After spending some time on my new machine I can only elaborate on what I already sensed was a great machine.

The build quality and finish of the paint has been perfect from the get go. The matt paint is almost rough to the touch, but has lasted perfectly, even in areas where the chain would slap or the odd bit of rub from a cable hasn’t blemished it one bit. It washes clean easily and I use Mr. Min furniture polish afterwards to give a deeper lustre and make wiping dirt off it even easier.

Winter Training

I have re-cabled it since the first time and fine tuned the cable lengths, it’s very easy to cable up even though it’s mostly internally routed. I’ve learned some tricks on the Venge that work perfectly on this bike as well to make cable changes a breeze. I have also disassembled it partially again to pack into a travel bag and flown across the country, which is a nerve wrecking affair when you’ve seen how the baggage is handled, and it came out unscathed on both trips and was simple to “fold up” and keep protected.

I have made only small changes to my saddle height since my first ride and I’m very comfortable in and out of the saddle. The rear is supple enough in sheer to take the bitterness out of the road surface and the odd pothole I hit in the dark on my morning training rides. The bike soaks it all up and is ready to snap up more.

I went a size up on this frame compared to my usual choice and I’m not disappointed, it still feels low enough and it’s compact enough that I cant sense a difference in the top tube. I run a 10mm shorter stem and this brings me to my next point. The more I ride the more responsive the front end feels. I actually felt surprised, and very pleasantly so, that the bike steered in so quickly I had to adjust my line a few times on a winding descent. I have ridden a fair bit in the rain now and have had a few momentary lapses in grip, to which the bike stayed neutral and regained some traction soon enough not to go down. In the bikes defence I was running too high tire pressures for the wet and dropping them 2 bar made a world of difference. The steering is razor sharp, maybe a little too quick for some, with the short 100mm stem I use it can develop a shimmy, only ever so slightly but enough to feel, but only if I hold the bars on the hoods and with one hand. After moving my one hand closer to the stem area on the tops and this phenomenon disappears. I have also in one situation had a shimmy when hard on the brakes avoiding a rider that switched me on a high speed descent, around 65kmph I had to haul in both anchors. I must have been a little over zealous and in the wrong hand position when it happened. I worried later and tried to re-enact it without success… so all good there too.

Overall I am extremely happy with my purchase and have the utmost confidence in the bikes abilities, I have thrown it deep into corners and had my eyeballs grow before it gave any hint of uncertainty, I’m sure it has plenty more in reserve before I find it’s limits. The combination of low weight and high stiffness while remaining comfortable makes this the best bike I have ever ridden. There are plenty more miles ahead…

The boys over at Bikeradar did a fantastic job in their in depth analysis of the new group, it’s pretty complete with weights and photos and tech design changes from the old system, I wont repeat them but you can find the details over here.

I rode the predecessor group for 2 years on several different bikes and installed a fair number of groups too. I have had the chance the ride a fair few hours on this group now including some racing and here are my findings.

Installation of this new group is more tricky than the bolt on and ride off affair of old. The rear derailer is easy enough, it simply bolts on and limit screws adjust light enough to turn with a fingernail. The front derailer is a lot more tricky, but you’ll be rewarded for your diligence later. Getting the initial height and angle is a time consuming ordeal, especially so with a clamp like my bike uses, I expect the braze on tab to simplify things somewhat. The idea is to get the alignment right over the big blade down the centre of the cage. I used the limit screw to hold it open then once you’ve got the position right then you can set the limits to the right place. I found that a combination of height, angle limits and cable tension was needed to get it just right but if set up correctly you can use the entire cassette block in the big blade and the top 9 cogs in the small ring without rub. Then there are the brakes… again these are more difficult than before to get set up, but with the right tools you can get them dialled in soon enough, again the time spent is worth it. This time you’ll need a spanner to centre them instead of pushing them around like the dual pivot versions.

