J∆kk∆ls

My mech is certified with the UCI and worked for a team in Italy for a few years. He now runs a shop out of his garage servicing for the rich. I am by no means rich but he costs me the equivalent of R4000 annually and I wouldn't go to anyone else. My bike is solid for about 4-6 months of hard riding unless I crash and he doesn't charge for minor sh*t like a tune up. It only gets pricey when starts greasing or replacing bearings. After a winter here the salt needs to be cleaning out. When I was living is SA I paid about R1500 annually and was also very happy with the servicing. Finding the right mechanic is like finding the right barber, when you do it's heaven.

I'm looking at getting a gravel bike next year. Lots of open gravel roads in my hood. Boys are planning a 120km gravel fun day and Im going to miss out. Others own hardtails but no one rides a dual sus. Gravel is so popular here it's almost impossible to buy a new bike.

My Mechanics words. "If you want thoroughbred Italian beauty to go with your Italian frame, then get Campagnolo. It's a little touchy to setup and pricey but works well. If you want reliability, get Di2!" Small disclaimer, he is Italian and rides only italian.

A week ago to the ER. Minor concussion, sprained neck. Z1 helmet did its job. Lesson learnt, DON'T trust new riders in the group.

It's not what you do that makes you a snob, it's how you behave whilst doing it.

I will never be caught without a pump again. I was a CO2 snob until I was caught with multiple punctures on a solo ride. I looked like a poephol flagging down other riders asking them for a pump. Now I don't bother with CO2 anymore. One spare inner, one repair kit and a pump keeps me going. I use a crankbrothers gem. Fits nicely in the back pocket.

Morning Rip

When the lining of your wedding suit is bicycles, then she knows who you are!

Here are two of my favourite french wines. Château Haut Boutisse 2014 TrimbachRiesling Alsace Réserve

Hamilton in between Toronto and Niagara Falls. So wine region. I usually buy Fleur Du Cap cab sav and KWV Chenin from the local. The problem is the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) has the monopoly on all alcohol sales. A bottle of Two Oceans will set you back $20. I refuse to pay more that $15 for a bottle of the good stuff. Fortunately the LCBO does not know what the good stuff is? My favourite wine from SA is from Luddite. The Saboteur is primo!

Keep going!

Canadian piss!

Two members from our group did a 200km ride on the weekend in 7 hours. Pretty impressive for two people and 16km/h wind. With COVID and work and a young child at home I can only spare an hour long heart attack first thing in the morning.

Our morning group rides usually split into two groups. Front group rides at 33 - 35 km/h over 35km with about 350m-450m elevation. Second group does 30km/h - 33km/h. Sometimes there is no split and the group rolls 20 - 30 strong. Fastest group ride clocked in at 38km/h.

End of our daily 06:00 group ride. 13C, no wind, Winter is coming.

Bobike Toddler Front Seat Norco Monterey free gift from a friend. I replaced the drops with dutch sweep bars so I can sit up right and removed the front mech to run a 1x7 setup. New chain and a little spit and polish.

The Salomon La Cote FLex 2.5L has been my go to rain/bad weather adventure jacket for 3 years now. I loved my first one so much that I bought the later model after the old one was damaged from a heavy fall in Patagonia. The fabric was fine but the zip ripped open and broke. In this image I pair the jacket with a thermal baselayer and fleece. The jacket did a great job keeping out the wet and insulating the heat I was producing from the walk. When I was overheating on parts of our hike I opened the side flaps to make it more breathable. Pic taken on Perito Moreno Glacier, needless to say it was cold as ef! The jacket also serves as my summer rain jacket. Pic taken in Amsterdam. This jacket is not my cycling rain jacket though I used it a lot in Amsterdams torrential rains when I was working as a bike courier.

I was looking at my badges on Connect and found a new one. Anyone in SA have one of these?

Ireland! Eh, I was too slow!

Beautiful bike man!

Short ride around the surrounding area. Property hunting. Bike lanes all over the place.

I just came out of a Canadian winter. You have no concept of cool.