Backpacker

Thanks - do you have an estimated distance, difficulty rating and speed ... I have a whole spectrum of fitness levels and abilities

We entered a mens team for the Corporate Challenge on Sunday, all exactly the same, down to the champers, beer, emaciated bike washer in a bikini, etc, etc. What justifies the difference in entry fee from R275 for Nashua Ladies Day to R875 per rider for the corporate challenge?? Small field of about 200 riders ... cannot justify asking the boss for sponsorship again ...

The race was one of the best, nice variety, not too technical to break your neck, except the thick sand :-(, guys at the farm gate to lift your bikes over, ladies quite patient when you felt the need to walk a bridge, champers and beer at the finish, massages, bare chested bike washers were scarce? Queues for lunch still a problem, dessert came out after everyone had left. Marking suspect in places, after the tunnel the track forked, no arrow?? Perfect weather, well done to organisers! Back to Van Gaalens today for Corporate Challenge.

Just got our numbers - wow what a nice goodie bag!!! Well done, contains lots of stuff we can actually use ... Can't wait for the champagne and massage ..

We're in the Benoni area and have quite an active group that ride all over the place, would love to join you - please keep us posted - 8 July is perfect, the weekend before Nissan Cullinan!!

A friend of mine is in batch X - 40 kms !! I am assuming the batches don't go from A - X or she will be starting at 11h00??

the link was wrong, if you clicked on Race Day 1 the Trail results were there, see they have put the Race Day 1 results there now

Does anyone know who qualifies for prizes in each category??

Hi Tim, got a friend doing her first mtb race (40km), took her out yesterday and she really struggled on the uphills. This will be my third, from the profile looks like we are doing the climb that previously came at the end, within the first 10kms??

The mtb ride was on our race calendar for the year. Last year cost us R2,200 / person for flights, accommodation and car rental. This year flights alone are around R3,600 pp add to that a couple of hundred for your bikes. Prices literally double for that weekend, so unfortunately will have to give it a miss. We are in Knysna now so making the most of all the rides, Homtini yesterday and Harkerville tomorrow, the best of the best ...

Where exactly is this, always looking for somewhere new to ride? Thanks

yip, I entered 2 at a time - just select bulk entry when you start

He is responsible for the mechanics and a working bike - I make sure there's clean clothes, gels, food, water bottles ...

Organisers confirmed the developers were going to put a gate into the fence for the race, not sure where?

The entire fence has been completed - there is now NO gap to get through, very, very sad. I heard a rumour a while back they were looking at building an amusement park?

Although not madly exciting and technical, we use the Emperors mountain bike route at least twice a week for training, Driving past yesterday noticed they are busy erecting a concrete "fence" on the right hand side of the runway. Not sure if this will be closed to mtb'ers or if they will leave a gap to let us through. Would be a great pity as it is safe, close to home and ideal for a quick morning ride and used by quite a few riders in the area.

I was called in twice by the Station Commander to testify in a disciplinary hearing. Second time was told that if he pleads guilty to driving under the influence, they would not require my testimy. He was always in civvies as if not back at work and I felt that the matter was being taken seriously, but was never told what the outcome was. You only get angry after the fact, at the time I was just grateful to be ok.

I was knocked down by a drunk cop two years ago on Kingfisher Road in Sunward. 07h30 in the morning, he jumped a red robot, hit me and stopped 100 meters up the road. Fortunately there was a Metro cop who witnessed it and took a breathalyser, arresting him straight away. I was very lucky in that he pushed me off to the side of the road and not underneath him, but it was enough to shatter my nerves and make me take up mountain biking. Yesterday got onto my road bike for the first time in 2 years and loved it, now this - think the road bike will go back into hybernation!!

I know this is a very old post, but just experienced the same problem yesterday when using EntryTime. Entered 2 Teams for the Van Gaalens 24 Hours, paid R3,700 entry fee and was charged a R111 Admin Fee by EntryTime!!!! I think this is a total rip off, and yes I had the choice to not enter, but I have already collected entry fees from 20 people who are psyched up for the event! What is this fee for,I used my credit card?? Never been charged an Admin Fee for other events, if this is the norm will not enter any races using EntryTime in future!!

My road bike fell off the trailer after Argus 4 years ago. Been lying at a local BS who quoted triple the cost of the bike to fix. Friend decided she wanted to start riding so collected it and took it to Finish Line in Kempton who fixed it up beautifully for R550 within 3 days. Problem is it is too big for her so now need to get rid of it as it's taking up space. You can have it with pleasure

Thanks everyone, going to try to sock option, glueing anything on might leave a residue

I have a three bike Thule clip on bike rack which I use on a VW Polo. Mostly carry 2 bikes but have squeezed on 3. Discovered that it has caused serious damage to the roof where it clips on at the top, to the rubber around the boot door and dug out the paint above the bumper. Went to Thule and the guys were a bit confused, took photos but not my contact details (the manager was not there), pretty much said they gave tape in the box (2 pieces??)and that should be sufficient. I have a company car which gets replaced every 4-6 months, not allowed a towbar, hence the clip on. If I return a car with damage I am liable for the costs of repair. Am I perhaps doing something wrong when mounting the rack or does anyone have any suggestions on what I can use to prevent this damage (the space between car and clip is small so cannot put rubber in between).

My husband started 2 groups behind me and finished ahead without passing me with 33kms on his clock vs 36 on mine. Members of our group commented on how quickly Groups F and G got ahead of us within a few kms of the start?? Same happened in 85km ride, apparently they took the wrong fork on the first stretch. Great race, perfect weather, improvements on last year were more toilets and being seeded. Enough technical and climbing bits to make it a challenge but otherwise relatively easy and fast roads/single track, I love it. Goodie bag great, thought the tin mug was a refreshing change and tell me where else you get free beers when you finish!!!