Robbie Stewart

Ek sê mos, ek judge jou nie. I've been spending the last two weeks on the West Coast Cycle Path wondering why I'm so slow. Apart from rolling on Maxxis Assegai and Minion DHR II's, I think it's the flapping in the wind that my kit is doing that is slowing me down more than it should. So, don't tell anyone I said this, maar ek verstaan die punt van lycra.

'atta boy!

Hey, if you enjoy being a lycra tiger, I won't judge you - at least, not to your face

Not doing the Epic, but I did two Enduro races last year where I ended up with gut issues so bad I tapped out on both occasions and didn't finish the last two stages. I got some valuable info in this thread.

Is this that section that extends up the mountain at the top of Klipwerf? I haven't ridden it, heard it wasn't worth the effort.

WHAAAAAAAT? Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chriiiiis!!! Oh boy you are in for a surprise. You're going to love it.

Julle mense is darem kaak snaaks so in die middel van die week.

For many years I bluffed myself into believing my Spez Camber 120mm full suss was as capable as any larger bike on most trails around Cape Town, and I'd happily blast down the gnarly trails behind bigger bikes, convincing myself I'm in no need of more travel and more agro geometry. Then I bought my Stumpy EVO Alloy with 160mm up front and 150mm at the rear, and I was cured of my self inflicted stupidity after the first ride. Needless to say, I don't ride the Camber anywhere else but on my morning training rides before work. And everything I ride on the Stumpy is better. It's like seeing in colour versus being colour blind. So yes. More gnar = more travel = more better. 😎😉💪🏻

there's your problem

Do NOT reply. In your mail client, select the mail by clicking it ONCE only, and then hold down SHIFT and press the DELETE button on your keyboard. If you succumbed the temptation already, then you have acknowledged that there is a person on the receiving end of your mail addy and you are about to be spammed by the devil himself. In which case, good luck.

I was wondering if you were there. That looks almost invitingly fun here in Ape Town where the mercury is hovering around ~34 deg C.

In the times we are living in currently, and with all the insanity that we are seeing happen across this place we call home, sometimes we get a sense of euphoria when "the wheel turns" and someone loses the fight to stay alive. It's easy to feel unsympathetic and that the person's death is justified, even wanted. But to me, I am willfully reminding myself that it was a human life that was lost for a very foolish reason. And justifiable or not, I am focused on the pure human tragedy this will unleash. And no, mense, I am not saying I support what he did. He sowed. He reaped. And now he has to face the consequences on the other side of the curtain to eternity. For him, it's too late. And that saddens me.

At least this thread proves I'm a mere mortal.

Bergamont HT 6'429 km Spez Camber 11'328 km and some change Spez Evo 212 km I have a ways to go it seems. And to think, this morning I saw I will be reaching 18'000km on Strava tomorrow morning and felt chuffed with myself. I need to ride more.

I just found this thread. I'm a fond reader myself and don't mind getting lost in the pages of a good book. I was gifted the latest Bennie Griessel saga from Deon Meyer, Leo, over December. It kept me busy for about 4 days.I really enjoyed it. The end was very abrupt.

Being the son of a landowner, I can attest to the fact that generally it is frowned upon when unknown people just move around on your land. In this case it is only slightly different in that the club has agreements in place to allow cycling on these farms, but even then, it is controlled. I do not know any farmer who will just willingly entertain this. And rightly so, it shouldn't have to be. I am not sure how this is going to be managed, but I am not in favour of encountering anyone other than a fellow cyclist on a trail that I am riding, sometimes alone. This is a recipe for trouble. It has to be stopped before it gets out of hand.

Nevermind

Eland carpaccio so tender it melts on the tongue. Had that in Tsumeb in 2017. As I was typing I was thinking Eland, but I love Gemsbok as well. It makes Kudu taste pedestrian.

Ek kyk duidelik soos my gat. My wife keeps telling me the same. Clearly there's a trend going on here. Next time I ride Banhoek I'm taking a rifle. Gemsbok steak is my favourite meal. If I ever get offered a last meal, that will be it.

Eland. I had a close call with one on the Cobra line. They like that part of the valley, so keep your eyes open when you see them around. Given that a Eland is for the most part the size of a large bull it can cause some damage when you collide with them.

I'm willing to swap bikes in case you feel the need to ride 'Amish'.

When I speak of survival, that is precisely what I mean. My best time at this event is just shy of 5 hours. I'm not built for this type of event, and most assuredly I will see how many beers can be consumed on the day. I'm not attending for a fast time. I'm there for a good time.

Riding up Irish once to the top is a challenge. Twice is mental. Haven't tried, and my knees go weak at the thought, especially that top bit. But I'm sure I will finish. Perhaps last, but I'll finish.

I got a shock entry to this event and suddenly realised I've got six weeks to get from zero to survival mode. Started putting in the miles yesterday and just finished day 2. I'm kaput as I type this and I'm considering my life choices.

It must be said though, took my bike to CycleTeknix once and was told to collect after 6 days. After booking the bike in and driving past West Coast I decided screw that I want my bike seeing as it was day one of my holiday, so I collected the bike from CycleTeknix and took it to West Coast. The bike was fixed while I stood there having coffee. I was riding that arvie versus going without a bike for a week ...