Hey Bonus & Wendy, good catching up on your adventures. Do you recall catching up with my wife and I at the restaurant in Randburg to chat about "options" in terms of getting out of the rat race? It took us some time to make the change but we're now living in a lovely little village bordering the Yorkshire Dales in the UK. I do LOADS more cycling than I used to do (plus lots of trail running). Thank you for providing a little inspiration to us to make the leap into the unknown.
Having read this saga, if I was on the jury I'd find in favour of the OP. Agreed that communication could have been slightly better but the overall facts to me are:
At the end of the day, the money has been refunded so nobody was "scammed". The buyer is understandably disappointed both that he didn't get the bike he wanted (which of us wouldn't be bleak not to get your dream bike - you feel like Christmas morning!) and in Wade's behaviour. Wade is guilty of being a dick - that's my verdict!
1 hour ago, Andreas_187 said:Summer cycling is great but that British weather is a killer
I won't say it's great, especially compared to Johannesburg which does have incredible weather. But I enjoy "interesting" weather and we get that here. Rain, sleet, snow, hail, sun, wind, heat (okay warmish!). But what we don't get is SUPER hot and actually, in Yorkshire temps never get SUPER cold either. A really cold day here is -5. You adapt and because homes are heated, a day of 0 degrees doesn't FEEL that bad. Your core is warm when you step outside. I was expecting days of grey too which I haven't experienced. The short days do suck in Jan & Feb.
2 minutes ago, dave303e said:given that the highest point on the mud island is a few hundred meters lower than the Randburg average- must be going faster there...
Haha, yeah, not so sure about that. Eg my last ride 34km with 600m climbing. One hill was 1.8km with avg gradient of 9.2%. That's a tough climb.
It may not ever get very high here but there are lots of bumps!
13 minutes ago, dave303e said:do yourself a favor, before winter hits. Head North and ride Bealach na Ba. Cycle over to Applecross and back over the pass...
Looks awesome! Will put that on my bucket list of rides to do.
I know many in SA are considering emigrating. I used to live in Randburg, but have now emigrated to West Yorkshire, UK.
My experience of cycling here is as follows:
I am riding here a lot more than SA. It's so easy to pop out, particularly on a summer evening and do a ride from 8 to 9.30pm! Obviously we are now heading into winter so that's changing but I still love that. In winter, it can of course be $£$& cold but you buy the gear and get on with it.
Anyway, here are a few recent photos of my cycling trips. That 2nd photo below is a hill called "Park Rash" with a gradient that reaches 25% at places! Lots of steep hills around here. Had to put on an 11-34 to cope!
Hey there,
I bought a pair of Pearl Izumi ELITE Escape AmFIB Bib Tights. These are windproof & water resistant tights that are made of quite a firm-feeling fabric and lined for cold/wet weather riding. They feel more like outdoor mountain wear trousers than the typical lycra feel I am used to with cycling shorts.
Since I was on the cusp in terms of size, I bought a medium & large to try out.
The mediums fit well around the lower leg & knees, but feel a bit tight around my thighs. I can put them on no problem - I'm just aware that my thighs feel like they're surrounded with a sleeve if you get my meaning.
The large pair feel fine around the thighs, but the knees and lower legs are a little baggy.
Both pairs are fine in the hips and chamois area.
I have zero experience with these "tougher" cold weather bib tights and don't want to regret my purchase. I SUSPECT the medium pair will give a bit with use and a wash or two so that would be perfect then.
What do you sage folk think? Get the mediums? ????
Hi all, thanks a lot for all the input. Seems pretty unanimous to keep it! So that's what I'll do!
Cheers!
Just to report back on this, I did do the trip with bikes attached to the roof racks. Took absolutely AGES to attach the bikes. And even with all that effort, we had to stop on the side of the N3 when we noticed one of the bikes was wobbling. Stood there in the rain sorting it out!
Overall, I would say that whilst it did work, I am not sure I'd repeat the exercise if I had a choice and also, I would be worried about damaging bikes doing this. It's not recommended (by me anyway!)
Hi all
I am heading to the UK (Leeds/Harrogate/York area). I have a 2015 Giant Trance Aluminium frame with SLX components. I've upgraded this with American Classic Wide Lightning rims and Giant Dropper Post but the rest of the bike is stock standard. Bike is still in good condition with no issues.
Should I take it with me or sell it here? We've got a shipping container going over so should have space to send it.
Appreciate any opinions.
Oprion 1: Buy a 4 bike towbar rack.
Option 2: Buy 2 rooftop bike racks.
https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/326977-thule-road-bike-racks-x3/
Thanks for that! I saw that ad - I am based in Randburg, Gauteng. If I was in the Western Cape, I would definately check that out.
Hi all,
I am planning a few days away with the family and this creates a problem - I gotta take 4 bikes and I have a 2 bike carrier! So, I've been researching getting a rooftop carrier to take the 2 additional bikes. But they aren't that cheap. I was wondering, why not attach 2 bikes directly onto the roof racks?
