tubed

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FC Update: Technology challenges and amazements right now: · My attempted updates being done from Blackberry (people still use those?) in a demilitarized zone of my corporate client. · Half the race office being run from an emergency ward in Cape Town. · Other half of the race office not heard of, where is David? Probably popping up on the trail, or else the other big signing ceremony in the land - a peace accord at the Leer. · Jumpertrax – they are trying – think they bit off a bit more than they can chew. · Riders battling the Osseberg – there is no tech there – nothing, nada – hope there never ever is. · Support station hosts – trying to keep up via land lines and riders arriving and leaving at all hours. I have tried to do a brief update below on the race via the graphic below, but its changing all the time, hope I haven’t left anyone out? (Tracey?) On the race the two leaders split again last night, with Graham tackling the Osseberg in the night and after a quick sleep going through Cambria and onwards to Willowmore. Glen opted for some sleep at Hadley and left a note at 00:30 that he was off to Cambria – interesting morning in the Kloof. Many thanks to Shebeen and others for contributing while I am in a dead zone.

Bingo! Well done Thug! With a back seat that big, bikes that cant fit in the boot go on the back seat, the rack is probably to hold a mobile in the veld repair stand. The drunkcyclist.com sticker, well if your bike is worked on and you are a good bloke, your bike will leave PA with one of those.... Casper still has his on the tube 2 years later

well done on those 2 obscure ones which are more character than FC specific, the two obvious ones you are still missing......lets see if anyone else gets them, so far we have: bokkie sticker on window Merc chainring drillers helmet food supplies on dashboard

that's 2 Ryan...keep looking...... its a bit like Chuck, you just ride and he meets you

FC2014: Veldkornet Rissik makes his appearance Today saw the front groups of riders battling across the Karoo towards the Baviaans, it being the site of their next big challenge. Its strange to say it, but the reports were that the riders were exhausted from battling the winds and heat - bizarre with all the reports of cold elsewhere! As the riders exit the game farms of the Eastern Cape and head down toward the sheep country and the support station at Bucklands, the cross the busy R75 road at Kleinpoort. Kleinpoort is a cafe, station and a few other buildings which sprung up around the railway station, it is also a famous place smash some fizzy drinks and quite a few pies as it is mostly downhill to the Support Station, less than 50km away. Stationed a couple of KM's out of town on the approach was Veldkornet Rissik, he is currently engaged in some boring work near Coega and took the time off to engage the riders as they passed through, this as reports of a further skirmish in his own district in 2014 seem to all but have been resolved this year - or so the rumours are....hopefully the young man has been instructed to allow lawful passage. Consequently Rissik has been released form active duty for now and is free to engage the riders at his leisure. The first two novices showed just how green they are when in search of something cold at Kleinpoort to slake their thirst, they shot past Rissik in the veld, I mean who can miss some chap next to the merc waving at you to stop and drink coffee and share a boerebiskuit! Steve and Di on the other hand guided their posse into the lager and they enjoyed what Rissik had to offer, offering as much a cathartic experience to Rissik as he once again for the 11th year in succession, albeit not at Prince Albert, was able to lend support to the race. So that brief episode in FC2014 is once again a snippet of life on the trail - never a dull day. (the well trained eye will notice the tell tale signs on the merc that it indeed belongs to Rissik, see how many you can spot) *Die veldkornet was ‘n veelsydige amptenaar wat in die uitgestrekte binnelandse distrikte van Suid-Afrika sedert die Nederlandse bewind op administratiewe, regterlike en militêre gebied ‘n rol gespeel het. Aan die Kaap het die poste van veldwagmeester, kornet en vaandrig saamgesmelt tot veldkornet. Groot binnelandse distrikte is in wyke, veldkornetskappe genoem, verdeel. Die veldkornet is gewoonlik aangewys uit die vooraanstaande boere van die distrik en het meestal geen salaris vir sy werk ontvang nie, maar is vrygestel van belasting en rekognisiegeld op sy plaas.

waiting for the comments on Marnitz's saddle - oh boy, I have no words...

