Velouria

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:

I see Emirates have changed their baggage rules: https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnnyjet/2019/02/01/emirates-airlines-reduces-baggage-allowance-for-economy-ticket-fliers/#39fcfa91871e But, it doesn't change for us Saffers

Very nice looking bike. I was warned to buy a mount with the bike. You can get them elsewhere (Amazon, here, etc), and with a bit of googling, you can find 3d printer files too (here)

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 know with Lufthansa that you need to "book" your bike in a few days in advance. Didn't pay anything for my bike in an Evoc bag, which is definitely bigger than those dimensions. I stumbled across the requirement the day before I was due to fly, but it was quite painless - one phone call. https://www.lufthansa.com/za/en/sports-baggage#accordion-item-section-2

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?

Well done Tim - seriously impressive. It was always a comfort knowing I could open Strava and see at least one ride every single day. So - Big Day Out? (Incumbents are automatically invited, no need for a Haiku)

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.

Don't you dare knock those pants! I have 3 pairs and love them (although I think I have only ever unzipped the legs once in 10 years!). Don't you guys on that side have Table Mountain cops or something that you can call? Good on you for waiting for the slow guy - we're so busy fighting with each other on the Hub that we often forget that we're in all in this together...

To be fair, I think I could have taken him. Even though I've never thrown a punch in my life. It wouldn't have been pretty, but I was ready to let the fists of fury fly! I was upwind, and it smelt like I'd crossed paths with a craft brewery still perfecting their brewing process. One well aimed shove and I'm sure he would have over-balance and fallen on his face. And tying in with the chat we're having on the other thread, this was me mountain biking. I feel much safer on the road, even with no shoulder! Motorists, in general are decent people. Some of my best friends are motorists.

I had a bit of an encounter on the new gravel bike path next to Annandale road (outside Stellenbosch) yesterday. A guy saw me coming (I mostly ride alone), jumped down the 2m verge and blocked the path. I saw him, and stopped about 20m short of him and asked what he wanted. He started listing his Christmas list: Food water a phone . . . Luckily, a passing motorist saw the scene unfolding and stopped. The guy took a look at the motorist and moved aside slightly. I took my chance and bolted past him, waving my sincere appreciation to the motorist. Definitely a new place to encounter trouble (and this was after I'd sh@t myself seeing a 1.5m snake an hour previously).