Stewratl

Having finished in Rhodes last Sunday 1 day longer than what we wanted (7 days), I concur completely with Trackz. Even with all the cold, high winds, early starts, getting lost and getting in well after dark (17 hours was our longest day), never once did I wish I was anywhere else or at any other race. I have always wanted to do this event and did it this year. Any kit, fitness and navigation challenges that faced us year will be addressed for next year but I will definitely be back. There is no big fanfare surrounding this event and just the knowledge that I have achieved something more than what other events offer me, will make me return. There again I tend more to bike packing anyway.

As far as can remember, there is a Trek concept store in one of the streets off Orchard Road ... at least there was 3 years ago ...

I concur completely. I got tired of trying various LBS's in and around me without much success, and I now travel from Centurion to Midrand to have my bike serviced by Summit. Not quite convenient, but on major services it is well worth with.

We used to ride in this section regulalry, but the section from Smuts to the railway line at the Olifants off ramp became hijackers heaven for small groups. Big groups still ride to the Engen on the R21 and back. The railway line runs all the way to Bapsfontein with a good service road and at Bapsfontein the railway line splits and changes direction towards Boschkop and to the East Rand. You should check out Google earth and in theory stay left. The other threat we have experienced between the back of Serengeti Golf Estate and Bapsfontein is a farmer who used to bury spikes under the ground and caused many a mtb rider 2 x flat wheels. The final straw for us was when stopped a group of mates of mine and threatened them with violence if he caught us along the service road again. Never argue with a khaki clad bearded farmer with a fire arm ... Unfortunately he classified us together with offroad motorbikes which raced up and down the railway line. It was a great ride and you can take it all the way to Bosckop / Mamelodi.

We did the mtb loop this morning .... forgot what a climb it is to the tower from the northern perimeter fence ... geesh!