MudLark

Interesting. I'll stay away then.

I really like who you are. It takes courage to recognise this about oneself, even more to say it. I think all humans have dark corners in their souls and in the wrong circumstances are capable of regrettable things.

Recently got some e-bike chains for a normal 11 speed. Work fine, longer life and more links than you need.

https://www.easybike.co.za/garmin-varia-seat-post-quarter-turn-mount.html These are great. Much better than the rubber band mount.

Dunno. I've had a few good deals.

Which area do you live in?

As die karre jou nie donders platry nie. I ride JHB roads a lot... as do many others... Jan Smuts isn't a great choice on a bike if you can avoid it. Too narrow on the edges in places, too many taxis, too fast. Better to go do a few circuits of the Cradle maybe. Dunno. YMMV.

It's weird. It's something I have never had an issue with. I have never used chafe cream and for a long time I used to ride MTB in ordinary shorts and jocks with no problem. I switched to cycling shorts mainly because I used to wear out a pair of jocks per 40km+ ride. And no discomfort. I have no idea why.

Does the Magene integrate with a Garmin head unit (eg Edge) and show the red line and the dots on the side?

Yes, it's not an easy last one third. And last year there was a heck of a head wind on the last bit towards the finish line. But not nearly as bad as the N3TC event!

I am lucky and have never had a puncture during a road event. I have also learned the hard way about needing to make sure there is nothing still stuck in the tyre. That was in pouring rain too! Mostly now on the road I ride a gravel bike with very tough but fast rolling commuter tyres which although not TL tyres have with success been set up as tubeless. As for glass, I did the JUMA one year and hit a big piece of glass in one of the water courses. That was about 1/3rd of the way into the race. I lost all air in about 2 seconds - tubeless setup. I borrowed three or four tubes and still ended up walking the last 200m or so to the finish line. I had to use a piece of plastic to keep the tube from protruding through the hole but they still only lasted so long.

It's very unusual to get that many punctures in such quick succession. You could try some hardshell tyres. See the link below. And always carry a Park Tool punture repair kit (small but works well) and a small pump anyway. Tubeless is an option but has its downsides too. Maintenance is one. A different option is use a tube with sealant designed for tubes. See the Ryder product. https://www.continental-tires.com/bicycle/tires/race-tires/gator-hardshell

We're in a bit of COVID spike at the moment, I've been off the bike a bit since flying to CT and back the end of last week. Ears blocked, a sense of tiredness, PC tends to be a bit in the minus zone (-4/-5). Even if I had entered I doubt I would have ridden today. Maybe you have the same thing.

Why I didn't enter this year. It was a complete bloody circus.

Thank you very much!

I rode Berg n Bush one year where the mud was super crazy. Day 1 my chain eventually wouldn't stay on the chain ring. Day 2 my front wheel eventually wouldn't turn and later my RD wouldn't shift anymore either (SRAM GX). I had huge fun. The bike didn't seem to suffer too much either though the paint did get chewed off the inside of the chainstays. Many years later I am still using that bike. But mostly I stay away from mud rides nowadays.

I am not sure if we are taking about the same strip of road (I am not that familiar with CT and surrounds) but on the way in on Friday I saw loads of tannies with "Slow Down for the Baboons" signs and so on. But nothing warning motorists about cyclists. One good thing was that the Uber driver said that one has to be careful of the cyclists (after I remarked on how dangerous the situation was for the cyclists we passed) because they have organisations that pursue you if you bump one. No idea if it is true but it is a good thing if it makes drivers more careful. As for the guys that cycle Chappies... there's no room for forgiveness there either if a driver screws up. I considered walking a few km into Hout Bay from near the Chappies toll gate around sunset time but looking at the road realised that I might easily get smacked by a car in the dusk... then thought about the poor bloody cyclists. I have ridden Chappies on a cycle tour and it must be the best bike route anywhere in the world.... but for this aspect. A pity indeed. Maybe one's pespective is different if you live and ride there frequently. Don't know. I was thinking of schlepping a bike down there to go just ride around for a few days in the area given how beautiful it is. But the safety situation makes me think that it may be better to give it a miss, partly because a lack of local knowledge on my part.

I used to think us guys in Joburg were taking a bit of a chance on our roads. Then I used an Uber on Saturday morning from the Noordhoek area via Houtbay to CT airport. I think the CT cyclists have serious death wish issues. The roads are narrow, loads of traffic both ways and no cycle lane. The cars seem to barely scrape past the cyclists.

Okay, I was looking at an Accuweather prediction. I'm not riding but I hope its a good day for all those who are!

Next Sunday looking like rain too.

Or that short either .... 🙂

Yes. I fitted an 11-34 on my first road bike some years back. Compact groupset to start with. Fitted an SGS rear derailleur. Never regretted it. When are others are walking, I am still pedalling. Recently I fitted an 11-34 to a gravel bike that came with an 11-28. This time I used derailleur hanger extender - R250. Plus the cassette and a longer chain. It helps a lot when I am 120km into a ride and am faced with a steep gradient. I can get away with the 11-28 but the 11-34 is just so much sweeter when you need it. The size of the steps also works wells for me.

It was literally sh!t we were riding through at one point. They can keep their Steyn City MTB ride. There was some fun single track but mostly the whole thing was second rate. Honestly, you'll have more fun doing two loops at the Cradle.

Had this and also foot numbness and overheating with 'normal' MTB shoes. Never had a problem again since switching to Lakes with carbon soles. Expensive but they can take quite a lot of abuse, last a very long time and are worth every cent in terms of avoiding pain/discomfort etc..

Hi guys, Many thanks indeed. That is very useful info. It looks like the Rapide link should do it for me. Will get hold of Wayne. ML