Two wheels better than four.
My Bicycle history
A short inventory of my current and past bikes, their achievements and misadventures.
A few years ago while I was planning to have a custom bike build, I got to thinking about the role that cycling has played throughout my life and how, much like music, it has been the backing track to my decades on this earth. Of course it didn’t really start with me at all, my dad had his own cycling backtrack to a very different life. He was a track cyclist and I have this awesome photo of him in full flight taken around the 1940’s. That photo encapsulates the passion and spirit of road racing that was as present back then, as it is in todays top professional cyclists almost 80 year later.
My first bike was a "Cape-ads" special which my dad and I put together from bits and pieces, a frame for $1,50 and a set of wheels for $0.5 We hand painted it blue and to finish it off, my dad fitted it with an old Stermy Archer 3 speed gearbox. I loved the personal freedom that bicycle afforded me during a time in my life when everything was governed by rules and limitations. “Just going for a ride on my bike” was always met with a positive response and motherly concern regardless of the reality of what exactly that meant. What it did mean, was the freedom to head out on my own, to follow a route created in my own head, to turn left or right wherever I chose and more often that not, to journey clear around the Cape peninsula from Indian to Atlantic oceans, along some of the most scenic areas in the world, up and over iconic passes to arrive home well into the afternoon, sunburned, windblown and famished. All this as a mere 12 years old.
In Matric (Grade 12), I got my very first brand new bike, A red Armstrong 10 speed racing bike with white bar tape. I can still clearly see it in my mind's eye and recall the rubbery smell of its newness as it sat impatiently next to my bed on that night before my first ride on her. I swear I slept through that entire night with a huge grin stretched across my pimpled face. Now, many decades have passed me by. I am an adult with the same illusion of independence and self control as everyone else, yet the reasons for my continued and increasing passion and pleasure of cycling are still exactly the same as they were 50 years earlier as a shy 12-year-old boy from Plumstead in the Western Cape of South Africa.
As the waters of that endless river flowed under the bridge of my life, I went on to cycle the Freedom Challenge race across South Africa twice, winning it in 2006, cycled across the Karoo in 2007 and then completed two Ironman events in PE during 2008 / 2009. Between 2010 and 2014 I cycled long distances in Thailand, Laos, China and Malaysia and in 2015 my son and I cycled across Bhutan and on to Kathmandu in Nepal. Get this though, my Son did it on an unmodified BMX while I accompanied him on my mountain bike.
After seeing the Himalaya mountains for the first time in the distance during that trip, I went back to Nepal in 2016 and cycled from Kathmandu up near to the top of the Annapurna circuit at 4,300 MASL, again on my MTB. In 2020, with COVID19 having effectively shut down International travel, I did a country crossing of Laos. I don’t mention these things here to brag, but because for a very small and painfully unconfident boy from Plumstead South Africa, the road has been hard, and these are some of my very precious victories.
What follows here is an inventory of all the bikes I have owned
Enjoy the journey!
Cape-ads special
1979-1975 - School computer and round and round the Cape Peninsula
This was my first bike, a "Cape-ads" special. (Cape-ads was the classified section of the Cape Argus evening newspaper we used to buy second hand anything’s during the time before electronic media)
My dad and I built it up from bits and pieces, a frame for $1,50 and a set of wheels for $0.5 We hand painted it blue and to finish it off, my dad fitted it with an old Stermy Archer 3 speed gearbox.
I loved the personal freedom that bicycle afforded me during a time in my life when everything was governed by rules and limitations. “Just going for a ride on my bike” was always met with a positive response and motherly concern regardless of the reality of what exactly that meant. What it did mean, was the freedom to head out on my own, to follow a route created in my own head, to turn left or right wherever I chose and more often that not, to journey clear around the Cape peninsula from Indian to Atlantic oceans, along some of the most scenic areas in the world, up and over iconic passes to arrive home well into the afternoon, sunburned, windblown and famished. All this as a mere 12 years old.
Armstrong 10 speed racing bike
1975 - 1977 - School commuter–Ou Kaapse Weg specialist–Around the Peninsula regular–Social life commuter.
Around 16 years old, I got my first brand new bike, a red Armstrong 10 speed racing bike with white bar tape. My dad was going to buy me a 5-speed lime green race bike, but the salesman convinced him to pay a little more for the Armstrong. It was a good move.
I can still clearly see it in my mind's eye and recall the rubbery smell of its newness as it sat impatiently next to my bed on that night before my first ride on her. I swear I slept through that entire night with a huge grin stretched across my pimpled face.
I put it into good practical use, as I cycled a daily 14km round trip commute to school and regular weekend and evening visits to my friend Gordon, who lived close to the school.
A round trip from Plumstead, over Ou-Kaapse-Weg, Chapies and back home via Constantia Neck, was a regular trip and must still be one of the world's most iconic cycling loops in terms of scenery.
Nishiki Altron -MTB
1997-2003 - Forest road and firebreak junky–Road tourer–First little Karoo tour.
