peloton

1) Decide which events you want to ride. 2) Enter the ride, and if there's an arrangement between the event organiser and CSA requiring some contribution from the event, so be it. 3) I hope that the funds so made avilable will help to promote the sport. I know - for a fact - the sport will not be promoted if nobody contributes. I think that the decision makers will sometimes get it right, and every bit helps. They will get it wrong on other occasions, and accordingly pay the price for it. 4) If you are not a club member, do not want to join a club, but just want to ride a couple of rides, enter those events & buy the day license. Its cheaper than you think, and I cannot belive that a trillion dollar industry - the wwweb - is being used to bitch about R30 levied (on occasion) for a noble cause. 5) Allow CSA the funding to promote the sport, lobby for support, and promote a healthy reason enabling one to justifiedly consume canned bread. 6) If you are unhappy with the derelict CSA structure, their condescending manner of enforcing 'their way', their poor marketing skills, their lack of constructive effort, their lack of transparancy, feel free to join them and help fix the f-up. If you then do get it right, you'll look like a saviour, a swashbuckling knight (riding a symphony of italian craftmanship and componentry) in tightfitting lycra, and a post will be dedicated to your very effort, on this very hub. (Oom BigH might mention that you overpaid for that bike, the professor could explain that it's not really an 'Italian bike', some dirtrider will lure you over to the dark side and a mamparra might even make a truly unforseen comment, but that's really the fun part of it all.) Oh yes; and if you are really - reeaally - concerned with your bloody seeding, join a club that can help you sort it out. Simple, really.peloton2007-09-18 18:33:48

The insurance Ombudsman office is no fool. Perhaps its possible that the assessor had more experience in drafting the correct response to the ombudman, whereas the manufacturer didn't. The assessor is a professional - make no mistake - often with years of experience in drafting his reports. It's often just a case of tweaking what is being said. The results can be dramatically different. It's a pity the decision didn't go your way Crux, but don't take the ombudman's finding too lightly. peloton2007-09-08 16:09:34

How can a national body wholly disregard their own national championship? Its called "a hidden agenda", and can surely not be construed as anything else.

he he he I'm still chuckling thinking about that official!

The serious stuff = pro riding. Not magic mushrooms! Imagine a team of Shaun H, Big H and Sammajoor as domestiques to Johan Bornman and Mamparra. And the poor race official to point out that they crossed the line... Man, I would pay money to see that!

Duly noted, but I'm not looking into getting into the serious stuff. All about having some fun!

Perhaps, at leist with weirdos you know what you're getting..

So, to recap: 2mil p/a AND magic mushrooms. Eina!

'Yes' does say a lot, but does not neccessarily answer one's curiosity (which can even kill a cat!)

Hi guys. I'm curious - what would a pro rider require from a worthwile sponsor? Is it a salary, bike/s, components & kit, with medical aid, travelling support, race administration and travelling allowance etc? Would a coach and training facilities have to be included? What would peek a rider's interest. When does one become a 'prorider'? Essentially, and without neccessarily getting personal, how expensive is such a venture? What could be required from "the reasonable sponsor".

Whereas carbon is the most common element found in the universe, titanium is quite rare. Except on planet Titanium, of course!

it would seem so! (chucklegrin)

Yes, these pics remind me of the koppies around Muldersdrif - much the same thing - perhaps just not so crowded.

For what its worth, MTBR seems to host (twenty or so)good reviews of Rotor's Q rings. http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Chainring/product_126238.shtml They are perceived as good value, albeit that the science behind them is not eloquantntly / eloquenily / ............ clearly described.

