Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2015 i Bicycling South Africa

LOOK, THEN LEAN Study the berm’s graceful arc before hitting it at speed. First, check the angle and height of the bank: the steeper it is, the more you can lean – your bike should be perpendicular to the bank – and the faster you can go. Next, find the grooved track where experienced riders have ridden the fastest line – that’s the one you want to hit. Note how that line winds through the berm (a constant arc – low entrance/high exit, or high entrance/low exit) so you know where to go. MOVE YOUR FINGERS With your body in a ready-to-attack position (standing on the pedals with cranks level, knees slightly bent; arms bent, elbows up and out; eyes looking ahead), enter the berm. Force yourself to move your…

I RAN OVER A BLOB OF CHEWING GUM. HOW DO I GET IT OFF MY TYRE? Act fast. Sticky stuff like gum or even tar on a tyre can pick up tiny pieces of glass and other detritus; and before you know it, you’ll be on the side of the road installing a new tube. Work as much of the gum off the rubber as you can, using your fingers or a tool with a firm (but not sharp) edge. If there’s still residue after the ride or during a break, try this: “Freeze the gum with an ice cube, then flick or scrape it off the tyre,” says tyre-builder Chris Clinton. What cycling books are absolute necessities on my shelf – or at least, worth a look? There are…

WINNING TIP Cramp Stamp Use Rennie’s antacid to combat cramp – it works like a bomb. I normally carry six with me, and I’ll have two before the race; if I feel a cramp coming on, I just have two more. – Clinton Fowler Wrap It Good Now Wrap insulation tape around your frame or bars. If any attached parts – like lights or pumps – come loose, you can use the insulation tape to fix them back on your bike. – Kyle Shed The Load When upgrading your front light, keep the old one for using around the house during load-shedding. – Ashley Moxley WIN! A VERMARC CYCLING JERSEY WORTH R1 299 Email your Reader Tip to bicycling@media24.com. If it’s selected as the Winning Tip, this rad prize could…

First things first: hydration and fluid absorption are not the same thing. Drinking lots of water doesn’t mean your body will use all of it, explains Dr Stacy Sims, founder of Osmo Nutrition. “Fluid absorption is drinking something and pulling that fluid into your different body water ‘compartments’,” she says. “Being hydrated means that you have all your compartments at an even balance.” If you’re not hydrating, you’re just giving yourself more reason to pee. While we are made up mostly of water, none of it is plain H2 O. So for proper hydration, your drink needs to have the right mix of water and electrolytes. “Primarily, you need sodium and a bit of glucose in a drink,” says Sims. But this doesn’t mean you should opt for kilojoule-laden sports…

STABILITY BALL SUPERMAN Lie on your belly on a stability/Pilates ball. With your toes supporting you, extend your arms out in front, forming a straight line from heels to head, back straight. Hold for 45 to 60 seconds, then release. Repeat two more times. SIDE PLANK Lie on your right side with your legs straight and upper body propped on your right forearm, elbow under shoulder. Lift your hips until your body forms a straight line from shoulders to ankles. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds. Do three on each side.…

LIGURIA WHERE TO FLY Genoa, or Nice (France), just across the border from Italy. For both airports you’ll need to connect via a major hub like Dubai, London or Amsterdam. WHERE TO STAY San Remo: sanremohotels.net/en/category/ hotels-for-cyclists/ BIKE RENTAL For a casual ride along the 24km coastal cycling path from San Remo to San Lorenzo Al Mare, you can rent an ordinary bike. For anything more serious, it may be best to take your own bike – quality bike rentals are not readily available in Liguria. SuperBikes: superbikesanremo.com NORTHERN LAKE GARDA WHERE TO FLY Milan Malpensa WHERE TO STAY Torbole: Hotel Orchidea (2-star), villaorchidea.com Riva del Garda: Hotel du Lac et du Parc (4-star), dulacetduparc.com BIKE RENTAL If you don’t fancy lugging your ride to Italy, you can…

