two hands

This was an excellent call. I felt like I was being boiled alive setting up at midday 🥵

I'd love to chat about this over a coffee, or a beer. Better still, a ride and a coffee/beer! And I get it. I really do. I'm no saint, and I certainly don't have answers to the safety issue – which plays out in so many communities across this country. We lost one of songo.info's brightest graduates to tsotsis on New Years Day in 2024. It effects everyone. There are no quick fixes. The root cause is so complex it's not going to be solved here. Something has to change, and I'm heavily invested in just one small way to initiate change. Is it the right way? I have no idea, its a way. All I know is we have had a material impact on the education outcomes for the kids in our care. There are less kids on the street because of us. There are more matriculants in Kayamandi because of songo.info. There are more students from Kayamandi at Stellenbosch University because of this organisation. All the research points to the quality and level of a person's education opening up opportunities to a better life and lifting people out of poverty and crime. So that's where we start. Feed kids. Tutor them. Ride bikes. Are there other ways to initiate chnage? Sure. Boycotting a charity race in Kayamandi is also a way. Voting with your hard-earned dollars is also totally valid. And I genuinely respect your right to do that. Just please reserve judgement about an entire community until you've spent some time talking to people here.

I go into Kayamandi weekly. And I have done so for the better part of 15 years. Never had police security accompany me. Never had anything stolen. Neither has Christoph. I genuinely have no idea what you're talking about... However, I can understand your decision not to support the event if you have had a bad experience outside Kayamandi. That is your choice. And I respect it. I have invited you before (last year, I think, after a similar comment about the event) to come and experience it for yourself. The offer still stands. And I will extend it to any Hubber willing to get out of their comfort zone. At any time, not just during the Champions Race, where, yes, we have security, mostly for crowd control and to make sure the kids don't run onto the race course on their way home from school. It's the same level of security required by local municipalities and insurance companies for any organised event. I had a Wahoo bike computer handed into me after it came off one of the pro rider's bike on course. I'm genuinely sorry you have had a traumatic experience near or in Kayamandi. But wouldn't you agree that supporting an initiative that feeds and educates the community youth every day, gives them a safe space to learn and play after school and supports them in developing a passion for the sport we all love is a step towards reducing the type of crime you seem to blame them for? songo.info is dedicated to providing resources in a very neglected part of Stellenbosch so these kids grow up to be healthy, balanced adults who contribute in a positive way to their community and see a world full of opportunity. And seize it. Not just become another statistic at the hands of a failed education system and historic disadvantage. If you want to be angry, shout at the police, change your politicians. Don't blame the kids in a hostile township for their circumstances... Anyway, if you're courageous enough to have your perception of songo.info changed, and understand the challenges that the Kayamandi community faces, I am here. Offering you a safe, guided tour of the clubhouse, BMX track, kitchen and classrooms that provide hope for 150 kids every day.

Jolanda Neff v Tyler Jacobs, Charlie Aldridge and Sam Gaze v Luke Moir and Michael Foster. Dammit. Really should have lead with this as the headline!!!

Who's keen to watch a few Olympic and World Champions and our local hitters go toe-to-toe in Kayamandi? Jolanda Neff v Tyler Jacobs, Charlie Aldridge and Sam Gaze v Luke Moir and Michael Foster? Come watch. It is a great day out!

A quick update on our Pro start list: Elite Men: Luke Moir Mark Pritzen Michael Foster Lachlan Moreton Andrew L'Esperance Matt Beers Unathi Nxumalo Damon Terblanche Thabiso Zindela Sam Gaze Simon Andreasson Felix Stehli Andrin Beeli Inus du Preez Ryno Owen Christoph Sauser Craig Uria Erik Kleinhans Elite Women: Kate Courtney Melisa Rollins Faranak Partoazar Lejla Njemčević Margot Moschetti Hayley Preen Haley Smith Andrea Schöfmann Sam Sanders Jenny Rissveds Vera Looser Rosa van Doorn The E-MTB field is also looking stacked. And so far, the Open/amateur Race at 4pm will have local Junior pinners Tristan McGiven, Sven Etsebeth and William Ruthven headlining. Come and ride (Open /amateur category at 4pm and an E-MTB category at 4.30pm) or come and watch. Just make sure you get there! It's a vibe.

