Velouria

No, it's always tough. I truly despise my single speed. I've had it for 2 and a half years and I hated it from the very first day I rode it. About as much as I hate coriander and asparagus. And yet, I keep coming back for more. What was that definition of insanity?

I rode in on the singlespeed this morning. A ride that normally takes 30 minutes on a proper bike is a 50 minute adventure in self loathing and hatred. 80% of the ride is in the wrong gear, and try as I might, I just couldn't convince myself of the positive side that at least 20% of the ride was in the right gear. And despite hating almost the entire ride, slogging away into the northerly wind, I'd take this any day over driving into work. Excuse me while I go and nap under my desk!

The unicorn is the Scottish national animal: http://www.scotsman.com/heritage/people-places/why-is-the-unicorn-scotland-s-national-animal-1-3953188

Secret smchecret... been away at the Rouleur for a week, but I'm back doing the daily commute, on possibly the fastest and most aero commuter bike out there - my new shiney Cervelo S5

In the video or on the stage? Video 1:18, 2:20, and 2:50 (look for the guy in the big ring!) On the stage - second on the right

Took a while, but the epic ride report is here: BigDayOut 2016

I have a new respect for each and every one of those Munga riders. I was quite happy to get off my bike after that ride (same goes for the 24hr). I have no idea how you can do that for 5 days!

It's our BigDayOut - our yearly attempt to ride the furthest we've ever been, on one of those perfect Cape summer's days. Takes us a year to forget the ordeal before trying it all again https://www.strava.com/activities/489867676

So we went on a bit of an adventure yesterday

Or the DC later in the year

I have two of his books - bought them on the KickStarter campaign. To me a bike is something to have fun on, yet to so many others, it is a means to a better life. Tuesday? Wednesday? Been doing a lot of waving recently as the roads fill with holiday cyclists

From Stan Engelbrecht's http://www.bicycleportraits.co.za/ Awesome coffee table book!

I'm trying to sell my bike - I don't want the Hub judge, jury and executioners to scare away any potential buyers! (I've already had an Italian guy on Twitter give me grief about my seat angle!)

Thanks - you have completely removed all the fun from riding my bike. I now cannot look at my handlebars without comparing hood angles, tape wrap, wheel centeredness etc. I spent over an hour last night adjusting my "perfectly fine to begin with" hoods, only to realise that I've probably made the problem worse.

Ping iCycling - this is where I expect my PPA membership money to go, instead of puffing the egos of some amateur weekend warrior race snakes in the form of prize money.

Got a mate who does this all the time! (When his wife is out)

I've been in a team like that - two of us bigger guys got dropped at the bottom of Tradouw. Team went on to race each other, and finished with 5 riders...

Back from when I had my pilot's licence...

Lenticular clouds

Super chuffed for Nico and Stephan, and I wish them the very best. So cool to see our local bike industry getting going again! Entering the Lotto tonight!

$219 is quite reasonable, just a pity the Rand is so vrot. $219 will buy you a cup of tea and slice of cake, and you'll have some change for parking

Looks like a cool little gadget - I'm rather tempted to get a set. I don't have a bike that is suitable, so I'd have to get another bike too! https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/revolights-eclipse-connected-bike-lighting-system#/

10 things that'll make every cycle commuter furious From http://www.bikeradar.com/commuting/gear/article/10-things-thatll-make-every-cycle-commuter-furious-45478/ 1. Your political leanings being betrayed http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.imdserve.com/images/news/2015/10/16/1445010162183-40vdhyu1bdce-960-540.jpgAre these people Green Party members? (image: Getty) Did you know stopping at red lights is a political statement these days? It's true, we read it on the internet. 2. When fellow commuters don’t realise you’re on for a new KOM http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.imdserve.com/images/news/2015/10/16/1445251685149-6bnib7vxc3zk-960-540.jpg"Don't be touching my KOM" (image: Getty) "New commuters," bemoans Garry Templeman on Facebook, "who've switched from their car and have brought their grumpy driving habits to cycling and don't 'get it'. If I pass you, it doesn't mean I'm somehow trying to beat you." Fellow reader Martin Grayson's reply? "Just trying to keep my KOM on Strava mate." 3. Getting spanked It's a hazard people, don't giggle. Gaz Welch regularly suffers people shouting 'deviant' or passengers spanking his bottom as they drive past, just because he's in Lycra. 4. Unpredictable mutts http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.imdserve.com/images/news/2015/10/16/1445250853842-uocb6h0bkxvr-960-540.jpg Multiple dogs on the loose, watch out (image: Getty) Man's best friend, except when they're off the lead and in your path, says Mark Dorman onFacebook. Will they get out of the way? Won't they? Who knows! 5. Ex-bosses that won’t let you keep your bike in the office http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.imdserve.com/images/news/2015/10/16/1445250853842-fcektm5hxdc2-960-540.jpg Time to find a new job? (image: Getty) Not all bosses are caring, compassionate types. They couldn't care less if your bike has to sit outside in the rain. 6. Where is the love? http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.imdserve.com/images/news/2015/10/16/1445250853846-r7csvqbtgkhe-960-540.jpg Give us a smile (image: Getty) If you've been commuting the same route for any significant time, you've surely started to recognise the same faces. Kate Peers wishes they would say hello occasionally: "I've passed the same guy for 2 years now-yet2 get a hello back." 7. Lack of coffee http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.imdserve.com/images/news/2015/10/16/1445010162183-1pdat51u9szbp-960-540.jpgSir Chris Hoy drinks coffee, therefore you should too (image: Getty) Coffee is, as we all know, cyclists' real best friend. Except when there are no Tassimo pods left in the morning. 8. Invisibility cloaks It sounds like some marketing stunt, and a weight weenie's dream, but reader Rob Andrews says the red light sensors won't pick up the weight of him and his bike. So he has to sit there, waiting for a car to arrive and set it off. 9. Swapping places occasionally http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.imdserve.com/images/news/2015/10/16/1445251685149-647u2gn1mi6h-960-540.jpgFeel the rage (image: Getty) If you really want to know suffering though, try leaving the bike behind, says Ian Doney. "Deciding to take the car once in a blue moon and then getting stuck in a traffic jam and then seeing fellow cyclists passing....IT MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL!" 10. Not being able to carry on http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.imdserve.com/images/news/2015/10/16/1445251685153-1rrg8h3yizdnl-960-540.jpgBest part of the day? Probably… (image: Getty) But do you want to know the top gripe, the number one complaint among our commute-loving readers? It's having to stop riding when you get to work…

I rode home in the rain last night. WindGuru always seems a little optimistic with their rain predictions, but they were spot on with the awesome tailwind home Not quite tough enough to get soaked again within 12 hours though.

Thanks DJR - I am on it. Between Minister Winde, and Martin Smuts of Stellenbosch, it looks like there will be some repercussions. I'm a little disappointed with PPA and their lack of a response...