tubed

Sadly it is getting right out of hand and between the police and Sanparks as protectors and custodians - I have little faith in it being cured. I have lived in Hout Bay all my life and commute, train, run, tour as much as I can. Here is how it has changed: commute to work: it's dodgy carrying the laptop etc via Blockhouse (no recent incidents) Karbonkelberg - one of the best 'secret' climb and descents on the peninsula, seriously technical and fast - now out of bounds because of tik crazed knife wielding gangs from adjacent harbour Sandy Bay/ Rocket Road - less threatening gang, more casual thieves, but still present Vlakkenberg saddle/ Mast road/ Bokkemans - a gang of 2/3 I am probably going to meet soon with Puffer training going into overdrive, modus operandi is to tie up victims and rob them of everything Baden Powell Drive - long since been avoided - a vital link between the Peninsula and Overberg for touring Sir Lowry's Pass - again a newish violent gang stopping the link between to the Overberg Given the amount I ride and run on my own, my time will probably come one day soon, I will be sensible for the sake of me and my family and probably just let them take my stuff. But its just so sad that it has come to this.

a 'friend' accused me of challenging him to Freedom Challenge last year and he finished it. He returned the favour by getting me a Puffer entry for August....the things we do.

Very well spotted. Welcome to Tim James - just do a quick google and you will see why he looks pretty comfortable, his partner was also some dude who rode a bike once - just has beens really.......

jip, was about 2 years ago that I rode the 100miler and noticed that he was a real tosser - left, right, overarm, underarm - you name it...., no skaam whatsoever, particularly as he was riding with the bike shop owner in the same kit and I really like the bike shop owner, maybe I should have a word with the bike shop owner, its not good for his brand, I hope that will put a stop to it

Good summary - the tension was high before the event, knowing they were under the microscope, be it a shortcut, or a wrapper - they were likely to be pinned. He/ they should have been more careful. Main thing is that a new line has been drawn in terms of sportsmanship - its now all about results, whichever way you can get them.

mw?

Al Davies riding with Ollie, Al's on a hardtail taking leave from a proper job, Ollie working too now (sort of), Position 21 on GC. Huge RESPECT to both.

When this was first mentioned earlier in the week the weather models were very unpredictable, as we approach the weather event, they become more certain, hence the "will it?, wont it?" scenarios up until now. It is now fairly certain it will rain and probably quite a lot - and then there is a chance it will actually rain a significant amount, ie we are looking at the potential of a developing cut off low. All I would say is be prepared as best you can to make it more pleasant. The last three events (W2W2011? - last day cancelled, Epic 2012, W2W2013 ride) saw a bit of persistent rain and the hub was full of posts like "apocalyptic, unrideable, withdrew" etc. After all your months of prep, please don't let that happen: prepare for the worst, get your head sorted that you may be riding in the rain for 8 hours and then go out and enjoy it as the sun will shine for the most of the race. http://www.weather-forecast.com/locations/Robertson/forecasts/latest

Think you summed it up well - and picked two top riders. Its likely to be of the guys honing their form at KIllarney and on the road, because they aren't paid to do the MTN races thing. Also likely to be the guys getting the biggest support on Sunday - for me that says a lot.

works for bicycling now

Wondering who will be the top dogs who have 'real' jobs. I am talking about the 5am training crowd, (not the 9am euro starters or the guys who consider themselves semi-pros). These are the guys who have to take leave for the week, or if they run their own shop, its 'no work no pay' week. Thinking here of: Munnik/ Davies Hanekom/ Lamond etc Would be nice to see one of these teams crack a top 20. Who else fits this category?

I really really don't want to be an alarmist, as I believe that racing an mtb should done in any circumstances. That said, significant and continuous rain is probably every event organisers biggest nightmare, especially if you have athletes who are at the end of their physical capability . For now I would say just make sure that you pack the things which make living in a wet environment comfortable. If you are from up country you are familiar with lots of water now, but this may be cold as well, so have the option in your kit of that gear as well. (I certainly hope the current models are wrong and it clears)

In terms of your preparation - it is a long way off still for the weather models to be anywhere near certain, but its worth looking at the weather from Sunday through the first week. http://www.weather-f...orecasts/latest (At this stage you may want to consider extra brake pads, spare chain and some spare derailleur wheels.)

yebo - and your point with respect to this particular incident ?

The crash in L group was the most serious i have seen that I can remember in 26 rides. The reason being there were quite a few women and children involved. We seemed to catch the social tandems which seem predominantly to have a good male cyclist at the front who has decided to ride now with his wife or child, so even thought they are 'social' they hit the non-technical downhills at speed. Problem to me seemed to be the 'stokers' saw the Blue Route as the first opportunity to drink, sit up, feed and a number of them were relaxed, hands off the bars etc as we approached the downhill toward the lowest part of the Blue Route. The moment one went down the rest were in a mess and it got ugly at the front, but those trying to stop a tandem at full speed from behind with an inattentive stoker just ploughed into those on the ground. It was terrible to see the women and kids in panic. We then had another crash just before we left the Blue Route, by that time it was quite a bit smaller. I think they need to look at those social tandem seedings. Hope they get well soon..

