i24

Of course I should have added that e-bikes entries should only be accepted for the short route, not the full one. We don't want to risk them running flat half way round.

A nice "short" route would be to cut from Fishhoek circle to the robot at Sun Valley, then joint the main route to Chappies, Hout Bay, Suikerbossie etc. Distance would be about 2/3 full distance but it would cut out the long trek into the headwind past Simonstown to Smitwinkel. It would still use the same start/finish and keep the special parts like Chappies, Suikerbossie. It could be held on the same day as the main race with start groups after the main race start. Road closures would require a bit more "closed" time on the M3, and a one way lane closure from Fishhoek to Sun Valley. I don't think too many additional Capetonians would be inconvenienced. Cut off time in Greenpoint could stay the same. There would be more traffic later in the day when the backmarkers and short event riders meet on Chappies. I think this could be a popular alternative for "past time" riders. It should have not negative effects on sub 4 hour riders.

I have the same challenge: messed with my brakes and they went soft but I have some Shimano compatible mineral oil but I don't have one of those funnel thingy's that you are supposed to get fluid into Shimano brakes but I can ask the hubbers for suggestions So what does that funnel thingy look like and what can I use as an alternative? I have various syringes, pipes, tubes and things in the garage Thanks in anticipation of useful advice

Brilliant thanks! The photos match detail for detail! I need to do some homework on the mark to add to the conversation next Christmas! It makes my Motor Guzzi look quite common.

Sorry, I never saw the bike and I don't know if anyone in the family knows what happened to it. The house in the background of the photo is "Mount Prospect". A farm in Constantia that was sub-divided in the 1970's. My Grandad worked as a manager there before he got married and started his own farm. The farm house still exists but it is derelict and due for demolition as soon at the developers', neighbours' and city council lawyers come to an agreement. Maybe the remains of the bike will be found burried on the property when the bull dozers move in.

That side car looks like the other photo I have seen. But that might just be the style of the period.

Thanks! Maybe you can also forward some links or contacts for those groups.

I have seen some other photo's of Grandad's bike, fitted with a side car, giving some ladies, presumably my Grandmother and sisters, a ride. It looked like a picnic situation. I think the bike got retired soon after he got married and established a farm. He died quite young, so there is not much knowledge in the family regarding the bike.

This is a photo of my Grandfather with his bike. It would have been taken sometime after the 1st world war. He participated in rally or race events at the time and won the silverware in the process. Can anybody identify the make/model of the bike?

It's been 10 days since CTCT 2020. Just wondering if anybody knows of anybody who rode the tour and has since come down with flu?

I don't think this is what the organizers where planning on when they opened the CTCT to e-bikes. Policing power, electronic limiters, batteries etc is probably beyond the organizers. But maybe they could just "cap" the times published for e-bikes. If an e-bike goes faster than the cape time, say 4:30, Racetec publish the time the as 4:30. This will tame some of the motivation for multiple batteries and high power settings. On the other hand, we could also just have a dedicated "e-bike tour" (must have live streaming) - move over MotorGP :clap:

I started at 8:08 and rode about 5:30 tour (which was a reasonable time for me). - I got passed by LOTS of e-bikes. Assuming they started at 9:30 they would have ridden about 4 hours. - Most e-bike riders were courteous but a few were more "assertive". - Near the end going round Camps Bay, the e-bikes were motoring. I suspect the riders had spare energy left and cranked up the power levels to consume what was left in their batteries. - There is no obvious speed limiting device on many of the E-bikes. Many were going 35 or 40km/h. - It is weird when someone passes you up a hill, calmly pedaling with cadence of 40/min while you busing your guts. - Most e-bikes were dik wheeled MTB's but there was the guy with drop bars cutting through the traffic at an impressive speed. Clearly even E-bike riders are keen on improving their time. Next year we will see more efficient bikes with bigger batteries and sporting electronics. Ultimately the guy with the biggest battery is going to get the fastest time (potentially faster than the wining pro). If I was writing the rules for the event, I would set a maximum mass for batteries (fitted and spares) and ban getting additional batteries from crew on route. Then set that mass so that riders have to pace their power to achieve a time of say 4 to 5 hours. This will keep e-bikes as an option to those with reason to ride them but not upset pure cyclists competing in their own race. E-bikes should get different colored cycle boards, different rider numbers, different medals (if any) and e-bike rides should be "counted" separately from pure rides. Start chutes should be policed to keep e-bikes out of the pure cycle chutes. But pure cycles should have the option of dropping back and riding with friends and family on e-bikes.

Updated forecast., in case there is anybody still left here... Looks much the same, which is good news as that adds confidence to the model. Head wind by midday could reach 40km/h past Simonstown (which is much less than last year) for the back markers. Chappies and Llandudno descents look like they could get gusty in the afternoon, also 40km/h. Be careful if you finishing after 11:00. I have attached a high resolution ground windspeed diagram.

