tubed

Agree with this - there is a fine line between ignoring an obviously degrading part/ problem which will manifest if it doesn't get attention and the need always to always be fiddling. Best example was a good rider, and bike industry guy (always fiddling) - decides on Freedom Challenge near Baviaans to tighten more, an already perfectly tight quick release, which he strips by overtightening and then spends a day waiting for a new one from PE and another day riding like a madman to catch his mates. Bike shops love these guys......

The only thing I agree with here is the statement on Nexthash - that opportunistic relationship reeked from the start. It was a signal of desperation. For the rest - the people you mention are worth mentioning because they were competitive on the world stage and didn't rely on charity, just the opposite, they found little support in institutional SA. Doug rode the charity angle/ ubuntu way past the sell by date - the team needed results - simple as that.

I'm not sure if it was ever confirmed, but it was said that the late great Burry 'didnt have the best numbers', whether its true or not, he had such a competitive drive and seemed to gel in the team environment with Specialized, my point is many with great numbers seem not to gel in a particular team and they flourish in another - Valgren last year springs to mind. So the numbers are an entry point, but the program, environment and culture are just as important and that for me seemed to be Vaughters was going with Padun. I have no particular insight, but my sense from what John has shared, is that the impact of a Peiper vs a Vino or Lefevere is a key determinant. Sam Bennet won at will, when he fell out with Lefevere I think even Cavendish would have beaten him. Roll on 2022, loads of young talent about.

'It takes one to know one' – Vaughters sees no red flags in Mark Padun | Cyclingnews Being a sceptic of most pro riders medical info and that which they or their managers choose to reveal, I did find this an interesting interview, it seems frank and genuine. Added to this the breakout performances of Bahrain last year and some of the ensuing comments, it is going to be interesting to see how this signing pans out. Despite being a sceptic, I love a good result and it would be wonderful to see if the healthy changes proposed can bear fruit.

I am sad to see the team fold, which seems inevitable now. I think DR should be applauded for what he has done and not be judged too harshly on the current demise, these are very tough times - to find millions of Euros is a very tall order. Saffas are always going to have to bust down the door and take on the establishment in cycling, like we have seen with the travel bans - the Mandela aura has gone, its Euros looking after themselves first. If we want to even get our foot in the door, then we need to do a Greg Minnaar or a Matt Beers and win fair and square - those two guys exemplify what is possible, give them a gap and they will show you what Saffa determination is. I think its been a very good year for SA cycling just on those two performances alone. Similarly what John and Jeroen have done at UAE, Brent at BikeExch is testament to Saffa excellence via determination, sacrifice and hard work against the establishment. + Alan Hatherly - hopefully it's his year next year too - he's through the door and mixing it - results to follow soon

This is very true - and I would add that doing something like this and finishing it (even if it takes more than one try) is of inestimable to you as an individual and inspires those around you. It has the ability to reshape your view of what you are capable of, what is trivial (eg comfort, devices) and what is important (eg people, not giving up). It will reshape your view of your health, fitness and mobility. I'm probably sounding like I am romanticizing these events, but just watch someone in your circle make this transition and you will want some of it, I think that in part is the allure of dot watching, it is a vicarious look inside what we all wonder of what we really are capable of.

Nice to see so many people supporting local manufacturing too - Indola, Vye, Leatt, Ciovita etc. It makes a difference to these businesses and the people employed by them - spend locally if you can - please.

I lived in a pair of 'thebusiness enduro mtb baggy' for 16 days in Freedom Challenge this year, I'd say they are 'the business', I was impressed. I liked the clip and integrated belt which stops the plumber's crack effect I bought them new before the event, never tested them and loved the large pad as it was necessary (depending on the terrain and temp I wore my Vye bibs too (cant have enough padding), never just the Vye bibs they are too thin and cold in Karroo winter). If you have to climb over many barbed wire fences and push through thorn bushes, you want your assets protected by baggies, not Assos - in my humble view. The Vye bibs are great for the roadbike to the coffee shop,

I seldom get irritated enough to say negative stuff on this forum, but jeepers Cavendish is an egotistical, ungrateful pr*ck. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it ends in big tears with Lefevere, of course it will be all Lefevere's fault, just as it was Doug's, then Illingworth....... What will really piss me off more is if he uses mental illness again to excuse what is just at times pure prat behaviour when playing to the crowd no longer works.

I think you might be surprised what Covid has done to all of those who relied on freebie marketing budgets or MC duties. The go to athletes mopping up at the moment are TatjanaS, GregM and some of the rugby folk. For the rest it is very slim pickings.

Epic has always had a fascination with SA 'celebs' - one would have thought it would have grown up by now - even an ex doper with some insight would offer better questions. Maybe it is a question of budget. Would love to hear Hermida behind that mike. Matt's thousand yard stare straight ahead when she asks him a question says it all.

