Twombles

What kit did you ride in? I was in a white shirt, no branding, on a Bianchi.

Sorry slowpoke, assumption... Either way, super job!

Hope everyone who came down heals up quickly. Glad to hear that the oke who came down on Hekpoort was awake. Think bike marshall did a great job!

I have been following this with keen interest, but decided not to contribute.. Until today. Yesterday my girlfriend bought het first MTB from Linden cycles. She tested it, got set up, and then took it. The bike is one of the last 26" Anthems, and although not a R100k bike, 20k is still a lot for a bike. My point is, even after following this thread from day 1 and being shocked by what happened, it did not even cross my mind that the bike might be fake. I did not check the serial number and did not even check the invoice properly. We deal with out LBS for specific reasons - most importantly, we trust their opinion. I have been dealing with Linden for 12 years and it would not even cross my mind to double check anything. Andrew, chances are that there are a lot of cyclists who would be in your shoes right now if other LBS also sold fakes. While it is propably good that the cat is out of the bag, this thing might hurt many trust relationships.

Good ride! First race of the year for me and I forgot how far 114km can be! Some awesome work done by Talus and his team mates in BL. Thanks guys.

I forgot about that... They really need to start standardizing this timing thing.

Also got my SMS, but in BL . The EPR is pretty much the same route as the Wilro, and I was under the top 15 of AL last year. Its not the biggest race, I know, but I haven't started in BL for a very long time. This is annoying.

Glad to hear that I was not the only one that K@kked off. After the ride I seriously questioned my fitness. I suppose it did not help that this was the first time on my MTB this year. On the first climb I hit my Max HR of 194! I always enjoy these small MTB races with few people, no fuss and just some good riding. I do, however, think that they could have provided more medical support on route. I did not need any, but there were a couple of sections where people could get into serious trouble and there weren't any one at those points. Maybe it just felt so remote because I was at the back of the race...

This was one of the toughest MTB rides that I have done. Now that I have had time to recover... it is actually an amazing route. Yesterday, I did not think so. I could not believe that it is only 1200m of climbing. It felt closer to 2000m!

I think I'll have to start making a plan... I've got 1 room with 6 bikes in it. I lock my doors almost to the point of paranoia, but I think I need to start thinking about ideas for a bike rack in the house that provides some security.... Awesme, With regards to Northern Farm.... Just act with your bike as you do with any other of your possessions in a public place. You don't avoid a restaurant because your phone might be stolen.... instead, you just don't leave your phone on the table when going to the bathroom. So, no need to avoid the farm, simply watch your bike - this might be a useful practice wherever you ride, the Farm, Suikerbos, Breedts Nek, Van Gaalens or even Groenkloof.

[Hi-jack on] Are there any such requirements when your bike is parked at home, or does the Trellidor cover that? I have not read anything in the fine-print about that. [Hi-jack off]

As proven my my previous experience, if someone has the time and the will they can get what they want to..I definitely don't think a pro-ride is theft proof (hardly anything is) and I never let it out of my sight! Glad to hear that it is not the end of your ride if you forget the key at home

This is not a new thing. Maybe at Northern Farm, but I have had this happen to me at Van Gaalens about 5 years ago. We finished a ride, and then LOCKED the bikes to the back of the car (Trapezium rack, 2 padlocks). Went to the shop to buy a coke, came back 5 minutes later and the locks were cut and three bikes stolen. Bike was a week old. Expensive lesson learnt. Now I NEVER leave my bikes unattended. I have Pro-rides on the roof, and even though they lock and an idiot won't be able to figure out the lock system in 5 minutes, I never leave my bike on my car. When our bikes were stolen, the arrived within 5 minutes, and they were of the opinion that it is people dressed as cyclists who busy themselves at your car, not really looking suspicious. I am sure that this was the case, as Van Gaalens was busy that day. Northern Farm is as busy as it will ever be (due to fresh new years resolutions) and I am sure someone will notice a dodgy bloke unloading bikes. Someone might however, not notice a 'cyclist' unloading a bike from the car. Sad that we have to deal with BS such as this, but trust me - it happens.

