granfondo

Guys, I was out riding in and around Cape Town the last few days... I'm shocked at how close many of the cars / taxis / trucks / busses etc. got to me! The 1.5m campaign? It sure isn't working yet! I ride VERY responsibly, and hug the curb or yellow line. No one slows down to wait until there's a safe chance to pass, they just squeeze me out! And forget about them even slowing down or stopping at yield signs or stop streets!! Until the cops take a zero-tolerance approach, nothing will change. But most (none) of them seem to even be in the slightest bit interested in protecting us out there!

This is the saddest news... My deepest sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues. A bright flame in the SA and international cycling world has been extinguished! Every day we take out lives in our hands on the roads. When will the motorists learn that there will always be only one loser in a confrontation between bike and car? Please take care out there, people.

Started a few years back on USN, then tried 32Gi, then Hammer Perpetuem... Man, that Hammer stuff tastes BAD...! (Probably because it's got no added flavourants. ) Anyway, now I'm going back to 32Gi. It worked really well for me, and tastes good. At the end of a 100kay+ ride, I can't face sucking on another bottle of warm Hammer...!

Thanks, will check those out. What about Continental? Tankman, you work at CWC, right? I bought the wheels there (along with my Fondriest frame...) so perhaps I should come and talk to you about going tubeless?

Thanks - I'll check on the forum for advice on how to go about it...!

Thanks for the useful replies. Seen I've got the stuff, I might as well give it a try...!

My wife bought me a pair of Bontrager DLX Race Road shoes for Christmas. I know they're classified as 'entry level' but they seem pretty well made, and feel comfortable. The buckle looks like it may be a bit flimsy though... Comments from anyone else out there who's using these shoes? I haven't fitted cleats and used these yet, so could still exchange them for something else.

Among other useful (cycling) stuff, I was given some Conti Tyre Sealant for Christmas... Firstly, does this stuff work if you're running tubes in your road bike rims? Secondly, does it work for repairing small punctures caused by glass or thorns?

Howzit Hubbers... I recently got a set of Shimano Ultegra tubeless rims for my road bike, but I'm still running them with tubes. Should I convert to tubeless? Why?

That's really bad news... Where did it happen? What time of day? More importantly, is he OK?

Now THIS is the group to get behind ('scuse the pun...) on those downhill sections...!

Seriously tempted... have wanted to do this route for a while! Depending how the week goes, I may jump in at the last moment, with my son. Travelling from Rondebosch, so would have to get up at the pre-crack of dawn... Will let you know if we can make it.

Thanks for the feedback... Bottom line: I'll keep the 8-spd link for my 'spare' bike with Sora (yeah, I know...), keep the 9-spd for my son's Tiagra, and get myself a new 10-spd link for my Rival.

Last year I tried those 'toothpaste tubes' of USN gel in a few races... aweful taste, didn't enjoy it at all - probably did give me a boost, though, and at least it was easy to take the empty tube to the finish in the back pocket of my shirt! Small gel packets? Never used them, and can't understand how so many people just throw them away along the road during a race! Please, take your s%@t home with you! Riding with 32GI chews for the past couple months - a good 'kick' for the last 30 kays or so, don't taste too bad, pretty easy to digest.

Thanks, that makes sense. I'll go have a closer look, with my Vernier in hand...! I went to my LBS a couple weeks back to swop the 9-spd for a 10-spd link - they didn't have stock, and told me I could use the 9-spd with my current 10-spd setup... Hence the reason for my question.