Scooterza

Yeah - that's what I said.

On a related matter, I have been looking out for a quality sharpening system. I have seen some online that clamp the knife in the vertical and you can then adjust the "stones" in or out to get the appropriate angle on the blade. You then stroke the stones back and forth along the edge to get it sharp. Anyone able to recommend a particular system that is not over the top expensive? I want to be able to sharpen pocket knifes to butchers knifes if possible. Seen this option: http://www.knifeworks.com/lanskyuniversalsharpeningsystem.aspx

Do you use toe straps? I used to (when I was a student and couldn't afford cleats) ride in rugby boots which had hard plastic soles that could take the beating from the pedals. Worked quite well but you wouldn't want to ride VERY technical stuff with boots on - getting them out was a mission!

Keh? How is my entering a race making it more dangerous for others?

Me personally - if I see you are riding behind me, I will ride in such a way as to make it easiest for you. I won't negatively impact my own ride but if riding on the left is safest for you and makes no difference to me, then I will ride on the left. That's how I ride. But perhaps I am not "hard" enough to make those fellow cyclists behind me suffer! Grrrrr!!

Guys, I feel we are missing the point a bit talking about "it's your choice" etc. Here is the point. We were riding CL. Not AL or pros or elites etc. There is only 1 reason to gutter and that is that you are trying to make those behind you suffer. Which I 100% understand if you are pushing for a top 10 finish. NOBODY in that group would have finished top 10 or even top 50. So why make others suffer more? By riding on the right, the NETT effect was that the group DID ride on or over the white line. I personally didn't cross the white line but saw many that did. I also saw motorists getting very irate with that kind of dangerous behaviour. Whilst I agree that it's a free world, the guy(s) at the front know that guttering has this impact and they did it anyway. Which in my opinion is not a decent way to ride. Had I dropped off the back and tried to start my own group, I probably would have been left to ride solo for several k's. There is no guarantee that the next group wouldn't have been guttering too. So, not a very compelling idea. Better to hang in there. Clearly some here won't agree with me but I think that using pro tactics when you are a plodder CL rider (which I most definitely am) is pathetic.

Where you on the black Scott Full Suss MTB with a black top on? If so, respect! You were a machine!

Yep, when guys get silly as I saw happening yesterday, I tend to agree with you. But I like both!

Which is precisely what happens when the leaders ride on the RHS. I agree nobody is forcing riders to cross the middle line but that's what happens doesn't it?!

Let's flip this argument. For the guys that were at the front, what negative impact would they have had if they had ridden on the left hand side of the road? I understand that they might have had a few of the wheelsuckers blow past them at the finish. (Which is not cool - I agree.) But really, they would not have lost out on prize money or sponsorship or anything. And furthermore, I consider riding in a bunch as part of the skills required to be a good cyclist. If this gives you a better time, that's part of cycling. Do I consider a ride where I rode solo more worthy than one where I ride in a bunch? No! Actually finding and staying with a decent bunch is a strategy I use every time. Does it make me a cheat? I don't think so. If I don't take the lead does that make me weak? Well, as I argued above, in my opinion that makes the guys at the front silly. They should "force" the wheelsuckers to the front for a period so that they are too tired to have a late surge. I am 100% happy to take the lead and regularly do so. I am very happy if that makes it easier for my fellow cyclists.

Fandacious - read what I said. Racing properly surely doesn't extend to endangering the lives of other cyclists and seriously pissing off motorists with crazy riding?

Guys, this is my argument to people who moan about wheel suckers. Firstly, my view is, I am VERY happy to do my part. But I will ride behind someone and when they are tired, THEY must move over and move to the back. I will then take the lead and do my part and I will give it my all until I am feeling the impact and I will then drop off. If a guy decides to ride at the front for 30km, that's his decision. Am I mistaken? Must I push my way to the front so I can take a turn? Surely not?