Just when you thought you had the three wheel sizes all worked out, the industry decides to roll out a new ‘Plus’ wheel/tyre configuration to make things even more complicated. Before you start puzzling over the matter, here is a brief introduction to ‘Plus’-sized bikes. In a nutshell, this refers to mountain bikes designed to run 27.5” wheels (aka 650b), but with super-high-volume ‘Plus’ tyres that range from 2.8” to 3.2”, putting them in between ‘normal’ 2.0” to 2.4” tyres, and 4” to 4.8” fat-bike tyres. The increased tyre volume/width means that specific ‘Plus’-sized forks, frames and hubs are necessary. Not to mention geometry, to suit the new riding characteristics. Practically, with their impressive contact patch, Plus-sized tyres offer huge amounts of grip, while their high volume improves damping. Manufactures…

After years of Lycra ruling the roost, more riders are opting to ride (and even race) in baggies. A result, in my book! Pearl Izumi’s Canyon shorts are ideal for South African conditions. At 292g for a size medium with inner lining, they’re super-light, and their ‘form-fit’ cut means they’re designed to hug your legs without compromising your pedal stroke, or even more importantly, chafing you. This, plus the 11-inch/28cm inseam, means the Canyon baggies are a pleasure to ride for hours. Even in windy conditions, they didn’t flap constantly. The shorts are made from what Pearl Izumi call ‘Transfer Dry’ material; during testing, it provided ample moisture wicking, and a supple feel against the legs. For the ideal fit, waist adjustment is easily tuned via two elasticated Velcro straps,…

1 APPLE TREE GUEST HOUSE The Apple Tree Guest House offers eight en-suite rooms, as well as two luxury suites. All rooms have built-in cupboards, DStv, air-conditioning, mini-bar and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Other attractions include Wifi, braai facilities and an outside, saltwater swimming pool, which is ideal for shaking off the race day wear and tear. CONTACT Reservations Tel: 021 886 4669 Cell: 079 658 8234 Email: info@appletreeguesthouse.co.za 2 LEKKERWIJN COUNTRY HOUSE This historic country house offers you an authentic Cape Dutch experience as well as some convenient services like an in-house childcare centre. The race venue not that far away and with a host of social venues just up the road, this is a convenient place to stay if you want to have a great time after racing.…

THE INBOX FAMILY TIME My daughter was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer only found in children under five. Her eye had to be removed but thankfully the cancer hadn’t spread up her optic nerve into her brain. The first thing we did when she got home? Read your awesome magazine. I think she probably likes it as much as I do. Thank you for the best magazine ever. – KOLE SMITH FACEBOOK FEEDBACK DETAILS ON THE NEW ENTRY SYSTEM FOR THE 2016 CAPE TOWN CYCLE TOUR . GET UP TO SPEED SO YOU DON’T MISS OUT! bicycling.co.za/ctct-ballot “So now, after my 21st tour, being a loyal supporter of the event, there is a real possibility I may not get an entry for next year because of the ballot...…

Handmade in Cadore, Italy, and sporting polarised Carl Zeiss lenses, Rapha’s versatile Classic Glasses are as much a fashion statement as they are ‘sporting’ eyewear. In fact, with their classic, elegant shape and tortoiseshell finish, you may be forgiven for thinking they’re purely for casual wear. But on closer examination, however, small details – like the concise rubber grippers on the temples for improved grip, a curved ‘wraparound’ shape for a performance fit, and shorter temples, to fit all helmets – reveal that actually, Rapha Classics are perfect cycling eyewear. RAPHA CLASSIC GLASSES // $290 (ABOUT R3 800) // rapha.cc…

Lance Armstrong @lancearmstrong “Thanks to the best staff in the world! cc @mellowjohnnys” (After retweeting @austin360 “Lance Armstrong’s store Mellow Johnny’s makes list of country’s best bike shops.”) Hendrik Lemmer @GrootLem “So now that SA is getting a women-only MTB stage race, who is giving us a men-only race – or will there be an outcry if women are excluded?” Jay Robert Thomson @JayRThomson “Hand on face... Getting a coffee before flight to Florence has now become the most expensive coffee I’ll ever have... #Idiot” (JRT facepalming after optimistically prioritising caffeine over boarding procedure)…