I've read around a bit, and found this to be the web's general take on : Elliptical & non-round Chainrings. There has been development into shaft driven bicycles, but the ?cog & chain? drive remains the most effective transmission system to date. With a chain-driven bicycle the possibility exists to vary the mechanical advantage of pedalling according to the position of the cranks, by using elliptical and non-round chainwheels. 1) Elliptical Chainrings. The idea centres on the fact that the large radius of the elliptical chainwheel can 'drive' the chain when the cranks are horizontal, with the small radius 'pulling' the chain when the cranks are vertical. As a result you will be able to 'push a higher gear' when the cranks are vertical whilst you are reaping the benefit of a smaller radius of the chainwheel during the 'dead spot' in pedalling motion. Accordingly - so the argument goes - the pedalling stroke becomes (overall) more efficient. It has always looked great in principle, but does not work in practice. The high gear (with the cranks being horizontal) encourages the rider to push too hard - a common cause of knee problems - and the low gear (cranks being vertical) means that the knees are moving extra fast when they are changing direction (from going up or down (a "whiplash" effect). Over time elliptical chainwheels have been re-invented and abandoned - for the same reason - every ten or fifteen years. 2) Shimano's Biopace? was a patented, computer-aided 'non-round' chainwheel design. It looked like a traditional elliptical chainring, but wasn't. It worked diametrically opposed to the 'traditional' elliptical chainwheel, as the small radius of the chainring was engaged when the cranks were horizontal, the large radius when the cranks were vertical. The Biopace? design was different from the elliptivcal chainwheel/ring, based on analysis of the motion and momentum of moving cranks and legs, unlike the static, geometric analysis that produced the first elliptical chainrings. The theory behind Biopace? was that during the power down-stroke - the cranks being horizontal - you would be using the power of your legs to accelerate your feet, and the momentum of your feet, legs and cranks can carry you through the "dead spot" (when the cranks are near vertical). Since the rider doesn't push as hard during the Biopace?'s power phase of the stroke, and motion is slower when the leg is changing direction, the design is substantially gentler on the knees than a normal chainwheel! Generally speaking, the slower motion at top and bottom means that as legs change direction from upward to downward/ vice versa, they will do so at a slightly slower speed. The increased leg speed near the middle of the stroke is the result of a more gradual acceleration / deceleration with the leg moving in the same direction. Thus, as Biopace? makes it easier on your knees, it may also help you 'spin' better without bouncing, as 'bouncing in the saddle' results from the changes in the legs' direction. Biopace? chainwheels (and their derivatives) are particularly suitable for touring cyclists / any application that involves a steady, constant cadence, and they tend to allow more efficient pedalling at slower cadences than what is possible with round chainwheels. They are especially suitable for triathletes (the motion of 'transition' is a little bit closer to that of running, making it a bit easier) and mountain bikers (the design seems to somewhat smoothe out the delivery of power to the rear wheel) as traction can be increased. Non-round chainwheels can be of real value to the majority of non-racing cyclists, but do not work well with high cadence application. It is possible to mix Biopace? and round chainwheels on the same crankset - usually a small Biopace? chainwheel coupled with a round bigblade - taking advantage of Biopace?s? superior (climbing) performance at low cadence, whilst having the ?big blade' available for flatland spinning. Shimano has discontinued Biopace? chainwheels. It should also be noted that within the bicycle industry the term "biopace" has come to represent slang for any "new product" which revolutionizes a certain aspect of cycling, yet - on closer inspection - does not really perform as advertised.

I do not yet understand why CSA can enforce "a law" to require my licensing with them. There is no law which requires my licensing. Licensing is a form of regulating one's participation within a structure. The funrides that i participate in needs no CSA endorsement. They are large, well funded and well supported. CSA - seemingly - does not add value to them, as they have (over time) found the business model to fund themselves. As a matter of fact, CSA will comply with the requirements of the Argus, 94.7, Amashova etc, and build their calendar of league events around their requirments, not vice versa. Surely CSA is relevant in pro riding. Pro riders (professionals who are subject to disciplinary rules, codes of conduct, ethics) need a governing body to facilitate their various structures. I do understand that a massive amount of cash will be generated from 'licensing' fun riders. Why this might be required, I do not. What will CSA do with the 10mil? generated? How will riders benefit? Please tell me that CSA will build cycle paths. Please tell me CSA will have a medical evacuation service - not just a token service! - available to me. Please tell me that CSA will be able to lobby for road closure on small events. Please tell me CSA will be able to resolve the apparent infighting and bickering within timers of events. Please remember, that all of these concerns have allready been in the care of CSA for years, and i do not know what they have been able to resolve, to date. The only visible progress made, has been made where CSA has not been involved. Seemingly, when such a project does become a success, CSA wants 'in' on the action. Licensing Argus, OFM, 94.7, Amashova, Kremetart etc, looks like a cheap shot, guys?

