eccc whippet

entry done...and email conformation received...now for the wait till the 2 October.

been thinking about the garmin 510 R4200 at cape union mart or R5999 for the 520...the big question is it worth the R1799 extra...it seems the reviews i have read indicate it is worth it...just the buttons seem to be an issue in certain locations.

Early morning ride out to Umhlanga this morning...clocking up some mileage for the hill2hill next weekend.

Rundu even has a Mr price...and all the big supermarket...Build it the lot...filthy place...even has tin shacks now. By the way I do have some horrible pics but i would rather just share the nice pics...i made a point of trying to find the good in the place

Divundu has an engen garage a shop for food and a "chinese" shop right next door...yip in the middle of nowhere...the local population are poor and mean really poor...there are lots of tourists with lots of money...the river still has hippo and crocs...local are very weary to cross the river.

only as you get close to the populated areas do you see why their national flower has become the plastic bag but i must say once out of the built up areas...there is no rubbish. The pic of the bridge is Divundu...200 km from Rundu and 300 km from Katima.

Imagine riding a bike along this road...200km of this will get you to Rundu...I am sure some of the ex sadf members will remember this stretch of road...if i get to return to this area anytime soon i am taking my bicycle with this time...in the opposite direction it takes you through 190 km of reserve with lots of animals...you will end up at katima. This pic taken by Jaco.

after visiting cape town last year for the first time as a tourist (been there on a few work related visits) I drove the route and decided i will try enter just for a fun ride...i just want to enjoy the ride on a closed road...my wife indicated that if i wanted to cycle the route...i should just take the bicycle with when we visit in October next year...it just wouldnt be as much fun. I will try my luck with an entry this year...i wont be there to race just for fun to experience the route and enjoy the atmosphere and scenery. By the comments i did read it seems there are lots of people who do it for the race and lots of us wanting to do it for fun...pity they cant separate it and have it over 2 days...day one for the serious riders and day 2 for the fun ride. Any idea what the ratio is for race to fun.

Just my thoughts on the frame cracking...2 things...seat height and rider weight. If you see how high some riders have their seat...the amount of leverage on the base must be hectic...add a 100 kg plus to that leverage. It is going to be interesting to see how my frame holds up...being a person who spends a lot of time in the saddle and a fat person (100 kg +) who enjoys taking the other route

Just a note...i have never ridden a scott bicycle ( never had the opportunity...did visit a scott agent in Umhlanga but never got to test ride one)...went to Cycle sphere and the guys there setup 4 bikes in different sizes and models ( was also considering a trance) for me to test ride and had a mechanic on hand to make adjustment to the setup. I have already spoken to the mechanic at Cyclesphere who did advise me to take the bike back and they would find the problem and sort it out (while the bike is still dirty because apparently after washing the bike the noise goes away for a while ) Personally if i were selling bicycles...I would have bicycles available at the local hang out (like Giba) for people to test ride...up and down the road is not a good indication of a bikes capabilities....considering what a huge investment they are for a person who spent over 20 k on a bike...what a waste of money is you make the wrong choice.

Only 2 months and 1 x 40 km race into my anthem and it's already making horrible click clack sounds...I am told it might just be the linkages [emoji57] the bike had its 30 day inspection the week before the race...no problems with the bike during the race...just the click clack sound. Only once you purchase an anthem do notice how the Scott bikes out number the anthem...on a giba ride...I counted 8 Scott's to one anthem....during the 40 km race it was only about 4 Scott's to 1 anthem.. With the anthem price increase to 35 k....I don't know what the new Scott price is...if the price for the 2 bikes were about the same...would I buy another anthem...make no mistake I love my anthem but I do find the bouncing a bit annoying at times... And having a fat gut and being an old bullet makes reaching for CTD on the shock a bit of challenge. Either Scott are marketing their product a lot better considering they were 10 k more expensive than the anthem for same spec bike or the Scott is superior product that's why they selling a lot more than the giant.

Question....if your 2014 frame cracks...who pays the addition cost for the adjustments required to fit all the old parts to the new frame and upgrades...axle for example? What if the colour of the new frame is a puke colour that you don't like?

Glad i didnt wait...prefer the 2015 anthem colour.

Problem solved...revel sold [emoji482]

Want to upgrade your revel fork...to an air fork with a lock out...drop it off at cyclesphere cycles early in the morning...collect it the same day and less than R2600 later sorted...you have a brand new fork.

I have decided to invest in a new anthem...and thinking about keeping the revel...for 2 reasons...firstly... then I have a dual suspension and a hard tail...but the best part is i can upgrade the anthem and use all the parts I take off the anthem and fit them on the revel. ...pity the forks don't fit on the revel...otherwise I could have a total backup bike which I could take spares if I needed [emoji3]

I got tons of koms...every time i forget to switch it off and drive home i become the fastest in all the segments

Been chatting to other local cyclist and heard some interesting options....if i cant get a fork to fit the revel then it must go...the forks make it a crap ride...especially if you are over 100 kg...was very happy with the revel doing social weekend rides...but after attempting the 40 km rides...it punishes your body.

Thanks for the responses...will filter the information and speak to the lbs and see what they say.

Need some advice with regards to a new fork for a giant revel...i want to replace the fork on my giant revel...i see there are lots in the classified...but dont have a clue what would be suitable for my application...weigh 110 kg and doing the 40 km rides...like the karkloof classic...baynesfiled 45km and gona start spending more time at giba. I know everyone is gona say say dont waste your money...if i had R25 k right now i would be upgrading to a giant anthem...but until i get the 25k the revel will have to do for now. The only problem i am experiencing with the revel is the fork is pathetic...my fillings are failing out my teeth from all the bouncing ;( ( just kidding) but you get the idea....i know i should get a dual suspension bike...all in good time. for now all i want to hear is what would be the best option...at a reasonable price...i could always sell the fork and put the revel one back on when i upgrade and sell the bike.

I polished the frame starting 120 all the way to 1200 grit then buffed it using a compound... decided to rather have the rims done by a person who specializes in that field [emoji12] There is a product called autosol...best for keeping the frame in mint condition...a lot hard work.

Enjoyed a ride on the beachfront today...weather was stunning warm with a slight breeze.

What started off as a boring dust road ride turned into one of the most challenging rides for me to date...and really enjoyed it.

Karkloof falls