AryM

Kittel as well!

I never minded riding in the rain until 2 weeks ago. Easing down a flat, slight touch of oil on the road and back wheel disappeared under me. Slid for about 10 metres. Kit torn and lekker roasties. Hip and shoulder still sore from the fall. Lucky, bike not damaged at all. Won't do it again!

1C this time! Got a 3:01 from 1F in 2016. Bunch traffic at Cape Point, Before Chappies... Had to slow down & clip out. Hoping...

Dude, C'mon & join me! We can have fun in AL. Looking forward to this race as I missed last years due to a blow-out on the way there.

I started cycling about 4 years ago.... My goal was just to get Fit & ride with the Faster Guys in the club. Starting with zero base seeding, it was very lonely starting in the E,F,G & Q Batches. Also being dropped very early on on training rides was very demotivating. But starting somewhere was the first step. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It takes lots of saddle time, lots of intervals, hill repeats, being dropped, seeing pink elephants, learning every step of the way to get you to that level especially when you have not cycled like this in your life. Oh yes, a POWER meter helped a great deal from upping your cycling fitness levels in short time. In 3 years, I now ride A bunch consistently & getting good results too. I weigh 92kgs btw. I have sub 3'd 95% of all the races. Argus &, Ride for Sight eludes me but I will wrong this right. So, what I suggest is: 1) Strong Will Power & determination to get fitter 2) Solid training plan/ coach (Power meter helps a great deal) 3) Decent training partners/ club to push you pass your perceived limits 4) Lots of training, mixtures of endurance rides & Intervals (Hill repeats) + FTP/ LTT Tests 5) Race plenty, to up your seeding & gain experience of riding in a bunch. (Key to fast times) 6) Weight consistency. Power to weight consistency 7) & Strava NB - It doesn't get easier, you just get faster!

Motorpaced?

Sorry Neville! That is terrible

AL was.....I don't know... Nobody wanted to work to try and form a break-away or even attempt one despite me & some willing guys trying numerous times to do that. Then, 2 Litys from the Juniors break away, then the guys work hard to bring them back, went on like that till the finish! Nonetheless, racing was fast & hard. Surges was the order of the day. This is normal for the first race of the year. Stayed in the front, missed the crash/ punctures etc Small area of potholes but roads were OK. Not much different from previous years. Well organised. Juniors rode better this year too. Finished on 2:26, hopefully in top 10. Got a SMS from Racetec saying I finished in 2:36 Seems, there is a 10 minutes issue/ delay with the results! Nice meeting you mecheng!

What kit will you be in bud?

What hill bud?

Catch you in the start pen bud! Keep a look out for the Dark Blue Liquid Telecom Esmero Kits.

Factor for me as 1st option. Then the Spez

Have not had an issue with my Look Keo pedals for 3 years running! I had a Shimano set before, not bad either. But I'd stay with the Look Keo's! Plenty options in this range.....

I fell lekker in the rain last week, not pleasant, Hope the rain stays away! But I will be there! Come rain or shine

Richard Baxter... You wont go wrong! I swear by this guy http://richardbaxter.co.za/ At Dunkeld cycles

AL at 6:55 Willing to prevent the carnage at the end and more than willing to work as per above!

Stunning bike!

LOL, Its not that bad, ok, maybe it is.... But looks awesome

And the Giant Propel?

Yeah, last years race in A was a tad Nervy, reckless & close! Being the first race in the year, lots of newbies with their upgraded seedings in A, plus the inclusion of the Juniors in the A Bunch made for a very nervy race right through. Being a "flat" course meant speeds were high & there will be obviously a few niggles, bike direction changes etc for the inexperienced which made for some nervy & funny moments. That dude who went off-roading & nearly flew into the barbed wire fence is a prime example. Then, main group heading into the finish at speeds over 50km/h at least 100 strong made for some nervy finishing. In the last km, plenty juniors with those limited gears started mixing it up with the lead guys, I was at least 10th wheel nearing the finish and before I knew it, i was 30th/40th wheel. Lots of guys swerving trying to get through but that's where I decided to just roll with the group. Huge crash on the left of me as a guy was forced into the barriers on the left and not sure how many followed suit. I was just glad I finished safely. The sounds of carbon cracking was terrible. Hope the juniors have a different starting slot. I'll be more than willing to join you mate!

I do my ROAD FTP test at the Sterkfontein climb close to the Cradle of Humankind! Awesome, linear and gradual climb! See here: https://www.strava.com/activities/277318827/segments/6496775094

Oh my word! The off-red Propel at the 94.7 Expo was a real head turner.. http://i67.tinypic.com/2evqnuo.jpg

Spot on bud, Was with the lead A bunch until we caught those other bunches. Got caught out pretty bad, from there it was waiting to hop on the next bunch.. Was alone for quite a while too... Note to myself: Alone on the M1 is BAD, Very BAD! Managed to catch the DL Choc Cows group with their Star Wars Theme on Jan Smuts. Nearly lost the group when my chain fell off on the fast descent in Randburg (Jan Smuts) Awesome bunch guys, joined in the front and stayed till Witkoppen where I latched onto the lead B and some A bunch guys! Was hoping for a Sub 2:50 and managed a 2:47 Lots of work to do to do a sub 2:40! Bring on 2018!

Cool mate , looking forward to seeing you!

Hi Neville, You are more than welcome to ride with our club.(Esmero Activate) on the Saturday morning. Close to Randburg, On the Corner of Gordon and Ontdekkers rd (Just off Gordon Road) Easy hour and abit and flattish route. PM me if interested