Fietsryers is mos maar klein outjies. Ek groot genoeg vir 'n klompie van hulle...

Is peleton nie eintlik afrikaans nie? Soos Trek. En Reebok.

The lockable shock is handy for onroad application - but not so much for offroad - but is completely unneccessary imo. For a novice starting out the framebrand & groupset are not important aspects, but proper bikefit is. Make sure the bike fits, and you'll have a happy rider. The bike with the better fit should be the natural choice. Nothing wrong with the Silverback. Then again, nothing wrong with that Trek!

I dont think that cyclist's are worse than any other category of road user. Roads are dangerous, and almost 100 people will have been mauled today, some of them were cycling. I think cyclists are really only 'advanced pedestrians' and there's little use in them being licensed. Licensing is a manner for prosecuting authorities to establish attributable responsibility for a vehicle, but a bicycle is not really a relevant concern as it cannot create the same damage as any other category of vehicle, at the same time not being able to 'escape'/ flee from the scene's damage as a car, truck, taxi, or motorbike would be able to do. At the same time, a red light simply arranges rights of access to an intersection - skipping it will not make the world stand still, but 1) you'll be doing it at your own peril, 2) you'll be extended no sympathy if something goes wrong, 3) whilst arguably being held liable for whatever did go wrong. Can I jump a sign at 4 am as 'my common sense dictates'? Of course you can, but if something goes wrong you'll be the scapegoat, apart from being liable for a fine. Shaun's signs are very interesting, as they are not just 'pretty little triangles'. They actually create a liability / duty of care for road users using the roads on which they are planted. A rider killed/hurt on a route without signage might be able to justify a 70% negligence factor (example) in a RAF claim. With Shaun sign's in place, that same incident will raise the drivers attributable negligence to 90%, because of the relevant signage in the area / the driver was warned. The same principle applies to school crossings - if you knock a learner down next to his school you will be pursued because of the additional duty of care placed on you by the shool's relevant signage in the area. Perhaps think about it like this : Would you rather be knocked down on a route with, or without Shaun's signs?

Perhaps one can contact the clubs riding the Lido route, point out to them that the incident occurred, hopefully for them to point the concern out to their members. Chat is for cofeeshops, not the road. It would also be unacceptable for two cars to ride side by side 'having a chat'. Or two busses. Or two taxis. It doesn't have to happen ever again.

Holdfast bootrack works well on a sedan, but a mate of mine has been unable to use the rack on his C-class hatchback as the pressure points seem to be looking for trouble. Also, a car with fairly 'soft' panelling will be damaged. A problem is that when you have loaded the car's boot, strapped on the rack & loaded the bikes (I often carry 3) it's a &*(^ ing hassle to 'quickly' get something out of the boot... The racks do tend to scuff slightly on the pressure points, but I have been able to manage it by polishing the scuffs away. A strapon - once properly fastened - is very stable during travel, but we have (somehow) managed to lose a pedal travelling from Jhb to PE. The rack also has an obvious 'drag' effect, but not as bad as that of roofracks'. Not 1st prize, but it works.

Agreed.

It might be interesting how they 'do it' in Europe, but that is not how 'it is done' here. Here we seem to try to get everybody to participate. It creates a unique event / vibe. It uses the opportunity provided by the event for people to get to know their children, their neighbours, their bikes, their cities. I can't think that the funriding young lady would have wanted to find herself withing the leadbunch, with a pace car, motorbikes and tv cameras around her. It only resulted in her having been knocked up... er - I mean down - and she's probably not getting onto a bike ever again. If the pro apologised (having regained his senses), fair enough! Surely a sensible race organiser could send flowers (as well), especially if the incident has been highlighted to it? Even if they don't do it in Europe, we could do it here?

Join. Greet: " Ou maat - ek ry nou so bietjie saam met JOU!". Pass & pull, attack when you're ready, or get dropped. Surely it's called a race for a reason?