Moriarty

I have been commuting for many years but this has never happened before so I assume it's a rare event. Short version, bakkie comes past me on right just before an intersection, turns left in front of me while still actually next to me (classic scenario), fortunately used to it so slowed down and didn't fall, bakkie goes about another 10m and of course, is not looking left and doesn't see the car coming out from the left of the road................... Result = bits of nice new bakkie flying all over the place..................... Had a smile on my face until I fell asleep last night. Sometimes there is justice in the world.

Oh for heaven's sake, where's your sense of "Rage against the machine"? (or just plain fun)

Thanks Sadam.

I'm in.

Free interval training courtesy of metro police.................

I meant just as a protest, not on a regular basis. Picture the scene, 5000 cyclists all in the emergency lane on the left, preferably in a long single line, metro would be obliged to try and arrest or fine everyone as it's illegal, but know one carries ID (not required) and all give false names and addresses if forced to........................ Would be fun for all those who love anarchy or pushing authorities buttons...................

Excellent idea for a mass protest against e-tolling, Imagine thousands of cyclists taking to the N1!!!!

Sorry I can't join you for this one, did a 6 day tour in december last year starting in George, through Herbertsdale, Van Wyk's Dorp, Calitzdorp, Oudsthoorn, Knysna. Am doing a 9 day (with vehicle support) in Limpopo starting end April, hence cannot join you. Post photo's and news, and ENJOY!!

Good topic! I am also very interested in this type of touring. You can probably allow for a bit longer distance (70-90km) without making it a mission depending on what type of terrain you're covering. I have a lightweight rear carrier which can be attached to the seatpost and can take 7kg. Basically all you need to carry is a small tent (2.5kg) sleeping bag (1.0kg) camping mattress (.7kg) small gas stove and kettle (for coffee/soup/porridge/noodles) and a bit of "dry rations". The rest you can carry in a small cycling backpack. I haven't yet toured this way but will definitely be doing it this year. I have tried the option of B&B's and carrying everything in the backpack but it's quite tough on the back and shoulders. It is the absolute best way to see the country, what I would really like to do (and will do one day) is to travel through europe this way.

See you Sunday.

You can get 1:50000 and 1:250000 maps via the oziexplorer.com website.

A suggestion, how about a 4 to 5 day trip in the Eastern Freestate in the first week of December? I was thinking of starting in Frankfort (drive down and leave cars there)and doing a cirular loop around Heilbron, Steynsrus, Senekal, Ficksburg, Bethlehem, Reitz, Frankfort. That time of year we should be able to stay in guesthouses? My tentative dates would be leaving thursday 8th December, cycling on 9th to 13th and returning on the day we finish. It looks like it will probably be mostly tar unless someone has a good gps that we can find alternatives? PM me if you are keen to start planning.

Count me in for August next year or before.

Thanks Procrates, that looks like a really nice tour.

My idea was to try and stay as comfortably as possible in guesthouses/self catering whatever but to carry just enough with for it not to be a train smash if nothing whatsoever is available, I would carry lights and dry rations so that you can carry on at night if absolutely necessary......................... I have a bivvy bag as well as an extremely lightweight tent but this would have to be shared out to reduce weight, I would regard being independent of complicated arrangements/prior organisation as the main object, sort of like wilderness hiking with a bicycle.....................

Sorry but I don't know anything about 29ers, I was planning on using my hardtail 26 mtb with road tyres and slightly higher gearing for a road tour or my softtail for an off road trip. I haven't set any dates but tentatively propose 10 days in October this year as an option. I wasn't planning on putting on touring panniers, just taking minimal gear in a small backpack. Probably the best solution for planning would be for all interested parties to go for a longish casual ride together and discuss the options and preferences. For obvious reasons I would prefer this to be in the Pretoria are but i am flexible.

One of the ideas I had was heading out east from Pretoria (where I live) going through Mpumulanga and maybe into northern KZN. Probably mostly on roads although I only have an MTB, if someone has a GPS we could aim for minor road/track routes? Otherwise maybe driving down into the eastern freestate and doing a circular route? Comments?

I am looking for anyone interested in doing unsupported tours either off road or road or a mixture of both in South Africa, preferably based in Gauteng. Basically what I envision is setting out from home or some not too distant start point and doing rides from about 4 days up to 2 weeks, either coming back to the start point or getting somewhere where public transport can be used to get back. Anyone interested?

Motorpacing is a perfectly legitimate and effective way to training for racing in a fast bunch...........best road would be a nice peace of freeway or tollroad and use a motorbike rather than a car.....................