JJDT

Just on a final note from my side. I do not think that the organisers will have a route that is impossible to ride for the average rider or which is deemed dangerous. If it the latter was the case then there will be no future events and also the race commissionaire will not grant his approval for the event. Maybe for next year ride Breedt's Nek up and down from both sides just to hone your tech skills and know what to expect.

This is what the Monster used to look like when it was still on the old route going through Mountain Sanctuary and the distance was 70 Km. This route was harder than the current 65km not because of the shorter distance but the actual climbing.

Do not know the route of the monster now, but the "old" Monster as mentioned in this thread was tough, even the shorter 45km. Last time I did the event was in 2018 with the shortened route but was also tough. The monster is known to many as the hardest one day MTB event due to the the tough technical climbs as well as the technical descents. Trailseeker events are more aimed to the average rider with average skill set whereas the Monster on the other side will test your technical ability.

Found my old Arcade games on one of my external HDD's backup. Surprisingly the old MAME emulator that I used on my old Win 7 PC is working on Win 11. Played some of the old games that I used to play when still at school. Space InvadersPinball Action, Rygar, Elevator Action etc. If I saved all the 20c that I used to play these arcade games it would've been quite a sum of money these these days. To quickly waste R1 on games was nothing in those days...in hindsight will I do it again and my answer will definitely a YES

Know the area of the finish well. We normally camp in the Parys area during December and these roads are my riding routes when we are in the area. There are two options to get more than 200km's. The first option is not to stop at the finish venue but to continue to the T junction which is about 5km's further up the road and return to the finish. The 2nd option is not to turn left towards the venue once over the river but to continue for another 1.2km and then turn left (Potch - Parys road), once on this road for about 2 - 3km you can turn left again into the Kopjeskraal road and after about 2km's you can turn left again, this road will also take you to the finish venue. Also tempting for this ride.

Unfortunately not. Go to the event page and see if you can find some more info.

There is a shuttle service but you need to book a seat.

If you follow my suggestion for the "to" route I will follow your original "to" road going back or just swop it around for a nice loop as oppose to just out and back. I do not know how busy the Old Pretoria Main road is but as another alternative is to keep straight until you reach Olifantsfontein Road and then turn left for the "to" route or going back head straight untill you reach Old Pretoria Main Road and then turn right.

What is the max distance or if distance is not an issue, this is my suggestion. I will continue on Allandale to Kyalami then right on the old 947 route until Summit then left into Summit Road (still on the old 947 route). Just past the N14(where your route continues on) I will turn left into Lion Park road. Just past the intersection of Ceder road turn right into K33.05 road going over the N14 again. At the next intersection turn right into Pelindaba Road again heading towards Harties (If you are keen you can continue straight over the intersection for a quick Cradle Loop). At the end of this road at the T-Junction turn left towards Broederstroom, this road will take you to a few meters from the entrance of Van Gaalen.

Correct. The first half is fast with some good gravel roads with hardly any climbing, the only climbing will be from the start at the boat club to the main road leading to the dam wall. After halfway there is long tar stretch(slow drag) until you find the gravel road with some loose sand when trying to avoid the corrugation with some rolling hills(nothing serious but just energy sapping due to the condition of the road). If you started out to fast this gravel road after halfway will eat your remaining energy very quickly. Then it will be long tiring way to the end.

This is a "fast race" with the little elevation over the distance, most of the elevation is basically the 2nd half of the race. My suggestion is to get some speed training as to be familiar with a pace you will be riding. Also as suggested go for a long ride 4hours + to get time in the saddle as it will be long day in saddle. What I did last year is to have my normal riding snacks while riding and had a 10min stop at halfway for decent food and also to top up riding snacks for the 2nd half. Family members were at the halfway mark to provide me with food and also the top up snacks.

Thinking of buying a new set of wheels and I was looking at the Rapide wheels. Anyone using these wheels and your feedback. Know the other products bought from Rapide never had any issues but I just want to know long term usage.

It seems that there is a change with insurance claims, that they do not pay you as a client anymore. Obtain quote from LBS and then insurance pays LBS minus excess. This is my most recent experience, because the last time I claimed the claim was settled within 3 days by paying me. I also noted from the OP that Riders at Work is also the middle man. Also went through them with my most recent claim. I think it is a great idea when these middle man handles the claim and informs the insurance company of all details to avoid possible grey areas. The only negative aspect i.m.o is that the insurance company pays them and they in turn pays the LBS. The quickest option would be that if the insurance company pays the LBS directly.

For me: Race to the Sun Gravel ride Parys Free State in June Ride Jo'Burg

We can only hope as the previous case involving the drunk driver is not yet finalised. This one will also be most likely drag on.

Saw an article now on the local newspaper page on FB that a cyclist was hit by a car this weekend during the Monte-casino race and was airlifted to hospital. Anyone have more info as it apparently happened on the M5?

Thanks Theo for pointing it out...🤫

Most likely scam as they could've sourced the photo from elsewhere.

I was also initially on 2x10 setup. Few years ago when we could still order from Chain Reaction Cycles there was a good deal on a 11spd XT Shifter and the price on the XT derailleur was also not to bad. Ordered the derailleur, shifter and a Sunrace 11 - 46 cassette. Chain and NW chainring was sourced locally. When all parts arrived it was just a matter of remove the 10spd parts, fit the 11spd parts with new cable and housing and never had any issues with shifting. Take the plunge you will not regret it.

My Policy initially stated minimum of R500 or 5% of claim. Recently changed without my knowledge to minimum R1250 or 5% of claim.

Question to the knowledgeable people working with insurance or just the view of Hubbers. Can an insurance company change the basic excess on items without your knowledge? I had a recent claim and was under the impression that my basic excess on the item claimed for was lower. Had a look at all my correspondence and did not see any communication notifying me that there was changes made to my policy.

How good are these cameras? I want something for my parents to view on an app when somebody is at the front gate and we are not at home to see who is there. This will mean that they need to go out of their home and walk to the front to see who is there. This happened last week when we were not at home and at about 18H45 the bell rang in their home and they did not expect anybody and were afraid to go out and see what is going on. First I need a reliable camera and secondly I need some sort of WiFi extender in order for my parents to make use of my WiFi connection. My WiFi router is centrally placed in my home and if I want to buy a 2nd router it will mean that I need more or less 100m cable that I will need to take through the home dig a mini trench to lay the cable into the home of my parents for the 2nd router. This will be my last resort if no other options are available. Suggestions for a good WiFi camera and a WiFi extender will be appreciated.

The 35km route was not clearly marked. My wife did the 35km route and I showed her the route on Saturday which was good because she indicated that there was basically two guys with flags, no other indication that it is actually the 35km route. The merging with the long route was also somewhat problematic and not a nice flowing merger. That is an area which needs better marking with better flow to join the main race.

Slightly off topic but still relevant to the aggressiveness of people. Yesterday afternoon I hit a pothole with my car the wheel had a nice cut. Long story short this car does not have a spare only a pump and a bottle of sealant. Was 8km from home and decided to drive home very slowly and came across a few impatient people behind me, while trying to keep off the busy roads. This one guy hooted at me as I went slowly around a corner to turn into a more less busy street and he proceeded to speed off. Seems aggressiveness is al over the place even in not so busy roads. People need to chill and just breathe, no need to vent your frustrations on innocent people.

Frosty...this side of the world is known as the "Wild West"😁