If you tied the wheels directly onto the bar of the roof rack with straps and then put some further "guy" straps to the handlebar and seatpost to support the bike in an upright position, I don't see why I need a bike rack for this "once every 6 months" requirement. I have those "proper" straps that have a ratchet that you can use to make the straps really tight so nothing moves. I have Thule roof racks.
Or am I kidding myself? And I'll end up with a bicycle handlebar through my roof or worse - flying off the roof?
Any advice?
All the best!
You must wring out your bandana into the toilet cistern after every ride. Brush your teeth every other day. Put wine in your camelpack! Sorted...
It seems to me like there are a lot of bees around at the moment in Joeys. Seeing a lot in my pool unfortunately. Feels like more than in previous years.
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Some advise requested...
I have at stages run a bit - perhaps as much as 40k's per week at stages. But I started to suffer from a pain on my right knee at the outer right quadrant (10 o'clock or so) at around 3.5km. This progresses from mild discomfort to pretty painful which severely limits my running, plus I worry about damaging my knees.
I have done the very obvious stuff such as stretch before and after running, check my shoes (Asics Nimbus) and I am pretty neutral in my feet. I have a foam roller but cannot honestly say I used it much.
I do have tight hamstrings - I can reach to about 15cm from my toes!
If I want to get back into running without pain, what do I do next?
Buying new shoes or visiting medical people is pricey! Happy to spend the money but not if it doesn't help. What would you suggest is the best way forward?
Hi all, I have a set of 650B American Classic wide lightnings on my Giant Trance. Really enjoy them.
However, I notice that as I corner, there is a feeling of vibration/juddering almost as if the discs are touching the pads or something. The back end of the bike also feels a bit sketchy - like it's "loose".
Anyone else experience this and have any idea what to do to resolve that?
Oooohhhh I'd be itching to find that f@&ker! What a knob! Hopefully we can get to name and shame this mofo!
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I'm rather pleased with what we just picked up. After looking around for a while, on Saturday went out with my wife and kids to get her a bike for her birthday. We were looking at 2nd hand so drove around to a few sellers and checked out a lovely Titan Elite, a Momsen Race Tech (too big) and then headed to bike bay. They had a few bikes which she tried out. Giant Talon, BMC SportElite and finally a Silverback Slade 2. The last one was one of the few XS frames and she enjoyed the fit. I was chuffed because this bike came with XT rear derailleur and a SR Suntour Raidon 100mm travel fork, 650B wheels (which I think is ideal on an XS frame) and was a good deal. Ended up paying R5500 for it and now that I've had a few days to check it out fully, I am even happier. Great bike and I am sure she's gonna have a blast on it.
So in follow up to this, took the day off for my wife's birthday. Packed the bikes in the car, packed a picnic etc. Went off to Emmarentia, unpacked bikes, connected up the half bike, adjusted helmet straps, seat heights, put gloves on the right way round on the kiddies etc. Rode off for about 5 minutes before my wife - not used to how strong disc brakes are - managed to go over her handlebars and test which was tougher - her chin or the tarmac. So back to the car, tissues for the blood, calm the kiddies down who are now crying because mommy is bleeding, unhook half bike, remove helmets, put bikes back in the car and spend a good part of the rest of the day at the hospital! Wife had abrasions on her shoulder, elbow, knee and 3 stitches in her chin. Bike had some minor damage to brake lever and handlebars but otherwise appears okay. Cellphone screen cracked and new activity tracker (Christmas present) cracked to pieces.
Luckily my wife is a tough cookie and will ride again!
I'm rather pleased with what we just picked up. After looking around for a while, on Saturday went out with my wife and kids to get her a bike for her birthday. We were looking at 2nd hand so drove around to a few sellers and checked out a lovely Titan Elite, a Momsen Race Tech (too big) and then headed to bike bay. They had a few bikes which she tried out. Giant Talon, BMC SportElite and finally a Silverback Slade 2. The last one was one of the few XS frames and she enjoyed the fit. I was chuffed because this bike came with XT rear derailleur and a SR Suntour Raidon 100mm travel fork, 650B wheels (which I think is ideal on an XS frame) and was a good deal. Ended up paying R5500 for it and now that I've had a few days to check it out fully, I am even happier. Great bike and I am sure she's gonna have a blast on it.
I would happily pay an annual or monthly membership towards security - maybe with some number board or something to identify - but please please please don't ask me to pay for each time I use it.. I like to dip in and out at all times of the day.. just visiting the access point and stamping my card or paying my money would ruin it for me.
I think you would get reasonable support with a number of big signboards that says 'please buy your number to use these trails' posted up and down the spruit.
my 2c worth
Agree with this. I've often thought that I ride the trails but don't pay or help with upkeep which isn't very fair on those that do the work. It's not that I don't want to - I just don't know who to pay or who is doing the upkeep etc. I would be happy to pay for security and upkeep so here's a thought - have those little QR codes on boards along the trail. You can stop, scan the code and pay an amount (and maybe leave it up to the individual as to how much) using Snapscan or zapper or similar. This is quick, convenient and allows those who can pay to pay and those that cannot (or won't ) to skip the payment.
Bonus & Wendy's Big Adventure . . . .
in Share Your Ride & Travels
Posted
That would be great! Please do...