henningvr

A lot more nippy/snappy, therefore control in technical sections is much better - makes it easier to negotiate tricky rock gardens for example. Riding switchbacks quite a bit faster too (and scarier, lol). Overall a pretty good improvement.

Took off the 100mm stem and 700mm bars, and replaced them with a Rapidé 70mm stem and 780mm bars. Turned a lekker bike into a very lekker trail machine.

Tranquilitas Rim today. It was a scorcher.

My bike took me to Dullstroom Backpackers on Sunday. I arrived at around 11 am Sunday morning from 'Boven after a very wet and muddy trip. I met Billaroo for the first time. What an awesome place he has here. My wife drove through and met up with me soon after. We were treated to the "Backpackers" coffee (Amarula is involved), and Billa made us feel at home right away. He had a fire going, and I could warm up after being soaked by the soft but consistent mist-rain en-route. The well stocked honesty bar was welcome too, and I enjoyed a cold beverage (or two) after the coffee whilst slumping in the plush couch in the living room, resting my weary legs. The facilities are fantastic, and Billa is a great host. For anyone looking for a weekend breakaway in Dullstroom - this is the place. There's even a bicycle mechanic on call (I had a wee problem with my headset, and Callen sorted it out chop-chop. He delivered my bike on Sunday evening. More fantastic service.) I will definitely be spending some time at Billa's place, exploring the riding around the Dullstroom area. http://www.dullstroombackpackers.co.za/

With lots of help from Wayne at Rapidé, my nephew's SS is finally done and ready to roll. Took it out for a quick spin this afternoon. What a blast! Been a while since I've been on a 26". Man was this fun!! Thanks for the help Wayne, much appreciated. Even Kasha the Schnauzer approved (she is the boss): Now I just have to wait for them to arrive for the holidays so that I can give him his bike...

Past the Badplaas road on the way to.... ja, no clue. Lunch time! Approximately 30km west of Machadodorp. Back at Tranquilitas for a "pit stop" of sorts. Cappuccino and a Bar-One. I needed some energy, dammit. Hitting the Rim on the way home for some single track goodness. Veggie pizza (yes, I chowed the entire thing). A liter of Joubert & Seuns OJ to wash it down with. My first 100km ride on a SS. What a day.

Left home poep vroeg today without any plans, just decided to follow my bike. Up Slaaihoek road, on the way to Tranquilitas. Past Tranquilitas, on the way to Highlands Mist Farm. Still on the way to Highlands Mist Farm. Took some strain here. Highlands Mist Farm, at last. Departing Highlands Mist Farm on the way to who knows where. Decided to traverse to the other side of the Badplaas road via Slaaihoek. Some "road work"!!!

Spent the day exploring district/farm roads around Waterval Boven/Onder and Machadodorp.

Very nice bike. Sliding dropouts? Not a clue what my bike weighs.... and come to think of it, I don't know what I weigh either. I need a bell!

Yep, I saw this bike in person. Super cool ride.

Some 'refinements' done to my SS. Raceface 720mm flatbars fitted, with Specialized P2 Overendz <gasp!> and an On-One 29.8mm seatpost clamp (thanks Sepia!). I'm really enjoying the flatbars with the bar ends on long and sustained climbs. I know they are seen as "so 1990s" or "taboo" by many, but I've chosen function over aesthetics. It becomes a serious comfort factor after 66.6666 kilometers, or something like that.

Work interfered with my riding this past week, so today I played catch-up. Went from Boven past Tranquilitas through Torburnlea, up Slaaihoek road to Machadodorp, then back via Tranquilitas. 74km, with a lekker stop at Tranquilitas for coffee with a great group of single speeders from Pretoria. See you okes soon, Nols & Co. The big tree on the way to Machado. The shade was a welcome respite.

Fellow hubber Warthog and myself did the Alzu Tour de Farm today on our single speeds. Then we proceeded to put away several cold ones as a reward for our efforts. Great ride and great company. Cheers Warthog!

Another long day on the Tranquilitas trails. Hot as hell, but that's what the Camelbak is for End of the (new) yellow trail (38km), which shares a section with the Boven mountain loop: Tranquilitas Rim: The new pink trail (18km):

Long, hot day in the saddle to/from/around Tranquilitas. Left home at 06:00, got back at 13:45. The baboons were out in full force today. As always, they are super elusive. The moment the camera (phone) comes out, they disappear.

Thanks, should be fun. Here's some info in case any more SS guys feel like joining us: http://www.cycleevents.co.za/mtb-events/alzu-tour-de-farm-2016/

Mouth watering bikes, Monark and RocknRola. Very, very nice. Getting my bike ready for the 80km Tour de Farm (riding with fellow hubber Warthog, both of us on SS). Switched to 32x16. Lots of swearing on the test ride up to Tranquilitas and back. (yes, those are bar ends, so f@kken wat....)

Added some tools (and a Rapidé 16T cog) to the toolbox. Thanks Wayne!

Old railways, Waterval Boven.

Exploring some defunct railway lines around Boven. Many an old locomotive and carriage just sitting there, rotting away.

The Thinking Tree (Tranquilitas Rim) ... another angle, looking down the Elands Valley.

Or you just see them on the trail, and think "WTF is that oke doing on a dikwiel?"

Tranquilitas Rim (ad nauseam...)

Tranquilitas - Old Coach Road (Red Route).