live2ride

Please share where relevant Good Day to all Conserv Clients, Community Members, Tourist Industries, Emergency and Security Service providers, SAPS, Cycle Clubs,Members of the Press and The WHS MA. Regarding the shooting of a Cyclist on Saturday morning on the Kromdraai road in the Cradle Of Humankind WHS, you are cordially invited to attend an Urgent Meeting tomorrow evening Tuesday 14th August 2018 at Engedi on the N14 in Protea Ridge North (COHWHS) for 19h00 to discuss an initiative to upgrade security for both Tourists and Resident of the Cradle and surrounds. Regards Trevor Roberts

I live in the cradle right opposite where this happened and cycle that route myself several times a week. Many of my fellow residents are cyclists too, this is partly why we live here. I agree with you all of these problems need a broader approach. I can assure you that residents in this area are doing everything they can to keep it as secure as possible. As usual not everyone is on board but the majority are. Under normal circumstances at that calming point any stationary or suspect car would be reported via the community whatsapp and radio network. However on Saturday mornings it is busy with tourist and cyclist cars stopping so I guess less attention is paid. On Saturday as soon as this incident happened the community were alerted and out to assist and patrol the routes. From time to time they also do joint activities with SAPS, as was done a week or two ago, check their FB page https://www.facebook.com/conservsec The biggest challenge with an area like this is that it is a large area with few residents, limited resource, lots of space and many visitors on weekends, so the odds are against you. Added to that the visitors are the targets and can be easy targets as they let their guard down in the "peaceful" countryside. The cradle has limited access points so I think one of the best ways to secure it during the busy weekend periods is to control those access points, everyone working together is the best way to achieve this. I will share this with the community security so that perhaps something can be done between residents, local enforcement, businesses, clubs and visitors.

A group of us are looking to do a trip later this year and plan to stay for a few days so will need a bit of riding. What are all the options and where can I find info on all the available trails in central berg and northern berg? Most of the riders do enduro so technical is not an issue Thanks

I landed up getting an Epic comp, I too like climbing and could not find any better climber, now after a few months I am convinced that there is no better DS climber. Billed as a race bike I have been really surprised at how much of an all rounder this bike is. With the brain switched off it is fully active and very forgiving and capable. Best advice I can give is test ride both and make your decision.

Riding was great and really enjoyable, unbelievable amount of singletrack, it was rocky and rough, very few easy miles. Found day 1 the hardest and day 3 was fast but by no means easy. Bit expensive for what you get to be honest and lack of re-seeding between stages was quite disappointing.

My understanding based on cummunication that I have seen is that when challenged by residents Trirock could not supply proof of road closures approval.

An Epic Fail?

+1!

Thats how I learned to fix my own bike. Everytime I got it back there was still something wrong so I would just fix it myself, and so it went on. Until I got a stand and the basic tools. Now I do all my own stuff, everything except shock service and wheel builds. Save a fortune and am never disappointed.

Is endurance bad for your heart? Maybe not Check this article http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/23/is-marathon-running-bad-for-the-heart/?smid=tw-nytimeshealth&seid=auto

I did most of my training on a 29er HT but rode a 26" FS at the epic because I wanted a bike that was affordable, light and can go downhill. I can't tell you how many 29er HTs I passed on the downhills. For 35k you can get a very nice 26" FS - just saying

This was a UCI marathon event designed to a world class standard. Finally we are getting exposed to events that compare internationally. Historically here in SA we have had relatively easy events with not much technical challenge and not enough climbing. I don't think that you can compare Sani2c day 2 to this ultra route. Sani day 2 is under 100km and just about 2000m climbing. This ultra was at least 10km longer with 3000m+ climbing, thats a whole extra 1000m vertical. Having a good time and an enjoyable day in the saddle is not about the event but rather about your preparation and expectation of the event. The event is what it is, you need to make sure that you are prepared properly and have realistic expectations. The ulta was one of the hardest days out ever for me but I learned some valuable lessons just like I did many years ago on my first Sabie marathon.

Intersting how this thread started out with the title that it has, doesn't actually make sense if you think about it. Fact is that the entries were all sold out, so clearly its not too expensive or lost its lustre. Entries are available because people are dropping out mostly because they don't have the balls to go through with their commitment and/or are too scared of the epic, rarely due to medical reasons or maybe coveniently due to medical reasons. So the question to be asked is why do people commit upfront therby blocking others when they really didnt have the balls in the first place? Fact is that it is the biggest mtb stage race in the world where you rub shoulders, litterally, with the worlds best riders. There is no other race in the world that offers this value to the average guy. Just like any other brand you have to ask yourself is the premium worth it.

The cost is definitely prohibitive and I think there is a bit of a bubble with all these stage races http://mtbonline.blogspot.com/2011/08/epic-bubble-or-epic-growth.html

Polar 720i 10 years old now and still wear it everyday