Where has your bike taken you today?

[SwissVan]

Yeah, 4 degrees when I went for my ride today, 1 degree when the wife went for her run yesterday; at least the sun was out.

 

 

4 degrees... thats cold for cycling, well done to you and the wiff 

 

My ride today was a pleasant 10 degrees... still warm enough for short finger gloves

[TyronLab]

Managed two rides this long weekend.

 

A short blast around my backyard MTB trail on Saturday. There's a drop on this trail that's pretty sketchy as its prefaced with a 70° turn 1.2m before it, and it has a 800mm drop and 800mm gap to a steep landing. Imagine someone just cut a square section out of the top of a ruby field walletjie.

 

I decided Saturday was send day, come hell or high water. I know I've ridden dodgier stuff blind on other trails by now and I was sure I had the skill to send it, it was just that lingering fear from two years of staring at it and never committing to it, and seeing how few other riders attempted it.

 

After a few run ups and much sphincter clenching I sent it... And didn't die!

 

 

Decided to immediately hit it again to make sure that I know it wasn't just a fluke, and hit it perfectly the second time too.

 

 

I was on top of the world! Sure, its pretty minor in the greater scheme of things and its very tame in comparison to some of you, but to me it was a definitive moment in my riding. An elderly couple walking their dog (not small, and on a leash, thank heavens, wouldn't want another outcry...) came up to me and congratulated me, they had seen me taking the run-ups and heard me whooping when I hit it.

 

Yesterday was a gravel grind with a buddy of mine. Started out slow, gradually increased in intensity up to the point where there was no more talking, only teeth gritting into the hot headwind. Was pretty spent by that time (spent enough that I couldn't be bothered to do the extra 7.5km to get to a century).

 

 

I once again foibled the route, but at least it took us on an adventure into Heidelberg's Military camp. Somehow we wandered into it, ended up riding around, greeting soldiers, riding around on their marching grounds... How was that a thing? How were we not stopped or asked for identification? I'm pretty sure if I asked them where they kept the R-15s they would have pointed me in the direction of the arsenal and given me a Castle as padkos.

 

 

Decided to try his gravel bike, and was blown away by how much more efficient it was than my bike, and not that much less comfortable. I'm starting to think that my bike is a smidge too small for me and that I might go with a smaller tyre once these wear out (which is happening quickly, seeing as the casing is in contact with the dirt a lot and is starting to seep sealant). 

 

I'm realising that this bike is really good at some things, but is definitely compromised in other areas. As a trail-only hardtail its friggin' perfect as its comfortable, very grippy, confidence inspiring and super playful. As a trail / XC mixture its OK, but as an XC/Gravel bike its not great. Riding position is very upright and the tyre pressure is tough to balance. Too hard and it doesn't give you comfort but rolls well on harder / smoother surfaces, too soft and you can get rim strikes if you get rowdy and a lot of resistance on smoother surfaces, but more comfort on rocky / rough surfaces.

 

 

All in all a great weekend's riding!

Edited September 28, 2020 by TyronLab

[Bateleur1]

Finally got to go out on the bike with the restored back wheel.  Lovely day yesterday but cool at 14 degrees or so.  You could sense there was some snow involved somewhere among all the rain we had the last couple of days.

 

And there is the snow we feel in the air. Quite a good coating on the Alps for this time of the year

 

Road from Bat Tölz is under construction so there is virtually no traffic on it.  The whole road to myself.

 

[Pikey]

Trekkie

Edited September 28, 2020 by Pikey

[dewaldsss]

Wellington-Western Cape

[Me rida my bicycle]

On the way to the trails today at 15h00 nice, clear, sunny and the other 16h50 we were soaked in seconds. Got to love Cape Town ????

[ChrisF]

On the way to the trails today at 15h00 nice, clear, sunny and the other 16h50 we were soaked in seconds. Got to love Cape Town ????

Maritz and I took the dog for a walk around the block .... and then it got dark .... and then we got wet on the way back home ....

 

 

PS .... I have it on good authority it will RAIN tomorrow afternoon .... despite the clear weather forecast .... I will be commuting by bike ...

[DJR]

Lower Lotheni Road.

 

What a stunning strip of tarmac. I'll definitely be back to do a proper mission right down to the berg.

 

Screenshot_20200922_131604.jpg

 

My camera did me an injustice. I swear this gate was painted Celeste green...

Screenshot_20200922_131620.jpg

Staying in your anaerobic zone for too long will change your colour perception........  

[DJR]

On the way to the trails today at 15h00 nice, clear, sunny and the other 16h50 we were soaked in seconds. Got to love Cape Town

That I apologize for. It was me that caused the sudden downpour because I hanged up the washing.

[Eugene Oppelt]

Malanshoogte Road

 

 

 

[DJR]

 

Malanshoogte Road

 

IMG_0335.jpg

 

Lovely composition Dale 

[The Ghost]

It took me for my furthest and fastest road ride and past Kilkenny Castle, Rothe house, an old mill, Kells priory and Jerpoint Abbey.

To say it was an epic collection of sights would be an understatement.

[Stevief]

Lovely composition Dale

Dale your are Properly talented in the Photography dept

[gummibear]

Seen so many pics of people letting their bikes have a little lay down on the hills.I was thinking that maybe their bikes needed a little rest and that’s why they ride the hills so fast

Mine obviously didn’t rest long enough and I suffered like I always do

 

 

[gummibear]

 

[Stevief]

harkerville Red route

Edited September 29, 2020 by Stevief