Fast Forward

Big dude? Friend of mine came down in first corner. Handlebar broke in the fall. Fortunately I was not riding (flu) and was able to take him to hospital. He was operated same night. Collarbone had a bad break. Funny thing - he called the ambulance services at the event when he was at his car and they did not want to transport him to hospital. Not sure why.

Any live TV coverage tomorrow?

Brondal road could cause race not to be sanctioned. Not safe at all.

Drove on the R42 now. Not to badmouth the organisers but there are plenty of small but deep potholes on that section. Really hope it will be filled or that we dont pass there...

Will number collection at the start be possible? Bit difficult for cyclists from out-of-town to collect beforehand.

Great event. Thank you to the organisers and all involved. I got dropped from the AL bunch at about 40km when most was riding in the middle and to the right side of the road. I stuck to the left but the wind was too much for me on my own. When that bakkie with the mattrass on nearly caused a collision pushing oncoming vehicles off the road and nearly hit the marshals bike from behind I pulled back. Maybe marshals can at least take photos of riders crossing the line and have them DQ'd afterwards?

Maybe a fellow hubber can collect for you guys?

Had a look at the website now - WOW...like the prize money. Sent from my SM-J105F using Tapatalk

Yes. But only olympic distance. Still strengthening a knee from IM injury. Sent from my SM-J105F using Tapatalk

We were 6 athletes from Ermelo. None of us had any problems. All had positive feedback. Sent from my SM-J105F using Tapatalk

Abrahamsrust one? Did the half last year in preparation for IM. I liked the event. Think its worth a try. Will be going again in Feb. Sent from my SM-J105F using Tapatalk

SPUR SCHOOL MOUNTAIN BIKE LEAGUE Ermelo Schools MTB EXCO We are proud to announce that we will be hosting the Spur Mpumalanga High School Race #6 at Ermelo on the 17th of September 2016. The full details are as follows: Date: Saturday, 17th of September 2016 Venue: Die Oogappel – N11 Amersfoort Road – GPS: Lat -26.590559 & Lon 29.979391 Racing Format: There will be different MTB courses to suite the age groups better. These courses are spectator friendly. Categories: Sub Nipper Boys / Girls 6 – 7 yrs. Nipper Boys/ Girls 8 – 10 yrs. Sprog Boys / Girls 11 – 12 yrs. Sub Junior Boys / Girls 13 – 14 yrs. Youth Woman / Boys 15 – 16 yrs. Junior Boys / Girls 17 – 18 yrs. Categories are determined by age as at 31 December 2016 Entry fee: R60.00 per rider Email entries: benitaph@gmail.com – payment will be done at the event itself. Line entries: Saturday, 1st of August 2015 - 07H00 – 09H30 @ Die Oogappel, Ermelo Junior prize giving for Primary School learners: 11H30 @ venue Senior prize giving for High School learners: 15H30 @ venue Program of events: 07H00 – 09H30 Registration 07H00 – 09H30 Course open for training & warm-up 10H00 Sub Nipper Boys / Girls 10H30 Nipper Boys / Girls 11H00 Sprog Boys / Girls 11H30 Junior Prize giving 12H00 Sub Junior Boys / Girls 13H00 Youth Woman / Junior Girls 14H00 Youth Boys / Junior Boys 15H00 Parents race / relay 15H30 Prize giving General: Medals to all finishers Food stalls: For breakfast Bacon Rolls will be available Lunch there will be Boere Wors Rolls, Donuts Tuck shop with water, cold drinks, sweets and chips Open to all school riders, all you need is a bike and a helmet All points counting towards National Finals at Bekker High School,Magaliesburg. Directions to venue: Towards Amersfoort, N11. Just 5km outside of Ermelo. Turn left on a gravel road at the water reservoir – follow the direction given on the gravel road. GPS: Lat -26.590559 & Lon 29.979391 Accommodation options: Heads on Beds with Tel: 017 819 4707 is your one stop for accommodation - they will bring you into contact with a B&B that will suite your needs.

So what were the results? Sent from my SM-J105F using Tapatalk

Dare I ask: which is toughest - comrades or Ironman? Sent from my SM-J105F using Tapatalk

If memory serves me correct its 20 August. Check out the Ironman website. Sent from my SM-J105F using Tapatalk

Damn socks take long to get on wet feet. Am gonna try the no-socks at bela bela. Sent from my SM-J105F using Tapatalk

Any live-time tracking?

I appreciate all the advice, I value most of the opinions and enjoy some of the light humour on this tread. It really is something to consider well and with all the debates it gave me perspective on certain aspects which I may have not considered. I read an article in the Man magnum magazine this morning - Trail Talk by Phillip Hayes - "Possessors of arms should learn all there is to know about firearm safety and security, and reflect long on the responsibility that goes with the power to take a human life, and thereby potentially to destroy the lives of those dependant on that one life taken. When it comes to human interaction, firearms should not be seen as weapons of action, but of reaction - and then , reaction solely to a potentially deadly threat to human life and limb in the most extreme circumstances. The possession of a firearm should never be allowed to change your personality. Treat everyone with utmost respect and courtesy whether you are armed or not." I found the following a good read http://www.gunsite.co.za/forums/showthread.php?52559-Understanding-criminal-bevahiour

Seems the view of some are that we should roll over and let the thugs walk right over us - "you want my bike sir, please take it, oh wait, you forgot my cell, take it as well..." so, you think we should not defend ourselves, our wifes, our kids? Let crime pay? To me thats just "slapgat" . Please contribute constructively dont troll.

Ask the prosecutor to submit his reasons for declining to prosecute in writing and forward a complaint to the Director of Prosecutions. They can review the decision. If prosecuted and convicted you can ask a compensation order. This can save lots of legal fees.

Lekker man - thanks Wayne. Yes, I want to know if anyone carries and the best ways of doing it. Maybe a few remarks given that I am in the business of Prosecution. The obvious - the firearm must be legal and carried concealed. To avoid a situation is better than to get involved in one, but I do not intend on sitting locked up inside my house being to scared to go out because of thugs. A person is entitled to defend himself proportional to the amount of violence used against him. The attack must be imminent or in progress. You may only use lethal force if your life or someone else's life is in danger. There is no distinctive answer as to when you may or may not kill/shoot another in self defence - each situation will be analysed on its own merits. If the facts of a situation is clear that you acted in self defence then the chances that you will be arrested on the spot is slim - unless the investigator at the scene wants to get sued. In these scenarios where someone gets killed an inquest docket should be opened and the matter fully investigated - yes - your firearm may be seized for ballistic tests. I think its all about a matter of using your common sense. If you own a firearm you should know how to use it and be willing to use it - when in doubt, then don't. I ride alone quite often - I cannot always ride in a group. I chose my routes wisely. I tell others when and where I'll be riding. If I find a person on the road/track I try to keep my distance and be more aware of an imminent attack and think/plan how I would react if this person attacks. In urban areas the carrying of a gun would pose more challenges than rural areas. Everyone must make his own decision and live with it...

Maybe the people that have been attacked whilst cycling can give us more insight - if you had a gun, would it have made a difference / would you have been able to protect yourself with it?

The idea of carrying a firearm whilst cycling may be somewhat of a controversial topic, but I would like to know your thoughts on this matter. Having gone through the cycling safety forum I again realised how dangerous it is to actually cycle in the good old RSA. The obvious question is how practical it is given the weight and dimensions of a firearm. Any thoughts?