nonky

Freewheel Cycology (spez store) in Kenilworth accepts donations, iirc, which go to songo.info or similar

This statement is no longer 100% accurate. The Quantified Scientist on YT does a bunch of comparative tests and the Ultra and Watch Series 9 outperform almost everything else on almost every metric (EXCEPT BATTERY). The battery life can be largely addressed by switching off the "always on" screen, so it only activates when touched or when you rotate your wrist. Unless you are an ULTRA-endurance (24hrs+) athlete, the apple watches' batteries are more than adequate. A much bigger problem is Garmin's software, especially if you are an iPhone user.

Another vote for their pedals. Lost my pedals in transit and replaced them with Ryders (as a temporary solution). They were so good, i haven't taken them off.

https://darkhorsewheels.com/ - the only carbon wheelsets within your budget, afaik. I have a pair of mtb wheels from them that have been bombproof and completely trouble-free over 1000s of kms. I would chat to them and see whether they can assist, even if they don't do gravel carbon wheels (but they do sell a gravel bike (with AL wheels) under their brand...go figure).

Some good news, not sure if reported here before: https://www.capetownetc.com/news/lions-head-suspect-arrested/ One suspect was arrested on the Lion’s Head section of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) after he was found in possession of a firearm earlier this week. In a coordinated operation during the early hours of Thursday morning, the Sea, Air, and Mountain (SEAM) special operations rangers and its canine unit, alongside the Visitor Safety Rangers, City of Cape Town (CoCT) Tourism Unit, drone contractor, and the CBCSI local security company, conducted a sting operation along Lion’s Head. The suspect, merely 5 meters away from one of the SEAM operators with the canine, was spotted on the Jeep Track. The quick response following the release of the SEAM canine, Leah, was pivotal in pursuing the suspect, eventually apprehending him. Once the suspect was detained, a knife was found in the suspects possession, as well as a realistic looking imitation firearm. The CoCT provided valuable support, and the South African Police Service (SAPS) promptly arrived to assist in the arrest procedures. This success showcases the valuable role of the Intel Interpretation team of the TMNPs Operations Room who played a critical role in developing this joint operation which was tried and tested for many months and has concluded in successful apprehension of the suspect. This also marks a significant milestone in ensuring the safety of park visitors, underscoring the effectiveness of collaborative law enforcement efforts by the newly reestablished Table Mountain Safety Forum. Meanwhile, mayco member for Safety and Security, JP Smith has called on anyone who believes that they may have fallen prey to the suspect to come forward. ‘If any person has been attacked or threatened by a knife wielding or armed gunman, in the park over recent months, please contact the investigating officer at Cape Town Central SAPS urgently,’ he posted on Facebook. ‘If you can correctly identify the attacker in a photo lineup, we can successfully link him to additional charges.’

IIRC, also incidents further along / north / closer to Constantia: near to Constantia Uitsig - the infamous Taxi-knappers. There was also an incident in the vicinity of the Alphen Hotel in the last year or so.

Saddles are weird and very personal. Loved my spez phenom (narrow width) and was OK-ish with a wider phenom. I DO NOT like my spez power saddle much at all. Phenom started each ride uncomfortable and got more comfy as I rode; while the power was the other way around. One thing that made a huge difference to COMFORT was carbon rails (you also need that adaptor thing)

Yip, there were literally DOZENS preventing pedestrian access to Newlands Forest.

No comment. Better to STFU temporarily than banned permanently.

insert [you make me sad] meme here

To your point, I often run in Newlands Forest after work and see the ranger (toyota) bakkies safely parked before dark (near the chopper landing site). My observation may or may not be accurate but i would think that it would be "all hands on deck" with the current crisis on the mountain and influx of tourists doing sunset hikes.

https://www.capetownetc.com/news/mountain-bikers-robbed/ ARREST MADE 05 Dec: Group of mtn bikers robbed at knifepoint ( jeep track close to Military Road and on the slopes above Tamboerskloof). "Accomplice" arrested at "previously invaded and unlawfully occupied" property.

Very Nice! Wishing you many happy and SAFE miles on her. I looked long and hard at one in the local Spez shop but I'm worried that one big off on a trail may end my riding permanently, so stuck with XC.

Thanks for the feedback. As a Camber rider, i went to an Epic Evo (and from a L to an XL) - not sure if this was the right choice but still need more miles to finally decide. Is the new bike a Stumpy EVO Alloy?

I used a regular cardboard bikebox (free from local bikeshop) to travel to DD and back from Jhb on SAA or Namibian (i forget which, could be both). No problems at all and I flew back from the finish on one of those little planes.

I think that's a sound approach but, IIRC, the guy who pepper sprayed bikejackers in Pta East recently got shot three times for his efforts...that's the outcome that really sucks.

"The total remuneration package is a basic salary as per the Expanded Public Works Programme rates of R208.00 per day". That's R4.4k gross a month - no accommodation, no food, no travel allowance...

CoCT Emergency Room (for Table Mountain emergencies): 021 480 7700 WhatsApp group for mountain safety, which I cannot vouch for: story: https://www.capetownetc.com/news/table-mountain-safety-app-for-hikers/ Sign up here: https://hikersnetwork.co.za/safetymountain/?fbclid=IwAR2kYsHGosdYEUhNengqTeAdUizTDomMxLx5UreGnQ2p1vu5ZAOwttgxraQ

https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/three-more-muggings-on-table-mountain-a-day-after-ultra-runners-were-robbed-during-race-20231127

Another fantastic hub thread that's gone to ####, with personal insults, flaming and trolling. What a shame, as this one was really useful, had helpful informative and some lekker bikeporn. I'll leave you to it.

It gets much worse: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12765069/British-elite-runner-Tom-Evans-mugged-knifepoint-wedding-ring-watch-iPhone-trains-South-Africa-race.html https://news.sky.com/story/elite-british-runner-forced-to-pull-out-of-race-after-being-mugged-at-knifepoint-in-south-africa-13011212 https://runningmagazine.ca/trail-running/western-states-100-champ-attacked-and-mugged-in-cape-town/ https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/news/a45889819/tom-evans-mugged/

thank you for this

Oi, stop giving Dodge City a bad name...

What paperwork do they require? Thanks.

Yip, 120mm is the new 100mm for XCM (eg Matt Beers' Spez Epic Evo and Nino's Scott in the Cape Epic were both 120mm). There are still a few 100mm bikes floating around for XCO.