The new shifters feel very good to hold, the gripper rubber is a cool new non-slip design and the now higher tops make for a very secure hand position. SRAM provide some gel inserts to install under the tops for your palms too but I chose not to use mine. I have also ridden with them in the wet and had no hand slip at all. Initially I didn’t like the idea of the longer brake lever blades from launch photos and the shift paddles seemed huge when hand-held before installation, but once fitted they looked sleek as well as providing way better reach and usability when in the drops, something you will appreciate most when descending or tucking into a headwind.

The lever throws seem a little different, shorter maybe, the rear is similar but prefers more cable tension than before in setting up, but is smooth and precise as always. The front is quite different; with the yaw technology you don’t need the trim so you only have two positions, up and down. Shifting up is fast and smooth, but the biggest difference for me is the speed of the down-shift – it’s lightning fast and almost too quick as the slightest thought and touch of the paddle and the chain derails. The only gripe I could possibly foresee is the rider changing his mind mid-shift and want to stay in the big blade, it is possible to “catch” but it’s so fast it requires a momentary pause in pedalling to keep it on the big blade. I have not fitted the chainwatcher supplied as I haven’t found the need. I run Quarq Cranks with the Sram Red black rings, so the interfacing is all spot on for fast reliable shifts.

The brakes after setup are superb, the modulation is good so as not to cause unwanted lockups and still the power is awesome! I usually use the yellow king brake pads on my carbon rims and simply leave them in for training on my standard clinchers, but I left in the standard black aluminium specific ones supplied to ride through winter so it may be a little biased to say they are way better as I found the old Red callipers great stoppers too, but the bite on the new brakes is fantastic. I’ll update this once I start using the yellow pads and also talk about rim clearance (which I believe is better) once I fit my 404 Firecrests.

So far so good then… the old Red group is still a huge bargain, but the diet and small changes on the new group is worth the extra ponies, even if you just get the new FD it’s another “Leap” forward.

PS – since I ride the Quarq I haven’t tested the new cranks, but the weight savings are very enticing!

The weather gods had smiled upon Cape Town for this years edition of the 110km race, calm warm with a slight SE wind. Gentle headwind on the way out and tailwind home. This should be fast!

I was feeling good and rode a short warm-up before lining up in the start chute. The start was still a touch dark but we set off at a blistering pace up eastern boulevard. The bunch was huge, all of the the elites, including many pro team from JHB, as well as two guest riders from Omega Pharma Quickstep pro team. I was mid pack and wanted to move up the field, and took some places down hospital bend. Shortly after that the front riders hit the brakes and send a wave of panic through the bunch, I got closed in and touched a riders wheel in front of me and went down. I was up in a flash as riders crashed all around me, I didn’t even look back to see the carnage, checked my bike for 5 secs and jumped on to chase. I had issues though, the rear brakes were rubbing which I only found out later, and my derailer hanger was bent causing all sorts of trouble with my gearing. I couldn’t risk putting it into the 25 any more for fear of the limit being moved and the derailer catching the spokes, I adjusted the barrel adjuster and made do with what I could. I chased from the Windmill until the base of Edinburgh Drive where I latched onto the back, took two deep breaths and began the climb. I had already done a 10 minute interval in chasing and the climb spat me off the back just about 3/4 way up. I chased again. My descending technique and aero position saw me catch the bunch again at the bottom of Wynberg hill, just in time to recover on the fast blue route highway. it was then that I released my brakes from my rear wheel.

The pack was incredibly skittish, a lot of unnecessary braking sent further shock waves into the peloton. I rode as if on high alert and tried my best to fight for a good position to avoid further danger. The next task was Boyes drive. The short steep beginning was a taste but I held on well to cope with its longer slopes and went over well placed. On then to Smitswinkel and again I made sure I was well placed to survive the gradient change. I fell a little short but made up the ground quickly on the top to rejoin the long strung out paceline. I made my way forwards and rested again.

