Mr Legs

Anyone with R 30k can go to Mauritius, but not everyone with R30k can do the Epic.

Bike wash ( you are correct, it is just off the course) { add silly joke icon} is sponsered by Pragma (same company who sponsered Hein Wagner on the tandem last year) It does not cost the riders extra. Pragma supplies the equipment and staff and it costs them a pretty penny. My involvement with Pragma? I know one of the big wigs and they sponsored our DC team in 2010.

If Vissershok from the Western side is closed, it leaves one single entry/exit road to Meerendal from Durbanville. It will be chaos, be prepared to park in Durbanville and walk/ cycle all the way up to Meerendal.

A comment or 2 : Union Cycles did not have armbands when I bought the permit; The chap at Overgaauw did not have a map of the trails. Keep up the good work!

I rode the trail today, started near Hazendal. My idea was to do the whole traverse, so I did the green, then the red, somehow missed the point where the yellow loop crosses the red, continued on the red, got tired, didn't concentrate, so when red turned pink and it was downhill, I bombed right down to Overgaauw. (Their Heerenwijn is the driest SA white wine that I've ever had, the old Mr Van Velden, now passed away was a buddy of my MIL and he gave us a box Heerenwijn as a wedding gift). So I went uphill again, right up to the highest point and then had a rest (flat on my back) on the pine needles with a splendid view of Simonsberg and the rest of the Stellenbosch mountains down to Somerset West and the sea. Refreshed I went down the single track through the forest and down the red loop again, I decided to skip the rest of the green as my riding time was about 4 hours at that stage and I still had to pedal home to Durbanville. Stopped for a coke and a bar one at a garage and got home after 4 h 45 on the bike. Tired. Verdict : Go and ride the trail, this was R 30 bucks well spent. Uphill, down hill, a bit of single track, fantastic views, a variety of options to suit your ability.

Agree!

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/103042-trails-near-stilbaai/page__hl__stilbaai__fromsearch__1

I dug out the book, the full title is A Guide to Mountain Bike Trails - Western Cape by Paul Leger. Published in 1997.

In the late ‘90’s when the internet was still in its infancy and one had to rely on printed matter and word of mouth for information, there was a small pocket sized book titled Mountain Bike Trails. This was our sole source of official trail information, so one long weekend in May about ten families went camping in the Karoo between Barrydale and Ladismith. Our primary aim, not disclosed to our loving spouses and girlfriends, was to ride two of the trails recorded in the little book, Grootvadersbosch and Anysberg. Grootvadersbosch was a great ride. In those days, we referred to such trips as “an epic trip”, you might be aware that a certain Mr Vermaak usurped the phrase for another extremely sucesfull mountain bike event. That aside, those were the days when you bought a Rock Shox Judy or Indy for R1500,00, replaced your rigid fork and then your Gary Fisher Hoo Koo a Koo with its grip shifts was the best bike in the group. On the Grootvadersbosch trip, we got lost, lost each other, my one buddy Andre even lost his bike for an hour or two, but the mountain bike gods found us and smiled down upon us and we had fun. We got back to the camp site, battered, muddied and bruised but full of stories about our, ermm epic trip. (Sorry Kevin). That night, by the flickering light of the camp fire we opened Mountain Bike Trails and studied the trip notes on the Anysberg trail. The plan was to load the bikes on a bakkie and drive to Anysberg, ride the trail and then be back, well in time to break up camp and to drive back to Cape Town. That was the plan. So the next morning five of us got up early, had breakfast, (last night’s leftover wors and lamb chops) and loaded our bikes. We drove down to the R62 and took the road towards Ladismith. After a while I asked if anyone knows where the turnoff to Anysberg is. Silence. There is sure to be a sign at the turnoff , someone suggested. Some more silence. Then Harry the dentist said that he heard the trail is part of the Anysberg Nature Reserve. Slowly we came to realise that we were still very far from Anysberg. So we decided to take the next gravel road and cycle along that road with us taking turns driving the bakkie. We found a road and unloaded the bikes and started cycling. Smooth Karoo gravel road, I took the first turn with the bakkie, after about 10 km Michael came back to the bakkie and complained about his bike, then about his chest and the about his leg. So you would rather be the driver, I asked. For the next two hours we cycled through the open Karoo, we went past an abandoned railway station, no tracks, no sleepers, just the name of the station, Hondewater. This station will never again see a train. A few rain clouds formed overhead, a quick shower cooled us down and we cycled on. We came across a farmer who just killed two jackal who were killing his sheep. Two beautiful animals lying dead on the back of his bakkie. I would not have killed them, but it was not my sheep being killed. We took a break next to the bakkie and replenished our liquids. Barry and Michael decided that they will take the bakkie back to the camp site and start breaking camp. (Yes their wives are sisters and are two real strict women). That left three of us, me an average cyclist, Harry the dentist, a big strong man and C the best of us by far. A few years later he came third in the vets section in Mr Vermaak’s race. I decided to leave first, the other two, being much better cyclists, will surely catch up with me soon. I left as Harry and C were still busy at the bakkie. A few minutes later the bakkie came past, Barry at the wheel, he slowed down and leaned out of the window. I just want to warn you, he said, those two have plans to ride you into the ground. Thanks for the warning, I said. I was feeling good, everything was fine, the bike, the body, the road and I pedalled as hard as I could. For the next hour I was on my own, just a lonely Karoo back road, every now and then I peeked over my shoulder, but Harry and C was still behind me, I could not even see them. I decided to give everything I have, they will have to work hard to reel me in. Another hour went by and I could now see them, slowly gaining on me. I was still pedalling hard, but they were working together and eventually they pulled in alongside me. Ja, said Harry, you told Barry that today is the day that you are going to ride us into the ground, you nearly succeeded. Harry, I said, we have been set up. We rode the last ten or so k’s together and when we got back to the camp, Barry and his family were packed and ready to leave. Had a nice ride? he asked. Epic, Barry, it was Epic.