The Apple watch may seem like more of a fashion statement than an essential gadget. But that’s only until you find it’s easier to dictate messages and control music without having to reach into your pocket for your phone. You can check messages and interact with Siri, but it’s also a vehicle for Strava and MapMyRide. Another neat trick it has is to let you transmit your heart rate to another user, which they can then feel via their own watch. It also comes in a range of different strap materials, including rubber, stainless steel and Italian leather. takealot.co.za, R8 499 for 38mm screen, R9 999 for 42mm screen.…

Set up six cones, spaced about two metres apart. (Use rocks or halved tennis balls if you don’t have cones.) Weave around the cones on your bike with your hands on the bar, but focus on driving through the turns with your core muscles and hips – it feels a bit like skiing, says Gass. Gradually reduce your reliance on your hands. Practise for five to 10 minutes once a week. You should be able to rely on your core to steer after a matter of weeks. Your goal? Get to the point of navigating the chicane hands-free.…

We often hear about the risks of dehydration, but drinking too much has killed more people in endurance sports than dehydration. The recent death of a competitor at Ironman Frankfurt highlights this issue. Drinking excessively results in a dilution of your blood sodium concentration (known as hyponatraemia), which can result in swelling of the brain, leading to headaches, confusion, irritation, seizures and death. Smaller, slower athletes are most at risk. New guidelines state you should drink to thirst, or otherwise limit your drinking to under 800ml an hour. Drink sodium-rich fluids as well. If you’re still hot, pour water over your head rather than drinking more.…

Aweh. ‘Die original donker dodgy Afrikaans rapper’ known to us as Jack Parow is one of South Africa’s wildest characters and most flamboyant entertainers. When it came to scoring a bike, unsurprisingly, he gravitated towards this larger-than-life, custom-sprayed Momsen fat bike, to match his funky beats, biltong-flavoured lyrics and eccentric dress sense. Kwaai, ek sê – laat ons waai. TWITTER @JACKPAROW PARTSE A highlight of the bike is its saddle, which has been re-covered with hand-stitched black leather by Cape Town-based leather restorers Velobrien. Though now faded with use, originally the stitching’s colour matched that of the gold paint. A set of Tektro Auriga brakes ensure wheelies are dialled, while flat pedals give Parow the freedom to jump on and ride wherever he may be. Interestingly,…

FULLBACK (FOOL BACK)  Rugby The last line of defence between your opponents and the try line Cycling The guy behind you shouting "track, track!" - and after you let him through, he creates a bottleneck at the first bit of technical trail IN TOUCH  Rugby when the ball is kicked out of the field of play. Cycling when you're in the bunch, and the guy in front of you brakes suddenly ON THE FULL  Rugby when the ball is kicked into touch without first bouncing inside the field of play, it's been kicked out'on the full' Cycling when you decide not to ride your hardtail and go out on your dual-sus MTB instead, you are 'on the full' TRAIL  Rugby: the worst thing ever, because you're behind on points Cycling…

A Gran Fondo is a one-day race for amateurs held on closed roads, and generally offers three route options, depending on your fitness level. While in Italy, I had the privilege of riding one of Italy's most famous and popular Gran Fondos, the Maratona Dies Dolomites, with two fellow South Africans, courtesy of Enervit and Bicycling. As the name suggests, the annual event is held in the breathtakingly beautiful Italian Dolomites. All three of us bravely opted for the long 'Maratona' route, which saw us join thousands of passionate riders for a gruelling but extremely rewarding day in the saddle. This 138km route's 4230m of climbing was spread over seven climbs, the toughest of which was undoubtedly Passo Giau - a 9.9km climb, with a lactic-acid-inducing average gradient of 9.3%.…

The /Ai/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park can be a bit of a meteorological enigma. A mist by the name of ‘Malmokkies’ can chill you to the bone on any given day, but generally summer is set to Damn Hot, while the winters are dialled into the high twenties. Desert Knights events are run twice a year: autumn (end April) and spring (mid-September). Or, if you’d prefer to show a fat middle finger to the crowds, how about you do it whenever? The whole park’s open for riding, with heaps of new singletrack in the pipeline. GETTING THERE From Springbok, head (via Steinkopf) to Port Nolloth, enjoying the tarmac while it lasts. Expect to take at least 2.5hrs to navigate the remaining 80km of gravel to Sendelingsdrift (and two to three more if…

