W@nted

I have fond memories of the SA champs held in 2009 (I think) on the lap circuit around the union buildings in PTA. It was crazy, such an awesome atmosphere with many spectators, especially at the union buildings climb. I think Ryan Cox (Barloworld) won the elite race that year. We were racing juniors with Burry Stander and the Barloworld development/junior team including J jv Rensburg, JL Augustyn etc. If I remember correctly, there were at least 3/4 full SA pro teams at the time (Barloworld, Microsoft, HSB etc), which made the elite racing interesting. Not sure if it is just nostalgia, but it just seems the participation numbers and atmosphere just declined from that "Era".

Well at least Alan will be able to wear the SA jersey during the world tour TT’s. The fact that there were only 5 entries in the mens elite TT champs is quite an indication of the sad state of SA road cycling at the moment😢

The problem is much broader. The issue is the general selfish mentality in SA. Only once I have experienced the mentality of motorists towards cyclists in the Netherlands, did I realise how selfish the typical driver in SA is. Here in our town, residential areas the speed limit is 30 km/h, 50km/h in the more "open" areas. I am sure that getting doored while doing 30 km/h will be less severe than at 60 km/h. There are cycle paths all around, but in the city, wherever a road is shared between cyclists/commuter and motorist, there is a general respect between all. Motorists are constantly on the lookout for anyone on a bicycle. If the car cannot pass safely, they are more than happy to drive behind a bicycle/s until it is safe to do so. Even no issues while a motorist rides/waits behind young kids doing 10 km/h. The general rule here is that if you hit a cyclist while driving a car, you are guilty and in serious trouble. A person on a bicycle is not seen as someone who cannot afford a car. Commuting by bicycle is not frowned upon, hell, even our site manager cycles to work. I think the difference is then that some/most motorists will be a commuter on their bicycle at some stage, so there is mutual respect between both parties. In SA, the most drivers mentality is mostly: I am late, I need to get to work, I need to get my kids to school, Get out of my way, stop blocking my way with your stupid bicycle. I am not sure what will help to change this in SA, but with the pretty scenery and amazing weather in SA, it is a pity that it is not the norm to commute to work on a bicycle.

+1 for Gp5000. I had the pirellis, but wear and puncture protection not par with the gp5000

I loosened the rear through axle slightly. Now it is quiet. Will need to see how long it stays quiet though. will report back after this weekends ride

I greased the end caps and all contact points, creaking is present with different wheel sets. So I ruled that out. Has anyone tried a different rear through axle? The stock one has a spacer and o ring. I greased all the contact surfaces on the spacer and even frame, and it was quiet for about 2 hours. Then creaking started again.

Thanks for the replies. I have had no slippage or creaks from the d fuse seatpost. Made sure it has carbon paste on all the contact areas and insert the front and rear wedges as per the instructions (small lip of wedge outside the frame) and torqued to spec. I checked my pedals and swopped my spd pedals with my favero road power meter pedals. Creaking noise still there. I am pretty certain that the noise is from the rear through axle. When I loosen the axle it gives a loud creak and then quietens when I tighten it.

Hi hubbers. I have a 2023 Giant revolt advanced 1. I love the bike, but there is an annoying ticking/creaking noise when applying pressure to the pedals. I have done the following: 1. Replaced the sram dub BB. Made no difference. 2. Greased contact points of chainring to crank and torqued to spec. Noise still there. 3. Friction pasted the d fuse seatpost, noise still there. Noise there also when standing and pedalling, so not coming from the seat/post 4. Removed and greased all contact points on the flip chip of the rear stays. Noise was gone for a few km and then returned. 5. Bought a set of zipp 303 wheels, noise is still there. The only thing that quiets the noise is loosening the rear through axle, greasing it and re torque. Bike is then quiet for about 50km then it starts again. Definitely coming from the through axle. Any specific lube/remedies I can try to address the noise permanently? (New bike not an option :))

I can confirm that the challenge is real. Doing this challenge outside here in the north is something else. I braved the mist and 1 degrees C weather yesterday for a 90 km ride. I enjoyed the first hour outside, the rest was less than enjoyable. I will be be back on zwift for the rest of the challenge

Outside loops... Crazy.

Look, that is some mental exercise to spend 12h on an indoor trainer. However, I do feel that the kilometers are covered quicker on zwift due to the bunch draft effect. From Volkers ride it shows very little elevation gain and he most probably spent most of the ride in a "pace partner" group. As example, I rode with pace partner "coco" this morning. 2.6 w/kg average resulted in an average speed of almost 39 km/h. No way that you will ride that speed at that power outside. Just an observation though, still a great achievement. I also spend many miles on zwift during this challenge, due to the crap weather in the northern hemisphere at this time.

When you click the "enter now" page on the Egoli 500, it takes you to a page where you pay R3k for an annual subscription which allows you to ride all the 500 events it seems. So it looks like an annual subscription setup.

I read now Scott is parting ways with Kate Courtney for 2025.

On SAFFA front: Tristan Nortje moved from Honeycomb to Imbuko and Wessel Botha from Imbuko to Honeycomb.

I’m 1.75 m tall and ride a medium Revolt. But pretty sure a small frame would work for a more aggressive setup, as my seatpost is not very far extended (I have short legs). This makes for a relaxed drop to the handles, even with the stem slammed. As mentioned, rather speak to a good bike fitter beforehand, as total length does not give the full picture.