NotSoBigBen

Over time I have learnt that it is quite common to have a few punctures in a row and more so during races .... often riders are in a hurry not wanting to lose time, understandable, and don't check the tyre carefully for the reason for the original puncture. Quote often that is embedded glass or other nasty! Generally not that easy to find. My personal approach to punctures is firstly don't rush the time is gone sit down take your time, you may have avoided the thing in the tyre that caused the puncture but might then pinch the tube anyway. Most important run your fingers, CAREFULLY, round the inside of the tyre of its not something obvious even have a very careful look around the outside of tyre ... a piece of glass is not that easy to see! That's my experience and approach ... use it don't, use it 🤪

Thought I'd have more 'FOMO' today but strangely enough nada .... As my B said to me last week 'now just ride to enjoy riding, nothing else matters' Absolutely cracker day on the Highveld, blue skies for days 😎

Back when I was involved with a bike shop the suggestion for children and in fact anyone that didn't ride on a very regular basis was tyre liners and slime rather than tjoopless ....

Now's the time we could have used Holy Roller's help,God bless his soul 😒

Ride as much or as little, or as long or as short as you feel. But ride. Eddy Merckx

Little by little ....

“Everything will be okay does not mean everything will stay the same.” but I've made peace with that 😎 Progress is being made, albeit small ... fresh air!

https://www.bikeradar.com/news/arkea-aamsic-bianchi-oltre-rc/ No air magodies ....

Almost every single time I was told that it was not the answer .... just saying

I'm shocked to the core .... we're continuously told that 'help my trap' riders are all cool and stuff and don't interfere 🤪 Like said many times you get tchops in all spheres of life ... maybe a word with the offender might help, I mean he won the East Rand champs so he is known

Quite some years ago there was an event called the 'winter challenge' here in Howteng, as I recall organised by CycleLab as a way to keep cyclists motivated during the colder months ... if memory serves me right only happened 1 year not sure what the reasons were for it not continuing. My son, brother and I did it ... was loads of fun!

A midpack roadie stopping at a water point ... Mon Dieu My riding/racing being on hold for a while I don't have much to say to this subject but your response reminds me of that time my boet and I asked 'what happens if we get a puncture' (was related to tubbies) and the rider told us in a serious tone 'that's when we attack' ... Ok it was at the ladies and vets tour not just any old 'mix batch race'

What next, 'Camelpacks' come back, oh wait .... 😜

Thanks man, like I said before mentally pretty tough but just keeping the bigger picture in mind. Looking at that beautiful little granddaughter of mine yesterday at gymnastics and I know that I have to do everything possible to be around as long as possible for her and the rest of my clan!

Keeping to doctors orders, cadence inside .... one day at a time

Thanks so much for the offer! I do however specifically need a disk or very deep section ... hub doesn't really matter what it is ... even if there is damage even on the brake surface doesn't matter cause I aint gonna use a brakes on this wheel Cheers Ben

Link please 🙏

I'm looking for buggered disk or very deep section wheel that I can turn into a single speed wheel for a project I'm busy with ... no brakes required ... can run either fixed or freewheel doesn't matter Happy to pay a few ZA rondt if necessary 😎

So as my problems compound, another big crash, suspected hit and run, in trauma ICU for a few days with concussion, a bleed on the brain and a few other things ... then Bilateral DVT in the legs putting me back in hospital ... Luckily Grumpy @GrahamW from my LBS The Workshop in Alberhoughton, all round good guy, borrowed me a 'smart trainer' I have promised the medical team and my family that I wouldn't do anything stupid so choose an 8k flattish route, small chain ring AND only 1st and 2nd gear .... a maximum of 20mins per day for all of this week! I'm not a high cadence rider but I kept to what I said I'll do 😎 Getting over this mentally I believe will be the biggest challenge but let's see

One of my favourite lady cyclists of all time, my favourite quote of hers "I'm just happy. I like winning."

https://www.parktool.com/en-int/blog/repair-help/spd-pedal-overhaul

Probably one of the most popular items I print for mates and family!

Look to my mind gravel bikes, road bike with fat tires even a flippin 'monstercross' that's all fair game! But like I said I'm just naar with the world at the moment so don't take anything I say too seriously 😜

More climbing and more 'gravel' I reckon! But that's about it, it's not a mountain bike dammit 😜 I'm not so sure about the 'on any bike' sentiments otherwise what differentiates it from any other XCM race ... you don't see MTB's or road bikes and stuff at cyclo cross races, especially WC's or gravel bikes and road bikes at XCO/XCM WC's Anyway don't mind me, I'm still in the Jurassic Park era of cycling clearly and I'm lying in a hospital bed miff with the whole world at this point

Just saw this, I just shake my head ... "Breaking news: order on start line tomorrow. Riders with uci points ( non gravel) first on start line. Gravel riders start in the back."