Ratty

That's a bit sexist!

Agree, it is the responsibility of the airline. My point is that everyone was having a go at South African's when it could have been the handlers in his own country that messed up or stole the bike.

We did this once. I broke my hand during December holidays and was miserable because I couldn't cycle or skydive. My OH decided to get me out the house so we hopped on his bike and went to visit our Sky Diving club. Didn't feel like going home so just carried on and found some awesome dirt roads. Eventually ended up in the rain at +- 6pm not knowing where we were going to stay. Luckily we were close to Arniston and found a room in the hotel. Miss those kid and dog free days where you could just up and go whenever you felt like it.

You don't fly overseas with a bike worth R100k and not insure it. Stupid really. Doesn't matter where you are flying from / to. Love how everyone assumes it was stolen in SA. Who says the bike box even made it onto the plane?! The people dealing with the large / fragile items also aren't specific to an airline so it might not even be SAA's fault.

That trail looks so cool, what a beautiful view with the snow tipped mountains.

It is a rather sweet bike, but sadly not made for two and there is no way he would let me ride it myself. Good thing for me is he can't complain about my 3 bicycles as together they cost less than his KTM.

My OH and I used to do trips on his KTM 990 before our son came along. Now he has this beauty instead.

Did a trip from Cape Town to PE once with 2 bikes and luggage in the car, and 2 bikes on the rack in the little VW Polo that I had and had no hassles.

I have one of the smallest cars out there (Honda Brio) and I get my 29er in mine!

Rode there yesterday and the trails we rode were fantastic so thanks to everyone involved in that. Still my favourite place to ride (just wish it was closer to home). We stopped going to the coffee shop long ago due to bad service even before we had ride-in as an option. When we left Jonkers yesterday there was no one there. Got to ride-in and it was packed with mtbers. Still got our food and coffee within 10 minutes. The coffee shop at Jonkers owner needs to wake up and realise he needs to be on the side of the cyclists and not against them. He has a shop in a prime location that has so much potential. I would be happy to contribute towards the trail building and I am sure there are quite a few others.

Why say "R40 - R100k bikes in our Specialized gear" and then say "I do not know the people involved. It is of no use to request they are contacted by "their" LBS". Now half the people on the forum know exactly who you are talking about.

We struggled with my son to get him to wear hats (when he was younger) and then helmets. Now at 5, we have no issues. Try get your son used to the helmet in and around the house. Play games (like letting him head butt you).

I did the Xterra lite this year with little to no running training (due to injury). I was doing +- 3kms at home and thought that I could easily manage double that on race day. What I didn't take into account was how different it was running off-road vs on the tar and also the hills. The nice thing was that loads of people were walking the harder sections (anything soft or uphlll) so I didn't feel too bad. I would suggest you do some trail running before taking on Xterra rather than just training on the road. P.S I've done loads of races and the Xterra light is in my top 5, loved it. P.S.S See you at Berg and Bush - my favourite race.

Are you sure? Black river park or just river park? My office is in river park, but I don't think there is a business park opposite us. Have only seen damelin. Very keen to go.

One of the best things I invested in was a shock pump. You need to check the pressures quite frequently.

Don't joke about the guys in front possibly being deaf. I was frustrated the other day that a rider wouldn't get out of my way on the trail, turned out he actually was deaf. He apologised and and let me know he was deaf (with hand signals) when he stopped at an obstacle and I went passed. I felt really bad for getting annoyed.

A friends 16 year old has the Specialized Stumpy HT and is flying on it (beating his dad).

Could be your choice of tyres rather than the wheels. I rode with a different tyre a week ago and couldn't believe how easy it made riding through sand compared to my other tyre.

lol, except for the first one, I am the complete opposite. Love technical, hate heat. There are quite a few races I would love to do and the only reason I don't (besides the cost) is lack of fitness. That battle between finding time to train, doing the job that pays for my bikes and making sure that I spend quality time with my family (most important). That said, there are still on my bucket list. In a few years time I'll be able to train with my son and then get to combine training and family :-)

Ah, now I know your hub name :-) Still deciding, but think I am leaning towards Gravel Travel. Either way I will have to do the short route :-( Struggling to get over bronchitis.

Thank you for all your effort!!! There are a lot of us who appreciate it. Mountain biking isn't meant to be about perfectly manicured tracks, unfortunately that's what a lot of people are used to. This one had a bit of everything and that made it a good challenge.

Welvanpas is amazing and one of my favourite places to ride. Wish I could ride there more often. Still haven't had a chance to ride the new black route due to injuries. The search, I think you need to reconsider the date for next year. Having 3 good mtb races in the Western Cape on the same day is going to mean you get a lot less people.

Think a few riders need glasses :-) Seriously, maybe the 63km's was not 100%, but the 40km's was actually over marked IMO. I got sick and tired of seeing flags and crosses where they really didn't need them. Was on my own a lot of the way and didn't have any issues.

Depends on family's level of fitness / skills (and age of kids). Meerendal is very family friendly, contermanskloof has a nice 8km loop, Oak Valley if kids aren't too young. Koeberg for any age.

Flat abd easy????? I think not. Really underestimated this one. Tough 40km's when u have hardly been on a bike since November. I made it though. Were any other hubbers near the back of the field? Really friendly bunch, although I think a few lost their sense of humour with their multiple punctures.