![Perfect Timing](https://cdn.magzter.com/1360045451/1705412770/articles/Ku6S-4sYy1708512684034/PERFECT-TIMING.jpg)
ROBYN DE GROOT, 40, FORMER PRO MOUNTAIN BIKER
IF YOU'VE EVER SPENT TIME RIDING IN OR AROUND GEORGE, at some point you will have been smoked by two of the happiest faces on bikes: regular visitor from Germany, former World Champion and Olympic gold medallist Sabine Spitz, and SA’s own Robyn de Groot, six-time national XCM champion, Olympian and with a third at Worlds. Happily retired from the racing aspect, De Groot still rides – a lot!
“I raced bikes professionally for 16 years; first on the road, and then I had my best years mountain biking. I retired after my final Cape Epic in 2022.
Denne historien er fra January / February 2024-utgaven av Bicycling South Africa.
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Denne historien er fra January / February 2024-utgaven av Bicycling South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![GEAR FOR THE AGES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/ksrXWXZx81720596957220/GEAR-FOR-THE-AGES.jpg)
GEAR FOR THE AGES
Some bicycle components, tools and accessories - by design, luck or a bit of both - become icons of performance, reliability and permanence in cycling.
![A RACE LIKE NO OTHER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/hNS2HxDtB1720596207494/A-RACE-LIKE-NO-OTHER.jpg)
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.
![WAR ON WHEELS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/EoUN43_HR1720595067436/WAR-ON-WHEELS.jpg)
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.
![GET TOUR DE FRANCE FAST IN FOUR WEEKS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/YiHDHavgp1720594499835/GET-TOUR-DE-FRANCE-FAST-IN-FOUR-WEEKS.jpg)
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.
![THE SECRET TO MAKING A COMEBACK? JUST START](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/LI4QGoI7t1720594205702/THE-SECRET-TO-MAKING-A-COMEBACK-JUST-START.jpg)
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.\"
![DEAR MARK CAVENDISH](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/g7MxM8Een1720593991457/DEAR-MARK-CAVENDISH.jpg)
DEAR MARK CAVENDISH
WHEN I FIRST STARTED FOLLOWING professional road cycling around 2014, you were at the top of your game.
![HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR POWER-TOWEIGHT RATIO](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/54U3MAA3j1720593503321/HOW-TO-CALCULATE-YOUR-POWERTOWEIGHT-RATIO.jpg)
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.
![EASY RIDER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/DZt1jMPLl1720593325081/EASY-RIDER.jpg)
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.
![LEADING THE WAY - RYAN GIBBONS, 29, SA PRO RIDER, MULTIPLE SA & AFRICAN ROAD CHAMP](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/-_HfyANb61720592455364/LEADING-THE-WAY-RYAN-GIBBONS-29-SA-PRO-RIDER-MULTIPLE-SA-AFRICAN-ROAD-CHAMP.jpg)
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.
![6 WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1571210/EXmaHQ18n1708514727809/6-WAYS-TO-BEAT-THE-HEAT-THIS-SUMMER.jpg)
6 WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER
TOP TIPS TO KEEP YOU COOLER AND RIDING STRONGER... NO MATTER WHAT THE TEMPERATURE.