Kevin Simon

Had a quick look for you on Strava segments. I used the first climb to the caves, as that’s where I saw you and that’s where I assume it happened. I sorted it by Today and Male, and I went to the last page, as whoever did it wouldn’t get a very fast time, but there is only one person who has a really long time on that segment (13min), and I am taking a hunch that it is you as it’s a black mountain bike, not orange. So either they haven’t uploaded yet, or they might not upload it, or they just not on the platform.

Was at the cradle this morning and actually rode past you. I saw there were a few people standing around you, so I decided not stop. Sorry to hear about this, it’s really shocking and just unacceptable behaviour. After my ride when I was sitting by the coffee shop next to Biddon having breakfast, I actually heard another group of cyclists talking about what I now assume must be the same group. They were saying how this group they came across were riding all over the place and when they asked them to move over, they were shouted at by some oak…probably the same guy. I agree with the above, check out Strava, use flybys and as well check out segments and go through the list until you find who it is. If they not on Strava, maybe going to the different places around the cradle and checking camera footage. This definitely can’t be left to rest. Whoever this guy is, he needs to face consequences for what he did. Hope you have a speedy recovery!

I agree! Just go a new (second hand) more expensive bike, I live 5km from my groups meet-up in Melrose, even though there hasn’t been any bike jacking issues around us *yet*, I am just to s**t scared to ride there and back now, think I’m going to drive there from now on.

Being new to the sport, I can’t really comment on price increases, though I can agree that anything to do with cycling has a hefty price tag. An interesting note that I do not understand, why do some of you say you updated your insurance because the price went up? When I insured my 2 bikes, they just wanted to know what those bikes cost new, not what a similar bike costs now. For example, I just got a 2019 SLR 6, they wanted to know what that bike cost new, not the SLR 7 or whatever the closest equivalent, or should I be insuring for that price?

That is what we did. Came down for the week, and so far gone all over the place.

This was my first CTCT, and gotta admit, found it a lot tougher than what I was expecting. Thought I would manage sub 4, like I did with 947, but got 4:27, kinda disappointed. This was as well my first time riding in the wet….interesting to say the least. I will admit being one of those riders passing on the left, reason being, everyone (at least most people) seem to think that once they get on a bike, they can ride wherever they feel like. I started in 4B, and pretty much everyone was riding all over the place! I had slow people in the left, slow in the right, I would try overtake on the right, but found it easier to overtake on the left as most people were sticking to the right. Then, a fast group would come shouting and screaming on the right, I would try latch on, but on the downhills going past 40 they would all break, being on a gravel bike with gravel tyres, I would push ahead as I felt quite confident going fast on the downhills in the wet, only for them to overtake me again on the uphills, this would happen a lot throughout the race. Then on the uphills people CANNOT hold a line! O my gosh, some people swerve their bike from right to left, and then back again…. that is the most annoying thing ever. I would try stick to the right here and just shout at people to stay left, but if I saw an opening on the left to overtake, I would just do it. I do have to agree with a comment about the homeless. I have to admit that CPT seems to have a serious issue that looks like it has gotten out of hand and unchecked. Being from Joburg, it’s not like we don’t have the same issues, but since I have been here and driving around, I have been quite shocked at how bad it is in CPT. Haven’t been to CPT for about 2, maybe 3 years, and it’s gotten a lot worse since I was last here. It was a great ride, but still debating to myself if it’s worth all the effort to come down here from Joburg to do it…kinda leaning towards no….but we all know how this goes right…. see you all next year 🤣

Steam vouches still not working for me.

I as well contacted them about it on Friday. Got a response today saying they are aware of it, they working on it, and it should be resolved by the 2nd of December. So we will see.

I was in 08:50 as well. It was a different rider we saw. My friends friend got caught there as well, thankfully not in ICU, but had to get quite a few stitches from what I have been told. I think it was my friends friend as they started at 06:30 and they did it in around 2:40-3hrs, so the time matches to us meeting at that point. Though from what I heard a few riders got caught out there unfortunately.

This was my first 947 challenge and I really enjoyed it. I thought that FNB Stadium was perfect, easy to access (as long as you were aware of what roads were closed and how to get around), lots of parking (I arrived at 08:00, and I got a parking just next to the start). I thought the route was challenging, but fun. I see how some people were complaining that it does not show off Joburg…well I don’t fully understand that as what route would show off Joburg? We started at FNB Stadium, got to see a bit of Soweto, rode past some of Joburgs iconic gold mine dumps, went through a little bit of an industrial area along main reef road, through town, both there and back, past Melrose, Rosebank, Hyde Park, Monte Casino, a lap around Kyalami, through some of the Joburgs suburbs, with Santas lane being wonderfully decorated, past the zoo…..I just don’t see how that does not show off Joburg? That climb up Jan Smuts by the zoo was for me the toughest climb (thank goodness it was cool weather, otherwise it would have been even tougher), was a real grind up there. Overall I thought it was a fantastic day out, lots of support from spectators, great vibes from everyone, and overall just well organised.

Ah I see! Okay, then I’ll go to the viewpoint that way and then head back for coffee, thanks for the name. Thanks, looking at all these routes, I think it will be a lekker time!

Thanks for the info, noted! Ah, that’s a pity, looked like a really nice viewpoint. I have changed the route to go into Brenton as you suggest, will go up to the tower and then back down for coffee at that coffee shop. Thanks for all the info and tips everyone! Really appreciate it! So excited! Could anyone tell me if this route is good to do alone? https://www.strava.com/routes/2887331328237224382 It’s from Ballots Bay to Harold’s Bay, looks like it could be a fantastic route, just again, not sure about safety.

@Wayne pudding Mol How does this route look? https://www.strava.com/routes/2895695272493452134 Any tips on great places for coffee and breakfast?

Yeah, I planned my route so that it goes up, will then go to 7 pass and head back to Wilderness from there. Thanks for the tip, will contact him for sure, sounds fun. Is there secure parking there or do I need someone to drive me there? Thanks, will make myself a route on Strava. That’s a shame, would be nice to ride with people that know the areas. For anyone else, I’ll be in Ballots Bay from the 9th to the 16th, and then Noetzie till the 23rd, so anyone around these areas on those dates, would be cool to organise some group rides. That’s actually another ride I would like to do, though not sure of the best way to get there from Noetzie. I do see next to Noetzie there is a golf estate that leads into Knysna, and on Strava it looks like you can access the estate from Noetzie, though hard to tell from maps, anyone know if this is possible? Thanks for the info! It sounds like there are so many fantastic routes there! More routes than I have time to do…well I better start planning for the next holiday

Seems like it’s a bit off the way. For the 7 pass I will be starting on the George side, once in Noetzie, I would like to stick to that area and possibly cycle to Plett, though not sure on the safety on that one yet as from what I can see, it looks like I’ll have to hop onto the N2 for a little bit of the way.