Bike geometry is getting more progressive and drivetrain tech is advancing like crazy, making it easier to ride even the hardest terrain. But in response to this, there’s been an international push-back called ‘underbiking’. Basically, it means deliberately riding a less capable bike, such as a vintage road bike on a gravel road – or in David Knee’s case, a rigid, single-speed mountain bike on the technical trails around Cape Town. “I had a romantic notion that the simplicity of riding with no gears would deliver a purer cycling experience, harking back to the days when hard men rode the Tour de France on heavy steel bikes,” says the 52-year-old, who works in the financial services industry.
Indeed, under biking is all about challenging yourself and rediscovering why you fell in love with the sport in the first place. David admits that the experience has been less romantic than he’d expected; but he’s hooked nonetheless.
“To say I’m untalented when it comes to the rough stuff is an understatement,” he says. “Riding the single-speed is nothing like riding my dual-suspension Cannondale Scalpel. The Scalpel basically does the work for me, whereas with the single-speed, I have to take my time and pick my lines. Even a tame trail like the Kirstenbosch loop offers great excitement. I love the challenge of getting up the hills, and I quite enjoy sometimes having to get off and push. Walking is the ‘third gear’ when riding a single-speed – after sitting and standing!”
History and Heritage
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November/December 2020-Ausgabe von Bicycling South Africa.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November/December 2020-Ausgabe von Bicycling South Africa.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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GEAR FOR THE AGES
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A RACE LIKE NO OTHER
IN KENYA'S MAASAI MARA, KNOWN MORE FOR SAFARIS THAN CYCLING, THE MIGRATION GRAVEL RACE CHALLENGES RIDERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD THE WORLD WHILE FORGING A FUTURE FOR BIKE RACING IN AFRICA.
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WAR ON WHEELS
IF YOU GO FOR A RIDE IN CAPE TOWN AT THE WRONG TIME, YOU COULD FIND YOURSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF A CYCLING GANG WAR, WHERE THE WEAPONS OF CHOICE ARE STRAVA RECORDS AND SALTY COMMENTS ON INSTAGRAM. THIS IS THE TALE OF THREE RIVAL ROADIE CREWS AND A REMINDER THAT CYCLING IS A SPORT BEST TAKEN WITH A SENSE OF HUMOUR.
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GET TOUR DE FRANCE FAST IN FOUR WEEKS
HAVE YOU GOT TOUR FEVER? If you have a good fitness base, let the pros inspire you to take your riding to the next level.
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THE SECRET TO MAKING A COMEBACK? JUST START
\"THIS IS WHAT DECONDITIONING LOOKS LIKE,\" I said out loud to no one, as I looked at the heart-rate reading on my phone and gasped for breath. \"This shouldn't be so hard.\"
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DEAR MARK CAVENDISH
WHEN I FIRST STARTED FOLLOWING professional road cycling around 2014, you were at the top of your game.
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HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR POWER-TOWEIGHT RATIO
POWER-TO-WEIGHT RATIO IS one of the most telling metrics in cycling - and thanks to indoor trainers, many more cyclists are now familiar with it. Right now it's never been easier to calculate your power-to-weight ratio and use it to improve your performance.
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EASY RIDER
A FEW YEARS AGO, my wife and I along with her parents, brother and his wife-cycled down the Danube River in Europe.
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LEADING THE WAY - RYAN GIBBONS, 29, SA PRO RIDER, MULTIPLE SA & AFRICAN ROAD CHAMP
AFTER JOINING LIDLTREK from UAE Team Emirates, South African national champ Ryan Gibbons aims to be the best lead-out man he can be - while also helping his new team in their quest to climb the World Tour rankings.
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6 WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER
TOP TIPS TO KEEP YOU COOLER AND RIDING STRONGER... NO MATTER WHAT THE TEMPERATURE.