DJR

That is where my left cycling shoe lost its sole and became a road shoe, it was time to turn back. At Rhodes Memorial I chatted to a group of international students on exchange at UCT and they wanted to know where I am from. I pointed to my house and my work, both visible from there and they said how privileged I am. I fully agree! (The equestrian statue at Rhodes Memorial is called Energy, something that I really got an infusion of this morning, even though I got home dog tired.)

Somewhere further up, above Rhodes Memorial, the effect of the devastating fires of a few years ago is to be seen in full bloom ......... yes, for the decades before the fire, we never say this kind of over abundant explosion of flowers on this part of the mountain. Life and the ability of fynbos to regenerate, is an amazing thing!

And still closer in...........and then suddenly MAGIC happens!

When I start looking, I invariably get drawn in..........even the Egyptian geese knew it was something special

On UCT Upper Campus there is currently am EXPLOSION of pincushions. As a thorny old fart, I have a soft spot for pretty flowers and I sincerely believe in stopping and at least proverbially smelling them .....or taking a picture. (Also a valid excuse to stop and rest, some would argue?!)

The best rides, methinks, are when I just ride out my own gate and then get amazed with what a wonderful place my backyard is! Let me share! No driving to get to a ride, no flying halfway around the world (Michaelbiker, I'm still jealous). Crossing the footbridge over Woolsack Drive, below the UCT School of Design.

Hi Striped One, I am still committed to contribute funds. Just let me know the details and I'll do an eft.

There is no need to discuss beautiful vs ugly cars Myles, not once you have seen an E-type........it is that simple........everything else is ugly! (Cat among the pigeons)

Yoh, you did a proper unplanned disassembly there! I agree, rehab is the key to post-op recovery. Physio and rounding off with a biokineticist is what I did. The whole process took about a year before I felt totally healed. I was urged to first and foremost concentrate on getting full range of movement back. Only after that, to build up strength. Initially the arm was so weak, it could not even lift itself. If you try and make it strong first, it will compromise your full range later. Patience was a great help, but I found it hard in the beginning. I wanted to do more early on, but as it turned out, I now have full movement and it is as strong as the other side. My one shoulder is a bit narrower after it all, and it will forever be a bit clickity-clackity, but functions just fine without any discomfort or pain. It is now about 4 years past my injury and all is well. Besides for cycling, I can even lift heavy things on the Landy roofrack. So, no complaints about the scars.

I love what and how you wrote this Mamil, are you SURE we aren't related? About that highlighted word: I did a bit of diving into the writings of Cervantes recently (and Don Quiote in particular). I came to the conclusion that he had the way to deal with our crazy modern society sorted out in the early 1600s already. Basically, you just have to be crazier than the crazy world. Make the world what you want it to be, if it is only possible in your head, then so be it. You can also listen to John Lennons' Imagine if you prefer your philosophy in musical form. So, I like that your ride and write - a tiny little bit like Cervantes!

Esther Mahlangu in the suburbs

Situational blindness - it is an epidemic!

Fantastic idea Zebra. I will very gladly add R1k towards the mural. (As a old Banksy fan, and a grey haired delinquent who have done a guerilla artwork myself, and not way back when I was a youngster, and got away with it, I can only support the idea with my whole heart. When it is needed, pm me re. how to get the money where it should go.

Duane at his best 🤪

My reply to Councillr McMahon (please feel free to pass it on anyone with the skills): Dear Councillor I do not care about when the next of your endless meetings or cases or planning sessions are going to be. WHAT I CARE ABOUT IS WHEN THE NEXT FUNERAL IS GOING TO BE! OR THE NEXT EMERGENCY WARD VISIT TO GET STAB WOUNDS OR BROKEN BONES REPAIRED. OR THE NEXT VISIT TO THE POLICE STATION TO GET NO HELP. WHEN THE NEXT MUGGING IN AN ENDLESS LINE OF MORE OF THE SAME? Answer me that! Yours very sincerely DJR

Through the bowels of Cape Town, and It matched how I felt at the end of my ride ........ all the rains and erosion must have made the mountain steeper that it was in summer!

That there spot is partly paved with DJR skin ........

If you have them re-glued. Insist that they use a heat-activated glue. It will last much better than any normal contact adhesive. There is also a special sewing machine /gadget that can actually stitch right through the sole and attach the 510 rubber layer to the rest of the shoe sole (after the shoe is made). Barksole here in Cape Town used to do that for my flyfishing boots when the soles detached and it really works. I have had my doubts about the 510 rubber ever since 510 was bought out by Adidas. 510 used to sell their rubber to anyone and you could buy it and put it on any boot you wanted. But Adidas does not do that, they use it exclusively for their own shoes. Other than the flat pedal shoes, the 510 rubber is incredibly good at sticking in wet and slippery conditions like wading trout streams. That really gives them a proper workout and I have always been impressed with how well the real 510 rubber lasts. Other manufacturers have tried, but I have not come across one that came up with a rubber that is as good on slippery surfaces and hard-wearing at the same time. It really is black magic!

It's like you took the picture in front of a Pierneef painting 👍

That original owners warranty is a very big factor, especially on mountain bikes. The peace of mind that you have with a new MTB - that if you do break the frame, the manufacturer will give you a new one - that is massive. It may well account for a good portion of the "discount" a seller of a second hand bike is forced to give the next owner.

The Mountain is just perfect at the moment. On a day like today not even the die-hard Southern Suburbs Capies (me included) can complain about anything! (Yes, I know I used upper case, but I argue that it is correct! Since I have nothing to moan about today, I thought I'll be argumentative.)

Ha ha, yes, I also had a laugh at myself a couple of years ago when I looked at an aero road bike ....... at my average speed I'm not so sure aerodynamics play that much of a role ........... besides ......... with a rider of a certain width it becomes somewhat of a farce to get a skinnier bike.

I at one stage subscribed to that ........ before I realised that it ONLY applies to toys THAT YOU ARE USING! Toys that gather dust are NEVER included in the count!

I am with you on this. My youngest road bike is 25 years old and nobody ever has to wait for me........well........not because of the bike anyway.

The value of a second hand anything is what a willing buyer is prepared to pay for it. Nothing more complicated than that.