Spinnekop

Morning everyone. I went past the road block on Solomon this morning. Seems SAPS actually got hold of some stolen bikes. Message that was forwarded on our cycling group: "Heads up everyone, there's a huge police roadblock on Solomon Mahlango near Glen Village and they recovered stolen mountain bikes from a truck (too many to count!). If you know of anyone who recently lost a bike, they should enquire at SAPS"

I have been riding with https://www.exposurelights.co.za/ for close to 10 years now. Not one day wasted on thinking this was a waste. Night rides on the MTB and then loads and LOADS for rides starting at 4/5am heading out. Expensive. But it lasts a lifetime. Serious strong. No external battery pack. Solid mount.

But people who don't greet fellow riders on their way to Spoke Coffee shop have to wait longer for refunds. 💥

I have been refunded about a week ago.

I've got a 31.6mm and a big ass hammer?

Well. You guys say that. It it pertains to chafing. But shammy cream in general has antibacterial qualities. So it actually does help prevent saddle sores and goggas eating you on long rides. So there is that.

Second on Mark II Have been using for close to 20 years.

Back in the day, the first carbon bikes had alu lugs. I had such a Trek. Cannondale later made frames with the rear triangle Alu and the top tube and down tube carbon. It was called the Systemsix Full carbon meant the whole frame together with the lugs and tubes are all made carbon

Windy out East of Pretoria

You have it lucky then. Gauteng is then agter die tyd. Couldn't care less I think

Again.........Lotto funds excluded........... how many Vets in TOTAL? 200 per age group? (It is WAY less). Thus giving you around 800 "full race license monies" = R 400,000 How many "Members"? 5000? 10 000? Let's say 5000. Membership fees income R1.25m So if you raise the basic fee to R330 and this includes Seeding according to ability (no more Vets) but you get seeded A-Z (or Cat 2-26 like in Europe and USA with Cat1 reserved for professionals) then you get full racing membership that allows you to race everywhere in SA any time. I can then race my peers at any race and compete in provincials and nationals. Raising the fee to R350 will make CSA a "profit" On the income side, you safe on CSA officials for at LEAST 3 Vets bunches that are no more. No more registration and number collection and crap over two days wasting peoples time. But that is just a though....... My 2c

That is how I also have it. But organisers confuse the two terms. There shouldn't be two terms. It's stupid IMO. I did not have "membership" last year. Entered a local small race, added the "R50 day license" and they seeded me Vets 40+ Wrong.

Still clear as mud to me.........sorry, I am noticeably slower than the avg person. And in saying that, about 99% of race entry websites then dont get this right...... Speaking "yearly".........on CSA web page: Membership is R250 Domestic racing License is R500 Gauteng provincial fee R75 Total R825 Lets say I only do "membership" R250+R75 I now enter 94.7 If I choose "Day license" R50, does that mean I get to race Vets? (Normally it doesnt as race organisers see this R50 day "whatever" as the "membership" So even if I choose "day license" while already having membership for the year, the race org will not seed me Vets but will seed me open because they see it as part of of the "membership" or the "levy" or whatever they think they have to call it. Stupid and confusing. Again. As said before...... One fee. One definition. One seeding according to ability. But also then someone at CSA has to start working and applying their minds and caring about cycling in SA. Or not. At this stage its just another tax put on active people for participating in events. So they just avoid it and ride with friends.

Rise a shine ride in Gagateng

Imagine CSA gets hold of this thing and creates a sports centre for cycling......training camps.....etc. Like you say......baseline is there. Could be an amazing place to go for a weekend and just cycle and sleep over and listen to presenters etc.

Was there on Saturday. Still a killer ride. Wind was pumping. Open at 7am Roads are okay. Still no water or toilets.

He has a valid good point. The year model can be 2023 with ONE race and the bike can be $)(%$ed. or The bike could be 10 years old and brand new. With regards to year models on bikes........its all BS. Even Cannondale as a company have stopped using it as a reference in a way. You have models. Evo1, Evo2, Evo3 etc. Most manufacturers have a 4y product cycle on frames. Thus my 2020 scalpel is the same frame as the current 2023 frame. You as a consumer wanting to buy a product have to educate yourself and find out if the bike you are buying is from a certain product cycle. Year models are confusing and mostly refers to the car market. My useless 2c without having done 361

So who of all you guys commenting here have taken the bike to work and ditched the car today?

You guys actually thought I'm serious? 🤣 Grappies op 'n stokkie: I'd go for a Zipp 303 or a Campy Shamal type wheel. Fairly light. Around 40mm. Widish rims for wider tyres.

On the Dark horse jobbies..........just test a set out before you buy. I have two friends that are unable to fix a puncture next to the road...........tyres are very hard to get on and off.

60-80mm

Thank you kindly Mr. Dassie

Quick Strava search gives out this. Would this be the route? https://www.strava.com/activities/944303019/overview This one with other little routes: https://www.strava.com/activities/8982025915/overview Right area? Asking for a Vaalie friend. 😁

I'm curios........what did you see as a safety concern where the winner missed it and actually enjoyed it?

Saw this standing in the shed after stage 2 back in 2014 before Gravel was cool ........so yes, possible. I think a MTB would be more enjoyable though. But if your skill is okay, you will be able to do the event. Rather sukkel a little over the rough stuff and experience the adventure than give it up just because you don't have the perfect bike. My 2c