Musketeer

I have to admit, moved to CT from Pretoria and started commuting about a week ago and never had an urge to do it when I was up there. Cycling lanes work very well and I haven't come across an idiot that goes off the tar onto the gravel next to the road...yet. In my view drivers here are a little more lenient toward cyclists, and being a mtb'er it is good to have the skills to hop pavements, cut through parks etc. Big up to the guys in Gauteng commuting... you are running a gauntlet each and every single day.

I'm reading a couple of mixed views here. I'm looking at supplementing my mtb'ng with something that can get me stronger and overall in better shape. I'm not the religious gym fanatic and don't have gym training partners, so just buggering around 2 - 3 times a week in the morning is not giving any type of results. If not Crossfit, are there any other cross type training programs that anybody can advise on, even if it is in the gym that can assist? Not to sound like a pansy but I'm already snapping and cracking in certain places when I get up in the morning and not a big fan getting any new injuries.

Had an awesome tour. Day one was a bit congested on the single track with every obstacle seemingly becoming a porting section, but day two was a lot of fun, climbed like a dassie on tik on the first section and then put the hammer down on the last part. And then obviously the kuier afterwards made it a must do for 2015

Will be my first long race in a couple of years, so in retrospect not sure if it was the wisest decision to select this one to get me into the longer distances again... ... Think it's time to swallow a couple cups of cement

Hallo Fabian, Kan jy dalk vir my ook die inligting deurstuur? Sal graag ook wil in val as my tyd dit toelaat.

Thanks Smurfy! According to the site you had to make tha change before the 21st. Seems like you can still make the change on registration... but I assume a penalty fee will be levied.

Struggling to find any information on the elevation gain/ loss on the 60km .... the 50km seems quite flat though

I can only find the cut off times for the 75km on the site. Does anybody know the cut off times for the 60km?

The trick is seeing the @#$% before he gets into position to whack you... think we need to catch them... tie them up in the middle of the road and let a bunch of cyclist zoom past, each with a baton in hand

This is terrible!! I'm usually the one telling all my Valie friends how safe it since I have moved to the WC, but now it seems as if we are sitting in the same situation that we have up in Gauteng. Do you arm yourself, then you might get killed with your own weapon, don't arm yourself... then you might get killed any way. Group rides aren't always available so what are we to do? Maybe organize a mass ride and draw up petitions to relevant police stations to create some awareness and beg for some action to be taken? Will it make a difference? Fact of the matter is... based on experience I had in Pretoria, this is only going to keep escalating... which is the sad bit.

Agree the forest section at Majik is terrible after a downpour, the rest should be rideable. Also contemplating where to go for tomorrow... need to get into the saddle BADLY

Looks like an awesome event! Can't get through on the number, but have sent you an email.

I agree with MarcBurger... the box is by far the cheapest option. Alternatively, I've seen somebody renting out them bikesafe boxes on a daily rate.

Please let us know when they are up! Got my first pair of baggies this year and love them on my "play" and social rides. If the price is good... they won't stay in the classifieds long.

I have been on my 29er since October 2013 and have to be honest I'm not close to getting as "windgat" on the twisty stuff like I was with my 26er. That being said I got to a point this weekend where I could actually feel my confidence building on the big wheels. Key is to practice, learn from your mistakes and stop the "I used to nail this on the 26er" and rather focus on drilling it with the 29er. Choose your lines differently, commit to it and hang on for dear life... the feeling is awesome if you get it right. I miss my 26er.... but not enough to get rid of the 'ol beeg wheels.

Goal nr 1 - Don't die Goal nr 2 - Don't die

Probably the most ill prepared stage race/ tour I'm going to do in my life... think I'll just hook one of the slow groups and enjoy the ride.... cry in the evening ...... and repeat

This is actually quite strange as I can not for the life of me fathom why you should ride past somebody that is stranded... male or female. I always offer to help and particularly due to the horror stories of jackings etc, it is really not safe for somebody, especially a lady to walk and try and get help. I would hate it if I read of yet another attack on somebody and I know that my sacrifice of a little bit of time and maybe a plug, patch and bomb could have prevented the situation. That being said... I think it is a good idea for EVERY person that owns a bike to at least have the basics with him/her.... or at least for the setup you are riding. It has happened for instance that I stopped to help and the strandee has nothing on her and I don't have a 26" tube or patch as I carry plugs for my tubeless setup. Find out what you'll need to fix the basics and put it in a saddle bag and fix it to your bike. It makes it a lot easier if you have trouble and somebody needs to stops and assist.

I also ride there alone sometimes and haven't felt any danger, although I'm usually there in the morning or afternoon when others are on the trail as well. Just be aware of your surroundings... these days even your drive way is not safe sometimes. All of them are awesome but Jonkers is a particular gem in my opinion. If you are not averse to traveling you can always hit TBMTBC's trails near Durbanville. There is a day fee involved but you are guaranteed some "HOLY SH**!!!" moments.

Well I don't know in comparison with the competition, but mine sometime hold up to 4 weeks, sometimes more sometimes less. If I use it to track every single day it is a bit less.

Rather do Meerendal first... Majik is fun but might get a bit hairy for a complete noob on some sections, with a bit of skill you can nail the awesome section in the forest.

Buycycle has been out of stock since November last year as far as I know... or they have not updated their site for months... which I think is a bit unlikely.

Awesome account Tankman. Really inspirational post.

Thanks will give them a try as well

Thanks Martin, Will give them a try