Event Name: 2026 Songo.info Champions RaceWhen: 11/03/2026Where: Kayamandi Sports Fields, Western CapeCategory: Mountain BikeJoin us for the 2026 Songo.info Champions Race! In March we host the 12th annual Songo.info Champions Race in Kayamandi, a vibrant township on the outskirts of Stellenbosch. The short-track cross-country course races through the streets of Kayamandi, barreling onto the Songo.info BMX track and past the heart of our education and sports program, the Songo.info clubhouse. The Songo.info Champions Race is a unique cultural event and an opportunity to experience life in a South African township in a safe and fun way. Local and international riders and fans share in the thrill of short, high-octane racing while giving back to the Kayamandi community. Past podium placers include Christoph Sauser, Jaroslav Kulhavý, Matt Beers, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, Luke Moir, Annika Langvad, Alan Hatherly, Kate Courtney, Tom Pidcock, Flora Duffy, Nino Schurter and Anna van der Breggen! This unique short-track mountain bike race allows both amateur and the world’s top professional riders a chance to stretch their legs (and measure the competition!) before the Absa Cape Epic Prologue start on Sunday, 15 March in Meerendal. Riders showcase their speed and skill with some fun friendly racing, while raising awareness around the important work Songo.info does in education and cycling development in the heartland of the Absa Cape Epic. Race Programme, Wednesday 11 March: 3-3.45pm: Course opens for practice 4pm: Open/public Champions Race 4.30pm: E-MTB Champions Race 5pm: Elite riders' practice 5.30pm: Elite Women's Champions Race 6pm: Elite Men's Champions Race 6.30pm: Prizegiving Cost: R350 per rider Format: Course is ~2.5km. All races are 20 minutes + 1 lap. Security officers and course marshals will be on site to ensure riders and spectators' safety. Secure parking is available on the Kayamandi Sports Fields. Go to Event Page.

Stolen: Devinci Hatchet Carbon 105 2024 When: 02/08/2025Where: , Cape Town, Western CapeBrand-new and extremely rare Devinci Hatchet gravel bike Likely the only one in South Africa Shimano 105 R7000 groupset 2 x 11s Shimano 105 R7000 brakes 160mm Easton Arc 25 wheelset Maxxis Re-Fuse tyres Fitted panniers and Ortlieb pannier bags - thankfully dog is safe and sound ;)Get further details about the incident in the Stolen Bikes section.

There's been a slight change to the race day programme to allow for a longer Elite practice: Race Programme, Wednesday 12 March: 3pm: Course open for practice 4pm: Open/public MTB Champions Race 4.30pm: Open/public E-MTB Champions Race 5pm: Course opens for Elite practice 5.30pm: Elite Women's Champions Race 6pm: Elite Men's Champions Race 6.30pm: Prizegiving *Format is the same for all races: 20 minutes, plus 1 lap

The Songo.info Champions Race is tomorrow. That escalated quickly! Come on down to the Kayamandi Sports Fields for an afternoon of red-hot racing as we host the 10th annual Songo.info Champions Race, presented by fibertime™. Action kicks off at 4pm with the Open MTB category, followed by the E-MTBs, where Matt Lombardi will no doubt open the throttle to defend his 2024 title. Then we have a stellar line-up of Elite riders vying for the coveted title of Songo.info Champions Race Champion. The women’s race pedals off the line at 5.30pm and is packed with world-class talent, with no less than 10 countries represented. The men let rip at 6pm. Will three-time Cape Epic winner Matt Beers take the men’s title again? There is some serious competition from local and international challengers so it won’t be a walk in the park for the local powerhouse. Spectators are free… and if you want to join there’s still time to enter to race, click here. If you can’t join the party – and want to follow the action online – thanks to fibertime™ the entire event will be live-streamed here.