Actually not a bad idea, I use a pair of Reef diving gloves, neoprene on top and thick leather on the grip. Toasty warm and tough as anything to withstand the barbed wire fences and thorns. Relatively inexpensive.

Had -5 there a few weeks ago and that was where the sun was about to come up, been bitterly cold winter in that area. Layers work for me as I heat up quickly. The essentials for me are waterproof socks for the river crossings as there is quite a bit of water in the crosings and you are likely to get wet shoes/ socks. Gloves which are waterproof/ windproof and an inner glove to add an extra layer. Buffs to keep the ears and nose warm. Cape Union Mart seem to have a good selection at their Century City store. Some good local online shops now too, but I prefer trying on gloves and socks. Enjoy your ride.

???? "The Pavé segment" . Strictly speaking they are 'Pavé sectors' . Whereas I believe Stava has segments. What was I thinking calling it a brick road. Seriously though you have got me all excited now remembering that we still have a Paris Roubaix still in October......hoping for an early Euro winter.

If you enter from the top at the estate main entrance the guards will lift the boom for you and wave you through on down the bricks and down what looks like a bricked driveway to the left of the old white homestead, you will then see the trail in front of you and follow the tracks. If you are heading past World of Birds up Victorskloof road, you go as far as you can up the brick road and track to the estate fence/ gate, on the left pillar is an intercom, buzz that and the security will buzz the gate open for you, then just follow the tracks up.

Was interesting to see first hand how Chris and Julia staged the Freedom Challenge events, most of the riders were 100% supportive of whatever they required the riders to do and extra expense the riders were asked to incur. The race office itself made a lot of expensive adjustments as they went, so from everyone involved there was an appreciation that we were lucky to be just riding bikes when many others in society were making/ suffering real sacrifices in their normal lives. Notwithstanding these challenges the races went ahead and there were no incidents, but it takes a co-operative approach which recognises that these are extraordinary times and we are just riding bikes. The gravity of it was brought home when a small nature reserve manager tells you of the sacrifices they are willing to make to host the riders, for without the riders they would not have seen a paying client for 2 years, this on the back of already challenging economic fortunes pre Covid.

Good luck to Eddie! bike looks solid. Go for it Tony- wishing you all the best! Will be following all the saffas.

If you dont come right, take it to the guys at Knipe Racing, I'd back them to either resolve the issue or give you an honest opinion.

this is great advice - just go - part of the adventure is figuring it out as you explore

Agree with this, I am about the same height - I have a Vango Soul 100, reckon most times I have slept with my head out of the tent under the flysheet, unless the mozzies are about then you need to keep it closed. I'd go for a two person rating or something at least a bit longer than 2m to be safe.

Back to touring - looks like a wonderful flower season ahead - so many opportunities up the West Coast. Enjoying this couples posts at the moment when they find signal. https://www.instagram.com/a.whale.away/?hl=en

Thank you. I thought 2012 was cold, this was another level, the morning out of Romansfontein I stood on the N6 near Jamestown waiting for sunbeam at 7:30, everything frozen solid. As soon as the sun set each day it became cold. Even Trouthaven close to home was bitterly cold. My night on top of Die Leer was a proper test of equipment and willpower. It is a ride where you get opportunities to really test yourself in a variety of ways - in that sense it is quite unique and has a lot of appeal to the SA psyche of endurance as it is an individual event and you get to choose exactly how tough you want to make it and you get a sense that we are really capable of so much more than we think.

Murray saddles for the win! I have one of these too, just finished my third RASA on it, bought it in 2012, rode with Casper Venter who also bought one - they were a thing at the time - Casper's collapsed and was swapped out by Johann Rissik in Prince Albert and sent away to Graeme for repairs, mine got to Cape Town and went to Graeme for repairs - both got some heavy treatment of some indestructible epoxy and were sent back to us refurbished. Casper and I both finished this year on the same saddles. Comfort is unsurpassed and durable as hell. I did cut the back of mine down a bit to make it look a bit more normal and to stop it chaffing on my saddle bag. Otherwise as soon as I head off somewhere its the first piece of equipment which gets put on my bike. Hopefully Johann and Graeme are swapping stories somewhere today.

Cant go wrong with getting a spoke if you know the length and bend, Caledonian should be a good bet. I can vouch for these guys, Ian knows his stuff, probably closer to you, Cranx.co.za * just checked they may not be open on a Sat, call first

Cav = Jekyll and Hyde personality. Loves to play up for the cameras and knows how to self promote when the going is good. When the going gets tough for him personally he cant hide his nature and the prat comes out. Multiple winner, but a true champion is judged by when the times are tough and the cameras are not looking. Or how you exit a team that gave you a fair shake, but you didnt deliver.