Zebra

Watched the video - interesting view on things. I too was surprised at how much foliage was growing - deeply- into the yellow lane on Ou Kaaps - I - and a good few others - 'called it in' - and they ACTUALLY did cut back in 2 or 3 areas! I felt there was still a fair bit of windscreen glass about, but realize accidents are frequent! Just now Googled top 10 most congested cities in the world, and, et Voila...! According to recent reports, the top 10 most congested cities are Istanbul, New York City, Chicago, Mexico City, London, Paris, Jakarta, Los Angeles, Cape Town, and Brisbane. These cities lead the rankings due to significant traffic delays, with Istanbul topping the list with motorists losing an average of 105 hours per year to congestion. Istanbul: 105 hours lost New York City: 102 hours lost Chicago: 102 hours lost Mexico City: Ranked fourth London: Ranked fifth Paris: Ranked sixth Jakarta: Ranked seventh Los Angeles: Ranked eighth Cape Town: Ranked ninth, with drivers losing an average of 94 hours per year Brisbane: Ranked tenth

Unsure if you are aware, but Mark Preen, apart from being a serious paddling athlete, both canoe & Surfski, won the Tuffer Puffer, as well as the Puffer trail race many times, including 3 years back-to-back, IIRC; ….start at Ferryman's Tavern in the V&A Waterfront, run off-road for 160km to Cape Point and back (along the Table Mountain chain), and then back to Ferryman's tavern. A running,paddling and cycling legend. Chris

Rough price on Armour Ride for your bike, please? thanks!

Right. As of Wednesday, 01st October, i have either R2.5k else R3k OVER, so far, in my account, after paying the Muralist. I will give it say 1 more week for any other pledges to trickle in, and then this R2.5 or R3k + any other pledge received (will do a recon…) needs to ‘go somewhere’, to a good cause/charity/memorial, etc. Please supply ideas on WHAT to do with it; i would like it out of my account by say the 15th October, latest. Please note 1 member pledged - and paid - R5k, so its possible to return some funds to him, but over to the Hubbers… Chris

Thanks, Milosh, appreciated. You made a difference. Chris

Noted, @Spirog many thanks, much appreciated. Chris

I did follow up with Droo last weekend, but his donor bike went quickly - maybe someone can ask NILS @Nils if he has something? Cheers Chris

Update from Dennis Hammar's Wife: "It's really hard to believe that it is 2 months since Dennis Passed away. Yesterday I went to find this unbelievable mural that was painted of him ... it was hugely emotional and a reality that he is not coming home. But, I am filled with gratitude that he has left an unbelievable mark on so many people because he touched so many lives and those who drive past the mural can remember him with love . 💔💔💔"

...touch WOOD, or touch CARBON - confused...

I was a bit of a cheapskate; the new/unused but 2-season-old Revolt was heavily discounted, and for R25k i happily settled on both 2x, as well as 11-speed; …at 63, am not going to set ANY records with 1x, or 12-speed! 1x is indeed simpler, but I was happy with 2x affordability trade-off, and I like the bigger gearing it offers. Chris

Ok, will do so (start Dennis Hammar thread…)in the new week. Yes, both Wife & Son aware, Son gave us permission to do the Mural, and Wife & Son phoned me seperately later that afternoon, expressing gratitude. Was suprised to hear from them on the same day, since i purposely kept things a bit quiet, so we were not disturbed whilst setting up, etc. She (Wife) wants to meet the Muralist, so sometime soon we will meet at site - with Champagne, nogal, and ‘celebrate’ his life, etc. More then, but both Wife & Son are stoked; well done to Hubbers collectively making this happen! Chris

Yes, noted: to be fair, this was self-supported, 3 weeks duration, alone, over the highest motor-able road in the world, from Pakistan into China, the Karakoram ‘Highway’. (for example, I carried hiking boots to traverse landslides…!) So, Baguettes and Air B&B’s were not a ‘thing, in the late 80s, Cheers Chris

…would you mind running with this, Anthem24, and having a go at it, or must contributors move their own (portion of) content, unsure…?

@furbz, was also wondering about baggage, since you wrote: Light weight rider(68kgs), no fall, no baggage. ….not for one SECOND suggesting just 7kg luggage would cause that; more genuinely interested in HOW he was transporting his luggage, since I come from a bike-packing past (back in the day, the old days!) Would like to see how he carried the load… Cheers Chris

Hi Gemmerbal (bud!); I spent 3 years in Riyadh, and Dubai was where we had R&R breaks, so how bad can it be!!! Seriously, other than for your dogs, it will be a life-altering experience, the nighttime’s (genuine) sporting activities are a total blast, and there is a chance to save some proper money whilst over there (though Saudi was way-better to be able to SAVE, but not quite as much fun…! Still, there were the British/Irish & Scottish nurses, so there WAS that!) …and remember, FROM DUBAI, you can make the most amazing trips, just hours away, to cool cycling destinations…! I would not hesitate, if I were you! Cheers Chris

…had the most interesting suggestion from ChrisF, to place the Ghost bike ABOVE the mural, suspended, etc.….just putting it out there, for others to consider/run with… Cheers Chris

I would like a Ghost bike, to go just BELOW the mural, and maybe someone else can place it, and chain it in place? Any volunteers? Tx… Cheers Chris

Picture showing Artist’s signature at lower left, as promised. A further call for pledged funds - thanks! Chris.

