NGM

That one really annoys me. It's funny how often I've heard the whole "You're just lucky" thing from people.... at a braai, while they hold a beer and reach for the chip bowl. Maybe I am just lucky, for not living in denial and blaming my genetics.

Dude you will definitely be fine. Based on the road rides I've done, I generally break them up into 3 categories. To give an indication of seriousness, I will use the approx ratio of males who shave their legs for cycling (SLR: shaved leg ratio) as a metric.* CTCT - anything goes. As you know, you'll find semi-pro 2:45 riders on R150K bikes to people riding Tricycles in clown suits. (SLR: 20%) Medium sized road races - things like the 99er, Stellenbosch cycle tour, etc. There are always the serious groups, but also lots of space for everyday cyclists and dudes on their MTBs just out for a nice day in the saddle. (SLR: 50%) PPA sportives - in my experience this becomes a bit more for serious riders and guys trying to keep their fitness through the winter. Often just like 6 starting groups or so. But even then, in the last 2 groups you will still find guys riding MTB's with slicks, people doing their first race, etc. My fiance's first ride was one like this and I was nervous for her but there was really no need to worry. We started in the second last group and pottered along at about 23kph ave speed if I remember correctly. There was no real "bunch" for the last 2 groups, just other people like us scattered all along the route. It was very relaxed and that average speed was more than enough for a middle-of-the-bunch kind of finish. (SLR: 70%). And for me this winelands ride is a "category 2" race. @MORNE said you overtook him on a geared 20" fun bike at the last CTCT, so you'd probably be fine even on that! Bottom line is, even in the small ppa events, there's space for everyone. *Disclaimer: I've never actually quantified this, it's a total thumbsuck. Would be interesting to know what the numbers actually are though.

Sounds like a subtle reference to Monty Python's 4 Yorkshiremen Sketch... "Oh you had a lake?.. you were lucky...We used to have to get out of the lake at six o'clock in the morning, clean the lake, eat a handful of 'ot gravel.."

Appreciated this. Keen to hear how you progress.

I'm sure most of us are "addicted" to cycling - something I shouldn't have to explain. What this thread is really a proxy for is: When is it safe for me to ride again? If it were flu and you feel better after a week, personal experience and that of others suggests that you could maybe begin very light exercise again. But this is a novel virus with a new set of rules and in some cases whole new set of strange symptoms... So if you feel fine after a week, and you go for a ride, will you do untold damage on your internal organs? Will you set yourself back 1 month? Will you get long covid? In many cases, Omicron just gives people a runny nose. I've gone for many a run and ride with a runny nose and there were no consequences. But is it different now that it's covid? Will I die? It's that uncertainty that people are trying to come to terms with, by asking questions and sharing their experiences. Rest is obviously required, but it's the grey area that people are asking about... how much rest is enough? When is it safe to return? What did the rest of you do and how did it work out? So let's try and use this thread for that purpose please, that's what the original intent was. Share your experiences of your return to cycling after covid. Edit: I should add that obviously there is no substitute for the advice of your doctor and that this trumps whatever it was that "your buddy that bike forum" did while recovering.

So many people have had these symptoms for 3-4 days and then feel fine. So if I were you I'd wait it out, it's not a long time to wait. I say this because: I was feeling a bit average but had tested negative 3 days earlier so thought it couldn't be covid. Then I went for a 10km run and 24hrs later I had a nasty fever and positive covid test. I felt really lousy for 1-2 days, like terrible flu. After that I was OK, 4 days of runny/stuffy nose and slight cough, much like many other people. But doing exercise while I had covid really made the situation worse. And the run was not that intense, mostly 140bpm (I don't know what zone that is). My point is, if I could go back and redo it, I would not have done any exercise while sick. I probably set myself back 2-3 days and they were pretty unpleasant days too. Maybe I would have always had the fever but given that it kicked in immediately after the run, I doubt it.

living the dream

Hi Reinet, Most of us don't actually know francois in real life but over the last few years he's taken on us one heck of a journey with his candid, brave and often humorous posts about his struggles. Through all of the ups and downs, one constant is how often he keeps mentioning how lucky he is to have you. Just thought I'd mention it because I suspect you have no idea how often your name comes up! You guys are lucky to have each other. Send him our regards.

No no, it's very serious.

Thanks, much appreciated. Yeah I bit the bullet and am getting my mtb fixed. Still haven't decided between that and gravel bike (1st world problem I guess) but will make a call in the next few days. I generally prefer long rides on my gravel bike but MTB might give me more options. Thanks to some nice route options suggested by @tux26 and yourself I've got quite a lot to work with. I wont have a car that I can use reliably. Will be staying with family and ideally need a scenario where I can just ride out the gate and go. Mtb might be my best bet.

