Anthem24

Spook is still around and has far more real-world cycling experience. https://www.facebook.com/winelandscycling/posts/pfbid0m4MSh47YEVCkJFMupZM3Uhy9G8vazVuof3RNzDEDBt38W6uGnawW3yWyvM7h1YtBl https://www.daisyway.co.za/fit-your-bike/

You do know about the service available for R850 on the bottom of this page? Presumably parents, not scholars, doing the driving. https://www.karootocoast.com/race-info/transport/

Speaking of which, I read this inspirational story last week, which says: Stephen had plotted the route on his Tracks4Africa paper maps. “The paper map tells you the distances between points as well as the road conditions, which helped with planning. I made photocopies of the relevant parts to take on the ride and then I had the Tracks4Africa App on my phone. The app was brilliant, it showed us exactly where we were.” https://blog.tracks4africa.co.za/from-windhoek-to-knysna-by-bicycle/

Try emailing the address given on the website -- they were dishing out the printed maps, I believe.

Not sure if this affects the safety of any of the inner city cycling routes? Eviction order granted for tent city removals "along Buitengracht Street, FW De Klerk Boulevard, Foregate Square, Helen Suzman Boulevard, Strand Street, Foreshore/N1, Virginia Avenue and Mill Street Bridge in the city centre." https://groundup.org.za/article/high-court-grants-order-to-evict-about-200-homeless-people-at-several-inner-city-sites-but-orders-the-city-to-house-them-at-its-safe-spaces/ https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/high-court-grants-city-final-eviction-order-to-remove-people-illegally-occupying-the-cbd-bc7acfaf-b49f-4ab8-bd43-f0bdccba35ec

Mind how you ride through the water crossings: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/jun/15/the-big-problem-is-water-uk-ebike-owners-plagued-by-failing-motors

I had just done a rough trace of the 100 km loop Etienne mentions but in the opposite direction and adding some gravel instead of just the tar (Raka to Stanford is the Akkedisberg Pass). Here is the .kmz to open in Google Earth. Onrus-Stanford-H&A-loop.kmz

Ok, so I did not see the arrows on your route and presumed you were going clockwise, as I think most people do for a warm up before hitting the Karwyderskraal climb. Going past (not through) Hawston on the highway coming back should be ok on a Saturday morning -- there will be lots of traffic. Cycling from Onrus into town and on to Stanford should also be fine. There are plenty of gravel roads from there -- you could go through Stanford and along the dirt road on the other side of the lagoon for an out-and-back. Another nice gravel ride is the left turn on the bend before you cross the bridge just before Stanford and either come back the same way when you reach the end near the cheese factory, or continue on Akkedisberg Pass and take the Oudekraal Rd for some rolling hills to get back to the Hemel en Aarde Road, but that would be a long day out.

This is an old post but it seems Jacqui (number at the end) is still active and can advise: https://www.facebook.com/profile/100064840025071/search/?q=cycling

I lived in Onrus until 5 years ago. There were spates of attacks on cyclists even on the 'highway' going past Hawston, and also on the Karwyderskraal Rd a couple of times at least. At 6 am it will be pitch dark when you pass Hawston so there may not be too many people about, but they'll be able to see you coming a mile off if you have a light. It's risky riding past there alone. Rather phone one of the local cycling shops and check the lay of the land. There was, and probably still is, a regular ride from the Engen garage on weekends. I'd recommend you contact them https://www.cyclehermanus.co.za/weekend-ride-notice/#more-89 https://bicyclecouriers.co.za/these-are-the-5-bicycle-shops-in-hermanus/

I reckon it's purely quality of the lycra if you're cold water washing, no tumble dry, no direct sun. And I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to soak lycra. In the last year I've bought a pair each of First Ascent, Cape Storm and Rapid Sport. The cheapest -- the Rapid Sport -- clearly have the thickest lycra when held up to the light. I'm pretty sure they're going to last longest.

I see the routes are not yet on Trailforks but their website has maps, without elevation. I redid the long route in Google Earth -- 414 m according to my rough trace. Seems to be farm tracks and dirt roads mostly, but would be a great day out.

It does sometimes take a week to get a response. It helps if others report it too. https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Request-a-service/Municipal-services-and-maintenance/Submit-a-service-request/Submit a service request online

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.