Cape Town bike shop stories don’t get more real than this. John O’Connor shares how he went all-in on a small storefront in town—after being told he “won’t last three months” —and how that decision helped shape a huge part of Cape Town’s cycling culture.

John takes us back to 2009: the move from the Tiger Valley area, the risk of using what was left in their bond, finding the spot in the rain, and backing his gut when the “smart” advice said don’t do it  . From there, we go deep into what’s changed in the sport—especially gravel—plus the hard-earned lessons you only get after decades in the industry.

0:00 Intro 

5:42 Bike touring lessons: safety, punctures, staying smart 

7:05 Cycling community: how the shop introduced him to everyone 

7:49 The shop origin story (how it started after liquidation) 

8:39 Finding the spot in the rain + “pitching” the landlord 

10:06 “They said you won’t last 3 months” — surviving the early rent pressure 

15:06 The day-to-day reality of running the shop (logistics, grind, consistency)

16:34 The cycling boom: what changed and how demand exploded

18:51 Old-school road racing culture (why it worked, why it was special)

21:36 Malcolm Lange + the SA circuit / racing memories

26:44 Double Century: how it started and why it exists 

31:30 Tandem with his daughter + Cape Town Cycle Tour reflections 

35:03 Southside Cycles + women showing up in a big way 

36:49 Trends in cycling (where bikes and the culture are going) 

42:06 Bikepacking story: Caledon → Riviersonderend (heat, storms, learning) 

46:22 GravelBurn 2025: route breakdown + “Hospital Bend” moments 

1:02:19 Riding in Europe: Alps climbs + what it teaches you 

1:08:07 Savage Tuesday, cycling groups, and the Coates battle 

1:09:35 Final thoughts + wrap