A Tale of Two Rhinos

The inaugural edition of the Rhino run saw a packed field of lunatic bike riders covering 2 700km across South Africa and Namibia - Some faster than should be possible, others getting full value.

23 bike buyer's guide

The best bikes for every rider - Available right now.

PREVENT FLATS AND IMPROVE YOUR RIDE

Over the past decade, 29-inch wheels, bicycle-geometry evolution and improved suspension performance have increased the speed at which we ride our mountain bikes.

What If We're All Training Too Hard?

Most riders can get faster, ride further, and crush all-day events with this minimalist training programme.

HITTING THE PERFECT TYRE PRESSURE FOR EVERY RIDE

RIDE FASTER, FLAT LESS, CORNER HARDER, AND LOVE EACH RIDE JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE, PRO CYCLIST ALISON TETRICK HAS A MANTRA: LOWER TYRE PRESSURE, LOWER LIFE PRESSURE.

POP A WHEELIE

Wheelies aren’t just a super-cool trick. They actually offer some practical skills you can use every day on the bike.

TAKE THE GUESSWORK OUT OF CLEAT SET-UP

For many riders who use clipless pedals, cleat set-up can be a combination of guesswork, trial and-error, and riding experience.

SEE IF FODMAPS AFFECT YOU

If you’ve struggled with diarrhoea, gas or bloating during workouts, a low-FODMAP diet might help you suss out what’s causing it

TRAIN WITH VO2 MAX

VO2 max stands for a measurement of the maximum (max) volume (V) of oxygen (O2) your body can take in and use during intense aerobic exercise.

HAVE AN ACTUAL ENDURANCE PLAN

For my first-ever monster ride, I decided to ride an A-to-B route with rolling hills and ocean-front views, ending at the beach with a toe-dip in the ocean. Sounds nice, right? It should have been; but I made a few rookie mistakes.

DON'T FORCE A RIDE - JUST STAY INSIDE

My relationship with riding is different now that I don’t race. When riding was a goal-oriented, athletic pursuit, I’d push myself to go out on rides even when I knew I shouldn’t have.

CHILLING FOR THE WIN

WORRIED ABOUT LOSING FITNESS OVER THE HOLIDAYS? RELAX - TAKING IT EASY DOESN'T MEAN TRASHING YOUR HARD-EARNED GAINS.

ULTRAADVENTURE VIRGIN

LIVING THE BRAND TO THE LIMIT, Ciovita marketing guru Charl-Neethling is no stranger to the Cape Town cycl ing mil ieu – popping up at everything from urban cruises to gravel grinders, on a selection of bikes that sometimes seems endless.

The Ultimate African Adventurer

OUR COFFEE DATE this issue is with a world-renowned explorer, whose list of adventures includes circumnavigating the entire continent of Africa by bicycle: in two years and two months, covering over 38 000km and passing through 34 countries, including some of the most dangerous on the planet. He was captured by rebel soldiers in Liberia, and held captive by Al Qaeda in Algeria.

GUILTY GEARS

A NEW BIKE OWNER SHARES HIS TALE OF SHAME.

RAD RIDES

THE RECYCLES KEEPING ACTIVE ON DURBAN'S BEACHFRONT.

THE PEDAL STRONGER PLAN

These two exercise modules train strength and mobility to produce more power and utilise your muscles' full range of motion. Incorporate the moves in each module a few times a week on alternating days (more often during the off-season when you're not riding as much, less frequently when you're riding a lot). If a weight is indicated, choose one that lets you complete 8 to 10 reps.

THIS SCIENTIST CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT CYCLING MANY OF US CYCLE

TO CLEAR OUR HEADS; STEVEN PINKER RIDES TO THINK.

FILLING THE TANK

WE KNOW: RECOVERY IS ALL-IMPORTANT. BUT YOUR ON-RIDE NUTRITION CAN DETERMINE HOW WELL IT WORKS...

STAFF MEETING

IN WHICH WE CONVENE BICYCLING'S FINEST TO SOLVE YOUR MOST PRESSING QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, AND EXISTENTIAL QUANDARIES

HOW TO DO IT TIPS AND TRICKS FOR EVERY PART OF YOUR RIDE LIFE

CHOOSE THE BEST GRAVEL ADVENTURE FOR YOU

USE YOUR BRAKES THE RIGHT WAY

► There's a massive difference between skidding down an alleyway at 15km/h on a cruiser with a coaster brake, and pumping your rim or disc brakes in the rain on a mountain descent at 35km/h. Unless you were part of a youth development programme or raced as a young adult, chances are nobody has ever formally shown you the most essential of skills: how to brake correctly on a bike.

YOU BOOZE, YOU LOSE

NOTHING WRONG WITH A DOP AFTER A RIDE. BUT WHEN IS IT TOO MUCH?

EAT TO RECOVER

FROM SANDWICHES TO FRUIT SMOOTHIES, GETTING THE PROPER NUTRIENTS WILL BENEFIT YOUR RECOVERY AND EVEN SUBSEQUENT RIDES.

STOP PICKING ON ALUMINIUM!

In frame material lore, steel is romantic, titanium is magic, and carbon fibre is a super-material. Aluminium, meanwhile, is... what? While aluminium is widely used - from sub-R1000 balance bikes to R10ok e-bikes - it's often cast in a negative light: it's cheap, it's harsh, it's brittle, or it's not durable. And that's not fair, because aluminium is a miracle material that deserves some respect.

MAKING SENSE OFTHE RESULTS

► REAL-WORLD TESTING can produce some messy data, but it beats making assumptions. Plus, we had Josh Portner at our disposal as an expert resource. Josh is a true tyre nerd and the former technical director at Zipp. He currently owns the premium accessory brand Silca and runs a company called Aeromind,

WHAT WE CARRY IS WHO WE ARE

A PHOTOGRAPHER DOCUMENTS LONG-DISTANCE BIKE RIDERS-AND ALL THE MEANING THINGS THEY TRAVEL

One-Gear Wonder

David Knee’s stripped-down single speed Niner SIR9.

The Year That Wasn't But We Made It Happen Anyway

How did that happen? Will our grandchildren believe us? Filter out the almost overwhelming doom and gloom from the most miserable year in recent memory, and there’s actually quite a lot to be cheerful about – if you ride a bike.

Build A Better Home Workshop

With bike ridership soaring, and shops backed up with repairs, now’s a great time to set up or improve your home workshop. Here’s some practical advice from Shannon Leigh, who teaches bike maintenance through her company, Radiant Wrench, and also breaks down common repairs regularly on Bicycling US’s YouTube channel.