Dazshell

Approximate cost for a set of 10 stickers to fit on bike frames and helmets? Maybe 6 larger ones and 4 smaller ones.

Does anyone have the contact details for the guys who did the name stickers for frames and helmets with the SA flag and also emergency contact details?

While not being able to ride up the M7 is a major disappointment, this has been forced on the event by the authorities not allowing the race to cross the city. The option to ride up the M41 is totally unique to this race and the advantage is that spectators can see riders pass them 6 times ob the route (3 times in each direction) which makes for better spectator involvement. The race is still tough as it is fast, has roughly 1000m of climbing and is a full 110kms. The entry fee is also one of the lowest for a Gran Fondo Tour in SA and certainly in KZN. We need to support any local races or soon we will lose them completely.

It has been a slow process as the negotiations started a couple of years ago with two opposing parties trying to find common ground. As a trustee of the Club Cappuccino Foundation who own Tour Durban, I have been quite close to the process and as we understand it the problem was that the old Racetec chips had were no longer available and the cost to start from scratch with new equipment and chips and falling race numbers post Covid was prohibitive and the best solution was for Finish Time who already had the newer equipment to acquire Racetec. Hopefully their new permanent chips being supplied at CTCT will sort the problem out moving forward. Unfortunately, there will probably be a cost for the new chips for those not doing CTCT when they enter their next race.

Finish Time have taken over Racetec and will be importing all your race results onto the new platform.

Thought I would add this pic too to show how lekker it looks!

I hit 100 001kms after 10 years and 11 months last week. This has been done on 3 bikes. Merida 904 - 17 178kms, then a Merida Scultura 34 831kms and finally a Silverback Scalera that has done 47 991 - kms of those. All it takes is good, regular maintenance and they will last forever. I usually get 6 - 8000kms out of a chain and 10 - 12000kms out of a cassette. Chainrings - 20 000kms. Lube is your best friend!

I have to ride 1 500kms in December to reach 100 000kms since I started riding 11 years ago. It's not even 1 December and I am tired already!

CSA Rider levy is not the CSA license, it is a fee they charge the race organisers for every entry. Usually around R7.50 per rider. So you pay to be a member to ride a race and then the race organiser pays to have you too! Unless you ride at least 8 races a year, it is cheaper to just take out a day license.

As a trustee of the Club Cappuccino Foundation that owns the Tour Durban, we made the decision to change the route for this year's TD to do 2 and a half laps of the M4 from Durban to Umdloti and back to cut costs (a lot) and make the race safer by not including roads that were in a shocking state or risk protest action from those not wanting the city's roads closed. The race was still 110kms long with nearly 1000m of climbing so it retained its "classic" and CTCT seeding status. Initially there was a huge outcry, but on race-day, we received only praise from the overwhelming majority of entrants. Starting and finishing in the same place, lots of vantage points for spectators who got to see the riders come past 3 times in each direction and the chance to see many of those doing the shorter distances on the same route. Definitely a win-win for the organisers, the charity beneficiaries, the participants and the spectators. I have no doubt that many races will go this route in the future.

Hi. The forum is a fairly in formal group that does it's best to get the City to resolve any reported issues. The cutting back of bushes along the cycle path and M4 is a prime example. It took a lot of perseverance but eventually we got some action. Sadly, the City seems to have bigger problems to deal with than making sure our roads are safe for cyclists. Perhaps it is time to try and get more of the clubs involved as Covid seemed to have seen it fizzle out a bit, so I will try and see what can be done through the structures at KZN Cycling. In the mean time, please send me your or your club chairman's contact details to chairman@eccc.co.za and I will get you added to the Whatsapp group.

We have started that here in Dirtbin. The Ethekweni Safe Cycling Forum. Most of the bigger clubs and bike shops represented, PPA, Metro Police and some of the EMS guys. Works to a degree and the PPA do a great job getting some action out of the municipality. However, it is an uphill battle. Like climbing Suikerbossie at the end of CTCT!

A bunch of us are coming up from Durban to do The Fast One for the first time. Fortunately, none of us was planning on winning it, so we will just have some fun and go fats where we can and take it easy where we have to.

Hi. East Coast Cycling Club is based in Durban and we ride from Suncoast Casino on the weekends but we have a very active group of members who ride from Cotswold Downs every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 4:45am. Contact me on 0837776796 for more info. Thanks. Daryl Harris - Chairman ECCC

Just a heads-up. JAC Tours is at it again. Going by the name Francois Annadale. He responded via Whatsapp to my ad on Bike Hub looking for a Garmin HRM. Thanks toMatt and team for the alert that a blacklisted scammer had clicked on my ad! The number he is using is 0634090218.

Try Cyclesphere in Durban - 0313122559. Speak to Ruphus

Just got an update from our guys doing the race. Over 700 riders evacuated so far. An event emergency has been declared ( I presume that means they are pulling the plug). Temp is 0.5 degrees and heavy drizzle.

As chairman of East Coast Cycling Club, the largest cycling club in KZN and having had the pleasure of riding with the Outriders whenever I am in Cape Town to visit my daughter, I can honestly say you need look no further. A great bunch of guys and girls, at least 4 batches on a weekend ride, regular rides on a Tuesday and Thursday and excellent communication from the chairman. Plus they are definitely the closest to you. Just do it!

I was fortunate enough to finish a ride with the Outriders and go for a coffee at the new shop. What a setup! It is absolutely amazing.

Hi. If you are keen to join up with East Coast Cycling Club, we have quite a few members who live in your area who would be keen to join up for midweek rides. Our weekend rides start at Pirates Lifesaving Club every Saturday and Sunday. www.eccc.co.za/join-us/ Thanks Daryl Harris Chairman ECCC

I had a similar problem with my Ultegra crank. Also stripped everything, including my moer! Eventually tracked it down to a hairline crack on the right crank arm. Shimano replaced it under warranty.

Started the year on 82 after dropping from 102.5 in 2011 to a low of 74.5 just before CTCT last year. A bit of overseas travel and hard partying from September to December didn't help! Finally got my head in the game and dropped to 72.5kgs last month. Then had a bout of gyppo guts two weeks ago and dropped to 70.9! Haven't been that weight since army basics. Recovered now and sitting at a comfortable 73.5kgs. 4 rides a week and no hassle to maintain.

Hi. We don't leave from Umhlanga but will ride through from Durban Beachfront on our way out to Ballito on Saturday. We meet at Pirates Lifesaving Club just before 5:30am and head north. Usually get to Umhlanga at 6:10am. You're welcome to join us. You can call me on 0837776796 for more details. Cheers Daryl Harris ECCC Chairman

Yahmulka!

The Tour de France is usually the event where most manufacturers show off their new ranges and then release them into the retail market towards the end of the season (after Vuelta) but with all the race/tour cancellations and delays due to COVID-19, most manufacturers seem to have started a bit earlier this year.