Alberton _ JHB South Riders

[IanJ]

With a 22 on the back Slave should easily be able to manage a cadence of 20rpm.

 

Better pack a tent and cooking utensils and warm clothing for the night it could be a long ride.

 

 

[Joe Low]

 

I'd love to set a new speed record on my bike but I think that's best left or Camaro.

 

Butchers is prolly better for that

[Delgado]

hey Ian we are looking to finish with sundowners on Sunday afternoon.......all invited!!

[IanJ]

Like GO said SBR isn't that bad and you get a big kick out of finishing it. I once forgot to change my cluster and rode it on a 23 at the back, quite tough but can be done.

 

When I was training for the Etape du Tour I did 2 complete laps (110km) in one morning, that was quite hard. Epoh does 2 laps quite often though but he is hard core.

 

Enjoy it chaps, we will try join you next time.

 

[Joe Low]

Liked your first post Ian, I'm sure you'll read how it turns out.

[GreyOwl3.0]

I'm curious to hear how the SBR ride went?!

I rode this morning with the usual 7am crowd, but almost went back home coz it was quite chilly. Once we all set off it was ok though...was going to go long, but when we got to Kibler Park I reached down for my non existent waterbottle! (I'd left it next to the sink!) So I just decided to go short. We were a smallish bunch for the short loop, and I listened to Jackie(?!) recount her tale of woe regarding a white bakkie that seems to be terrorising lone cyclists in and around the area. So...be on the lookout for a deficient type in a white bakkie.

 

I kept the pace rolling the last couple kilo's towards the bridge, and was shocked when there was no hell for leather sprint for the end of the road?!

(Guys,whoever you are, if your changing the rules without telling me...its making me feel left out!)

We were a group of around 10riders left to ride the Steps together and we went up ok. I was quite content to just sit on the back until the guy in front of me without warning swerved into my front wheel almost bringing me down. (I dunno...if guys are going to insist on riding in close proximity to other cyclists at least learn how to keep your bike going in a straight line. And dont act like a giant dork when another cyclist asks you to keep a straight line)

 

All in all it was rather an uneventfull ride...didnt see any of the other usual suspects. Kid was in the gym, Slave was finding enlightenment in the SBR, never saw Trubie...

Come to think of it...are you guys hiding away from me?

 

After my ride, went through to the Lion and Rhino park out North. Passed and saw "Teak Place"for the first time. Looks awesome! And saw plenty riders out on the roads in and around the area. My mate Dash82 was telling me that road past Teak Place and the Lion Park is a regular route for the guys out there. I must say, its a nice looking road to ride on...just pity about the road works going on there. Makes the road very narrow.

 

 

[NotSoBigBen]

I once forgot to change my cluster and rode it on a 23 at the back' date=' quite tough but can be done.

 

[/quote']

 

LittleBen only has an 11-21 and rides it there every now and then but then again he does weigh -0.10 kg ............

[Trubie]

Owl , pity I never saw you this morning. I was there, we went short, were the first group to leave, we had already done 50 k's by the time we got there, so not too keen to stand around for too long getting cold. I saw Jackie, and made for the front of the group before starting. We ended up being about 8 guys, my usual am ride mates, two guys from Performance Sport, and a guy on a orange and black Raleigh, and SA Jnr tri athlete Wikus Weber, so the pace was anything but pedestrian, my HR shot up to 170+ (91%) more than once!!!!!!!!!!

Ened up doing 90 k's , legs still ache

[Joe Low]

Well Slave's absence from this, his umbilical thread, might give you an idea as to how his SBRand ride went - tho' he looked alright when I dropped him off at lunchtime.....that's lunchtime the same day that we started.

 

So it was me Smokin Aces Slave, & the Colnago Three, comprisin' the Bottle Thrower, the Bottle Throwers' Innocent Mate (now called Boxing Bag) & Delgado.

 

3hrs of fun in the chilly sunshine - what a great day to ride in the reserve. Started at 8:30 met the New Horizons on top led (prolly) by Mallo who were motoring back to the main gate.

 

Slave went up the 1st hill conventionally to start with but then started to slalom back and forth like a skier, except goin' uphill; tryin' to take out some of the gradient whilst pumping that 22/42 combination.

 

Plenty of wildlife, baboons and hikers in the road, baboons showin a good deal more awareness. Boxing Bag had to give way to a wildebeest (that means "wild beast" in english) & even tho it was on the wrong side of the road, no bottles were thrown.

 

& then the big one - the monster hill towards the end 10%+ & goes on for miles.  Our gear-grinding chum got to the top in 2nd place - it was a Slavetastic performance, everyone agreed.

 

Give this guy a proper cassette and take away his fags & you have a genuine contender.

 

We were too polite to start a poll on the fluorescent green no. he showed up wearing that his Mrs had made him - but it seemed to keep the animals away and,being visible from space, there was no chance of him getting lost in it.

 

So, very good all round today - wish every day could be this way.

 

 

 

 

[Joe Low]

 

 

 

Joe Low2009-05-30 12:09:46

[Delgado]

I'm curious to hear how the SBR ride went?!

 

GO.....Slave was the bomb today mate.....out of interest not only was his cluster limited to a 22 his small ring up front is a bloody 42!!!!

 

Never flinched once just kept turning the cranks over and did an under 3 hour long loop!!  

Delgado2009-05-30 11:57:54

[Trubie]

Go Slave you beauty!!

Well done bud, hearing some great things here 'bout the prep for Fountains. Keep it up, as the days get colder, the going gets tough, and the tough............

 

I say get rid of the 22, and get a 39 in front, marked diff, ride with the 22/42 when you know the rides are flat!

