LeTurbo

On all this possibility of being bike-jacked: there's a possibility of anything. It's possible you could be car-jacked too. Your house could get broken into while you're asleep. But you go on with life and do what has to be done. The only thing to fear is fear itself. Courage is not the absence of fear, but doing things despite fear. Just take proper precautions and get out there. On punctures. I've just been reading a book called "A Bike Ride" by an old biddy called Anne Mustoe. At age 54, in 1987, she bought a bike and set out (without much experience) to ride from England, through Europe, through India, to Thailand, and then across America. In 12 000 miles she had, as I recall, 6 punctures and used 2 tyres. I remember having Michelins on my Peugeot Sting back then, and they lasted 4 or 5 years. There's so much *** on the roads these days; we really have become a grubby society.

I have a fascinating neighbour who commutes from Rondebosch to Maitland on his MTB. Actually, he apparently has two. But on all the occasions I've seen him on the road - at least ten times - he has never once actually been on the bike. He pushes it out the gate, he pushes it over Rondebosch bridge, he pushes it at the Pinelands bridge ... I have no words for the wonder of it all.

I hate you all. Hate you, hate you, hate you. Damn. I shall have to buy that kombi.

And yet not one bike in there! Sheesh! You'll have to make a change to the company culture.

Sigh .... no, can't do it this year. Too tight financially. I'll think of you all there, and grit my teeth, and cry in my pillow, bwahaha!

Correct period Eroica gear for me would be: Bata toughees, grey knee-length socks, probably bad Leroy-in-Fame polyviscose shorts, and a Pic-a-Pet Randburg (my worst job ever) T-shirt.

There's a young guy at work, fresh from England, who has been making these over the past few weeks. It would be nice if I could get him some interest, even if it doesn't arrive at firm orders. At least it'll help him start establishing some roots here. Don't be fooled by the simple look - they're an incredible amount of work (he's been doing nothing but sand primer for at least a week now). The spraying is going to something else - a mass of eddies and vortexes that'll really challenge the best painter. I think he's made about twelve - some as bases for coffee tables and sidetables, some as toy boxes - but they'll probably be the first and last. I'm guessing around R4000 per box, but that's just a guestimate. If you're interested, send me a PM with some contact details (preferably email) and I'll pass them on to Courtney. (Quietest chap I've ever met, I think. Incredibly detailed though, with an honours degree in furniture restoration. He was showing me some of the work he'd done towards his masters - tiny little marquetry triangles, perfectly made, with sides no longer than 1mm. Incredible.)

Don't some parents just set wonderful examples for their kids?

Nils and Rolf at Woodstock Cycleworks are your guys. They're on the Tour too, anyway.

Pity. I wouldn't have put it past you though.

But it still says thehubsa.co.za up at the top. So where do I tell people to go now if they want bike stuff or info or a fight on friday? I mean, I usually tell them to go to hell. Unless they're roadies, then I try to be helpful. I think I like being slapped on the bum?

When you say "same bike", do you mean literally? Fausto Coppi used that very bike?

On the Classifieds here? Or through Nils at Woodstock Cycleworks. The green PUCH men's bike is a little beauty. If I had money, it would be in my garage by now.

Some amazing old bike lane stuff. American, of course. http://www.vox.com/2015/6/30/8861327/bike-lanes-history

There were long discussions about this; there really was a lot of community engagement with Woodstock business owners, home owners, cyclists, and others. We did ask for curbs and separation but, like everything, it was largely about money. Business owners were also concerned about driveway access and other issues. Of course, the curb thing has its own problems. Witness Adderley Street. I think most drivers don't know what the green lanes mean (let's not get into whether they care though). There's little signage or road marking and it never was in the K53. So let's see whether the crackdown gets the message across.

I wanna buy a tow truck! I wanna buy a tow truck!

I just heard on the radio, "motorists are asked to avoid Chapman's Peak, Ou Kaapse Weg and Boyes Drive..." Hell! Only one road in and out of the South then, and that one under construction. That's massive fire - thanks to all the fire departments and volunteers doing amazing work.

New respect for the younger generation. These kids are pretty awesome.

Go guys!

Two le turbos! But now all the other Hubbers will get jealous.

If you're a MTBer, you're allowed to say hello. If you're a roadie, not. But that's why The Hub is here, to teach these delicate nuances. Welcome.

They're definitely where they needed to be. That's looking awesome!

As long as the Landy drivers aren't Reddam mothers. They'll run over all the competitors while smsing and simultaneously trying to do their hair and make-up.

Hoooo. How much does that thing weigh? Amazing the weights we used to shift around as skinny little schoolkids ... but the youth of today! Etc, etc. Slowbee's looking for something comfy and upright for Audax - think this could be what he's after? Hehe.

No car from the last 10 years or so will ever be a classic. Once the electronics start going, who the hell is going to fix it? "Uh, Mr Mechanic, can you just whip up a new circuit board for this?"