Wendell

Sadly and unfortunately we have also experienced our first high jacking on Rietvlei Farm. An afternoon ride was spoiled by the trespassing of the attacker on our popular trails.Shaun Enslin observed who he thought was a farm worker walking on our trails. A short while later the attacker was on the trails and after a friendly quip from Shaun the attacker threw him to the ground and with a knife in his hand threatened Shaun. Tying his hands behind his back and taking his cell phone and bike left Shaun lying there. Returning to the shop on foot, Farm manager, Tina Booysen asked where his bike was and the incident sparked action from the staff at Rietvlei. Shaun accompanied Meshack and a phone call to Shaun's wife caused the reaction of tracker on his i-phone...they immediately picked up the whereabouts of his attacker and they went ahead of the attacker. When he was stopped by our party he was found to have the bike , knife, cell phone and a change of clothes...caught...RED HANDED !! A charge has been laid. No matter which park you are on...no matter how secure the park has been made...PLEASE BE AWARE OF ALL POSSIBILITIES.

Takes place this Saturday starting at 8am with the nippers and sprogs. 7,5km course that will test your skills. entries at www.bikeabout.co.za

Gauteng Provincial XCO champs at Thaba Trails this Saturday 13th. Southern Johannesburg

This would be a fitting Anthem to go with ALL South Africans who participate at the World Champs....MR Leferne, there will be a few Golds for South Africa in August, make sure THIS will be the Anthem played...will bring back the "SIZE OF THE MAN GONE HOME"

I had big issues with 26v29. For the more technical rides and particularly the World Masters coming up, I opted for the 26'. Then I built a set of 650b for my 26' Scalpel......I am sold and my 29er will also be sold. I am building custom 650b Meridas and I know it's personal choice but thanks to Graham I ride the best of ALL worlds...ps I can always put my 26' wheels back on!

I sincerely hope you get the support....I would do everything to support but I am in JHB. COME ON CAPE TOWN

The Thaba Big Six...sponsored by JUPITER ELECTRICAL WHOLESALERS in aid of CHOC will take place on Saturday the 29th June. The race will start at 9am and finish at 3pm. The 7km trail is a non technical trail and a lot of fun. Come support the CHOC cows as they herd their way around the Thaba pastures raising funds for CHILDREN who can't do it for themselves...... entries at www.bikeabout.co.za Open to solo and 2 man teams. Mixed teams are also catered for....I DARE YOU !!!!

The final of the 2013 series takes place this Saturday 15th. The venue has changed from Fountains to Thaba Trails. The "new" course is ready and marked for any test rides. Not as difficult as the Nationals but has everything in it. 4,75 km long, climbing about 120m per lap. I would think the Elites are going to clock 14m30 to 15 minutes per lap. This is the final and the GAUTENG XCO team will be selected from the results of the series and the teams will be announced at the GAUTENG XCO Champs on the 13th July. ps..over the same course as this coming Saturday. entries for the final at www.bikeabout.co.za. You can also see the start times for all categories. Racing starts at 08h00.

I almost 100% agree with two options....firstly each body is unique and I strongly suspect your cleat alignment....and the second suggestion is go for a proper set up...I am sure your pains will be something of the past. Happy cycling

Event Name: WENDELL's 24 Hour In Aid Of CHOC When: 31 August 2013 - 1 September 2013 Where: Thaba Trails. 101 Klipriver Drive, Mulbarton, Gauteng Category: MTB To celebrate spring we will once again host our 24 hour endurance event. Previously held at the Vlei Cycle Park at the end of the year, we have moved to a new venue for 2013. We could possibly be looking at alternating the venue each year, between The Vlei and Thaba. The course will be on the Seven Kilometer trails we have been riding our TWELVE and SIX hour events on. The Twelve Hour was very popular and this was held in February with the SIX hour in the Middle of the year during winter. The ever popular "Village" will form part of the trail which brings all spectators and supporters up CLOSE AND INTIMATE. The proceeds of this event will go to the CHOC foundation. The categories will be as follows: SOLO...Men and women, Open (17-39 ),Vets (40-49), Masters (50 PLUS) No Rider under the age of 17.Four Man Teams...Men, Women and Mixed ( 2 men and 2 women ) COFFIN DODGERS ( 4 riders with combined age of 220 years )Eight Member Social Teams.Inter High Schools 9 hour relay. Four member teams riding from 12 noon to 9 pm. Categories..Boys, Girls and Mixed (Two boys and two girls.)Racing starts at 10 am and the schools race will start at 12 Noon. Entries opening soon at www.bikeabout.co.za Go to Event Page