Such a good photo this, besides the person taking the pic - this sums up Marnitz.......largely alone and heading out into the elements day or night - most people can even begin to imagine cycling in snow in South Africa, this is Marnitz in his element.......cant wait to see how this unfolds in 2014 now that we have crazy challenge out there. Good luck Marnitz

Interesting - I crossed that path running alone and I didn't encounter any other runners or cyclists on Saturday at about 12h00 or 12h30 running form Vlakkenberg to the Mast road and then down to Manganese Mines and Chapmans Peak. If they had been in the vicinity and on their way up on the paths I would have probably encountered them on the path had they been coming up from either Chapman's Peak or from Vlakkenberg. So likely they came from Blue Valley Road/ Bokkemans and went down the same way. The only other option as i see it is that they came up and down via Constantia or via Tierboskloof to the saddle, but highly unlikely. Its really sad because 3 morons with knives is really not a fair fight. So from a Sanparks perspective - they recommend I dont run/ ride Karbonkelberg, Sandy Bay/ Rocket Road and now probably Vlakkenberg/ Manganese Mines - not leaving me with much options around Hout Bay.

I am pretty sure you will find someone willing to flog themselves with your partner for a week, there are plenty of youngsters in around Cape Town as 'semi-pros', they can cover their sponsor stuff, ie a pair of sunglasses and perhaps some energy drinks, with maybe a spare tyre or two. Main thing is if they can come up with the cash - then they will turn themselves inside out for this opportunity. Suggest you try the Stellenbosch 'student' crowd and the twitter scene, although your dm inbox is probably full already. What an opportunity - hope someone takes it for all its worth and all that secret training and hours of hoping pays off.

thought about it before I said that and yes to an extent - but who makes a very expensive watch nowadays where you cannot replace the battery? ie you throw the whole unit away. (granted apple phones have irreplaceable batteries - but they do seem to last)

Sadly my recent experience has also not met the standard I was used to. Its not bad, its just not committed to the brand. I would also just comment that the policy of upgrading a unit when it needs a repair is not altogether fair as far as I am concerned, others will disagree in that it enables you to constantly upgrade to a newer product every couple of years. What if you don't want an upgrade and you want the product fixed or even just serviced? That's not an option. What Garmin don't tell you when you buy the product is that it has a limited lifespan and you cannot repair some of the products or that they don't do it. So you are forced into an upgrade or you have to bin it. Fortunately there now seems to be good choice with Suunto.

jeepers you guys are now really rubbing it in - just when you thought it cant get better - will have to go and inspect I also enjoy the snakes, buck, caracal and plenty birds of prey around the Tygerberg hills - but it lacks one thing - baboons, for that Jonkers and Tokai are still winners (sorry as a real aside I was suprised to learn of leopard presence on Paardeberg, that's pretty close to the Ville) the Slammer is the track opposite CWC at Willowbridge - surprised this is not ridden more, especially when you encounter some of the skills levels on funrides - it is really an excellent place to learn and gain confidence

Have to agree with all of the above - its a wonderful addition to the area, proper riding, especially the downhill at speed. I try and not moan about Tokai because its on my doorstep and where I learnt to ride mtb, but when you spend some time at a place like Hoogekraal you realise how poor the offering at Tokai is for what its status deserves. You guys beyond the boerwors gordyn are truly now spoilt: Slammer, Majik, Hillcrest, Contermans, Meerendal, Hoogekraal.......... Well done TMBC!

Today I heard the news that Christo Botha of Chesneywold Farm in the Barkley East/ Stormberg region had passed away around Christmas time and was buried on the 28th of December 2013. They say sometimes you are hosted by angels and yet you don't know it....... Christo was one of those farmers epitomized the hosts on the Freedom Trail - warm, open hearted, welcoming and someone who above all cared. Christo and his wife Minky played host to many a despondent, cold and exhausted rider - but when you rode out and down the driveway on your way past the statuettes, you would be guaranteed that your belly would be full, your clothes clean and dry, your spirits lifted and he was on the phone to his neighbours to tell them to look out for you. So although Christo wasn't a cyclist, he was part of our our community in a very special way and I would like to pay tribute to him and assure Minky that she is in our thoughts and prayers. C. (photos by Andrew King - Christo saying farewell to riders - now its our time to say farewell Christo)

As far as I understand SANPARKS did some clearing and constructed the steps and gutters ( clearly no thought of allowing riders as these stone gutters are rim crunchers), it seemed to be done around the time of the Hout Bay Trail Challenge some years ago. The only downside for downhill riders is that you have to get up there on your own - but I cannot think of a better natural downhill run which would take so little to adapt. The muggers are opportunists - they will only attack lone or small groups - same at Sandy Bay. I ride, run Sandy Bay a lot and feel comfortable there - Karbonkelberg is another story, I would do the trail in reverse, ie Sandy Bay. Suther Peak and down to the Sentinel. Sorry dont mean to hijack the main constructive thread - mods please move if needs be.

Had a really off the wall idea recently - probably get flamed and doubt it would ever happen, but here goes. Whoever remembers Karbonkelberg when it was rideable up and down (some might even remember driving up there) and the days before you needed a gun to make it out of there - if so, then you will know that it has the most superb view imaginable and the downhill back to the harbour was world class. So SANPARKS abandoned the upkeep of the road and turned it into a hiking only trail - but now the hikers cant even go there. So here's the suggestion, turn it into a downhill track, there is only really one way up and one way down and charge an entry fee for security/ access at the gate. Some other ideas - get local community involved in the manning of the hut and create some jobs re trail maintenance, cause the harbour community sure as hell need any job creation they can get. If they own it they will probably 'police' it. Worth a thought?