Trackside

I also got the GR titanium bike last year, since then my mtb and road bikes hardly ever get ridden...

A few years back David cycled from Cape Town to Louis Trichardt, did the Kremetart and cycled back to Cape Town. He really does these distances. I have ridden a 1000km over the September long weekend, to do what he plans is really a tough challenge. Good luck, I will buy a ticket

Yes I agree, Galibier is a beast, my biggest climb on Strava was recorded there as 2157m (in 50km!!!), and the roads towards the top are treacherous and the descents really fast and scary with no protection.

Did it in 2010 and again twice in 2013, fastest time 1:04. The last time was at the end of the La Marmotte (170km with 5000m climbing) after doing the Glandon and Galibier in 30+ degrees, it took me 2 hours. :-( Other climbs like Madeleine and Galibier were more challenging but Alp D'Huez remains the icon. I was lucky enough to have done all the climbs in today's stage.

I ordered on 8 Jan, it was dispatched the same day and I collected yesterday. I chose the normal free delivery that comes in via SAPO, the shipping email I receied was from TRAKPAK, they were spot on, the parcel was not even in the SAPO tracking system and TRAKPAK showed that it had arrived. The link is: https://www.trackmytrakpak.com/

I still have my CAAD4 with 9 speed Shimano Dura Ace and it still rocks. I have done 150 to 200 km rides on it no problem. You just have to have a comfy saddle and I put 2 layers of bar tape on the handlebar.

Definitely interested, after Trans the fitness should be ok

Doing the Buffelsdrift Big 5 challenge the day before, I am out

I have known and dealt with Graham for 15 years, since he had the AutoExtra Store, and has never ever had bad service from him. He has always been friendly and willing to help. I also support other shops and have had some fallouts but these guys know their business depends on their level of service and in the end I got the service I expect. You want a once off experience or a trust relationship.... your choice. I think Graham also has a side of this story to tell and my opinion is that he won't be rude and piss off customers unless he has been treated badly or unfairly.

I did the Tour de Boland this year and the timing was extremely bad. The waterpoints was way below par for an event like this especially given the extreme heat. Mobile marshals to control traffic was way too insufficient especially on the mountain passes where we had to deal with trucks and taxis.The logistics of finishing in a different town every day is also a nightmare. I chose to do the Tour of Good Hope next year as there are some exciting new innovations and I believe it will be the better organised event. Already entered as part of a team and looking forward to it. Stop moaning bitching and accusing people and sponsors, evaluate the tours and make your decision. Be thankful that road stage races are getting on the calendar and having a choice is great. Wonder how many of the people kicking up dust on this thread actually participated or plan to participate in any of these tours...

I was at the very top lookout point on Sunday afternoon with my car when three plain clothes policemen in a marked car pitched and warned us about the danger of being robbed. I had a discussion with them about us cyclists training there early mornings and afternoons and the need to have police patrols and assistance to eliminate the threat of being attacked. They listened and all three remarked that they will look into the situation. Not sure where they were from or what rank they were, but they did seem willing to get involved. Keep posting details about the actions you want to take, if I am in town I will join. Maybe post it on the Pretoria East MTB Facebook page as well.

I have been using this link www.letour.fr for a couple of years now. No images but keeps you updated

I have been dealing with Hot Spot for a long time. Had some ups and downs but overall they get my vote.

Thats good news I am heading out there this weekend. We used to ride to the Mountain Sanctuary park reception for drinks

Wish they can do this in December when I am on holiday in Port Alfred

What happened with him?

R400? I will ride my local trails and have a breckie for 1/4 of the price

The parking spot you are talking about also has a small restaurant with basic stuff like hamburgers and COLD beer. We even got a bike wash last year for R10

Problem with carbon frames and components in general is that they fail without warning. I saw a guy on the Cape Pioneer who had a Roval Carbon rim failure on the last stage on the flat stretch just after the start of the last stage. My partner used them too and hasn't had any trouble for two years. You have to inspect them regularly for cracks. I prefer alu rims, mine has a few dents which could probably have caused a carbon rim to break. Consider the cost of rim replacement as well.

I started in C and measured my time as 2:43 while the results have me as D and 2:40. Clearly a mix up, well I know my mates will check my time on Strava, no hiding there

Agree, kudos to Stephan, he has sorted me out a number of times

I agree that the bottleneck was extremely frustrating and at the wrong moment. BUT the route overall was fantastic

Great event, great route

Hi all, I have two guys that I have been helping to get proper bikes to start participating in events. They both live in Cullinan and commute by bicycle daily to Pretoria to work. The first guy, Lucky, has already participated in the Beast of the East, Down and Dirty, Dullstroom and Sabie. I am very gratefull that Bestmed has contributed to entry fees, transport and accommodation and to Chris for the Felt bike. After the conditions of Dullstroom and Sabie his drivetrain and brake pads are cooked. Can anyone help me with a 10 speed chain, cassette and chainrings? The crank is a Truvativ (not sure about the model) The brakes are Shimano disk brakes. I will also appreciate 26" tyres with decent life left in them. His wheels are tubeless but we can use non-ust tyres if we can get some. The second guy, Mlongise, got a Scott Aspect 40 FOR FREE from a fellow hubber. However the lockout of the Suntour schock is broken and it is stuck in lock position. It is a spring shock and my LBS says to send the shock to Cape Town for repair may end up costing almost as much as a new shock. I saw that CWC sold a shock like that for R500 on the hub recently!!!! Can anyone help with a 26" shock or know someone that may be able to help with repairing the lockout? The bike is fine for commuting but I would like to get him to some events and for that he will need a working shock. Thanks