TimW

I'm no expert in training, but reading the links, it seems to me this theory is based on research in the 1970s and 1980s (when I think LSD training was the rage for road running). For me that raises two issues: Firstly the theories are outdated. Since then speed work has been proven to be much more effective in just about every endurance sport. Secondly: I do not think running and cycling training should be the same ... there are similarities, but think about how you ride a race and run a race. Running involves pretty much the best constant pace you can hold for as long as the race lasts -- hills alter effort, but generally the aim is to run at 5 mins a km for 42km (or whatever). Cycling is more a case of getting into a bunch and holding it (road) which invloves accelerations and resting or (for MTB) a series of big efforts up hills. In other words a series of speed/effort changes. LSD training is not going to help much there. PS: I am not saying there is not place for some LSD / recovery riding, but riding for 15hours a week at the same pace every day will surely make you a fit but slow rider.

Press release from Gameplan Media All systems go for 2012 MTB World Cup Pietermaritzburg – With the RockyRoads UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Pietermaritzburg at the Cascades MTB park less than two months away, officials are on track to complete renovations to the world-famous facility well in time to be able to welcome the world's best downhill and cross-country riders. The event has major significance for two reasons. Being an Olympic year, the world's top cross country riders are eager to get in as much top-level competition as part of their preparations for the 2012 London Games. This, together with the Cascades MTB Park having been confirmed as the venue for the 2013 World Championships, the 2012 World Cup will also be a prized opportunity to compete at the highest level and become familiar with the layouts that will decide the world crowns next year. Event organiser Alec Lenferna is confident that preparations are ahead of schedule and has a top-class team on board to handle every aspect of the event's infrastructure. "The World Cup 2011 was a great event and we came away from that event with ideas of how to better the set-up, both for the riders and the spectators," said Lenferna. "Those plans for changes and improvement are in an advanced stage and we look forward to offering an even better event from 16 to 18 March this year." "We also view this as a dress rehearsal for the World Champs next year, and we want to dot all the Is and cross all the Ts!" he added. The Cascades MTB Park is one of only three international standard venues that can host both the downhill and cross country disciplines at the same venue, and the experts in charge of both of those courses have plans to boldly upgrade the tracks for the World Cup. “Everything is all set and looking good at the moment. It’s likely that there will be some fairly extensive changes to the course this year which we’re very excited about but we’re just awaiting final approval from the UCI before we get going with things in a week or two’s time,” said Cross Country course designer Nick Floros. “The UCI have requested that the two feed zones are closer together this time which will see things becoming a little harder for the riders and suiting the climbers a little more but from a spectator’s point of view it will be great because there will be a whole lot more action taking place right in front of them all the time,” he added. Meanwhile Downhill course designer Nigel Hicks is focusing his efforts on making subtle track changes in an attempt to make the talked-about mid-section of the course a touch less physically demanding. “There isn’t too much happening on the Downhill front just yet but we’ve got a couple of subtle changes planned, especially for the pedally middle section, which will hopefully will improve the flow through there and make this stretch a little shorter time wise,” said Hicks. “We’re also going to be putting down granite overburden on most of the track which will make a massive difference when it rains,” he added. “Everything should be underway fairly soon and we'll have two opportunities to test things out just beforehand and check everything is in place for the World Cup.” The RockyRoads UCI MTB World Cup Pietermaritzburg takes place at the Cascades MTB Park from 16 to 18 March 2012. More information can be found at www.mtbworldcupsa.co.za

What a tiebreak 6-1 Fed looks out of it 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-5 7-5 Whew!!! Lots of Spanish sighs of relief there ... Nadal now 2-1 up in sets.

Ace -- 6-6 -- tiebreak. Fed is better in a tiebreak and has the bigger serve .... but I'm not betting. Anybody following this?

Ad Fed

Deuce ...

