Friday, February 26, 2010

LONGMORE RIDE - SUNDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2010

We will do the usual Longmore ride on Sunday, leaving from the second river crossing on the Culturama side. We leave at 06h00 for a five hour ride which will include about 2000 meters of climbing over 70 to 80 km. We will do something different to the previous rides with the objective being to look at the PPC facilities on the Otterford side.

CAPE EPIC WEAPONS

Here are the tools I use not only for the Cape Epic, but, also for the CDC (Coega Daily Commute). Credit to Blaine Robson for providing alot of useful pointers. I basically carry tools in three spots.

JERSEY TOOLS
-Plunger & Loaded Plug
-Spare Plug
-Bomb & Attachment?
-Glue

TOOL CAN
-Mavic Spoke spanner
-Derailler cable
-Zip ties
-Stans
-Multi Tool
-Bomb & attachment (if not in Jersey tools)
-Money
-Tyre Lever
-Spare plugs
-Park Tyre Boot
-Toughie tyre boot
-Glueless patches
-No Tubes valve remover
-Valve cores * 2
-Valve stem
-Derailler Hanger bracket

ON THE BIKE
-Pump
-Tube
-Spokes

If you spot any gaps in this list please let me know.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

CDC FUNDANI - EASTERN CAPE MOTORS



Fundani does the CDC every day. He must hold the record for Mr Consistency. I have yet to cycle to work and not see him in the morning. However, the bicycle is a new thing which only came onto the scene in late February 2010. Up until then Fundani had been walking to his job at Eastern Cape motors from Motherwell. Thats one serious distance! Consider the following:

1) For safety, he has got hold of a construction workers bib, no rear safety light and no helmet.
2) The cycling clothing must be hell. Ever tried to do a distance over 10km in jeans?

This guy is the inspiration for the CDC sponsorship drive. Come winter, at the very least this guy needs a taillight and a helmet. You could just save a life.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

LONGMORE RIDE FOR SUNDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2010


We are planning to do a similar route to this at Longmore on Sunday. We will meet at the Culturama 2nd river crossing at 06h00. All the usual culprits are invited and anyone else looking for about 6 hours and 2000 meters of climbing.

Click here or on the graphic to link to an animation of last Saturday's route.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

BIGGEST SMILE



The biggest smile I have seen all week was from a fellow commuter this morning, riding along this route.

Ever since I have been doing the CDC, this guy, Fundani has been walking to work. This morning, he came wobbling along on a totally wrecked and seriously dirty road bike. I have never seen such a smile before and Fundani was revelling in his new acquisition.

WELL DONE SUPERINTENDENT BACON!


So many people complain about the appalling drop in service from government. My standard response to them - have you raised the issue with the responsible authority?

Here's why. For the past few weeks I have noticed a motorcycle using the Coega Bicycle Path. Signage clearly indicates that the path is for non motorized vehicles only. I tried to confront the guy, and he got abusive.

I phoned Superintendent Bacon at the Metro Traffic Department. For the past week, Metro traffic officials have been patrolling the area and the problem has gone away.

So if anybody has complaints about poor government service, come to the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro where officials do take action when notified of issues.

Friday, February 12, 2010

HELPING THE COMMUTER - A CDC PERSPECTIVE

So how much is actually being done to help the Bike Commuter. Consider the sort of thing done for those using fossil fuel instead of pedal power.

1) Travel allowances: Some companies offer travel allowances and its tax deductible.
2) Some companies provide bus transport for workers
3) Huge investments in transportation and safety infrastructure

So whats being done for the bike commuter? At first glance, nothing, but, there are certainly some things happening.

1) Government is investing in cycling infrastructure. The Port Elizabeth coastal bike paths are the biggest investment in cycling infrastructure over the past decade.

2) Government is promising to spend on bicycle transportation. I have only seen very limited coverage of Shova Kalula, but, the program nonetheless should be supported to become more wide spread.

In practical terms, those doing the CDC (Coega Daily Commute) are directly benefiting from the coastal bike path. A journey that used to take 1 hour 20 minutes over rough terrain, is now taking an hour over smooth comfortable terrain with less damage to the bike. However, there is so much more that can be done. Consider this:

1) Do any of the employers provide incentives for cycling to work? None! Zilch! Nothing! In the UK, an employee can claim back tax under the government bike to work scheme. Up to 50% of the cost of the bike is tax deductable. Perhaps this is one of those Tips for Pravin that must be pursued. I have made the suggestion - have you? On my CDC (Coega Daily Commute) I see at least 10 people every morning doing the commute.

2) It pains me to see the monumental waste of money of corporate clothing, yet, nothing is spent on cycling specific gear. Corporates spend millions on T-shirts, tops, and tracks suits, all largely non functional gear. Ask any bike commuter and they will tell you - weather is not a problem (even in Scotland) - as long as you have the clothing.

3) The bikes being used by the typical commuter are shockers. There are some basics that need to be taught and its simply not being done.

So if you support bike commuting we'd best starting thinking of ways to address the above.

LONGMORE RIDING: 13 & 14 FEBRUARY 2010

The weekend will be spent riding at Longmore. We will meet on Saturday and Sunday at the second river at Culturama. You get there as follows:

1) Take the Culturama turnoff situated between Rocklands and Fitches corner
2) Go past the Culturama centre and cross two rivers
3) At the second river crossing, we will be parked on the left.

We leave at 06h00. Those on the invite list include: Mike, Richard, Adriaan, Kyle, Louis, PK & Blaine. We will do a route similar, but, not identical to this route which you can view in Google Earth. It will be about 5 hours, 1800 to 2000 meters of climbing and about 60km.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

The Herald 85km Mtb Race - 06 February 2010

Following the puncture plagued and technically inept Attakwas (see the race feedback) I lined up for the Herald 85km Mtb race to test the speed for the Cape Epic. As the results show proof that I have sufficient speed to stay with my partner, is now in place. Click the graphic hereunder, or click here to view a full breakdown of the race in terms of route, cadence, heart rate and times (make sure you hit the play button to see the temporal animation).



A seventh overall and first in age category in amongst some very illustrious company is not to shabby for a formerly flabby commuter. My Epic partner, Mike Charlewood, is also coming on great guns and is starting to show great form. After a late call to join the team, and still recovering from a seriously broken elbow, his speed on the earlier sections was very impressive.



This image was take early in the race and here Mike and I are in the company of Kevin Evans, Cornelius Muller and Andrew Briggs, to name a few. After all was done its apparent that preparations for the Epic are going well. We had no mechanicals and Mike had a great race the following day in the road event, staying with the lead bunch and finishing within spitting distance of the hooligans and breeze heads contesting the usual sprint.