Although a few bikes had come and gone between the 20 years from 1977 to 1997, they were “supermarket race bikes” and were only used for a very short while. This Nishiki was the first thoughtful purchase, and it came at exactly the correct time in my life.
We had just got back into Conservation after 5 years lost in the wilderness, and Mountain Biking was a new fad in the world. We were based on Nuweberg NR high in the mountains surrounded by forestry roads and tracks.
Through this bike, I explored, often with my children, the forestry roads and tracks around Nuweberg. We competed in a few local MTB races and cycled along the road to places like Villiersdorp, Garbouw, Koegelberg, and Kleinmond. It was a time of great peace and contentment.
In a moment of inspiration, I adapted a pair of school backpacks to act as touring paniers and conducted my first true cycling tour around the little karoo. It would be a nod to the future for me, but the timing was not yet right. We moved to De Hoop NR where I used it around the reserve and kept it all the way through our term here until we moved to Marloth NR many years later.
As a steel frame (Chromoly), even with no suspension, the bike was perfect for forest trails and long distance touring, and the color was just gorgeous.
Raleigh MTB Hardtail
2004-2005 - Marloth NR trails specialist – Freedom Challenge trainer
My son Dylan and I got new bikes soon after we moved to Marloth NR outside of Swellendam. The forest roads and mountain trails around Marloth were probably a little more technical, and we had great fun exploring them from right outside our front gate, always accompanied by our sheepdog, Zimba. It was not the best bike I owned, but it served its purpose well.
When I managed to get accepted as a participant for the Freedom Challenge, MTB race across South Africa, I naively thought I would do it on this bike. I did all my race training on this bike and for that purpose alone, she served me very well. I knew it was the wrong choice for the actual race though and even went to the pains of removing the name from the frame, so as not to embarrass myself in front of the other competitors.
Fortunately, at the last minute, I was sponsored a bike for the race. In retrospect, the bike would not have lasted until the evening of the first day.
Giant XTC 26’ Hardtail
2005 - 2005 - Joint 2nd - Freedom Challenge race across South Africa.
This was my introduction to the XTC, and it has become my go-to mountain bike ever since. Something about the geometry makes it the perfect bike for me, like a pair of well-worn boots.I used it on the Freedom Challenge race across South Africa, a 2,500km, non-stop, unsupported MTB race through some of the most amazing areas in South Africa. For 26 days I rode across the country on this bike and ended up coming in a joint 2nd place with Amy Mundy.
On the night I crossed the finish line, the race organizer took the bike away from me, and I returned to my sister’s house, sat on the bed and cried. I could very happily have turned around and started cycling back the way I had just come.
Giant XTC 26’ hardtail
2006 - 2012 - Joint winner of the Freedom Challenge race across South Africa – Across Karoo – Laos cycle - Malaysia cycle – China cycle.
After the first freedom challenge (FC), I was hooked. I went through a few secondhand bikes trying to capture the XTC fit, but it never worked. Finally, I got a sponsorship to do the race again during 2006, and could buy the new model Giant XTC just in time for the race.
After winning the FC alongside Cornell, I was addicted to endurance, riding 300 km’s in 24 hrs just to see if I could, then conducting my ride across the karoo. Later I moved to work in Laos, where I cycled long distance trips in Laos, Malaysia and finally across a sizeable chunk of China. After the China trip, she was tired and so I retired her to a family in Laos.
Peugeot race bike
2007-2007 - Ironman trainer
The freedom Challenge success unlocked a door to my self-confidence exposing me to an enormous range of possibilities. I sat in front of the TV one Saturday morning and watching the entire Ironman South Africa competition played out in Port Elizabeth. Although I had never been able to swim more than a few meters at a time, usually in a wet suit while surfing, I decided that this was it! I would do an ironman the next year.
To do this, I needed a road bike, so I begged my dad’s spare supermarket quality racing bike, did a few upgrades, and let the training begin. Before I changed it for a very secondhand race bike closer to the Ironman event, I practiced on this bike, completing many trips to Paarl or Hermanus from Swellendam, and a few 200km morning rides around the mountains where I lived.
It reminded me that not having the “best” of everything should never stop us from living our dreams or at least from focusing in on our goals.
Take what you do have, and go for it!
Cannondale CAAD 5 race bike
2007 - 2017 - Ironman South Africa 2008 and 2009 – All over Laos, Some Vietnam and Thailand.
Just before the Ironman event, I bought this secondhand aluminum frame Cannondale CAAD 5. A beautiful bike, although I always felt it was slightly too big for me. It had a solid, older model Shimano105 group set that was so well built and long lasting, it just never wore out.
I sold it to our Laos country director to fund a more endurance orientated race bike.
Giant XTC 27’5 hardtail
2014 - 2021 Extensive Lao touring – Bhutan country crossing – India (a small bit) – Nepal – Nepal again – Hiem resident.