The way through Misty Cliffs and over Ocean View drive was only mildly painful but another crash just behind me on the fast 45kmph stretch after Imhoffs Gift brought me back to my senses and I tightened my grip on the bars. I knew Chapmans Peak was looming and I needed to secure a better place in the pack. I made my way up to about 5th or 6th wheel by the time we hit the bottom of Little Chapmans, I fought hard and went over well, only losing a few meters on the front end, I started well placed and fighting hard on the major climb, as the pace hotted up though the gaps started to open. perhaps I had done too much already in chasing back, but I slipped off the bunch and didn’t remain in close enough contact to even effect a chase on the descent. I found a group of fellow bus drivers and set about work in damage control.

I paced a lot on the descent and left the uphill pace making to someone else, we worked hard but well together and ended up dropping a few of the initial bunch and caught a bunch of guys up the road near 12 Apostles. The larger bunch gave me time to breathe and I rotated along with the rest of the men. In the end we sprinted for the glory of 87th place and I was 2nd to give me 88th overall for the race We’d only lost 5min to the leaders and all things considered I was happy to have made it home in one piece. Next year… I’ll try again.

Wow! I am so far behind in my blogging, the end of season races were jam packed and I’m only just recovering from my latest bout of racing, but I decided to wrap all the league races into one and focus on the latter races in a seperate post.

The GP Koning Roller Coaster was a jaunt around my neighbourhood in the south peninsula. The race started fast and fresh and the weather was pretty warm. We were on the defensive here and just had to counter moves, but instead Robbie launched an attack along with Luke from Anderson to stay away most of the day. The real fireworks for the GC places were to start on Ou Kaapse Weg shortly before the home stretch so the gap grew steadily with no real chase from the other teams. I put in a few attacks to lessen the blow later on. The bunch hit Ou Kaapse all together aside from the two up the road and we held it together until midway up. Anderson attacked followed by Neil from Cyclelab and got a gap. We didn’t have the fire-power up there to counter and Clive didn’t follow this time as he knew there would be a one two move, it stuck and they held an advantage over the climb. I caught up to the pack at the bottom of the descent and we began a chase but most of us were spent already and couldn’t do much to close in, meanwhile Robbie had won, with Luke second,  Neil had caught the break and snuck in for third and closely followed by JP. Clive came through to take the bunch sprint after we’d neutralized the secondary attacks in the chasing bunch to claim a valuable 5th.

The Medallion was next on the cards and was more suited to our team and we’d hoped to secure max points. In the early stages the climb of hels hoogte split the pack and saw us on the back foot. Clive and Steven made the cut but were outnumbered 4-2 and with two more cyclelab riders present the attacks were going to be numerous, it was simply a case of when the floodgates would open. I was in the second bunch and commanded our team of 5 to the front to chase down the break. it was a long hard chase and we crept closer very slowly and only eventually closing the gap at 65km. We went straight on the defensive and closed the counter moves down and then held a steady pace on front to keep the attacks to a minimum. The tactic worked and we went to the line with Clive well rested, Robbie was now a GC threat too after his double win was also rested. The tricky uphill finish proved perfect for Clive and he sprinted to 1st place, Robbie was well placed too in the top 5 and we gained great points for the weekend. Excellent teamwork made this day possible and we really came from behind to collect the honours here.

The Wellington Cycle race was the 1st of a double weekend, the open flatter race should suit us but the team was a bit disjointed and we didn’t get it all right on the day. Robbie and Steve made an early move which saw them away until the climb at 45km. Robbie wasn’t feeling too good and I sacrificed my bunch position on the climb to try get him over. I pushed and chased but we never regained contact. Clive and Steve were left to fend for themselves in a bunch of 20 and managed to get 3rd in the end after being attacked all day. We chased in vain and had a hard day out for not much gain. Kudos to Clive for showing his strength and form to hang in there and still provide a result.

