cat-i

I took the TW for a short tour of part of Lesotho. Day 1: Golden Gate to Katse Lodge. Around 220 km. The TW's tank capacity is 7 l. On a good day that could be around 210km, but 170 km is probably more realistic. We (the BF rides a Honda) weren't too excited about carrying a jerry-can on the bike, so we toyed with the idea of taking the bakkie with. Within half an hour after mentioning this to my brother, their air tickets were bought: they were coming from Cape Town to drive the bakkie for us. The TW is a bit too slow for safety on South AFrican highways, so plan was to drive the bakkie (bikes at the back) to Golden Gate, and ride from there. Picked them up at the Gautrain station, and then started making our way to Golden Gate. At Reitz my GPS led us astray, so we missed Bethlehem and, consequently, the opportunity to get supper. It was dark and very wet when we arrived. After supper (coffee, Simba chips and droewors) we went to sleep with the sound of rain through the night. We woke up to a beautiful misty and very green Free State. The rain subsided and we quickly packed up. After a short detour through Clarens, we were on our way to breakfast in Fouriesburg, where we were also going to fill up both bikes, the bakkie and the Jerry can. About 10 kms outside of Fouriesburg the TW sputtered a bit ... and then some more. And then cut out. We only rode 130 since the last time we filled up ... but that did include the ADA DP1 training course ... I switched to reserve, but a few kms further the tank was really empty. The bakkie drove off to Fouriesburg to get fuel, and we were on the road again. If you're ever in Fouriesburg, stop at 'Die Plaasstoep' for breakfast. Caledonspoort border post is just over 10 kms from Fouriesburg. Once you're out of Butha-Buthe, the roads are quieter and it was great being outside. Lesotho was very green. The Mafika Lesiu pass must be one of the prettiest in the world - I'm sure my brother felt ever so slightly jealous that he was in the bakkie and not on a bike. And the mountains were full of water - at some point my broeter and his wife (in the bakkie) could see 19 waterfalls from same spot. We stopped at a viewpoint just below the top of the pass. The TW was not impressed with the last few 100 metres of this pass. It sputtered and hickupped, but once over the top (at 3090) and on the downhill, it was happy again. You get your first glimpse of the Katse dam soon after you've crossed the highest point of the pass, but if you're not used to riding it's still a long way (50 or so) of twisty turny roads to the lodge. We checked out the campsite above the dam wall, then proceeded to the Lodge for sundowners on the stoep (ice cold Maluti beers and popcorn) and supper (try the almond trout). The lodge was fully booked, so we went back to the campsite above the dam wall to pitch tents for the night.

Took the TW to an ADA intermediate Dual Purpose course the weekend. After riding around lots of cones, we finally got to ride some singletrack ... and there was even a nightride

The way I understood it is that the generic drugs are cheaper because they don't have to pay all the high development and testing fees to make sure that the product is actually working? Maybe there's a doctor or a pharmacist here who knows the process and the differences?

Love this Disturbed version. Saw the video over the holiday, loved it and forgot about it. This weekend it was playing on some radio station and I think it's even better without the video - love the change of mood that he creates with his voice.

Some light reading between hiking/swimming/cycling/river volleyball / braaiing: Into the Wild (Jon Krakauer) Different Seasons (Stephen King) - got the book because wanted to read ShawShank redemption, but the other 3 stories were also most entertaining: Apt Pupil, Breathing Method and the Body.

First part of Mike's thoughts on the Munga is on his blog at http://mikewoolnough.blogspot.co.za/

That dude that I posted the link to the blog to? He is preparing for Munga at the moment; won Race to Rhodes earlier this year, is way over 50, and did 94.7 in 2:56 - in that heat. His previous fastes time was 2 minutes faster when he was 10 years younger. Of course 1 example is not scientific, but in at least one case Banting made this guy a lot faster. He is experimenting with different strategies and blogging about what works and what not.

Not sure if 4 months is enough time ... but go read this blog: http://mikewoolnough.blogspot.co.za/ The guy is on Banting, and doing all sorts of ultra-distance events (Freedom Challenge, Dash 2 Durban, and currently preparing for Munga). He often writes about eating strategies on these type of events.

so which mounting produced the best clearance? Edit: A bit slow here after a long day - you mean being more visible by putting the handlebarlight at the back facing to the rear?

Coffee? Maybe with a muffin?

awwwww my name's not on the list

... wears big shoes?

I'll have to check out the top 10 or so and make friends with them - that's the only way I'll get close to getting an entry - the distance and time these guys are doing is insane!

Yesterday afternoon's commute. And I'm going there again this afternoon

Commuting in Joburg, on the other hand, is glorious at the moment. Not only because of the green but yet dry singletrack through the Spruit and the magnificent weather, but also from tomorrow hopefully maybe possibly a bit less traffic into Sandton.

Yaaaay thank you for the quick response Admin!! x

Both on Chrome and on Microsoft's Edge. Activities checked and not private. Clicking on the link to my profile links through to Srtava, so it did pick up the profile ... not destined to win (this time) ,,,

Awwwww the app won't sync with my strava ErrorException (E_NOTICE) HELP Trying to get property of non-object Open: /home/forge/lovethebike.com/app/models/Activity.php /* * Take Strava Activity Data and 'handle' it. * Note that the object passed in is expected to be returned * from the Strava API. It isn't supposed to be an instance of Activity! */ public static function handleData($a) { $activity = Activity::find($a->id);

Sjoe. Get well soon!

Hope you're ok dude!!!!!

I passed motorists stuck in traffic this morning down Republic while RUNNING* to the office * Running in loosest definition of the word. But realising that I'm faster than them was a huge motivator to run a bit further before walking again.

I was taken out by a commuter a few months ago - tried to pass me, but there wasn't enough space between the car and me, ... i think he's bike didn't have any brakes - or maybe he didn't know how to work them ... took us both out. Lots of blood The lesson for me was that danger comes from anyone - I mustn't only look for cars, but pedestrians and fellow commuters are equally unpredictable - need to know who's where all the time.

With the gauteng summer rain I just use a windproof jacket for commuting. It's not cold, pouring water may run in by the neck anyway - so my logic is just to keep the wind off me. I'm more scared of hail.

That's R4800 per person = R9600 for the team?

The bike. The bike. Always the bike. Think about taxis! Think about loadshedding and traffic lights not working! Think about cars blocking the the intersections and cutting in and turning right from the far left hand lane. Focus!