Marnitz and Tim: self supported to another level. Both Marnitz and Tim James are sleeping out at night, Marntiz because he is crazy and Tim because that's how he rides and its part of his strategy. See pics of both of their bikes. Marnitz, his faithful GT full sus needed to be retired after several FC's, he started last year on a tandem and that ended in tears and he finished last year on a 26er Dale. I see he has another one of those this year, although it seems it has most of the GT's parts. The slaapsak if quite big and by accounts from Deanbeans fellow EC farmers its pretty lightweight, and by that I dont mean it weighs less, but its the type thing you take camping up the coast in summer. Tim is a racer and knows his bikes, he is supported by Scott and that's his full sus XTR machine. See also the sleeping bag/ bedding rolled in front. In the second photo you can see just how small Tims backpack is with a lot of the weight being on the bike. A point to note, both are using bottles - camelbacks are convenient, but is a lot of weight on your body and filling them is tricky. (Correction: as you eagle eyes will see, Tim does indeed have a bladder in that bag) To the guys wanting to go out and buy kit for next year - choose very carefully, ask the question is it necessary and if not, dont waste your money.

Jill & Liehann check into Hadley 13:15 - to regroup and ready themselves to tack the Osseberg and river crossings tomorrow Questions answered, but that's half a day lost right there.... of course I am sure they have very good reasons and I am also all for enjoying the scenery - especially there on the edge of the Baviaans Wilderness area it is wild and so beautiful. Hope they savor the day down the Osseberg and into the Kloof, its pretty much only the FC riders that get to see that trail these days as the legendary 4x4 route was abandoned. So its quite a privilege what they are in for tomorrow.

Support station strategy: Getting the distances and support stations right takes some planning, the fast guys dont make mistakes and dont find themselves sitting out at night lost near a support station because they cant find it, or sitting at a support station at 2pm not wanting to push on because the next one is too far. Here is either a quandary or safe move: Jill Homer, the Alaskan and Liehaan left early this morn from an emergency overnight at Kleinpoort, ie between support stations, its 8:15 and they are now Bucklands Support Station for breakfast, a great stop. Big question now is do they play it safe and head for Hadley another intermediate support station, and tackle the Osseberg/ Baviaans entrance early tomorrow from there. Or are they brave, get to Hadley at about lunchtime and push on into the Kloof in the fading light...... Comment from Bugs and Allen yesterday who left Bucklands very early and got to Cambria/ Kudu Khaya guest lodge: Today (ossewapad) was insane. ... But im still not broken. Arrived kudu kaya 19H10 Bugs and Allen

John Loos's blogging provides an excellent update of the sharp end of the race - today should be a cracker. http://glennharrison.co.za/lead-gap-narrows-day-riders-may-back-sleeping-roof-close-john-loos/

Excellent Eddie, well done and thanks for sharing the pics, much appreciated. Enjoy the warm island.

you are not the only one - service provider getting pasted on twitter - hope they sort it out

You have hit on a common reason why quite a few people end up doing the FC, it literally offers you the freedom you had while you were a kid. Think about it for a minute: you and your bike, nobody telling you when to start each day or when to be home, you primary concern is riding to your next food and shelter spot and along the way enjoying some time out in the sun. When it does get tough you hear the guys (and ladies) saying the last time I had to 'man up' like this was in the army, or on a scout hike, adventure race etc, so they 'man up' and get on with it. Similar to their army days - it may feel *** at the time, but the stories are so much better than, "oh we waited it out at the coffee spot", or "jeepers I am glad they shortened the route today". Please do ask questions on the kit etc, one of the reasons the thread was created was to answer the questions and for the guys who have just finished to share some of their experiences which they are doing, it will also be easy to link you to some of the rider blogs etc. (lastly this isn't a male chest beating/ bonding thing, that attitude pretty much assures you of a humbling experience) Pictures of what its about: group under tough conditions - ladies included! guys chatting at the top of a long portage sharing lunch on the side of the road in the Karoo