So I will stick my neck out with an amateur forecast. In the morning there is a slight westerly component to the wind becoming southerly and stronger during the day. Light winds at the start, chance of gusts on hospital hill, light winds on blue route. Wind will become noticeable past Muizenburg through to Smits. The mountain will provide some protection due to the westerly component but 20km/h gusts will push through the gaps . Back markers (like me) will face a 30km/h head wind. On the way back there is a chance of 30km/h turbulent gusts decending Chappies and Camps Bay. Cool in the early morning 17C to 19C and not getting above 22C in the day. Looks good I will update this evening around 8PM

Most of these forecasts rely on a few international weather models. (The sailors forecasters probably have access to more alternates models than us amateurs do). However there is still some uncertainty in the models. There is a frontal system passing south of the country. If it happens to arrive, say 6 hours, early or late, or pass 100km further North or South, it will have a direct effect on our race. As the time between "forecast" and "hoopla" gets less, the confidence in the model improves. By say 7PM in Saturday you can rely on quite accurate, detailed forecasts - but by then the Hubbers are focused on other things! So basically go out and ride. If the wind is a bit more or a bit less, your time will be a bit more or a bit less. The fun will remains the same!

Have you tried slime sealer in the tubes? I use it in my commutator. Seals lots of thorns.Cheap cheerful but slow - maybe cause I ride nowhere near 9000km a year. I did the same for bike I set up for an employee. It seems to work for him and I think he logs more miles. You can use slime + tire liners in you need a "heavier" option. Tip, When you do need to fix punctures in a slimed tube, fit a spare (slimeless) tube to get home. Clean the muck of the outside of the slimed one with benzine before patching. I normally fix as many holes as I can find when I get to patching a slimed tube - typically 3 or 4 at a time. When you get over say 10 patches or the tube runs out of slime, scrap it and start on a new tube. You can't fold up a slimed tube for transport or storage, It will stick together and become scrap rubber. If you need to store a spare, inflate it and hang it over a hook in the garage.

First test flight of a prototype aircraft in IFR conditions?

A few advantages for bar ends: - They will protect you from getting impaled by the end of the bar in a crash, as has happened before. https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/131803-mtb-rider-dies-after-being-impaled-by-bike-in-witfontein-george/ https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/97954-impaled-cycle-rider-back-on-her-feet/ - If you turn your bike upside down to fix a puncture or clean/lube the chain, they keep you leavers, computer and bell off the ground. If you worried about hooking vines and things, if you start with narrower bars before you put on the bar ends, it neutralizes the risk to some extent. If you slow down to my speed, the obstacles are more manageable. PS: I can also list some advantages of saddle bags, but I will save that for another thread.

A pro, riding rogue, trying to evade authorities, getting vocal and resisting arrest, might just upset his sponsors and leave himself without a job ...

My BIL bought a Mahindra bakkie for his business. The "bak" is used for real work and it gets driven by staff on occasions but he is very happy with the "cab comforts", diesel consumption, performance, reliability etc. I am just not sure I am ready to commit the family to one for 300000km.

Some Sante Fe's are advertised for < R300k. All are 2.2 diesels: https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-for-sale/hyundai/santa-fe/premium/25252158 I should also look at Tucson's, i35's and equivalent Kias.

I don't drive for pleasure. Cars have a job to do - to get me, my passengers and my stuff, to where it I want to be, with as little discomfort an inconvenience as practical. If I want fun, I will take 2 wheels, if I did fashion (which I don't) I might try Cavendish Square, if I wanted to be seen to spending lots of money, I would buy an aeroplane or a boat. With that approach, it is easy to make a list of cars NOT to buy. But how many lurkers are there that need to be added to that list? Does the maintenance of modern day turbo diesels make them not worth owning after 160000km?

How reliable are their diesels? Are they good for > 200000km? What is Hyundai service like? Thank..

Nah... If I go for a Volkswagen, maybe one with some personality?

Thread revival .... My trusty Zafira 2.2 has just stopped, after making loud rattling noises in the engine. It got towed away and the verdict is still outstanding but after 15 year and 270000km, it's time I did some homework regarding what might replace it. I need: - A tow vehicle (~1000kg trailer) - Comfortable highway top gear cruising performance. - Reasonable gravel road comfort and adequate ground clearance. (The Zafira survived significant abuse and I would like to avoid this on the next car). - A full sized spare wheel, if possible. - Otherwise 2WD should be adequate. Costs of purchase, fuel and maintenance for 4WD is probably not justified. - 5 seats is OK, (family have outgrown the 7 seater) but generous load space and seat room would be appreciated. - My preference is for petrol and no turbocharger but maybe I should reconsider this. (I am planning on doing another 15 years / 270000km on the next vehicle.) - I have always driven manuals, but I would look at an automatic. Provided it is economical and can tow. - A reversing camera would be very nice to have. (For hooking up trailers). - Fuel consumption of up to 10l/100km. - Not too big for parking around town. I would look at a 2 or 3 year old car with up to 60000km. Starting budget R300000. I could go up if the millage is lower. Any suggestions ....