running race may cost R60.00 odd and you get a T-Shirt, Medal and all the same refreshments,............ actually there are usually more water tables at a running race as we dont carry our own.

Yes, I used to look in every two or so days when I had a bit of free time, but now days hardly even check around the posts. It seems to me someone posts an intelligent thread and it gets two replies before its hi-jacked, heads south or just disintigrates. I would also support a seperate forum for some other sports as someone mentioned like running, tri-athalon etc. Certainly cant be worse than the non-cycling posts we get here lately.

Sorry Kona fan - I was just replying as I remember it - didnt mean to hijack the thread.

I cant remember exactly, but if my memory serves me he had some issue with the cycling federation and used the SS board to voice his "opinion" which was rather controversial. I think he called Mr Hansen a few choce names as well. Then the moderators of the board tried to bar him and he threatened to crash the board amongst various other suggestions, there was also an issue of hijacking the domain I think. Then after a big hula baloo and threats from SS as to closing the board down - everyone came here. Well, thats as I remember it - Anybody think differantly.??

Yes, I also posted a little on the old SS site and I can vaguely remember some of the names mentioned. I wasnt a regular there and I am not a regular here, although I often just look around and not post. Sometimes I see an interesting thread and follow it through, but generally it seems to me theres a bit of an "ego" battle going on.

To be blunt Rijs Racing without a sponsor is just as good as been kicked out - it would be a hollow "company of straw" lacking funds, integrity and good will. In other words bankrupt!!. Personally, I think Rijs is a dishonest man - no apology changes that, it just brings the dishonesty into the light. I see now the UCI is considering an amnesty for cyclists who confess to doping in the past.

Definately the right decision, but I am quite sure you are underpaying the young lady for those sought after skills, and I just happen to be looking for a new secretary..........

Why is it necessary to perform / behave like this?? I have been to rugby / cricket matches where the spectators have heckled the players constantly, but I have never seen any player behave in such a shamefull manner. Why have the CSA or the organisers or the head commissar not reprimanded him, as would happen in any other sport.? He is after all representing a SA COMPANY with a very big footprint, I am surprised they have said nothing.porky2007-03-15 05:51:12

I am of the firm belief that if the manufacturer made it that way, its for a good reason and I dont fiddle or change things. I am also against the practice of some cycle shops of fitting generic parts or interchanging brands because they happen to fit, if one sticks to the basics and replace with the genuine product, its my impression it generally works first time every time.

What did I say? OOOPS SOOOORRY big ben - I have corrected the post.

Minty, dont just accept poor service (or no service) argue your point and if necessary, take it further (ie) the manufacturer directly. Delaying tactics are old hat in the importing / distribution market, they will delay,delay,delay and just hope you get tired and go away, make it clear you are unhappy and want an answer. My suggestion is to approach the local distribution, tell them the truth and ask how they can assist? Supply docs if needed. If you dont win there, approach the manufacturer, tell them where you bought it, where you live, supply docs and ASK for a warranty replacement. Race Face is a USA manufacturer I think, and these companies have to comply with USA legislation which states clearly that a legitimate warranty claim has to be honoured, they cannot weasel out of it like they can here, but engage them in a friendly way and I am sure you will be assisted.

I am always amazed at the shortsightedness of the cycle importers in this country. In my opinion it makes little differance where the item was purchased, local distributors are appointed by the manufacturers to SERVICE AND SUPPORT their line not only to sell the products. Last year I bought a Sony Digital Video in the USA and there was a fault with one of the switches, I called Sony explained the situation and they sent me a brand new upgraded unit, no questions asked. Thats service, and a valid reason of why Sony is a market leader. All of these distributors have direct access to the manufacturer, if they want to, they can simply explain the situation to the manufacturer and ask for a replacement Usually, manufacturers will give the local distributor the choice of whither to support grey lines or not, however, NO manufacturer worth their salt, will refuse warranty on the grounds of where the line was purchased and where it needs warranty. The problem is, quite simply, the distributors here in the cycling industry are so small minded, they would rather have the public bad mouth the product they represent than support the line,sort it out, and keep the customer, irrespective of where it was purchased. I deal with this type of issue every day in the construction and maintainance field, and never once has the manufacturer refused warranty, even if the product was imported "grey" and bypassed the official importer (us).!! ..............oh, and we support every product we represent in S.A. irrespective of how it got here (grey or official)

Yes, Lance, this is an excellant starting point - the clubs also need to accept responsibility for their members, its not good enough to say, "oh but he / she is a doctor / lawyer / dentist / whatever and are intelligent folk so I CANT TELL THEM WHAT TO DO" Rubbish, if they are misbehaving in the club, its the clubs responsibility to tell them "this is not acceptable behaviour" and if you continue with it we will ask you to leave.! How many clubs have a rule of "HELMETS ON ALL RIDES" - probably all of them,.......................is it enforced..................seldom, and you can go out any weekend and see guys riding without a helmet in the club bunch - its the same thing, clubs turn a blind eye to members using rude and abusive language / behaviour, wheras they should be pro-active in dealing with this and stamp it out. We will all be better off for it.!

I am also not in favour of protest rides, although I respect the rights of others to do so, I wont participate. Generally these rides serve little constructive purpose,as they do not change the attitude of the cyclists themselves. We are an odd bunch, we want the world to change to suit our circumstances but apart from a few of us who do believe in been friendly and curtious to motorists, and other road users,many Cyclists are pigs, who change from normal rational humans to aggressive, arrogant,macho,idiots the minute they climb on a cycle.

Uuuum back to the subject - beer and lonely hearts club is elsewhere.! I didnt notice as I have been so busy at work, so its good news all round. But, at the end of the day the UCI had no real choice to grant them a lisence, the major tours would have given them a wild card and all the major classics would have wanted them to compete, sooooo, dos this really signify the virtual end of the pro tour?? it would seem so, the financial strength and the spectator pulling power of the major tours have have once again shown who really runs the financial side of the sport - and in the end this is a businss like any other.

Yes I agree widget. Its all about PERCEPTIONS and the message this kind of promotion sends out is cycling is exclusively for the wealthy minority.This is the wrong message in a country like SA. I was watching the SC show where Mr Maclean promoted the cervelo offer, "buy a cervelo for R15000.00 or pay the equivalent and go ride with the team" and I thought this is fine in a developed country like the USA or the UK but in a country like SA where the closest the majority of kids are going to get to a bicycle is a second hand pick and pay special, riding a Cervelo in the company of a pro team with your Oakleys on your head up Chappies is about as far removed from their day to day fight for survival as its going to get. Lets cut the crap, having a bunch of smiling heads talking to the kids is fine but if they have no bicycle, and no realistic means to own one then this is just opportunistic self promotion of the worst possible kind under the disguise of upliftment. Lets have less of this opportunistic showboating and more of the kind of serious upliftment like Oprah Winfrey has ben quitely doing and has built an entire school for the underprivedliged - now thats worth talking about - not this joke.

I think the post has served a purpose in that it has highlighted the fact that there are cyclists out there who believe in the rule of law and that violent and aggressive behaviour is plain wrong. Who was right and who was wrong, who threw the first punch or who ducked or who provoked who is immaterial, violence and aggression is not an acceptable method of achieving an end. I must say though I am saddened to see so many members of the hub, seem to feel that its okay to show the middle finger, that its okay to behave in a violent and aggressivew manner, that its okay to beat up on people and so on - this is not a case of "them and us" we all share the same road with one differance - the roads are mainlky used for motor vechiles not cyclists and runners, so its up to us to extend the hand of friendship and behave in a courteous and responsible manner.