I think you are on the right track here, My sense is that the approach with Sanparks has become one of: "lets not irritate or aggravate them" as they have a law enforcement arm and they 'control the park' and maybe they will eventually be kind to us., But that is not their primary mandate. They are custodians and stewards - but since they took over, the power has gone to their heads and they have lost touch with the community they serve. Its a long doc below, but I think after this they lost the plot. (underline, bold, italics mine) TABLE MOUNTAIN COMMITTEE PRESENTS ITS RECOMMENDATIONS Issued by: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism TABLE MOUNTAIN AND PENINSULA ADVISORY COMMITTEE PRESENTS ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, DR DAWIE DE VILLIERS AND MR KOBUS MEIRING, MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ENVIRONMENT AFFAIRS, WESTERN CAPE The Table Mountain and Peninsula Advisory Committee, chaired by Prof Brian Huntley, today presented its recommendations on a single statutory management authority for the Cape Peninsula Protected Natural Environment (CPPNE) to Dr Dawie de Villiers, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and Mr Kobus Meiring, Minister of Finance and Environment Affairs for the Western Cape. Following considerable public debate and the preparation of reports of several consultants regarding the future management and administration of Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula, the advisory committee was appointed by Dr de Villiers in June 1995 after consultation with Mr Kobus Meiring. The main objective of this Committee was to advise and make recommendations on the appropriate legal framework to create a single statutory Cape Peninsula Authority for the future management of the CPPNE and/or to advise on any other structure for such management. Following a consultative and transparent approach, all deliberations of the Committee, with the exception of the first meeting and the final discussions of the last meeting, have been open to the public and the press. A call for submissions was made via the media, and resulted in proposals being received from the Western Cape Provincial Administration, the National Parks Board and the Cape Metropolitan Council. These proposals were presented to the Committee at public meetings held in Cape Town on 12 and 13 September, with a call for comments on these presentations being made for submission to the Committee by 25 September. After in-depth discussions on these proposals at its final meeting on 4 October 1995, a recommendation was approved by the Committee namely that the National Parks Board be appointed as the responsible management authority for the CPPNE. In drawing up the new legislation for the CPPNE or resulting protected area, the Committee urges that the following issues receive attention: Existing levels of local, regional and national funding for the management of the CPPNE must be maintained during the transition phase; There should be strong participation by local civil society in all structures and decision-making processes related to the management of the CPPNE; Legislation must ensure that any future changes in land use within the existing CPPNE be subject to the veto of the new authority; In developing its new management policies and processes, the National Parks Board should take cognisance of all the documentation produced by, and submitted to this Committee; Draft legislation must be open to public scrutiny and comment: and The new legislation should be finalised before the end of 1996 and the National Parks Board should be established in a custodial role as soon as possible. Dr de Villiers expressed his sincere appreciation for the swift and effective manner in which the Committee performed its duties. Despite the wide range of community and professional representation on the Committee and the divergent opinions amongst its members, a recommendation was approved. Dr de Villiers also stated that the recommendations not only concerns the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, but other government departments and the Western Cape regional government. Consultation with the Western Cape regional government and other affected Ministeries, regarding the proposed legislation will now take place. As soon as a decision has been reached, legislation will be prepared and published for further comments. ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM CAPE TOWN 6 OCTOBER 1995 Enquiries: Luise Nicholson Tel: (021) 45 7240 Anna-Marie Roux Tel: (012) 310 3434

Nicely summed up - glad it lived up to your expectations, hope to see you back. Thanks too for passing on the gees.

As the photo says Glenn Harrison heading for Elandsberg - the weapon of the hunter. Travelling light, clear skies and dry - making it count.

