JayLow

I am very happy with my ciovita cargo bib (https://ciovita.co.za/products/mens-cargo-commuter-bib-shorts), it has a good shammy and the pockets mean I can use any shirt with them, so I just use one of my running shirts (sleeveless on a hot day). Don't need special socks but longer socks look better and makes you feel like more of a cyclist. Ciovita also has a nice trail jersey with a back pocket and a lappie to wipe your glasses. I pair this shirt with one of my el cheapo bibs, for shorter rides. My critical gear list: Bicycle to ride Helmet/lid to protect the asset Bib or cycling short with shammy. Good quality (ciovita) for rides longer than 90min and el cheapo from Mr Price for short rides (shammy cream every day even if I don't ride) Quick dry shirt - normal running shirt if my bib has pockets or I take a backpack, cycling jersey with back pockets if not Sunscreen on face, arms, back of neck if I ride between 7am and 5pm Gloves: Still trying to find the right gloves, I have a first ascent pair and a ciovita pair, both are better than bare hands. Socks: Long Versus socks are lekker, if it matches your bike or frame you get 5W extra power (understudied physics loophole) Shoes - Clipless for efficiency, being able to pull for power makes your pedalstroke more efficient, but not essential for fun times Sunglasses - with Se7en (Temu) and Sophie Moda (Takealot) you can now get dark, medium, transition lenses which helps for different light conditions. Plus it can be extra 5W if it matches your helmet, bike, or outfit. Main benefit of this is eye protection (dust, stones, bugs), so even clear lenses would be advisable. Puncture repair kit (plug, CO2, inflator, etc) (I have never broken a chain in 6 years of hard riding, so I will be fetched by my SO if this happens) Water bottle with water/electrolytes only for short rides and nutrition (some carbs/aminos) for long/hot rides. Flavour helps. Bike Computer (Garmin watch) because if it's not on Strava it doesn't count Phone for photographs and to phone my SO when my chain breaks

Yup, no night riding here

Maybe I am over-cautious, but the only way I would do this is if I had someone with a car (and lots of lights) following me. I would consider doing gravel roads without vehicular support, but even then I would probably not do it alone. It's just not rural enough around here. Hopefully you'll get some more hopeful feedback from someone who's done like this.

On our way to this beautiful area (just past Bain's Kloof pass) for a camping trip this weekend, any hubbers know of good, publically accessible gravel roads (or MTB trails) in the area? Strava heatmap seems promising but I don't know how much of these are private roads... Loops preferred, 30-50km

In that price range, you would be hard pressed to do better than a lightly used @Titan Racing Bikes Cypher.

Just bought a white Shredder Pro with MIPS from @Craig Flan at Earth to Air, who has it on special for R1395, seems like a good deal. Looking forward to receiving my upgraded lid!

I did my first few triathlons (including 4x IM70.3s) with the Lizzard Rollan tri suit https://bike-addict.co.za/products/lizzard-rollan-tri-suit and now I have replaced it with this one from Decathlon: https://www.decathlon.co.za/triathlon-accessories/325448-50208-men-s-short-distance-short-sleeved-triathlon-trisuit.html Both are significantly less expensive than 2XU or Orca.

I did my 70.3s on a well-used 10 speed alu road bike and the cheapest (Lizzard) trisuit I could find - no issues. I also borrowed a wetsuit until a suitably priced used option came along on FB marketplace. Until you start getting in the 2h45 bike leg time (sub 5:30 overall time) you don't need to spend crazy amounts on tri-specific gear, fitness will be the limit. The used bike market is a buyer's paradise right now, grab a 10yo road bike for cheap and bob's your uncle. The Mossel Bay bike course will be a lot more bearable on a road bike (big difference between 15kg MTB and 10kg alu roadbike), the climb up the pass after the turnaround is a killer. Decathlon has some nice quality trisuits at a good price. Find a friend to borrow a wetsuit (it helps a lot!). Good luck with the prep - IM70.3 training changed my life.

BINI!

You can create a chat with a number on WhatsApp without having to save the number on both iOS and Windows versions of WhatsApp. Simply tap the plus button in the top right corner of your screen (iOS) or the pencil in block icon above the search bar (Windows app). No need for ad-filled apps or drama.

See now this Woutbashing confuses me again 😂

Thank you! I have been enjoying following the forum the last few days, general positive vibes all round! I used the "we" in my question because I really dig Wout and so was taken aback at the "unflattering" nickname. Anyone who can go to those dark corners of pain caves and still find a reason to smile is on my good list. Seems to be a lot of those types in the Tour, hard men who enjoy the grind but also work and care for a team when required. Aspirational stuff.

Why don't we like Wout? He comes through pretty positively in the Netflix show, so would be interesting to learn what actually went down in the past. (in case you can't tell, I'm new to following Le Tour)

I use the F1TV app on my TCL android TV. For some reason it's not available on the TV's Google Play Store, so you have to sideload it by downloading the APK and then using a USB drive to install the app on the TV. APK can be found here: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/formula-one-digital-media-limited/f1-tv-android-tv/

Anyone know why the second commentator (who always sounds bored, by the way) seemed to be unhappy about Cav peeling off to the left when he started his sprint? He mentioned something about "changing his line" but I know too little about the rules and intricacies of sprinting to read through the lines and infer any controversy. Not sure if anyone here also picked up that awkward moment between the commentators?