Andyr249

Thanks Chro Mo! Will check it out!

I wish we had cyclocross as an official discipline here. Would be lots of fun! Hairy - nice pic (and vid) there!

That is because nobody from those "free" countries orders from them so they giving an incentive.

Still no response from the OP?

Great how cycling changes that! Now to keep it going! Just because one doesn't have a coach doesn't mean that training is non-structured. All that you don't have is someone telling you what to do when. You can also gauge how you are feeling and adjust it accordingly. But coaches do also have their places. It is not so much the VO2 Max part of the test. That is a nice to know number. The important part is the Blood Lactate testing which is used to work out your HR zones much more accurately than any non-tested way. Important thing is just to keep it the same in terms of testing (same equipment type and testing machine etc) to get the most accurate values. I did mine with Nerice. She also offers coaching but I just do the testing. (Although my last one was back in 2010). I see you from Vaal Triangle. So if it isn't too far for you to come up to JHB every so often you could get Nerice to do it. I only have experience dealing with her although I'm sure there are many who do the testing. http://www.endurancehub.co.za/services/nerice-swanepoel-coaching/

I started cycling in 2002 and racing in 2004. I managed to get myself into A bunch in 2004 and have stayed there ever since. I have never had a coach. So yes, you can improve your cycling on your own. Read up and find out what training workouts do what and include them in your own training program. Remember to also has some complete rest and some "active recovery" as well. That is what I have done. It is also beneficial to go do a VO2 Max and Lactate Test every now and again (should cost about R1000-R1500 or so) and then in the report they give you your HR zones and recommendations as to what you need to work on (what zones as well). Then take that info and adjust your training program accordingly. Personally I think that if you have been riding regularly for some time and your body is used to riding it is very hard to "over train". How many hours are you doing a week? If you were a pro doing close to 25-30 hours a week then over training is a danger. But for us normal people I don't think there is much of a danger of that. The most that could happen is that you can become a bit fatigued which can be sorted out in a couple days of resting.

How many entries have you got for the races?

Enjoy! Happy Anniversary!

Nice pic you captured there!

What about getting the organisers of Cape Town's version of Critical Mass involved to organise something? Especially since the whole idea of Critical Mass was cycling safety.

Just also be a bit careful with interval training three times a week. You also need recovery time. Perhaps think of substituting one interval session for a tempo session.

I would say work on your run. The swim is short and in the beginning. They run is probably where people lose the most time.

Where is the Bryanston part of it? From William Nicol towards Paulshof? Would the bit from Republic to Emmarentia be safe for solo or two riders?

Any training will give you some improvement. But training programs should not be generic and should take the effects of it into account for future training sessions. Everyone reacts differently to different workouts so that should be reviewed. I have never had a coach and do all my training myself. I know what I should do and incorporate that into my training. And it shouldn't take a year to see improvement!

Pierre Rolland Thomas Voeckler Laurens Ten Dam Bauke Molema Ryder Hesjedal They could mix it up a bit as underdogs and cause a few scares (as Voeckler did a few years back) but are not likely to win. Scott-CM, perhaps you could update your list in the first post as names are mentioned to keep one list going.

Exactly. But also if he had spent a "fair number of years observing the local racing" scene then he should have heard who the Doctor was.

Argh! Would've like to have entered this year but away that weekend with family commitments.

A great response from the good Doctor. I think that everything is above board with that. Great that he is so transparent. It is also good to have someone of his expertise assisting with anti-doping. I agree with the advice Hennie VR posted. Let him enjoy his riding and if he has the required talent then it will show. Too much pressure now can be extremely damaging.

:thumbdown:

Seem like everyone is overcooking that piece.

This would be a criminal matter. Counter claims are for civil matters. Sometimes the criminal lays other criminal charges but they are dealt with separated so not really counter-claims.

Same for me! A few weeks ago the wind was really bad. Especially that downhill and then that "flatter" bit after that climb under the power lines by the dam and the concrete section. I was riding leaning over just to stay on the bike. Then a gust hit and I was all over the road that section. The reserve is always windy to some degree though. But never a tail wind!

Glad I have aluminium braking strip then. Luckily I don't brake much there. On the brakes a bit for the corners and then release. Although I suspect this crash was more due to a sudden gust of wind. Last time I was there the wind on that section was terrible. If it his mid corner or on the exit then you can easily crash.

Ja, and that spooked you so much Ha Ha that you haven't got on a bike since!

Hope the cyclist has a speedy recovery. That section can be quit fast and windy. Be careful out there guys and gals!