Blackheart

I'm sure I've shared this before here. A while back I was cruising along one of the higher/flatter sections in Tokai, just chilling, contemplating life and generally not concentrating after a big effort on the long uphill drag, just pounding out a good tempo effort. I noticed a different colour on the path. It was a young snake heading across, his head was almost off the path, but his tail was almost under my front wheel. I avoided running him over as a pure reflex, as I turned to check him out I saw he'd turned and his little black hood was out. He made a decent strike, not sure if it was accurately aimed at anything, but I saw a flash of black and green towards the back tyre. I think a combination of my speed, his suprise and the fact that he had to turn meant that he was always going to miss. But still, I think we both kakked ourselves. It did get me thinking though. I ride almost always alone and sometimes in places far more remote than Tokai. What happens if he connects? Do I cruise back down the hill as calmly yet as quickly as I can and get help, or do I sit/lie down and hope someone finds me, which could take hours? Pic is off the interent, I googled 'greenish snake with black hood' and this is what came up. Could be his twin.

Where do you get those takkies with the built in snake pole?

Overtaking has always been tricky there (if you have no patience), and there's been a couple of near fistfights over the years. I've done 6 of these and I don't think that adding in another layer of speed, skill and fatigue differential is a great idea.

You have no legal obligation to reveal your medical status, current or historic. The prospective employer has no legal right to ask either. The only pertinent questions allowed are whether you are capable of carrying out the tasks required to fulfil your job description. There are only 3 things which you must disclose: Past transgressions which would affect your potential employment relationship; Alcoholism; Past dismissal for gross negligence. There is more info here, hope it helps. https://www.cancersa.org.au/information/a-z-index/employment-and-cancer#I%20am%20applying%20for%20a%20new%20job

I've mentioned it before. My specialist told me he could make only one promise if I chose to fight. He said "I cannot promise that if you fight, you live. But I can promise that if you don't fight, you die".

I've been chatting to Cois privately and I just wanted to share this. It's always tricky and I'm often reluctant because I don't want to come across as preachy, or as having any answers, or claiming to know some secret.... But if this helps anyone out there who is struggling with any kind of issue, not just a horrible diagnosis, but could be any number of trials which get thrown our way as human beings in a less than perfect world. Today - 29th October marks the 20th anniversary of my initial diagnosis, where I was told bluntly that I had 2 weeks left. I was/am one of the lucky ones for sure. I have done so much in the past 20 years. I have tasted and experienced life to its absolute fullest. That includes more tough times as well, no mistake, but I feel fortunate to have been able to experience those too. I have no message, no "this is how you do it" sermon. All I have to offer is that there is hope, but no guarantee. A future, but no time scale. If I was lucky, maybe anyone can be too. I apologise if this upsets anyone who has lost, or is experiencing tragedy, or truly has no hope. It's so difficult to try to be inspirational in an often cruel world. I just wanted to relate my own journey (so far).

i'm up for going through that Woodstock cycle lane at night a few times in a group and luring out an altercation and beating the **** out off anything and everything that doesn't say City of Cape town on it.

The essence of this is that while you have every right to safety and every right to defend yourself, and your loved ones (and I have been there, and delivered appropriate and awful violence), as soon as you begin advocating roaming neighbourhoods with like minded people, with the intention of delivering violence on a group you purely don't like the look of, then you begin to resemble something history has shown time and again to be wrong. As for the quote, how you interpret it as an individual is up to you.

For those not familiar: The QuotationNiemöller is perhaps best remembered for the quotation1 : First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Absolutely agree with having a right to safety, and the right to defend oneself (those who know me will know..), and we should have adequate policing for all. But there is a dangerous and slippery slope when we start grouping, naming and deciding the punishment for those worthy of our retribution. Martin Niemoller's quote is a reminder.

I never got on with a full camelbak, sweaty, moves around as it gets lighter. After much trial and error I landed on this for my longer rides (which assumes 5 hours plus). 1 Bottle (big Camelbak Podium Chill in a cage on the bike with whatever go juice in it). 1 Tool bottle with all the tools in on the lowest cage. Camelbak Race Vest with water, and maybe an electrolyte tab in it. Pros to the Race Vest: No pressure points. Will not move as it get lighter. Acts as a base layer. The lovely feeling when some kind helper fills it with cold water on a hot day. No storage. Cons to the race vest: When it's full you look like Quasimodo. It is a real pain to re fill if there are no kind helpers around No storage. I've found that combo works best for me on longer rides. Anything under 5 hours and it's 2 bottles and tools in pockets.

Glad you enjoyed your stay in Rooiberg. It's a great out of the way spot, good for the soul. ChrisF - There are a few trails around there, maps available at the bike shop and the winery. My favourite is from the winery to Saggy Stone Brewery and Restaurant, it's well marked but real wild riding. I've seen Honey Badger and Porcupine out there, plus fresh Leopard prints. It's even better if you have non riding friends or family who can meet you at Saggy Stone for a few beers (go for the tasting paddle if you haven't been there before) and lunch. Otherwise it's about a 50k round trip, and a good workout.

