Danger Dassie

Anything from around twelve, depending on the build etc. If it's just the frame and fork with panniers and discs, 12k. The frames new with carbon fork were around that.

Shout if you're Jozi side, will show you around some routes here. Lot of it is a mix of gravel/tour though. But that's what makes it so awesome.

For sure, more so that for at least two years her ban excludes any boxing competition at pro/sanctioned level. She hasn't been listed on the team for some months. Amy Beth, Samantha Sanders and Nico Pfitsen Phfitzen... Nico. Are the team. Super stoked for Amy and Sam, both great riders and approachable down to earth people. Would be an impressive team lineup if they'd been able to keep Candice Lill and Vera Adrian as well. Sure, but that's a violation in it's own. There are a few marathon and road riders on whereabouts too, not just XCO. The Kreuzinger case is something wholly different on it's own as a topic and raises many questions about the greater science (way over my understanding) and procedure, but it isn't an indication of the overall effectiveness one way or the other of the bio-passport. Let's hope so, difficult to quantify but it is my feeling as well.

Not at all, there are a number of current gravel bikes that are anything but that. Trek Checkpoint, Santa Cruz Stigmata, Specialized Diverge, Momsen R/GP series, Cotic X, Roadrat, Calculus etc .... That said, I have a large Lynskey 650b MTB frame which seems well suited to a gravel conversion. After spending some time on the Checkpoint I'm seriously tempted to forgoe that whole conversion plan though and sell off the Lynskey. Which would break my heart, bikes are my children, they speak to me. They really do .... *hears faint whispers of ancient hand brazed steel frames

Ja true that, industry picks up on people doing these conversions and will bring to market something that fills that gap if it's economically viable. For me personally something like a true softail (Moots) makes sense, or even an ISO decoupler like on the Trek. Anything more than that though doesn't really appeal to me as it's moving away from the simplicity and versatility of a gravel bike. Might as well go with a hardtail MTB then.

Tell us about that new carbon gravel frame.

Not all that feasible since boxing is a signatory to the anti-doping code as well and her sanction relates to all sport.

Out of competition tests are not uncommon at all, in fact that is probably the most effective time to be testing is out of competition. Out of competition tests are a fundamental part of the ADAMS system and bio-passport being effective.

My Cotic X, despite being conceived around CX it's like it was made for exploring dirt and urban rides. Sadly the time has come to put her up for sale though

All kinds of comments, claims and remarks being thrown around ... the actual sanctions and full case files are publicly available for both the SAIDS and CAS cases. SAIDS sanction database: http://www.drugfreesport.org.za/cases/?name=gilbert&sport=Cycling&drug=0&submitted=submitted SAIDS hearing: http://www.drugfreesport.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/SAIDS-vs-Gordon-Gilbert.pdf CAS appeal: http://www.drugfreesport.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Arbitral-Award-Gordon-Gilbert.pdf

Y'all just go to my instagriz via the link, tag a mate in the comments and state your riding tip. ..... For those doing Magalies Monster on the Sat, if you ride the Juma on Sunday you get a free Mad Giant craft beer and go into a draw for 5k.

Will be giving this one another go, even looks like it'll be a nice sunny time over the weekend. The vibe afterwards is always great, it's worth it to treat this as a bit of a challenge and social one with friends and family. I have a couple comps on a giveaway if anyone's keen - https://www.instagram.com/p/BjNdYKQnOnO/

Similiar situation on Joburg, although more on bad enforcment (although there are moments) and poor/challenging city planning. Not so much issues with crime though, which is kind of ironic. The lanes that do function well though are great and protected, with good route options. I do think though that Joburg has less of a commuting mindset.

No room to manoeuvre, there's less than a lane's width for a sprint at over 60kmh! Flip.

If they were; Transparent Accountable Consistant Competent There would be (and has been) the world of positive engagement and understanding of the CSA's challenges, it's a two way street and CSA need rider support as much anything else. Arguably more so. As an organisation they've broken down a few riders and committed staff/volunteers and practically dragged the administration of the sport down with them. It's not entirely the fault of the lack of Lotto funding, which could well be due to the lack of fulfilling criteria laid out by Lotto. That's not breaking them down, it's fact. Ask CSA why there are some riders who have been bust by SAIDS and received doping sanctions, but there is no comms sent out. No comms on riders who have appealed a sanction successfully, but no comms on the case. Riders representing SA in mismatched kit or incorrect sizing. Lack of safety at SA Champs, no race reports. No race reports of the SA Cup XCO in Stellenbosch, with an international attendance that rivals most World Cup events. In all most all these aspects the slack is picked up by organiser, the industry and riders in general. Things are being done in spite of CSA, not because of it. Yet there are paid CSA staff taking home a salary on the back of this who are SUPPOSED to be managing the sport as commercially viable. Indicative of our national government.

Plain/neutral kit until new kit arrives with new sponsor branding. Plus he's stepping up into a team management role. Good to see that kind of experience being carried forward.

Christopher Philogene at the Hakahana DH National, just managed a quick iPhone shot. - Sous

Was a good fad for a bit, but as a few predicted became largely a novelty more than anything, not even a nich. Great for things like the coastlines, Namibia, Snow Epic, Moz and Weskus, but the events themselves or tour groups already package a fat bike for use on those getaways. They're just not really that practical for most.

Becoming one of my favourites, slight pano from Northcliff Hill near the water tower, looking out North East over the Witwatersrand towards Pretoria. On a really clear day with binocs you can see the Voortrekker monument on the horizon. There's also some bolted rock climbing routes for sport climbing.

Not gone, but going it seems.

Reckon there will be more details after the KZN race organiser's meeting with CSA (26th possiby) Interesting that riders who won prize money at this weeknd's Pmb festival with the SA MTB Cup events were asked to supply their banking details to KZN Cycling and not CSA. Upside of that is they probably wont have to wait upto three months for the deposit.

Shouldn't matter who the commissaire is. Logically thinking for myself obviously route markers should be accompanied on route marking and/or consulted on the route profile, or at the least check key obstacles/sections. CSA proclaim that safety is part of sanctioning any event. No joke. We're deflecting from the point though, and that is that is what is the actual value that CSA bring to an event, on a tangible level. There are more questions than answers.

Some, not every. Definitely not the marathon and a number of other 'sanctioned' events/

Ok so part of the problem is that events are not complying, should the question not be asked "why?" instead of using the threat of non-sanction, when all too often both riders and organisers don't have the value that CSA claim to offer with the presence of a commisaire. Tell me when a commisaire last did or understood a physical inspection of a route for safety and marking?

Agreed, even though sometimes (often) the motive behind leaking stuff can be selective and not really motivated by good cause but more with an axe to grind. Which is normal to a degree I suppose, something to be mindful of though.