BigDL

That's as rational as the argument that says, because my mother smoked in the car when I was small and I turned out ok, then it's fine for me to smoke in the car with my children there.

Poor form not getting a reply to the SMS. What if someone is allergic to something and having a reaction and they don't bother to reply. Why put the number on the board with the medical message. Absolute nonsense

Is it just me, or is the website not set up for the 2014 event yet?

Following some good advice I changed from the 30 to the 10k to ride with my boy for his first ever event. Unfortunately, we started about 30 seconds behind the last of the 10k group, so had some delays in progress on the single track, but stayed relaxed and enjoyed it. The look on my boys face when he got given his medal at the end was worth sitting at the back and all the delays. Really good day

Excuse my ignorance, but what's wrong with bar ends. Have never had them but was considering getting them.

Fantastic - many Thanks. i appreciate the responses. Cheers

So, I have entered for my first ever MTB event. i have entered the 30km event so hopefully, will muddle through ok. However, my 11 (almost 12) year old son wants to enter as well, and I am really struggling to get some real info as to what event he should compete in. There is a 10km event, which, distance wise, is well within his ability, and there is a kids event, however i don't know what the criteria are for that. He has Mountain biked with me in Scotland, Ireland and England, although never in a large group or competitive environment. Whilst he is cpable of 10km's (we did 15 together on Saturday afternoon at BRB with no issues), he has absolutely no idea of race etiquette, what to expect and how to react to any aggression from other riders i.r.o. pathways etc. From some of the stuff that I have read on the Hub, it can get quite aggro out there. I am also quite nervous about my first experience , but at 6 foot 4 and 95 kg's, I am less stressed about someone swearing at me and more thick skinned than a kid on his first event. so, a question to those with experience. Should he enter the 10km or the kids race? Will he be ok by himself or would you advise me changing to the shorter event in order that we can do the event together and perhaps make his intro to the sport as gentle as possible. Any help much appreciated.

There is also an issue at bike parks that allow trail runners on the cycle tracks e.g. Big Red Barn. I can imagine some real risk bombing around a corner at speed and there is a runner on the trail just in front of you. Maybe I'm just highlighting a non issue, but ended up connecting a tree in June in Ireland when I came around a corner on a steep downhill at speed and found some hikers on the cycle only track. As one of them was a kid, I shudder to think of the consequences if I had stayed on the path.

Thanks

Unbelievable. WTF? Glad you're ok

See it every weekend around Centurion. Almost got cancelled a few weeks back coming down the hill into midstream on my bike at a fair speed and two guys on road bikes came straight through the red lights without even looking. Funny thing is, when a motorist jumps a red light or stop street or doesn't pass a cyclist correctly, then the self same okes get all excited about it. As I have said before, every South African seems to think that the law should apply to everyone except him or her self.

My son cycles to school every day, which was part of the reason that we chose to live where we do (Midstream). However, due to the way some of the parents drive at the school, with little regard for cyclists or pedestrians or, in some cases, verges and pavements, he has strict guidelines for what to do when he gets near the school gates I.e. Get off and push.

Estcourt to Greytown via Weenen would be a helleva special race. Mountains, bush and some in incredible climbs.

Quality. Thanks

What is the safety like on the karkloof trails in the evenings?

Awesome. Thanks for the advice. Might take you up on the storage offer.

Guys From Jan I will be in CT and PMB pretty much every week. I am keen to leave a MTB in each location or to look at a regular rental, in order to get some training in whilst away from home. If anyone could suggest any routes and also any permissions I may need to get in those two areas, I would be very appreciative. Happy to stay in b&b's a bit out of town if this facilitates riding in the evenings.

Great topic. Thought provoking. My goals 2014: To ride a trail at least once a week with my kids. Sub 3.30 94.7 (or to finish with my 12 yr old son if he decides to do it) 4 MTB races. Been too shy to try one so far. Join a club and ride with other people for a change 10,000 road km's Sani Epic

My first 94.7. Couldn't stop smiling the whole way around. Loved riding the M1 where I normally sit in traffic every morning. Loved riding through the city, just slowed down because of the pedestrians. Loved the N14 because of the supporters along the way. Could probably have found some stuff to criticize but was enjoying the whole experience too much. What a pleasure

I did it when I was twenty eight, best thing I ever did. Came back 14 years later. Saw the world, gained real first world experience, realized that there was more to the world than our little corner. If you are good at what you do, you will find a job when you get back. If you can't, then start a business, but never allow fear to keep you tied down.

First road race. 4.12, although stopped to assist after a real bad accident, so probably lost 10 minutes there. Took it easy and enjoyed the whole thing. What a fantastic day. The crowds were fantastic and nobody wasn't ready to help at every opportunity. It's been many years since I had pretty ladies rubbing sun lotion on to my neck and face.

I almost got cancelled on Saturday morning on my bicycle by two cyclists who skipped a red light as I was coming down the hill into Midstream. They didn't even look before they jumped the light as far as I could see.

Ha. Read this this morning and spent the next two hours riding and mentally wincing every time I hit a bump.

Seems typical of a lot of South Africans at the moment. We seem to think the rules are meant for everyone else to follow, not us.

First foray through Centurion on the road bike this morning. Fair to say that the Old Joburg road takes some courage and blind faith.