EssBee

Garden Route Dam trails, via Pepsi Pools.

I mail ordered some Aquaseal (!), put it on, let it cure, filled the bladder and all looked good. Rode with it today and all good so far. Thanks again for the input, guys, appreciate!

Thanks! Yeah in George some things are a tad scarce. Nearest proper dive shop is in Mossel Bay.

@DJR yeah that's my plan....no, not the adult shop but to look for it at one of the outdoors shops or diving shops. Thanks!

Thanks for the input, guys. Yeah, I'm going to try source some of that Aquaseal glue in the interim, and as said, def going Camelbak next time. So.....when you guys say 'a patch with superglue'...are you saying that instead of the usual vulcanizing glue as per patching a tube, you substitute that with superglue?

Very interesting information here. I walk my dogs in an area close to home here where there are many hives. The other day I was video'ing one of them as there seemed to be more activity than usual, and paid the price....fortunately just one got me. It did, admittedly, take me by surprise how they came at me. No...I won't do that again.

If I could revive this thread : I bought a used but pristine Thule hydration pack from someone on this forum. The bladder got a tiny tear in it ( no idea how) and since found out that they do not sell replacement bladders at all. They also claim they will replace if still under warranty and at fault and if one has POP. I find this a big disappointment to be honest and will def go Camelbak next time. I will try some of the glues mentioned here to affect a repair in the interim. Thanks, guys, for that.

Hi all....as previously indicated we are now residing in George. I'm loving getting to know the trails between the dam and Saasveld, not so much the trails above Campher's Drift, Heatherlands etc. That horrendous rain on 22nd November caused mayhem with the trails especially in that area, and of course being closer to the mountains the seepage water kept everything sodden for a long time. I still want to figure how to ride from the water works above Denneoord to the dam area....assuming this is possible. I've tried once but baled after floundering a bit...so if anyone has any advice on that idea it'll be welcomed.

Thanks, @Moult. It will indeed be catastrophic on various levels. I will, in all likelihood, join that club once I'm there or closer to our big move there.

I received a petition mailed to me last week about an apparent massive development planned around the George Dam. Can anyone shed any light on this? I was @#$%& horrified! That will certainly stuff up all the trails close to the dam.

I rode there twice in December last year and quite enjoyed it in that it's vastly different to what I'm used to here in KZN. Both times I rode in from Kleinmond as far as I felt comfortable with then turned around and rode back. Days later I was looking at the area on Google Earth and realised that it would have been possible to get to Highlands Road, then head back down to the R44 and back to Kleinmond. ( not taking land access into consideration of course ) I must confess that both times I rode rogue....I was just too early the first time and the office at the boom was still closed. I then took the trouble to call them to ask if I could buy a permit on the previous day....I couldn't....so I asked what time they open and planned ride #2 accordingly. Well, they still were not open timeously so I went in regardless. I don't like doing things like that by principle....but I still can't figure where and when you get that permit.

@Robbie Stewartthanks. Yeah, I'm getting quite excited about it.

I'm returning to the Cape, and George it's going to be. I'm a tad perplexed at what I've read about the Witfontein issues, but delighted at the positive comments and reports. I don't know the area for riding except the Montague pass to Louvain event....and I think I did the inaugural one, was probably the year 2000 (?). So I'm pretty much chomping at the bit to get settled there and go ride.

Now here is a voice from the past....remember me, Simon, friend of Shane JvV?

On the signboard at the entrance to the reserve are two numbers: 021 483 0190 087 288 0499 If my ph records serve me correctly, the 021 number is non-existent but the cell no. was answered.

I realise this reply is in all likelihood way too late...but I was in Kleinmond just before Xmas. I did the Kogelberg ( Palmiet River ) trail twice and really enjoyed it. I thought, for some reason, that the turn-around point would be marked...but it wasn't. I have since read somewhere that the "Stokoei bridge" over the Palmiet river is the turn-around. I actually rode beyond that. I rode on my own and felt totally comfortable by the way. Then when Google- Mapping it at home, I came to realise that I was not too far from the Highlands road, so figured that could make a nice circular route as the Highlands road will bring you back to the R44 near Arabella. OR....you could head the other way on the Highlands road toward Peregrines. On another note, though, all tel numbers I found about the reserve were non-existent. The 1st time I rode I got there to find a closed gate.It only opens at 7.30 am. The second time the gate was open but there was no-one at the office. Doesn't say much about the management of the place.

My Genius 930...love it!

Thanks for sharing that!

Sorry to hear! I've just sold mine exactly like that. On a different note, I am perdantic about keeping my bike locked IN MY GARAGE, even if the house is closed up.

I remember that ride, we stayed at a little Chalet at The Baths and I remember being told the next morning at breakfast that Lady Di had been killed... In your second pic, that looks like a Trek Y-Frame in the background. I still have a 1995 (!!!) Citrusdal tee shirt.

E Bikes se m*er. 59 yo.

Thanks, Johnson, for sharing that. I did not even know that existed. I live close to Waterfall and see that shop on a weekly basis and I don't think I have turned into that shopping center once without sparing a thought. Sadly, it's closed now, but the big mural of Burry is still up in the window but for how long is anyone's guess...till they find a new tenant I suppose.

I have found, on my motorbike, that using Prepsol has that dulling effect on the black painted frame. I still use it, and on the MTB too, but have become selective where I spray it. Regarding chainset parts, for me good old paraffin is the way to go, and taking the chain off and soaking it in a shallow recepticle works best. I use Shield Sheen and spray it on everywhere afterwards, looks great. That's my "2 grand in a can".... It doesn't cost a lot either, look for the large cans, much better value for money. ( plus it deodorises your garage )

I like that "plank insert" with the fork clamps. I have a LWB Caddy with the 2nd row of seats folded forward permanently....I just roll my bike in and lie it down. I can NEVER have a conventional car....MTB, surfboards, 6 x dogs....

You can ride around the koppie on the Shongweni side of Giba on the road and then drop down into Giba on the Blue trail and then climb out of Giba up to St. Heliers road. Then there is a way ( or...used to be as I havent done it for years ) to ride around the back of Hillcrest from St. Helliers road, and it brings you out on Rapson road. Difficult to explain this in this way if one is not familiar with the place.