River Rat

The finish is never just around the corner!

Willie, there are quite a few riders that ride early morning at Groenkloof. If I were you I would just pitch up and ride. I did it twice during last week, on Tuesday we were the first but on Wednesday here were plenty riders before us.

Go for the one with the broom, it flies!

I have used the MTB ones and they work, some guys use the automotive ones but that seems overkill to me. We used a MTB plug to repair a side wall cut on the weekend that the Stans would not seal and it's still holding although I guess that it won't work for a long cut.

That would be talking excrement!

Hey TNT we might be wrong here

cptmayhem your's is better you win!

Sorry, but Rock Shock Tora 302 I own that is pneumatic and I adjust the pressure according to my weight. Is your's different?

In trying to entice a response, a simple seductive interlude of disconnected concepts devoid of relevance! There you go, I can do it too.

What tjop has to edit a 3 character post?

It was great to see how busy Groenkloof was yesterday, full of the joys of spring! What is concerning me with the increase in volume is the fact that cycling and trail running are starting to compete for the same space. Last weekend I asked a group of cyclists on a hiking trail to please stick to the bike trails, they said they weren't aware that they were in the wrong. I don't buy it, after all there are signs indicating no entry for MT Bikeses. All you have to do is read and obey, not difficult, if you have an ounce of intelligence. This week there were two guys running up a fairly fast section of single track. We were busy repairing a puncture off track at the time and watched as they were nearly wiped out by 4 bikes coming at speed. It was mayhem the runners to their credit tried to jump off the track and the bikes went off the track on the opposite direction nearly taking use out. I tried to reason with the runners that they should not be on the bike trails and their response was that there are no rules preventing them and that bikes were also using the hiking trails which is true. But this looks like a disaster in the making and I am appealing to all users of Groenkloof to exercise a little discipline and common sense - stay on the correct trail and in the right direction ( Groenkloof is generally clockwise). To the last point I know that there is a sort of unwritten rule that it is acceptable to go down the trail in the opposite direction if it is a jeep track, this would normally be okay but when we have a full day like yesterday this is not too smart. Groenkloof works because there is general sense of order but that is not only the council's duty to keep it like that but ours as well.

what about simply increasing the pressure?

Van Gaalens Groenkloof Rietvlei Northern Farm ( Weekends & Holidays only) Thaba Trails (new) Breedtsnek Use the search function and you'll get plenty info. Welcome home!

Fatpixi before you jump to any radical conclusions, I would try some of the advice given. I too was convinced that something serious was wrong with my bike (Cannondale) and that's why I started to service things step by step starting at the front of the bike. After each item, I would do a test ride so that I could identify the exact problem area. The more test rides I did without the creak going away the more convinced I was that there was a crack in the frame lurking behind the paint (an illogical thought I know). Having finished every pivot and bearing I sat looking quite dejectedly at my bike until my wife said to me what about funny thingy with the two wheels hanging down there and I said "don't be silly never!" Only when she left the garage did I remove the dérailleur, saw a little caked and compacted dust on the hanger. I removed the dust and replaced the dérailleur, then tried it out and the creak had reduced, removed it again and put some grease on before replacing, test ride - creak gone!!!! Clever woman my wife! Here's what I think is happening in my case. Over time the dust gets into the inevitable small gap between the hanger and dérailleur. When you push down on the pedal the tension is increased on the chain and causes dérailleurleur to move ever so slightly and without dust there is no noise but with dust it grinds and creaks. Anyway the creak recurs every now and then but it's sorted in 30 secs. I can't say for sure that this will solve your problem but what I can guarantee is that feeling that you have when you do find the problem is like finding out that it really is downhill all the way to finish. To finish the story I had every intention of not telling my wife that she was right ( these things tend cost you somewhere somehow) but the grin on my face gave it away!

Thanks for your hard won advice, might give Maryke a call myself

Kletterer, I have cycled a avery similiar route to yours but if I look at the new marked trail two things emerge. Firstly it is a clockwise route and secondly it adds a nice single track climb upto where the pipeline is. I believe that you may pick up some problems if you do the single track section in a anti clockwise direction as it is fairly tight. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the trail pans out but overall I agree with you this is gem in the making.

Let me know if it works as I had a similiar experience to yours but I started from the front of the bike and the last thing that I did was the derailleur. So I'm keen to know what you find!

I see they have started marking out a new trail starts at the north side of the bottom gate but its quite tough. They have only marked out 4 kms of the track but this gives you 170m of climbing in mixed single track and jeep track. I think there's more to come will give it a go on the weekend.

You're not going to believe this but remove the rear derailleur and brush off the dust from where the derailleur connects with the frame. Finish off with a touch of grease and replace. Go ahead try it!

We're in the Race. Got the email on Friday paid yesterday. What have we done Day 2 scares the hell out of me. Certainly added an edge to my ride at Groenkloof today.

Good move, logic ain't gonna cut it here

I'm amazed at how many Hubbers think that the behaviour displayed is acceptable. I can sort of understand it in the heat of battle (sort of) but when the race is over? Come on this is simply a poor show in front of little kid, signs a weak character in my opinion, definitely not a role model

@Dangle no need to thank me it we who should be thanking you. It is quite easy to sit on the sidelines and chirp the odds but a totally different prospect getting stuck in. Thank you.

grb285 I'm on your page on the price fixing issue and I won't shop there. But I have decided that this is different simply because I cannot believe that people who have taken the trouble to start this initiative would allow the money to be subverted. Maybe I'm naive but I continue to believe that good people that take up the challenge will triumph over evil. It's up to us to support them in whatever manner we can. I also have to doff my cap to AM for trying to address the negatives from the price fixing issue by making a substantial donation. However, I can see that you will not be swayed. Never mind hopefully the little extra I put in (knowing you would not) will make a difference. The challenge I'm laying down is for others that feel the same way as I do to do the same (or beat it!) .

GRB285 does that mean you're going to put a substantial amount of cash in or not?