NordicElf

Will do!

the map where I copied the location from says Rustenburg turns into Main E Road. I'm not sure if there are camera's, I want to go there by car anyways, I'll check if there are cameras and then make a request if there are. Thanks for following up! I believe that we do have to make an effort to combat crime, not just stand by. Put a few guys behind bars already. I went to Parkview police station, rode there straight afterwards. They said it wasn't their area but they did put a call through to Brixton to look out. Maybe I should try open a case at Brixton?

I wasn't actually in the spruit, so not sure that this is applicable.

It was on Rustenburg Rd, just as it turns into Main road, on that corner where it goes from park to a wall. Going towards Auckland Park. Saturday morning (23 Nov 2019) around 7am. I was on my own (please don't victim blame me) a lone guy came out the bushes on my left, he pointed a gun at me and told me fairly calmly to stop. I reacted, screamed no, no, no and sprinted so hard up the road. He ran after me, still pointing the gun, still shouting no. But eventually gave up. I think he waited until he was sure I was on my own, which is why he was to my left and not right in front of me. I'm posting because I'm not sure if there has been activity in that area or not. I had stopped riding that route since the incidents in 2017 but just forgot and found myself there. So clearly the area still isn't safe.

This was how I actually ended up joining the club - I was one of those group crashers.... but I'd already been schooled in proper group riding etiquette. But it's really hard to ride properly in a big group like that, if you come across a slower group or obstacle in the road without a front vehicle and a follow vehicle and radio communication between them and the group, it's really difficult to move out safely for the group. That's with everyone knowing what to expect and actually being willing to ride like that. But maybe smaller groups would go a long way to improving the situation.

And a lot of the time, those cyclelab groups start smallish at the shop and by the time they reach the caves, they've picked up another 10 or 20 riders who didn't hear the briefing before the group left the shop. Yes, every group gets a lecture on how to ride, stay 2 abreast, be courteous, don't half wheel etc. Another issue I've seen, the CL group is passing 2 or 3 riders abreast, and then some other group over takes. It can look like the CL group is riding more than 2 abreast. It's gets pretty hairy in the Cradle! With oncoming traffic and other groups in the other direction. In this pre-947 silly season it's just hectic. I still rock up on a Saturday and I do my best to ride neatly and considerately. It doesn't matter though, we're riding 2 abreast and are breaking the rules of the road. No matter how un-jop-like we try to ride.

Yip, it's a struggle. I'm really short and just don't fit a men's model. I don't even fit some of the ladies bikes. The ones where they don't change the geometry can't get small enough for me. I can't actually help though, only commiserate. I have a Focus Izalco Donna and I love it! I have seen a few for sale secondhand or old stock. They actually change the geometry on their range and make some adjustments on stiffness etc. Good luck. Let us know what she decides on.

This is my picture: - blocking an intersection with your car is a contravention of the road rules. - Ploughing through an intersection and possibly into a group of cyclists is also a contravention of the road rules, it's also reckless endangerment and possibly attempted murder or even murder (I'm sure some legal buff can correct my inaccuracies here) - hurling abuse - having abuse hurled at you ???? Meh - who cares. My perspective is I'd rather either be illegally blocking the road, have someone illegally block the road for me while I cycle or have another car illegally block the road in front of me so that I don't for whatever reason happen to drive through an intersection with cyclists in it because accidents happen, brakes fail, people have seizures... All we need is a little patience. And stop victim blaming. You can't blame a cyclist getting run over by car because some other cyclist hurled a little abuse! While we're gaining some patience, get a thicker skin.

It must have been so awful for you to wait those extra few minutes for the cyclists to get through that intersection, while their vehicle illegally blocked it. I'm so sorry for you. I hope you manage to recoup those few minutes somewhere.

Hmmm... I think you will be fine. Yes, it will be tough but it sounds like you are prepared for that. And it's not like you are jumping into it from an 80km ride! I think you understand your inner cyclist well enough. Pace yourself in the beginning and keep reminding yourself how far you need to go, make sure you fuel yourself from the beginning and enjoy the adventure! Looking forward to hearing how it goes.

A mechanic accidentally put a 10 speed chain on my 11 speed set up and then couldn't figure out why the gears wouldn't set and recommended some dodgy modifications to my derailleur clamps etc. I smelt a rat and took it elsewhere and new mechanic noticed the 10 speed chain. so my answer is no.

I weigh every day - works for me. I get to learn my own fluctuations and not get freaked out by them. It's too easy for me to go into denial if I'm not looking at the scale. You're on your way, keep at it. Stick to your plan, you have to believe in your plan first and then you have to trust the process, and then just stick to it.

Hehe Yeah I got you... just thought it was funny... that climb, a 39 chainring and Mommy's boy. I'm not a fan of Aru, although I am starting to enjoy his hurt faces.

So, he went up there on a 39? Definitely a Mommy's boy!