Mr Legs

When I last rode it in early January it was tar for about +-10 km from the traffic light at Sandbaai. It includes one good hill, but all in all more MTB territory up that way. I also heared on the news that the Western Cape Minister of Transport announced that the entire Hemel & Aarde Rd will be tarred but I do not know if that has happened in the meantime.

Years ago my son and I rode the Burger cycle race (yes it was on a Sunday). Near the end of the race we stopped as my son wanted to go to the loo. At that spot was also a massive traffic jam. One old gent in his very old Passat station wagon was also stuck in traffic, and he was blowing the hooter. I said something to him to the effect that he might as well stop using the hooter as everybody was stuck and no one could move. He rolled down his window and said:"F... you, I am going to church!"

I suffered from ITB a few years ago, traced the problem to my new running shoes, the mid sole of the one collapsed under pressure, shoes was replaced (for free) and I could continue running. I was fortunate, the majority of cases has bio mechanical causes and requires expert intervention.

I haven't read this post yet, but here is a copy of my mail to the Epic Media people: "The new logo is really really bad, I suggest if feel you have to change use the old one until you find a proper a logo that embodies the spirit of the Epic and mountain biking. The first bad marketing move in 10 + years of the Epic. It is un-sexy to the extreme. It is dead, too mechanical, no spirit or feeling, it looks like a cross between an engineering firm's logo and the logo of the International Atomic Energy Board. It is not too late to rectify this mistake. Kind Regards"

You do cycle through the farm at the bottom, but a friendly wave to the folks there will ensure a safe passage. I intend to explore the area more to see if there might be a route to the right (western side) of the tar road that links up to the single track just below the school. That will only happen after Xmas.

Car M A nice short but interesting deviation to the last bit of your route: After you cross the dam wall at the end of the Karwyderskraal rd (Boskloof Dam?) immediately turn right and follow the twin track down to the river that flows out of the dam. Cross the stream and hug the right hand bank for a delightful single track for a few km to the farm at the bottom of the big downhill where you can join the tar rd. Taking this route means that one loses out on the fast down hill on the tar rd (80km/h on the knobblies with ease!) but you stay off road for a little while longer. Enjoy!

I watched both the MDS and the "Coldest Race" , Cracknell is able to drive himself way way past the point where us mere mortals would have given up. A bit of a nutter, but inspiring. Disc W has similar programs lined up for 20:00 on Tuesdays

I did not answer the original question: I am seriously considering the 70.3. I suppose I should make the commitment and enter and then I will be obligated to do the training to get a return on the rather steep entry fee. I am not even taking into account the related travel and accommodation costs, it will be much much more.

Thanks for the info, Full IM is too far for my old legs. I see there is a 4:18:4, perhaps too short.

Garf Please tell me about "cape Town" is it an IM or triathlon event? Details?

Yes I'm interested. I will drop you a pm. Spoke to my son he still has the key to the pool of his primary school (he is 19 now).I suggest we contact the school for permission.

I nearly, nearly did the Sella Ronda in June......

Yes

Disy I must admit that I do not know how "masters swimming" differs from any other kind, please help!

Brent I'm also seriously considering doing half IM January 2012 I phoned a swimming coach yesterday. She trains groups in the Bellville pool from early October. Times 16h30-18h00, I did not ask her about costs, am thinking of asking her for a few lessons, then training on my own at the same pool.

I am a Noakes fan and will try to cut or at least limit bread and pasta and confectionary type baked goodies (and also sweets / chocs) for a while to judge the effect in terms of weight loss and energy levels. Will eat more fruit, veggies and nuts for a month or so.

We did the route , or part of it, for the first time today. Cycled to Haasendal, then the green route, then red and also some orange. Will become a popular trip, great views. Very different compared to Hillcrest, Contermans and Meerendal where the "less nimble" (=bigger okes like me, 90kgs +) struggle to do the frequent 180 degree turns.

I did a solo ride on Wednesday night and nearly took out a roadie at the entrance to D'urbanvale. Was 99.9% my fault, I apologised, but Mr Roadie was (rightly) very cheesed off and muttered something about "If it isn't the cars, it's the mountain bikes." Was a great night to cycle, though.

I am not aware of any singletrack near Stilbaai, we usualy do some cross country type riding on the many dirt roads in the area. The most popular route is to go up the western side of the river, at first it is a paved road but later it "improves" to a good dirt road following the river. You will pass a river side farm that belongs (or used to belong) to Wilbur Smith. More than enough ups and downs to give you a good workout. You can do a 70km circular route to Jongensfontein and back to Stilbaai. Another option is to again take the western side of the river and cross the river after about 18-20km, lots of dirt road in that area. You can also take the dirt road towards Gourits rivier, I've never been fit enough to cycle all the way there and back to Stilbaai, more than enough gravel to last you the whole day. No gps etc, getting lost is part of the adventure!

We used to do the trip from Mispah camping site, (you enter from the N2 at the Eskom site opposite Grabouw) through the farmland and orchards and then via the Kogelberg reserve to Kleinmond. Maverick Cycles issued the permits, must have been 8+ years ago since we last did the trip. I remember a serious water crossing at a retaining wall in the river. The first time we built floats from branches a la Huckleberry Finn. The second year we took pool noodles to float the bikes across.It was raining heavily the one year, but when we got to the water, my one buddy, took all his (wet) clothes off, put it in a big zip lock type bag and swam to the other side where he got dressed again. Before , during and after the crossing it was p.....g with rain, he struggled to explain his action to the rest of us. At one stage there was an attempt to build a foofy (sp?) slide over the dam, I never saw the finished product. Highly recommended trip.

Still trying to find out where to have the paint job done. Did not have time the last week, had a minor op, trying to arrange a holiday, just came back from the doc for an injection after an funny reaction to a bee sting!

Just remember to make your appointment for the visa application in time, Just came back from the Italian Consulate in Cape Town, they are fully booked until the end of next month, was very fortunate to secure an appointment after a cancellation. The position is the same at the other consulates.

I went up Ventoux in a Toyota, we stayed in Orange or Avignon, still some way to travel to Bedouin if you are going to cycle. Friend of a friend took his own bike and camped and toured Provence, camping was fairly cheap, 10-15 Euro, always good ablution facilities and small shop or bar at the camp site. It is a bit of a pain to lug your bike and camping gear from SA, and also to look after it when you hit the bigger cities and make use of other forms of transport, so maybe an option to google for rental bikes in the area. Check out car rentals as well, compare it with cost of train travel. You can get all the info from your friends at google. Trains in Western Europe are good, second class is much more luxurious than our standard of first class, ok I havent been on the Gautrain! Saw lots of people who took their bikes on the trains in Italy and to a lesser extent in France. The Dutch are the kings of two wheel commuting, even their metro have space to store your bike. They do however ride those awfull black sit up and begs.

Ok cool, meet you in the middle of the Karoo, right here:

Well I once did a 160km trip on the bike, so where will I end up if I start from Durbanville: Touwsrivier? Shall we meet half way and exchange bikes?