At www.bikeabout.co.za

The second Thaba Toughee sponsored by Jupiter Electrical Wholesalers take place this coming Saturday 1st June at Thaba Trails. A challenge to any riders skills and fitness. A "not so easy " challenge that will make you realize where your fitness really is. Start is at 9am, 101 Klipriver Drive, Mulbarton. Entry fee is R150. No under 14 riders will be allowed. The field will be capped at 250 riders. A 15km fun ride will also be held for the less technical riders but will still be a challenge. Race will start at 9:20am. Entry fee is R80 per rider. More information at bole@icon.co.za or phone Wendell at 0829000749. On Line entries can be made at www.bikeabout.co.za

Unless it has been changed AGAIN, it will work like this for XCO. Call up will be.... Medal winners in previous champs if they still fall into age cat. THEN national champs of each country present. THEN The entry date when you officially entered. As I only entered a week before Brazil..I was on the last line with all the fish and chips guys. This is how it was done in Brazil. We have no say over the matter it is all set by UCI. So before anyone starts a debate about the effects of this, you will have NO impact on how it is run. UCI are in charge and the organizers here must fall in with their decisions. just my take on it......enter as soon as you can cos Cascades will be a ride where the better your position is on the start line the better your position can be as you enter the single track before the hill.It's going to be a MAD DASH at the start FOR SURE....even us "Old Toppies"......

Event Name: Thaba BIG 6 In Aid Of CHOC When: 29 June 2013 Where: Thaba Trails. 101 Klipriver Drive, Mulbarton, Gauteng Category: MTB The Thaba Big SIX sponsored by JUPITER ELECTRICAL WHOLESALERS is a Six hour MTB race ridden either as a solo rider or as a 2 man team. The proceeds will go to CHOC and we would like to see a herd of excited cows riding for their cause. It is NOT just for COWS but for anyone wanting to enjoy a winters day in the sun. A seven kilometer lap that rises a total of 100 meters. The trail is mainly single track with plenty of passing space. Starting at 9 am through to 3 pm so we can beat the winter cold. Laps could be around 21 - 25 minutes for this six hour endurance " Cross- country". When we had the Twelve Hour earlier this year Sheridan Morrias ( Our very Own Super bike rider) won this event with an average lap time of 22min. For those family members who may need to just wonder off for a while you could take the children to Two Trees bakery for a romp on their "Natural" Jungle Gym as well as visit our Craft Market in the sun..... ENTRIES can be done at www.bikeabout.co.za listed under RACES. Go to Event Page

There is a lot of interest in this "group" ride.. we will be there rain or shine. Fitness waits for no one you have to work on it. The first serious race of 2013 will be the Provincial road champs on the 19/20 January 2013..why not go and give those guys a surprise by being fit n strong. Remember, 7am start at Thaba Trails on 18th December.

Yes sir, tonight..Tuesday 11th and more than likely on Thursday as well. 6pm at Thaba.

Hi Mark, trail riding only, sorry mate!

Holding my breath Amoryns......but I'm sure the training will continue...hahaha

At this time of year many of us feel the drain and strain of the past year, and most of us just want to be away at some holiday destination. Many of us just can't get away for one or other reason. So with these thoughts I am proposing a "holiday" training group ride. For me personally...2013 is going to be a great year on the bike, and this year it will not only be on the mountain bike as in the past years, it is going to be on all three my bikes...TRACK, ROAD and mountain bike. For this I need to do some great base miles and that is why I have this "holiday" training group in mind. Starting on Tuesday the 18th December at 7am to Friday 21st I will be riding at Thaba Trails, 101 Klipriver drive Mulbarton (JHB South). The first week will be three hours each ride, the second week will be four hours each ride and if there are any riders left in JHB then we will do two SIX hour rides. The pace will not be a race pace but a BASE pace, low heart rates (65-75%) of your max. NOW, we all have different max HR so we can break up but the main objective is to ride for this time and we will see each other regularly for encouragement and motivation......for those who start together at 7am each day there will be NO CHARGE to ride on Thaba Trails as a Christmas gift from us to you. Just a way of us saying " Thank You" for helping us at Thaba Trails get this park on the map.

Just looked at my computer for the first time this week.... it was a pleasure to ride with you guys. Amazing how quick we are to jump to conclusions about things that get miss placed. I am sure it will grow as more people become aware of a regular ride. I'll be there on Tuesday for sure.

If your thinking of riding tomorrow night.....bring a friend.....you may just get hooked....Thaba at Night... a great experiance

Hello Guys, we are doing a night ride tomorrow at 6pm. The idea will to ride till 8 pm. We will do the 15km green and may venture into a blue or two depending on the group. All welcome with good lights.

Thank you so much..do we see you on Saturday as well as the J man??

We will start off with the Green 15km and then depending on the group mabe venture onto some of the blue loopd. It truly depends on the group

Hi Guys, Here is wishing you, the organizers a truly awesome event. I pray that the rain holds off and the riders have just the best blimmen time ever. To each competitor just keep the rubber side down and enjoy.