Slave

I think it can be removed without too much effort. Not sure how the tar willlook afterwards, but I suspect that we could remove it without too much damage.

Dude, that thing has been there for more than 10 years.

'k, so I know the rule of the roadis equally applicable to cyclist as well as motorists. (Let's ignore the taxis for the sake of this point though.) I usually try to obey all the rules of the road with a few exceptions. I have always traines against ave speed, so slowing down slows my average. Therefore, I try to train where there are miinimal lights and stop streets. So the rules I "ignore" are as follows: I slow down to make sure that the stop street I'm about to jump, is clear of vehicles and I wont get run down for my efforts. If there are cars, I stop and always make sure I have been seen by motorists before I go. I do this by offering for them to go first. When they decline, I know they have seen me. Traffic lights at big intersections. Stop. Rest. See if traffic is clear and then I will go if safe to do so, even if the light is against me. Traffic lights at smaller intersections. Slow down for long enough to see if the traffic is clear before very carefully making my way through the intersection. Wrong, I know, but safety is my primary concern. So, like what gives? My moral dilemma is that I know it'swrong, yet, if safe to do so, I will go through an intersection. By safe, I mean that it does not have ANY effect on motorists around me other than it being visible and there is NO risk to me of being taken off my bike. How many of us, honestly, follow all the rules, all the time? We judge and condem far too quickly, but are we sure that our own houses are in order.

I need to get a cadence meter on my bike 'cause like I have no idea what cadence I ride at. All I know is I'm slow and battle to get high cadence. Thus, I have always tried to ride hills in heavier gears and get the speed that way. I seriously battle to get cadence of around 100 (which is roughly calcualted at doing 50 to 55 downhill on my 12 tooth. I'm trying to work on it though.Maybe old dogs can learn new tricks.

This section of road worries me every time I ride it. The wind suck when those trucks pass at speed is scary and motorists speed like hell on this road. That hump is another problem and I see that someone has painted yellow stripes on it to make it more visible. Been there for more years than I care to remember. Has anyone tried to get council to get it removed? (Think I'm going to take a pick out there one day soon and try and take it away.) Hope the cyclist makes a full recovery. This is not great news. If anyone knows who it is, please give us an update.

Couple weeks before the fast one, we did a 102 k training ride and my neck nearly killed me. Seriously, I had to stop about 3 k's from home and lie down on someones nice green lawn, my neck was so sore. During the ride I also suffered heavily with sore shoulders. (Traps). It was much better during the fast one and I managed with minimal neck pain. You saying that this is due to a lack of core strength? (I wouldn't dispute that since I never do any of that, but seriously thunking of getting it going. If this is gonna help the cycling and neck pain, I'll do it.

Seems to be a common problem. It happens to me often on longer rides (around 60 km plus). There are a number of schoolsof thought as to the reason, ranging from your position on the bike, to grabbing (holding) the handlebars too tight. Try to relax while riding and try to change your grip on the bars whileriding. Flex your arms from time to time by lifting them up (one at a time please) and flexing your fingers while riding. Take two disprin and call me in the morning.

Most training programs worth anything will tell you to ride at least 5 days a week. one off and one on is not going to give you a good base and I only got better with more riding. More days, longer distances and faster speeds. One hard day,followed by one easy day is better than one on and one off. But, like that's just my opinion.

WH. For what it's worth, I used to grind the big gears and power my way up the hills. In my earlier interactions on this hub, some dufus suggested I change my riding style and learn to spin. When I joined the group for the group rides on Saturday, I started to use easier gears and spin more. Did this for a couple of weeks and it seems to have stuck with me. Going up the steps solo a few weeks ago, I came across some chap who had tree stumps for legs. (Really thick and muscular). Anyhoo, he was grinding his way up and I caught him and passed him easily enough. As I went past, I remarked that I used to do the same thing and spinning helped me climb better. It really did. It'snot to say that you have to go up a hill in granny gears, just do as the bouncing bunny suggested and go uphill one gear lighter. My average speed on most rides has increased and I feel far better after rides than I used to. I'm still pretty slow, but a fair bit faster and I find that spinning at 100 is a mission, but it's easier to go uphill at 65 t0 70 in an easier gear than the same hill at 30 in heavy gears. Recovery at the top is so much faster and you can really go at it sooner because of speedier recovery.

For what my 5 cents is worth. These dudes (criminals) are angry, for whatever reason. It is no longer enough fro them to just take our stuff. They have to hurt us too. Now, if we fight fire with fire, will we not both be burned? If we go out there and inflict pain on them, they are just gonna be more angry and there will be retailiation. They wil come back at us harder ad hurt us more. The police are powerless and quite frankly, just as usefull and let's not even start on the criminal justice system. On the other hand, Darren, maybe genocide ...... Whatever, dead men tell no lies and I still have some very interesting theories on human torture I would like to try on some lowlife scumbucket.

Personally, I'm not in favour of all these enhancement "Supplements" and I feel that the word supplement is just another word to disgiuse "steroid". Without getting into a thesis, just how good, bad or indifferent is creatine? Is it adviseable to use this "junk".

What evva BigH. Chap did something decent for me and it's a small way for me to say thanks. I think your comment is a little snide and certainly not appreciated dude. But, hey if it makes you happy ..... this is after all a public forum and I guess we are each entitled to whatever opinion we have, important, constructive or not.

I stayed away from that thread as it just gets my blood boiling when I hear all this cr@p about lawlessness and criminals quite literally getting away with murder and all that other stuff. Can we set up a trap for these loons? I have some very interesting theories on human torture I would love to try out on a criminal or two.

