BenReaper

When I first heard that Anika Langvad was not going to ride with Ariane in the Cape Epic this year I had a feeling that Team Spur would not do as good as they might have hoped to. It had seemed to me in previous years that Anika was a pilar of sorts for Ariane and helped carried her through the Epic. Ariane is going to struggle to find someone as strong AND patient as Anika to help her in this tough racing format.

After feeling very much disappointed with the cancelation of that big funride I was suppose to partake in, I returned home with a empty feeling. I had to drive back over the mountain to meet someone in Klapmuts later in the day and chucked the MTB in the back of the bakkie with no exact plan in mind. Thought of Jonkershoek, but wasn't very eager to do alot of climbing, contemplated Meerendal, but wasn't feeling up to the extra drive there. Finally decided to give Rhebokskloof outside Paarl a go as it was a stones throw away and my previous attempt at riding there was unsuccessful. Turned out to be a great choice of trail. Did the black route wich is only 25km long, but has alot of climbing and technical features that saw me riding for just under two hours. Although it was a very demanding trail I enjoyed it so much and the weather in Paarl was so good that I soon forgot all about the mornings disappointment. Hans jou harerige jagse ou man, I had the time of my life and I owe it all to you. Those who know will understand. [emoji6]

Youre ride wasn't canceled , so it couldn't have been that windy........ [emoji48]

Last ride was on Sunday, a biggish one (for me) of 130km from Worcester to Brackenfell. Thought that would prove me ready for thr CTCT, but then I caught a stomach bug on Monday and now I'm not so ready anymore. Also took the Tour Of Goodhope KOM on Bainskloof Pass, dropped the peleton by a week......

RIP Tumbleweed, yo you will not be forgotten.... ???? Condolences to the family and especially the boys are in my prayers.

The bike looks good. Just one suggestion though, shorten your chain a little bit, it will make your setup look sleeker. Something like this.

Well I feel totally inadequate to post here now after that ride of Velouria and his mates. At least I can save some face by sharing my ride from Wednesday. Did about 32km with 820m of climbing. This was my first ride this year thst lasted till dark, maybe its because I'm so slow, or maybe because I only set out at 6:15pm in the evenings, either way it ain't a bad thing.

Jip dit lyk lekker, ek weet nie of ek sal kan by hou nie, maar ek kan sekerlik probeer. Ek dink ek moet een naweek in my vakansie tyd in die Kaap gaan kuier en by die groep aan sluit vir n sessie.

See you guys decided to take the long way..... #bigballsbrigade ????

So tonight I went out for a ride, but with sore legs from a judgment laps on Sunday I had to take it a bit easier than usual. The sunset almost caught me.

I'd join you guys if I weren't so bad at getting up early and didn't stay 100km's away.......[emoji6]

Did a quick ride around the Nuy and De Wet areas on the road machine this morning. The weather was perfect to be out riding in the Breederiver Valley, nice and cool with overcast skies.

Hahaha, yeah I know about the sunglasses on my helmet, but they were fogged up with sticky ocean air that I couldn't get wiped off. [emoji6] Also the bike has been featured in a few other pics since, I should start posting here more often.

Hi DJR, those are VP pedals, not sure who the importers/agents are, but I know my LBS stock them. Let me know if you want there details.

Went out for a road ride this morning. From Worcester I set out on ths R43 towards Wolseley, turned left up Bainskloof Pass, snapped a few pics at the top and went back down the way I came. On the way back to Worcester I turned of the R43 and rode through the beautifull Slanghoek Valley to try and dodge the wind, to no avail. Stopped of in Rawsonville for some refreshments and continued on home. Was my first time up Bainskloof on the bike and what an experience it turned out to be. You see a lot of stuff on the bike that you don't see when driving in a car.

With a million upgrades pending the turn finally came around for a upgrade in the shoe department.

Congrats NSBB, you should've gotten a tandem and taken the missus out for a romantic ride. [emoji6]

I had some fun riding on the beach between Pearly Beach and Uilkraal on the first of January. The fun however did not last long and this turned into a k@k idea when the wet sand started sticking like fleas and I had to do alot of pushing over the dunes towards the end. Atleast it started out fun... ... I should probably ad that this was on my trusty die hard XTC wich unfortunately didn't make it into the pictures, but I swear it was there.......

Personally I feel that the slacker trail geometry of the previous and new models of Tallboy are more suitable for probably 80% of South African mtb'ers. But as everyone knows we are a marathon obsessed nation and everybody thinks they are a 'sharper' , 'racier' Christoph Sauser Specializes S-Works type rider whereas we are actually more like the 'slacker', 'more relaxed' John Smith Santa Cruz Tallboy type riders. But maybe thats just me......

Haven't been on the bike this week on account of man-flu. But did a nice road ride with an old colleague and riding buddy from Worcester to Ceres and back on Sunday. I just love the beauty of the mountains around here.

Yesterday evening when I came home from work my little guy wanted some attention, he asked me if I wanted to either swim or play Playstation? I suggested 'cycling? ' and his eyes lit up. ☺

Didn't get round to riding much this week, but on Thursday I finally finished building over the parts from my roadbike onto a new frame. Dropped about half a kg on the frame alone, so although this bike is still heavy by road standards its already faster than it was before. Next upgrade will be groupset, but for now I'll just 'ride upgrades'.

Argh, not again! As mentioned above congrats random guy on winning the competition and becoming the new owner off that stunning new Scott Spark. I guess that means that the rest of us are all losers! [emoji33] I am through with entering these competitions! I cant handle the disappointment anymore! I will have to drink myself to sleep again tonight! [emoji6]

I did contemplate taking a dip in the pool at the bottom , but there were people on the dam wall looking down at me when I got there, and I don't think they'd have appreciated me doing a bit of skinny dipping. [emoji6]

Well I'm truly jealous of the great Sunday Funday everybody else had.... On account of family obligations I could only manage to go riding at 13:30 on Sunday afternoon, wanted to get some distance in the legs, and pointed my bike towards Stettyn Dam. By this time it was extremely hot and windy and I suffered tremendously, first in the wind on the flats and then in the heat on the climbs towards the dam. Ran out of water, but luckely there are a few mountain streams coming down with crystal clear cool water that I could fill my bottels with. Stopped at the foot of the dam wall for the first time to check out this spray of water. This is always flowing, what for I have no idea. Seriously contemplated a quick cool down shower. Made my way up the last climb to the dam wall, many people only ride to the foot of the dam wall and then turn around, I feel you cant say you've been to the dam unless you've actually seen this view. #sufferfestsunday