MongooseMan

Stellenbosch, overs Hels, up Franschhoek Pass, and then back again (via Terbedore, obvs 😁). First time up the pass (plus I was testing some extra packing stuff for some longer rides next week) made for a tough 7km, 6% climb that just never really lets up. Short video edit if anyone is interested... Also saw a stretch hearse, complete with viewing window with curtain 😆

Double Suikerbossie, plus Chappies this morning. Was glad I took lots of bottles... (Also, did anyone else see the random photo shoot going on at the top of Chappies this morning? 😆)

Thanks. When you talk about fit, are you referring to a rook?

Thanks, very kind. Let me look around, just want to see what options there are with slightly more grip (those look only marginally more grippy than my byways). Are you looking to sell the entire wheelsets, or just the tyres?

I've got a Rook Scout, which has 650b wheels and came with WTB Byway tyres. They're great for tar, but I've seen my ass a few times on the greenbelts once it gets a bit wet. So I'm looking for an alternate set with more grip, but am struggling to find any locally available options that tick the following boxes: 650b Tubeless ~47mm wide Decent grip The WTB Sendero or Maxxis Rambler both look good, but I can't find them locally. Am I missing anything obvious here?

First time braving the TM jeep tracks on my gravel bike this morning. The first km is k*k, after that it was smooth gravel bliss 😍

Thanks! Will keep the N2 to a minimum (I do have a rader on the back, which gives some comfort, but obviously not complete safety). Route something like this? https://www.strava.com/routes/2905836851678035402

Are you on the Stravas? Enjoy, and please report back 😁

So the wife and I are heading to Swellendam between Christmas and New Years for a few nights, and I want to get some decent gravel rides in. But, having never ridden the region before, and because I'll largely be solo (except for meeting her at coffee/lunch stops), I thought I'd get the routes sense-checked. I want to do 3 rides, each around 90-110km. Current plan is (routes linked): 1. Drive to Greyton, then I'll hop on the bike and go from there to Swellendam (this is pretty much the reverse of the CrossCape route, so "should" be ok? Also, will meet wife for lunch in Riviersonderend.) 2. Do the ATP 100k (more or less). (Ferry should be operating, right?) 3. A couple of options here, currently leaning towards Swellendam to Napier. Though, could also do Swellendam to Riversdale or Swellendam to MacGregor. Questions: Are those routes ok? Any danger areas/private lands I've routed through? I should be safe doing these solo, right? (Will have Garmin live-track on) Will the ferry be running? Any other suggestions (esp for day 3)? Thanks!

The Lachlan Morton/EF cycling Cape Epic vid is out:

Where'd you find it? (also, need 650b, not 700)

Looks same as mine:

Fine so far. Also, WTB do list the Byway as TR on their site: https://www.wtb.com/collections/road/products/byway I've also found the grip to be less than stellar in wet, seen my ass on the greenbelts a few times. Interested in getting some of these as an alternate option: https://www.wtb.com/collections/gravel-cx/products/sendero

Are they not tubeless ready? I've got a Scout, and mine had tubes in them, but were tubeless ready, so I did the conversion.

Lachlan's Instagram confirms he left today. Getting out while he can.

Bit of a crossover, but ran into this nice fellow at Tuesday Trails this evening. Turns out he's doing the UTCT 35k on Saturday, before heading off to do the Munga. Says he's more worried about UTCT ????

Thanks for the offer, I'm in CT so unfortunately not that close.

Shimano TL-PD40 Pedal tool (used to open up an SPD pedal for servicing) So simple, but no one has any. If I had a 3D printer, this would be one of the first things I'd print...

No pics from the ride itself (Pinelands, Hout Bay, Suikerbossie, Camps Bay, loop) but I did get to "test" my tubeless sealant. Apparently it works after about 15 seconds ????

No more looking at my watch to see how fast/slow I'm going ????

Surprisingly non-windy ride for starting after 8am in mid-November. Not complaining though ????

True (though it's a bike-lock mount, not for a light), it's mostly fine, until it gets bumped, then you suddenly get the stabby-stabby in the knee ????

The latest in a series of post-bike fit "find a saddle that works" purchases. So far so good with this one, a decent combination of cushion and support.

So I was today years old when I discovered its pronounced Na-Med, and not Named ????

Boland 60 miler. Not my day, but glad to get it done. Also set numerous PRs back down from the finish, with minimal pedaling ????