Paul Ruinaard

yes someone did - i am happy it went to a good home - very much a sentimental sale

How do you know Cassette is showing signs of wear? Is it skipping. Normally you will know from these sorts of issues i.e. skipping or shifting issues. However if your chain has worn too far then its not just a cassette upgrade - its likely cassette plus chain and potentially chainrings. These all work as a system so you need to measure your chain wear and get the cassette inspected - epsecially the smaller teeth. FWIW you have a long cage clutch derailleur so you can therefore run a wider range cassette, but again to do that you often need a longer chain FWIW Its the norm to do cassette and chain at the same time so if you are trying to gte more gears for climbing you can put on a cassette with a bigger range. Whats your front - 2 x or 3 x?

See my Ad: Its just hanging on the wall so i decided to list it. https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/715357/colnago-c-40-bstay-with-campag-record-10-speed

you are of course welcome to stop using your Apple Macbok and buy Massey Ferguson tractors? Thing is people dont becuase the days of options are long since gone for most of the populace. Even though I know how to go under the hood of a PC i have no inclination to do it.

You need to probably listen to the comments above about other criteria however no one seems to be mentioning Paarl. FWIW you have access to everything and more in the area. I have been here for 18 months and continue to discover more trails. Paarl is often overlooked but its 3 x the size of Stellenbosch and has all the access to the major trails nearby never mind most of the trails that everyone rides. FWIW The Boland is much more friendly than CTN itself so if you enjoy a small town vibe its really a great place. Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschoek, Wellington etc all in the same winelands area. Somerset West around the corner. Tulbagh etc up the road. Durbanville and Tygerberg withing riding distance. The list of trails and trail destinations is as long as my arm. Banhoek, PLasir, Jonkers, Paarl Mountain reserve , Wellington - pick your poison. these are just front of mind now. I suggest you go have a lok at a Strava heat map to get an idea. FWIW theres a lot more in the towns as well. But R 3 to R 4m will buy you a nice little place in any of these towns. Winelands wrt food, drink and coffee shops - next level.

i saw when i was up there. Sad but true. I was thinking that the cradle road loop is probably a nice thing to do - even on an MTB... Cradle road riding is a good 60 to 70 burn with some nice hills in it...

Stay in Cape Town. Not recommended to ride alone in Jhb TBH on the trails unless you are in a secure park. Asidlale is good. Where in Jhb - its a big place..... Northern Farm is fun but flat.... Pretoria has some nice places like Hennops etc. Avoid the Spruit unless you are in a posse of armed folks :-). Cradle MTB loop is so ahem if you are from CTN. Being ex Jhb and now down in CTN its very different up there.... Lot less steep and technical and more XC fast and flat most of the time - there are some exceptions. If you are determined to ride on your JHB trip, a road ride around the cradle loops is always nice - some good hard riding in there.....

Sadly you are right. The 94.7 race has degenerated in to a farce along with the whole of Jhb with it. I hope the people on here have been exposed to what an ANC lead government can do when they are voting in the coming elections. Given that I rode with the club that started the race originally and grew it to the second largest in South Africa its also evidence of what happens when politicians and non cyclists take over these events. If you ever have ridden the last 10 years or so routes you truly would wonder what they are trying to showcase. Jhb's urban decay and highways? WTF? You would never cycle there. It used to be a much better route. Hopefully it dies a painless death very soon. Along with it the ANC ruling party and Cyril....

Years of experience has taught me that during the race when the inevitable South Easter E blows up a storm it comes over the gap at Silver mine and then creates havoc on the descent as its now a headwind and quite a gusty one. It swirls in those corners and turns... All of me got moved around the road by it, and all of me is not a small amout of weight. I was epxecting the hard pedal down in to the teeth of it but there were many bemused mutterings in the group as to "wheres the tailwind"?. In the 2009 debacle with the Cape of Storms ride that swirling black South Easter moved me across both lanes in a gust when I was at high speed and it took all i had to stop it from barreling me in to the Armco. I nearly needed to change my shorts.... I am very respectful of a South Easter when its blowing hard when you come down Chappies. Its very changeable and gusty, and those gusts are powerful. Many a PB got terminated on the descent from Chappies this year....

yep and the Smits descent is bumpy so at high speed those undulations can unseat you. Seen some bad crashes there. Ride carefully the entrance in to scarborough is also very fast so unless you are going for a time keep your head about you. Also bottom of Chappies is tight and fast just before Chapmans peak hotel.

