Stephan

I'm going tomorrow. Plenty of spots to watch the action.

Where can I find a map showing the actual route per day?

See you there Chris ????

Some info received from Garmin: Unit is discontinued, they do not replace batteries for any of the Edge units. Unit can be booked in and sent to Garmin SA for a discounted quote on a replacement unit. I asked Garmin for a ballpark figure, and they said I can expect a discount of about 20-30% off the new retail price as per Garmin. However for an official quote the unit needs to be booked in.

Lekker! I'm planning the same thing, also solo, but from Cape Town side to George. I need to be in Mosselbay for Christmas, so I've worked out a tentative route which will get me there on the 24th. Day 1 (Sat, 18 Dec): Stellenbosch to Greyton (I've read reports saying Franschhoek pass is very dangerous with no shoulder, so I might start this day on top of the pass) Day 2: Greyton to Swellendam Day 3: Swellendam to Riversdale Day 4: Riversdale to Calitzdorp (or maybe Rooiberg Lodge) Day 5: Calitzdorp/Rooiberg to Oudshoorn Day 6: Oudshoorn to George Day 7: George to Mosselbay Still need to do some detail planning, but this is the idea. You can download the route from Ride with GPS app and send to your Garmin or navigate on your phone. Comments/suggestions welcome?!

That sounds like a good plan. I'll contact Garmin.

When I switch it on the battery status says 99%. 25mins into my ride, it drops to 3% and then dies. I reckon I need a new battery. Has anyone done a battery replacement recently? Any help/advice will be appreciated.

I've used the same person and I am suuuuuuuuuper happy with the results. No more back, neck or knee pain.

I wont be able to ride next weekend. I have a Cycle Tour entry available. If anyone is interested, send me a PM.

A friend of mine loves racing of any kind, so he started his own YouTube channel to promote coverage of various racing events. It started with Go Karting and moved on to other motorsports, and now he is doing coverage of mountain biking as well. Check it out. Any feedback, comments, tips, etc. welcome.

Thanks guys. I think I agree with the Cape Epic date in October.

With the opening of quarry area, Devils Peak, Blockhouse and the Rhodes contour path in July and recently Deer Park at the start of August, does anyone know if there is an update on when the entrance from Rhodes Mem gate will be opened up again?

Not much on Trail Forks. BTW, 50 is now LC (from ZS-GLC) ????

Hi, does anyone know where I can find maps for the following routes in the Worcester area? 1. The Golf course-Casino route (13km very easy loop, minimal climbing) (Permits available at ManiC Cycles) The Golf course route was developed with the whole family in mind. Families can ride one of three circular routes, choosing between 2.5 km, 5 or 13 km. Members of the Worcester Wheelers Cycling Club meet each other every 1st Monday evening of the month at 17:00 at the parking lot in front of the Golf clubhouse for a monthly timed time trail. 2. Apiesklip route (Challenging 14km loop, with over 400m of ascent) (Permits available at ManiC Cycles) This is a recent edition to all the stunning trails in the area, funded by donations from the Pedal Power Association. Portions built specifically to host stages 4 & 5 of the 2015 Absa Cape Epic; this is a tough and challenging route for more experienced riders. Starting close to the well-known Damas restaurant outside town and finishing at the gates of the Fairy Glen game reserve. This is a proper test for any mountain bike and should only be attempted by experienced riders. 3. The Heatlie-farm route, also known as the “Heuweltjie” route. (Permits available at ManiC Cycles) The Heatlie-farm route became famous due to the beautiful television footage shown during the time trials of the 2010 & 2011 Absa Cape Epics, and again during stage 4 of the 2015 edition. There is huge variety of single tracks in the hills and riders can create their own routes as they go along, or follow the routed marked by the local Worcester Wheelers cycling club (again thanks to funds from PPA). See whether you can reach the windmill at the top of the hill without walking. The view of the Brandwacht valley is breathtakingly beautiful. 4. The Nuy-on-the-hill route (I think it is this one https://www.nuywinery.co.za/nuy-mtb-route/??) The 25 kilometre marked route at Nuy-on-the-hill, is basically the same route followed by the annual Computer Mania-Willowcreek M.T.B. race. Cyclists need a permit to ride at Willowcreek and can use the same permit as the one used for the Heatlie-farm and the other routes mentioned below. Permits can be bought from the (a) Worcester Tourist Office; (b) Manic Cycles and (c) at Nuy-on-the-hill itself. 5. The Olyfberg route The Olyfberg route is currently under construction and should be completed soon. Different routes varying in distance is being planned, marked and constructed. These routes are situated in the beautiful Eilandia area, in the hills and mountains adjacent to the Breede River. Buy your permit at (a) the Worcester Tourism Office and (b) Manic Cycles. 6. De Wet cellar route A new edition to the area. A beautiful trip into the mountains behind De Wet wine cellar. 21km with some sublime single track and one really tough challenging climb. 7. The Slanghoek Wine Cellar route The wheels of many an Epic bicycle have been tried and tested on the 30 km marked route at Slanghoek. This route, situated in the beautiful Slanghoek valley, should be a challenge to any cyclist. Ride along green vineyards, across dam walls, beneath cliffs and on single tracks snaking through indigenous fynbos. Enjoy the fresh air and unbelievable beauty of the Slanghoek valley. Permits may be obtained from Slanghoek Wine Cellar. 8. Du Toitskloof – Goudyn – Stettynskloof Thanks to a new event on the 3day mountain bike calendar, THE GRAVEL & GRAPE MTB, 3 stunning routes all in the Breedekloof area incorporating rides in the Slanghoek, Goudyn and Stettynskloof areas, some truly awesome single track sections have been purpose built for the event, mostly thanks to the hard working farmers & willing farm hands from the area. Portions of these routes have been opened to the public. Contact Breedekloof tourism for more information.

