Wannabe

What a tragedy. RIP Gino.

Off course I do. How else will the less sporty peeps know that as an 58 year old my resting heart rate is 48 bpm, my max still goes up to 187 bpm without effort, and my VO2 max is 43. 😉 😁 Not too shabby for a "Ballie"

Vittoria tires are an excellent brand, only tires I use now on my Mtb and roadie. I would imagine these should/could work as gravel only tires.

I once had Kenda Small Block 8's on my hardtail, they were crap on the trails, but brilliant on the hardpack/gravel/tar. I unfortunately gave them away when I went to more trail orientated tires. Now that I've converted that same hardtail to a hybrid gravel bike, I want to fit another set of Small Block 8's in a 1,9 - 2.1 width, but I cannot find any anywhere. So if you can find the above tires, you may want to consider them.

I beg to differ. There was was a lot of hype around the RC Team version, as the Zipp's and the Dura Ace groupset was worth more than what the whole bike sold for. Rest of the components was Dedacciai, so it was top specced. People bought the bikes just to acquire these components, lots of frames was floating around. A friend of mine owned one of these bikes and I rode it, so I know from first hand experience. I drooled over this bike. RC Team, top tier with Dura Ace RC9000, same frame, Ultegra groupset and lower spec components. RC7000, same frame, alu fork, 105 groupset, and so it trickled down. RC3000, etc was alu frames. I had an RC3000 with Tiagra groupset.

As Eugene said, this is the Raleigh Team bike, which was a high end bike at the time of it's release. The Microsoft Pro team rode these bike on the pro tour, but this specific one was clearly down specced, as the original ones came out with ZIPP 404 (or 303 wheels, not sure now) and Dura Ace components, which was the bargain buy of the day. Raleigh clearly specced it like this to gain a foothold in the top end of the market. I would say for the frame alone, this is a good buy, as you can up spec it with better wheels and a modern drivetrain, and still have a decent and stiff bike. Most pundits does not realise what a good frame this is. You can however make a counter offer at a slightly reduced price.

I asked an well known LBS for a valuation on my new to me, Scott Speedster S with Ultegra 6700 groupset and Ksyrium Equipe wheelset. All well looked after, but still "old" bike. I got told the bike was worth about R15 000.00, which I think is about ballpark. Asked them to send me an e-mail with the info for Insurance purposes. great was my surprise when the e-mail stated R125 000.00 for an Addict 10 (obviously the current replacement bike/value) Now my conundrum is, do I insure it for the actual value, or the replacement value? I will as obviously pay the premium for an R125 000-00 bike, unless I can get it insured as my R1.00 bike. (now you also know who my insurer is)

Easy solution. Phone them and ask. Nothing better than from the horses mouth...... And report back here, I also want to know. LOL.......

Is he not racing in the Pro/Licensed division along with all the other podium hopefuls?

Probably because they are EX pro riders. (i.e. not currently licensed pro riders)

"Politically correct" way to try and avoid saying straight out that it was four armed black men who robbed them, in order not to offend the snowflakes out there.

RESULTS ARE UP......... only if you did the 42km. lol..

Started in 3A after my seeding took a dive due to me not participating in races anymore. I can attest that bunch riding skills are lacking greatly. Guys comes flying from behind and squeeze into a non existing gap in front of you, causing you to slam on brakes, which causes a ripple affect to the back. "Chatting" to the perpetrator only unleashes a torrent of bad language, or you just get a death stare. And my other favorite is when they point to the wheel in front of you, and immediately changes tack to occupy that space, even if there is no existing gap. We got into the 2 groups quite quickly, as we were not hanging around, but at Simonstown I noticed two 3G riders suddenly appear in our group. There was no way they were able to put as much time into us, if they started in their proper group (at that stage I only saw about three youngsters with 3B numbers join our little peloton) Must say, as soon as the road started pointing up past Boulders, the two 3G's quickly disapeared out the back. Had a good ride, was chatting for a long time with a youngster called Ryan, perched behind his dad on a tandem. We bantered a lot, and worked together as well, until I had a rear flat at the Houtbay waterpoint just after the traffic circle. Obviously Ryan and his dad disappeared down the road, as it should be. Made quick work of changing the tube, and got going again in about 5 minutes, according to Strava. Finished strong, even posting a PB or two over the last few km, suggesting that I was hanging back too much till then, lol..... Not a PB race for me, but I did it within my goal time, without cramps or any other problems. In my eyes, that a WIN for me.

