carbon29er

And who is qualified to test that? How many moan about rogue riders? Yet they see motorized bikes as OK on the trails. I cannot fathom this thinking. As hard as I try I just cannot see how they are ok in any natural environment.

Time will tell. But while you are about it why not just go ride a motorbike is SAN Parks areas. It is not different to a bicycle with a motor. Or a SUV or bakkie for that matter. So much easier to get to the mast except for all those pesky cyclists. It's hard to fathom how the connection is not made to the MOTOR being a problem. We are talking about riding motorised bikes in areas that until last September in the Cape that we were not allowed to ride BICYCLES in. Yes E-Bikes are great. Go ride on the road with them if you want to pretend cycle. But don't risk others enjoyment of the mountain because of your own selfishness because you are too lazy to pedal.

In fact it's almost as bad as using strava KOMs as a reason. Access is the issue. Now or soon. But it is coming. Particularly on public land. And we all know how SA Parks just LOVES having mountain bikes in their parks.

They'll be there but not organised as in the past as Camp Master is riding and so are most of the adults who previously supported. And one of my girls is on the back of the tandem for the second lap. Just ridden up Suikerbossie, boy I sometimes wish I was still watching when I hit that 2nd zebra crossing.

From my experience just turn up and ask for the relevant number. I have never had a problem collecting multiple packs on behalf of my one mate. They do make a fuss about procedure but, hey, this is Africa and no one adheres to procedures if you smile and ask nicely. Guess I'll find out on Thursday morning.

To me it's about enjoying nature naturally, under one's own steam, without motorised aids. I accept there are the 4x4 community who enjoy exploring like they do. And the MX/scrambler community who enjoy what they do. Hell, there are even quad bike jols in most rural areas. They are welcome to play how they want to without interference from those who don't join them. Safety does come in to it. But my resistance has more to do philosophically about nature and the reward for being able to do it for oneself having been granted access to public land. Private land owners can allow what they want. If you cannot walk to the top of the mountain on a hiking trail you don't get to see it. It is your choice not to be able to walk. Obvious disabilities excluded but I'm pointing at a big chunk of the population who choose to be obese and do not exercise. Why should cycling be any different? Because you have tons of cash to throw at a motor you now get to ride on trails that mountain bikers have spent years negotiating access to. Had they gone along asking for access by motors where do you think it would be? So in my it's wrong or it's my way world, if you cannot ride there yourself go join the 4x4 community, the MX/scrambler community or the quad bike guys. But leave the natural open trails to pedal cycles, hikers and horses. Oh and runners. Sad as they are. In the US, forestry has determined an arbitrary 750w/1hp for access by motors. Hell, I'd love to produce 750w to climb the mast. Sooner or later access WILL be an issue. And that is my reason for being reluctant.

Has cycling really become all about strava KOMs? I find it amusing that you and others on this thread only object to bikes with motors if they take KOMs. And here is the irony. The argument for is it is totally ok as it is a bicycle. But when it comes to awards and prizes it is not a bicycle.

Friends and family out in force supporting the riders way back in about 2011 halfway up Suikerbossie at our braai spot. What a jol it was. I used to pack the trailer and go park it on Saturday night with all the provisions. Unashamedly I used to wear an Epic finishers shirt just to show I could ride a bike.

After 3 wind free days the south easter has returned. Is this a 5 day wind or the 10 day wind we've had since September after 1 still day. Hopefully the 3 wind free days have changed the pattern for how long the wind will blow this time.

Jealousy. The big green monster. And I don't mean Cannondale Drapac.

Or is hung like Tom D the 3rd exception?

When we were kids Africa weather forecast was "There will be weather all over the continent today."

Chill. Today's Sunday forecast is materially different from yesterday's Sunday forecast and it will change another 4 times before Friday. Check out the YR interactive maps showing how weak the systems really are: http://www.yr.no/kart/#lat=-34.01027&lon=18.34318&zoom=7&laga=bakgrunn&baseid=PunktUtlandet%3A3364518&proj=900913

Edinburgh Drive about 23 minutes after your start time and then they can drive across to Hout Bay and get on Suikerbossie around 1:20 to see you really suffering. I watched the race for 5 years while sulking about my 2006 attempt on Suikerbossie from the pro batch until about 2pm. Sadist's paradise is just at the 2nd pedestrian crossing 1.1km from the bottom as it levels out to 5% from 7%. Still 800m to the top. This is the slowest section and the place you see the most agonising cramp attacks. All while flipping the bacon and eggs on the skottle.

What's next? Motor cycles or motor scooters with engines below a certain capacity or power output? As long as they are silent? There is very little difference between these two and an e-mountain bike, in my opinion. All 3 are capable of letting the driver go faster both uphill and downhill than they would if it was not for the motor. The former two have been banned on the majority of mixed use trails almost forever, places like the newly opened Constantia greenbelts. It's but a small step for walkers and horse riders to point out that motors are now being used and the fear is that brings the whole access thing tumbling down. After all, people see access by bicycles bringing the new menace. How many of us would not complain if a scrambler started riding "our" MTB single tracks? I think it is very selfish of users to access MTB trails with motors. And that is not because I'm not embracing new technology or progress. Disclaimer: As I am barred from all trails it really does not bother me personally.

E-Bikes definitely do not belong on mountain trails. It has been hard enough for mountain bikers to get access to some trails without adding a motorised option to the objectors arsenal. If you cannot get up and down the hills under your own steam then stay off the trails. Don't spoil the access for those who can. If strava if your only objection to an e-bike on the trails then you really are not seeing the bigger picture.

Would be useful to indicate where this is at at Cape Point the picture is very different.

Even in very windy conditions you can expect about 450-500 sub 3s.

That DSTV tend to take the worst commentary feed possible. That is all.

Going for it. But who knows.

Getting serious. Cape Point

No new route today. But paradise on wheels. First time with my daughter, who is riding tandem with me in the The Argus next week, on the tandem from Suikerbossie to Waterfront return. Day was perfect enough to get even the most unbike person hooked. Such a fabulous vibe with runners, walkers and riders all enjoying the Cape.

I think some riders weren't prepared to go on the Sky triamcinolone corticosteroid diet. Unfortunately they will not speak out if they want to stay in cycling. Although Kwiatkowski did lose the requisite Sky weight at the beginning of last season when he joined but they bought him to suppress competition, same as Landa, rather than to develop him.

Men and women. For a change. Edit: But real fans watch Eurosport or in a European language on the pirate streams.

If he hadn't joined the pretend non dopers....