The Guy in Pink

How does that radial lacing on the rear wheel work? It cannot be surely?

Mention "Race Ethics" and I have a <flashback> Stage 4 on the '69 3 day Dunlop. It's hot windy and dry day on Bulawayo motor race circuit, at about 60km into the race a Portuguese rider from Louren?o Marques comes alongside Raymond Hog on my left and requests " Aqua" . Raymond takes his bottle out, unscrews the top and pours the contents onto the tarmac where it instantly turns to steam. Half a lap later Raymond signals our manager Vince for a fresh bottle.... </ Flashback>

The important thing is that you ride every day. As you get fitter you will be able to up the distance and fill the time available. Once a week, (weekends) try to double the usual weekly ride. You will be surprised at how quickly you will get fit. You also will be able to do the more challenging routes. Time available : I usually will have about 1hr 30 minutes ride, so about 40km. An adjustable stem is fine for your first bike, once you have sorted out a position you can get a fixed stem.

We helped two Russian guys three years back who broke down on our site in Guinea. I would say they were one 100% proof Vodka, matching the comsumption of their car drop for drop.

I had another look. As the wing is mounted behind the rear wheels any downthrust achieved there will result in an upthrust on the front wheels .... Thast might not improove handling too much ...

BigBen, An 11 will wear much faster than a 12, as only about 4 teeth in contact with the chain, opposed to about 6 on a 12. The pressure on each tooth is higher, and the wear rate skyrockets.

TiBones, For more Oomph on the downhills you need to learn to spin more, ever higher gears are not the answer. Do some training with a partner and race each other with you both on your 39/15 on the steepest downhill you have. When you can maintain 60km/hr for 500meter on that gear you will be getting there. No-one ever won a race on the downhill (Except in that discipline of course) To win races you need to be worrying about getting more Oomph on on the climbs.

Fand, Tennis is the exception, the women these days offer better spectator appeal and the prize money on the circuit is showing that.

Having all these gears has taken some of the fun out of racing. When we only had five on the back we would sit about the night before a race with piles of chainrings, clusters and a gear chart and have to make decisions. Close ratio, wide ratio? Is it a hilly route or can we take a chance on the big hill with a 57 inch gear? I still have my flat road time trial chain rings and cranks. A 177.5mm crank with 48 & 50 rings running on a close ratio 14, 15, 16, 17 &19 cluster.

Short answer, no. Longer explanation. The bike weighs 7 to 14kg, and hangs without moving on the wall. The bearings (and rim) are designed to carry you and the bike under dymanic loads, which on our rough roads can subject your 100kg body and bike to 3 or 4 G's. So the sort or loads your bike is subject to hanging is several hundreds of times less than a normal ride will subject it to.

and wot are the other bits of pipe?

My wife had a pepper spray thingie, she left in in her jeans pocket..... didn't 'alf make the maids eyes water when she emptied the washing machine.

Your will not pay import duty on Bike parts. You will pay on a complete bike or clothing. You will not pay British Vat, but you will pay SA Vat , calculated on 110% of the invoice amount pluss a R25.00 customs fee

In Louis Trichardt there is a maountain bike race this week-end, The Turbie Hills race. Go There rather Next week -end George has a road and mountain bike race in Pietersburg game park.

It's not all doom and gloom on the sponsorship scene for cycling SKY entered a new 5 year deal for British cycling. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12993_3859797,00.html

I have had good service from Total cycling, after phoning the man man Mike. Get past the Irish accent if you need to talk , otherwise e-mail Mike . He is an old roadie, ( Like me he is addicted to the retro Rolls saddles) Maybe they is not into servicing the mountain bikes, for that Chain reaction are better.

I had a hooter on my bike in Suriname for about 18 months. MAGIC!! I was training in the dark early mornings. I have an image of a bus slamming on brakes as he was reversing out of a driveway and recieved TWO load blasts. I have ordered two more for home.

I replaced my own drums. Use 110mm Marley sewer pipe. ( The heavier version) Reuse the ends ( and middle support) by removing them from existing and glue them back.

My Daughter who lives in London, and commutes by bike has done it a number of times. She has been stopped by bobbies - fortunately for her she is very blond, and only has to flutter her eyelids for them to to let her go free. I warned her that she will come up against a Brunette Bobette soon and not be so lucky.