zeabre

Thanks Outriders and Rodney for a very nice surprise on the way to CPT this morning! Free coffee and muffins! Incredible how quickly we can be persuaded to be late for work when that's on offer. Was nice to see so many riders on the road this morning.

Some guys will just never ever greet you. Not sure if it's the pro-kit they most often wear or the fact that I'm only a commuter, but please, guys, if you're not going to at least greet before sitting in my slip, please put a sign on your back saying "I don't smile for anyone", so I don't waste my breath greeting you? If, invariably they have a technical in future, would they the insist on help?

A white one perhaps? Blouberg area? Road was quiet today...That mental aspect is probably the mlst important thing in your backpack. Sometimes it will be tough and long...but the very next day you'll be rewarded with a stunning sunrise or wind at your back. As Tombeej says, prepare the night before. No excuses then.

That's a nice ride tombeej! Some more things I've seen...longer term though: You lose weight. Lots. Even someone like me that normally struggles to gain or lose. You eat like a pig. 14:00 at the office is tough some days. It makes you STRONG.

I commute 60km a day, every day. By day 4 the legs tend to start complaining a bit. However, with doing low hr training this week, they've been ok. For me it's a simple decision, going in the car takes longer with traffic, so the 30km is "short". What you should rather ask is whether you'll hate getting up after day three to put your bum on that saddle, when it's windy and the car seems so easy. Also take into account my route is flat...how fit are you? How long and far is your route?

Get a bell. R25 and I always get smiles when I ring it to warn people...nice and loud too...works brilliantly.

Learnt today that with a bit of help you can make it on time. Thank you to the kind roadie with the massive tattoo on his equally massive fight calf giving me a tow on my way to town, just before Big Bay. I made my telecon with 4 minutes to spare! Sweaty but on time! Best shower ever afterwards! The ride home will be the low hr one this morning was supposed to be.

Friend joined me for his first commute in today. Was amazed at the good quality of the cyce lane! Seems to have been cleaned this weekend. Even some new lines. He loved it...already looking forward to this arvie.

Best site for SCR: www.itsnotarace.org

The dark art of the trackstand. Eish. I can't whistle. I can't dive into a pool. I can't trackstand. Tombeej, I have to go up 9 floors in the lift in my kit. Except for all the perplexed looks, I AT LEAST once a week get the You cycle to work? question. Unfortunately I'm not witty or funny enough to come up with a good reply, so just smile...have now started climbing the stairs. I consider it cross training.

Wow, what happened?

*off topic* So true...lots of opinions there that you can't enjoy good music unless you have a R500 000 system. And I suppose the cable debate is similar to the 29er debate!*/off topic* Thinkng about it, I suppose every 'interest' will have the mine is most expensive mine is least expensive I built my own one noob been around the block loud arrogant troll confused, because I thought we all just enjoyed the same interest camps...

Yep! Small world! My two great passions in life. Take it you're on there as well?

Specialized roadbikes are sneaky sneaky quiet! Whirrrrring along (knobblies) at 35km/h when this guy pulls up next to me this morning. Almost sh*t myself! I'm used to normally doing the passing! Getting light nice and early now...

Don't discuss the weather for ages...at someone's place it will be raining or another, windy. Just go and ride.

Every now and again (like yesterday) it just feels like a massive schlep to get on the bike. But then, if you're lucky, you get a wind in the back all the way home...and all is forgotten.

True..On the West coast road you also see the effect that all those speeding cars have on the wildlife. I bet if they stuck to the 70 limit, 80% of the animals including all those beautiful eagles would have been alive. "Oh look! A road where the cops don't trap. Let's see how fast we can go."

Respect guys. Tough one today, and yes, come this arvie, if I didn't have to go to V&A after work I'd be stuck in that hellish traffic...work right next to ICC. Turbo, the idea is to carry your work and extra kit in a bag, not all on you at the same time ;-p Jokes aside, same setup, sans extra socks and shorts. I also add arm and knee warmers.

Had to take the car in today. Sitting in the howling wind and rain just after 7, Paarden island, thinking no-one will ride in today...so, past comes a guy on red and black Spez, blue and yellow? shorts...respect dude.

Sheesh mach, you must be one good looking cyclist to get stopped! Hehe. Ibruegge, have a few showers here at work, mostly for kitchen, cleaning staff, but in perfect condition. Maybe ask if your building has? You member at a gym?

Oh...and that the quality of scenery on the Blouberg promenade is inversely proportional to the strength of the wind.

ps...I have an extra bib and underwear at work...just in case the inevitable brainfart happens. Oh...and another thing I've learnt...REMEMBER to take your wet cycling kit out of your bag after showering...nothing worse than having to put cold wet sweaty kit on in the arvie. I won't make that mistake again!

YES! Always pack the night before. The SO will also be less irritated if you don't have to dig for bibs at 5 in the morning! Make sure that your backpack is waterproof if carrying any electronics...FA makes a nice one with a red coverall. Only issue is it acts like a parachute, like today, riding back in 50km winds. Had a decent ride though, even joined up with two other guys braving the weather. That's what it's all about...

haha! Or shirt! So many true things here. I myself save R1200 on diesel by leaving the Hilux at home. So true about the weather, looking shite from the 9th floor here. Oh well. I REALLY need to get a bell.

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