Spinnekop

I note all my results in Excel over all the years. Those were the ones I did so I have the stats at hand

Looking at FINISHERS over the past two plus decades............. If they say 12000 entrants then this will mean an increase in general.

See you there. I see 45-54 Vets are all together at 05:50 Should be entertaining.

I still cannot believe he is not with us anymore. Taken way too soon. 🥺

I have MANY oakley glasses. Over the years many of them peeled. I have learned the hard (expensive) ways that If you don't clean you glasses after every sweaty session, the will peel. Warm soapy sunllight water, quick wash. Sorted. I have oakleys in my garage that are over 20 years old.

I dont see a reason for it not to work. I am running GRX shifters with XT derailleur and cassette and works perfect.

They are the price of two road tyres

Visited Summerplace near Vaalwater again. It still remains one of the best places to pedal your bicycle.

Jaco mentioned R20k. To him that is expensive. To most people its VERY expensive. We all agree. What "the internet" then told him was that you can definitely do it cheaper. Good point I would think. Jaco can now choose to partake with the new information or stick to his old information and not partake. He mentioned that he doesn't want to do it cheaper. And that is his choice. "The internet" moved on No one is belittled or damaged. Each to their own.

Some pretty amazing scenery in Graskop over the weekend.

I track all my stuff on Strava. Tyre mileage. Chain Groupset age Battery replacement times

Just double check on what break flued you will be needing............... I know with the new XTR launched a couple of weeks ago, new flued was introduced. And local agents dont have stock of the new flued.

How many punctured do you get?!?!??!?! And here I thought the African bush was the king of thorns and Joburg sidewalks the prince of glass............. Of like jy net van pomp? Jeeeeepers.

Point in case where an organiser is missing the pot and the event does not draw big numbers: Blue Diamond Tour to be held in September. Friday = Rooiwal Saturday = Blue Diamond race Sunday = Swartkopz raceway laps Leave. No problem Accommodation for most Gautengers will be no problem. Just drive. That leaves budget. They are asking R2500 entry fee. Why would I NOT pay this? Well......the very next is Rooiwal race. They charge me R380 for an entry. The Diamond Classic 1-day I can do for R480 Swatkopz raceway is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and some Sundays. They charge me R30. Total R890 So why do I want to spend almost 3 times that just to get my timing done over three days? Organizers think people will spend 3 times more in these tough times just to be part of a Tour setup? Nope. Just an example where the idea is correct but the budget is not well thought out

I would suggest a 3 day road event instead. Leave: More people will be able to take on day off work to do an event over 3 days and not 5 or 7 days. Budget: For teams to cover cost for food and accommodation, 3 days make more sense than 5 Budget: No road closure like the 947 and CTCT so you dont have to charge R1k per day. Try to get in around R500 per day. Thus R1500 over the 3 days for the tour entry. For that you will need a main sponsor. But at a low entry cost, riders would consider doing the event. Logistics: Try do to a butterfly route where you have 3 different rides over the 3 days but start and finish in the same place every time. Races like the Panorama and the Tropical Tour was pretty cool and based on the above and was very successful and popular. Maybe potential organsers might consider starting small like the above and maybe then work their way up to 5 days or more. My 2c

Been to Sondela over the weekend. Easy riding for the whole family with an abundance of wildlife.

I still remember having to rub cream on the leather shammy just to get it in some shape of soft after a wash

To me........that looks like the saddle clamp chowing your bibs. Post a side pick and a pick from above of the saddle. Would like to see how close your thighs are getting to the clamp area and how that clamp area looks like

Assos should last you a while. I get around 8000km on mine. If you do want to play around with the saddle thing, get measured. Specialized does it for free. I am quite a big fat bloke but have a thigh gap of a 13 year old girl. So I ride 130mm saddles. If I did not do the measure thing, most people would have suggested 155mm. So go get measured. But that should not show you wear like that, irrespective of saddle width..... I would agree with RobyE above......lots of movement there. One Assos bib is around R3k. So it might be worth it to book a bike fit in a big city and check out why you move so much on the saddle..........

Prologo Nago is a good saddle. No need to replace. That said, in 30 years of cycling I have never seen pants wear down that way. How many kilos on those bibs?

If you want to win, gravel. If you want to enjoy. MTB. My 2c

The momo bars are expensive. Local they run around R16k. If you know what sizing you take, there are a couple of Deda integrated bars in the classifieds that go for around R5k. (One of my buddies are running Deda bars on the SSE and it looks quite nice) The spacers are tricky though......that is why I went for the Momo bars which is all Cannondale integrated already.

Personally I am a Cannondale fanboy. Love the bikes. My Evo is now 3 years old and have not regretted buying it even once. Except maybe in the beginning when the Mrs found out she is not getting a new bathroom. I like the build option purely because you'll be able to build it with stuff that you like and want. I'd go for the Momo bar on that bike. it just looks SO much prettier and integrated than the conceal setup. And the bike will look a lot different with a set of deep section wheels on it. The thrill is in the chase....... So remember to enjoy this part of the whole cycling experience also....the hunt for the new bike.....

Omnico are the agents and they service them nicely. Ask your local bike shop to send the shock to them. Normally takes about a week before you get it back.

Old problem of the crossmax. Well....that I can remember from back in the day when 26ers were the ****. Be VERY careful with the oil/grease there. It should almost have zero lubrication in that ratchet system. The moment it is somewhat sticky, the freewheel body will slip. Remove all oil and grease and run it bone dry and see if it still slips. This worked back in the day.