two hands

C’mon hubbers, nobody interested in watching me make a fool of myself on Saturday night at Jack Black Brewery as Quiz Master? In support of a solid cause – Songo.info

Event Name: Songo.info Quiz Night - 26 AugWhen: 26/08/2023Where: Jack Black Brewing Company, Elfindale, Cape Town, Western CapeCategory: General & IndustryJoin us for a night of trivia and fun in support of Songo.info – a cycling and education development trust helping the youth of Kayamandi township. Gather a team of 6-8 friends and put your general knowledge to the test. Jack Black Taproom opens at 5.30pm for burgers and beers and a chance to win some non-quiz prizes from Specialized.Quiz starts at 7pm sharp.Amazing prizes from our partners Specialized, vida e caffè and Jack Black’s Brewing Company.R100ppBooking essential: https://qkt.io/songodotinfoquiz Come challenge your mates to a battle of brains and support the next generation of cycling stars! Go to Event Page.

Thanks, appreciate the feedback. I fully agree and I wish Songo.info could run a raffle. We’re investigating how to do so in future so watch this space! However, It’s not as straightforward as you’d think: a ‘society lottery’ or raffle requires registration and approval by the National Lotteries Commission and is subject to audit. We focus on using our limited resources to make as big an impact as possible in Kayamandi with our sport, education and life skills programmes. Unfortunately, we don’t have the resources to invest in setting up a raffle at this stage, so auction it is. On a separate note: you’re welcome to donate to the cause at any time if you feel drawn to doing so. There’s a ‘donate’ button on the website. And we love inviting riders (and the general public) to come see the work we do at the Songo clubhouse and check out our BMX track. It is a true community hub and never fails to blow people away! You are officially invited next time you’re in Stellenbosch! 😉

Oh, just to add, I bought a 3T gravel fork conversion kit so I could run an old 15mm mtb wheelset on my Open U.P. gravel machine.

Try https://forkmods.com. I was hesitant at first (shipping, timing, payment issues) but after costing a local engineering solution and comparing with these guys I gave them a chance. I was blown away by the service and couldn’t endorse them more… Not sure if they have what you’re after but they are constantly adding new products for various hub/fork configurations. Good luck.

Frame is toast. Sadly. Also check that his seatpost is inserted enough (especially if he is a big guy!). If the end of the seatpost is only inserted into the seat tube collar or as far as the toptube junction the leverage of his weight being pushed back on the seat tube can cause the cracking.

The one at the bottom of Smits? Happened on my wheel. Man, that sucked. Hate hearing that sound. Always have a pang of survivor's guilt. It really can happen to anyone... Did it take a lot of the group down?

Ha ha. We didn't use all our energy to bridge the gap. There was plenty more energy when we made the catch. We rode into the back of 1D at about Edinburgh Drive, and then managed to work our way to the front by the Blue Route. Then we pretty much played Pacman on the front with anyone who wanted to help out up front. But ask any 1D riders, we sure as hell weren't wheelsucking... In fact, I'd say we helped more than a few riders achieve a dream time. There were about 6-8 riders in 1D who were damn strong and happy to push with us and keep the tempo, but Paris and I were on a mission and did most of the pacemaking. I think we dropped the bunch up Smits, Chappies and Suikers. We were caught again every time. We weren't trying to breakaway, just have a good day out. I think we caught the 1A bunch by the end. The plan was just to be in front down Hospital Bend and also past Paradise Motors, where I've been caught out in the pro bunches a few times. Never crashed, mind you, but have witnessed carnage there. So we didn't want any of that. The real race is this weekend Obviously, we abandoned the plan completely by the time we hit the Blue Route and the red mist descended. Stoked to see a few very capable riders alongside us and we kinda decided to keep on ripping to see what happened. What a day, though. Easily one of the most fun days on a road bike. Still not quite mountain biking but you can't beat the Fun Ride World Champs to keep the skinny wheel stoke high. That said, even one fatality at a race that is all about fun is too many. Three is just ghastly. RIP.

The real winners of the Fun Ride World Champs... Well done, Brett. Incredible effort and inspiring cause.

Can we enter on the day? Anyone know?