Actually the best app is Epic Ride Weather. You can download it from the app store. If you live in CTN you quickly learn to obey its forecast. It forecasts conditions for your ride . You put in the track/route you are going (integrates with Strava) and start times and the speed and it gives you the forecast, wind rain, altitude temperature etc. Wind directions, all there. . Having said that i am not sure you really want to look at it. The South Easter wind speed is increasing at simonstown (20 gusting to 48) so the ride to Smits is going to be a bit challenging to say the least. A 7 to 10 kmh headwins is enough to make you very tired so a constant 20 is hard core. FWIW I have my wife's ebike and 2 x batteries for the highest bidders #justsaying 🙂

Everything else above - i agree with. Whilst I respect all the information about backs and the consequences and I didnt have this problems the line above about your bike fit is exactly the opposite of what you should be doing. But No 5 above. please don't do this. Pay attention to your bike fit and get it done regularly, as it changes and your body changes with age. And get professional help. Not your eye and some googling and assumptions as to what worked in the past is good for you now.... How do i know? I assumed exactly this as well. I have over 25 years on bikes so should know what fits me from experience. Turns out that was completely wrong. I assumed like you did that as i had been on the bike a long time and had a little pain it was just age and sagging core muscles. I was also 57 at the time. I was sore in shoulders, lower back and neck after a ride but hey i am old etc etc. Comes with the territory and age. Suck it up. the fit was good as it was what i always used. Hmm After long and arduous conversations with @Eldron on this topic I went to see Richard Baxter for a full fit. The very next ride post my fit and using the new setup and all the changes (saddle, bars, stem, shoes) both my VO2 max and FTP increased as measured on the bike computer and no change in my training. I was also comfortable in the saddle for longer periods and had no neck/lower back issues. This was just from a setup. I related this on the hub at the time. So not only was I more comfortable and therefore able to ride longer but also faster. Best money I ever spent. Unless you're are a genetic throwback , our body changes over time mostly for the worse and your flexibility and strength reduce, hence my line that you shouldn't have a setup based on Tadej Pogacar if you are 57. I now sit a lot more upright, i have a lot wider bars and also have pedal extensions as i am built like a prop. I need a wide Q factor. Added to this Lake shoes for my wide flat feet - there were so many changes but all for the better. PLease don't assume you are able to get your bike fit right and if you are uncomfortable go to the professionals and get it done properly. FWIW i am not a fan of Specialized BG fits - they always seem wrong to me so make sure you share what you are looking for. #justsaying. As a final proof point i got my old Colnago C40 back from my nephew recently after he had borrowed it for some time. This is the bike I raced seriously (for me) on and was at my fastest on in all my results. My go to race bike for 10 years. It's a really stiff carbon race bike and I did thousands of kilos on it, most of them when i was lean and fit and fast. When I got it back a couple of weeks ago I took it for a short run and with the seating position it is set up for which is the one i used for all this racing, i doubt i would be able to go 50 kms without being in serious pain. This is the bike that felt like home for years. I can hardly ride it. PLease get a proper fit done.....

go for a setup and be honest with the guys who are doing it - not a Specialized BG Setup but a real one - one that takes in to account, age, flexibility etc. You will be amazed at how this will make a difference. you aren't Tadel Pgacar so the ratios that are good for him arent good for you and your age. Core exercises are of course good. What bike are you ridng - have you checked the suspension and ensured you are getitng full benefit from it. All these factors add up. I had a long online discussion with some of the guys on the forum and the single major factor that changed it all for me and was completely wrong was my setup. I assumed pain was just something i was going to have to live with - especially lower back. Ping @Eldron - havent seen him here for a bit... He may know of some people local to you. But start with getyitng your setup right....

Hmm - go down the trails that run against the gorge which end in Waterval Boven - some of them start at Tranquilitas or used to - If you want to then ride up to the top again on the road out the back of the town to Slaaihoek. Do that a couple of times and you will have some proper training. the trails used to be pretty cool. I havent been there for years but used to go every 6 weeks - some of the locals in Waterval Boven had built the trails. BUt get updated infomration. Climb from town to the top was about 6 km with some proper gradient on it so good for some hard work.