Thanks - this is just the sort of info I needed. Would Old Howick and Sweetwaters routes still be my best way of getting up the hill to the relative calmness of hilton and beyond? We will actually be staying in Impendle for 3 nights so might be nice to cycle out there while the others drive. Also, contrary to my original message, I technically can bring an MTB, it just needs some repairs done to it. I'd be a few kms away from Cascades. I've never ridden there but was under the impression it was mostly downhill. I don't have the skill or inclination for downhill, although I'm comfortable on technical singletrack. Is there a lot of that at Cascades - enough to keep one busy for multiple day trips?

Thanks!

Hi, looking for a bit of advice from some KZN midlands roadies... I will be in PMB for 3 weeks over the festive season and am thinking about bringing a bike. My question is a bit vague I guess, but I'm trying to work out if it will be worth it and which bike to bring (Road or gravel). Note, MTB is not an option - long story. I will be based in Clarendon/wembley area of PMB, so it looks like I'd be able to take the old howick road out of town and then do some decent rides on the quieter roads up around howick and hilton. I lived there about 15 - 20 years ago but much has changed in that time, especially the quality of the roads. Is the old howick road safe to ride on from all perspectives? ie: vehicular traffic, road quality, rider security? Would I be better served with a gravel bike to allow access to quieter roads and accommodate for some of the general lack of hard shoulder on a lot of those roads? Any other suggested routes? And lastly, are there roadie groups that ride in PMB? Might be nice to join one.

70 something posts? Man this thread has some legs. Last time I was this surprised to see a 50 come up is was McGrath in Brisbane in 2004.

The CTCT showcases some of the nicest roads and views from what many people think is one of the prettiest cities around. So it has more beauty and has also been around longer, so more history. It's no disrespect meant to JHB. I've been to Vancouver, Barcelona, San Fran, etc, and if you asked me which one I'd like to ride around for 100km on car-free roads, I'd pick cape town. Cape Town is also much more of a holiday destination so there's the incentive to do a bunch of other things while you're out there. ie: bring the whole family down for a holiday. I don't feel the same way about JHB, apart from its proximity to some nice game reserves. I'm sure I'd love the 947, but its too far to go just for a bike ride without other pull factors to sweeten the deal.

The comments about the bike have been very complimentary. eg: that they "drool" worthy and that they are easier on the eye than a competitor brand (ventum). The only negative is a reference to Contador's "medical" history as an athlete which is fair enough. That beef excuse will follow him for life. Any cycling fan knows he was a gifted cyclist anyway, and one of the most stylist bike handlers ever. @Lanoy Sports all the best. I think those frames are sexy as hell. I wouldn't buy one simply because I don't shop in that price range, but many others do.

yes! Geez I hate that. Apparently its there for increased "compliance" but I'd rather be less compliant and have a prettier bike.

That just middle-age for you, I'm sure you're cornering technique is superb.

Hmmmm, this could be it's own thread I think. A lot of interesting opinions here. I've always thought that races were more exciting without radios. There was more chance of somebody sneaking away, so more chance of an underdog winning as opposed to clinical execution and the predictability of the best team winning. It makes things less "fair" in that weaker riders can sneak away and pull a fast one on the strongest rider (see the 1985 vuelta), but it also makes riders more impulsive and more exciting in general.

Well that begs the question, why have them at all then? Are you saying it wont affect the outcome (much) but the analytics are still useful?

I love ebike technology and I don't mind being dropped by somebody on riding one in a race. But what I really don't like is the direction the industry (and thus the consumer) are taking it. It should be something that replaces a car; it uses far less road space, far less energy (associated pollution reductions), is much quieter, is less dangerous, and is an altogether better experience than being in a car. So why are all the ebikes I see in my neighborhood ridden by fat rich people who will go for a spin on their R250K eMTB before work and then drive their largely empty diesel SUV 5km into town? It's vulgar and lazy. I should probably move. Sorry this has nothing to do with the CTCT.

I skim-read the headline and thought a thug had used the dating app GRINDER to meet someone and then steal their bike. The reality is a bit of a let down.

Officially the answer is no because of different pull ratios. But you can make probably get a 2x system working by playing with the limit screws. https://bike.bikegremlin.com/1297/bicycle-front-derailleur-compatibility/#6 as said on bikegremlin, it's worth a try.

Very happy for you.

Everything I've read suggests that power output only actually starts to drop off for cranks shorter than 145mm, but anything between there and 190mm is negligible ITO performance. So just size for comfort and you're all set! The 170-175mm range is such a small variation compared to the variation in human height; I guess bike companies are just catering for the median because it wouldn't be cost effective to make 20 different sizes.