When I came back from my China trip, it was obvious that the old XTC was on its last legs, so I replaced it with this bike, which I bought in Thailand. At the same time, I moved over to 27.5’ wheels, which made quite a difference in terms of average speed on a long trip. The bike has already had a full rebuild, which I did myself, converting it to a 1X drive chain. This bike, along with my previous XTC, has certainly taken me on some amazing journeys so far.
Besides many long-distance trips in Laos, in 2015, my Son Dylan and I cycled across Bhutan, into India and on through Nepal into Kathmandu. My son did that trip on an unmodified BMX! After seeing the Himalaya mountains for the first time in the distance during that trip, I went back to Nepal in 2016 and cycled from Kathmandu up near to the top of the Annapurna circuit at 4,300 MASL.
In 2021, I scraped the frame, and built the components over onto a new carbon frame. This “new” bike continues to be my primary ride up in Hiem when working on NEPL NP.
Colnago CX Zero
2016 - 2020 - Laos endurance riding
After I sold the Cannondale, I was looking for a light fast bike for weekend rides, with good endurance geometry, to do some single day long distance trips. I went through to Thailand with my mind already made up to buy the Giant Defy. Unfortunately, I had a quick peep inside the Colnago stable and the rest is history.
Like my XTC MTB’s, this frame fitted me like an old smelly sweater and immediately my riding improved.
I did a number of 200km day rides and saw my average speed pick up by quite a bit. I thoroughly enjoyed the riding experience on this bike.
Rainbow beach cruiser
2018 - 2019 - Broke my thumb
Someone gave me this cruiser in payment for a keyboard. It had a backpedal brake, and I thought it quite cute until a fall on it almost ripped the thumb off my hand and gave me a facelift.
On the way to work one morning, the front wheel slid out and my thumb caught between the brake lever. I was in hospital for a week in Thailand while they sowed my thumb back on. It's ok now, but with restricted movement.
I never looked at that bike again and gave it away to someone working on our house.
Mercer custom build steel frame cross bike
2018 – Current - Extensive Lao touring – Oman cycle trip – Lao country crossing – Commuter.
This is my once in a lifetime bike, a tribute to three generation of cycling in my family, my dad, my Son Dylan and I. It was quite by chance that I came across the website of a custom bike builder in Cape Town, David Mercer. He graciously accepted my project and build me this absolutely beautiful steel framed cross bike which I named “Southern Cross”
I researched and purchased all the components online from various suppliers and the wheel-set came from a small wheel builder in Thailand. I had to do all the project work remotely from Laos, including the color and design which had me coloring in sketches of frame sets. Altogether it was an 8-month process, and I finally collected the bike from David in Cape Town while on my annual home leave.
The bike has exceeded all my expectations in terms of its build quality and rideability. Its fast and comfortable, really has long legs. Unfortunately, COVID has restricted my ability to travel more internationally on this bike, but it has done its fair share of longer trips to Oman and also a country crossing of Laos in 2020. After a few years, I converted it to a 1X drive chain. Best choice ever.
Trinx X7 Elite 29’ MTB
2021 - 2022 - Commuter - Weekend warrior.
I bought this as a second mountain bike to use as a commuter and general ride around on weekends in Vientiane. Although its very much a budget bike from China, the components were OK, all Shimano, even with a scattering of DEORE.
The shock was pretty “shocking” though, and the brakes spongy and weak. I have now upgraded everything to XT level, and broke the bank on a “FOX Float” front shock that cost about double the original price of the bike! Its now a really great ride, and I am enjoying the longer legs of a 29’.
The components were built over onto my new MERCER frame in 2022 and the original frame and components sold off.
Giant XTC advanced
2021 – current - Hiem workhorse
I once read a book on philosophy 101 which provided a thought experiment regarding 2 boats exchanging planking during the voyage. The crew of boat A eventually completely rebuilt their boat from parts of boat B. At the end of the journey, the question is posed.
“ Is boat A still boat A or is it now boat B or even boat ‘C’?”
Well, this bike is a perfect example of the above experiment, and after using it for more than a year, I still don’t know the answer. It does have a new carbon fiber frame, a first for me. All the fittings come over from my previous bike, which are themselves, replacements from the original after I converted the bike to a 1X drive.
Its fantastically light and a joy to ride in the mountains. I currently leave it up in Hiem as my primary ride when working up on NEPL, which is around 2 weeks of each month.
Mercer – Lanky Leumar (Mackped)
2022 - Current - Signature 29’ hard tail steel frame mountain bike
After my experience with the development of my MERCER cross bike, I always dreamed of having a steel mountain bike frame made by David as my primary mountain bike. While not a fully customized build, the frame is 100% handmade by David and finished to my specifications. The frame is one of David’s signature frames. I decided to once again ask Jared to do the paint work (artistry) and gave him a design based on my Mercer cross bike design. I then built over all the components from the Trinx 29 and have ended up with the best mountain bike I have ever had the privilege of riding.
I now have my final quiver of steeds, 3 in total. This should be enough now, except that the mathematical rule of; n = +1 still applies.
Lets see..
