Scooterza

Do NOT spray doom or any other kind of insecticide on your clothing or skin. My brother and father walked through a nest of pepper ticks a few years back and decided to DOOM THEM by spraying their legs! Bad mistake. After about 45 minutes they were both feeling very sorry for themselves. That stuff is nasty.

I am heading there on 16 Dec. Looking forward to some single track fun!

Hmmm - there is a bike shop in Howick that would be a good place to start finding out more. Google it but if you don't find any info online, drop me a message and I will get the shop's details. My dad lives there and we ride in the forest regularly. He had to get a license though I ride infrequently so haven't bothered myself. If you go down to Karkloof falls, there are a few awesome paths that have been created. But the entire area has loads of single track and bridges etc built to allow you to get in some amazing riding.

I bought a frame 2nd hand and discovered that the hanger had been stripped. It was an old frame that didn't have the removable hanger! Because it was old I wasn't OVERLY concerned about the aesthetics but the helicoil worked absolutely perfectly. Sold it about 3 years later having had no problems. I got a local engineering firm to install the helicoil.

Have a look at SPLAT's comments - there is an insinuation of racism and sexism there.

I don't get it guys. How has this turned into a race issue AGAIN? Cycling Major has given us a description of the person. She was: * Coloured (ie not white or black or indian) * A woman (ie not a man) * Wearing an MTN Business kit (Yellow kit presumably) * Was in R group If I had also seen this person and noticed her dangerous actions, the above description would have allowed me to concur. So take your comments indicating that Cycling Major is a racist and sexist somewhere else. I don't know CM from a bar of soap but people read things that just aren't there. Some of you would have seen my posts about my friend who was knocked off his bike by someone not holding their line during Sunday's race. He has broken the neck of his femur and stands a good chance of having to have a hip replacement at worst or 6 months rehab and recovery at best. And just because one total idiot doesn't know how to ride in a bunch. I too noticed a cyclist wearing a blue top weaving in and out of the bunch with no regard for her fellow cyclists yesterday and in fact did something I usually detest - I shouted to her to hold her line. Because she was a HAZARD to all the cyclists around us. Yes, she was a woman, and she was white. So what?!? Does this make me a sexist? If you are acting like an idiot, your sex or your skin colour has no bearing.

OK WOW! That is SERIOUSLY decent of her. Moment of self introspection on my part since there is NO WAY IN HELL I would ever do that for a stranger.

HIJACK ON:I read so often about how sour road cyclists and friendly MTB'ers and I think there is probably an element of truth there. Let's face it, you have 2 guys - one laid back and the other aggressive. You would put money on it that the aggressive guy would be attracted to the pace and intensity of road cycling whereas the laid back one would prefer the more relaxed MTB vibe. (Obviously a generalisation so extinguish your flames). But I must say that as someone who does both, when I am road cycling, I have a different mind set. I am in "speed mode" with the intention of getting to the line. I am concentrating and not interested in having a long chat with anyone - sure a few words but not a chat. And I don't want to wave to anyone because I am in a bunch and I don't want to take my hands off the bars just to appear friendly and cause a pile up. HIJACK OFF But well done to Mandibles for stopping to help another. If I was training I would DEFINITELY stop but on a ride like the 94.7 with a goal of doing it in a certain time, unless I felt the person was in trouble I wouldn't. You should always have the tools to fix your own puncture and if you don't - well then you suffer the consequences. This is not a dig at Dangle who did have the tools.

Yes - raised over R3 million already and the donation boxes are still open for further donations. As a CHOC cow I got a lot of support on the ride yesterday so thanks to riders and spectators for that.

Oh my elbow! That is just amazing and wasn't it beautifully filmed too - a work of art from a filming point of view never mind the jaw dropping stunts the guy pulls. I just love that stuff and this weekend saw a guy doing similar riding on Sunday at Teak Place but obviously Danny is in his own league. I am in awe! Total freak with his skills.

Hi Folks I have been asked to post the following account of an attempted bike jacking that happened to Julian Damstra recently: I am fortunate to be alive after yet another hijacking incidence I have had the misfortune to be caught up in. I was riding at Northern Farm on Sunday afternoon and one of two thugs tried to shot me but the pistol must have jammed or something. I was riding anticlockwise around the farm (route marked in yellow). I crossed the Fish Eagle Dam wall and was crossing the spill way (marked by a blue flag). At the last moment I had decided to bomb through the water when two guys jumped out from the reeds in the spill way. I saw a gun and heard a “click”. These guys did not shout or run after me. I sped away as fast as I could not knowing if they would shoot again. What was fortunate for me was that they did not stand in the path and stop me directly with their pistol, thank God. A number of years ago I was attacked next to the Lion Park by a “organised gang”. They had one guy ahead on the path who stopped our 1st rider with a gun. When the rest of us turned (three bikes) two guys jumped out from their hiding place next to the path, a number of meters before the guy with the gun. They pulled two riders off their bikes behind me. I was fortunate to be the one to keep my then very cheap (est) Avalanche MTB. This last Sunday it felt as if they just wanted to kill me for my bike. They did not seem to have any other accomplices ahead of me unless I choose a route they did not expect. I am sickened by the thought of the shear cold bloodedness of the attack. By the time I reached the subway at the car park my chain broke! I am very encouraged by all the support I have received from the biking community and others. Thank you. Learnings: ensure your bike is insured, register on eBlockwatch and carry some form of self defence (pepper spray) just in case you do have a chance to fight back (seriously not recommended).