Update Sun 22: While the rest of us have been watching rugby or SWC2014, the race continues to take shape and evolve into what seems to be a two horse race between Graham Bird and his chaser Glenn Harrison. See here for a bit of a catch up: http://glennharrison...ible-john-loos/ All of the racers are now between Rhodes and the Baviaanskloof, these days are characterised by portages initially for the first few days out of Rhodes as one leaves the high mountains and then as one enters the Eastern Cape proper , the roads get better and the days riding are longer, but a bit 'easier'. There are still numerous portages and it is by no means flat at all, with grassland being replaced by Karoo thickets and acacia trees. The riders will also move from predominantly cattle farms to quite a few game farms and this presents the game fences which they have to scale, some of these up to three meters in height - a new skill quickly to be mastered. The only constant is the cold, in the mornings it is excruciating, see the pics of Marnitz, probably taken as he emerges from his outside bed somewhere. In terms of the weather it must be said that it is near as good as it gets, these guys have been very lucky because if the wind blows int his area or it gets muddy, then instead of doing a double day between 2 support stations, one then sees event he best riders struggling to make one support station and sometimes even 50-80km to an intermediate support station will take a whole day. Back to this years race: Graham is still out in front near Romansfontein, but Glenn is now hot on his heels and there are hours separating them. Consensus seems to be that Glenn is quicker on the bike, but Graham is a seasoned adventure racer..... similar to the last big battle between Alex the cyclist and Martin the adventure racer, Martin set the record that year..... There is still a lot to happen here with the weather, mechanicals, health and sleep all possibly to still play a part. Behind the two are; Hanno, who seems to have recovered and Tim, also back at it, dont count wither of them out yet, but it would take one of the front guys to falter, what we can be assured of is that neither seems to have any idea of giving up and we know Tim gets stronger as he nears Cape Town. Marnitz is also still in the race and following his own strategy - see the pic of the buffalo he came across, buffalos have poor eyesight and a keen sense of smell, it smelt something terrible and stayed clear of Marnitz Out in front Bugs and Allen should enter the Baviaans via the Osseberg today, this fabled old ox wagon route into the Baviaans will keep them busy for the day, hope they make Cambria tonight.......not quite the place where you want to sleep as things definitely go bump in the night there and they growl at you. Did I mention the Cape Leopard research center is at Cambria. Sadly it seems like Clint aka Trailwarrior has pulled out of the race at Chesneywold, its been a ding dong battle to get this far, no news on Fanie yet, hope you guys heal up soon and well done for soldiering on this far. They will be enjoying Minki's hospitality, sadly they wont get to meet the late Christo who passed away in the last year. RIP Christo. So today we will see the race continue to take shape, we are still a long long way from home and there is lots still to happen. Probably the best part of the Race to Rhodes is that now that the excitement of that is over - we are left with the main serving - the 2014 Race Across South Africa and its lining up to be a special edition - stay tuned.

Great posts Trackz, well done on your ride - similar to the PMB boys - lots of prep a healthy dose of humility and humour and it all went according to plan. Hope to see you back.

Well done Clint and Fanie - respect!

Marnitz getting photographically creative near Krantzkop near Molteno. Nice blue skies - that means the temp will plummet from now through to sunrise tomorrow, remember Marnitz is sleeping out rough somewhere tonight, that's going to be very very cold.

I am trying to keep an open mind on todays announcement: perhaps amongst the new roads to the new 'green building' offices there will be some infrastructure spend on mtb. From the official press release: Tokai is a major gateway for local users and is also due for infrastructure investment which will benefit a further component of our stakeholders. Visitors can look forward to a multi-user access road and improved services to the area. The overall development will require a new office building for the park which will be built according to “green building” principles. http://www.sanparks....lt.php?id=56099 more here: At Tokai, close to R11m will be spent. http://www.iol.co.za/polopoly_fs/copy-of-ca-p6-tmnp-birthday-done-1.1706443!/image/3354766819.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_300/3354766819.jpg Table Mountain National Park manager Paddy Gordon and Mayco member for community services and special projects Belinda Walker cut the birthday cake at the Park's 16th birthday celebration at Cape Point. supplied Work here will include upgrading and widening the entrance road leading to the historic manor house – currently in a terrible condition – and adding pedestrian and cycle lanes, while a new office for the national park built according to “green” building principles is also part of the plan for this precinct http://www.iol.co.za...44#.U6Q6xfmSw5w

Drama: "Tweet and Hanno get to Slaapkranz 14:36. Tweet pushes on, Hanno not well staying behind to rest" Just when we were saying Glenn is feeling strong after being sick and its too early to say if Graham and Hanno's lead is material, Hanno drops off the pace. Pretty significant that Graham left him, wow!

Glenn been in at Rhodes for an hour,now Meryl says he just left "race on". No mention of Tim at Rhodes yet. Graham and Hanno past Chesneywold and on the Kapokkraal portages toward Slaapkrantz. Marnitz out of Kranskop - washed and clean - thank heavens for that.

Having a drink with your hosts and sharing what you have is encouraged......these people go out of their way to host you, it would be downright rude not to accept some of their generosity or to share yours . This may include a single malt, a bottle of wine with a farmer who hardly ever gets to drink and he has no idea what he is serving you, to the late Christo's bar at Chesneywold where anything is on offer. Of course at the community lodges en route it is Zamaleksall the way and they are cheap, so dont overdo it.