Event Name: Songo.info Champions Race, presented by fibertime™When: 12/03/2025Where: Kayamandi Sports Fields, KayamandiStellenbosch, Western CapeCategory: Mountain BikeWelcome to the Songo.info Champions Race, presented by fibertime™! Experience South Africa! 2025 is the 10th hosting of the Songo.info Champions Race in Kayamandi, a vibrant township on the outskirts of Stellenbosch. The course races through the streets of Kayamandi, barreling onto the Songo.info BMX track and past the heart of our education and sports program, the Songo.info clubhouse. The Songo.info Champions Race is a unique cultural event and an opportunity to experience life in a South African township in a safe and fun way. Local and international riders and fans share in the thrill of short, high-octane races while giving back to the Kayamandi community. A short-track mountain bike race held on Wednesday, 12 March in the afternoon. This timing allows both amateur and the world’s top professional riders a chance to stretch their legs (and measure the competition!) before the Absa Cape Epic Prologue start on Sunday, 16 March. Riders will showcase their speed and skill with some fun friendly racing, while raising awareness around the important work Songo.info does in education and cycling development in the heartland of the Absa Cape Epic. Race Programme, Wednesday 12 March: 4pm: Course opens for practice 4.30pm: Open/public MTB Champions Race 5pm: Open/public E-MTB Champions Race 5.30pm: Elite Women's Champions Race 6pm: Elite Men's Champions Race 6.30pm: Prizegiving Race entry: R350 Parking: R20 Spectators: Free! Security officers and course marshals will be on site to ensure riders and spectators' safety. Secure parking is available on the Kayamandi Sports Fields. Go to Event Page.

C’mon Cape Town. Break from the norm and come enjoy a fun night out, supporting a worthy cause, with a pretty decent chance of winning beer (just ask @Shebeen) and loads of other goodies from Biogen, Vida and Squirt. Blok luxury apartments are throwing in lucky draw prizes of 2 x couples’ weekends at one of their premium Sea Point locations. And we’re stoked to have Vye join us. They are offering a pair of socks + R300 e-commerce voucher to vye.cc for each member of the winning quiz team. Plus 2 x lucky draw prizes of their premium Allegro jersey and socks in your size. All funds raised go to Songo.info Do it!

Event Name: Songo.info Quiz NightWhen: 10/10/2024Where: Jack Black Brewing Company, Elfindale, Cape Town, Western CapeCategory: General & IndustryWe're hosting another Songo.info Quiz Night this Thursday! Join us for a night of trivia and fun in support of Songo.info – a cycling and education trust serving the youth of Kayamandi township, outside Stellenbosch. What do you need to do? Gather a team of 5-8 friends, book tickets and challenge others to join you!Get to Jack Black's world-renowned Taproom on 10 October any time from 5.30pm.Order yourself a Jack Black burger and a pint (or two) of the finest craft beer. Relax.Put your general knowledge to the test. Quiz starts at 7pm. Prizes Amazing top-3 teams and lucky-draw prizes from our partners: Vye, Squirt Cycling Products, Biogen, vida e caffè and Jack Black’s Brewing Company.Main lucky-draw prize: 2 x Blok luxury apartment weekend getaways in Sea Point for two people. Date: Thursday, 10 October 2024 Time: Kitchen opens at 5.30pm. Quiz starts at 7pm (sharp) Venue: Jack Black's Taproom, 10 Brigid Rd, Diep River, Cape Town Entry is R120pp Booking is essential Go to Event Page.

Ja, I see they're $130 AUD now. I think it was closer to $100 when I ordered a couple of years back with a more favourable forex rate too. I have some pretty special (and hard-to-come by) ENVE hubs laced to ENVE rims. So yes, cheaper than a new hub and wheel rebuild! 🙃

If it’s any help I found www.forkmods.com has plenty of solutions. Converted my OPEN UP from 15 to 12mm. Shipping was quick and easy.