Bicycling South Africa Magazine - March / April 2025

In this issue

Cape Town Cycle Tour fever is here and we have all the inspiration and motivation you need. Also check out the great race-day gear upgrades, whether you're riding around the Peninsula or not, plus the best advice on how to lube your chain and fix irritating creaks. There's also the story of the man taking on the cheats on Zwift, plus much much more! Get your monthly dose of motivation, information and gratification now.

A GREAT TIME, NOT ALWAYS A FAST TIME

OFFICIALLY, I'VE COMPLETED 11 Cape Town Cycle Tours, but I think I've done closer to 14 (I rode a handful without the required timing chip). Most of them have been slow.

2 mins

THE VOICE OF CYCLING

GERALD DE KOCK JUST WANTED TO PLAY CRICKET. Then he wanted to study sports science at Stellenbosch University. But the universe has a habit of sending the best intentions along unmapped highways, and he was diverted to the world of cycling – via a 40-year-long commentary career that started in Potchefstroom, during a Western-Transvaal versus Boland Currie Cup rugby match.

2 mins

GETTING A FLAT CAN MAKE YOUR RIDE BETTER

ON A BEAUTIFUL LATE-SUMMER RIDE, under a clear blue sky… I got my second flat in three days.

3 mins

THE CASE AGAINST STRAVA

I'LL BEGIN BY SINGING SOME PRAISES. Without Strava, I'm not sure I'd have re-engaged with cycling at the level I did. Coming from just occasionally messing around on mountain bikes as a teenager to trying my best to race at an elite level, Strava has played a role in pushing me to ride faster, harder and longer than I'd ever done before.

1 min

THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY BIKES TO CHOOSE FROM

“PERFECTION IS ACHIEVED NOT WHEN there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”

5 mins

OVERBERG MEANDER

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE IN THE ROLLING HILLS OF THE SOUTHERN CAPE.

3 mins

WHAT'S THAT NOISE?

HOW TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX COMMON CREAKS AND SQUEAKS.

2 mins

DON'T MAKE THIS CHAIN LUBE MISTAKE

IT'S ALL ABOUT TIMING.

1 min

CYCLING'S SUPER SUNDAY

THE CAPE TOWN CYCLE TOUR IS ICONIC AS A BIKE RACE, AND AS AN EVENT THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER FROM ACROSS SOUTH AFRICA.

4 mins

ONE MAN'S CRUSADE TO TAKE DOWN ZWIFT CHEATS

INDOOR CYCLING AND VIRTUAL RACING ARE BOOMING - AND SO ARE THE RANKS OF DIGITAL DOPERS ABUSING THE PLATFORMS.

10+ mins

THE RIGHT TO RIDE

THEY LED A CYCLING REVOLUTION IN AFGHANISTAN, WHERE WOMEN WERE FORBIDDEN TO RIDE. WHEN THE TALIBAN RETURNED TO POWER, THEIR ONLY HOPE WAS A HARROWING ESCAPE TO AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE.

3 mins

PAINT YOUR BIKE

A DIY GUIDE TO CUSTOM- PAINTING YOUR BIKE AT HOME

5 mins

Read all stories from Bicycling South Africa

Bicycling South Africa Magazine Description:

Bicycling is South Africa's leading cycling magazine and is aimed at both road and mountain biking enthusiasts. Launched in February 2003, it is published 10 times a year, targeting the fast-growing and affluent lifestyle cycling market youngsters, adults, professional as well as casual cyclists. The magazine is filled with the best international and local content for every element of the cyclist's life from training techniques and fitness information to inspiring human interest stories, event news, nutrition and motivation. Bicycling is also South Africa's leading tester of bikes and gear with over 30% of the monthly magazine dedicated to the latest reviews so our readers can make the best choices.