tubed

Louis at Knipe Racing can probably do this for you - if he cant, it cant be done....

thanks for sharing that, always been an admirer of his drive in business, wasn't aware of the baas whitey connection, makes sense now - birds of a feather....

Lekker video, brings back lots of memories of early morning sessions there. Think some okes need to chill a bit on trail access, conditions - too much aggro is a bad path to go down - localism/ entitlement sucks. I spent more than half my life hassling at the gat for waves where localism was taken to the extreme. No good thing came of localism. Problem nowadays is there are just so many of us competing for the same bit of turf - if Meerendal doesn't float your boat, move on and be very thankful you have so many excellent other options within a stones throw.

Somehow I can't get a picture out of my head of some rock group playing a hardcore set at Stoke in Woodstock. PS: always love reading your contributions - learnt so much - thanks Droo

Some things which have really helped me with breaking chains are: the moment you hear/ feel the chain skipping, misbehaving, stop and take a look to see if it is a salvageable issue then, it almost never gets better if you ignore it be calm and fix it properly the first time, if you are too hasty with the fix, you often end up having to stop and fix it a second time, you dont want to end up with a chain in the spokes or a derailleur issue which could have been avoided

I also prefer to fix rather than simply replace, but I learnt something recently after having repeated chain failures where the fixed link then broke by the plate popping out of the pin. What I learnt with Shimano chains is that the pin has this ridge on the end which when you pop it the first time with your chain breaker, it leaves a tiny ring on the chain breaker pin. When you then reinsert the chain pin this ridge which normally sits outside the plate to hold the plate in, is no longer there and leaves the plate susceptible to popping off the pin. Which is why Shimano suggest you never simply rejoin a chain with a pin you have removed, but that you use their special pin which you snap off and it leaves a ridge on the outside to hold the plate in place. I simply cant see myself searching for a Shimano replacement pin in my toolkit trailside and then need pliers to snap it off, I'd rather remove the broken link and pop in a chain link.

Wow, that's amazing. I break chains from time to time (mostly my fault/ poor maintenance), so have my routine to fix them quickly. Before quick links, a chain breaker was the only way to repair a broken chain. Although quick links can be a bit of false sense of security, in that if you have a link with bent plates, you need to remove that link with a chain breaker, before you can slip the quick link in line.

Agree with this, so handy having just one tool to take along. (now if they could just turn the shaft into a file for the chain teeth).

Apologies - I seem to have derailed this thread from bikes to LR's. So back to things I have learnt. Suddenly/ inexplicably my 1x10 setup wouldn't work and I needed a longer b screw for an XT derailleur. A few bike shops later and all I could get was too short or wrong thread. Until a genius online suggested just put the shorter b screw in from the other side where it usually protrudes to create the push against the derailleur. So simple, so effective, so satisfying.

Do you still while driving now out of habit greet other LR owners with the knowing wave.....and then wonder why in your new vehicle nobody greets you. It must be quiet, but perhaps a bit lonely in that new vehicle.😉

Ah yes, the body modifications to get to those places only LR engineer thought possible to locate a nut. Yours are extensive and well planned. I have things to learn.

😆sense of humour, understanding wife, deep pockets, sympathetic mates.......but I do love my LR

this is me working on my old LR Discovery trying to get the starter motor bolt off - eventually (week later) it did the shameful thing of putting it on a flatbed and having it taken to the mechanic. They just smiled at me and said - dont worry we made a special extension tool to get to that nut - it takes two people to operate, one to guide the tool and the other to crank it. I felt a little better.

I always chuckle to myself when I see my boets permanent marker arrows on the inside of his cranks - clearly he learnt the hard way.....

Good preparation and great attitude - well done, impressive stuff

I'd agree with this, hacking to find something lying around while on a ride to make the hole bigger is hardly worth it when one considers the weight/ size of a reamer. (same goes for my 4x4 tyres, trying to get a plug in a newish thick 4x4 tyre is nearly impossible without a reamer)

That's a big assumption. Sorry if I have offended you. I have tried to make constructive comments on kit choices and how the organisers can guide folk into improving their chances. Compulsory kit lists AND checks before and during (so you dont go the marginal gains route and put the kit in the car after the check) are found in most endurance events, they are there for good reason. Ecobound could have done more to guide riders. But like you say, 99.9% of your preparation rides didn't prepare people for conditions which do occur in SA in winter in that area and of which there was ample warning the week before. As Shebeen said it comes down largely to being unprepared. Last word from me on this thread, something I try and keep in mind: "its all sh*ts and giggles, until someone giggles and sh*ts"

I had a quick look at the compulsory equipment for TBV, Hell and Back vs Ceder Race, all take you into wilderness areas where it can get rough and medical care is far away should you need it. Ceder race had snow and frigid conditions last year - a low key race which has a good suggested kit list. TBV/ Hell&Back could do with some stronger recommendations. Us cyclists are an odd bunch - I see guys riding around the peninsula, sitting in coffee shops with more winter specialized kit on (neoprene overshoes, rainproof jackets, cold weather gloves etc) than someone on a commute in frozen Europe. But say the word 'race' and it becomes about marginal gains - the kit gets dropped and only the race items are taken.

that's a good combo, until it rains enough to soak you, then once you are wet through in those layers with the wind on them hypothermia is a real possibility, especially with the descents in the Baviaans waterproof is absolute - unless it says its 'waterproof', its water resistant when its that cold you are unlikely to be worrying about 'breathable' the confidence which comes with decent wet and cold weather gear is remarkable, you will really feel pretty invincible when it gets rough, the exact opposite is true when you feel you are slipping into hypothermia and you are desperate to escape the circumstances start with the 100% waterproof jacket

ok, clearly I am on the wrong forum

I am genuinely sorry your experience was a poor one - hopefully nothing I have said makes one believe that anyone who arrives for a bike race deserves an expensive horrible experience. I have tried to be constructive in saying that decent wet and cold weather gear will to some extent solve the issue. Would you be prepared to elaborate on what the 4 layers were that you were wearing? Was the top one waterproof? For those thinking you need to spend anywhere near R10k on kit, that's just not necessary. Here's a suggestion: MacinaSac Waterproof jacket - essential - less than R1000 Reef neoprene gloves and socks - less than R1000 Buff for your neck and head - you have one lying around. If you have very thin bibs, use 2 pairs at the same time ( yes it works and the only looks you will get are those of envy - for various reasons).

I think Mac in a Sac, is about the cheapest and is properly waterproof, you will need to google and call ahead to make sure place you are buying from has stock. I trust this item in much worse than you are likely to experience in a one day event and its the same one that goes in my back pocket if I know I will get drenched riding around the peninsula. You can spend multiples more and it might be slightly lighter and slimmer fit, but honestly I cant fault the MiaS for being effective, looks good and doesnt break the bank. https://www.trappers.co.za/collections/mens-rain-jackets/products/mac-in-a-sac-jacket-origin-waterproof

This is very true - with the accuracy of the weather forecasts nowadays, you really cannot complain when you line up unprepared.

be prepared to be chased by the anatolian sheepdogs of the Baviaans😆

Looking a the photos, it seems that racing with the least kit possible was the hope of many. Baviaans is cold this time of the year - I experienced -5 degrees last year as the sun was coming up in another race. If you roll the dice on the amount of waterproof (not water resistant) and warm kit you are going to pack, then you must know that you will suffer painfully or pull the plug. I think some of the language is a bit descriptive/ emotive. For me 'evacuation' is life threatening transport to nearest medical facility , not I've made a silly kit choice and now I need a warm blanky/ fireside heatup and lift out. Time to have mandatory kit inspection in bike races as they do with trail running.