LouwK

Dear Hubbers A student here looking for some commuting, route and safety advice. I’m very interested in commuting daily with the road bike, from Durbanville to Stellenbosch, and back. In the mornings I’ll leave at 07:00 and get there at 08:00, and in the afternoons I can ride back at ~12/1 or on some days 4pm, depending on classes. I’m considering 3 route options, and that’s where I want to ask what you think will be safest. Safety (with regards to getting hit by a car, as well as being attacked/mugged by a person) is my biggest concern, and the only thing holding me back. 1st option is Bottelary road and then the R304 into Stellenbosch, past Kayamandi. That last part is obviously my main concern, but maybe at 8am, with cars sitting in traffic there, it might be okay? Or is that some false security? And maybe avoid this route in the afternoons, if there is little traffic? 2nd option is also Bottelary road, but then taking Kromme Rhee to the R44, and past Cloetesville into Stellenbosch, to avoid Kayamandi. I just don’t know if Kromme Rhee is a good idea with lots of cars in the morning…I’ve had some of my closest passes there, not fun. But maybe a good afternoon return route, with less traffic? 3rd option is Polkadraai road (after taking that new road past Zevenwacht to get to Polkadraai). Similar distance, but the more hilly route should take a bit longer. But like I said, I’d rather ride 10 minutes longer than not arrive there at all.. I’ve linked the routes below if you want to have a closer look or make a better suggestion. Lastly, route options aside, would you do it, or allow your son to do it, from a safety aspect? I really want to at least try it during the summer time, to save money on petrol and car maintenance, save the frustration of traffic, and get some good training in at the same time. But I obviously realise that none of that is worth it if you’re risking your health or life.. I look forward to hear your opinions, thanks! ----- Route links: Bottelary route: (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Tyger+Valley+Shopping+Centre,+Willie+Van+Schoor+Drive,+Bellville+Park,+Cape+Town/-33.8775771,18.6826083/-33.9041575,18.699289/Stellenbosch+University,+Stellenbosch+Central,+Stellenbosch/@-33.9024175,18.6797014,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m16!4m15!1m5!1m1!1s0x1dcc50ba223f9d4d:0x37df01cc2657c7c3!2m2!1d18.6350371!2d-33.8735434!1m0!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x1dcdb2432e9fe5d1:0xcb41c6b0379331f3!2m2!1d18.864447!2d-33.9328078!3e0) Kromme Rhee route: (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Tyger+Valley+Shopping+Centre,+Willie+Van+Schoor+Drive,+Bellville+Park,+Cape+Town/-33.8775771,18.6826083/-33.9041575,18.699289/-33.8676453,18.848498/Stellenbosch+University,+Stellenbosch+Central,+Stellenbosch/@-33.9000289,18.6797014,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m17!4m16!1m5!1m1!1s0x1dcc50ba223f9d4d:0x37df01cc2657c7c3!2m2!1d18.6350371!2d-33.8735434!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x1dcdb2432e9fe5d1:0xcb41c6b0379331f3!2m2!1d18.864447!2d-33.9328078!3e0) Polkadraai route: (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Tyger+Valley+Shopping+Centre,+Willie+Van+Schoor+Drive,+Bellville+Park,+Cape+Town/-33.8775771,18.6826083/-33.9509485,18.7097798/Stellenbosch+University,+Stellenbosch+Central,+Stellenbosch/@-33.9174227,18.6797014,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m16!4m15!1m5!1m1!1s0x1dcc50ba223f9d4d:0x37df01cc2657c7c3!2m2!1d18.6350371!2d-33.8735434!1m0!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x1dcdb2432e9fe5d1:0xcb41c6b0379331f3!2m2!1d18.864447!2d-33.9328078!3e0)

