Myra

Classic. Hang on, wasn't it the other way round? I thought Hunter hit George and George then spat at Hunter? Hunter was fined and George wasn't.

China is a really bad example to use - they often don't seem to have the athletes' interests at heart but rather their medal tally. Remember the "age doping" at the Beijing Olympics? [For those who don't remember, the Chinese forged the passports of some of their gymnasts to make them 'older' so that they could get around the age restrictions. At the time there was a lot of disaproval given that there are specific reasons for the age restrictions; which are in the best interests of the athlete. Unfortunately nothing was done about it.] Much better, Big H. You're right, I don't have anything to prove. What I do have, however, is a genuine concern about kids who are pushed too hard when they are too young. Kids unfortunately don't always know what is right or healthy for them. Just because they enjoy something doesn't mean that they should be doing it (how many kids smoke because they enjoy it?). And if their parents make a big fuss about them by going to the papers/posting bragging threads on the internet they will naturally not want to let their parents down. That also results in pressure. This says a lot - a kid younger than 9 should certainly not be doing more than 1 to 3 hours a week or any single session longer than 30 minutes. Quite clearly this has already been exceeded on numerous occasions. Even though we all have our different views on your thread (as far as I'm concerned it amounts to boasting and indirect pressure), everyone here has Carlo's best interests at heart. Ultimately, of course, how you raise your son is your call and loving someone doesn't always equate to knowing what is best for him/her. I therefore think that its great that you appear to have an open mind in respect of everything that has been said and that you appreciate the info. The info posted by Christie and Covie is especially valuable and will hopefully be useful. Good luck with your huge responsibility. By the way, to cut down on the long rides but still have fun on the bike, how about the three of you practice some skills on the lawn instead? Knowing how to do a track stand is important for any mountainbiker and practising it shouldn't put too much pressure on a developing body.

Yes. Problem is enforcement, as with so many other things in SA.

I don't understand. The difference that the thread you referred to would have made is "relax"? Come now Big H, I expect more from you than a cop out like this. All that goes without saying. I just think that they would be off consulting someone who specialises in children's growth and development. Anyway, it appears that you care and are doing what you think is right - great - and that the parents, or at least the father, are also - great. But where does this boasting thread fit in?

Why? What difference does that thread make? And what makes you think that it hadn't been read first? I did. You're joking, right? The parents are taking it seriously so they have been in touch with an Olympic level coach? What in the world will an Olympic level coach know about what is right or wrong for a 6 year old? Are there any six year olds at the Olympics? Hell no - it would never be allowed. As set out above, I had read the thread that Big H unnecessarily referred me to. What should have changed? Isn't that exactly what I've been saying? Aw, Big H - your humility is admirable.

Absolutely! The distances he's doing just seem way too far for someone so young. I thought (which doesn't mean much though) that it was generally accepted that little kids shouldn't do hard events - which is why there are rules on gear restrictions and age limits on certain events. Any way, if I'm completely off the mark, his dad will ignore my comments and rightly so. Persian - you've got a hellavu responsibility here. Good luck!

Somebody that's seen what happens to laaities that are given everything (where can one even buy a full susser that small?) and pushed too hard by their parents when they're too young. Particularly one girl who was at school with me (who's mother was so competitive she sometimes took matters into her own hands) who was always so busy studying or training she never had any time to play with other kids. Now she's gone off the rails and is an embarrassment to her mom. I hope the kid is genuinely having fun, not just because he's doing what his parents want. And if that is all that this is about, and he's just having fun like all other kids at his age, why the need to show him off? Is that not what this thread is about? The parent showing him off? Well that's my rant over now. This is rant and rave after all.

Luckily I wasn't there or he might have. No wonder they've given him a camelbak to use instead - any bottle in that cage must get absolutely covered in mud. Yuck.

Shame. Poor kid - looks like another case of over-competitive, limelight-seeking parents.

Not a fan of world champs/national champs/competition leaders/team replica jerseys. They are very much funrider no no's. No "serious" cyclist would wear them. Cycling kit has history and standing. Hence the world champs/national champs/competition leaders jerseys. So wear a jersey that means something to you personally - if you're serious about cycling you should be able to find something like that. If the world champs kit means something to you personally - go for it, by all means. Generally, however, it doesn't - it just happens to be on the 'sale' rack at the Argus expo....

