Backpacker

We had the privilege of moving down to this little piece of paradise about 15 months ago. In that short time we have made the most remarkable friends through cycling. In our small circle we have SIX cycling friends who have lost everything, BUT everything. My heart breaks, one cannot begin to describe the devastation that surrounds us and that is why we need your support for the Oyster Festival. We rode part of the Argus when it burnt down, we can do it again for Knysna. The community here is exceptional, so resilient, we never hear anyone complaining, we just got off our butts and helped wherever we could and still are. Knysna is a tourist town, we rely on events like the Oyster Festival, we will open our homes if need be should anyone need accommodation. Please refer to the Cycle Knysna Facebook Page, posted by Rob Hill of PB Training: As you all know many of Knysna's cyclists have lost all there cycling kit. So, a few of us thought it would be a great idea to start a collection to help our fellow cyclists. If you have any cycling kit, equipment or paraphernalia that you would like to donate please drop it off at PBTraining (where Metelerkamps used to be) and we will make sure it goes those who need it. Any leftover kit will go to the Knysna sports school. Please share and spread the word.

I have just bought both Kefir and Kombucha from ProHealth in Pretoria, they delivered via courier within 2 days, courier charges included in price http://theprohealthshop.com/milk-kefir-grains.php

Where was the full road closure??? Enjoyed it till we got to Soweto then it was a fiasco. Where were the marshalls?? Majority of intersections had no marshalls, wasted energy dodging taxis and buses who had free access to the roads because there was no one stopping them. Saw a lot of very small children riding and as a parent I would not have been happy taking my child along those roads! Vilakazi Street was great, eventually got to see Mandela's house, distance created a problem for those who were not that fit and did not take enough hydration. Only felt comfortable in the Rhea Via lanes. Enjoyed it, but will give it a miss next time ...

702 News bulletin said he died of heart attack

I did it with my son who said he had not trained so would fall back and ride with me in Group N. He is 30 and I am 56. He was like a Duracell bunny giving me updates of our progress and urging his old mother on. Did my best time of 3H43, was the best ride ever and very special as he stayed with me like a mother hen and we crossed the finish line together.

Problem when you have a rental car ....

To their credit they reacted quickly and have removed, thanks RaceTime

Just noticed that my full ID number together with my name is included in the list of results for the Serengeti Mtb yesterday. Surely this poses a huge security risk for someone to use our details ???

Not sure that I like my ID number posted for all to see ....

Results are posted - strange way of displaying though, you cannot see your overall performance, just by age group ...

These races seem to be getting more and more technical with serious climbs, not suitable for the average recreational rider. Caught up with the 20km riders quite early in the race, they were hanging onto that fence for dear life with the faster riders screaming past them, as for the sludge pit ... heard some okes threw a few punches cause one of them rode into his wife. What are you hoping to achieve, a lot of boasting about the numbers, think that next time there will be two less.

R50 to do 5 boring laps - think not ...

think the reason for poor response is the Nissan event the day before ... bad planning, we're doing both cause we need more training

why are we being charged an additional admin fee of R21+ for entry via Champion Chip ????

entered the Dunblane mtb ride yesterday, same charge via ChampionChip. This happened before when I entered a team for the Van Gaalens 24 hour, the charge then was in excess of R100. Was told then that they could not charge an admin fee. Makes me livid, you are in the last stages of the process and then only learn about this extra charge, no mention of it upfront !!!!

Entered here https://secure.onreg.com/onreg2/front/step1.php?id=1716. Received confirmation that my entry and payment had been received. Sitting at work behind my desk, no hotspot, no wifi. Bank told me not to use card, they would issue a new one. Asked what alerted them to phone me, said I had never bought at this store. See there is an EA Store trading in SA Rands (Origin), the transactions were in Euro's.

Not sure what malware is, but used work computer which I am certain is pretty secure. Carnival entries were through ChampionChip entry site, don't think I've ever used that entry site before, first time in a long time we are entering road races. Phoned them and she assured me the site was secure.

Never use my credit card except to enter races. Finally got around to entering all the races till Argus. No sooner had I finalised the last entry of 3 when Nedbank phoned to ask if I had bought anything at EA Store. I have since received 3 sms's confirming 3 transactions at this store (they sell software). They are opening a case of fraud, waiting to see the details, never had a problem with CycleLab entries, not sure about the entries for Carnival City, how secure are they??? Well done to Nedbank for being alert, was notified even before I got the sms's!!

My husband had both knees replaced 2 years ago, has had pain constantly since then. Been to number of ortho's for second opinion and all say that there is nothing wrong with replacement. Op was done by one of the best. Fell off his bike and broke his shoulder blade, got back on too soon and got severe tendonitis which aggravated the knees. Had to drop out of Berg&Bush after 20kms on the first day. Found a new chiropractor who hopefully can help with his alignment, he hobbles all the time and cannot walk far. Before the op cycling was the only sport he could do, he stalled till he was 60 and then had to have it done as the pain was affecting his riding, especially when climbing. Friends who have had one knee replaced are fine and recovered very quickly, not sure if he is struggling because he had both done at the same time. Good luck !!

I had the same problem - had my best time ever. Chip recorded at start but not at finish. Noticed the photo number fell off my helmet so no photos. Husband predicted my time, he phoned when i was crossing the line. Sent query heard nothing. Need time for Argus seeding, claim Discovery points and proof to the rest of my team that I did the time I claim.

I have received a result despite not allowing them to scan my number board?? Thanks to the two guys on the 40km who firstly helped me out with a bomb as I'd used mine on a puncture at the start, who tried to fix the slash in my tubeless tyres which did not work and then offered me a tube so that I could at least continue and get to the finish. I was sincerely humbled by your generosity and at least managed to get some training in. I did wait at the finish line in the hope of seeing you to return your tube but it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

I have a 40km entry available, please pm me, thanks - entry taken

At the last crossing under the road through the galvanised pipe, marshall flagged us on, went down the incline, sharp turn into the tunnel only to be confronted by some stupid marshall on her huge quad bike coming the other way. She couldn't find her brakes which resulted in her squashing the guy in front of me against the side of the culvert. She can be grateful he was not hurt or his bike damaged because I was ready to smack her off that bike!

Cycle Events: 011 707 4716 confirmed you can collect your mtb numbers before 12h00 on Saturday at Sun City in the parking lot at the entrance. I received no mail and according to system I have not paid, but she can see that I have paid ??? Cannot tell me my start time as I am not registered ???

Just noticed that there is now a frequent rider card available http://www.trailflow.co.za/frequent-card.html It offers 12 rides, 10 + 2 free at R450. Surely if there are 10 normal rides at R40 and 2 free, the price should be R400??? R2.50 off per ride - wooppee doo !!