Dear Hubbers A student here looking for some commuting, route and safety advice. I’m very interested in commuting daily with the road bike, from Durbanville to Stellenbosch, and back. In the mornings I’ll leave at 07:00 and get there at 08:00, and in the afternoons I can ride back at ~12/1 or on some days 4pm, depending on classes. I’m considering 3 route options, and that’s where I want to ask what you think will be safest. Safety (with regards to getting hit by a car, as well as being attacked/mugged by a person) is my biggest concern, and the only thing holding me back. 1st option is Bottelary road and then the R304 into Stellenbosch, past Kayamandi. That last part is obviously my main concern, but maybe at 8am, with cars sitting in traffic there, it might be okay? Or is that some false security? And maybe avoid this route in the afternoons, if there is little traffic? 2nd option is also Bottelary road, but then taking Kromme Rhee to the R44, and past Cloetesville into Stellenbosch, to avoid Kayamandi. I just don’t know if Kromme Rhee is a good idea with lots of cars in the morning…I’ve had some of my closest passes there, not fun. But maybe a good afternoon return route, with less traffic? 3rd option is Polkadraai road (after taking that new road past Zevenwacht to get to Polkadraai). Similar distance, but the more hilly route should take a bit longer. But like I said, I’d rather ride 10 minutes longer than not arrive there at all.. I’ve linked the routes below if you want to have a closer look or make a better suggestion. Lastly, route options aside, would you do it, or allow your son to do it, from a safety aspect? I really want to at least try it during the summer time, to save money on petrol and car maintenance, save the frustration of traffic, and get some good training in at the same time. But I obviously realise that none of that is worth it if you’re risking your health or life.. I look forward to hear your opinions, thanks! ----- Route links: Bottelary route: (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Tyger+Valley+Shopping+Centre,+Willie+Van+Schoor+Drive,+Bellville+Park,+Cape+Town/-33.8775771,18.6826083/-33.9041575,18.699289/Stellenbosch+University,+Stellenbosch+Central,+Stellenbosch/@-33.9024175,18.6797014,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m16!4m15!1m5!1m1!1s0x1dcc50ba223f9d4d:0x37df01cc2657c7c3!2m2!1d18.6350371!2d-33.8735434!1m0!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x1dcdb2432e9fe5d1:0xcb41c6b0379331f3!2m2!1d18.864447!2d-33.9328078!3e0) Kromme Rhee route: (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Tyger+Valley+Shopping+Centre,+Willie+Van+Schoor+Drive,+Bellville+Park,+Cape+Town/-33.8775771,18.6826083/-33.9041575,18.699289/-33.8676453,18.848498/Stellenbosch+University,+Stellenbosch+Central,+Stellenbosch/@-33.9000289,18.6797014,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m17!4m16!1m5!1m1!1s0x1dcc50ba223f9d4d:0x37df01cc2657c7c3!2m2!1d18.6350371!2d-33.8735434!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x1dcdb2432e9fe5d1:0xcb41c6b0379331f3!2m2!1d18.864447!2d-33.9328078!3e0) Polkadraai route: (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Tyger+Valley+Shopping+Centre,+Willie+Van+Schoor+Drive,+Bellville+Park,+Cape+Town/-33.8775771,18.6826083/-33.9509485,18.7097798/Stellenbosch+University,+Stellenbosch+Central,+Stellenbosch/@-33.9174227,18.6797014,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m16!4m15!1m5!1m1!1s0x1dcc50ba223f9d4d:0x37df01cc2657c7c3!2m2!1d18.6350371!2d-33.8735434!1m0!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x1dcdb2432e9fe5d1:0xcb41c6b0379331f3!2m2!1d18.864447!2d-33.9328078!3e0)

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Dear hubbers and moderators/admin team I have two questions regarding Oakleys, AliExpress, and the T's & C's of the classifieds. 1. I have 2 pairs of "Oakley Radarlocks" that I bought from AliExpress a while back. Went through the hassles of finding a good looking pair, waiting forever, dealing with imports, and paid about R600. In the meantime I have purchased some other cycling eyewear, so I'm not using these anymore, so I thought I'll sell them off for a small amount. May I sell them here? I will of course not list them as Oakleys, I'll say something like "cycling glasses", I'll state that I bought them from AliE, and I though of asking like R300. I.e. not claiming they're real or asking a real price. (I did go and check up on the T's and C's, so I'm aware of these 2 clauses below. Just wondering where this case fits in : No counterfeit or otherwise illegal product may be listed for sale. Any such adverts will be removed and the advertiser's account suspended. Any parallel import product (grey import) advertised, whether new or used, must be declared as such by means of a clear notice on the advert describing the nature of the goods and any impact on warranties or local product support. This is in accordance with requirements set out by the Department of Trade and Industry.) 2. I also have a 100% legit Oakley Radar, with 2 original legit lenses, that I also want to sell. Ok so this is no problem. But then I also have another 4 AliE lenses for this Radar, that I got from a friend. Can I sell these lenses with the glasses or will this also be a problem? (I'll obviously also state that the extra 4 lenses are not originals). Sorry for the long post and thank you in advance for your answers. I came here to ask and make sure, before posting the ads and having my account blocked or something haha. Cheers!

Not sure about 1x9, but I use 1x10 for XC races. Yes, like 'sometime' said, you need a chainguide! I use C.Sixx - south african and really good, but quite expensive! I also run a 38T up front and 36-11 cassette (29er), but also have a 36 and 34T, for when the course has some proper climbs. But go and google 'sram xx1'