Stretched@Birth

An example of a “decent, well maintained bike out there”, friend of mine is selling a Suzuki 150 Gixxer, bought it for his son 2 years ago, then realized that the kids today don’t have the same road sense we had as they don’t ride bikes in the streets as we did. It hasn’t done 1000km’s yet, not even run in.

I haven’t ridden with squish and gears in a long time, been on a rigid steel SS for years now, had the biggest smile on my face after bombing down a section of single track that I usually have to be quite careful on. And it’s not too bad on the uphill bits either.

My “new to me” bike. It’s been standing in a friends garage, after he bought it and rode it once, and decided cycling is not for him. He’s clearing out, so I got a brilliant deal. Obligatory couch shot. First ride.

It’s too black, going to need to add a bit of color!

I saw them at Sylvia’s Market last weekend,the bikes are very cool and it looked like they were having a blast.

Gravel Grinding with Flippa, still cold this morning, -2 degrees where we crossed the river!

Saw that orange BMC in the LBS last week, nice bike Peds!

Not so much where, rather than when. Been doing these short, late night rides around the neighborhood due to work and other commitments, nice and quiet on the roads, lekker time to be alone with my thoughts!

Finally finished my build, was done primarily as a commuter bike. 26er Giant XTC frame, Lynskey steel fork, 29er wheels with 35c tyres, 9 speed Dura Ace STI’s with 9 speed XT derailleur (shifting is smooth as butter), Tektro mechanical disk calipers and flared bars from Rapide. Frame had to be filed out a little to create clearance for the wheel, may still need to take a little out: Have had a few short rides around the neighborhood, and down some gravel track, it rides very nicely. Thanks to all the hubbers (you know who you are) who helped with bits and bobs, some beers/coffee/cash still needs to change hands!

The greater Johannesburg area is basically built on a termite colony, so treatment is critical. Your preparation, and how you plant the poles is also very important. See the below diagram from the SAWPA (South Africa Wood Preservers Association) website: For the planted poles, they need to be H4, and if you cut them, the cut end should not be planted, i.e. plant the treated end, but also retreat the cut end with a suitable treatment (e.g. Waxsol F). Once the jungle gym is done, you can treat it with a suitable oil. When working with CCA treated timber, especially when cutting, wear the appropriate protection (dust mask), and do not burn the off cuts. To buy treated poles and wood, Noag se Mark in Kempton, or Mint Road Saw Mills in Alrode. See the diagram on guidelines for planting the poles, essentially you want to prevent water from damming up around the base of the pole, which causes rotting. If you follow the guidelines, the lighties will outgrow the Jungle Gym before it falls apart...

Made some dice...

My youngest fell on his head a while ago and sustained a fairly serious concussion, was one of the most frightening experiences of my life, seeing this little person calling out for help, not recognizing me or my wife and being completely panicked. We went to the casualty dept, doc checked him out, said all is fine, keep an eye on him and come back if he displays weird symptoms, we got to the car and he asks for mommy, asks where’s daddy when I was holding him, needless to say, mom freaked out, we rushed back inside to look for help. Night in ICU, he woke up the following day with a sore head and a big lump.

I’ve been battling with decent activities for the last while. Working myself to a standstill, and feeling like I’m on the edge of coming down with something. I was stopped by the police the other evening, who thought I was mad getting my daily exercise in at 23:30, after finishing up my work for the day. And then yesterday Strava stole some time from my activity. I’m claiming it though, was more than 20 mins before I uploaded!

Finally finished this project that I started an age ago. Was an experiment to see what I can do with offcuts, and a test for some new waterproof Woodglue.

Sunday Sunset!

Been doing a bit of woodwork again, nothing new, just repeats of things I’ve done before. I am however busy with a side project that I hope will turn out nice, end grain Meranti butchers block on a trolley frame also out of Meranti for a friends’ new outdoor kitchen. For now though, I just finished this.

Kiaat has quite a lot of color variation, even in a single piece, from dark brown to light cream. This box is made of Kiaat, see the color changes.

That black acoustic in the corner on the blue wall needs to move to the yellow wall... [emoji15]

Crossing rivers and climbing mountains on a chilly highveld winters morning! Ok, they were only streams and hills, but a lekker ride!

Rigid for or suspension? I have a boingy fork banging around, will measure the steerer, but should be long enough, came off a 21” Giant ATX.

Congratulations Hayley!

That thing is insane, reminds me of this:

But doesn't all wine come with a screw cap these days...?