 

As for the New Horizons team, which one is Mallo, there were three of 'em last week in the Bela B, "b" bunch.

I like the look of those Planet X frames, but are they any good?

I know one of the hubbers sells them? Some feedback , comments? GO, I know you to know a great deal about them?

 

 

[GreyOwl3.0]

Trubie, those Planet X frames are fantastic. They are available from 'Kiwi' here on the Hub. Was chatting with him this morning...so if you are looking for a new carbon frame, in my opinion there are few frames better than the Planet X. (Cadel Evans even rides a thinly disguised one, so they cant be bad!)

Thing I like about them is they are not all too common, and a purpose built bike as well. Kiwi does have excellent knowledge with the bikes and has a good racing pedigree as well...so he will look after you should you want one.

 

Joe! Sounds like fun was had by all? I rode with Slave this morning and despite complaining that his legs were sore from your Alpine assault yesterday...he still threw himself into the ride with the usual passion and undying resolve we have come to know and love from him!

As for the bright green jackets, I've put in my order. Well made too, and he certainly looked warmer than I did this morning!

Delgado, I feel for the guy slogging away on the 42/22 combo. I also have a sneaking suspicion the cranks are not 175mm either! 

[Trubie]

Thanks Owl, will get in contact with Kiwi later.

[Slave]

I survived the Alpine Assault. Yeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

 

Some doubted my "ability". Thanks guys, I feel the love. Others thought it would be a breeze. Thanks GOv2.0, not quite a breeze. It was defintely tough going on that 42/ 22 combo.

 

It was some ride. That slalom thing in the beginning had more to do with tryng to save the legs for later. Delgado put the fear of the bejesus into me saying it would be very wise to save some matches for later, so I figured it was probably not a bad idea.

 

The start and that first incline was pretty hectic. Stopped at the top to wait for the bottle battling twins to catch up and used the opportunity to observe the beauty of nature around me. Breathtaking view.

 

Onwards, upwards and downwards we went. Mainly J'Lo took up a point position, followed by yours truly and then usually the Colnago trio lead by Delgado.

 

The course is every bit as technical as I was lead to believe and climbs not quite as tough as I expected. I rode the distance well within my limits. Stops were mainly to regroup at the top of climbs and while J'Lo' got ahead many times, it would have been within me to chase him down and catch up. Having been warned and fearing the need to call Spaso9 to come and recue me with crash carts, saline and glucose drips, CPR, MRI and all sorts of other medical attention, I did not even dare.

 

SBR is an awesome place to ride. It is beautiful, and quiet. It was cold but my daglo yellow monster riding jacket kept me warm as toast. Mrs. Slave certainly did a sterling job. GOv2.0's order os already being processed.

 

The decents were long and slow, as advised by more expereinced riders and the accents were slower still.

 

I was reminded of the need to have core strength while doing that ride. I strained my back a bit on the Mondeor forray on Thursday and took to doing most of the climbs standing up to save the back from further abuse.

 

The only forced stop was the loooooong climb that Joe alluded to where I crested and took a rest. About 3/4 or so of the way up there, I was forced to halt and rest from lower back pain. Other than that, it was not as difficult a ride as I expected.

 

Traffic wise, only one car came past us the entire route. Safe to guess that a cold winters day kept all but the most insane cyclist and conservationsist at home.

 

At one of the stops, just after the Western entance gate, Joe an I waited for the Colnago trio to catch up. Next to the sign, I saw lyng there a goo wrapper and I was reminded why such a battle rages to get the cyclcists out of SBR.

 

My only comments: This is a nature reserve, we need to treat it and respect it as such. There is no place for litter bugs in SBRNR and to loose the privilage of riding here would be a disater of epic proportions.

 

Loved that ride and it was especially gratifying to complete the circuit after my first abortive attempt a day or two before new years.

 

As for Sunday, well that was just a disaster. I was reminded why I am a poefter and fair weather rider (or have I become a cyclist). It was cold (more like kerforkenbrrrrrrrr). Nice to note that there were a few othe loons out there and that I was not the only insane one on a steel pony minus motor.

 

The ride was supposed to be a recovery ride. Yeah, right. As GO alluded to, it turned out to be a mad crazy mixed up ride. Nish4 was in attndance and the rest of the gang pretty much left the pulling up front to Nish4. Weel done there old son. I felt for you dude and tried hard to help you some. Pity the legs felt a wee bit sore. I could have done a bit more otherwise.

 

Then some other moegoes took over and got all pushy while I was happy to fall back and chase. It was great fun at the time, but eish, so much pain in so little leg.

 

Al in all, a good cycling weekendand I plan to make use of a limited opportunity to ride the reserve more often until we are finally banished. A sadder day will be hard to find.

 

We need peolle like our fellows to champion our cause and keepit open. What a place to ride. Not many things better than taking in the beaty of nature while under pedal power.

 

 

[Slave]

As an addition to yesterdays ride, I was highly compressed by the dual guidance system on an "Exocet". That thing was propelled along at misile speed and the dual guidance system worked very well.

 

Repsect dude and dudette. That was some ride you put in there. Some coach, when he wasn't pushing me out of the way, was pushing hs team mate around. I was also compressed by his strength although the team mate was farily petite.

 

I was reminded of some recent cycles where I resorted to these heavy handed tactics to try and keep our bunch intact. I think that somehow helped put curency in the bank for me to draw on during the Alpine Assault.

 

Fortunately, I never needed Trubie or GO to shove me up any of the SBR hills.

 

JL, looks like you may get your wish. Mrs. Slave has just been to the docs and the news wasn't great. She has been urged / ordered to give up the weed. Looks like I will have to follow suit. Look out then because when I can breathe again, I should be able to ride a little better.