Anthem24

Is this not the Pie Run renamed? Ok, so new route option: https://www.bicycling.co.za/event/the-pie-mtb-gravel-grinder-greyton-2024/

This is progress, but what is needed is a means of buying the day permit for mtbiking. So somebody who wants to take their chances with the muggers at Deer Park/Table Mtn can ride legally if they don't have an Activity Permit.

I use sunglass 'readers' from DisChem, they were less than R400. Worth a try.

Tokai Forest Lower gravel path loop, Constantia greenbelt (Tokai Forest Lower to Silverhurst Drive or Bel Ombre, Spaanschemacht / Orpen Rd bike paths, Milnerton lighthouse to Blouberg or Melbosstrand along the bike path, Koeberg Nature Reserve once it re-opens and you can arrange permits Somerbosch in Somerset West Jonkershoek lower circle road Table Mountain jeep tracks pretty tough for a beginner IMO -- too loose and rocky.

Well, here's the list and map of SA's national parks. https://www.sanparks.org/travel/plan/travel-information/interactive-map Agulhas National Park is not your normal NP with fences so this goes thru the park: https://capeagulhasmtb.co.za/cape-agulhas-mtb-race/ 25 miler (40km) fun ride through the Bontebok National Park as part of https://www.aroundthepot.co.za/ The Knysna Festival MTB events in June-July school hols go through the Garden Route NP Golden Gate NP: https://www.oldmutual.co.za/news/experience-the-thrill-and-scenic-splendor-of-the-old-mutual-go2berg/ and https://www.malutidouble90.co.za/event-information-2/ By events due you include tours? Camdeboo National Park: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/258479-wildehonde-mtb-adventure-ride-2024/#/ and Roof de Karoo : https://www.mzcpe.co.za/rdk.html https://www.facebook.com/RoofdeKaroo/?ref=bookmarks&_rdc=1&_rdr and a gravel race: https://www.bicycling.co.za/event/road-to-desolation-24/ Trisport have mtb tours in the Richtersveld and Namaqua areas, but not sure if they are in the NP -- there are community conservancies too. https://trisport.co.za/ Marakele and Mokala MTB events here: https://www.sanparksvolunteers.org/support-an-event/

You certainly don't need to get the tests done in the UK. There are local services that do a similar panel. But it would be worth just starting with a GP, who can interpret the results for you. This GP is in Cape Town, but you can compare the tests he considers standard: https://www.dranthonysmith.co.za/patient-resources/ It would still be quite expensive, but at least once you've ruled out the basics, you could look at other things, like diet. And yes, you should be having prostate checks, and after 50, get a colonoscopy.

When I saw this from Daryl Impey after watching his Epic videos, it was food for thought:

I think it was removed, but I've only done it once and didn't notice. Was too busy trying to explain to the club member barking at us that he was misinformed.

Start at Conties, buy a permit, ride there and/or to Hoogies and buy a permit. Ride Hoogies then ride back to Conties. And vice versa. There's Snapscan and Zapper in the carpark at both, plus the delis on both ends sell them. If there's not a book with hardcopy permits you're expected to show the receipt on your phone if anyone asks. If someone stops you in the corridor on the way to the second place, you might only have one permit so far, yes -- it is partly an honesty-based system but it's pretty easy to see which direction people are coming from, and they should have that permit at least.

Unfortunately many of the members missed this info too, so you may still get some dirty looks or barked at for not having a board when you're on the AB corridor.

Wotja mean? Yes, you have to buy two day passes but the traverse is the Anna Beulah corridor, which is the only corridor open to day permit holders.

The Thule dealer in Retreat, Cape Town, Orka Paddles, says: Yes we can definitely help, we can order the part for him. Please ask him to get in touch with us either here on email (orkapaddles@gmail.com) or on 021 701 7913

Did you try here: https://www.thule.com/en-za/thule-support/spare-parts I see the top line says no online shopping from South Africa. Where are you based? I am going past my local Thule just now -- I will ask them.

The towbar options for Thule are all here: https://thulestore.co.za/catalog/category/view/s/towbar-bike-racks/id/116/ and Holdfast here: https://holdfast.co.za/towball-mounted You can find the simplest ones for R500 on Facebook marketplace. Just remember that a 2-bike carrier is best for one bike and a 3-bike carrier best for 2 -- otherwise the risk of scratching frames is quite high without major padding / pool noodles etc between them.

You have lots of options with that bike, since it's a hardtail without a shock sitting in the triangle, although bottle cage placement can be an issue if it's a small frame. If your car doesn't have a towbar, that will be where the main expense is. You can pick up used bikeracks -- Holdfast and Thule -- very cheaply. Just avoid the old Holdfast ones with wheels for the clamps.

So which direction did he ride away with your bike? Not easy to get it down Blackburn Ravine at this point, and if he'd walked down the steps that head up to Elephant's Eye from Tokai, he would have been seen by lots of hikers.

What time of day was this please? Would expect Silvermine to be quite busy with hikers on Friday, given that many people made it a long weekend. I had considered that route for a solo walk later yesterday afternoon. I hope SANParks have been informed too, so they can consider stepping up patrols there?

Yes, it's an experience "like no other" as he says a few times per hour! Vastly better than the narrator of this year's Cape Epic Route video though, which I watched last night. Would help to use a mtbiker, since he mentioned Time Trails instead of Trials and mispronounced many other words in the attempt to read the overly evocative script. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1vbPEJsPHY

At least Cape Epic is streamed live on YouTube,

paint stripper should do the trick

I bought snowbees off Takealot, but the window is 1.50. Not sure if they come in a +2 https://www.takealot.com/snowbee-polarised-sunglasses-matt-black-frame-smoke-lense-1-50-s/PLID72297910 I wore them twice but my astigmatism had got so bad that I couldn't see clearly through the unmagnified part -- I ride in +1.5 shaded readers from Dischem now for distance and carry my prescription glasses in my camelback. So if anyone in CT southern suburbs wants to try these, I'd be happy to flog them for R200.

Off-topic, but I've been wondering what the ripple effect might be of the large tax bill and legal fees that Silverback, Omnico and Cytek have had after losing their appeal to SARS in the Supreme Court in October. Media summary here: https://www.supremecourtofappeal.org.za/images/SCA-128MS.pdf and full judgement here: https://www.supremecourtofappeal.org.za/index.php/component/jdownloads/send/48-judgment-2023/4093-silverback-technologies-cc-others-v-commissioner-south-african-revenue-service-301-2022-2023-zasca-128-09-october-2023?Itemid=0

Has anyone got a Thule bike rack adapter they'd be willing to sell me? To use on a hanging rack. The bar diameter seems quite narrow -- will the Holdfast rubber straps (or wheels) actually close down enough to hold the bike securely?

Yes, I haven't done C'Nek to Newlands for almost a year, and can imagine the September flood took its toll on the rocky climb up to the K'bosch boundary !