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I agree about a bag - it really does take the hassle out of travel (mostly), but is expensive and bulky. Just a comment about renting - a great option - there are SO many bikes of all shapes and sizes for rent (Europe). BUT, check insurance - we rented and it wasn't possible to get cover from the renter......and my insurance didn't cover the rented bike (as I didn't have an insurable interest in the bike, apparently. So, one spends one's day double-checking where the bike is......

I recently bought the Lizzard one. It's brilliant - the bikes end up being quite secure, although I do use straps as well(you never know and don't want to find out the hard way). The pad is lined with a nice soft material that goes over the bakkie tailgate so no wear on the paint. No real downside

Good strategy - no jewellery and cheap burner phone. In places like Tokai I doubt they will go for the bike - too tricky to carry downhill. Be sure to test your burner phone every now and then - I found mine had been blocked by the caring cellphone company due to lack of activity/possible fraudulent activity....wtf?

Agreed - apparently, they legged it down to HB. Glad to hear they were identified - Deon was busy with SAPS and SanParks when we contacted him. But, if you go to the area - it's a mugger's paradise - lots of cover, a good few escape routes, slow cyclists (going uphill), and you do have the advantage of checking things out both up and down-hill.

We rode up to the mast around 09h00 - on the way down, we encountered the "muggee" - who had also been going to the mast. It seems 3 BMs jumped him on the steep part past the turnoff to the Bridle Path (so we assume the muggers watched us go past but figured too many of us to tackle - we were 5). The muggers had knives, so relieved the rider of his garmin, vario, and phone. They also slashed his tyres, so he had a long walk back. He seemed not to be injured, other than a couple of grazes where he had fallen off his bike, trying to turn and run, but was clearly in shock. We think SANparks went and collected him - we saw them on the way down and informed them, but they weren't all that hurried...... I believe mates in Tokai sorted him getting home. We thought that the mugging site, which was a hotspot a few years ago, had become safe, but I guess it's back to group ascents of the mast for a while.

Constantia green belt. Easy riding, relatively safe (choose your time), places to stop for coffee/lunch.

Evening all, I've looked at a few pages and don't see anyone recommending units like the Jackery and Eco-River portables. They are small, but seem to be the difference between small units from Takealot (for router and laptop), and more sophisticated wall mounted units. Why is that? I don't have one, and in fact had an inverter plus 5KW battery installed two months ago. At the time I had a bit of post-purchase regret, but Eskom changed that........it has been a lifesaver and we hardly notice load-shedding. But the portables look interesting - even if you just use them to run your fridge on a camping trip.

Best answer is: use a friend's bike (as long as you don't mind him not being your friend thereafter). We did this as a tour (I used my "old" bike)- afterwards, I took my bike for a thorough clean at a bike shop........a year later, I was still flushing sand out of all sorts of places. You should strip the entire bike and clean - pro tip: never wash your wheels under the (hot) shower - quickest way to snap spokes. Bike doesn't suffer on the ride that much - it's just after

I picked up Covid this last week. It's pretty mild, but I still have flu-like symptoms after 5 days - haven't even tried any kind of exercise. Theoretically, I should be able to at least have an easy spin on the day - really take it slow, but I've heard too many stories of athletes (and I am no athlete) causing long-term damage after exercising after a viral infection, so will probably sit this one out. If you do it, enjoy

Hi there Notso.... I have exactly the same problem - tried a rubber piece, but it didn't really work that well, so now make sure I have a key with me whenever I need to activate the 810. If you have any spares, I'd be happy to pay for one......red will even match my bike....

Should be able to do it in about 30 mins after you signed up - I just did.

Capediver, are you based in Dubai? I ride these tracks most weeks I'm here.......just like Mars that's for sure, and you don't want to fall much....very sharp and unforgiving.

Excuse my ignorance.....who is Vetseun? I'd like to follow him seeing as he has been so active on this thread. I also guess that he is a lot quicker than he pretends to be. Good luck Vettes!

Capediver, looks very good. A quick question: any drama with bikes on Emirates? A group of us are going end August and want to pre-empt any potential problems

I love this video. How is the way he changes bikes at 2:30??!! Just picks up a new bike and mounts it while falling........

.........and it IS awesome!

I was just planning some riding during December (as one does on a Monday morning). I can't for the life of me, find a map on the web-page. But I know there was one (actually a few) at one stage. Please help.....

Rode the MTB Trails at Hatta (UAE). A nice set of trails has been constructed there with good flow and loop options. This is at the top of the new black? section. In case its not obvious - its hot.......37 degrees at 08h30!

Just to put it into perspective - the place the race is based in, is around 2 500km from where Korkie was kidnapped. So, about as safe as you are in Jhb from murderous rebels based in the DRC!

Capediver has it correct - the place where most of the MTB action takes place is called Showka (check it out on Strava, plenty of routes). Raw trails is also correct - the trails themselves are abundant and easy to follow, but don't fall off!! Sore! There are also paths around Dubai, in the powerline alleys, as riding on most roads is pretty dangerous, although there are organised road rides where safety in numbers assists (also on quiet Fridays). Night riding on the race track in Dubai, and also the Al Qudra loop that everyone seems to know about (where they have free hot showers in a nice clean change room).. But - not much in summer (unless very early) - it really is just too hot

Just spent my Saturday morning riding within 60km of Madrid. The mountains are called Sierra de Guadarrama and there really seems to be something for everyone: lovely pine forest (I guess like Tokai used to be) with jeep track, swooping single-track, Enduro-type riding and even DH. It's easy to get to from Madrid - by train. The train arrives and cyclists pile off and ride. I rode with a local company: trackMTB. They arranged bike hire and will pick you up from your hotel if staying in Madrid. They also do other areas in Spain/multi-days etc. The best part - no crowds! It was a busy day, but we were taken by van to an adjacent valley where I saw a total of 10 cyclists on the climb and none on the down. Definitely something I'll do again

I bought the Magneto. It's not a winter jacket - more like a rain jacket (but you'll still get wet in a long ride in proper rain). And, as you suspect (Rotiringer), it's a bit gimmicky. Without the sleeves, it's not a bad gilet for MTB.

I had a bike that had 2 broken rear triangles in 6 months and finally a cracked frame. Replaced with a new frame, no problem, but I did have proof of purchase. Also, LBS was very helpful in getting all this done. Have 2 pairs of their shoes and they have lasted well. So, I am pretty happy with Specialized.

I bought shifters from X Factor - were delivered quickly with no hassle, so would do business again.

Rode Reebokskloof this morning. Why was there no one around? This is seriously good riding (as good as Welvanpas I think). But the start.........ooh!