The final showdown of the series and it was coming down to the wire, Clive had a lead but it was not unassailable. Two major threats in the GC would make it a hard day out. I decided the best for of defence was to attack, taking the opposition with me, but no their GC contenders. After a few early moves one stuck after the climb at Smitswinkel, I launched and was soon joined by Luke and Stuart Strang. We paced hard and opened about 45sec by Slangkop and stretched it out to two minutes by Ou Kaapse Weg. We thought we were away and eased up a bit over the climb, but the Cyclelab guys had jumped on front and blitzed the climb to close in on us by the top and it was all square again. I was disappointed not to stay away but set about defending Clive again. The attacking came all the way to the final kilometre and we’d managed to close them all down, I had surprisingly good legs still and jumped after anything that moved. True to form and after a good amount of chill time in the bunch, Clive emerged a clear winner by winning the final race of the season, cementing our overall victory and securing points to take 2nd in the team competition as well.

Overall it was fantastic season, we’d won where previously not thought possible and grown stronger as a team because of it.

KOM in the Bay City

I have toyed with the idea of buying an Italian thoroughbred for some time now. Every time the moment comes that I have sold my latest bike, I start shopping for a boutique branded machine to race, there have been plenty on the list including Time VXRS, Look 695, Willier Cento Uno, De Rosa King3 RS the new Supersix Evo Ultimate of course the Specialized Tarmac Sl4 … but one bike caught my eye at its launch and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect this time around.

I remember the first glimpse of the Bianchi Oltre stirring my emotions, I loved its lines, its aggression and the way it all integrated. I watched videos on the history and dramatics of the Italians and the brand pillars of Italy. I watched again. I read reviews, I spoke to anyone and everyone that had ridden one for a first hand account but I didn’t really need more convincing, I knew I wanted one… but wait there is more…for my patience I was rewarded with the release of the Nero Limited Edition. Ahh yes…I had to have it.

I placed the order and waited impatiently, luckily I had some weekday racing to keep me occupied, but once the box stood in front of me I couldn’t wait any longer, I tore it open to reveal one of the best looking frames I have ever seen. I was like a little boy on Christmas morning. i took the rest of the day off work and hurried home to begin building.

I weighed all the parts meticulously first and documented them, the claimed weight for my 57cm was correct to the gram. The Limited Matt Black paint helping attain a 100g weight loss over the standard model. The finishing kit all beautifully crafted and anodised in matching Celeste by Carbon Ti.

The build went without a hitch and I had her up and running in no time, I fitted my race rig and went for a 5km shakedown test. My legs were horribly sore after the mornings training session so I couldn’t get a good power transfer feeling but the handling was razor sharp. I made some fine adjustments to the shifting and parked it for the night. I stopped at the pharmacy on my way home and even the people queue at the teller couldn’t help remarking on how beautiful my bike was.

On Saturday morning I went out for a light spin, into a serious headwind at first, but once I had turned and started back with the wind, my enjoyment lept up 1000%. It was smooth and fast and silently deadly, It responded to every effort and turned like a knife. My biggest fear was under-steer, but that was quickly put to rest and I zig-zagged in delight. I went up a size, the Specialized’s I have always ridden were 54′s but this was a 56, effectively 12mm longer on top so I ran a shorter stem by 10mm and also benefited by having the steeper head-tube angle to quicken the steering on this model over it’s 55cm counterpart. My homework was spot on, and it fitted like a glove. I effected some more front derailer fettling as I neared home as I had some rub on the blades under full gas. Once that was fully sorted I cruised back home.

Bianchi Oltre in Training Mode

On Sunday it made it’s debut at the Medallion Tour De Stellenbosch amid lots of ooh’s and aaah’s it was definitely a head turner. Performance on the day was spot on, it felt perfect in every way and the climbing ability was well shown as I went over strong in the second bunch, not quite ready to hang with the climbers.

Race Mode

It’s sure footed in descent, stiff at the BB and still a pleasure to ride. It really goes “Beyond” what you can expect from your bike. Bianchi is doing it all right. I absolutely love it.

