Andrew_Smith

Week Summary Distance: 76.35km Elev Gain: 1,309m Calories: 2,257 C Was a great week in terms of cycling. Managed to get a ride to Bloemendal during the week. The Race Course Rd was just hectic with the stop and go's and the traffic too. I am not used to riding in traffic but was not that bad. Must say, the legs is slightly hurting from the riding, especially from Saturday's ride which was mainly only climbing. Also got the 30T Rapidé installed and drove it today. The main highlight is most definitely Bloemslang where according to my Garmin I went 34kph on certain sections (I could feel I was going fast but was epic!). The jumps I landed smoothly and really impressed with my bike's handling. Was a pure blast! Encountered my first snake on the trails today. Approached the Mole snake on the second jump of the B-Spot at Bloemendal. He was sitting right in the middle baking in the sun with his stomach full (a rat or mouse). He did not want to move. Looked around for a branch, but when I turned back he sailed into the grass. http://i.imgur.com/sAbk8c1.jpg http://i.imgur.com/wJ75Zjn.jpg http://i.imgur.com/ApxyB9C.png Obtain the 5,000m elevation. http://i.imgur.com/5O2TqVM.pngThe fastest I went on a bike so far. Was going down Eversdal Rd coming from Durbanville Rd. Almost went faster than the speed limit of 60.

First time buying a Rapidé product. Great pricing and fast delivery! http://i.imgur.com/OBwWUVA.jpg Rapidé NW Ultralight Ring 30T

Bloemendal Distance: 22.68km Elev Gain: 284m Avg Speed: 20.5kph Calories: 672 C Just a quick ride before church. Was a little tough for me waking up early again due to the fact that I did not sleep that much in the week, but nevertheless worth it. This time it was my turn to meet my friend at his house. The road was still until we came to Race Course Rd. We encountered an ongoing road race. We are going down the road and groups of road riders were passing us as they aren't even trying, so relaxed. We, on the other hand, were pedaling hard. Overall a nice ride around Bloemendal arriving early enough back home to get me ready. Summary for the weekend: 54.49km distance & 1007m elevation. Would like to get an average of 100km (excluding commuting) per week, but will need to see if I can squeeze it in somewhere in. The week is so busy. http://i.imgur.com/EdYr4X4.jpgTwo Scale Brothers. The younger (left) and older brother (right).

Majik : Bloemendal : Hillcrest : Bloemslang Distance: 31.81km Elev Gain: 717m Avg Speed: 15.8kph Calories: 977 C First ride after my illness. This was my first time riding with clips and also switched my 34T with a 30T. My friend joined me this morning riding his 11-36 + 34T combination. He needed to keep momentum for the beginning few climbs. I did not start (felt not so good) beginning at Majik, but this changed going across to Hillcrest. The clips felt strange at the start, but I could really feel a difference in the climbing. It was not easier, but definitely more efficient. The 30T really come in handy for the hectic Hillcrest climb to the top and my legs had more energy (as well as my overall energy levels) left for the rest of track. I notice that I used fewer calories compared when riding with my 34T. I might be a tad slower (blaming it on my fitness for not riding for a week) but the climbing was easier IMO. I still stopped to rest though haha. The clips also helped me to keep my feet grounded when I went down Bloemslang over the bumpy sections. The jumps felt strange at the beginning with clips but got the hang of it later on. It was an excellent day on the bike and I am definitely going to buy (already did) a 30T. Saw these two okes on the trail today, both of them riding the same bike as Badie with freakin golden Eagles! I couldn't help to stare. Oh, and I used my friend's workstation pump to set my tyre pressure correctly. My tyre pressure front was definitely WAY too low last time. No wonder it burped. Luckily it won't happen again. http://i.imgur.com/WSleD0U.jpgAfter the ride portrait shot of my bike.

Just Dump It. http://i.imgur.com/ys0v3Gp.jpg ISO 250 | 45 mm | f/5.0 | 1/80 sec

That is 100% true. I must admit, I only used Ps like once or twice. Should actually learn a bit from that too. I see. Cape Town is such a beautiful city. I should explore more there. Will do as soon as I have my driver license! Awesome gear man! Never played around with filters before, would like to invest in them to play around. I presume they can in handy for those long exposure shots? I think the like counter on both IG & 500px is broken... Wow! Outstanding work! So beautiful to look at.

Seriously nice work! I try to learn more from Adobe Lightroom every day simply by watching another photographer editing his work on Lr to see if I can get some tips. I need to work on my photography this year... MTB'ing took over a lot more early this year, not that I regret it, I just need to practice my photography again. Took some nice shots last year (the most I post here) and need to capture new ones. Sounds amazing! Must say, I get my best shots when I go out and explore. Here at the home here isn't really something capture, but I can get creative. Wanting to go to town to do some Streetlife Photography. Will need to put on a day out for it. Good luck with the trip, sure you will get epic shots as I can see you really know what to do with your gear and (software). If I may ask, what gear are you using? Also, do you perhaps have a portfolio or even a site where you upload your images? Would love to see more.

Congrats on the build sir! Such a good looking bike. Safe miles with her.

Breathtaking shots @Veebee!

Amazing clouds!

Poor oke!

Will definitely use this link going forward if I want to become competitive in cycling. Thanks, geraldm24.

Sho, did not even know this, you learn stuff each day. Luckily I am only a recreation rider over the weekends.

I am using Sinugesic, Flomist and ACC 200. So far so good.

Sick at home since Monday. Also a sinus problem. Went to GP today and got some medicine so hopefully, I will be back on my feet by Monday. No riding for me this weekend.

City At Night. http://i.imgur.com/bpTJESp.jpg ISO 400 | 100 mm | f/2.8 | 1/100 sec

@WeekendWarrior80 Great moment!

Thinking the same in my head Dale. Pressure, really unsure (tested it with my hand) and I weigh 58kg. EDIT: Any tips you would recommend to prevent my front tire from burping again. Really wasn't happy when it happened to me,

I am pretty sure I saw you okes waiting at the end of the Bloemslang near Bloemendal Restaurant. A white Toyota Hilux V6 picked me up. Well, to be honest, not quite sure. Went down Bloemslang, approached the first jump into the wood section and when I landed my front tyre went of the rim. I then found myself on the ground. So really not sure what happened. Did took my bike in for a basic service afterwards. No damages, very glad to hear and I really thought it could have been my rebound speed or my fork air pressure. Also, I was riding on a lower PSI upfront (not sure how much, did the old hand tester). So yeah, freak accident.

Majik : Bloemendal : Hillcrest : Bloemslang (crash) Distance: 14.74km Elev Gain: 498m Avg Speed: 15kph Calories: 587 C Lovely morning, quite warm early already. Everything went smoothly until I approached Bloemslang... Things did not go according to plan. Was going down from the start at about 30kph and the first jump going into the woods I wiped out. The impact of the landing popped my front tyre completely off the rim and resulting in a wipeout. Lucky no major injuries, just a few bruises, but my left elbow is quite sore. Called my dad to pick me up at Bloemendal Restaurant. Thank goodness I crashed early going down otherwise, I would have to walk the whole section. http://i.imgur.com/fh7Mj0M.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/gfvREdE.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/TLP4a3L.jpg

Good luck to all today and enjoy it!

Can totally relate to this comment. Rode the Genius 720 Plus at the Scott Demo event past weekend and those big tyres really gives you way more confidence on technical sections. Plus, the longer travel combined with the fat tyres gives you literally a soft ride throughout.

How's your experience so far? Also, how many teeth chainring and cassette are you using?

Handy tool indeed.

Note to self: Must get a road bike later on.