Assuming you are asking in the context of you are under trained. Rennies stomach/antacids are also wonder medicines. Dont ask me why it works but it does. I think Cramp EEZE uses a simialr formula as they tastes the same. These are for your plan to accept 1.) you havent trained enough and b.) Your hydration is a mess. So once you start to feel like you are cramping or have been burning matches you shouldnt then pop some Rennies.

when you say Tranquilitas are you loking for the routes around the gorge in Waterval Boven? Or is the name not related to the request? You should find on Strava or Komoot. If at Tranquilitas not sure if those trails still exist...

true dat.....

my story edzackery. I know what I know and i have become a lot less confident of others abilties around me and also the chances of things going pear shaped - it happens more than you think. Rather be in a place where you have a gap to react, than asking WTF happened. Statistics are a horrible thing - the longer you go without a major crash the higher the likelihood is of it happening. Every now and then the horns and tail comes out and I am flying down a hill cause i love decsending and fancy myself as being able to go fast downhill. I quickly seem to pull the brakes as the edge isnt really that interesting any more - if it goes wrong it could have some mortal consequences.

1.) I think you need to google the Dunning Kruger effect and internalise that first wrt your riding skills and abilities. Maybe your abilities as an orator and on social media 2.) Diminishing other peoples posts is in effect a tactic to belittle them. You need to cite evidence more than opinions. If you posts are misconstrued then it may be you need to point out ther failings as you may have a valid point. Right now i am lost to what you believe your point is you say we missed, as are I think others.

Yeah i am not really going to go down this rabbit hole too far. I think this exemplifies the issue at hand. Got nothing to do with social media. You seem to think that its the bike riders duty to ensure that he gets out of the way of a motor bike rider who is using a public road illegally and at high speed and in a way that is dangerous to others. FWIW I am local in Paarl and spend a lot of time on Franschoek pass and Hels and up Bains - we were there last weekend. I have also got the few hundred thousand kms on bikes - powered and not - i am 60 and started riding motorbikes at 9 in the back yards so have been some places on two wheels and have ben on bicyles since 1995. Every weekend especially in good weather its full here in the region with guys wanting to test their riding and driving abilties of their toys. Cars i didn't mention - they are another complete discussion but the bikers definitely get my attention because of the above and the fact i was one of them. You really are being naive in assuming that closing the throttle from 180 or 200kmh to 140 allows you a better margin for error when someone in a skedonk pulls out of a side entrance in to your path. And you are naive if you think that your reactions are cat like and you will be able to avoid this type of incident. Especially if the only path to do so is to go in to the oncoming lane and or in to the cyclists coming upf rom the other side. And if it hasn't happened then its only a matter of time before it does. Your abilties and your skills - That's all bravado mate and what you think you are capable of is really a matter of subjective opinion We all think we are skilled on a bike. You can crow all you want about your abilities and pedigree. And TBH you may be very skilled but the roads are not for using to demonstrate your abilities to put your knees down or carve curves fast. They are there for the general public to use within a framework of laws. If these laws are flouted or disobeyed in other instances its not for you to decide you are immune from them nor to break them at will "because others do" . That's the issue here. Your belief your rights are higher/better/stronger than others - which is of course a fallacy, irrespective of the taxes you pay the car you drive or the speed you ride on two or four wheels powered or unpowered.

