DJR

I recommend Woodstock Cycle Works if you decide to let a bikeshop sort it out. Just give clear instructions that you want to make it rideable, not make everything smart and shiny, or it will cost you more than the bike is worth.

If you do a simple clean-up and service yourself and ride it, that would be the first prize. Then, if you enjoy it and you feel justified spending more on cycling, get a better 2nd hand bike from the Classifieds. Do not spend too much money on restoring the Avalanche. Spending too much on new parts and labour will not increase its value when you want to sell it.

I also 4x4 and overland and I can tell you that the tough guys take a rechargeable drill with them to drill holes in the ground before hammering the pegs in when they camp in the Tankwa. Nothing else works.

Those endless corrugated roads is the reason why I have always found a good enough excuse not to do the Tour De Ara. Even though I have the right bike for it. I prefer my fillings to stay exactly where they are. I'm a Karoo guy, love that part of the world and have cycled a fair bit of it, but mostly on a dual suspension MBT. Even then it gets to me after a while. When you stop and for 5 minutes after getting off the bike, you still feel the pulsation in your arms, you know why even a dominee is allowed to swear on those empty plains. Call me a softie if you want.

I have managed something I never thought possible: I convinced my wife to ride the short route. Every year the boys and I did it, she said how she envied us, but when entries opened she always said no thank you. (She does not like cycling and trying to get her to ride a tandem with me caused much upheaval. We paddle a double kayak peacefully though.) So, when she unexpectedly agreed to do the 42km, I decided to join her........and in a flash the two boys and a girlfriend also joined, shortly after than my nephew and his girlfriend too........my niece is keen and working on my brother.......... There will be more chances to do the full Tour (I've done too many anyway and the boys have done 10 and 9 respectively.), so, we'll make this years shorty about family, friends and FUN!

Buckle your front wheel "just right" beforehand and float over the sinkplaat pad next time.😉

Also, I have the suspicion that the peeling happened where sunscreen and sweat got on the lenses

I have had both Oakleys and Raybans that peeled. Both were polarised and when the peeled layer was off, it was no longer polarised. just saying, if you are trying to cut glare along the Atlantic coast on a sunset ride, or spot a trout in a du Toits Kloof pool, those glasses are toast.

You can also buy reflective iron-on film or strips that you can use to light up any garment like a Christmas tree. I have used the 3M ones but there are many others also. Google will find them on your doorstep.

Agreed, that is a great idea.

Vasbyt

Ha ha, yes, usually somewhere on the climb from the Oudtshoorn side is where I lose my sense of humour for a bit, then I look at the view and it comes back.

Yup, it just proves what I have been saying for years: That place turn humans into better versions of themselves!

Lovely writeup CapeDiver. I wish more people would go to the trouble, like you did, to put an experience like this into more words than just a five-word sentence. But then, I suppose I fall easily for any story from the lonely desolate part of the world where I am from originally. (You can take the boy out of the Karoo, but you can never take the Karoo out of the boy - is my type of story.)

Double post

Originally a poem by CJ Langenhoven, who was an absolute master of words, a lawyer, philosopher, parlaimentarian, writer, poet, alcoholic and a few more interesting and colourful things..........he once said in parlaiment that "half of this house are asses".........was told by the speaker to retract.......and then said that "half of this house are NOT asses"!

I decided to vandalise Rhodes Memorial in my own way.

Common wisdom is that aluminium frames should not be welded to repair cracks because it cannot be heat treated after the repair. The new frame is heat treated after welding and before painting to stiffen and strengthen the aluminium. Therefore, with a welded repair you end up with the area directly next to the weld always softer and weaker than the rest of the frame, making the next crack inevitable. My 2c

I am glad to hear that everyone kept their promises. My first inclination is to give the balance back to whoever made that big contribution. If he does not want it back, then let it go to a bike related project or charity. I don't know if he still does, but Prince Albert Cycles used to sponsor a bunch of youngsters from our hometown to ride the Cape Town Cycle Tour. Something like that can change the life of a platteland kid! And again, Zebra, a little bow from me for what you did here.

Wait for the first long downhill and you will feel the advantage of "tank"

Great stuff Zebra! Thank you for running with this. May the mural stay there for many years as a reminder to cyclists to be as safe as we can, to cops and the authorities to do their jobs and to criminals as a warning that someone is watching. (I made my contribution)

Hi Zebra Have I missed how to get the funds to the right place? I am still keen to contribute.

Before filling in a SANParks survey about my spending, how about them telling US exactly what they have done with the money we paid over the last few decades to ride in Tokai! I KNOW that nothing went back to improving the cycling or even the conservation of that part of the mountain! But yes, let us sent THEM a questionnaire! I'm grumpy, it's Monday!

............and I don't think he ever put on a race where the true distance didn't turn out to be a few kilometres longer than what my bike computer told me...........just when you thought you survived the day, it became clear that you still had an undisclosed few kms to the real finish line. 😉

So sad. I have very fond memories of doing several Dirtopia Festivals when my boys were kids and one particular evening of playing bike Polo against Meurant........and ending up with sore stomach muscles from all the laughing.