NotSoBigBen

Day 17/31 SS December Since my life I haven't seen that much water down there... in fact I can't even remember water there ever!

What I've realised is its important to choose the route carefully based on the gear you have .... other than that it wasn't too bad

Day 14/31 SS December “I wanted to quit because I was suffering. That was not a good enough reason.” Longest ever single speed road ride .... a little windy but isn't it always in the south 😕

The reason I asked is that I have only ever heard these old timer MTB levers referred to as 'dual control' .... Road integrated shifters as 'STI' I would say the only possibly useful components that would interested me on that bike may be .... The shifters and the hydraulic calipers

'dual control'?

The forgotten one today .... Quite a bit of rain on the Highveld last night and hopefully some more today. A quick spin while it's not raining!

Day 7&8/31 Sometimes I think ... I would give up tailwind if I could be guaranteed to never have to fight a headwind again Just need some knee high white compression stockings and I could be a try-athlete cool kid 😎

Day 6/31 .... So all the necessary weapons tested for SS December. Now just to keep the routine going! Man alive it's hot on the Highveld 🥵

I have and am using an XT 10sp chain on a 10sp Ultegra Di2 ( well that's neither here nor there) road setup and it works fine. Can't say I've noticed any more noise or anything I have tried the 11sp chain on 10sp and it worked no problem, I'm not 'sensitive' enough to really tell if it was quieter or shifted better though 🤔

Maybe just me but never underestimate a good relationship with a 'local bike shop' .... When cycling gets remotely serious it's not just about buying stuff and getting things fixed, they can give invaluable advice and assistance beyond what you might expect I'm probably just lucky but my LBS is the best, for me, Grumpy ( @GrahamW) from The Workshop in Alberhoughton has helped me with stuff that goes way beyond what I'd ever expect! Shameless plug I know 😎

Just beware of 'analyses paralysis' .... Make sure the bike fits and YOU like it, get it and go ride Unless it's a ... Let me stop there. There are some bikes I reckon friends don't let friends ride but don't mind me 😎

Still on track ..... some proper SS gravel on 700x38 semi slicks today, interesting to say the least 😎

But it's ok to sing .... 🤬 Beter ek bly net stil

It's a 53 .... x18

After some contemplating on an unexpected Monday morning ride decided to ride something every day in December and only single speed! #ThereIsNoTry

My boet's Colnago he took to New Zealand .... one of the few bikes in his 'quiver' he bothered to take! If you can excuse the egg beaters ☺️

An update to the recent changes, not sure it makes any difference https://press.strava.com/articles/updates-to-stravas-api-agreement

Crisis averted .... My son found one so we're getting there

Busy resurrecting this bike for my granddaughter to keep at her other grandparents... Stripped and painted it, got new chain, bearings for the BB and headset Damned if I can find a seatpost though Anyone possibly have one, it's a 16" bike? Or maybe even a donor bike with any useful bits ....

Out off all my 18 rides this was the most enjoyable, had so much fun starting in the 'alphabet soup' and just chilling. No stress, no pressure Spending time with my brother and son on the road, priceless Then to the picture .... so as we start riding I realise that my rear derailleur is not working, Di2 so you can't just eye it and have a look. The front is working though so seemed specific to that Anyway it's stuck in 8th gear, not ideal clearly. Decide to check it out at the first water point .... there was a point in the pens there that someone bumped into my bike then moved along, sadly in that the rear derailleur 'wire' was broken Anyway what can you do, decided to carry on and if I had to walk at some points so be it! Now not to brag but you get mechanics and you get mechanics ... as we're riding my son says hey Dad we can jump start the derailleur to an easier gear, I think like really? My brother is riding my other bike which is also Di2, same version etc. OK so we put the 2 dérailleurs right next to each other plug his cable in and shift mine up, worked a charm! Put it in 4th and just used the front shifter all the way, luckily we were out for a fun day and our day was made!

Mechanical or hydraulic?

Starting in Q 7:09 as I recall .... that's my brother and my son's start group, I'll drop back and we'll ride together

They were great, despite our concerns about rain and mud as usual neither happened 😁 Had good fun, started in the later bunches. Very little queuing and what there was cleared very quickly A very different experience when you're not 'racing', stopped at the water points, chilled as long as necessary behind slower riders when needed. Good laughs between the 3 musketeers, myself, my boet and son! On to the road race, we'll be going with the same attitude 😎

Let's see how it is tomorrow

Ok just heard it's the same there ... Only a few riders actually ventured out onto the route apparently Hopefully better tomorrow, come hell or high water (literally) we'll be riding. My boet here from New Zealand possibly for the last time so no choice!