Yes, everything looks big compared to a BMX )

Ooo, that hurt!

I was cruising along on my Saturday morning ride on my MTB, riding next to the road on the gravel when I was passed by 2 persons on mountain bikes who were riding on the tar. I was obviously extremely upset by such bad manners and proceeded to haul them in and passed them, all the while riding on the gravel while they took the smooth ride on the tar. I dropped them and continued pedalling without even a single glance over my shoulder, but lo and behold a k or 3 later on a slight incline they had the audacity to attempt to pass me again. This time I pushed my old and overweight body, but bouncing along over the rocks and washed out gravel sections, could only match them, not pass them. We crested the little hill into a built up area were they turned off into a side street. Is there some sort of authority where I can report such shameless actions or shall I leave it to the cycling gods to sort them out? Please advise. I was so cheesed off that I went for another ride this morning and did an extra set of hill repeats.

Yes, this is a valid point.

I cannot remember what logo etc he had on his shirt, it had a white background with some brown and green shapes, lets say I was too teary eyed to see what he was wearing. Yellow handcycle.

I am with Andy on this one. Bio degradable sachets makes good sense, and surely isn't "ludicrous".

Cool Steve, we have met before. I just thought you should have declared your interest.

I was cruising along at the bottom of Suikerbossie, near the Spar where the water table staff were all dressed in pink when the said staff started cheering madly. I knew that I cut a dashing figure on my bike but their reaction was slightly wilder than what I usually experience. Then from the corner of my right eye, I see this yellow handcycle moving up next to me and then passing me and virtually every other cyclist in our group. He was doing about 14-16 km/h the whole way to about the turnoff to the restaurant near the top, when his speed reduced slightly. The crowd's reaction was fantastic to see. When they notice him at first, they stop, their jaws drop, they then alert their partner next to them and then start cheering. I followed him down the other side, at times he was doing close to 60k's, all the time working furiously at the pedals with both arms. Past Twelve Apostles, through Camps Bay, Clifton and along the beach front he was working hard and kept up with every other cyclist in our group and at times leading the group. All along the spectators were cheering and shouting and our little group enjoyed and shared the moment with the handcyclist and were energised as we fed on the emotion of the moment. At times I got goose bumps despite the high temps. So we rode up to the finish line at in excess of 40km/h with the hand cyclist setting the pace, working those arms and pumping hard. As we crossed the line I had tears in my eyes as a number of our group thanked and acknowledged the contribution of the handman to the great enjoyment that we experience every second Sunday of March. No 13001 : I salute you and thank you.

The Euodia trails are perhaps not suitable for a 6 yr old, too difficult. The first km or so will be fine, but there will be a lot of walking for those little legs. Take them up to Fernkloof, there are a few difficult sections (for a 6 yr old) but the terrain is varied and not too steep and will keep them interested.

Steve Any interest in the product that you perhaps want to declare?

Well done your Slowness. I've often thought about doing a social Argus, perhaps stopping for a beer at a few pubs on the way etc. I do not however want to be caught up in that scrum or loose mall (or whatever the cycling equivalent is) on Chappies.

I remember her (fondly)

No doubt that your time will improve. I have a low spec Trek road bike that I use about 4 times a year, you do not have to spend a lot of money to get a significant improvement on your MTB time. Re the difference re Chappies and S'bossie: Chappies is not as steep and on my road bike I do between 16 and 20 km/h, on Suikerbossie I do an eve of 13-14 and on the steeper incline the gearing on your MTB works better, but you will do even better on a road bike. Would like to hear other opinions about me theory.

Slowbee, I will not describe any one of the stages as riding around in circles. I think the Epic has evolved from the trek from Knysna to Cape Town, which was a serious adventure for the keen cyclist to an international event. There will come a time that the pro race will be run on its own, perhaps even as a singles race, with a 3-6 man team, but with an individual winner and we (uhhm not me, I don't train that hard) will be doing Etape type rides or a non pro race a day after the pros on the same course. Pity 'bout the new logo, though, it still is @%@*&%^.

Reminds me of the story of the couple on a first date. They were driving back home in extremely cold conditions, snow etc. The girl needed to go for a wee and they decided she will squat (sp?) behind the truck and he, being a true gent will remain in the cab during the process. However disaster struck, she accidently touched the rear bumper with her naked butt and her skin promptly froze and she was stuck to the bumper. The gent had to get out and the only option was for him to wee on her butt to free her from the bumper. Good start to a relationship.

Check out Rouleur and Privateer from the UK. They also get boring after a while, but some of the local mags and Bicycling in particular are aimed at the newbie or the brainless.