We headed back out to the flatter rolling hills of Paarl for the 123km race. We were greeted by fine and war weather, which became very hot later on as we got back into Paarl. We only needed to control the race and keep it together for a sprint, it didn’t quite turn out like that.

As the neutral zone ended Steven Hayes was away, the long leadup to the climb at 45km served as a deterrent to the chase group and he was allowed a long leash, soon enough he was joined by our own Robbie Rodriquez, and the pair of them worked together to gain a gap of over 2 minutes by the climb.

Robbie and Steve hold the break over the climb

Back in the bunch things were tactical as riders played chess and conserved energy for the climb, I tried a few moves, to get Rob up the road but the pack would allow no more room and everything was closed down.

Along the leadup to the climb after the Hermon turn off, we faced a headwind. No-one wanted to be on the front, so we ambled along at a measly 25kmph. This suited the break and allowed them to still climb at a slower tempo to go over with the leaders. I placed myself up front with Warren and paced out the climbs lower slopes, this way we could control the pace. Anderson lept at the first sign of gradient and it was time to hit the hard yards up the climb. The pace was hard but not impossible to keep up, I wavered on the back of the faster guys but eventually got dropped and ended up in no man’s land following as fast as I could go. I made it back to Warren just nearing the top of the climb and we were off about 80m. Together we worked to get back to the lead group, the pace was high and we both took big turns to close them down.

The chase took longer than I would have liked and I was burning matches in getting back. Eventually though we closed in by the left hand turn for home, but it was no easier as more attacks came straight away. It was hang on or ride home alone, so I gritted my teeth and set my legs alight again to hold on. Once the pace eased I sat in and recovered as much as I could. A few kilometers ticked by and then it was time for more games, riders took turns attacking the bunch, including me, toying off the front and getting chased. after a few moves Robbie struck again, this time with Marius Nel, a good TT rider too and the pair worked away quite quickly. We had full confidence in Robbie and let him go, Anderson did too as this move suited them well. Some chasing ensued but more time gains went the way of the break.

I realised the break would dent our GC chances, and set about chasing ourselves, we rested Clive and he held out to wait for the sprint. Several other guys joined in and the pace was very hard over the final 30km, some heavy rollers and attacking made it a crazy hard pace to hang on. The break stayed, we could see them but they weren’t coming back to our tired legs.

The last flurry of a chase was on the downhill slopes toward Paarl main road, but again our efforts were in vain as we couldn’t close and turned our attentions to the sprint for the final podium place. I was fading fast and waited a long time before attempting a leadout. With 2km to go I took Clive to the fore and couldn’t stay there, and falling behind just before the right turn to begin the sprint.

I was off the back, but tucked in as aero as I could to recover and make back some meters, the plan worked and I closed in on the bend and was travelling faster than the bunch too! I rolled around the right and kicked into a sprint into open space. Clive meanwhile had gone way up the left and we almost merged at the front as I came around. With Clive needing the points I backed off a touch to allow him the podium, but MC came around us both to take the 3rd place. Clive ended 4th with me 5th.

The Bunch Sprint Head On

The team competition went brilliantly for Aurecon as Robbie took the win and maximum points and another 2 in the top 5 placings, not exactly the plan but we’ll take it gladly!

This is not my favourite race on the calendar, and for good reason. It’s a very hilly race with little time for recuperation and usually means a lot of time spent chasing, and then going backwards on the climbs again. It’s a climbers race and for me to have any chance at all I’d have to wear them down on any flats and then still spend a lot of time in the red on the hills, it’s a tough task.

Thankfully the wind was up again and in my favour. The start from Reddam House was easy paced and we all got up onto Boyes drive without a hitch, I placed myself well on the longer slope to go over in good contact and I started hitting as we crested. I accelerated on the descent and had a few chasers. The twisty roads and sharp corners suit me and I had a small gap going down to the main road. I didn’t force the pace and the group came back together.

