Wannabe

Don't know what to call this built of mine, except a hybrid( nicknamed Okkie, is okkie 'n Mtb nie, okkie 'n padfiets nie) Built up from items I had already, only newly purchased items is the bars, chain, cassette, chainring, derailer and tires (althought I got gifted them, but new/never used) Frame is my old Alu 29'er HT Haibike frame. Fork: Rigid Mosso M5 alu. Wheels: Shimano spec entry level. Tyres: Donnely X'Plor 40x700c Gravel bike tires Shimano 105 STi's (10 spd) 9spd Altus rear Derailer (might have to change to a clutch type derailer in future) Rapide 36t NW chainring on Sram Mtb cranks. 11-32T 10spd cassette Brakes: Tektro Novela mechanical 160mm Rotors front and back Saddle: Fizik Mtb that I colored black with leather shoe dye. Bars: Rapide Gravel Bars with Rapide bar tape. Paint: Rattle can matt black over gloss black decals. Done a few 100km on it already, and it is very comfy. Never taken onto trails as yet, but it was not built to tackle trails. Handles gravel roads quite well, but lots of chainslap (hence the necessity to procure a 9spd clutch derailer) Still quite fast on the tar, managed to stick with my training group up Helshoogte, so the ratio is quite good. Does spin like a hamster at speeds over 45km/h, but again, not built for those kinda speeds. Using it for commuting, and it fits the role perfectly.

Done less than 1000km with it so far, but mightily impressed.

Invest in one of these. You can still have that aero / sleek look with nothing hanging under your saddle, and not having to look like a packrat with your pockets stuffed with tubes and other other paraphernalia.

After careful consideration, lots of internet research, and a proper test drive, I have this beauty parked in my garage now.

Correct, but that bird has flown, so now "new" Hels is the proper route.

Will be my first one in a few years, can't wait for the return to the "proper" Burger route.

Where's the stats for the oldest but still active members?

Good to hear. Looks like great value for money, lots of standard equipment that is extra's with the other manufacturers. I trust that we will be happy, did a lot of searching, very little problems reported with them. Best of all, it is up to 100K cheaper than comparable models of other manufacturers.

Signed for yesterday, should be delivered early next week. Towbar and anti smash/grab window tinting to be fitted

What was he on, Speed?

So everytime anybody brushes up to me and touches my tusch in a Mall, elevator, lift, etc, I must be offended and feel violated because they invaded my space and touched me without my permission? Thanks god I am old enough not to stress about things like that. OK, that's it, no part of this discussion anymore. Old Fart / Dinosaur, signing off.

Edit: Farting against thunder here, people who wants to be offended will find something to be offended about.

Snowflakes of today is too damn sensitive. Hell, I was actually amused, not offended. (ok, and a bit flattered)

What must I say, at age 55 as a MAMIL I got sexually assaulted a while back whilst cycling in Stellies. Approaching an intersection and slowing down, a car filled with young ladies (obvious students) came from behind and I got a tap on the behind from the lady in the passenger seat. Now that I am thinking about it, I am becoming outraged as I got violated, objectified and my dignity impaired, as well as assaulted. I should have gone straight to SAPS to lay a charge......

He is a great guy, putting his customer FIRST, always willing to help where and however he can. Give him a visit when you are in the area. (and there is a nice little Coffee Shop with freshly baked goodies right next to his shop, win win....)

The Salts are also tubeless ready wheels, and only slightly more expensive than the Darkhorse wheels. Go and have a look at the Salt's, you just might be surprised.

What is reasonably priced to you? I can suggest you contact Reon Smal @ Sportopia Cycles, Briar str Salt River. (o seven one 6060426) He stocks the "SALT" carbon wheels, and they are decently priced, carry a good warranty and is very good value for money. I am running a set on the 38/50mm combo, and so far I am very happy with them. http://vsibikes.com/product/salt-carbon-50mm-38mm-wheelset-4/

Not sure if you have pre-entered and / or are a PPA member, or will be doing an late entry, but the system is fairly simple and effective. After finding your parking spot, make your way to the PPA tent where the Ladies will be sitting, waiting to eagerly assist you. Pre-entered: go to the appropriately marked table, and give your name which will then be checked and crossed off, you will be given a sticker with your start batch on. This must be attached to your PPA race number, which you will have to collect there if you do not have one already. Late entry: fill in the provided form, pay your money to the friendly Lady, get your sticker, stick it to your PPA race number and then report to your starting batch, and then just enjoy your race.

