Hello 2014!

2014! My my - but how time flies. And the cycling crowd of the Smooth Knobblies have not been mucking about either. The Endomondo Challenge is in full swing and the Sknobs have been smashing in the kilometres on a daily basis. The Squirrel has gone past the 1250km mark just 3 weeks into January - with Shaun hot on his heels at the 1000km mark. I do sense its going to be a Big Year for riding - with no less than 8 of our group all signed up for the Cape Epic in March (may The Force be with them).

Needless to say, being out and about on the bike does create opportunities for some great photography. Here are a selection of some of the most random yet creative shots over the past few months:

An early morning ride up Smitswinkel let me use the red cutaway as a canvas as I tried a "Moving Selfie". I think it worked quite well, actually.

Cape Town and Table Mountain do provide an amazing backdrop to any city-based ride. This morning was no different.

South Africa mourned on 5 December 2013 when we lost Nelson Mandela. This rock (Madibas Rock) is my 50km turning point from home...and he's always there to smile at us cyclists.

A shot from Epic John who drove across the country up to KwaZulu Natal. 

The CrackMans fender. Probably the most battered elbow in cycling. Its a matter of as the scab dries, it gets ripped off again through another crash. Enough now.

Shaun and his broken thumb after crashing into a tree in Tokai

I think this is CrackMans sore knee....shame hey?

Moose won Crash of the Year (2013) for an unceremonious fall descending table Mountain. Helmet was totalled. Bike also suffered. Moose? Ag, he's okay (this is him at the hospital - and no, he doesn't remember this photo being taken).

Epic John delivering the Fat Bob DC team kit in style with the Valiant Charger. Very unique, this one.

The Fat Bob DC team tackled the 204km race with only 8 riders - but still did a 6:30. Please note the CrackMan who is wearing his wife's bibs and his daughters top. The snug clothing is there because of a packing miscommunication before he left. Please remember that this is the same person who did 60km of an Epic stage 2 years ago in takkies because he left his shoes in the laundry bag that went home...sometimes people just don't learn.

This could be anyone in the group. I have no idea....

Holiday pic as Billy and JZ chill in the Garden Route.
Yoh, wassup, Billy?

Epic John toured KZN and sent us great pics of the local surrounds as you would see it behind bars.

Mandy out doing some Epic training - Mazeppa Bay on the Wild Coast (I think)

I was off to ride Wines2Whales with CrackMan. Charlie thought it would be a good idea to come along and tried this sneaky move. Nice try, my boy....

Nats and LeeAnne on a cool evening in Tokai.

Some interesting messages went around after Mooses epic crash - including this one. We were all trying to contact the emergency agency...and there comes a time when one person is phoning and there's very little anyone else can do other than wait. In the interim, Moose just lay in the gutter, somewhat shell-shocked - but warm, nevertheless. Dr Phall was undiplomatically asking Moose if he needed his GPS and shoes...opportunistic?

A beautiful sunrise over False Bay

Jan, my sister in law, had a very unfortunate fall in Tokai in December when she toppled over from being unable to uncleat. A terrible clean break meant she had to go in for some serious repairs...Get well soon Jan!

One morning I decided to ride around Noordhoek Peak 3 times. That wasn't the problem - it poured with rain! So much for Winter rainfall in Cape Town.

On 31 December 2013, a group of us decided to end the year on a high by scaling the Constantiaberg Mast. Here Ratio and Lee pose for a post-mast climb pic.

West Coast getaway meant a ride with a twist! It ended with a few km's on the beach - but it makes for a nice change (as long as you rinse the bike afterwards!)

Rocky summits Noordhoek Peak in December. 

Riding with Dylan Victor and Shaun means that the pace is going to be high. We did many Tokai - Red Hill - Cape Point runs over December to get some decent base miles in.

Ethan in Tokai one Summer's evening. (Look closely...)

Squirrel and Woody look down onto FMD and the City as the sun fights through morning clouds. That is pretty amazing...I mean - LOOK AT IT! 

Twakkie on the new 29er! Enough said...
Ant celebrates getting to the Mast for the first time.

Another reminder why morning rides give you such a sense of freedom and gratitude.

But its back to work now.....commuter style.