Better? At what? I don't follow what long term benefit guttering will give you. When you are in AL or one of the elite groups - sure. But CL??!

See my comment above. Don't think I have any divine rights at all. My point is, when you are in CL: Ride hard - absolutely. Give 110% - for sure. Use tactics that are dangerous - not cool. As for swearing...dog gone it. I am sorry to have offended.

I am happy to work at the front if I can get there and there were times yesterday when I did take the lead (not in that particular group as I had basically blown a gasket by then). The thing is though, they were literally endangering people's lives because the riders were strung out and riding in the oncoming lane. I can 100% understand if you are pushing for a place but I finished with that group in position 480 so nobody could argue that they were trying to win any prizes! So why get all "tactical" when you are basically just trying to finish in your own PERSONAL best time.

Ahhh - found more about it: https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/22412-what-is-guttering/page__hl__guttering__fromsearch__1 So from what I can see, the guys at the front of the bunch where basically wannabe TDF team cyclists finishing in just under 4 hours in positions 455 through 473. WOW! So WANNABE pros and actually are P*(&(SES!

What's the point?

At around the 60km mark I noticed my bike was making a chattering noise. I looked at my front brakes and saw nothing but the noise continued and got worse (I thought it was another bike but later when I was a little more isolated the noise continued so knew it was my bike). I had GOOD look and there stuck between my fork and the callipers was a decent sized pebble! It wasn't tight (hence the chattering) but I decided that it was time to stop before the thing jammed in there and I went flying! The mud must have carried it up and into my fork. I had to take out my wheel to get it out! Get out of jail for me though. Just a question though for those that are more experienced! I was in a mostly CL group. The group leaders seemed intent on riding towards the right of the road, which meant those trying to slipstream out of that wind ended up RIGHT on and even over the middle of the road. My question is, why did they do that? It just made the bunch ride further out and in harm's way. As far as I am concerned, if people want to slipstream me, be my guest (I didn't have the legs yesterday to lead for long.). I can only think they were trying to reduce the advantage that the bunch would get? But perhaps there is a more reasonable answer?

Wow - hectic techy talk and from a girl nogal! Very impressive!

That video is madness! Amazing! Wow!

You can also try http://www.whitewatertraining.co.za/ Based in Parys - do regular trips down the Vaal. From what I know, the vaal is pretty poor most of the time but when the water's up! Watchout! There are other rivers too of course. The Ash River (Clarens area) gets its water from the Lesotho Highlands water scheme so water is COLD but always pumping. Also consider joining ESSA - www.explorationsociety.org/ - cool people and usually going on a trip somewhere. They have done some epic stuff too.

Or is it with me!?

Nobody keen to hit the cradle? I kaant beleef it!

Wow - was just thinking of posting on this very topic! If you have been reading the post on keeping the wife happy, you will know that trying to ride at times that don't cause a major life disruption is attractive and so I have been toying with the idea of riding from Broadacres (or maybe Fourways Mall to avoid the traffic on Cedar on the way back) out to the Cradle. Just did a ride this weekend on my own at 25km/hr - I won't manage 33km/hr. I would like to work my way up towards the 30ish mark. I was thinking to start riding at 5am or so and do just over 2 hours. That should give you around 60km. The route I did last weekend was 65km (Broadacres, Toadbury Hall, Lion and Rhino park, then past Kloofzicht, past Avianto, past Carnivores and along Beyers back again). I would be keen to go with others in my fitness range if for no other reason than companionship but of course also safety. My ideal day is Thursday but can be flexible if necessary.

What's good to see is that this is clearly a topic that causes many of us issues. Cycling is a very demanding sport in terms of time and by and large is done during daylight hours, often on weekends - ie prime family time! Some good suggestions though - made me take a bit of a look at myself in terms of my behaviour and if I am being fair to my wife. Do sometimes feel the urge to just go riding without having to arrange, diarise, organise etc. But hey, you cannot have it all and I wouldn't change where I am so I will make that effort.