Having just renewed my TMNP Activity Permit for another year, I couldn’t help but wonder why is the pricing so complicated and does this system actually work? I’m all for the Activity Permit if it keeps the awesome trails in and around Table Mountain, Rhodes Mem, Newlands Forest, Kirstenbosch, Tokai, Silvermine and Cape Point open to the mounting biking community, but there has to be a better, more effective way. Here is a suggestion: Simplify the pricing to make it one standard flat fee for the permit per year (say R380 per person, which is what we now pay if you are able to get four people together when buying/renewing your permit). Instead of having only one pay point at Tokai office, allow people to buy permits at any bike shop in Cape Town. Instead of issuing a little pocket sized card, issue a colour coded board system, like many others clubs do, which is valid from Jan to Dec only. The board must be attached to your bike. It’s a self-policing system in that riders who try to dodge the system are instantaneously visible to other “legal” riders and/or SANPark rangers. I would bet that this system will also increase revenue to SANParks since more people will be forced into buying a permit. To answer my own question, does the current system actually work? Well, judging by people I have spoken to, I would guess 3/10 people riding the trails have a valid Activity Permit. In terms of policing the system, in one year of having done roughly 4000km on the TMNP trails (Table Mountain, Rhodes Mem, Newlands Forest, Kirstenbosch, Tokai, Silvermine and Cape Point) I have been stopped twice. Is the system working? No. I would love for those in the know to say if alternatives to the current system has actually been discussed with SANParks?

Dates for a 3 day mtb stage race was recently confirmed, but it clashes with the Cycle Tour weekend. I picked the MTB race. ????

I am double booked for the weekend of the CTCT. I have an entry available. If anyone is interested, please contact me.

The chances of me being able to race K2C this year is slim due to a family issue that needs to take priority, so I have decided to let my entry go. If anyone is interested, please let me know.

Had Specialized Fasttrak on previously. Super tyre and super light, never had any issues (3000km of riding), but price for new ones is over the top. I went for Vittoria Barzo 2.35 front and Vittoria Mezcal 2.25 rear. The Vittoria Saguaro is also a popular rear tyre choice. My next set will be Maxxis Ardent Race 2.3 front and Maxxis Ikon 2.2 rear, just to try them out and compare.

Thanks guys. I will contact Brett. @Jewbacca, catch you for a beer at the finish line. :-)

A few friends are running the MacMac ultra (trail run) marathon in Sabie (weekend of 22/23 May) and I've decided to tag along. I would love to explore the area on my mtb over the weekend, but there is no space in the car from ORTIA to Sabie to fit a bike. I'm hoping there is a shop where I can rent a (preferably XC) bike in Sabie? Will appreciate any help.

Not sure where to search for an answer or post the question about the lockdown restrictions on exercise, so here goes: What does the current LAW say about exercise curfew? Is the 6am - 6pm exercise law still in place? Or has this been lifted and replaced with the general 4am - 9pm (soon-to-be 10pm) curfew? Or are both still in place? I will really appreciate some clarity on this.

This is my first post on the Hub, and sadly it's to warn others that I was mugged next to Hout Bay Road as it passes IY yesterday. I was riding alone (mistake) on my mtb next to the road, but on the upper side of the road (i.e. IY side) heading towards the neck. I passed a large bush (which is about 30m away from main road) but in a very open area and lots of cars passing on the road. Immediately as I passed the bush (about size of VW Van) I noticed two guys 10m ahead of me. I knew exactly what was happening and tried to get away but they tackled me off my bike. I fell on top of the one guy, who got out underneath me in a flash. My first instinct was to look for a weapon and I couldn't see anything on any of them, so I started fighting back, mostly kicking whilst maintaining a death grip on my bike. They yelled at me to "be still" and I could feel them searching my back pocket. When I realized they weren't after my bike I stopped resisting and told them they could have my phone (I ride with a crappy 5 year old phone which I luckily wiped clean on Friday). We all kinda got up together and they wanted to take my watch, but I jumped on my bike and rode off. The whole thing lasted less than a minute from getting knocked down to riding away. I didn't suffer any injuries and still had about 15kms riding to get home (up and over Constantia neck). This is the first time that I have ever been mugged/robbed and don't wish the experience on anyone. It has shaken me up a bit and will definitely be a LOT more careful about where I ride. The reason for posting this is simply to warn other cyclist of where this happened so that they can avoid the same stretch of road passing IY, or if you must ride there stay on the northern side of the road (where the getaway option for a robber is significantly less).