Trubie

I am confsed as to which is the right direction , if its a one way inside the reserve. When we start at the Hotel parking area, we turn left (the gate would be towards the right then), to start the very first ascend. There we turn left, and first left again, continue with that road until we cross the entrance road on the other side - where you also enter during race 4 victory (kareekloof side), - past the boom, and eventualy end up turning right into the road we climbed first in the beginning. (But then we would be riding against the one way on theat descend??) - is that right?) How would we get back to the parking area then if we need to obey the one way rule?

Sellers I had recent dealings with that I can recommend: - Conti - XTC Oke - Purplefox - Onetime

I dont know what the reasons are for the ban, but I see it as being pretty pointless. With no radios, they will probably be needing more team cars to look after all the riders? Sure they will be using cellphones now! Untill that is banned.

I would do the ipod thing if I am on my own. As someone else said, because I can. I ride for my enjoyment, so if that's the way to enhance the experience, why not? I wouldnt do it if I am not alone though, cause it might seem a bit "cruel" towards your riding partner/s. On another occasion it would be without the music, once again because it would be the choice and the mood I'm in.

Hubbers will tell you they are actually looking for AC, but LA is stealing his glory again. Oh yes and that the Tour is actually worse off with LA present, and that he will be exposed as being doped to the gills, and that he won't finish the Tour, and ....................

Great. Another Lace-o-phile. Amazing how the seem to burst out of the woodwork just as the old man catches a lucky draught! Like maggots out of an stinking carcass. In the nicest possible way of course Almost like the Blue Bull supporters every year when they see they might win. Soon as they loose the Ccup or something their support base declines by 30 %

Makes you wonder if it was not perhaps part of the Astana plan to create this situation?? Watching LA and Popo trying to encourage the leading group to work together, their actions seemed to be a bit put on IMO, as if they were trying to make it obvious that LA wanted the break to succeed...LA?s lead over AC is FA and should not be to much of a concern, unless of course AC doubts his own ability. it's the 2009 version of the? big bluff!!!!! This is so exciting. And we all know that Lance can act. We will probably only know what Bruyneel is cooking up when it is on the table... I didn't enjoy watching the tour when Lance was dominating because it was so boring - everyone already knew the outcome. Now anything could happen. Great stuff. By the way, Trubie, everyone on the Hub has and is entitled to their own opinion. Getting huffy about it won't get you anywhere except hot under the collar. No prob, its all a big bluff anyway, so not enough to get me hot under the collar - yet

Makes you wonder if it was not perhaps part of the Astana plan to create this situation?? Watching LA and Popo trying to encourage the leading group to work together, their actions seemed to be a bit put on IMO, as if they were trying to make it obvious that LA wanted the break to succeed...LA?s lead over AC is FA and should not be to much of a concern, unless of course AC doubts his own ability. <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Couldn't agree more SV

- don't worry mate me and Russell we sharing a trench to dodge em 'bool lets'! Ze problems start when those trenches start filling up with the smelly stuff you find yourself in

it's over on the stage 4 thread on international cycling.

Does anyone know what time the stage starts today? Or perhaps have the starting order? Will Astana start last as the leading team?

Thank goodness, someone talking sense on the topic for a change. Well said SwissVan No one wins 7 Tours by just being arrogant (riders and managers) But I suppose details don't matter when you are so strongly opinionated as some of our fellow hubbers

Exactly, and respect for the sponsors. Everyone is always complaining about the lack of sponsors etc, but this is how they treat them? These guys obviously dont have any idea of what influence they have on youngsters and even adults who have just taken up/considering taking up the sport. Monkey do what monkey sees. Professionals have the responsibility to act in a "professional manner", but they also get their example from pro riders overseas. Remember the pic yesterday with the Liquigas team staring at the Lambo/whatever beast it was. Only one of them was wearing a helmet. Intern said it earlier, pro riders dont set good examples at all, by littering, etc, etc.... Same happens in other sport - if a younster sees his Springbok hero hitting an Aussie, he'll probably try the same in his next match.

In the South towards Heidelberg, SuikerbosRans Nature Reserve (SBR) Two long very steeps climbs of 2.5 and 4.5 k's. 50+ km's of climbing and undulations - really a back breaker to complete. Hardcore okes do it twice. Krugersdorp Hill as has been mentioned, and also some serious ups and downs in other parts of the Westrand. Try Doreen rd from Hendrik Potgieter side towards WilroPark, Christiaan de Wet, etc.. Hekpoort is the mother though.

Hope you watched today. Not bad for an old man that's been away for 4 years. Wonder what his rivals are saying tonite? Now watch everyone accusing him of all sorts of rubbish after tmrw. Sour grapes, that's all it is The Tour needs him

Those cotter pins used to cause major crap when they came out while you were pedalling Remember those brakes well, had to have e'm, or you weren't cool.... Those Patricks - first they were blue with some red in, then came the really fancy one's which were black with some yellow. The colours of the bikes were freakish - I rode one of those locally manufactured Cosmos bikes in the most scicadellic colours possible. Had a Blue Peugeot with at first yellow handle bar tape and and yellow saddle cover, later got some shocking yellow/green tape. Not sure qhy I needed the seat cover, I suppose it was purely cosmetic. I started riding when I was a student, so money went towards drinking and partying rather than books and bikes, but the shorts had such bad chamois, that I needed one of those saddle covers full of gel!! It probably weighed a fifth of the bike, and was uber uncomfortable to stay on top of. Also remember those funny looking cycling caps - I see some riders wearing them these days under their helmets, and that black strips of foam we wore as head protectors. Look pedals and dont forget the cateye!!

wont argue with that. would be interesting then to get your friend's take on this matter. let us know please

I used meth spirits to get that nasty glue stuff off my helmet and frame when I was thick enough to stick the photograph stickers there. worked well, no paint stripped or anything else I know of. Did stay far away from the bergies though

I am waiting for feedback from the race office, as to why as per the website entries are R 265, but I paid R 275 yesterday? Also checked out what I paid in my previous two encounters. 07 - R 375 - because I had to buy a chip which I didnt have at that stage as I had just started riding 08 - R 245 09 - R 275 (265?!) Argus seems better value for money at R 240, but the trip to get there is where the catch lies. I dont think for an event of this magnitude the cost is too high. Although other events might have cheaper entries, the cost of travelling there, accom etc is always taken into consideration. As for the current economic climate, I think the bulk of the entries are people that just do this event and nothing else during the year, so its not too major for them, but I do agree that numbers will be down. What is the general take on the new finish? I think it can lead to a few accidents due to the twists and turns, riders will not be holding lines etc..