Belgarath

Forgive my ignoramousnous, but what is the red castration lever for? Don't see an extra gear? I grew up on BMX...

Got it the other day. Not a good photo... Still a bit of work - it's very old (lekker retro), but the components are good. Mavic wheels, Hope Hub front, Deore/XT drive combo. Replaced the tyres. The flat bar with that long stem is killing my back, but I found a riser from a fellow hubber. Hopefully it'll be here by Saturday. The fork tube and handlebar are both 1", from there the trouble of replacing it. The flats'll probably stay. It has stickers all over, still thinking about removing them. Part of the bike's history? Was looking for a light, bomb-proof bike. Must say, getting back on my proper MTB feels like getting into a Rolls after tottering along in a Tata for a while

Lyk my ek bly in die moeilikheid met jou met my woordkeuse... The Internet has ruined you my friend. :D

One thing learnt - work shoes are okay to ride with... the stiff soles actually mated well with the flats. Sweaty though. Had a few weird looks from pedestrians and motorists alike. They where probably wondering where this hairy bum stole this bike

I left my bike at work last night, wanting to cycle home tonight, but my shoes are at home... Luckily the commuter has flats, so I'm willing to give my work shoes a try...

About the shoes... I've no problem with grip, but are those Hi-Tecs' soles harder? It feels like my foot is under pressure just behind the toes, and in the middle (where the pedal cage sits).

Good idea to have flats for commuting?

Last week I bought an old bike for commuting. It has very blue flats... Think it's got "V8" stamped on it. What I like is that I can put my feet down, get on it anytime I like (like taking the kids around the block/bread-and-milk-run). What I don't like is my toes are going numb(although that is most probably because I'm riding with my running shoes), and I cannot bunny hop. Still undecided...

Was also my main concern before I started. But going through the City, even Scummyside, people are courteous, there are enough cars around. Fountains still makes my neck prickle though.

The combined price of that hardware is probably worth more than my house. Mine is more like Rouxtjie's pic, but with my wife's old clunker, and no tablet...

Getting my rigid tonight... can't wait!

It's because you're Dutch that your patching skills aren't up to scratch yet... Cycling here will change that quickly

My moermeter sal ook in die rooi wees. Best of all, she's probably telling everybody that will listen about the rude cyclist that snuck up on her.

TIA - This Is Africa... That's why MTB... I've tried sealant in my road bike once, but all the sealant just spurted out at supersonic speed. Think tyre liners will help, but other people complain about the extra weight, and some had trouble where the liner pinched the tube. You could have been unlucky though, my experience of CT cycling is not much, but the roads are in far better nick than up here in "rural" Gauteng.

Photos taken same day on a ride near Naboomspruit

Any suggestions as to what I can do with my cold feet? Seriously, could only feel them once I got into a piping hot shower this morning.

Drip-dry

Almost barrelled into an idiot that pulled off the road in front of me, then opened his door right as I was passing him. And I forgot my undies.... And I only started feeling my feet again after the shower. Still had fun though

There are loads around Haenertsburg. Full green, blue and red loops. You easily do 60km through the forests. No start or end - you can hop on at Cheerio or Stanford Lake College. There are also a myriad of forestry roads - I took 15 boys from Magoebas' Broederstroom hut to Black Forest close to Haenertsburg using just forestry roads - that's 30km one way. It really is cycle heaven. Check out Google Maps and make your own route, or enquire at Haenertsburg Tourism or Cheerio Lodge or Zwakala Lodge..

I'll give you R1 if you give them to me They are decent. Was out on two rides so far - very comfy.

I think start at least. You have a few more minutes daylight down there than what we have up here. Just remember your lights. At the start you'll probably not commute everyday, at least until you have a rhythm going.

Got mine on with some deodorant without too much hassle. Smells nicer than the hairspray...

Beer doesn't care. Beer is always waiting for you to return home...

Will do tonight.

Put them on last night. My wife and I had a bit of a squabble over who gets the blue grips, which I lost... But, I think the little blue nicely lines up with the rest of the bike. I did have a tough time with the plug on my wife's Syncross carbon handlebar. Gave up. The opening of the aluminum end cap is just to small to fit them, ended up fitting some cheap plastic ones which I was able to abuse enough.