Looking forward to this, as the Argus/CTCT has been the most forgettable event on the Elite ladies' racing calendar for years. Every hard-working break attempted was closed down by chasing women sitting in a Vets or Masters bunch. The sprint finish has been a joke as you could hardly spot the women mixed in the age-group men's categories or tandems. It was plain disrespectful of the needs and wants of women racers. This may not be the perfect solution, but it is a damn fine start to showcasing the real talent and exposing aggressive positive racing. Let's listen to feedback, tweak accordingly and announce it earlier next year. Kudos, CTCT, CSA and PPA. Now give it the media attention it deserves too.

Top class trails. Truly blew my mind coming off Simonsberg on Day 2. I will definitely be signing up again in 2018.

Great result on the weekend, James. Going to be a killer season.

Ariane is the best-paid member of Team Spur. Always has been. Fritz was mistaken when he made that comment.

This does put the Epic in a tight spot: "Any athlete (professional or amateur) under sanction by their federation or national anti-doping authority (NADA) after 31 December 2012, whether at another event or out of competition, will be banned for life from participating in the Absa Cape Epic. Not only will the person not be allowed to participate (as an amateur rider or UCI- licensed elite), but the individual will also be banned from being involved on any level including as a team manager."

As a general point, it's interesting that there is a belief that there was 'political' meddling. Granted, I have zero knowledge of the internal workings of CSA and SASCOC, so it is possible, but I haven't heard anything that points to political interference... There are/were three riders on similar levels all gunning for two spots. It is a nice problem to have as a country but it puts selectors in a tough bind. Whoever was left out was going to feel aggrieved, and his team/supporters/fans would be despondent. However, it doesn't necessarily point to a conspiracy. ALL three athletes raced their socks off at events throughout this year and last. And all three athletes can feel hard done by that the selection announcement was made less than a month before the start of the Games (and five weeks from the XCO event). It's a monumental challenge to stay focused and prepare adequately with a month's notice. If you're interested the national selection criteria for MTB is here: http://static1.squarespace.com/static/53f5fb7ce4b0cab4a7fe8561/t/572c3505746fb9a13cdb8ce2/1462514952315/20160505_CSA+MTB+Team+Selection+Criteria+2016-3.pdf

That was proper racing.

Yes, there are. That is the greatest sadness in all this.

Sorry, replied to wrong post

Here's a little bit of clarity, for anyone interested. Ariane will continue to race XCM and use XCO races, including select UCI World Cup races, as a way to sharpen her tactical and technical skills. XCO provides challenging obstacles and a high-pressure environment, not to mention fierce competition at the top level. She is throwing herself in the deep end to make sure she emerges a more complete rider. It's a commitment to continous improvement on the journey to becoming a stronger and faster rider. She remains very focused on winning her third Absa Cape Epic Women's title with multiple World Champ (and good friend) Annika Langvad. XCM World Champs is the other big goal for the year. Watch this space...

Are we really speculating whether he was found with a brake bleed kit? I mean, really? Really really? I know anti-doping agencies can fumble around a bit and haven't exactly covered themselves in glory regarding testing protocol in the last decade... BUT, let's assume they know the difference between someone's toolkit and and their toiletry bag.

Can't buy it just yet. Stage Nine distributors aim to be in bike shops by the end of next week.

Tyres: I'm running Schwalbe Rocket Ron 2.25 Snakeskin front and Racing Ralph 2.25 Snakeskin on the rear. Very happy with this combo as it allows plenty of bite on the front wheel for cornering and the Rocket Ron rolls surprisingly well for a bigger tread-pattern tyre. I've ridden four Epics with Specialized Fast Track up front and Renegade 2.2 on the rear. Very reliable and super-fast. Although I did run their "Grid" model which has sidewalls made from rhino hide. Not sure if they're available in SA though. Also rode Bontrager XR2 front and XR1 rear last year. Both models with their Inner Strength Casing sidewall model - very impressive. Pedals: I'm using XTR. Solid build. Light(-ish) and with plenty of other people around running the same you're bound to find spares. I've used egg-beaters in two Epics and won't do that again. They're great if you can service them every other day, but who's got time for that. My Time Atacs were amazing - but died after 5 Epics (and three different bikes).

JFGI.

Team Tru-Cape Times off at 11.10am Heading out there this weekend for a look at the course. Hoping to charge it. Amped!