niterider

Bruce, what's up with your blog? Writer's block?

Within a few weeks (for me it was days) you won't even be looking at your HR data.

I think you're right. There's no cycling on SS3 or SS4.

Very nice! So what does she weigh?

For me post-ride headaches are caused by two things: 1. The season's first long rides, when its accompanied by neck tension 2. The season's first hot rides, probably as a result of dehydration. And of course 1 and 2 often happen in combination. As I get fitter/acclimatised the headaches stop occuring.

Just looking at the differences between the two bikes - CR1 obviously is a nicer frame - being carbon it will probably be a little more comfy. Of course its lighter. - Compact crank on S20 is useful if you're not such a great climber - Aksium wheels on the CR1 are better than those on the S20. - About 200g of the CR1 weight-saving over the S20 comes from using fold-up instead of wirebead tyres. If it was me I'd get the S20.

Mavic R-Sys: R8,430 (+VAT). Free shipping. Normally arrives within a week. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=23212

I like mine. The fit seems to be really good for the shape of my head, unlike Giro, which doesn't fit me nicely at all.

I'd start with A. A few years ago I was in the same situation. A group dropped me within the first k, but I got to enjoy the cheering fans while B passed me. I think I had C group down hospital bend until Edinburgh Drive. Ended up spending a lot of time later with F, G and H. Managed 3:40 by doing that, and got to see lots of other cyclists Most embarassing moment was me getting passed by a fat chick on an mtb wearing slipslops, going up Smits.

Posted this reply to the website editor: And his response:

AFAIK, the part that was at fault was the carbon chainstays, which were not manufactured to the correct specification.

It will cost you a fortune to upgrade from 8-spd to 10-spd, if the rest of the bits on the Specialized are 8-spd too. You're better off getting a bike with 105 at around the R10k mark. If you shop around I'm sure u can find a new bike at that price - the regular Raleigh RC6000 is one that comes to mind, but there'll be several other brands at that price-point too.

A bit more expensive here - R22900 (http://www.cervelo.com/bikes.aspx?bike=SLT2008)

I wouldn't touch anything that's only 8-speed. That means its really old and likely will have a terrible resale value. With regards the Raleigh it looks like a great option for tri, but you certainly wouldn't be able to ride that in a road race. If you really want to ride road races as well as tri's, then you want a road bike with clip on tri-bars. And a saddle/seatpost combo that'll allow you to move the seat forward when you have the tri-bars on. If you're going to do that I'm sure you'll find a lot of options around R10k.

So how do you drop the seatpost to fit it into a travel case?

Yes, you're wrong. The law states that you must ride as close to the left-hand shoulder as is safe, and also that you are not allowed to ride two-abreast.

Assuming no crash damage, and that its been designed correctly, your CF bars should last a lot longer than Aluminium alloy ones. Al alloys have a definite fatigue life and at some point they will fail near the stem, which is usually the highest stress point. How long depends on the alloy, the design and how much you ride. I've had Al bars fail in the middle of a sprint - luckily I stayed upright. They were cheap bars and only a year old, although they were getting ridden a lot. I'm riding CF now.

Head down to a professional running store and get them to help you pick the right shoes. The Runner group is very good - The Runner Group Fourways Value Mart Fourways +27 11 467 4972

Try Manitou R7 MRD Absolute if u don't ride a 'dale. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?modelID=21343

Bruce, what's your weight again?

I have a '96 steel Kona MTB. I use it for touring now. Still going strong, and its been abused horribly.

These car vs bike threads always make me shake my head. This is NOT a car vs bike issue. Its a mentality issue - most drivers of cars AND bikes do not respect other drivers. The guys who ride their bikes like idiots are the same people that drive their cars like idiots. NONE of this agressive road behaviour will change until the authorities have the resources and the will-power to force some respect back into the road-going public. South Africa is very different from Europe - not just on the roads. In the first world people don't even consider operating outside of the law. In South Africa the mentality is to do whatever you like, and then complain when you get caught. Its the Wild West out here. And I'm afraid in the Wild West the guy with the biggest gun (car drivers) always wins.

Have you spoken to Adrian at BicyclePower?