Robbie Stewart

In this case it was a local rider judging by the club board hanging off his bars. Some context, we were riding in a loose bunch side by side heading up from the Dairy Shed and were climbing up the hill past that foreman house on the corner. We were just riding at a relaxed pace having a chat when suddenly this guy appears and just charges straight at us and before we could make way and apologise he just started shouting and swearing at us, almost causing a collision in the process. The trails are not a space for road/trail/roid rage.

To the sterk seun who decided to shout obscenities at 4 riders at Conties on Saturday morning because we were impeding your progress seeing as you were riding down a trail that is actually intended for traffic heading in the opposite direction, I just want to point out the foolishness of your impulsive inclinations. You should note that you were not taking into consideration that the 4 of us were discussing wether we should turn around and teach you some "trail side etiquette", and that in all likelihood you would find that very unpleasant to say the least. Lucky we decided the effort wasn't worth it and rather spent it on the trail. My only bit of advice is next time you decide to shoot your mouth off at people you don't know, count the cost first and determine whether you can afford that ticket to the dance because you might not get away so easily again as you did today. Just saying. Don't be a deus. Be lekker. And mind your own business.

This is why I spent the morning on the beach at Melkbos with the family. Tomorrow sounds like some Jonkershoek is in order.

I would rethink riding Tokai tomorrow as the wind is forecast to be near gale force all day. The better option looks to be anything Stellenbosch side. Nothing along the peninsula or Tygerberg way is going to be any fun tomorrow.

Day pass at the gate to the parking. R100 or thereabouts. You're lucky SANParks didn't break your arms. Ask Nic Dlamini what happened when he tried that.

I'm pretty sure I'm missing the obvious, but I'm curious how putting up signs by the danger spots to warn cyclists not to ride there will solve anything. Especially as the article suggests that out of town cyclists would not know the risks of the area so they need to be warned. In Afrikaans there's an idiom that aptly applies to this; "dit is mosterd na die maal". If a cyclist finds themself on that stretch of road with seconds to spare before they get mugged, I fail to understand what benefit a colourful sign will add to the already messed up affair? I'm also curious how anyone thinks to put signage up to warn cyclists off their poor life choices is better than removing the vermin that causes the problem in the first place. THIS is why I don't support the PPA. I just don't see the value they bring to the table. They need to do better than this.

Semi related. I was cycling along the beachfront in Melkbos earlier today when suddenly I found myself having to take drastic evasive action to avoid being flattened by a boet in his new Ranger. Yes, it was a white one complete with paper plates stuck to the glass. Anyway, boet was driving one handed over a Stop which he decided wasn't meant for him to stop at. All this while holding a can in his other paw. I can't say if it was a soda can or another kind of less legal beverage that may not be consumed while operating a vehicle. But boet tried to stare me down while I was counting the cost of kicking his door in its moer. I decided to just leave and get on the cycle path as soon as possible. Be careful out there mense, the morons are in town again.

Care to elaborate?

Ya, I suppose it's true. This is why I prefer to ride on closed trails.

I wonder if it's warranted to give that "lady" a good old fashioned hiding in this instance should the opportunity present itself? Mmmm. It's shocking to read between this and that other thread how bad things are getting on the roads in Cape Town. Society has degenerated rapidly over the last couple of years.

You are allowed to transition between Hoogekraal and Contermanskloof and back if you're not a member. Day pass is R60 at Hoogies which includes the trails as mentioned and a Conties day pass is R50. Those two trails provide a good mix of distance, elevation and a variety of technicality that will keep you busy for an entire day without the need to go anywhere else. And when you're done you'll be properly fried. My suggestion is to start and finish at Contermanskloof because of the insanely good carrot cake, great coffee, excellent pizzas and mad good beer you won't find anywhere else.

Tokai. The jury is hanging on which trail is better between Tokai and Jonkershoek which are arguably two of the best mountain bike trails in South Africa. If you're going to be in Constantia you will regret not riding Tokai.

I'm watching this now, and I have a new found respect for anyone who started and pushed through their limits to do this event. I'm motivated to give it a go at some point.

I do know the area. And I'm aware that alternatives don't really exist. That then makes the argument that cycling to town is a foolish endeavour. I mean, ride it if you insist, but crying about being robbed is pointless. I know I sound unsympathetic, but it seems that people are taking unnecessary risk when they really ought to know better.

This the road outside the gate in Duynefontein during July. It stayed like this for a good few weeks. I can only imagine the level of flooding in the reserve.