It was a brand new Fox 36 160mm....

Of course there are amazing Doctors and Nurses, in fact most are. We were just relating our own personal experiences of how we were informed of our situations in one instance, nobody mentioned anything about all medicos being inhuman/insensitive/incompetent. So not sure that calling for 'balance' was really necessary. I can relate many personal tales of encounters and experiences with the most caring and committed people I've ever met, and when the context arrives on Cois' thread and if I feel inclined, I'll share those too.

Hey Chris It's a real cruel bastard this cancer (I never spell it with a big c, it doesn't deserve the capitalisation). But there are so many ways to look at that particular situation. One is that (assuming the worst) at least those two souls, mother and daughter knew what it was like to know and love one another. At the time of my diagnosis I was married but with no children. One of the things which angered me the most was that I would die having never known what it is to be a Father and love a child, and feel that child's love back. When I was told during my treatment that due to the surgery, the chemo and especially the radiation that it would be impossible to ever have children, I was properly broken for a while. I now have 2 little miracles (11 and 6) who are healthy and happy, and no one can explain how that could possibly happen. But that might be a story for another time and place.

"the ass hole doctor scared the crap out of her by telling her first of my diagnosis and with 0 tact and in a full waiting room. So the other patients knew even before I knew!" Yes, they are not generally the most sensitive. ​My first Surgeon looked me in the eye and his first words were : "I hope you don't have a wife or children" ​In shock I asked him "Why?" "Because you'll be dead in 2 weeks" I fired him on the spot and found the guy who saved my life.

No spleen means a higher risk of infections, especially in the first couple of years. After that according to what I've been told is that other organs adopt certain roles, such as the liver. I just have to be careful about keeping cuts clean and being aware of my body and how it feels when it's unhappy. I keep my immune system healthy and I have not let any of this stop me from doing anything, so I have made it my lifes mission to be healthy and happy. I've had no issues regarding being spleenily challenged. There are other consequences of the whole thing that have been far worse.

When cutting a fork steerer tube down - measure the length WITH the stem on..... And this I didn't do when working in a bike shop building up a customers brand new bike.

For me, urine and stool showed nothing. Not sure if bloods will ID exactly what type of cancer it is but I think can now pick up anomalies which need to be investigated. By the time I got to the surgeon my tumour was the size of a grapefruit and was actually visibly pushing the abs out. they didn't even need to put a dye in for the scan, so we were well past microscopic detection and into the rubber gloves department. My experience was 20 years ago though, so I'm sure early detection has moved on.

I went through exactly this. 4 months of mis diagnosis, lets treat for IBS, lets see if its Giardia, Ulcer? Because I was a 34 year old male with a resting HR of 52 and a fat % in single figures, who'd never smoked and exercised 15 hours a week the GP never thought to think beyond their normal checklist. She did eventually pick up that I'd lost 20kg in the last month, only then did she refer me straight to a surgeon and in to theatre the next day. This simplistic numbers based approach cost me half a colon, a spleen, a permanently damaged liver, destroyed abdominal muscle and nerves, 6 months of chemo, 2 flatlines, 31 days of consecutive huge dose radiation treatment and a 3 year recovery period. If you are concerned about the healthcare you are receiving in any way - get a second, third, fourth opinion - whatever it takes.

One of the positives about being put through the ringer like this (apart from it saving your life) is that it pretty much prepares you for anything that comes your way later. I've found I have a much more balanced perspective on life's tests post cancer.

So they found one then?

I got a set of Curas for my new build and couldn't be happier. I'm a long time user and fan of Hope, and my last 3 builds have had them and I said I'd never use anything else. The Curas came up at a good price and I thought I'd give them a try. Really good - powerful with great feel and modulation and they use mineral oil which is a bonus for me. Apparently they are the only 2 piston calliper on the WC DH circuit.

During my treatment, after chemo I would often be taken to recover in a room next to the kids section. A few used to come and chat to me, to cheer me up and make me laugh. These were kids who were in for the long haul, wheeling their multiple drip trolleys around and being so much braver than I ever was. I used to think to myself "Well If I've got this, it means some kid somewhere hasn't, and that's cool by me". Every so often there was one brave little soul, who'd fought harder than I could, not around anymore. Towards the end of my chemo I asked to please be taken somewhere else to recover as I couldn't deal with it anymore.

Hi It's a kick in the balls for sure, but there's bound to be setbacks, and that's what it is - a setback. Time to re group and keep fighting. If you have lost faith in your Oncologist, by all means change, that's your prerogative and if you feel he's not fully behind you then probably a good idea. A change in treatment is not uncommon at all. I had 3 variations which were tailored as I responded. It's OK too, to be a bit down and disappointed, just try and leave that when it's time is over, then look ahead with a clear focus. I know that's easy to say from this side, but I've been where you are now and I know you can do it. Sending you power and prayers.