Hey Samma. I've alerted the media for your milestone achievement.

This weekend for sure Greyowl. I'm getting over that bronchitis thing slowly and should be strong enough to tackle the loop on Saturday. I'm a bit bummed out becuase I had plans to try out a long loop with the other dudes. I will have to work on gettng back to a decent level of stamina and fitness, and there is only one way to do that. Cycle, cycle and cycle some more. See ya on the road again soon wise bird and thanks once again.

The bum-slapping I can still relate to as I find it an effective heads-up thing. Sometimes, one is so busy concentrating on not riding into the wheel in front, that this is where you are "zoned". The slap sound brings one's attention to the fact that there is a hand signal coming. The bottle waving, I agree. It's just plain daft. I saw a lot of it during the fast one and it was scary. You see that bottle come out and hope like hell that the dude has the mind to hold onto it while taking the long route to his mouth. Otherwise, it's on the road and prob'ly under your wheel. It is a pathetic practice with no benefit, high risk and it should be stopped immediately. Unless of course you are just being polite and toasting your fella rider or bragging about the colour and flavour of your bottle contents. Either way, it is stoopid.

Haven't checked yet. I'll let you know

Holy, I was not about to inform the world that they were actually back copies of Hustler and Playboy, especailly since the man did me a huge favour. The pool manuals got washed out in all the rain. I have been battling for a while to find eight speed STIS for my 900 year old beast and the search is over. I still have a few other less fortunate than myself mates who will gladly accept any handouts you guys have no ore use for. Like 8 spd sti's chains and cassetes in reasonable nick even if they are 6 and eight spd.

Shout out to Greyowl. Dude gave me some bits and pices for mine and Teenies bike earlier this week. Handlebars. STI's and those other similar things that Campag use instead of STIs. Thanks dude, you are a man among men. The STIS wrok well, having a bit of difficulty with the campag stuff. Just wont gel with the Shmimano 8 speed casette. Now that 900 year old beat of mine can change gears faster so it should improve ride time if not speed.linnega2009-02-02 03:51:34

Just a couple of comments on this one (for what they are worth). The legislation that made wearing of cycling helmets compulsory was not well publisezed in my opinion. I just happened to have been at Sportmans Warehouse in December and I saw the sign up ut the helmet display stating that it was now law. (can anyone give me an indication of when it became law. Exact date not necessary.) Then again, for my own safety, I have mostly worn my helmet. 99.9% of the time and I enforce the rule when Teeny wanted to start riding with me. No helmet no ride. The other comment I have is more of a question. Don't we all kinda have a moral obligation to help out those who are wrong? If you get abuse, leave the doffy alone in future and let him battle his soncience when his son gets hurt (at best) or killed (at worst.) You can after all, only lead the horse to the water. We are not really the guardians of mankind and being helpful is different to trying to enforce the laws. That is what we have the cops for (for all the good that they do). I am not refering to us as cylcists being the guardians of humanity, I am talking about us all as humans. Let's face it, some of us really need an attitude check and a good look at our own endeavours to obey the rules of the road in all aspects. I for one will always take a gap at a stop street if it is safe to do so and someties at traffic lights as well, but I reitterate, if safe to do so. Getting dead doesn't scare me as much as the pain of a crash and I have a great fear of being disabled, so safety is a huge concern for me. One rule of thumb is if you're breaking the law, that's your indaba. If your action threatens my safety, I'm gonna get in your face.

Bliksem, you guys been busy (and that includes the angels too. I post a topic, take a coupla sick days (battling a case of Bronchitis) and this topics has runs to seven pages. Wolverine, you suggestedI make a few proposals: Dude, I would love to, but being a noob, it's kinda difficult for me. I only know ther routes in and around my area but here goes my best shot. Why not plan a late season ride when most of the racing is out of the way and we are all still reasonbly fit? I have no idea where Groenies is because my only knowledge of Gorenies is Groendakkie that I pob'ly should be an inmate of. Therefor I would likely suggest a weekend at Suikerboschrand if the oke can MTB there. That way we can do prawns, beer and all sorts of other activities for family, friends and groupies (for those who have them). Have a lekker ride and include our nearest and dearest. Please feel free to shoot this idea down, but it's kinda the best thing I can think of in my current feverish antibiotic drug induced haze.

So, there are some dudes work and some t=what works weekends (poor suckers). Give us an idea of when the bouncing bub=nny is not working and we can try to plan around that. What would be a good location? Somewhere we can arrange a road and MTB event from the same place.

If it's organised well, we can do MTB and Roadie sh!t. I'm one of those poefter roadies so I'll just stay with the flavour thanks. Maybe SBR could be a venue if they allow MTB's to go on trails an stuff. Otherwise we have to arrange somehwere where the Spouses, kids and others can hang together and wait for us to do ur stuff. Don't know much about klapperkop, but hey, Lets get some ideas together and go for it.

Cool one taker. Di,I'm sure we can count on Dash, Spas09, The wise bird and a few ohters. Mampara, I'm like still a noob dude. The last Gauteng hub ride mut have been before my time dude. And even so, we can still do another. What was the last one, venue, route, distance all that stuff. We can get together an gooi a braai, like dop tjop en skrop dinges.

How come the Capies can organise a hub ride and we just sit here whinging 'bout stuff? How bout we organise our own hub ride? Who's into something like this? When, where, who, how far all that stuff. There must be loads of us who want to get something like this organised. Thug, I can't do 160 rides yet, but am willing to consider somethin between 100 and 130 at a push. Dudes, we can't let these Capies get the better of us. It's just not right.