DJR

Interesting, the discussion about what was different this year. This is what I saw Sunday: Definitely fewer people and more room to maneuver. I liked that because basically D and I did a ride of our own and never drafted anyone or joined a bunch at any time. Perhaps we took social distancing among 18000 people too seriously? (I decided to do that since my bad crash that was caused by an inexperienced rider that did something dumb and nearly cost me my life. Since then I only ride in a group with people I know and trust. Tough luck if it makes my CTCT slower and more difficult. I'll just have to start a new team DJR.) The unusual start format was a bit difficult, but for a first try it actually worked. I did not miss the Expo and liked how quick and easy the number collection was. I think vaccination and negative Covid tests are here to stay, at least for another year or two. It certainly made me feel a bit more relaxed about Covid in my first real big crowd outing since the start of the pandemic. I could really say, afterwards, that I had absolutely minimal contact with people. I think that the organizers did well and I'm keen to see how it pans out afterwards. I'm sure the medics are doing interesting studies to track Covid after the Tour. Definitely far less aggression and a lot more goodwill out there. I'm not sure why this was. Perhaps the lower numbers? Perhaps the grumpies stayed away? Perhaps fewer Gauteng riders? (Just kidding you lot of Vaalies!) Fewer old classic steel bikes, certainly in the groups where we rode. Perhaps the bike collectors (mostly older?) stayed away? I rode my 30 year old Eddy Merckx and usually I see many other old bikes all around, mostly ridden by proud owners who are always ready for a chat along the way. But not this year. I heard more Afrikaans than I can remember from any previous Tour. Perhaps that had something to do with there being a far bigger proportion of locals this year? Frankly, Afrikaans speakers make up a much bigger portion of the Western Cape and Cape Town than most people think. Almost zero internationals, although I heard French and Italian along the way. Yes, I know I heard the Italian going up Chappies, and by then I was also probably hearing voices in my head ........ More e-bikes than I expected, sommer many more e-bikes! They didn't bother us and I think they should be allowed to start wherever they are seeded. It will thin them out. Perhaps they will learn some manners and have sympathy with the likes of slowpokes sweating up the steep hills? Also, many more gravel bikes. Some of them really good looking too. The people of Cape Town are fantastic supporters and came out to cheer just about the same as for any other Tour. Perhaps the only part that was quieter than usual was down around Cape Point. The usual supporter spots like Wineberg hill and Suikerbossie were as packed as usual. The "mankini guy" of Simonstown is a diehard fan of the Tour. I did not miss the lack of facilities at the finish because we do our own thing (usually a braai) anyway. I was impressed that there were just as many marshalls, water points and traffic cops out there on duty compared to a normal year with full numbers. It did not feel like a "last minute, half baked" tour at all.

Just do it! Riding tandem with my sons when they did their first one is something I treasure just as much as riding domestique for my father when he did his final one at age 80. Oh, and the few years in between when we did it as a three-generations-team. Priceless stuff! I see another tandem in my future for the day when I cannot do it on my own anymore and my sons will have to captain for me. I'll pick that over an e-bike any time.

I have a (much younger) cousin who rides for one of the professional teams, so I knew he would ride a blistering time. All fine..............until my own son (rethinking my will) pointed out that N could have done it exactly twice in the same time it took me yesterday............. ????

For many years I said that my fitness aim was to keep it at a level where I can jump on a bike any day of the year and go ride the CTCT route. Mind you, not race it, but ride it and finish it. Well, today I had to prove that big time! I decided to leave the fancy fast carbon bike at home and ride the 30 year old steel Eddy Merckx because it is the most comfortable of my bikes. Zero training done because of a long list of reasons (excuses). But one of the young Ds said he wanted to ride............and when your 21 year old son wants to spend a day on the bike with you, you better step up! That I did. It was strange to start after sunrise. D had to wait for me a lot, I have to admit (10 minutes on Chappies alone), but we had an absolute blast of a day out there. Weather was PERFECT! Capetonians still came out to cheer! The vibe was EXACTLY what the Tour is famous for! Didn't even see a single crash! Wind was just about absent! That doesn't happen often. I can honestly say that I had fun all the way down to the Cape Point turn, but from there it was a case of preserving the legs all the way to the finish line, I won't say how long it took. That I am now a bit stuffed and don't want to even LOOK at my bikes usually comfortable saddle, is also true, but hey, I consider today the start of a new training block! (Where long slow steady distance is called for) Oh, and this is the ONE year I can post pictures of what remains of team DJR!

We have a couple of simple rules that make marital life and harmony compatible and that's worked well for a few decades. Two of those rules are that I don't stick my nose into what her shoes cost and she does the same for bikes. Then one day, in passing conversation I told her how shocked I was at the cost of good cycling shoes ............... she laughed and said to go buy a pair immediately because that was a bargain .............. now I really have to force myself to look the other way every time I walk past an upmarket womens shoe boutique. ????

