Rouxenator

That reminds me, I need to import a 30.0mm for my Kona at some stage. My 12 speed is just broken in now, it developed "breather gaps" between the rollers and the links. Well, I'm calling them that anyways.

Absolutely awesome weather. Pity my fitness is at an all-time low. Still loved my 9th outing on the long route.

Still far to much life left in these....

My current favourite stretch of road, the railway road from Muldersvlei to Welgevonden. I call it Sunset Seventy.

Is it still closed?

STBB ....and its gone.... Fedhealth also ded.

Good thing that its well communicated that it's closed for winter.

After cracking a couple of GTs and Giants I bought a used 2014 Silverback Sola 1 in middle 2016 and clocked up around 33,000km on it till the chain stay cracked in 2020. This was in the time when I commuted to work and did rides on weekends, so I did about 10,000km per year. Working from home since 2020 I do half that. So, the best for me in terms of value (rand per kilometres) is that Sola: I rebuilt it using a 2020 Sola frame which is now sitting just under 20,000km so it remains to be seen how long it will last. If it does die, I'll just ride my 26er Kona which is currently in hiatus on the west coast.

Wow, very lucky riders. It seems you have to time it just right in the middle of a drought.

I am curious of anyone has ever ridden this trail at Devonbosch? Today was the 3rd time I pitch there only to be told by security to hit the road - the trail is closed. Reason? Rain. When? Sometime last week. Flippen heck might have to be careful of dew. 😋 Devonbosch - Life Unlimited 🤔 as long as there was/is/will be no rain.

If you ever find it open, I was there today for the 3rd time. "Sorry, trail closed due to rain". I was like "when did it rain?" and the guy laughed "I think last week". More like the no-go-at.

I saw one gravel bike - respect. DBX is still my preferred ride, despite having to wait for cleat noobs. The vibe is just awesome every time. Since I stopped drinking at the end of 2022, I no longer have hung over starts, but now age and lack of regular exercise is catching up to me. Would have loved to do the 80km but I was spent after the 50km. My odo on the 2020 Sola 1 rolled over to 19,000km yesterday and I hope I can better the 31,000km I got on the 2014 Sola 1 I had before. Mountain biking, and I suppose cycling in general, can be very affordable if you stick to keeping things basic.

I did the 50km and everything except that climb was rideable - even e-bikes will struggle up it, I think. I have had worse sand elsewhere and I am very thankful this was not as muddy as last year (or 2020). This was my 9th DBX and I still hold it in high regard, my only gripe being long registration lines (entry ninja again) and no Coke at the end. Will definitely be back next year.

It's the queue you get because there is a ridable section, but the masses feel for the cleat homologation conspiracy.

It was good.

It was perfectly ridable with the right equipment (R99 flat nylon pedal + R319 safety boot).

Lovely crisp 4°C morning

Was there at 7:30 and the line was very long, poor people with late entries first had to queue for a entry form, then queue again for a bike number. This is typical of Entry Ninja events; I have taken it up with them time after time. No result. Yes, all done online. I detest giving any money to CSA so I avoid it where I can, but this time I did pay for that too online. Last year I told then "Ja. I'll come pay that now my wallet is in the car, just give me my number 🤫" The problem is they had one list of online entries and one person marking your name off. That does not work. You need at least 3. Nonetheless it was an awesome ride, so far I have done the long at Slanghoek, the short at Botha and the long at Du Toit. I look forwards to doing the long at Botha next time that is on the calendar.

It was good - but being Entry Ninja the registration was woefully slow....

All with a permit. Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy - Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy (bottelaryconservancy.co.za)

To Kaap Agri in Simondium. Riding with 5kg of washing powder on your back is something new.