straatvark

A DNF, mechanical, already gave my spare hanger to someone at 1st WP then bend own RD after tumble in that "maalkolk" holes after the 1st WP. (twice in 10 meters actually ) Very disappointed with the none result (not the event, was perfect) Was mentally fed-up with "sukkel" & walking at 2nd tar crossing & phoned the missus to rescue me. Never had so much mechanical issues on a single day. Was a testing route and excellant organizing

err, where's the cycling kit? (Attakwas on the mind? )

So the missus and me decided since we didnt used our panniers in a while - lets visit the sister & family in Worcester and deliver presents to the 3 nephews at the same time etc. Now altough we used the top of the 2 passes before on training rides, we never venture "over to the other side" - And what a nice trip it was! We left early 1/1/2009 and followed Du Toit's kloof pass: And then back over Bainskloof on the 2nd: I will be for ever gratefull for the lift to the Bainskloof Calabash & breakfast to be able to start from there. Me made home in the Westerly wind - only just... What i noticed: a) There are a LOT of older (grandpa's etc) romantic people that start the year with a champagne breakfast at high lookout points instead of a hangover. b) Motorists are so much friendlier when you are touring with friendly honks, waving or lowering the windows for a chat overall - we should do trips like this more often...

A lady that keep to her word... How often these days you still get people that do exactly as they say they would? (Even for the small things like to make sure that T-shirts are mailed to stupid DieBurger riders that forgot to fetch their T-shirts)

Thanks Pickles! Just look at the missus?s smile - really enjoying herself Hope to be in better shape in Jan.

Ok, here is a pic during the handover ceremony Monday morning: Bongani was very satisfied this morning about how much quicker he were able to travel to work today. I can really, really recommend him for work. He is a man that will go far with the right opportunities. I tested the bike Sunday evening late up and down our street - jig, I forgot how hardcore a 7 speed cluster could be (With DieBurger tandem legs as well) This new 9 & 10 speed cluster spoil us.

I was just having a chat with the missus about what a casual pace was done by your bunch - and then the blue yerseys went off the front... (and the end of our freeride with you)

I have Orbea in exactly your size. I will PM over weekend and we can sort out if date match etc

We need to talk, i need a bike in Dublin early next year when my stuff is in transport. Shall we start a bike exchange?

no Skye, that would NOT happen in my wife's kitchen We have a double garage, that is double lenght as well - the front part is tiled. That is the workshop, braai & "onthaal" area. That dining table is covered in thick workshop rubber 99% of the time when tools are placed on it. Harder work I do on a seperate proper work bench. BDuPlessis, the braai face outside as well, onto the stoep where we have that couch etc. And yes speed devil, there is cold beer (Tafel) in that white block The Pirate - Yes i loved that bike. Got mine from Auto Extra in Pretoria with my first pay check. The orginal paintwork was black with purple "cobweb" over it - that lighten up when the sun was right. How cool we were

Bongani is a contractor revamping our "Sewend Hemel" exterior's paintwork etc. Long story, but near the end i took him in the garage and with a "this is yours" hand over my steel Hansom that i was planning to bring back to life for myself. This was my bike in the early 90's. Was a ZINI originally, then with a cracked frame repair become a Hansom with crappy paintwork. Reynolds 525 Basic Shimano Sport LX groupset that was improved here and there.. Gave the bike to couple of people that want to get into cycling but somehow made it back to me every time when they upgrade. The next words to Bongani was: "wash it today, then i will bring it to life for you" - So now i still have the fun of fixing up So here is a graphic status report of tonights work. (Will update as a make progress) Before, on the stoep's couch: Jig, my dream bike manufacturer's handler bar tape was the cheapest: (i hope he like it ) Trueing the mixture of Wolber and Ambrosio rims: Bongani's job for tomorrow's lunchtime is washing all the stripped groupset parts.

I think that blue&pink pannier's is going to be the missus's christmas present - moerse cool

Jig, dont they have indoor trainers?

Do you know about negative feedback from the traffic authorities MK? My perception was that the traffic seemed to flow better this year? PPA do it better every year - starting blocks, the Bonnievale Bypass etc. I agree with waterpoints at a) Montaque/Ashton & b)Bonnievale Cellar + c) the PPA waterpoint @ 190km. PPA arrange dedicated pickup points at the coffee shops along the route with 2-4 PPA vehicles handling the transport of breakages to those. NO personal backup via Tredoux pass should be allowed - they can go straight to Montaque/Ashton. Then from Drew they should/could take the gravel shortcut to Swellendam (there wasnt BMW's or Ferrari's doing support anyway) Full motorbikes support for the top 15 teams based on seeding

well ok, that is what i tried to tell the missus in the beginning...

B in both cases You will find that your stoker are inspired to higher performance levels in the evation process, with the added bonus that the "standing problem" is not so big any more

Great photo's Ronelle

Please help the capies out here - Is this what you are talking about? http://www.cyclelab.co.za/default.asp?Id=17213&des=content&scat=supercycling/clubcyclelab&cl=yes

alex hewitt Thanks, he sell pepper steak pies to me for lunch every day

Who is the rider in the white Marcello kit?

It goes with the frame paint job

haha best topic for the day. There is always going to be a last nut that break, not all at once. (Even only for every short time) That means the very last moment before the wheel came 100% free moving, the torque transfer to the wheel (or FROM the wheel for front wheel) is off - center via that last nut/stub. So the wheel are "shot" away with a slingshot action, also causing the jumps etc. That is my "gorrel" for points in last 10 minutes of mechanics 202

jig, they have more s#$t mud on them than uncle Basson's fries milking cows near Malmesbury in June Good to see Pokerface as well! Expect PM with news within a week straatvark2008-11-10 15:19:04