Mountain bike (particularly cheap mountain bike) and triathlons sounds like a bad combination. Wouldn't it be better to get a cheap road bike if you plan on doing triathlons?

So what did you do?

Eh?!! Do you mean like a full lube and oil change?!

Wow - yes I have to agree that is quite a candid admission for a public forum. How often does he give it to you and do you always using milking salve? Does he demand that you produce x litres before he stops?

In my view, I don't want to be with someone unless they are there by their own choice. If you deny her, you will plant a little seed in her mind where she will just think about what it would have been like and if only she could have been in the video etc. If you let her go ahead, and you lose her, she was never yours. If she goes ahead and does it and nothing happens between her and the ex, then she will appreciate your self confidence. BUT I would not stand for any romantic scenes of simulated rumpy pumpy or full on kissing etc. That is off sides and if she asked for your permission to do that, I think you would be justified in feeling like she is not being fair to you.

Or a FIAT - Fix it again tony!

Wow! That must be hard to push around. Why don't you upgrade to a large log?

Uhm ladies, please put away the handbags! Wow!

Hi all Hopefully someone can tell me who I need to speak with. I live in Randburg and my wife and I are looking at ways to extend our home. We are thinking about building a 2nd storey on our property. We see a neighbour has done this so presumably there are no building restrictions preventing us from doing that. My question is, who do we need to speak with about if the home can handle a 2nd storey from a structural point of view? Do we speak to a structural engineer? And can anyone suggest someone? Thanks

Ok - now I want to but am scared of what I will find - I am in an open plan office! What is a blue waffle?

I have a double cab and what I do is to put my bike in diagonally, standing upright. The diagonal length gives me enough room that I needn't take off a wheel. I then use one of those clickety click strap thing, take it from the right rear corner (just behind the cab), up and around the seatpost a few times (must trap the strap so the bike doesn't move left and right) and then down the the left rear corner. Then I tighten a few clicks and bob's your cousin. Bike stays upright, can leave both wheels on, and takes a while to steal (ok maybe 30 seconds but at least it takes 30 seconds!) Also the bike is low enough to fit under low things - my double cab is pretty high and I would definitely wipe my bike out if it was higher - I never remember that I have it there!

Here is the article from the Natal Witness: Woman racing cyclist dies after being hit by car 11 Oct 2010 Thobani Ngqulunga A WOMAN cyclist died after she was struck by a car while competing in the Time Freight Midmar Notts Road Race yesterday. Vanessa Jackson of ER24 said Alice Knight (54) of the greater Durban area was knocked off her bicycle as she turned into the Midmar Dam entrance and sustained multiple fatal injuries. Jackson said a Toyota Avanza cut in front of Knight on the R103 at the entrance to the dam, knocking her down with “extensive force”. “The event paramedics rushed to the woman’s aid, who had suffered extensive trauma throughout her body. They immediately started CPR on her, and an off-duty ER24 advanced life support paramedic who was in the vicinity at the time took over the scene. “They did everything that they could, resuscitating the woman for almost an hour, but her injuries were too severe, and she was declared deceased at the scene,” said Jackson. She said cyclists who witnessed the incident also stopped to offer help and support. Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joey Jeevan confirmed the incident. “Alice Knight was knocked down by a 38-year-old female who does not have a driver’s licence.” She said that although the woman was not arrested, she has been charged with culpable homicide and for driving without a licence. “At this stage circumstances surrounding the incident are still being investigated and the woman will appear in court shortly,” said Jeevan. Members of the Burg Wheelers Cycling Club, who organised the event, were not prepared to speak to the media, saying they needed to consult Knight’s next of kin before making a statement.

Hectic in Hekpoort

Argghhh - I had typed a good long explanation but lost it when my laptop suddenly died. So in summary: Your maximum and minimum shift screws on your dérailleur need to be adjusted. This limits how far "inwards" your dérailleur can move and prevents just such a thing from happening. Google "adjust rear dérailleur" for full details. One of your spokes is bent and/or your rim is flexing, enough to cause your dérailleur to catch a spoke. Perhaps on a bike clamp, when there is no stress on your rear wheel, this doesn't happen but once you are on the bike, the weight causes a fractional movement of the rear wheel relative to the dérailleur - enough that the dérailleur can get hit by a spoke.