Bicycling South Africa

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.

Bicycling South Africa

Which side do you unclip on?

THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR (WITH A CAVEAT)

THE FRAME • THE BEAUTY OF THE RIDE

NEW STUFF EXHALE! • RESPIPEP R499 / ALORAMED.CO.ZA

THE BIKE TOOLS EVERY RIDER SHOULD OWN… AND WHY • THE MUST-HAVE BIKE TOOLS FOR BEGINNERS – PLUS: WHAT TO BUY FIRST, WHAT TO UPGRADE, AND HOW TO BUILD A TOOLKIT YOU WON’T OUTGROW.

CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?

UH-OH! YOU JUST LOST YOUR CROWN!

DOCTOR OF ENDURANCE • NICOLA FREITAS: DOCTOR, CYCLIST, COACH. NOT ALWAYS IN THAT ORDER.

DANCING OR STAMPING? THIS IS HOW YOU REALLY CLIMB FASTER • On steep sections, one rider might spin their gears; another pushes a much harder gear, and rocks from side to side. Yet another stands on the pedals. Which method makes you fastest? Which is most efficient? We did an experiment – and can finally put this argument to rest.

MR DATA • WHEN SOFTWARE DEVELOPER DAVID TINKER COULDN’T FIND A TRAINING APP THAT MET HIS SPECIFIC NEEDS, HE DID WHAT ANY GOOD, TECH-SAVVY CYCLIST WOULD: HE BUILT HIS OWN! NOW, INTERVALS.ICU IS A GLOBAL SOUTH AFRICAN SUCCESS STORY, ADORED BY PROS AND KEEN AMATEURS AROUND THE WORLD.

A NEW TASTE OF FREEDOM • RACE ACROSS SOUTH AFRICA (RASA)

A NIGHT IN THE NAMIB • NEDBANK DESERT DASH

24 WAYS TO ACE YOUR RACE • CLASS IS IN, AND THE LESSON HAS BEGUN! WE SPOKE TO THE EXPERTS, TO HELP YOU MAKE THE MOST OF SOUTH AFRICA’S FAVOURITE CYCLING SUNDAY.

LEGENDS • From record wins to fast finishes, these remarkable riders of the Cape Town Cycle Tour will inspire you.

CONQUER THE EPIC • RIDING THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST MOUNTAIN-BIKE STAGE RACE THIS YEAR? HERE’S THE BEST WISDOM FROM SOME OF THE MOST EXPERIENCED RIDERS IN THEGAME.

“I’D RIDDEN HARD & WELL, BUT IT FELT AS IF MY EFFORTS – AND THE EFFORTS OF WOMEN COMPETITORS IN GENERAL – WEREN’T VALUED THE SAME.” • IN THIS EXTRACT FROM HER BOOK GETTING BACK ON THE BIKE, FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN CHAMPION AND TWO-TIME MASTERS GOLD MEDALLIST CATHY CARSTENS RECOUNTS THE EARLY YEARS OF WOMEN’S CYCLING IN SOUTH AFRICA – AND THE STRUGGLE FOR RECOGNITION IN A MALE-DOMINATED SPORT.

LUST FOR DUST • THERE’S A NEW PREMIER GRAVEL STAGE RACE ON THE BLOCK, AND IT KICKS OFF IN APRIL. WE CHATTED TO HENCO RADEMEYER, THE FOUNDER OF DRYLAND EVENT MANAGEMENT, ABOUT WHAT RIDERS CAN EXPECT ON THE INAUGURAL GARDEN ROUTE GIRO.

THE Italian RENAISSANCE • PEOPLE KEEP SAYING ITALIAN CYCLING ISN’T WHAT IT USED TO BE. THAT’S ACTUALLY NOT A BAD THING.

THE TEST ZONE

Wheeltop for the win • AXS? Di2? No thanks. If you’re shopping for a wireless drivetrain upgrade, here’s why the EDS GeX gravel groupset from Chinese brand Wheeltop should be on your list.

THE ART OF THE UPGRADE • It’s the little things that matter. Okay, sometimes it’s the bigger things, too! As we head into race season, spoil yourself with an upgrade or three. We have it all in this round-up – kit, bling, tools and more. Here’s our pick of the coolest new products.

BE A GOOD SUPPORTER • The Cape Town Cycle Tour is South Africa’s...