Rapunzel

Fitness has dropped from good to moderate over the past month and feeling pretty meh on the bike the past week - no energy, no power. Normally would expect my resting heart rate to increase but over the past 5 days it's dropped significantly lower than it's ever been, even pre/post big stage races or at peak fitness. Normal RHR is about 43-44 and now at 39. Any ideas? (maybe old age making me too chilled?)

Good news: a Tygerberg mtb club member has put the rescuer and owner of Coco in contact and they're on their way to be reunited (although the wondering canine had made herself very comfortable in her new home)

Hi all 2 cyclists were spotted on Malanshoogte Road with a Dachshund under the one cyclists arm. Please can you help us to get hold of one of these cyclists as the dog is from a neighbouring farm and we've been trying desperately to find her. She doesn't look like the typical farm dog so they may have presumed she was abandoned. If you can put me in contact or if you are one of the cyclists, please can you either buzz me (Tandi) on 0784519101 or Byron (the owner) on 0799097077

I replaced a shot GX Eagle lower jockey wheel with a KCNC 16t one which is compatible. Figured the larger wheel would mean less wear and tear and could also avoid purchasing the GX kit which includes both wheels and arm. However ... For neither love nor money can I get the shifting 100% Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated

Chain def threaded correctly but will twiddle the b screw and see if I can get the shifting crisp. Just the one middle gear which I'm battling with.

I replaced a shot GX Eagle lower jockey wheel with a KCNC 16t one which is compatible. Figured the larger wheel would mean less wear and tear and could also avoid purchasing the GX kit which includes both wheels and arm. However ... For neither love nor money can I get the shifting 100% Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated

Currently rotating a kcnc gold and X01 chain and the SRAM just runs a whole lot smoother Here's a very interesting article, particularly the graphs of wear vs price https://cyclingtips.com/2019/12/the-best-bicycle-chain-durability-and-efficiency-tested/

So also learned a few interesting things my side: Don't try to jump into a water body - you won't be able to stay under long enough for the bees to lose interest Do try to run through bushes which will disorientate the bees and get them off your tail Don't slap a bee when it stings you or lands on you -they send the alarm signal to other bees Do stay calm and avoid escalating the frenzy Do avoid hives in canola fields, not sure if it is the pollen or the vibrant yellow but it tends to make them more aggressive than usual Do carry some antihistamines (my experience. allergex is only good as a sleeping tablet, ask your pharmacist for an OTC for stings and bites)

... wonder if it's the same bee keeper who was moving hives next to the trail on a neighboring farm without smoking or making much attempt to keep the swarm calm. We unknowingly rode into the swarm and 2 of us were hospitalized with over 200 stings each. At the time thought it an unfortunate accident but not so sure anymore. Guy and the good Samaritan, quite a war story to tell and so glad you got out intact. Also goes to show that there are some truly amazing people out there who will stop and help without having a second thought.

going back to the old 2012 threads, those Conti race kings last forever and are pretty fast rolling. I wasn't wild about them as a tire choice on the trails but they just wouldn't flipping wear out so I could replace them. If you do some trail riding as well, Specialized fast tracks are well priced, durable, fast rolling on the road but lugs are sufficient for cornering on dirt.

Can't believe you hid that beaut from us!!! Next time we're in the garden route, we're going to have to ride singletrack!

Ditto on a good saddle of the correct width. Ciovita cycling shorts work best for me but the one thing nobody is mentioning is chamois cream. Liberal doses of something like Ass Magic or even milking cream on the chamois (grim as it may feel when you put your shorts on) will help prevent a lot of soft tissue discomfort.

Not only because it is the best time of the day before the world wakes, but also necessary to avoid spontaneously combusting in the cape heat 😆

Has anybody been riding the Crest mk4's long enough to comment on rigidity and durability? My 11 month old rear mk3 is like spaghetti with 9 cracked nipples and need to decide if I should pay in for warranty replacement and upgrade (but will either have to replace front at full price or ride mis-matched wheels).

Hi Wayne. Is there any way to get to Montagu pass from Wilderness at the moment?

I'm also entered (3rd time lucky) and will be doing most training Durbanville side. Pop a pm too ????

Bergplaas?

I wondered where the split for 45km was supposed to be - don't think you're the only one who did that

Msrshal on 60km mtb sent front half of the field in wrong direction and ended up going up the finishing climb and were stopped by Patrick and race organiser at Bloemendal restaurant (was wondering why the drastic route change). Rejoined race via Hillcrest ending up on 73km with serios mojo issues going up the mast a 2nd time.

A lot of sense being spoken but also seeing some of the entitled attitudes which are rapidly earning us cyclists a very bad name. We are not entitled to ride anywhere other than on public roads where we are classified as vehicles. Everywhere else we get to ride is a privilege granted by the people who either own or manage the land (be that farms, green belts, national parks, ...). We need to realise that it takes no time or money for these people to withdraw these privileges so we need to ensure that we as a community of mountain bikers, adhere to rules and treat all others we encounter in these areas with a level of mutual respect.

There are 3 land owners involved. One I know is slowly warming to the idea of mountain bikes on their land. The other 2 have more perimeter security than a prison but if anybody has good contacts at De Grendel and thinks they may be able to assist in negotiating access, please pm me.

Tygerberg MTB Club is often approached by land owners outside of the Tygerberg area who are interested in developing trails. Our main focus however is on trails within our geographical area, particularly if there is a possibility of linking them. We were approached a while back wrt developing a corridor of sorts from the atlantic seaboard to the tygerberg trails but the proximity to DuNoon made it a non-starter. If a more feasible option presents itself or if the landowners surrounding the nature reserve reconsider allowing cyclists on their land, we'll definitely try to make a plan to at least make some of the detour route exciting.

One of the land owners is no longer allowing access due to people riding illegally at night with bike lights. Trails will have to be re-routed around the farm in question. Not the first trail network to lose access due to the action of entitled individuals.

We rode that route in a group of 6 ladies last weekend and it was sublimely beautiful and would do it again in a flash. No crime or traffic problems although wind can be a beast at times.

Just one suggestion regarding visiting a doctor - if you are diagnosed with anything chronic (ie needing long term treatment or medication), get a second opinion before embarking on long term medication. Your symptoms can easily mimic depression and you do not want to be too quick to start meds which are very difficult to stop taking at a later stage. Don't underestimate your body's ability to heal itself but it sometimes takes longer than we are prepared to wait. I had a severe over-training spell 2 years back and it took 6 months to recover and it was humbling to go from hero to zero and starting from scratch again but it was worth the wait.