The Canyon baggies are offered in a women-specific cut and a range of colours. Featuring ‘Transfer Dry’ stretch fabric and an 8”/20cm inseam (8cm shorter than the men’s version), they’re tailored to allow for unrestricted pedalling, while the ‘Semi-Form’ fit stops them flapping in the wind. The waist is easily adjusted via elasticated Velcro straps, and a snap front-closure system keeps them safely fastened. An improvement on the men’s version is that a detachable women-specific MTB 3D chamois comes standard. Testing revealed both chamois and mesh lining were comfortable, without compromising ride quality.…

WE MAKE NO EXCUSES FOR PRODUCING A MAGAZINE THAT HELPS YOU BECOME A BETTER RIDER. That’s why we mesh together (see what I did there?) the best international writers and the best local experts in a monthly magazine – and online site – that help you improve on every area of your cycling, no matter what discipline of the sport you love. We’re often asked why we don’t do more on past races. The answer is simple: given the lag time inherent in producing a magazine, by the time Bicycling appears on shelf the race is long forgotten, and everyone’s looking forward to what’s next. It’s the ‘what’s next’ that interests us all. Everything – from the best races to do, places to visit, adventures to be had and gear…

A RAINY DAY One Boxing Day, my butt was starting to hurt from sitting so much. So the following day I bought a bike. The first thing I did was start riding to my friend’s house, about 20km away. I did 4 or 5km. I started that ride on three occasions, and one day I made it all the way. While I was there it started raining. My friend couldn’t give me a lift home, so I rode back. But I didn’t feel tired; I felt empowered. I was no longer constrained to riding around the area. I felt like I had a new city – when you ride, you experience a place in a different way. MICHAEL ‘COOLASSMIKE’ BOWERS,43 / NETWORK ENGINEER…

When I start a ride, it takes me ages to get ready – because getting ready for a bike ride is about so much more than just the bike. You need all the essentials before leaving the door: helmet, gloves, glasses, etc. Here’s a list of the kit I never leave home without. HELMET Obviously number one. Never go riding without a helmet – it could save your life. SUNGLASSES In addition to protecting your eyes from the sun, they keep out all the unwanted bugs and dust. If it’s raining, I always keep my glasses on, because there’s nothing worse than getting something stuck in your eye! GLOVES Be it on road or trail, I wear gloves, in case I decide to invest in some ground. If you crash…

When the MTNQhubeka guys had a tough day during the Team Time Trial at the Tour de France, team chef David Higgs could think of only one way to cheer them up. “The team arrived at the Pyrenees after a long trip and a bad experience during the time trial, and looked dejected,” says Higgs. “So I thought quickly, and asked the hotel chef if he had any meat.” Luckily, the chef specialised in côte de bouef (basically, monster steaks), so Higgs acquired a few and cooked them up for the boys. “The change of expression when they saw their dinner was one of the highlights of the Tour for me. Within minutes the guys were laughing and chatting, their spirits lifted.” Higgs believes the power of a meal goes…

Q /A What’s the best way to recover if I rub wheels with another rider in a paceline? First off, stay calm – most accidents happen because riders panic once contact is made, says Brian Walton, an Olympic track cyclist. Your first instinct may be to quickly pull the bike away from the rub. But sudden movements like jerking your front wheel left or right, stomping on your pedals, or grabbing your brakes can lead to a chain reaction when riding in a group, possibly causing others to crash as well. Leaning into the contact is also a no-no. Instead, says Walton, keep your body loose to absorb some of the impact. Then just take it easy, stop pedalling for a moment or two, and calmly let the rider you’re…

If you own a power meter, then you have the perfect tool to help you lose weight – by monitoring kilojoule intake. The formula is actually quite simple: one joule of energy equals one watt of power. If you’re riding at 250 watts, you need to deliver 250 joules of energy per second to the pedals. But note that for every joule you deliver to the bike, you’ve ‘lost’ another three joules metabolising fuels and producing heat. Therefore, at 250 watts, you are actually expending about 1000 joules (1kJ) of energy per second. The rest is simple mathematics……

