Jewbacca

Well if we work backwards, if it isn't on STRAVA, it never happened, ipso facto if it IS on STRAVA, it must have happened, so it must be real............

hahahaha John Lithgow's dialogue over the radio is iconic! (But yes, baddies were thicker than mud in 90s action films). The scene when he whips out his spyderco knife lives in my head rent free. I went out and ordered one of those serrated thumb draw knives the day after watching it! Cliffhanger is almost up there with 'Hard Target' with Jean Claude/Arnold Vosloo and 'Surviving the Game' with ice Tea in my top 10 guilty pleasures from the 90s. (Not including massive crushes on Elizabeth Shue and Rosanna Arquette) Anyway, pity neither of them can be at the Franschoek 500. I'd definitely enter

I think it's a weird interpretation of today. With the internet being what it is, people compare extremes to normality to prove a point, which erodes the ability to be somewhere in the middle. Impartiality is often seen as hate or communicated as hate. We are all programmed to disagree these days too, so if people don't share similar views, the knee jerk reaction is to argue or 'disprove'. I also think people who only partially agree often wholeheartedly agree for solidarity effect against the 'haters'. I guess STRAVA is also now a Verb and an adjective with many variants.... A bit like Hoover and Creepy Crawlies are used to describe ALL brands of a certain product. It's easy to pass those slights in passing as people 'get it'. Much like when the Spez boys in Spez kit and Spez shoes and Spez helmets met F****n Spez alles were getting mocked. It's a product of it's own success. 2010 to 2016 saw many track me exercise apps come and go. I do however think it survived the culling and became the 'standard' due to it's addictive nature. Again, not for everybody and especially not for serious actual athletes, but definitely for a lot of people To sum up, I wholeheartedly agree with you, BUT.......

I feel very attacked and offended

Gatekeepers! Is it because the planning is still not finalised or is it a classic social media perspective one sees all the time...... 'New sponsors and goals this year - watch this space!'... 'New things coming from me this year, wish I could tell everyone more! Soon.... keep an eye out for details that will blow you away!' I immediately stop watching that space. The only Cliffhanger worth watching came out in 1993 starring Sly Stallone and John Lithgow

An engineering shop will make one for you quickly and easily. I have, in the past, used an alu pipe with a 15mm OD and 1,5mm wall thickness. Cut, file and off you go. I couldn't find any locally so made my own

I didn't know this. I am not a data person, so it was easy to disconnect from STRAVA as I was already private ergo not on any leaderboards and didn't really farm my own data. I wear my Garmin watch 99% of the time so it autonomously gives me an idea of when I'm tired, over training etc which I find more insightful metric than weight of KM or Meters Climbed etc Being fit and functional and healthy trumps weight of numbers. For me there are better reasons to quit STRAVA than most of what the writer mentioned. I believe many athletes who track their metrics have an unhealthy relationship with exercise

The algorithm also fed me this today. I think the problem with digital media and the need to constantly create content to stay relevant and earn money from the industry leads to pieces like this. I only read the first couple of paragraphs before the worlds smallest violin started playing and my mind started asking me 'why do they care?' and 'Why does any of that affect you?'. I am not active on STRAVA for many reasons, one of them is how good friends portray themselves on the platform. Many people I like in person give me the absolute creeps on social media, so I prefer not to see it. I also find the Garmin platform has a far more comprehensive overall idea of what I'm up to without being on a social media platform. I'd imagine the weirdo's creeping on people in the new DM add on would be a bigger deterrent for women. Men unfortunately DO have a predatory nature and can turn anything into a dating/pick up platform.

In Australia the state can decide if you were negligent and/or your actions caused harm or death. I understood that he has been charged by the state for basically making a bad judgement call that put his wife's life in danger It's tricky as the law dictates they 'should' investigate the incident while humanity suggests they should let the family mourn. 'If' he ran over his wife as is alleged, he will be dealing with some demons I wouldn't wish on anyone. For me, the sensationalism is part of the algorithm, clicks, interaction and linked discussions can be tracked, so the more they can engage with the facebook/Bikehub/PinkBike drama queens the 'better' the story does. It's really sad, the whole thing. Including the state of news and reporting. Adding in 'Olympic athlete' and listing other palmares in the title instead of saying 'Wife and Mother' is an immediate red flag

SAUSAGES!

I have DM'd Gavin

That is sickening. The things I wish upon the person driving the car cannot be posted here.

