BrianMTB

I've been exploring there too and have a couple of GPX files to share. On today's ride though I went past a group of riders who had stopped on the trail. I greeted them as I rode past (I was alone) and heard one of them yell after me that he hopes "I have an Uzi in that backpack". This immediately made me nervous as the routes do go through some areas with high foot-traffic of the affirmatively disadvantaged. is it safe to ride in that area alone? I know that the route from Chartwell to Northern Farm is a no-no. below is the route I did this morning.

I'm interested too, maybe combine the Lanseria loop and Muldersdrift? Any advice on security on those trails?

Heroes.

Still a legend

New venue? Do you know the details? I wasn't planning to enter this year as I am also tired of the vinyard zig-zaging and especially after the experience of the last 10kms of last years 75km route.

My contribution to this fine thread.

I'm bringing my Fiancé. I don't think we plan on breaking any speed records. I'd say the more people the better. Bring everyone you can.

10am is right around the time I would be in that vicinity anyway at the end of my usual ride. See you all there.

Holy s***! Glad you weren't hurt. I said on another thread covering the same incidents that I will be happy to contribute to and participate in any sort of community effort or initiative to sort the problem out and bring some justice to these savages. I won't be held to ransom in my own country.

Sorry you had to experience that - glad that you were not hurt. A mate and I ride in that area every week and this is a lot of BS. These oxygen thieves are impacting on how we live our lives and they need to feel some push back. If there was a court ruling that the squatters need to be relocated we have to put additional pressure on the authorities to make that happen. Can we get some kind of community policing going on with police reservists? The old saying is that evil prevails when good men do nothing - I'm tired of doing nothing and I will be happy to contribute to and participate in any kind of initiative that addresses this situation in a decisive way.

Wow! I'd say you were lucky, that could have been a whole lot worse. Glad you're okay. You are probably right about it being a set up for a hijack. The idiots who did it probably got bored waiting around and left without removing the wire.

The protein will help with the recovery...

I don't think it has anything to do with "following the pros" as it does just conforming to a sport-type. I don't wear Lycra on the epic because the pros do, I wear it because 8 hard cycling days in a row would give me chafing of ...epic proportions if I wore anything even slightly baggy. If you play tennis, chances are you use a graphite racquet with an oversized head. You probably also wear modern tennis shoes and moisture-wicking clothing. The pros happen to do the same. If you want to play with a wooden racquet, running shoes and a cotton t-shirt that is your prerogative. Chances are you won't enjoy the game as much and all other things being equal you would probably lose to a similarly skilled opponent.

Convenient to position it like this but if for whatever reason you get separated from your bike you're screwed. Rather velcro it to the shoulder strap of your Camelbak. If you're a roadie and you won't wear a Camelbak, you're hopefully fast enough not to need the stuff...

My brother has two bull-terriers that seem immune to pepper spray. His house alarm went off a while back and the ADT dude made the mistake of jumping the fence to investigate what was going on. Upon being greeted by the two hounds he rather miraculously found his way up a large tree (because the side branches only began six feet off the ground) and from there dispensed his entire can of SWAT. The dogs' faces were literally dripping the stuff but they were still going at him when my brother arrived home!

GREAT! Thanks. Looks like my mid-week training is going to get a shot in the arm

Do you know what times they are open and which days? Would love to ride there before work in the mornings

Pepto Pro. That is all. http://www.atlife.co.za/content/faq_pepto.html

Sorry to hear about this and I am glad that you are (both) okay. I sympathise with you because I had a very similar experience on the Spruit the other day. It was late in the afternoon and I was whipping along at about 30km/h (a stupid speed to be doing on the Spruit, I know). I looked up to see a chap walking on the left path ahead of me so I hopped over onto the right and carried on going - without slowing down. The guy heard me just as I was approaching and in his fright he jumped right in front of me. Luckily for both of us his reflexes were sharp as a pin because he jumped out of the way again the same instant. I was annoyed with myself because I nearly wiped both of us out. Lessons I learn't: 1. Always warn pedestrians. 2. Expect the unexpected from pedestrians 3. The Spruit isn't Kyalami and if I want to ride like that, I should take it to Groenies or Thaba. I think I'm a better (more considerate) rider for the experience.

Thanks for your replies. I reported it to the coppers and am going to get replacement plates today. I'm going to see if it can reregister the car with a different reg number - even go personalized if I have to... I was thinking something along the lines of BADMOFO GP! If you can't beat them... right?

Last night at a company function both front and rear licence plates were taken off my car... I'm guessing the genius is banking on his traffic fines and e-toll account coming my way in future. I reported it to the cops but I'm quite worried. What do I do now? Should I reregister my car with different plates? Anyone else with experience of this kind of thing?

Agreed, I've also seen a shift in MTBer attitudes in the last couple of years. Probably related to the popularity of the sport nowadays. Lots of people joining in who haven't yet picked up on the "code". Help others on the trail - one day when you need it, you'll appreciate it.

Great day out again (my fifth 94.7), and a big thanks to the spectators - they make it even better. Managed a rather sedate 3H20 from G-group. Had a woman yell to me on the N14 that "Jesus loves you". It didn't feel like he was loving me that much right there, I have to say

I'm in, PeptoPro gear and a white Cannondale - there's two of us.