Update: (Pledgers - payment details at BOTTOM of post...) Monday 22 Sept was the day for doing the Mural: I met Mernette Swartz early (the artist, her Insta-handle is _blakz …), and I got us access, with her bakkie, to a closed-off/controlled construction site, where W.B.O. are renovating the CTICC - that story for another day! We built up the scaffolding, and she laid down her 'grid' chop-chop, to 'show' any pesky authorities that work had begun, and we could not/should not be stopped...! She uses a 'grid' - those weird squiggles - then ADDS that to the stylized picture of Dennis's face, then BLENDS - digitally - the opacity of his face and the squiggles, giving her reference points to work on a large-format art work, where proportionality must be correct - I learnt a lot watching all this. Then, little by little, building the layers of his face, using black/white/grey(s) for this part, keeping things monochromatic in his memory, etc., until he clearly 'emerged' from the Underpass-pillar! Then, much later, on to the vibrant/colorful side of the mural, bright colours to show the (cycling) life he had lived, and then onto the bicycle itself, which she chose to make WHITE after I mentioned I suspected the White Ghost bike has been stolen by some low-life - nice idea, Mernette! We wrapped up mid-afternoon - a very satisfying project indeed - if you get a minute, please drive past, and say hi to 'him'. (notes: the 2x C.O.C.T. mega screens will be moved in time - they slightly obstruct the view from SOME angles, but the site was chosen to offer a bit of security whilst doing the artwork... …and - for now - prevent any defacement in the unlikely event of that happening. Stopped at the traffic light nearby, whether East-West stop or North-South stop, the mural of Dennis can be seen. And the dripping Yellow paint from the words R.I.P. was INTENTIONAL, not by accident. I asked the Artist to sign her work, and that is the BLAKz at lower left. (not shown, will get that pic...) Would love - at some stage - to get a Ghost bicycle standing, anchored to the wall, below the mural, as further reinforcement, etc.) Questions welcome. Those who pledged, here are my banking details: (I have paid her this morning, in full). COSTS: R7086. Banking details: C D Grinton Investec Private Bank Account: 10010819712 Branch Code: 580105 R.I.P. Dennis. Chris WhatsApp Video 2025-09-23 at 08.08.04_ca141015.mp4

I will call for payment by those committed to donations in the next day or so, just wanted to get the mural done (or at least, started…), before requesting payment… Will paste a link here of the ‘contribution list’ here shortly - it is my post 3 or 4 pages back - I feel we have sufficient funds to cover the muralist, scaffolding, etc, but anyone joining now will REDUCE the cost per person, as it were. I think we have 8 people (incl myself) pledging R1k each, and one person pledged R5K…, so around 9, and likely 10 with you joining in, DJR, thanks! (PS: surplus funds could well be used for another, worthy project, etc, the group to decide…) Chris

Here is what is planned... 1st, the MAP is drawn, and then detail is added.... note: picture 2 is JUST an approximation of what is planned…

Ok, today is the day, updates later....

Is this Neville Bailey from Norman Henshilwood High School? Cheers, Chris, Class of 81’ish!

I think a LITTLE bit of background - where based?, which race?, what date?, small/medium/large of X large?, will at least help readers know roughly what you are looking for! Good luck Chris

reply received: Hi Christopher, Thanks for your email. Following these reports of stoning’s, (see attached) I requested an update on the ‘eviction’ of the 424 persons. Here is the reply I got today: From: Xavier Erasmus (redacted...) Sent: Monday, 15 September 2025 09:22 To: Cllr Ian McMahon (redacted); Ane van Zyl (redacted); Fiona Stewart (redacted) Subject: Re: Transnet N1 Eviction Dear Councilor The updated was provided at the last Land Security meeting. Please find attached the court order: To sum it up: 1. The parties need to conduct a joint survey before 7 October 2025; 2. Survey report is due 28 October 2025; 3. City affidavit in respect of relief sought due 7 November 2025; 4. Main application is postponed to 21 November 2025 Law Enforcement is in the process of making arrangements to conduct the survey with the relevant officials. I trust that the update is in order. Regards Xavier Erasmus Principal Legal Advisor Legal Services Office of the City Manager I have requested the Deputy Chief Safety & Security to respond on the interim measures from now until the legal process mentioned above is implemented, what measures are being focused on this issue? Kind thanks Ian