I agree, that kind of aligns with my point. Historical precedent. It's a showpiece that people like to believe brings large amounts of money into Cape Town. I don't think it does in the grand scheme of things Tourism over a calendar year. 20000 families or travelers for a handful of days is a penny in the ocean, especially for the furor it causes by shutting down the peninsula. I love the Argus. But that doesn't mean it isn't an event that exists mostly because it exists.

hahahahaha it's the same complaints every year Shutting down the peninsula ALL day is quite something. Chappies get's rented as it's private.... The police presence is huge. IMHO the only reason CTCT is viable is due to historical precedence. Try to plan something like this now in Cape Town and you will get laughed out of the application centre. Full road closure is something that most events don't ever see, never mind some of the busiest roads in the Western Cape. You also CAN'T cycle the route legally on any given day. If I see you riding a bicycle up the elevated highway and down the M3 I would stop and give you a snotklap myself. It IS a dinosaur of an event with absurd overheads and even more ridiculous expectations from those taking part. If it wasn't a non profit for charity event with historical relevance and precedence, it would be shut down faster than it takes for people to moan about the entry fee every year

I think @Shebeen has done a few running marathons and bike races in full length Jeans... The dumbest thing we ever did was run two oceans in full length penguin Onesies to raise money for the Shoes on Feet school shoe foundation. It was hot and the penguin crotch was at about knee height which turned the run turn into a proper waddle! Good times. The dumb ass things we do in the name of fun while justifying our idiocy by raising money for charity!

Like cut off jeans or full length jeans? I mean, I've been known to ride many races in a Jeanshort and flannel Full length? yeah nah!

Ok, this makes sense. I may have to spend a day or two out that way. hahahaha Frankenbike! Right up your alley! I will post some pictures of the new seatpost and then put the whole bike back together. I was hoping to put a dropper post on the bike but the seatpost in 27.2 and nothing is long enough. Figuring out frame bags and bottle solutions will also be fun. I figured for clothes all I really need are a spare pair of bibs, spare socks, a Bivvy bag and some thermals. Then some bike spares. Food and fluids will be the essential bit and space on the frame is VERY limited

I am thoroughly looking forward to this! I was trying to figure out where one trains/tests equipment for something like this in Cape Town. Also how bad those two climbs at the end are. Like doing a gravel red hill twice? I have no gauge but need to figure out gear ratios

hahahaha The problem is time away On a BMX, Freedom Challenge will be a full term, so like 18 days of riding. 3 weeks plus recovery is just not feasible with work, dadding and life unfortunately. I'm trying to see of I can put together a BMX with a 100mm fork and a dropper post which I can do MTB races on. I think that could be fun. It's been a while since I did any marathon racing on the MTB but I don't remember too many that would be problematic re skill/technical trails. @ZakV not extra yet! The entry goalposts shifted slightly to 25k but for now that is covered. The SPCA donation campaign will be up and running from tomorrow, so hopefully I can get through this busy period at work unscathed and get cracking with some idiotic things to do on the BMX early next year. My broken elbow is healing well, so I should be able to step off the trainer and outdoors soon too. YOH! Adventure awaits... I must book my leave for Munga NOW!

HOLY SMOKES!!! I wake up and @SwissVan @mtbrider and @ZakV have been busy! I am currently wading through mountains of work, but I will be in touch with everyone personally very soon. I am meeting with Natasha from the SPCA tomorrow at 13:00 to set up the donation account and work out some plans for next year. Best I start getting ready!

Ryder in general have a brilliant warranty/replacement reputation. I remember they had a lifetime replacement warranty on their pumps for ages. I'm seriously interested in these shoes. They look neat. I will try to find a pair IRL to try on in the new year

What a marvellous effort this!

I'd assume it's the same system. I've got a few various BOA shoes, cycling and golf and the adjustability on the fly is great. I have other lace up shoes which are romantically sexy but sometimes annoying when I tie them up incorrectly and have one marginally loose or tight shoe trying to keep up with the buffoons I ride with on the road who don't like to stop or be held up!

The BOA lace version look rad. I'm will definitely be in the market for a new pair of shoes at some stage this year and didn't even know those existed. Good find

Update: I contacted the organisers. Alex himself got back to me and has very generously made an additional 'Early Bird' entry available to me despite the waiting list already having exceeded the 50 entries put aside. We need another R6250 to get up to threshold. Tell your wealthy, dog loving friends! I will also add an update on the extremely generous offer from GPM sports. Absolutely blown away by all the responses and people willing to get behind the adventure!