Dusty

I think your fear of lightning is well founded. I don't start a ride when there is lightning around, but the big challenege is to what to do when it arrives and one is riding already. The bicycle unfortunately does not work as a Faraday Cage. Obviously getting indoors is first prize, but when this is not possible my research has shown that you should keep riding and at least 50m away from other cyclists. That way only one cyclist gets struck at a time!

I did a shortened version of it. Not enough time in one weekend for someone of my speed.

A short trip to the E Cape high country over the weekend.

I've done this 'nutter' route twice and am going back again this weekend. The area is simply stunning, but the climbing does make it tough. There is a surprising amount of accomodation at convenient distances along the way and the hosts, being farming people are very special. Planning is definately pretty crucial for bikepacking in remote areas. Most probably better to not do alone in case of a fall, but certainly one of the safest areas to ride a bike in South Africa in terms of traffic and security, in my opinion.

If anyone wants to do this area and the passes as a bikepacking ride, pop onto the massive adventures website and download the route from there. Their route is a circular one starting and ending in Lady Grey. Awesome place to ride (sometimes push) a bike.

This is sad.

Very interesting.

Did some bikepacking up into Limpopo Province recently. Beautiful, but extremely hot.

Agree. I find the lube it comes with sticky.

In my opinion we have 2 world class T20 batsmen that are not in that side as well as an aging leggie who's pretty damn good. Not too many players in that side are world class. Politics rules. I do hope that they prove me wrong.

This is poor response from Momsen. They clearly don't want to establish brand loyalty with a customer. Bad business practice. Hopefully the weld breaks before the balance of warranty is up.

A pratleyed ferule sounds like it may well work.

I had the same issue and did some research. New rails can be put on by Brooks UK, but with postage, covid etc I was disinclined to go that route and managed to pick up a 2nd hand one.

We use the Naturhike Cloudup 2 tent. Less than 1.5kg and it's properly tested in blizzards and heay rain, viz the race Thug is doing. For the price, I don't believe that you can get better.

@sucramukThey are first class bags. Good materials and the sevice is quick and efficient. They have made custom frame bags for us and no issues at all.

Very interesting

Nice. Is this for Kygyastan? Is travel from SA allowed there at the moment?

This is good advice. No puppy/young dog should be running any distances.

Spent a night out there. Must have been chilly!!

Very interesting tussel going on in Stettynskloof today for the RASA win. Axel went in with about a 45 minute lead over Fjord. Will come down to who picks the better lines. They will not be able to see each other in the kloof. You can pass within 10m of someone there and not know it.

Agree. Events can be overated.

Our pack out on a hike.

Think Gavin is going to do Mordor in the dark. Could be interesting. It has the potential to end badly. Hopefully it doesn't.

I've gone through this process recently. I avoided the Ford because it is right up there in terms of vehicle theft stats I would not touch the GWM personally. Isuzu it is.

At Brosterlea apparently. Proper cold!