Calitzdorp to Kruisrivier?

Being a Saffa, I thought it was just another plastic shopping bag blowing in the wind......sorry Bob. ????

Yes, absolutely. Personally I think first the physiotherapy, then the biokinetics and then gym / exercise on your own until you are 100% again. I think the physiotherapists are better in the early stages of the rehab because they understand fractures/injuries and the rehab thereof better. Later on the bios are better as they understand "sports-function" better.

Sorry about your misfortune. There is no protective gear for a collarbone. Knees, shins, elbows, eyes, wrists. hands, ankles, heads, necks, hips, backs, ribs, even balls, but there really is nothing that will save you from a hard fall on the shoulder. Nothing that is practical anyhow. (I did my right shoulder in twice and unsuccessfully searched for the same magical protection). Even full on downhill body armour does not protect the shoulder. Once the bones fused, it is quite strong and the biggest problem with a fall after that is because the tendons are often very stiff after the healing period. If you fall again soon after, people often tear shoulder ligaments and that can be a much bigger problem to sort out. So, concentrate to get flexibility back through physio and stretching exercises afterwards. All according to what your doctor says of course. B.t.w. did you have it pasted together surgically with plate and screws, or is it healing naturally in a sling only? The healing / recovery / rehab times will vary radically depending on the type of fracture you had as well as how it was treated. Heal well and don't be in too much of a hurry to do the crazy stuff again.

https://mercerbikes.co.za/contact-us/ Dave is a sterling guy and his work is world class.

Anal swab

I have practiced for years how to escape shopping malls................and I find it pretty easy by now ????????

Don't cancel, would be my advice, especially since it is relatively cheap and can save you from a bad financial knock. It depends on what you need, who from and at which hospital. Usually the hospital part is well enough covered by medical aids like Discovery (which I belong to as well), but the other bit, especially the higher tech and more specialzed treatment, surgery etc, will often leave people with a nasty shortfall. Having said this, I went without gap cover for many years because I am in the health business and I always trusted that I will end up with someone who would be kind enough to charge me whatever my medical aid will cover. The difference was small enough and I would reciprocate. But that gap has widened so much over the last decae or so, that I felt I was either taking advantage of my friends and colleagues or exposing myself to a too great a risk. So I have had gap cover for the last 10 years or so.

Don't stress about the numbness, it is doing exactly what it is supposed to do, prevent post-op pain for the first 12 to 24 hours. Yes, gap cover is essential these days and quite cheap too. Heal well and don't let the frustration get into your head.

If it will make you feel any better, the last time I needed to have the orthopedics put together a broken shoulder, my wife told me to Uber myself to theatre because she was too busy at work (also at a hospital). She did come and fetch me afterwards though, said she was worried I'd order an Uber to some weird place in a half drugged state! ????So, I suppose she still loves me!????

@Slowbee Best of luck with the adventure! ????

I'm going to borrow that from you every once in a while.............it is a GOOD put-down!????

False negatives are much more likely than false positives. If you test positive with the rapid test and you have no symptoms, then you re-test. Or you have a PCR test. Yes, it is possible to test positive for months after you had Covid, but again, it is pretty rare. Most will test negative shortly after their symptoms cleared up. But yes, I do get the problem of the uncertainty, especially if you are not from Cape Town and you have to lay out a sizable chunk of cash to get here.

Yes, that is true, but one should add that the chances of a vaccinated person will contract it is MUCH lower and the chances that they will spread it also. At the end of the day it is a statistical game and to have a bunch of vaccinated people together will be very much lower risk of causing a super spreader than doing the same with a bunch of unvaccinated people. That holds true even if you do a rapid test for everyone, because there will be a significant percentage of false negatives (up to 20 %) which will allow asymptomatic spreaders into the group. Altogether, the larger a part of the group that is immune or have been vaccinated, the lower the risk.

They have fixed up the Old Malmesbury Road (North of Philadelphia) so beautifully.

Hey, Braai Day is just around the corner

I fully expect the Cycle tour medics to keep records and perhaps even a follow up study to see how an event of this size influences the trajectory of the pandemic in Cape Town. We have to start somewhere and it makes sense that the academics use it as an opportunity to study what happens when we open it up for an outdoor event like this. Interesting times.

But, ........ the CTCT isn't "strenuous exercise" .......... it's just a relaxed fun ride and totally flat ......... isn't it?????

Starting chutes will stretch from the Parade all the way back to the finish line in Green Point? ????????

This is going to be my year to prove that I can ride it with no training........????