linnega

The teams association that developed and implemented the ethical charter is not directly related to the Protour so the continuation of the Protour.

Yes but not performance enhancing.

Gibo claimed first that the dentist was the problem as the gas contains traces of cocaine. Didn't explain the quantities. He then went with the contaminated sweeties excuse - his gran in Columbia gave them to him - and that actually held up on appeal as he could demonstrate the quantity in his system could plausibly have come from the sweets. He was still kicked out of the Giro that year (along with everyone else - leaving Savo to win his first). If the test is positive then Boonen is history for 2 years, plus the potential ethical ban of a further 2 years (although he could go to Liquigas).

A crank only has one, two or three "speeds". 6,7,8,9,10 or 11 at the back makes no difference whatsoever. Your LBS is probably trying to BS you into paying more for the 172.5 "10 speed" crank when in reality all three sizes are the same.

I have suggested it every year for the past three on the "Tips for Trevor" process, but they have taken absolutely no notice. The good thing about the scheme is the government does none of the administration. The employer is required to declare that the employee rides to work, the bike shop does all the processing (as they obviously want the sale) and the customer just has to claim the tax break either through the employer or on tax return.

Apologies - I see where that could be a problem. Seems guys are more and more willing to jump out in front of all traffic these days - makes it a little unnerving on a bike.

Ah Hagar, I see your problem - you weren't in the middle of the lane. Safest place is middle of the lane especially since there are plenty passing lanes next door. Not excusing idiot driving, you just need to make allowances for it. Glad you are okay, though. linnega2008-06-05 12:52:12

The only sure way to improve road safety for cyclists is to increase the number of cyclists on the road. Presence creates awareness. Bike lanes are only safer if two things happen first: Motorist behaviour is strictly and ruthlessly communicated, monitored and the law enforced. Example: Left turning vehicles never have right of way over cyclists. It is made clear to all road users that use of the cycle lane is not compulsory ie the cyclists may ride on the road but motor vehicles may not ride in the cycle lane.

BTW - this is what happens when you learn to ride MTB on a full sus: http://www.greytownmtb.co.za/gallery/2008/216%204.jpg

Or just go to Giba and hire some of the Mongoose el cheapo's they've got there, and see if entry-level is good enough.

Are you sure that anything is going to get built at Coega? Been hearing that story since 1995. Just went to check our share price and saw this: http://www.fin24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?ArticleId=_2333482 So much for Coega.

Are you sure that anything is going to get built at Coega? Been hearing that story since 1995. I imagine that at least some of the steel (and cement) price increase are related to the stadia being built. They are busy sticking up big blocks at the moment in Durban of a curvy thing that goes over the entire stadium. I am assuming that is re-inforced by a lot of steel.

Reproducing spam emails on a forum doesn't make it any less spam. And perhaps do read the content before posting. Petrol is regulated, so no demand can influence it. The only way to reduce the petrol price is to reduce the tax, the profit of the petrol stations or the price of crude oil. The first won't happen, the second would be very unfair of petrol station owners that barely make any operating profit on petrol, and the last depends on what OPEC decides. Leaving you with the only solution which is reduce your driving to reduce your cost of driving.

Firstly, the interest rate hikes are not a punishment, but an economic tool. As normal human beings interested in preserving our own wealth it is easy to be caught up in the clamour to lower interest rates. Increased interest rates have curbed excessive spending particularly the credit retailers (have a look at the results coming from Foschini and Edcon), which makes it clear that they are effective. Sure, inflation has continued to climb, but it would have been worse without the hikes. For most consumer goods (mostly imported from the East) a stronger rand will lower input prices and lower inflation in those sectors. The problem has been the price of commodities (steel, gold, platinum and oil among them) have sky-rocketed in the past year and this has increased the input prices for all goods. A shortage of food supply has increased the cost of foodstuffs. The only tool the Reserve Bank has is to increase interest rates to try and control inflation in the short term (a 2% hike is a shock increase by the way and that is coming). The impact it has on the man in the street is that for the period that interest and inflation are high, times will be tough, but then 2 years ago interest was low and inflation almost non-existent. The building industry is still booming, although many of the new entrants will slowly have to retreat as the bigger players use their economies of scale to manage huge increases in input prices (steel in particular, but also cement) and still win tenders. So Minty, if you compare over 5 years, the average growth has probably been excellent, but over the past year poor because you are comparing to an unreasonably high base. It certainly doesn't mean the building industry is in any crisis. If the prices of steel continue to rise though beyond 2010, then we will see some large scale bankruptcy in the building industry.

Glad that he remembers the good stuff and not what his Afrikaans teammates thought of those "Frenchies". Calzati has been pretty succesful, particularly two years ago when he was getting into plenty breaks in big races and eventually pulled off a stage win at the Tour.

Had to be a Marius question if it includes "thingy"... You should be able to unscrew most sections of the RD, and the compatibility should only be dependent on whether it is long cage/short cage.

The hate speech angle was tried before when Cliff previously made comments against cyclists. You would need to prove that cyclists are a community, and that the comments are likely to incite violence against the affected community. The last time the BCCSA decided not to rule on the complaints ie they tossed it out on the basis that their was no chance the complaint would be upheld. Probably best just to let it all go anyway. Cliff's comments are unlikely to be taken seriously by those of stable mind and those that are unstable may do something stupid against cyclists anyway. I don't imagine it will have any impact on the safety of cyclists.

If you are riding for 5 hours eat whatever takes your fancy, just make sure you eat (and drink).

Perhaps the increased incidence is only because there are an increasing number of cyclists out there. Quite a few long term studies that I have read the summaries of indicate their is no statistical difference between cyclists and non-cyclist with regard to prostate problems. In fact, the increased physical activity of cyclists in general reduces the risk of prostate problems. Always wary of these sorts of studies though as the sample selected can be affected by all sorts of other factors. Nonetheless, good advice to get yourself checked out if there is any swelling downstairs.

Agree with your thoughts to a limited extent Sean. The problem with both arguments here is that they are gross generalisations. Some kids are able to be disciplined and strive to achieve defined goals from a young age. Others are "not able to focus on next week's dinner". Each needs to be treated differently. However, kids should not be prevented from trying to achieve their dreams, from whatever age, and they should always be building their education, every year. If they can handle home schooling then thats fine, but that decision cannot be theirs as they don't have the maturity to make such a decision (a generalisation but probably representative of 99.9% of 15 yo). I also don't think you should limit the opportunities to the "super-talented", because many of these super talents don't develop as well as the average talents. I just need to look at two kids playing tennis when I was at school. Wesley Moodie was average here in KZN, whereas Jeff Coetzee was the super talent. Wes has achieved far more than Jeff although both are decent pro's, but if you had applied your criteria to him when he left school, he would never have been given the opportunities and never achieved what he has.

Doesn't help with the SRAM information though.

I have various odds and sodds that can be donated, will post to Cape Town if something is set up. Have Campag Centaur groupset (10sp) without chain or cassette. Chorus pedals. Various stems. Let me know whats needed.