walkerr

I just hit "Follow" to keep up with what you guys have planned. I think I'm probably going to have DC team training that weekend, but if not the recce sounds a great idea

I know it won't help with this specific situation - but riding in the UK last month, I was quite shocked by how badly some of the drivers there treated cyclists. The bad cases were almost always around morning or evening rush hour, and what were clearly guys commuting to/from work, or delivery vans. Speeds were insane though, on narrow twisty lanes. I actually found myself wishing I was back here cycling quite a few times. It's easy to think we have the worst drivers on the road, and give up riding, but it's not just us suffering idiots like this - it does happen elsewhere, and it is just as bad if not worse.

Really be nice if there was an official way to name and shame d*cks like this - let their families, friends and the people they work for know how little they regard human life. What always amazes me is how often these idiots think - they must surely have kids, or friends with kids. How would they feel if someone treated one of them like that when they decide they enjoy cycling? My other suggestion was a "700c necklace" - but I don't think it would burn long enough to do more than scorch his shirt

Thanks 'Dale

It does seem a bit variable whether that gets used. Have bought on Computicket when it's gone through 3d secure (or Bankserv equivalent). As you say though, not all sites seem to use it.

Good advice on SMS - something I do with my local card, which luckily happens to be the one I used for Argus entry. (see note above on this seeming to be more than 1 isolated incident. Still sound advice though on keeping PC AV amd malware tools up to date)

Very true - that was my leaning when it was 1 incident. Now it seems others have been affected, that seems less likely. Still possible of course, both people could have PCs with the same virus - but that seems more coincidental than a payments processor or issuing bank attack. I did advise the first person to do a virus check - which is actually pretty hard on a PC that may already be infected. Modern viruses are more than capable of disabling an AV program once they get into a system. Some even disable other viruses so that they don't raise alarms about a possible infection. The more incidents that arise with Argus payments though - the less likelihood it is of being a localised PC infection. Will post updates as and when I hear them

Thanks for that - I'd never really noticed that option. It's something I may consider for future Cycle Tour events depending on how this pans out.

Yep The main thing is check your bank/card statements carefully and report anything you see that looks suspicious immediately to your bank/issuer I've just messaged the Cycle Tour to suggest they launch an investigation and also warn people of this. Hacking like this is done by someone - it's a criminal act, and so can only be dealt with by a proper investigation. What we can do to protect ourselves is be vigilant checking transactions, and also make sure those organisting events are aware and act responsibly in following it up.

Folks - heard one of our other club members also had a compromise Not implying this is a widespread issue - but it's clearly more than a one-off Keep an eye on those transactions!

Yep - my entry also looks clean so far. Will keep checking in case they haven't got around to my card yet FWIW - I believe the card details compromised were one that is rarely used, so it sounds quite likely the breach did come from this transaction. Of course there are quite a few interactions between the originating browser and the payments processor, so the actual source of the breach could be at either end or anywhere in between. So to coin an old TV phrase - let's be careful out there !

Cool - look forward to catching up as things take shape,

I don't know the specifics of this at present, but wanted to pass on as a warning just in case. One of our club members report the following: As noted above, I have no details but will update if I hear for more. For now though, if you've entered the Argus using a credit/debit card then it's worth keeping a close on your accounts for any activity that looks in any way dodgy. Generally issuer fraud systems will catch this before you spot it, as happ[ened above - but keep an eye out!

Assuming I qualify and get a spot, I'll be taking very much the same "full value" ride approach I did for LEL i.e. anything under the time limit is fine, priority being to enjoy myself as much as possible and survive if or when it gets tough. I'm more tortoise than hare I'm definitely keen to get a pre-1000 or pre-600 in between now and next July/Aug when we entrer the qualifier 12 month period to get an option on that earlier entry spot. Do you think there'll be another 600 planned into next year? November is already maxed out with DC team training, and a trip overseas, so def won't be able to make it up for that one. I'm hoping to to catch up with Grant when he moves down here - see if we can organise some Western Cape qualifiers as I think was done for 2011. It struck me we could be clever on the timing of these - so each group could act as a fallback to the other. Anyone who misses or fails their local one has an option to travel north or south for one in the other set. Having seen how amazing LEL was - it struck me how superb it could be to have a South African 1,000 that grew to attract overseas rides. I even wondered if it were timed around Argus time, then overseas riders would have a double reason to come and ride our amazing scenery. Crazy dream I know! Note that I have zero idea what is involved in organising these - so feel free to treat me as a willing and enthusiastic idiot!

Also starting to think towards PBP 2015. LEL was very much a "proving ride" for me - thoroughly enjoyed it, and now the aches and injuries are diminished the inspiration of PBP remains. Hope to see you and some of the other SA Audaxers there, or at the qualifiers on the way there. We must get that SA 1,000km pre-qualifier sorted to give us all the earliest crack at entry!

Hopefield told me you guys had been following our progress after the ride. Was great to read this thread just now - thanks for supporting the home team of riders. I think it's fair to say we all faced plenty of challenges on the way around - and as 'Dale said, in the end it became as much a mental battle as a physical one. For me, I was cruising up to the 1,000km mark and between there and the next control the wheels came off in a big way. Developed a bad case of Shermer's neck, which nearly ended my ride. The rest of that day was tough, and it didn't get any easier when I eventually got to a bed around midnight, and immediately got sick and had the medic looking over me half the night. I started out on the last day more than an hour behind the clock, but with enough time to get to the end if I kept it steady around 20Km/h. Used all of that time so as not to over stress the body, and finished with about an hour and a half to spare. Toughest thing I've ever done - and a heck of an adventure. Would recommend it to anyone who loves cycling and seeing just how deep they can dig. The scenery was breathatking through the North of England and Scotland too.

Least yesterday's ride was a much nicer experience. Thanks for the great company. That last stretch to Darling and Yzerfontein was a bit of a battle in the headwind. Would have much rather been surfing on it back to Somerset West with you and Henri.

Wish I could have ridden it with you - nothing worse than those dodgy sections solo! LEL is soon now - last few days to get some KM in before tapering. Going to be great!

Just to post the "conclusion" to the original post. OUT client servics did indeed call me, as promised up-thread. They quickly got the clarification I needed too. It seems that despite being mentioned on the cycle insurance page, the liability cover does not actually include cycling - it's part of the contents policy. WIll mean I'm likely to need to switch to Cyclesure to get the cover I need, but fair play for OUT confirming it even in the face of losing the business. They also committed to clarifying the web page wording. Not exactly the outcome I was hoping for, but it is a clear resolution and means I know what to do next.

Good news - I've found a weekly massage is really helping. Never really gone in for them before, and of course it costs a bit - but week on week the back is getting less and less sore. The best part, is I haven't had to back off training too much - it's kept me out on the bike

Haha - thanks. This week is last full week of training, then I'm in taper mode. Can't believe it's come around so quick - nervous does not begin to sum up how I'm feeling. Will try and snap as many pics as time allows, and post some war stories after!

Good lord - no chance of me bending that far, ever

Just a couple of points of correction - my original post wasn't to seek advice from Hubbers, just relay my experiences. The feedback is useful. Second point is that I am no lawyer, and the policy wording is hard to follow in places - especially with contradictory information on the website. I know the website won't be taking in court, but it may lure others into the policy, hence my original warning post. In the absence of clarity in the policy, I sought written confirmation from OUT - and that's where things really started to unravel. A long way of saying in reply "I'm not an idiot, just someone who wants clear and simple insurance cover"

No - just for fun

Seems a tad high to me