Baracuda

It is massively generous of them as the shop. Using the KFC example, they giving the full R 21 to Jonkershoek and paying Specialized R 12 for the stock out of their own pocket.

Perhaps in a safe manner and with guidance we should all give them a hand? If 50 of us arrived for a weekend with our picks and spades and just gave it horns, we could probably get a few trails back in working order.

i recently purchased the stem (with great help from Gravel and Tour) and can really vouch for it. I popped it on the bike two weeks ago, changed the elasonomers to the those recommended for my weight (all quite straight forward) and have done a number of road rides in CT and then two days in the Karoo this past weekend. On road, it makes matters a more comfortable, takes the edge off rough tar, but I would not say that it is a complete game changer. But on gravel, holy cow it makes a difference. This past weekend we were at Simonsvlei and I did the loop down to the dam and the wonderful climb up the corregated / rocky road up the other side. On the way down the jeep track over golf ball to tennis ball size rocks it made matters far more manageable. On flat corrugated and rocky roads, you keep on looking at the bumps and get ready for shock and whereas you do sort of feel it, it is far, far less intense. It sort of has a magic carpet feel. But perhaps the largest difference is when you flying down a more open gravel road over corrugations, stones etc, it does help iron out matters tremendously, but also increases your control substantially as the front wheel is not pinging off stones and bouncing. It really entices you to cane it on the downhills (with the massive grin on your face). At the end of a ride, one feels far less fatigued and your hands are happier. Aside from the stem, I have gravelking SK 43c tires at 30psi. That said, one needs to remind oneself that it is really a "shock absorber" not a full suspension MTB.

Thanks. I have scanned the maps, but it appears that the routes are cut off by Gamkapoort Dam. Unless you swim across, one may need to take the northern road. The one road that Google Maps would not recognise last night is the part across Anysberg Nature Reserve. Apparently it is formally closed to overnight visitors etc, but I did give them a call and the very kind administrator told me that I could cycle through it. You can't stay over night, but can you can cross it. Just working on the fitness to get up to 120km of gravel per day.

I have been looking at a similar route, just Prince Bertie to Stellies though. There is dirt road from Prince Albert south of the N1 to WagenDrift Lodge. In general, if you have a look on Lekkerslaap, there is a farmstay about every 100-120km on the route.

The Saints I used didn't rub. Never the less:

The technology is there. Pop on a larger disk (both front and back) and borrow some Saint calipers from Minaar.

The Klein Karoo is a little better, but I agree, the large corrugations of the upper Karoo need a front shock if not full sus. I often thought that the Trek Procaliber with the bit of give in the back and a front shock is good for the upper Karoo. Just see how many guys do the Munga on full sus bikes versus gravel bikes.

I must say that through out this year, I have been riding every second morning at 05:30 from Muizenberg in different directions - to Red Hill, over Ou Kaapse Weg, to the top of Chappies, without incident. Training for the Swartberg Fondo that keeps on been pushed out . I keep clear of the American Embassy, Ocean View and only go down hill past the Red Hill settlement. There was only one morning just past Millers Point where I came around a corner and there were 3 guys who had a totsi look about them up the road. They were just standing there on the side of the road looking at me and I thought "these guys should really not be here at 06:20 on a Tuesday morning, there is no route to any work or settlement here". So I turned and rode home. Things are bad, but I think one can carve out a route still.

I ride up Red Hill often without incident.

is it safe to ride Tokai by oneself at the moment? If you park at the entrance? I am aware of the issue near the American embassy, but plan to start at the gate. Thanks

All the communication and footage really make me want to do this event next year. It is amazing to see the incredible people and landscapes and regular updates.

I ride from Kalk Bay to Cape Point in the mornings and occasionally go over Red Hill and loop past Cape Point home. Is this even safe anymore? I always said the day I don't feel safe riding, I'll immigrate. Perhaps that day has come. Or are we only dealing with one car of criminals?

I can highly, highly recommend Trevor Court Mobile:+27627708061 Twitter:@Trevor_Court www.cimacoppiperformance.com At Revolution Cycles in the City Bowl. I had an Ergofit fitment done a few years ago and have soldiered on with knee issues and sore hands etc, thinking that I was not fit enough etc etc. I recently built a gravel bike and asked Revolution Cycles to help me set up the last bits. SJ recommended that Trevor do a quick fit for me and it has been amazing. He dropped the saddle by 1.5cm, shorten the stem by 2.5 cm etc Large changes. At first I thought this saddle is way too low, but suddenly I am actually using all the muscles in my legs, setting personal records on Strava, and no sore / numb hands. Perhaps Ergofit is meant for another body type, but it was completely wrong for me. Trevor was also the bike fitter for one of the pro teams in the Tour de France recently. He really knows what he is doing.

Yip, that is the limitation. I have a 2.35 upfront and a 2.25 on the back - a Vittoria Barzo that I had hanging in my garage from an old xc set up. It leaves 8-10 mm which is fine, it is fast rolling and it has also somehow handled been trashed, but I wish I could put on something a little more chunky.

Well, over the last few years, many of the top DH and Enduro guys have gone back to aluminium frames and rims. The 110 is a fantastically strong, robust frame, that is pretty hard to bottom out. If you put on 140mm Pike and proper tires it is amazing.The head angle slackens by a degree. I did an enduro event in the alps last year and hired the latest and greatest Transition, Devinci's, Santa Cruz's etc. Some of them are better, especially in full enduro mode, but I was really surprised when I got home and back onto the 110. I bought mine for 27k, with XO cranks and an XT drive train. Since then, I spent another 8k on the Pike. It is pretty hard to find a better bike for double that price.

I went half way and put a Pike 140mm and Minion DHF on my 110 and it really has transformed the bike. Pretty damn amazing down hill now and really not bad on the ups.

I have sold a bike and parts recently in a quick and efficient manner using this site. They were reasonably priced and went quickly. I would advise many to have a look at the new price of bikes, especially the price on lockdown sales, old stock sales and overseas online shops (CRC etc). These guys trying to sell 4-5 year old carbon bikes for 70-80% of the new price can forget it. Likewise, your mtb parts you have "only done two Epics on" are not worth 75% of the new price. Perhaps 30%,

I love my gravel bike but I must admit it blows my mind as well - riding Ultegra full of gravel and sand. If I build another bike, it would be 1X with 10 speed XT.

I see a GravelKing SS is on the way. Similar to the WTB byways.

Thanks, that is reason I am asking. 60k on a frame is little nuts to me, but it does not seem to be that outlandish compared to other options. One can spend 83k on a gravel frame if you wish: https://privateer.co.za/product/open-u-p-p-e-r-frameset/

Out of interest, how much is the new fancy Pyga XC frame in comparison?

Yesterday, Saturday Morning. Attack in Tokai / Steenberg: Just saw this on Facebook A cyclist was attacked by two men with a panga opposite the US Embassy close to Steenberg Village this morning. The cyclist was robbed of his bicycle and broke his leg in the attack, he has been admitted to hospital. According to SAPS Kirstenhof no arrests have been made as yet. Please avoid riding alone but maintain a social distance and be vigilant !Pedal Power Association #staysafe