Man, I miss Bob...

Court cases are resolved in lots of different ways and often never end up in court where a judgment is pronounced on the merits. CWC may have won, lost or the matter was settled or simply withdrawn for any number of reasons. They stated that they won - which I understood to mean that the matter went to court and the merits were argued and considered by a judge or magistrate. I then heard otherwise; which is why I am asking for clarity. It should be a simple matter to resolve.

I heard a different story (from what I consider a very reliable source) and am now not sure what to believe. Perhaps CWC should post a copy of the court order. If they were successful, as they say they were, it shouldn't be a problem? Nice post. I don't have any ties to either business whatsoever either, but as far as I'm concerned there's nothing worse than a business bad mouthing others. If you're an honest, fair businessman there shouldn't be any need to take cheap shots at other businesses. Or am I just living in a dream world? But can CWC get what you want for you? CWC seem to get certain items in bulk at very good prices but don't have the rest of the standard stock one would think that they would carry. Then what? CRC?

Sticking my neck out here, but I think no swearing whatsoever should be allowed. If you wouldn't say something in front of your father/granny/teacher/boss - don't say it on theHub. Ok, that's probably too harsh... But, wait! What have we here? The wonders of the modern keyboard! Awesome characters such as &^%$#@*! What more do you need than a couple of these to indicate to other Hubbers that you are swearing? And if you really need to refer to a specific swearword, add the first letter in front of the swearing characters. S*%$# - I am dazzling myself with my sheer f&*^%$ brilliance. Be that as it may, it is never acceptable to direct any stars or hashes at a fellow hubber. They should only be used when complaining about inanimate objects or circumstances.

Yes, please! Any form of discrimination shouldn't be allowed, including sexism.

Hang in there Onetime, we'll all be thinking of you. My top achievement this year was finally sorting out my knee problems and getting back on the bike to do various awesome mountainbike races throughout the year and doing the DC nine years after my first and last one in 2001 before I stuffed up my knees.

Damn. For a moment there I was beginning to think there's more to cycling than the Tour de France and the Paris Roubaix. Thanks for getting me back on track, Gumpole. Just when we have an awesome bike porn thread (on a bike forum, no less) someone has to go and spoil it. Nathrix, you know the set-up - please adhere.

This doesn't really appeal to me, I think they've gone a bit too far over the top. I guess I'm a bit old-fashioned. Just as well because I could never afford one of these in any case... Thanks for the pics. [i almost missed this thread though, when I saw the heading I almost passed it over thinking its another eye candy/Liz Hatch/etc thread...] Wow - very constructive.

Awesome, Slowbee.

Yay! Its about time this happened.

Also - what happens if there is an accident? The farmer's Sunday afternoon nap gets disrupted because he now needs to rescue someone who has crashed. I know of at least one such incident where trespassing mountainbikers got into trouble and needed help. And now its the farmer's problem because he can't just leave them there. If I had a farm and wanted to go skinny dipping in a dam, I would want to do so without having to worry about prying eyes...

Didn't happen. Circumstances conspired against me, but now I have all the info and there are lots of weekends coming up, so its only a matter of time.

Thanks everyone, especially Tankman! Really appreciate it!

I'd like to do Four Passes this weekend but am concerned about the stretch from between the R44 and Sir Lowry's. Can one cycle all the way on the N2 from where the R44 crosses the N2? Or is it better to go through Somerset West or Strand/Gordon's Bay? Would really appreciate some help. Thank you. [i did a search but couldn't find anything ]

Awesome! Where's the thumbs up emoticon? The quote of yours that I quoted quoted a quote of Icycling (hope that makes sense ) which referred to the PPA website (where anyone can go to see what the money is spent on - another issue raised in this thread) and to the AGM (where members could have gone to raise concerns). I understood the quote of yours which I quoted to refer to both of those references and it appeared that you were refusing to go to either the website or the AGM. I think it is unfair of people to complain about how PPA spends its income without going to the website to see what they do with it. That's what I was commenting on as I thought that that was what you were, at least in part, saying. If you were only referring to the AGM, not to the website as well (which appears to be the case from what you said after that, which is what I'm quoting in this reply), I misunderstood you and I apologise.