Robbie Stewart

I just saw that the days you're able to ride are during the week which will make getting a crowd together near impossible. I'm starting work again on the 12th myself so I won't be available either. If you do ride Jonkers you can do it alone, just ride within your ability and don't go full blast.

You will be fine on all the lines except Plumber if you want to keep things mild. I may be able to whip together a group of fellow like-minded riders in your window. I will ask around and drop a DM.

Say no more. You only need to venture to Jonkershoek for the best Enduro type trails in Cape Town. You say you like steep and technical, so you should go ride Iron Monkey, Armageddon, DH, Red Pheonix, and maybe even Plumber if you're really into steep and big rocks. Closer to Paarl to the south of Spice Route is the Paarl DH line which is a fun line. It was recently revamped and apparently has some added spice. Trust me on this, you can skip all the rest around Paarl and the greater Drakenstein area. They pale in comparison.

Watched a guy try to drive his lowered Polo over a cattle grate late last year. He made his lady friend disembark and spot for him as he tried to cross over. I patiently waited in my Isuzu before he saw me and politely offered that I go first. I wanted to watch the show but he insisted. 😂 Then last week I watched a chap drive his lowered Corolla over some rough farm road at Faircape. He was basically scraping his exhaust system all along that road as he came past. The mind boggles.

Wider rims and lower pressures on a MTB will result in the tyre rolling on the rim, burping the air. It's probably best to stay around 1.8 on rocky terrain to ensure grip and compliance of the sidewall. Lower could work but because the rim is wider than gravel bike rims you could end up with pinching the tyre and dinging the rim. In a race that would be a problem.

I have a Rekon Race on my second bike which I normally use for weekday rides on tar. I took it out on a trail last Friday for the first time and found out it has near zero grip. The moment I even touched the brakes the rear locked up and slid out. That tyre is super fast rolling but grip was sorely lacking. Maybe it was because I don't normally ride that bike on trails ( my Stumpy EVO was in for some maintenance) but even so, I used this as my primary bike before I got the Stumpy and never felt the bike being so twitchy in the grip department. For speed it feels great (I beat my previous best time on the Faircape trail by around 8 minutes between the Stumpy and the Camber last Friday). But the grip level makes me nervous.

Faircape

Cyclists going on about a piece of tar that they seem to think was built for their sole use. The car should not have overtaken, agreed. The riders also should remain single file like they are instructed to do multiple times on the ascent up that road from Hout Bay side. Joggers should not have been there, agreed, for their own safety. But everyone deserves a place in the sun. Wees lekker.

Jonkershoek early start to beat the heat. Good day out with very few other riders on the mountain.

Going there tomorrow. How was the heat today?

I sat at a braai over the weekend. Had two beers over the course of 5 hours. Listened to someone saying that they attended a wedding and he was the designated driver who ended up drinking anyway. Couple beers, a few glasses of red, a few shots of tequila and a couple brandies. Then he drove home via the N2. Got stopped at a road block and didn't have a licence. Told the officer the wife was drunk and she couldn't drive. He got a R500 fine and got sent on their merry way. No breathalyser test or anything of the sort despite being well over the limit. He laughed about it as the story was being told. And then I think of all the people who have died and still would over this holiday season because of situations like this one. Society is broken.

Saw this posted by the JMPD. This just highlights the culture of drinking and driving in SA https://x.com/JoburgMPD/status/2003032178729382168 Jo'burg Metro Police Department - JMPD @JoburgMPD MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE 22 DECEMBER 2025 JMPD STATISTICAL UPDATE: OVER 200 MOTORISTS ARRESTED FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (DUI) The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) remains steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the safety of all road users within the City of Johannesburg. As the holiday season reaches its peak, our officers have intensified law enforcement operations to curb the scourge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Between 15th December 2025 and 21st December 2025, JMPD officers conducted a series of high-visibility roadblocks, roving patrols, and targeted operations across all regions of the city. As a result of these operations, a total of 227 motorists were arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. Commenting on these statistics, JMPD Chief of Police Commissioner Patrick Jaca emphasised the gravity of the situation. "We are seeing very high numbers of accidents on our roads, and more people are being killed. It is our responsibility to ensure that this does not continue and that we reduce these numbers", said Commissioner Jaca. "Each arrest made represents a potential tragedy averted and a commitment to protecting innocent residents and visitors. We will build a force feared by transgressors but trusted by the people." We wish to inform the public that we are continuing with our Festive Season Safety Campaign and Operations. Under our zero-tolerance approach, our officers will remain deployed 24/7 across major routes and hotspots to ensure compliance with the law. We urge all motorists to designate a sober driver before heading out. Utilise e-hailing services or public transport if consuming alcohol. Respect the rules of the road to ensure everyone reaches their destination safely. Our message is clear: if you choose to drink and drive, you will be arrested. Let us work together to make this festive season a safe one for all. ENDS

I try to avoid road riding now because of this. Today I drove back to Cape Town from George via the N2, and before Swellendam I passed three bicycles. Two of them had no lights. The tandem was riding on the left side of the N2 in a stretch with practically no shoulder, and the other MTB was heading towards me on my side of the road. These two bikes had zero lights and were not very visible at all and were riding along abreast of one another. The third bike I saw about 8km later from far away because he was lit up like Santa with very bright lights front and back. I will say that I was utterly shocked to see people riding their bicycles in a national road with very little shoulder on a day with high traffic volumes, including many large horse and trailer trucks.

Apparently a radio station called SFM. I believe it's a local one. My wife heard it on the morning news report yesterday at the in-laws.

Reports on the radio of a cyclist down in George by Elvis Brew by the George Airport. I don't have further details at this stage. Vehicle collision is all I have at present.

Witfontein after some insanely good trails

I've had a couple of claims in the past for appliances like fridges and washing machines, and each time the assessor comes to verify the claim and once it was paid then an appointed agent is dispatched to collect the appliance. Not having read the fine print but it indicates logically that the insurer effectively "buys" the damaged / stolen goods by paying the claim, and thus ownership would transfer to the insurer.

I saw a similar group of kids last Friday evening around the Table Bay Mall vicinity looking like they were up to no good. I suspect they hail from Happy Valley.

This FB Market Place ad was lifted off Bikehub. It's a definite scam on FB. I recall checking the BH ad out last week. https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/dual-suspension-bikes/826757/trek-slash-8-gen-6-mullet-size-ml?return_to=L2NsYXNzaWZpZWRzL2MvbW91bnRhaW4tYmlrZXM_cHJvdmluY2VzPSU1QiUyMldlc3Rlcm5fQ2FwZSUyMiU1RCZzPXRyZWsrc2xhc2g

At least the horse flies have moved on. A few weeks back riding at Hoogekraal meant a guaranteed assault by those demonic insects. Saturday's ride I only encountered the usual band of flies that hover in your face as you climb.

Black Sheep Bicycles at Hoogekraal has mtb rentals for the trails there. They're close to Durbanville as well.

some rim tape, a couple of CO2 bombs, sealant, a syringe, and some sore thumbs later and you're sorted. first time will be a massive faffing and vloeking. second time a bit easier. third time you start getting the hang of it. by the 4th time it comes naturally. edit - if you mean when it has a hole in, then all you need is a tool to stab the tyre with and plunge a snotty in the hole, deep enough to allow free rotation without it slapping the frame.

If you take your bike to the LBS to have the tyres replaced, then you should give your bike back and take up another hobby

Builders has a broad range of aerosol paint cans, and they even have very fine sand paper and masking tape. YouTube has videos of how to DIY.

That knife will be pretty useless against the fender of a car, or even better, the bull-bar of a passing bakkie.