Up black hill 1 the prevailing NW wind was a headwind, and this was good news for me as it held up the climbers and I could sit in and go over without too much trouble. On the way down I hit again, opening a small gap and taking more meters through the 90 degree turn at the traffic lights. A few riders had come with me and we drove a small break for a km or two while the rest played catchup. The headwind was still in effect so I didn’t waste too much energy here, but kept the pressure on if they went to sleep. Slangkop was coming up and the bunch caught their breath.

Up Slangkop around Kommetjie lighthouse the headwind turned and the climbers piled on the pressure. The bunch drew out and a long line of riders filtered up and over. I managed to stay in contact going over in the tail and set about moving up the bunch on the rough and chattery shallow descent into Witsand. I had made my way to the front by the intersection and hit immediately taking Warren away with me. We drove off the front and didn’t allow any rest to the others either. As we toyed off the front, I was fishing for any other riders to join us and work away, but the chase was on and the whole bunch came after us. I sat up.

Perfectly timed, Steve and Robby hit immediately, the bunch had just heaved a sigh of relief and they came flying past me and Warren over 10kmph faster than us. The split opened and they rode hard to keep going away. Warren and I slowed the pace and waited for the other teams to take up the responsibility of bringing them back.

Eventually Cape Storm tried in ones and two’s and Anderson lent a hand. This was ideal as they could take all the wind for the rest of us in the long uphill drag to Smitswinkel. The rest of Team Aurecon sat in, while the work got done. Eventually chasing turned to attacking and the break was brought back under the extra pace injections of the constant darting off the front. Once Steve and Robby were back in the fray I began attacking again myself, going just before the crest with Pieter Calitz. We descended with speed, in gusting winds that now turned into tail winds, again I wasn’t going flat out, but testing the waters. We regrouped, Warren hit, I went with him but the speeds were too high to get away. So we cruised along until the next rise in the road at the Black Marlin. Marius Nel jumped away and rode away solo as no-one put in a chase. I rested as I knew I would need to work hard to get Clive into the brutal navy climb in a good place.

The elbow rubbing started at the Simonstown golf course. Anderson took control and I laid in wait, Clive was already on my wheel, Steve was also well placed behind him making room. The pace from Anderson slowed as we entered Simonstown central and I took over the pace making so we didn’t get swallowed up again. On the far end of town the battle reheated and we rode in a parallel pace line tot he climb’s base. It was quite a distance far a leadout and I was happy to have Steven lend a hand with the pace making. Clive was doing a great job of holding my wheel and I took him to the inside curb as we entered the pothole strewn road. I made sure he knew the right line and sent him on his way.

I went backwards through the group and Steve dropped a chain. I rode as hard as I could with the legs I had left to try get into some sort of bunch for black hill. I went over the broken concreted climb on my own, but Steve was just ahead with another rider, and a small group ahead of them. I chased, and tucked in tight as I could to catch by aerodynamics rather than using up more energy. I managed to get back to Steve by the main road and turned left onto Black Hill 2 to begin the climb together.

The Black Hill 2 Chase

We worked well together and Steve was out climbing me so he took the larger share of the work. We had four team mates up ahead in the main pack as the front split on the navy climb had merged. Over the top I was back in my element and lead the charge downhill and by the time we were through Sunvalley we were back in contact with the front guys and in time to rest into the headwind towards Noordhoek. The bunch was only 30 guys strong by now and I was hanging on for dear life, with two climbs to come I was not looking forward to the next section of tarmac either.

I started the ascent of Silvermine road that links into Ou Kaapse weg in contact for the most of it, but the steeper last section was the deal breaker as the climbers launched their end-game. I faded back and gritted my teeth for the final 3km of Ou Kaapse weg to the hill top finish. Anderson had two riders in contention with JP and John climbing well, Clive was on the gas too and gave chase, but Raynard Tissink had snuck away and was being closed down by John, who caught him in the end for the Win, followed closely by JP and then Clive.  I crawled home in pieces in 18th, disappointed that I couldn’t climb better but happy considering the shape I am in.

Me, Steve and Clive