Chatman

How has no one mentioned Suikerbosrand for hill training in Jhb? Yes, on tar, but you'll build serious hill climbing strength for any format.

Rode some Red and some Orange at the Taroko Trail park today. Was very impressed with the quality of the trails and overall park setup. It was also nice to see a good turnout for both the MTB trails and walking/running trails. I'll definitely be supporting this venue. I do wish my R50 trail entrance fee allowed me to enter the Farmers Market for free, especially since there was nowhere else to grab a post ride coffee and roll... Seems strange to pay to enter and then have to pay to enter to pay for a coffee

Hi all Rode the Cradle MTB route yesterday, only jumping onto the tar where the route is closed. There is evidence of foliage maintenance in parts, still more needed. The bridge near R540 and R374 circle (near Neck & Deck) is still closed and the very fun downhill section on the M5 towards Valverde is closed too (probably for very good reasons). There was one short downhill section near Teak Place which I think should be closed for now (maybe a temporary "slow down" sign will suffice) - but other than that the route is ridable. I managed to ride it on a hardtail, so it's rideable - but rough. Perfect if you are looking for some punishment. I wouldn't suggest it for beginners.

I live in Johannesburg. Fly down once in a while. Can PM and chat, I might be there soon.

Thanks, will do

The tool in the middle of pic_0374 is for road brake calipers. Not sure how to use them...

There are definitely some parts that are not bike related. I removed the ones I knew were not related, but obviously some remained. Still not sure about the copper thing... I won't be selling anything but would rather give away something that would add real value to a vintage rebuild. There's a lot more in there too. Cable housing and gears.

Hi guys. I was given an old toolbox by my future father in law. It belonged to his father (grandfather?) I will confirm. He was quite the avid cyclist so I'm sure there are some interesting things inside. I know very little of these relics (some are obvious) but maybe some of you know what some of these items are? I hope some of these pics are a "blast from the past" for you. If anyone has an idea of what I should do with all this stuff let me know.

More and more trails are offering showers, however, most races still don’t offer them to riders. If the economies of scale don’t make sense to rent mobile showers, perhaps employ some additional staff and invest in some extra materials to ensure existing facilities can be used. Hotels and local accommodation services need to realise cyclists need to eat breakfast before the usual 8:00am opening time and that a 10:00am check-out time means we can’t come back to shower. Below is a recap of some of the comments above…some great ideas!!! Going to a nearby gym or using a campsite’s ablution seems like the most ideal option (besides a late check-out and if there is one nearby). Even if you must pay the full price to enter a gym it’s still a lot cheaper than booking an additional night… Going to nearby B&B/Backpackers/Guesthouse will probably work too if you offer to pay. Washing under a tap works – if you are prepared. I used a quick drying camping towel, face cloth and a shopping bag with a fresh change of clothes in it. The effectiveness of this approach is directly linked to the cleanliness of the facilities used and the “activities” of the guy in the cubicle next to you. Finish off with some deodorant. After this weekend’s race, I saw two guys using the same approach I used at OppiKoppi a few years ago. A big bottle or bucket of water, cloth and speed. The air was a bit cool so not many women were impressed. I suppose the more prepared you are the better. A real camper will have hot running water, privacy and a flushable toilet….in the hotel parking lot. A great tip is to leave the camping shower bladder on the dash so that the sun warms it up. Local river? It’s cold. And you need to use biodegradable soap. But it could be fun washing up at one of the river crossings along the route. You can cheer other riders on while washing up.

Will shower facilities in Champagne Sports Resort be available to riders riding on the Sunday?

Hi all I'm enjoying all the out-of-town races in this beautiful country of ours, especially the stage races. The only question I have is; where does one shower after a race that takes place on a Sunday? Is the only option to book another night's accommodation (whether you stay the night or not)? Am I the only one with this issue? I don't want to drive for four to five hours without showering...and most accommodation venues I've asked won't allow extended hours. They want you out by 10:00am. Any suggestions? Thanks.

I attended an event a couple of years back in Belgium. It was super fun. In the right spot you could view quite a bit and the riders did not hold back. Lot's of close calls, awesome overtaking and tumbles in the sand or mud. A venue like a school or a university would be ideal because you need a combination off-road and on-road/tar sections. Without some road/tar sections it's not the same. And carbon MTB bike would be fine. And every section of the route is at least 3m wide so overtaking is always a possibility. I'm not sure how small - mid-size cycling events break-even but I'm sure with ~100 entries, some cheap entry tickets, food and beer and advertising it can work??? The off-road section that runs along the cradle would be a fun route to try a bike on. You could hop back onto the tar if it gets too technical.

Hey guys. I see the CX scene is picking up in SA. I've been to a UCI CX event at it's a lot of fun for spectators and all... Was wondering if there is enough interest / demand in SA for this type of event? Cheers

JMBC.org on Sunday?

Agree, that's why I inserted the "and ride single file when appropriate…!" line. No matter how bright your lights are, riding without being conscious of your surroundings will lead you into trouble. But I still think that it would be easier to spot a cyclist coming on my left if I was in my car if they had a light on. All the bike shops will love my idea...$$$