I think that's way too much. The Jock is my favourite one-day race. Even better, I prefer the new route to the old one. But there is no way that I am paying R700+ for three 50km stages. Is all of that going for venue hire? Surely 1.125 million Souf African Raundts is far too much to pay for venue hire at two schools and one stadium (that simple calculation does NOT include any entries for the 1 and two stage race)!!! We really do not get that much for one Jock entry...

Did my first commute since May today. It hurt more than I remember! And there is way more hills than I remember (some of them even got steeper). What started off as a ride to see how my time compares to my time of May ended as a tempo ride with me gasping for air! The cold wasn't so bad... The dark was actually awesome... I am definitely more productive when I commute (despite quickly visiting the hub to report this!)...

All of this makes me really want to do it! I don't see how I will get taking my bike along past the government (I am still working on that) but maybe I should consider this in future. I am guessing a MTB would be the weapon of choice, since not all of the roads are tarred/in decent condition?

So we are going to Ficksburg for the weekend, and plan on driving in to Lesotho on Saturday. This got me thinking... Has anyone ever cycled to Katze dam from Fickburg? Apart from the Lesotho Sky, what is riding in lesotho like? Are the roads safe and quiet? I did a quick search, but couldn't find anything.

Make that 91! Cant wait!

So I haven't read through all 45 pages, please excuse if this question has been asked. I recently got an Ariete Cafe Retro coffee machine as a gift. It is a second-hand coffee machine, but I have always wanted one simply because of it's looks. I know it is not the best of machines and I would even keep it just for it's looks, and buy myself something proper to make my daily fix. BUT, I would love to be able to use this machine as my everyday coffee machine. I have already been using it and it hasn't been too bad (less than average), but I know it isn't top quality and in need of a service. Does anyone know whether there is a place in Joburg where I could service an Ariete? I would love to have it refurbished so that it works properly. For those who don't know how it looks, see pic attached:

To the local coffee shop...

First one tonight... I am really looking forward to it! Will do my best to stay with the first group (partly because I am only familiar with the Critical Mass part of the route)

Had my first commute this morning... It was absolutely fantastic! Here's what I learnt: 1. Helmets are important. It stops your kosblik (lunchbox) that you packed in the top of your backpack from moering you on the head every time you bunny-hop a pavement. 2. Foot-paths make great single track. On a +- 20 km ride, my wheels touched about 1km of the black stuff. 3. A bell can save you from pedestrians. 4. The black stuff is bloody hard (more of a reminder than a new discovery). After 12 years of cycling, I still managed to moer off my bike while stationary: stopped for a pedestrian when crossing a street, foot didn't want to uncleat... you know the rest. 5. Even though you remember to pack everything, does not mean that you have everything. I packed shower gel, but it was (almost) completely empty. 6. Joburg isn't flat. If you think that, then cycle in Joburg. If you still think that after cycling in Joburg, Cycle over Allen's Neck. 7. I need to get some cyclo-cross tyres on my single steed commuter as soon as possible!! Can't wait for the ride back!

This might sound quite meek after reading about ovens, petrol and sand paper: but have you tried Power Brake Cleaner (Motorex). I was able to get some greasy stuff off my rotors with that.

On our way to the Great Trek. But I feel like I might be getting sick ????. How difficult is day one? The profile looks mostly downhill. If I am not feeling 100, will I be able to coast through this day...

Wazza, What tyres are you using? I am looking for some commuter tyres, but most cross country tyres dont fit in my frame and caliper. I'm running gators at the moment, but I want something with grip that I can use on singletrack (nothing hectic, of course)... and maybe some colour. Most grippy tyres have a very high sidewall, and those seem more sleek.