Stephan

Is this race happening again this year? Stillwater Facebook page says nothing. Their last post was on 9 July about the Origin of Trails, and their website is down (has been for a few months).

Thanks for all the help so far. Really appreciate it. I have scoured the net and route plans and looked at a gazzilion maps. This is the plan now: Day 1 https://www.strava.com/routes/3253648923662638246 (Mt Ceder to Enjo Farm) Day 2 https://www.strava.com/routes/3253653661864698022 (Enjo to Elandsberg Cottage inside the park) Day 3 https://www.strava.com/routes/3253662945560747096 (Elandsberg to Rooidakkies) Day 4 https://www.strava.com/routes/3253663354081160358 (Rooidakkies to Mt Ceder, over Katbakkies) Will appreciate it if anyone who has been on these roads can confirm is this is actually possible? Strava heat maps seem to show yes. A few comments: We looked at the option of staying at Tankwa Tented Camp, but we want to try and avoid as much of the R355 tankwa road as possible. Apparently it can be really crap. I am aware that the road after the Biedouw Valley across from the Doringriver is horrible (classic comment in the video posted above "the road surface varies between bad and terrible") and that actually crossing the Doringriver is not a guarantee. Going up to Gannaga Lodge is still an option. We realise that if anything goes wrong (mechanical or puncture) in the middle of nowhere, then we may need to wait a few days for the next car to pass. We will carry a satellite tracker just in case.

Thanks for all the replies. Current planned dates are 13 to 16 Sept.

Planning a 4-day circular route starting in the Cederberg, venturing into the Tankwa via Biedouw Valley and then back to the start-point via Katbakkies. Only problem with my planning is that I have never been into the Tankwa. 🙂 I used a combo of Strava heatmaps, Tracks4Africa maps and a few quick checks on Google Maps, Komoot and Ride4GPS to plan, but I found it really difficult since I don't know the area and accommodation options at all (ideally a place offering a bed and food). Option A Day 1 https://www.strava.com/routes/3250812115739544092 (start near Op-die-Berg to Kromrivier) Day 2 https://www.strava.com/routes/3250813744534408732 (Kromrivier to Rooiputs, via Wuppertal and Biedouw Valley) Day 3 https://www.strava.com/routes/3250817568495228498 (Rooitputs to Tankwa Guest Farm) Day 4 https://www.strava.com/routes/3250818013866334748 (Guest Farm to start point) Option B Day 1 https://www.strava.com/routes/3253003413318015296 (Mount Ceder to Jai Yen Yen at Uitspankraal) Day 2 https://www.strava.com/routes/3253004675992186552 (Uitspankraal to Ganna Lodge) Day 3 https://www.strava.com/routes/3253007885890920120 (Ganna to Rooidakkies) Day 4 https://www.strava.com/routes/3253008752303007078 (Rooidakkies back to Mt Ceder) Is riding within the national park even allowed? The website says no (https://www.sanparks.org/parks/tankwa-karoo/what-to-do/activities/mountain-biking). Will appreciate any help and advice.

Cavendish!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just brilliant.

Where can we track the race? This side shows Benky's tracker still at home in PMB 😆 https://trackleaders.com/unboundxl24i.php?name=Kevin_Benkenstein

They set off tomorrow. Good luck to all the Saffas riding! Go Matt and Benky 💪

🤬 Not cool! Sorry to hear. I ride in Tokai and do the Silvermine loop often. This really sucks.

Live tracking shows leading men already at the bottom of Cliffhanger but "live" visuals on YT still shows them climbing up Aap Duez??

Craig Kolesky's channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC29IDPlBqTa1eV9w8dILAtg

Is there a leading motorbike uphead that would give these backmarkers a warning that the pro's are coming? They would obviously hear the helicopter as well, but this looks like a route-planning mess. The backmarkers are going to bundu-bash up that trail now because there is going to be a constant stream of riders coming down.

The 12-minute highlights of the start of Stage 2 were superb this morning. Great visuals. Starlink satellites will sort out all the signal issues. Pity it is not available in RSA.

If you don't like the commentary, mute it. If you don't like the free live feed (technical glitches and all), don't watch it. Watch the highlights reel in the evening. The constant bashing of the commentary and free live feed every year is getting old. The guys are doing their best.

Went to watch the prologue yesterday. Unbelievable to see so many Orbea Oiz bikes, as compared to a few years ago. Maybe because of SCR win on Orbea. Would love to see the results of the rider survey again. My guess is that top brands will be: Spez, Scott then Orbea.

Does anyone know when the lineup will be announced? Keen to see who is riding with who this year.