I know this is really last minute, but anybody driving down to Cape Town from Rustenburg for the CTCT and has space for an extra bicycle? I've got an bike that needs transport from close to the Waterfall Mall to Cape Town.

Best is, phone Race Org and ask. But as far as I understand, subs will be done only at the Expo, so there is a chance you might still get a late entry, as they are not fully subscribed.

I assume most has received this information already? Race Number: 3A 31198 Start Time: 07:18 Now we can start discussing the important things like what the Expo is going to be like, what the weather is going to be on the day, etc.

Very little chat about this event, seeing the "magnitude" of it (last chance for peeps to improve on their August seedings.)😂 All I can say, it was well organised, as expected. I did not see one fall or accident on the route, but what I did see was loads of punctures. I was the victim of 3 myself. Last one was on the downhill just after the last Waterpoint. As I have used my spare tube and the only one "quick patch" I had with me, as well as both my bombs, I was stranded next to the road. Considering the position on a nice downhill, no one was keen on stopping to help me, but one kind hearted soul saw my predicament, and come to a stop about 50 meters past me, and threw his spare tube towards me, before carrying on. To you Sir, a VERY BIG THANK YOU!!!! Luckily I had my trusted small Blackburn pump attached to the downtube, so I could at least get the tire up to a rideable pressure and could finish the ride (I'm loath to call what I do racing😊)

And the ratios is better. 👍

Think I'll bite the bullet and get one of these, and eliminate any possible hassles. SHIMANO DEORE RD-M5100 SGS 11-SPEED REAR DERAILLEUR (11-51T) And it is only slightly more expensive than a Goatlink.

Thanks Droo, and you have Goatlinks in stock? (I was actually referring to a Goatlink type gizmo in my convulated original post)

As my current Mtb drivetrain is coming to the end of it's life, I'm looking at options for upgrade/improvement. I'm running an 11spd XT M8000 groupset, with an GS rear derailer. Currently 11-46 cassette with a 32t chainring up front. I find that at some long and flat sections I tend to run out of gears, thus I'm thinking of fitting a 34t chainring, but in order not to loose out when the nose points upwards, I want to fit an 11-50 cassette from Sunrace (my 11-46 is also a Sunrace, been brilliant up to now) Conundrum is, both the GS and SGS M8000 is rated to 46t max, and I don't want to go to the expense of buying a new derailer with the necessary range. A much cheaper option is to fit a "range extender" So my question is, is it worth it, does it work without causing shifting or other problems? What are other pro's and cons of it? Please advise.

This event is only on Saturday, right? So we will be able cycle down Main rd towards Houtbay/Chappies on Sunday?

Neither here nor there, I got an old loaner bike from a friend to use at this year's CTCT as I do not own a road bike anymore. It came with a clapped out 8spd Sora group set that shifted and performed like crap. I proceeded to swop over my trusty old 10spd 105 components from my hybrid gravel bike to this bike. I'm now sporting an old frame and entry level wheels with my 20 000km plus distance done 105 shifters, the old Sora crankset (nothing wrong with it) and a 9spd Altus Mtb long cage rear derailleur with an Ultegra front derailleur. Cassette is a 10spd of unknown origin with a 11-32 range (hence the long cage RD) It took a bit of fiddling to get everything dialed in properly, but she works a dream, shifting is crisp and precise, even with the slightly worn 10sp Sram chain I fitted (between .50 and .75% on my chain measuring device) What I'm trying to say, with a bit of research and careful mix and matching, you can easily give an old bike new life. IT NEED NOT BE THE LATEST AND GREATEST STUFF TO WORK GOOD ENOUGH!!!!

3A, 07h18 start. (2D last year) Not sure how I feel about my seeding slipping backwards at a steady pace, but I guess that's the price you pay for not racing regularly.

Racetec is not willing to add my time to the result list, stating the "no chip no time" rule. I think this is very unfortunate that they adopt such a harsh and uncompromising stance.