jamiecanter

Hi everyone, Will be off to Europe for a few weeks and currently planning a bike packing trip. Looking at picking up a Canyon Grizl CF SL 6 AXS (Max budget R55k) and touring for 2 weeks. Alternative is to bring my road bike along instead (Cannondale Supersix), save some cash and pick up a solid MTB back in SA. Would need to upgrade my road bike to a compact crank and alu rims. I'm mainly a road rider looking to get into gravel rides and races (based in CT - Dville/Northern Suburbs so have access to a few gravel roads) and maybe a bike packing trip once a year. Not so keen on riding single track (bike handling isn't great) from a MTB perspective but I do enjoy riding dirt roads and the suspension and wider tyres do give me more confidence. If I get a gravel bike, I would primarily use it as a winter road bike given the state of our roads - so more usage on that side. Big thanks for any help and advice.

Hi all, A question for those with Wahoo Kickr's. What's the best budget friendly solution to power the trainer during load shedding? Looking at getting into the solar game but need something to cover me in the meantime. Thanks

Anyone have any idea if VAT/Duties will be applied?

Bit of a shame they penalise the 2018 races for the seeding

Like most things in South Africa

Any update on this issue? Probably flying with Emirates next week overseas and slightly concerned with my bike bag.

Thanks for the replies so far guys. I currently ride a Bianchi via Nirone 7 which I bought a few years back for R12000 approx and has a small dent in the top tube from a fall a year ago. I'd really like to get into road racing and join a club but at the moment I just ride for fun and fitness which is where the mountain bike idea came in.

Hi all again I am still searching for a new bike and I've set myself a budget of R23000 rather than R25000 as seen in my last post. I saw a CAAD10 3 which looks amazing in black but the best price I've been offered so far is R26000 Another option that I've thought of is purchasing a mtb for about R12000 since I always see you guys having so much fun around meerendal and majik forest etc I thought it might help complement my road riding. So what do you guys think should I stretch my wallet and purchase a new road bike leaving me with 2 road bikes or go with the mountain bike and join the dark side ? Thanks

Ive seen the focus in the classifieds. Im 174cm and usually ride a 54/55 cm so a 56 may be too big. I dont think items based in Joberg are a viable option for someone living in Cape Town but thanks for the suggestions. Do focus dealers in cape town have any izalco 2013 models with dura ace because I really love that frame and colour scheme.

Thanks for the replies guys. Im currently in the UK andhave access to a bike bag but I dont trust SARS at the airport and potential warranty issues. Also its R17 to the £

Hi guys, I'm coming back to Cape Town from work abroad and I'm looking at spending R25k on a new road bike. Looking for something with at least 105 or ultegra and a very good frame to build upon for racing. Any suggestions or any specials going on would be appreciated. Thanks

Just entered my second Argus Time for some Vissershok hill repeats

Sounds like they are talking about Vissershok when the south easter is blowing Daryl is in the breakaway

Probably some jealous okes or he is riding for sky next year

Laurens Ten Dam's strava for todays stage: http://app.strava.co...vities/65157191

That was probably the longest lead out in TDF history. Great stuff from the CAAD boys and Daryl

http://25.media.tumblr.com/d4bdc45ebb51188d0bf6fd332030c7b2/tumblr_mpboz1WtGw1rul9qqo1_500.jpg How many Argus's you done Peter?

I wonder what was the heart rate/Strava Suffer Score for that bus driver?

I love the guy. Shame on Cannondale for not including an auto park feature like the one on Wiggo's Pinarello though.

I guess this is one way of practicing climbing..... [media=560x315]http://youtu.be/mgkkU-TRwvY[/media]

Will there be registration on the day?

I'll only rate Froome if he is able to do the Tour de France, Sub 3 Argus double

Hi Most of the time in the summer months I just go and hope there is a camp site somewhere in the area. They are a lot more common than in SA and cheaper than hotels providing you have a tent. When the tour is nearby they fill up pretty quickly. In the autumn and winter I usually pre-book at Hotel Formule 1, Etap Hotel or Ibis Budget depending on which is cheapest. These are usually found on the dodgy outskirts of town near motorways so dont expect the Hotel de Paris

Hi there I went to the Tour last year and have been to France on numerous holidays. Any part of France is worth seeing apart from maybe the north east imo. Very industrial area and usually horrible weather. I was based around the North West last year visiting the Normandy D-Day beaches, Mont St Michel and some nice towns before going to Chartres to watch the Time Trial. Watching a Time Trial is great because you get to see every rider and you get a whole day of action whereas on a normal flat stage the peloton just goes by within a second. The mountain stages on the other hand are absolutely crazy and since Alpe d'Huez is being done twice this year it would be worth a visit especially to the dutch corner if late night parties and drinking are your thing However because of the mountains, unpredictable weather can be an issue. Best bet for weather would be the South of France (similar climate to Cape Town) but comes with an increase in food prices etc. When I went over from the UK I used my road bike and car. This meant I could easily find a good campsite and make good time on the roads. French and European drivers are more aware of cyclists and usually give plenty of room for overtaking. Cycling in Paris especially on the day of the tour was absolutely horrible coming from me having plenty of experience cycling in central London. Bad roads, lots of traffic and tons of people. Got completely lost and had to have my bike put in a nice Frenchman's car to get back to mine by Versailles but that's another story .At least I got to cycle down the Champs Elysee when it was closed otherwise it is a complete death trap of a road. Be prepared to wait 5+ hours to get a good spot to watch on the Champs Elysee. If your going the Alps there are a few mtb parks on some of the ski resorts making use of the ski lifts to get your bike to the top. Dont really know much on this being a roadie. I've never used a tour company before so cannot comment,but I always planned and booked my holidays myself adding to the drama and unpredictability. Last one in Belgium I managed to stumble upon the BMC service course Best advice I can give you is pick an area of France you want to visit and focus on that area and go exploring with a vague idea of where some of the attractions are. The food and drink will turn up sometime or another If you have any more questions feel free to ask.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/83ae735392764b604092dd006df45632/tumblr_mn8uwwlFML1rssd84o1_500.jpg