DJR

Heretic! (Just kidding B, I love Bianchis too, still must get myself one though!)????

Do contact the churh office beforehand and make sure they give you access to both the church and the pastorie. Both are spectacular buildings, architecturally speaking.

As you can probably tell, I am from that part of the world and won't let a chance pass to punt the place. Just a little correction, the Swartberg Pass was certainly Thomas Baines masterpiece, but his last pass, believe it or not, which he built shortly before passing away, is the road from Tamboerskloof, over over Kloof Nek to Camps Bay.

LOTS of very good guest houses, B&Bs and one of the few country hotels you can safely stay at (Montagu has another one). For a quick sleep-over I have used the Swartberg Hotel right in the middle of town. You can eat there, the food will be good, really good coffee to get you going and a great bar for sundowners, all within 50 steps from your bed, which will be crispy clean. Contact Arno of Prince Albert Cycles for any up to date advice about riding, he is a fellow Hubber.

I know you said you are looking for single track, but truly, the one thing you should do if based in Oudtshoorn, is to ride the Swartberg Pass. Yes, you will have to take the car to the start of the pass, but it is a safe a place to ride with no crime or dodgy settlements anywhere. The views are to die for, vehicles will be traveling slowly and most will smile and clap and start a chat. Once at the top, you can ride down to the Prince Albert side, the more spectacular part, but just give yourself enough time to climb back up and home. Otherwise get someone to meet you for lunch in Prince Albert and hitch a ride back. Unless you are like Copperhead, then you ride back with a few detours thrown it too. Thank me later for directing you to the best gravel pass in SA, some would say the world!

In winter, especially in a week or so after significant rains, the Doring is the prime white water kayaking river in the Western Cape. But I don't know how that crossing will be in high water.

Very nice picture too. You picked the background with its different textures perfectly to compliment this beauty.

There is no doubt than SANParks do a lot of good. There is a reason Kruger is one of the top 10 wildlife refuges on earth. I also know that they have many dedicated staff who has conservation of our natural environment as their number one goal. But In the way that they have taken over Table Mountain National Park from the City of Cape Town and the way they ran in ever since, I have very few compliments for them. The areas far away from the city and where they have full control, like Cape Point, I think they did well and I'll give credit for that, but in the open parts they have alienated Capetonians. They are happy to take our money and treat us like ****. At every turn they went out of their way to block public input and help. Trying to work with them is a frustration few can survive without giving up. Their burocratic way is the reason they are at war with those who traditionally looked after the mountain. As an example, the Mountain Club, who for more than a century cleaned the mountain and built and maintained footpaths and climbing routes, have basically stopped working with SANParks because it was made clear that they were unwelcome. Table Mountain is different from any of their other parks, it is open, surrounded by the city and millions of people. Despite them saying so, I don't think they really understand that it must be treated differently. The first thing they need to do is to get Capetonians on board again! And that will only happen when they start listening to us, Cyclists, hikers, climbers, riders, gliders, botanists, conservationists, police, security companies, dogwalkers, even the Camps bay guy with his pet pig!

As far as I know SANParks Rangers NEVER carry firearms in Table Mountain National Park.

I also want to hear the whole story, and I am sure there will be another side to the story, but unless the culprit comes forward or is caught, we will not hear that side. Then it stands as told by SANParks.

You can buy a very nice road bike with many years of life left in it for R5000. I agree, an aluminium frame from Cannondale (Caad) with Shimano 105 components will be a lovely ride and make your CTCT a lot more fun. The rest of the money I'll put towards a smaller Mtb later.

Plus another safe-to-ride from me............... ............And then just to add that the reason Tokai is safe is because Tokai Mtb has worked hard to make it so. It was not always the case, but in stead of moaning and bitching, they made a plan. They raised the money through donations and sponsorships from individuals, companies and organizations, set up the people, got a vehicle, binoculars. They watch and patrol the place. They even caught some perps until the idea got through that the riders in Tokai are not easy pickings. For a good few years now, Tokai saw zero crime. On top of that, they will help injured riders down the mountain and if serious they will help the emergency services get an ambulance.......... ............So thanks and respect to Tokai Mtb and the people behind it, among others, Deon and Mark, both fellow Hubbers.

Yes!

On a side note: I noticed how quick the City Of CapeTown as to start building sandbag barriers above De Waal Drive to prevent wash aways from pouring mid and debris off the mountain and onto the road during heavy rains. They started doing that within days of the fire..............but also, nearly immediately people started stealing the sadbags, emptying the bags of their contents and making off with the very useful and sturdy bags! ****! I am really getting gatvol with some of my fellow humans! If I wasn't such a promoter of non-violence and reason, I would have said some culling is needed! Yes, I'm conflicted! Deal with it! ????

STUNNING Jbr ????

Agreed. As much as I am frustrated with SANPARKS on so many things, abusing its staff and especially getting physical with them, is just 100% wrong. Someone on here will know who the culprits are. I challenge you as a fellow cyclist, as a fellow human being, as someone who knows right from wrong, to supply the names of those responsible to SANParks and the police. It is the right thing to do! Do it! If you know and don't, YOU will be part of the problem, you will be complicit in the abuse of a woman ranger. Even if it is someone you know. Catch the culprits, make an example of them. Show that they are NOT part of our cycling tribe! Do it today!

I agree, this is just vandalism, not trail building or fixing. Find the idiot and make him fix potholes in the streets.

Appropriate to find it on the snake trails????

Fellow Hubbers, take note - 130km round trip for a cup of good coffee - we have an addict in our midst - just not sure if he is addicted to riding or to coffee or both????????

At least a decades worth of court cases and more chaos that they already have.

Most definitely. ???? I knew I had to up my game, but I didn't want to do the style Dale uses. I've just always loved silhouettes, shadows and reflections. Beattbox thought I was a little crazy to suddenly gooi anchors and turn around to stop at a puddle in the parking lot next to the road, but I could "see" the picture when we flashed past. Your own pictures have been stunning lately. ????

I know, and to make it worse, I was riding with my paddling buddie. There were lost of paddlers out there. Not so many surfers though, because Muizenberg was BIG. And most were too chicken I suppose.

Down (as it turns out, it is up and down) to Cape Point with Beattbox. Stunning day to ride, False Bay like a mirror, clear views all the way past Hangklip, very few cars and people in the Cape Point reserve. Only thing that could have been better was my fitness!

I cannot quite tell you why, but I find that a lot more attractive than a turned handle, aesthetically speaking. Very beautiful.

A little something in pencil - about frailty and how we should treasure and handle rare and beautiful things (and each other) with care.