Gonna be a tough one, from the left turn onto the R312 at Fruitseller 4 Way Stop it will be rolling hills almost to the finish. Depending on the weather / wind conditions it can / will be a slugfest. I'm gonna play this one safe and rather conserve my legs as much as possible up to this point.

That's a big score, Andymann. Ja, those old "Fizzies" was the bees knees back then. Buddy of mine had a "hand me down" from his bigger brothers. It was a true Rat Bike. Whenever he arrived at school with the bike in a different color, we knew he had an off, sommer used enamel paint and a brush to paint it.

That used to be the Bouckhaert-Soenen. It has been scrapped, this race replaces it. Brand new event.

I was also in F-H bunch, it splintered properly going past Fairview, a few guys was really driving the pace up front. We formed a nice group of about 20 that had a few of us working at the front, and we continually kept catching stragglers that made the bunch grew quite a bit. Caught a fairly biggish bunch on the R304 just before the Kromme Rhee turn, which made the group a bit too big for my liking, and I moved to the middle of the bunch. Bad move it was, as I got caught up at the railway crossing, and the rest is history for me. Still quite happy with my time, was faster than the goal I set at the beginning.

It was fun (and tough on my undercooked legs) Got onto a few dead wheels going over the railway line on Kromme Rhee (was too cautious, did not want to damage my new wheels), by the time I got around them, the main part of our bunch was about 50m up the road already. Might as well have been 500m, as I just could not catch them again. I managed to ride away the rest of the guys that also dropped out of the group, but still lost 5 min on the main group to the end. Just shows the value of being in a group, even though not everyone was working at the front. I was properly cooked at the finish. Will have to pace myself a lot better this weekend, that stretch from the turn at the Fruitsellers 4 way is going to be brutal on tired legs.

Let the buyer take it like that and assemble it himself. Will give him the necessary skills to look after / repair and service his bike himself in future. Edit: That's what I would have done if I bought another bike like that. (but then again, I'm a sucker for punishment .)

Day Two test results. Yamaha still topping the list. os Rider Team Fastest lap Lead. Gap Prev. Gap Laps Last lap1 VIÑALES, Maverick Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 1:29.849 56 / 67 2 QUARTARARO, Fabio Petronas Yamaha SRT 1:30.013 0.164 0.164 42 / 64 3 MORBIDELLI, Franco Petronas Yamaha SRT 1:30.114 0.265 0.101 50 / 52 4 CRUTCHLOW, Cal LCR Honda CASTROL 1:30.316 0.467 0.202 59 / 73 5 MIR, Joan Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1:30.427 0.578 0.111 54 / 61 6 RINS, Alex Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1:30.503 0.654 0.076 54 / 57 7 MARQUEZ, Marc Repsol Honda Team 1:30.556 0.707 0.053 53 / 71 8 ESPARGARO, Pol Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1:30.685 0.836 0.129 12 / 46 9 ROSSI, Valentino Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 1:30.781 0.932 0.096 55 / 68 10 MILLER, Jack Pramac Racing 1:30.854 1.005 0.073 57 / 59 11 DOVIZIOSO, Andrea Ducati Team 1:31.143 1.294 0.289 37 / 42 12 RABAT, Tito Reale Avintia Racing 1:31.258 1.409 0.115 62 / 63 13 PIRRO, Michele Ducati Team 1:31.424 1.575 0.166 31 / 40 14 PEDROSA, Dani Red Bull KTM Tech 3 1:31.470 1.621 0.046 28 / 48 15 LECUONA, Iker Red Bull KTM Tech 3 1:31.515 1.666 0.045 10 / 57 16 ESPARGARO, Aleix Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1:31.526 1.677 0.011 22 / 43 17 ABRAHAM, Karel Reale Avintia Racing 1:31.597 1.748 0.071 53 / 59 18 BRADL, Stefan Repsol Honda Team 1:31.657 1.808 0.060 29 / 54 19 IANNONE, Andrea Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1:31.800 1.951 0.143 36 / 38 20 MARQUEZ, Alex 1:32.235 2.386 0.435 52 / 79 21 SMITH, Bradley Aprilia Factory Racing 1:32.249 2.400 0.014 26 / 32 22 BINDER, Brad Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1:32.367 2.518 0.118 61 / 66 NC KALLIO, Mika Red Bull KTM Factory Racing NC PETRUCCI, Danilo Ducati Team