Velouria

Saw them again this morning, going the other way. I feel we're now commuting buddies as they even gave me a wave from across the R44. Two Bulls and a lady.

I love commuting at this time of year, particularly because I work in Stellenbosch. You're never quite sure who you'll bump into on the road. This morning I caught 3 mountain bikers (eventually), and as I got closer I could see a lot of flags and stripes on their sleeves. The Team Bulls trio of Alban Lekata, Urs Huber and Simon Stiebjahn. I did my best "breathe through my nose while giving a cool but friendly wave" as I cruised past them sitting at threshold, my legs and lungs burning!

Yeah, we were the three guys laughing at the commuters battling into the wind. Seventeen hours later and the South Easter had wiped the smiles from our faces.

What problem?

(speaking as a cyclist) Wind Fitness Shower facilities A place to park my bike The dodgy sections of the bike path (speaking as a car owner) I have to take my kids to school My car is warm/cool and dry I spent hundreds of thousands of rands on my car - I WILL DRIVE IT Safety Wind

I always hear how bad the traffic is out in Tableview, but I don't think I ever really appreciated just how bad it is. At 7 am on a Wednesday morning, that whole area is like one giant parking lot. Car after car after car, for as far as one can see! It was quite encouraging seeing the number of commuters riding into the city, even with a howling South Easter. If I was a non-cyclist living out there, I would buy an E-bike in the blink of an eye! (Given that South Easter, even as a cyclist, I would consider buying an E-bike)

Find that one mate, talk a hole in his head, and tada, you're riding ridiculously far on ridiculously hot and windy days

Not today, but yesterday:

Because it is over a certain value - my correspondence with them (albeit very vaguely) indicated that anything over R50k needs a clearance agent. Apparently, they also have a list somewhere where they keep track of all the stuff you've imported. If it looks like you bring a lot of stuff in (in terms of value), they request that you either register as a clearance agent or get someone to do it for you.

Shipping is part of the price that you pay VAT on. You're missing the 15% you also pay on shipping. So, (bike cost x customs + shipping) x VAT. Like I said, customs won't release the bike without a clearing agent. You can register as one yourself, or get someone to do it for you on your behalf. (That was my experience anyway). From the moment I placed the order, to the time I had my bike was about 3 weeks, including having to organise a clearing agent, and additional couriers. The bike was in SA within 3 days from placing the order.

I didn't ride today, but my ride home yesterday had a few scary moments. My 65mm deep sections had a mind of their own!

I needed a clearing agent, which added to the whole cost. And while the bike was supposed to be shipped to Cape Town, by appointing a shipping agent, you absolve the courier of any further responsibility. So I had to pay the agent fees, the duties and VAT, AND to get the bike couriered down to Cape Town. I hated myself, but then I rode my Canyon, and it was all worth it!

Naah - I still have it on the bike. I had a few um, err, crotch issues at first, but I'm quite comfy on the Arione now... (with no flaccidity issues )

The kind of person who is embarrassed to admit that it is fitted with a has a semi-compact chainset. (Scroll up and have a look here: https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/172321-canyon-bicycles-now-available-direct-to-south-africa/page-21?do=findComment&comment=3365199)

Ultimate

I am. You should see the passion and commitment I show when devouring a Christmas lunch. Oh - bikes. Naah - pretty **** at that!

I sat on my top tube two days after Christmas and it survived. And I pretty much ate enough food to feed a small nation over the festive season! But, I don't have the Aeroad...

What changes?

Exactly. Same reason my son has a helmet. Not really to keep his head safe, but to stop the judgy looks one gets when he rides around without one. I used to be very judgy towards the non helmet wearers. Now it doesn't bother me. Do what you gotta do, as long as it doesn't impact me.

You have a list of old threads that you've resurrected, don't you?

Pure Savage is going to be pissed that someone replied to a 2012 thread and it wasn't him!

I'm still a Game fan - one sachet for two 750ml bottles. (Or, if you can find the tins, two scoops per bottle).

Wow - my exact same experience. I felt a little uncomfortable exposing so much leg (as a cyclist, I shave my legs, but I'm too lazy to go all the way up) and risk exposing my hairy upper thighs! And then there the sock issue. I (obviously) wear "long pants socks" when wearing those pants, but if you zip off the legs, you're now wearing "long pants socks" with short shorts and hairy thighs. The awkwardness is unbearable! And that's without even bringing the missing undies into the equation! I've heard that pepper spray is standard cycling equipment that side. I've been tempted for years to get, not for the dodgy guys wanting to rob us, but for the aggressive Fortuner drivers that are always so keen to stop after you've blown them a kiss (I don't flip motorists the bird when they endanger me, I blow them kisses). After yesterday's ride, I might have another reason to get some pepper spray. Rather overreaction than a nasty experience.