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CB, can't you leave yourbike at work and fit in a quickie over lunchtime?? Assuming you can find some reasonably traffic-free riding? It's cool enough not to have to worry about showers and stuff and 45mins will be a good start... I used to work through lunch breaks but NO job's worth all the overtime I used to put in! ...I was so cold this weekend I couldn't sit still - so got the ol' road machine out for a mitchellin-man trundle Sunday, and took the MTB out in a force-12 gale on Saturday... Forgot to take kit (duh) so of course I punctured at the furthest point out at the bottom of the steepest hill. But slogging back against the wind was fun - new sport: extreme-blimp-bike-jogging!

And you got mine! Was looking at the MJ880 and it looks awesome.

Thanks! Having a look at the P7/M7

"Talent means nothing" The story of the story, what??

Sure was "ha ha"!!! Damn good way to make your black dog visible!

Question... How do you mount that? With one of their handlebar units? If so does it hold well?

Having lights front and back is great but still makes you almost invisible to a car approaching from the side at a T-junction. Some front lights give off very little light to the side. To me it's wierd how many people wear black and have nothing reflective that alerts a driver in this situation. *side-track*: almost pooped myself one morning very early walking my dogs. We scrambled up a shortcut and at the top, in the bushes, this little red light on crack was jumping around in the dark... dogs bristled as if the son of satan was waiting for us. Black as coal and nothing else to see, just this light. We waited and off it went, but when we got to the top it started coming back... attached to the collar of a Doberman!

Love riding with my dog but she's too fast uphill and I'm too fast downhill!! We travel around town nicely though. Wore my front brake out teaching her. Don't do it as much as I used to because we have a four-pack now... Bikejoring...there's a thought. I looked at skijoring harnesses once. Mmmm.

I think the medical profession may be interested.

With you on that!!

I love these rat studies... One day when I come back as a rat I'll worry about them. Or, when I've run my 100th marathon.

Not clear. But what is is the eyewitness account below... guys were dicing and close to each other when she hit them. If she turned left, then they were 'undertaking' as well. I feel for her...

What I'm thinking, what I'm thinking... who ate all the pink gym pills - or what?

No, no need to schlep to the gym... but MTB & punchbag not specific enough... Running does do something to build some core strength but doing a bit more there to support your 'power base' will help with speed, endurance and injury prevention. Not a big deal, but I would do around two sessions a week (don't have to be long) at least until you finish base training... Whatever, as long as it's fun and you stay motivated. Having the best program means nothing if you can't stick to it at least most of the time!

Because you need to strengthen your core, both for cycling and running. And if you're new(ish) to running you're going to want to prevent injuries which you will otherwise pick up from muscle imbalances that wouldn't show up in cycling.

Just to add my 2c: If you can get hold of a copy of Sleamaker and Browning's book 'SERIOUS Training for Endurance Athletes' it will give you lots of useful advice to flesh out the details of a training plan that meets the great advice above. It starts off with getting you to work out realistically how much time you have and then works from there so that you follow the base, build, peak and taper cycle, and gives detail on how to structure individual sessions... Very practical book that helps you work out your program to meet your specific goals.

There's the point. Worth saying again!

Not sure I agree with all the above... I costed 8 to 9spd upgrade using Deore and it came in round R2600. Might be a bit more now but I doubt by much. Haven't done it yet cos I just don't have the cash. Not everyone is in a position to spend 15k on a bike and you won't get much back on the bike you already have. Plus I prefer to upgrade as you get exactly what you want. Deore components are great, wear well and don't cost the earth to maintain or replace. And there's a helluva difference between 8spd and 9. I ride both regularly and the extra gears at both ends make the 9spd more fun, more competitive. For me the big question is if you are happy with your frame or not. If so, then stay with it. Just be careful about the geometry if you do upgrade your fork. Also, you can keep your 8spd crank if it's in reasonable shape- I looked at those specs and it should be compatible with a 9spd chain. And no way do you need to change your wheels! You'll need new shifters, front and rear derailleurs (I think both), rear cassette, chain. Buy a new bike if you can afford it, and really want to do that, but think about doing the conversion as a fun project. You learn so much more about bikes. I started by looking at specs on 9spd bikes to figure out all the technical stuff. Put a list together and then get someone who knows their stuff to give their opinion on it if you're still not sure. You can get trapped by all this bling-is-best, if-it-weighs-more-than-a-matchstick-dump-it nonsense. Go for it and enjoy!

OK, product review next, please! Enjoy...

Anybody thought about what it means for us not to buy crude from Iran anymore? Smacks of Iraq all over again. I'd say this is just the beginning.

Not sure those work so well without the legs tho...

I've got both Merrel and NewBalance trail shoes. M's really great for all kinds of trail stuff, NB's a bit sketchy but a better cross-over. They're just a bit hard / unforgiving on the tar but not bad whereas M's tread feels really rough on tar especially after some distance. Best all round shoes I've ever had were an earlier version of Montrail's Flow shoes. Have a look at those! They're very comfortable, strong, have great grip but their tread is more suited to a range of running surfaces... Only negative may be they don't breathe as well as NB but i'm going back to them for my next round. You can get them through mountainmailorder co za if nowhere else. Love to know what you get!

Sounds good. What make/model??

My question exactly. I asked someone at CL that and was told it's because Polar prices (in this instance) are set by the distributors and outlets all go by that. WHY?? Can't say... so I bought mine from CRC at WAY below local prices even after taxes and postage. Dumb way to do business.

Had mine for a month and absolutely the best. Works well for MTB and has great ventilation, never mind the fit which was the main reason I chose it after trying several. Thought I got mine for a bargain at R800 and would gladly pay that again. Bontrager looks nice but a little heavy and not so good on keeping you cool. Main thing with whichever you take is that it fits properly and does the business. Make sure you get to try it on first. No point having a replacement policy if it doesn't!