SilverRider

Finally got round to downloading and enjoying the pics. Dankie Chris, dit was 'n fantastiese Argus-naweek!

The MTB event has a mix of variable terrain. No major climbs but you can expect singletrack, jeep track, farm roads with corrugations, actually very few district road, lots of winning fields (wenakker) around the maize fields and some track in the veld. Excellent waterpoints and marshals. The heat can be challenging but it is not a gravel grind and it isn't too technical either.

Had a ride around Wilgeboom Agricultural Holdings just outside Potch this morning. My sister and uncle joined in. We call it the "Plot crawl".

I had the Scwalbe Pro Evo One mounted previously on my Dura Ace tubeless wheelset. It worked sort of. Very comfortable but very prone to punctures in my experience. I used it with Stans though because I couldn't get my hands on Orange Seal back then. So when replacement time arrived I got the Good Years and orange seal. Also broke a lever or two but the crowbar tyre levers did the job. Inflated and seated with the track pump and no issues since. No puncture or sealant spraying the rear triangle of the bike that used to be a big irritation with my previous setup. I'm a huge fan now.

Finally finished the build on my MTB SS. He already made an appearance on the Where has your bike taken you today thread. Got the frame almost exactly a year ago, together with the handlebar and seat post and some gearing goodies that I never intended to use. Got it from a Hubber. Then came the fork, front wheel, white tyres and an extra set of black tyres. Also from a Hubber. The fork's paintjob was tired but some powder coating sorted that. The crank, BB, green grips, tubby bag and minipump from Hubber Rion. The stem I bought many years ago, also from a Hubber. Saddle also from a Hubber. The chainring and sprocket came from CRC, long before the ZAR become so useless. Rear wheel, chain and headset I got from the LBS. I have a 38-16t on there, because my commute is really really flat. Everybody knows that Potch doesn't really have hills. It rides like a dream. It's quiet and smooth, the bike is light compared to my old commuter, and is just loads of fun.

I got lucky with the magic gear, but lots of eye rolling might have been involved ????. I tried it first with an old chain that was lying around. Wanted to make sure I didn't butcher the new chain.

Took my newly built SS for some exploring.

Us Potchefstromers will be departing by car and bike rack tomorrow morning DV (donners vroeg). Aiming for a 1AM start. Travel safe everyone!

Thx guys, this will mean so much!

Nicole's colleagues and friends are compiling a memory booklet for the small service we are having in celebration of her life. Would you guys object if we include screenshots of some the posts in this thread?

Let me know if you need help with this. Nicole's closest friend takes this very hard, please keep her in your prayers as well.

Rain is fine, thunder and lighting not so much ;-)

It has been the same here in Potch. Seems that we are in for a wet spell up here on the Highveld.

Yesterday afternoon's commute was a wet one. Waited over an hour under the roof of a church for the thunder and lightning to pass. Then it was full speed for home but the rain caught me about 2kms from home. When I got to the dirt road, I live on a small holding with about 800m of dirt road as the last stretch, it was more suitable for a canoe than a bike or even a car. Cleaning the bike and wet kit was not fun.

I have a pair of Thinsulate or something of the kind gloves that a friend bought for me at Cape Union Mart many years ago. Wear a beanie under the helmet, and try not to get the glasses too fogged up at the stop streets. Cold air on the face and in the air ways doesn't bother me at all. I really struggle with a buff or something similar around my mouth and throat. I also wear a very bright lumo yellow soft shell jacket with a fleece inner together with arm warmers. Makes the upper body feel very toasty after about 5kms. My toes are really the big issue. Everything is warm when I get to work except my feet. But the commute is short enough so that I stop just before frost bite becomes a factor . I have to say that the snot rockets happen more frequently in winter than in summer