This post scares me becaue it confirms what i suspected but i suppose I didnt want to acknowledge. Sports bikers in the winelands and in CTN passes are basically out of control. On a sunday morning the passes are humming with guys on big fast sports bikes. The fact less have died is a miracle. I have gotten to the point where even though I had ridden motorbikes for a long time, i feel that the guys who feel its their right to ride like w@nkers in public roads need to be eliminated from the gene pool - a simple darwinian effect. Most of the guys i have seen are really not that capable - it is more the pose and the leathers etc, good at twisting the right hand grip in a straight line. Logic dictates that when it goes wrong at HIGH speed things happen that much faster and the scenery is unforgiving. I recently sold my Ducati not before taking it over Bains Kloof and Franschoek and Hels a couple of times (Multistrada not a sports bike) to see what all the fuss was about. Simply put they are all very tight with zero margin for error. Chappies as well. If you screw up or hit an errant diesel patch you are toast and will probably hurt yourself or die. I am not a patch on the rider i was so it was well within the limits and my abilities and speed limits TBH but it showed me that these actually were not such fun roads to ride - very little margin for error and you are busy as a rider. And if i was in my sports bilking prime (yes i rode like a w@nker as well - we all did) the only place i pushed the envelope was in track days, not public roads. But the problem is always that when you fall the chances are small but real that your bike hits something or someone oncoming. You are in full leathers and have some protection although the concrete walls are hard. But the truth is when it hits someone else then you likely kill them - its just pure physics and energy. This accident and the incidents you describe above are really symptomatic of a sports bike ridng population that feels its their right to run these tight and dangerous roads illegally with no plates on their bikes and no way to be caught. Anyone who has ridden a sports bike can guess much of what happened on Chappies - you have so much power nad are going so much faster its so easy to just swing past cars. Problems arise when you get so arrogant you lose respect for other road users and become blattantly direspectful. It needs to stop guys. THe only way is to put traffic calming zones all over these roads. If you go in to Europe and look at their roads you will understand what has ben done - there is no other way. My sympathies with the guy who got hit on Chappies - hope he recovers. From the posts those are scary injuries. All he was doing was going for a ride with his mates, like all of us do.

Agreed. Sadly you are right. Its very frustrating. You may choose to cycle on an unsafe road. Thats a value assessment you make and By definition most roads are unsafe for cyclists. You conduct yourself accordingly and mitigate your risks. That's why i have front and back flashers. I wish I could show you how many people have no lighting and nothing that would alert a car to them. I wish it wasn't true. People don't do anything to mitigate risks I also wish cyclists were not acting like arrogant pr$cks all the time but especially before cycle tour and didn't think three riding abreast was the best way to avoid the cars overtaking them. Massive bunches all over the road blocking cars overtaking them deliberately. Its so sad that you can't put the genie back in the bottle on this one. it was just a matter of time before this happened. The margins for error are Zero TBH. Biker overtaking on white line, cyclist runs wide on a corner. Bad timing. It could all have been avoided and been a near miss. I get so upset because i see this every weekend and its obvious what the outcome will be. Also I suppose its a reflection on me - i am out on these roads on my roadbikes - chappies, helshoogte etc, so it could have been me. TBH the comments on twitter make my blod boil.

Hmm - having been on bikes and motorbikes for 30 plus years and done my share of knee grinding and stupid breakfast runs i can only say there is an asusmption from 90% of the sports motorcycle riders in South Africa that they are entitled, by virtue of their license fees, to ride way above the legal speed limits and in ways that leave zero room for error. I stepped away from it and went to riding on hte track owing to the fact that theres hard scenery and oncoming traffic on the road. This accident is proof of all of this. But Spend a Saturday or Sunday morning on Helshoogte with the bikes going up and down from Stellenbosch side and up Franschoek Pass and you will know that the sports bikers do not give. a toss. Thats a fact for the majority - i know asusmptions are dangerous but you dont buy a sports bike to ride within the speed limit. I was one of them. And a cyclist as well. I am sorry i dont agree with you when you say you accept the risk when you use the road. Apologies but that is hogwash..You accept that everyone should conduct themslevses accordingly and that one of you is not entitled to place the others at risk.

i love the analogy. It's a bit like taking out a purebred and feeling the responsiveness and willingness to run - just you aint the rider you used to be. Very torn about it but the bike count in the garage is ratcheting up and its really nothing but a wall ornament. I did all my racing on it and it has a sentimental connection to PB's and putting hurt in to bunches, but I can feel its not going to be a patch on my Roubaix in terms of comfort. Back and Neck - agreed. Stiff as a plank.... Anyone interested in my old racing machine - i even bought a brand new 10 speed campag cluster and chain as they were getting scarce which i would happily throw in

I have got my old road bike back from my nephew - C 40 B Stay with a Campag Record 10 Speed groupset and Nucleon Campag wheels. Its been ridden so has the usual road patina. Now whilst i am extremely sentimental about the old bike its also now unlikely to be a comfortable ride any more. It wasnt to begin with - its a very hard ride. 24 years later its still an out and out race bike, so with my somewhat heavier frame and less flexibility its not an ideal machine. The chances are therefore its going to hang on the wall. Question for the group - whats a C 40 like that worth - R 12k to R 15k? R 20k? Bike is original - i even have the books from Alan van Heerden