WHEN TO GO June and September are best. Avoid August, as Italy goes on holiday for the entire month. GETTING AROUND While it is possible to use trains and buses, renting a car is the most convenient option – especially if you’re travelling with non-cyclists who want to explore. Best to rent directly from the airport. GEARING Be sure to fit a compact crankset (50/34T) with a 28T rear cassette, to make sure you don’t blow your legs to pieces with all the climbing. MAPS There’s no shortage of detailed maps for Garda… just visit a local bike shop or tourist info centre. In Liguria, you can try the local tourist info centre, or a bike shop, but English is not widely spoken – Google Maps may have to do.…

WHAT DID GOING TO THE TOUR DE FRANCE MEAN FOR YOU? RJVR It might be a cliché, but it really was a dream come true. I always imagined myself in the Tour as a kid, but I knew that coming from a non-traditional cycling country, far away from the European centre of cycling, the odds were against me. Very few South Africans have ever competed in the Tour de France, and to me it´s a great honour to be one of the select few. LM It was a huge honour, and being in the first African-registered team with some of my teammates and friends starting their first TDF as well just made it even more special. WHAT WAS YOUR HIGHLIGHT OF THE TOUR? AND A LOWLIGHT? RJVR Most definitely Daniel…

NEWS, VIEWS & REVIEWS OF THE LATEST GEAR Cannondale’s latest offering, an adventure road bike called the Slate, sports this brand-new 30mm Lefty Oliver suspension fork, to smooth out bumps in the road and increase traction when the going gets rough. Read all about it – and 14 other exciting new 2016 products set to reach our shores in the coming weeks. GEAR ED OLIVER MUNNIK (no relation. - Ed) also tests PowerTap’s eagerly-awaited P1 pedals... ULTIMATE JOBURG COMMUTER CANNONDALE SLATE The rules of engagement are being rewritten; many manufacturers are adding ‘gravel-grinders’ or ‘adventure bikes’ to their line-ups. These versatile road bikes are designed for multi-surface riding, and are capable of going almost anywhere your heart desires. As ‘spy-shots’ emerged of Cannondale’s supercharged Slate, with its custom-built Lefty fork,…

A GPS-enabled computer paired to a power meter gives you a wealth of information at your fingertips, both during your ride and downloaded afterwards. While riding, I valued the P1’s left/right analysis, which displays power per leg as a percentage – it helped keep my pedal stroke as even as possible. After a while, I was achieving a 50/50 balance without focusing on it. Afterwards, gauging various efforts (especially from races) is very satisfying. (This was particularly well illustrated on a dawn patrol ride, when I found myself in a battle royal with two mates. As we pinned it in complete darkness, me hanging on for dear life, it was difficult to gauge our effort, as I was watching their wheels and not the computer – safety first, kids! Once…

As trail centres grow around South Africa, so too does the number of riders venturing into more technical terrain. Add to the mix the fact that mountain bikes (and road bikes, for that matter) are becoming increasingly capable, and you have a recipe for a tumble or two, as you push yourself to try new lines and increase the speed at which you tackle your favourite section of trail or jeep track. Lightweight, extremely breathable and featuring a low-profile design, Specialized’s Atlas kneepads are aimed at trail riders and daring roadies looking for added knee protection. The pads use a thin layer of anti-shock foam to cover the knee cap, with three smaller pieces of foam that sit on each side of the leg offering additional impact resistance. An elasticated…

“WOW!!! What a great event. Well organised, route was marked perfectly, greatest water tables I’ve ever seen. Everyone friendly. Was a proper tough race, and everything for a good cause. Will definitely be back.” - Margaretha “I did the 45 and it was well organised. Marking of track good, really challenging race, beautiful scenery. Will do it again.” - Leon Nel “Fab Fab Fab. Such friendly people at Reg, free brekkie (if you wanted it). Fantastic and friendly water tables (the best ever). Stunning route with great views, and a good workout… Will be doing this one for years to come, and for a great cause :-)” -Glen ‘T-Bag’ Hughes…