Scooterza

Quality answer! Nice! The other answers were logical but this is the kind of answer you get from someone who has clearly got experience!

Then probably best to buy from the local dude for support reasons?

Off topic. I would say most of us agree that driving in SA is risky and that many motorists are very poor. That's a separate topic. I have myself seen an accident caused by a cyclist going through a red robot that caused a motorist to swerve and clip another car. So it does happen. Of course there are many instances of cars colliding with a cyclist that deliberately went through a red light. Car 1 - Cyclist 0.

Yep - that's what happens when the rule of law isn't respected by all. Most people do still stop at a red robot but there are a reasonable number (a growing number) that don't. So as a person heading through an intersection with a green light, it is SENSIBLE to look left and right to ensure some *&^*&^ isn't going to shoot the light and T-Bone your car or bike and maim or kill you.

I drink Nescafe gold. SERIOUSLY better than Ricoffy and gulp...frisco! (Exits rapidly)

Shhhhhh! It's already getting crowded!

Zigackly! I also get pissed off when guys ride inconsiderately but really, it's gotta be a bit of give and take. They were visible (ok the one guy seems not to have a light) but you can go around guys like that really easily. I don't think it's that bad. OP - I totally get you so this is not a dig at you! I too can sometimes get annoyed with people who are inconsiderate. BUT I think it's one of those cases where you should just take a moment to reflect that life's too short and in the big scheme of things - is it so bad? If you get upset at every little "transgression" you end up so uptight. I learned to recognise this trait in me and just chose now to NOT let it bother me. Much happier!

Interesting! Does put it into perspective. Those guys are strong!

I have seen quite a bit of debate about group riding, wheelsuckers etc and people get quite uptight about this whole thing. As someone who is "self-taught" on many of these things, I thought I would do a bit of research on how to ride in groups, because as I see it, if you are in a group, the leader must pull over when he/she gets tired. But there seem to be some that think if you are in a group, you must "take" the lead - ie overtake and sit at the front every so often. Otherwise you are a wheelsucker !! This is how I have always understood it should work. Let's say you are in a bunch and are leading the group. You start to feel tired so you pull over out of the paceline and let the next person take the lead right? If you do this, unless the person behind you actually FOLLOWS your wheel, those behind you are forced to take a bit of time at the front? Surely this way you deal with wheelsuckers and everyone (or just about) in the group has a chance to take the front? It seems to me that some people seem to feel that if they are at the front and just ride and ride (and don't pull over) then those behind them are classified "wheelsuckers" which is nonsense as far as I am concerned. If the guy at the front is tired, MOVE OVER! If you don't move over, then you are: not tired superhuman unaware of how pacelines work. Please feel free to correct me - if I am mistaken in this I am happy to be educated. I found a few useful videos online that may be of benefit on this topic: Slip Streaming: http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_669562&feature=iv&index=9&list=UUlHHw5oDO4I-GfWmWNHC5gw&src_vid=O8vJsRrhM1c&v=AKQ9USiKcDE Rolling Turns/pacelines: http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_964056&feature=iv&index=1&list=UUlHHw5oDO4I-GfWmWNHC5gw&src_vid=O8vJsRrhM1c&v=t-3Gfh_Qsrc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S129pCsN-YU&feature=related Pros doing a classic paceline: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbqZCrqV_wE&feature=related Then just for laughs and those that take themselves a little too seriously http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJAsUHsmJAo&feature=player_detailpage

Apology accepted. Let's move on...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcasm

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!

Jeez, so this guy is not just making up the numbers either. He is winning! I am sure even in a "little" event, that still takes some serious going.

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??!