Fat Boab

This is certainly eye-catching........

Ta muchly, but our runner will be overseas. It was a more a general comment that you don't seem to be profiling the Team event as you did before winter. Any reason for this? I know there was only 3 Team entries, when we did it, but I can't imagine running and advertising a Team event carried a cost penalty?

Looks like they dumped the trial of Team relays. Pity, we had a blast earlier this year...

True - no sense in diluting the thread further........

Not al all. There's a big difference between being on the rivet just to hang on, and thereby missing your turn at the front, and keeping your powder dry by sitting at the back to sprint away for position #1523. Kudos for thanking the okes.

Close but not 'closet' enough........

What's this new bike brand Panache, you speak of?

(I'm glad you didn't mention socks.......)

True story......

Maropeng is about 10km from Sterkfontein caves, and about 16km from Rhino & Lion park. In both cases the road from the Caves T-junctions is narrow, with no yellow lane and it climbs a fair bit (nothing hectic but perhaps more than you want to do as a warm-up? 4-5% for a couple of kms in 2 bites). I ride this road often; some find it a bit dangerous with passing cars and trucks, for me its ok, but if its unknown perhaps it's not what you want as a surprise? The ride back to the car may be more of an issue when the NW province wake up and drive the (now) downhill road, it can get a little hairy....

Is there any other way on Hekpoort?!

I've ridden the satellite road - but in the opposite direction to the race, several times over the last few months. All those people who've been riding the 'old' route as training - lots of okes pushing ladies up the sat rd hills - will be a bit peeved on the day!

(I'm hoping the following was a one-off incident, but would rather try and be proactive, just-in-case...) Cradle Cycle Route, JHB. Beyers Naude Dr, Sat 30 Sept +/-0900. Was cycling with a mate, in the cycling lane, south-bound opposite Cradle Moon Conservancy, when a taxi drew level with us, hooted and cut-in behind us. Not really a problem as there's an informal pick-up spot near there. 400m later, same deal, he draws level, sounds his horn and this time he cuts directly in front of us and stops abruptly. I had to take avoiding action left on to the gravel; my mate made it round the RH side of the taxi. Neither of us hurt, nor our bikes. I had a discussion with the driver, who's only response was repeatedly "What are you going to do about it?" at which point he reversed back along the cycle lane for 200m and stopped. There were no passengers being picked up or dropped off during the latter event (I can't comment on the former one). As I'm wholly unaware of any road-rage stimulation which we might have initiated, I can only think he wanted to scare, or skittle us for the hell of it. Be safe out there.

........?

100%. It would be a terrible example of positive reinforcement, but that's the non-delivery protest, or is it protest-delivery, way....

Crystal ball stuff? Blow me down!

Sportsworld used to this in hi-viz yellow (I can't find mine which is probably too big anyway. Edit: found mine. size L 42-44". Feels more like XL to me). Perhaps mail them? http://www.sportsworld.co.za/24-jerseys-gilets I have a First Ascent magneto jacket - with removable arms - which would have done perhaps, but it's XL (and I'm now a medium ).

Hmmm. Sepia, what size are you?

Just finished this stage of the project, cos he's about to become a commuter bike. Wider gravel tyres, current are 32mm touring tyres, with possibly a wheel change still required for gravel duty, some drive train stuff still to do, and sort out those horrendous bars......but meet The-Ex aka Malcolm! (I left my phone at home so couldn't get a Cradle shot, but I live within 2 km of the Cradle so it's close enough!). Sunday was his first time out in current guise, and he enjoyed the amble!

Def more gravel bikes in the Cradle lately. You 2 y'day (?), a Slate and a Spez (Diverge, I think?), and me on Sunday! But I did get a stare or two too!

Were you riding a Slate, or a Spez? Or do you mean her bike?

True, that hill would make a good one for hill reps!

No clues from Strava?

I've never cycled that far out, but I can give an impression, however correct or otherwise. The roads around SunCity are v busy - more taxis than you'd imagine with mining trucks often - and the roads are not in great shape. I stayed about 30kms from SunCity at a lodge and thought about cycling, on a road bike, out to there from JHB, but plans fell through and I drove. I'm glad I did. My gut would say find some trails and ride away from the road. Can SunCity not advise on their trails, if they have any?

Are you bringing a road bike or MTB?