Another netcord Nadal challenges and ball is 1mm out according to Hawkeye. 30-40 ... set point to Nadal

Nadal 6-5 -- Fed hit netcord three times in that match and all bounced back on his side. Graphic showing where they are hitting the points -- Nadal much further back probably average of about more than a metre.

Fed is moving nadal around incredibly ... interesting to see where they are taking the ball -- Nadal much deeper bedind the baseline. 15-30 chance for a break ???? 30-30 aarghhhh --- GO FED

5-5 ... great game by Fed

Nadal holds 5-4 ... three (or one if Nadal breaks??) massive games coming up. Too many unforced errors from Fed

two break pts for Nadal ... Nadal is back 4-4

Federer breaks -- 4-3 up in the third. 1-1 in sets. Some great tennis -- get to a TV if you can. Commentators talked earlier about Ali v Frazier and this is the equivalent

Just had a mental picture of somebody trying to prepare to pee on their own hand while wearing bib shorts, while one hand is frozen to a bomb which is also frozen onto a wheel !!!!!

Sani Pass in red and compared to a few other climbs which some people may know. Sani is a serious climb !!!!

Ridden up once ... I am pretty certain you need a passport at the SA Border post and Lesotho Border Post (we did). I guess it is obvious to say that it is a very tough climb so make sure you have your climbing legs. If you are there with your family you may want to klet them take a tour to the top while you ride and then meet at the Highest pub in Africa. If you are feeling strong the next climb (Black Mountain -- starts few kms after Sani) adds to the experience and fatigue. As far as I have heard there is some good riding in Underberg area with a few MTB friendly farmers and I think there are some official bike trails but not sure who and where they are.

Me too ... much faster

Are you happy for me to add some newspaper editorial advertising in the Independent on Saturday tomorrow? Need to know like, now, as I am writing it now. This means there is no turning back because it is then in the public forum. It will be known as the "Durban Hubbers Charity Ride" with the above details.

Obviously not "today's" Tour stage ... think it was from 2009 Tour.

I thought Chappies was not a hill ... my MTB mates in Cape Town say it is merely a pimple and The Mast is a real hill !!!

Specifically for the guys who litter in races ... before you drop the wrapper please think of the following: 1) Do you want to do the race again? Litter IS causing landowners to stop giving races access to their land. Race organisers are facing more and more problems getting access to land for races so this is not an idle threat. 2) Do you want to pay more for races? Because of 1 above, clearing the track after a race has become an essential part of organising. Not only do race organisers have to clear the route markings, they have to go over the entire course and collect litter. This involves people and time and that means money, which eventually ends up being recovered from entry fees!!!! Less litter, less people clearing track after an event, less entry fees.

This started as an indignant post about an idiot breaking the law by parking in a cycle lane. Then became an indignant post about cops catching people who break the law in their cars. ... does anybody else see the irony in that?

Thule is fantastic - I had a holdfast rack and after scratching my frame once too often I got a Thule and it is without doubt one of the best cycling "extras" I have ever had. As an added bonus Thule are also very good at supporting cycling with sponsorships and lucky draws, so I think it is good to support the guys who support cycling.

Check out this link ... don't worry about the Hansie investigation being reopened, look at the ad (I hope it stays at the top of the page for everybody!!) http://sport.iafrica.com/cricket/news/763633.html Other than the fact the ad is (to me as a cyclist) in very bad taste, check out the two cranks on the bike -- this must be as bad a design as the copy in the ad itself. And then once you have clicked on the link to go to the main ad -- "You die we pay" ????????? ... FFS, I guess that is telling it like it is. Am I the only one who wants to boycott this company for an ad in bad taste.

I'm going to chill at the Wild Coast for a couple of weeks in December (staying at a private cottage about halfway between The Haven and Hole in the Wall). Anybody know any good rides in the area. I will explore once I am there and know I will find some great riding, but if anybody knows the area and has some good rides already on GPS it will save time and make sure I find the good riding from day one. Cheers