GuyP

+1

The entrance is more or less opposite Sterkfontein hospital, see http://www.kingskloofmtb.co.za/directions/

Must have forgotten the bubble wrap

This is how good ideas start!

Very interesting, and tempting! Talk us through a bit of the pricing and logistics (getting there and cycling around there, particularly food and water) please!

A rational alternative might be to leave out the Teak loop (is that the sound of chickens I hear)! Gotta see van Gaalen's though - never been there and the initiator of this thread just increased the 'must do' aspect of it, especially as part of an all day ride!

Better than not doing anything at all, with the side effect of building mental discipline while withstanding the effects of boredom!

The opposite also works from time to time. I was touring France in the 90's, a trip involving over 3000Km in four weeks, across everything, the Massif Central included. At one point in central France somewhere, I caught up to a bunch of racing cyclists obviously out for a nice morning ride in the countryside, and when I passed them, I realised what a funny sight I must have made: I was on my steel Bianchi, with a hiking rucsac on my back (and probably some underwear and socks stuck on the outside to dry), a carrier lugging my tent and stove, and a moerova baguette in my right hand, almost totally graunched into the handlebar as I tried to take bites out of it while cycling. And that's just one tale. It's amazing what base miles and strength training do!

If you want to do a great all day ride, pack a good lunch and do this: Get someone to drop you off at Teak (or cycle there to add 26Km in my case), do a 20Km lap. Then cycle to King's Kloof (about 15Km away, practically all uphill) to do a 20Km lap there. Then cycle to van Gaalen, about 70Km away (depending on route), do a quick 40Km. That's about 200Km of all day fun riding, with about half offroad. Have I done it? Not yet, but it's on the to do list for October. Also, there will be an inevitable phone call from van Gaalens to ANYONE to come fetch me for the 100Km back home!

I fortunately haven't had any close shaves - I commute in December and January when it's theoretically quieter on the roads - even though there's Witkoppen, Main, Kyalami and Allandale to deal. Your story is terrifying! Glad you made it!

Unless they are steel rails (solid), it's not a good idea even trying to save it.

Ek dink dit gebeur darem nie elke dag so nie!

In a way, many of us have made a stand, in our individual capacities though. Think CRC... In my case, 54 orders and counting!

Chris Prior - brings back bad memories listening to the radio instead of studying back in student days! The rock professor for sure!

i wonder how many people make up the cycling community in RSA...

oh no! I hope you ordered something boring like bungees, otherwise you must be the moer-in!

as long as people keep willing to pay for the latest bling, the latest and greatest etc. perhaps even to the point of form over function, it's quite possible the upward pressure on prices will remain. Interesting however is the thread on LBS in a recession, which suggests that there are also a lot of drivers working as a moderating force in the pricing game.

Every success story is a celebration! Must feel awesome to get your bike back!

That was an interesting read - thank you for the direction. Was there ever a book published on the tour?

Oops

Oh man, this is now a thread of note! Is there a comprehensive (photo) history of the Rapport tour anywhere! I would love to relive those great days of my childhood heroes in a decently documented history!

Did he just pop in for a visit?

So what's he doing these days and how did you bump into him? What's the bike's story?

Is this yours? Where did you get it? Bloody awesome!

Mampara, since you live out that way, do you know the route (without the benefit of marshalls and bunting), and is it open property? It would be great to ride that route over weekends!