Cloudbase999

Whilst a R500 (R800) bib doesn't really match the build-quality or fabric-quality of a premium manufactured bib, the Merell's aren't bad value for the spend. For me, it is a good training-ride bib that saves the Assos for longer weekend rides and races. I bought one pair previously, to check it out, and that I have used for about 200 2-3hr rides over the past couple of years and have just bought two more. It's best feature is that it makes your Assos bibs last even longer. For the pair that I am riding, whilst it certainly looks well-used, the elastic on the legs, the chamois and the overall fit of the lycra is still good. Nothing has fallen apart yet.

We also went to scout the route to check out the potential risky areas. I came away with a slightly different perspective; Whilst exclusive use and full road closure is always ideal during any event, we're always going to be in some sort of conflict or another with our fellow road users for a little bit of space on the tarmac. I remember the early days of events like the 94.7 road race when we also didn't manage the support of the municipal and traffic authorities to enforce full road closure. Consistent participation each year and the ceaseless behind-the-scenes work of the organizers contributed to the races warranting enough consideration to inconvenience our fellow road users for a couple of hours on a weekend. Provided that the traffic officers and marshals on the day are on point, I believe this race will likely be on par with some of the other races up here with partial road closure. Should this race then prove to have the initial support and eventual legs to justify full road closure, well, then anyone that elects to sit this one out, may have another race on the calendar to choose from. That said, off-course no-one should influence your own decision about safety. You'd be ill-advised to participate if you do not feel fully confident about your own safety on a route like this. There are many other routes to ride and many other days of the year to ride this route when you'd only have to contend with normal road traffic. Finally, if you're a cyclist for which the difference between 80-ish and a 90-ish km road cycling makes the difference between and result and a DNF, plan to get to the top of that lekker climb off Samrand at about 80km. It's a cool12k's or so, mostly fast downhill from there back to the finish.

I had a big snake-scare coming out of the bush-tunnel at Mankele a couple of weeks ago. Managed to catch it on the GoPro. Snake was crossing the single-track section as I came around the bend. I had absolutely NO time to stop and nowhere to go, so I just kept going and hoped for the best. Happend so fast, the big skrik only caught up with me about 10 minutes later back at the camp.

Up some climbs .... Across some rivers ... Over some hills .... To a mutha rock with a hole in it. #WildCoast

I agree with the sentiment of most everyone that have responded as well as, I am sure, a number of us who have not necessarily participated, but are increasingly worried nevertheless. There is obviously an emerging safety problem on KK. I like the idea of a private security firm assisting to make the area a higher risk for the undesirables, and would like to contribute if that can help make a change.

Another day, more magnificent views ... As a complete aside, I'm not sure if "Hibiscus coast" in the local parlance also contain a reference to the speed at which the local Musca domestica travels. You'll be traveling at 60kph down a hill and as soon as you slow to below 20kph, you'll have a couple of fast-moving travelers trying to get under your sunglasses or up a nostril. They must surely be some of the fastest moving flies around.

Another dodgy bridge, so had to cross on the railway bridge. Pumula, near 'shepstone.

Not quite the valley of a thousand hills, but magnificent views nevertheless. Fabulous route with 1300m climbing on the a 55km loop near Hiberdene.

Mofo climb to the top of the hill overlooking the Mzumbe river, followed by a descent that certainly requires your undivided attention. The bridge as well as sizable sections of the road are now likely much closer to the Indian Ocean than the 'berg. Made for an awesome ride because of, rather than in spite of the terrible road conditions. Would have hated it in or on any other vehicle.

Canefields Cruise north of Port Shepstone.

Route is ~22km, with an optional loop that can makes it about 35km (~2hrs) although you could do a decent 50-60km if you cycle all the way to Red Barn and back. We start at Irene Village Mall, then head south up and down Cornwall hill on the gravel bits next to the road. Turn left before the railway bridge to get us to Smuts House. Just before the turn-in to Smuts house itself, we head east into the veld and up the kopje to the right. (Nice rocky climb). Follow the jeep track / rocky singletrack up and down for about 10 km to a three-way split on the jeep track. If you turn right (south-east) there is an additional 10 km loop around the next kopje in sight of the railway line and the Cullinan road. Turn left (north-west) and around the new power distribution site being constructed. About a kilometer next to the cullinan road, past St Georges Hotel, brings you to the road bridge over the highway. Before the Wooden bridge was washed away, we used to turn left into the veld, just where the barrier of the bridge starts, and the cycle between Cornwall hill estate fences and the highway, crossing at the wooden bridge and then up the hill (nice leg-stretcher climb next to Cornwall hill wall) and back to the Mall. Now with the wooden bridge damaged, cross the highway on the road bridge, down the hill until you cross the river on the tar road. Just past the bridge over the river turn left into the bush, under the highway and then up the Cornwall hill section as above. We cycle in a group and have never encountered any nefarious creatures, but I am aware that there have been incidents in the vicinity of the route in the past, so be vigilant and I'd suggest cycle in a group.

... To the wooden bridge over sesmylspruit that was constructed for Nissan Trailseeker 5. Alas, it is no more after the weekend rainstorm. E (photo) and I had to cycle all they way back up the hill to cross under the highway.

I contacted Omnico (www.omnico.co.za) the local distributor. I dropped the fork of at their workshop in Jhb. They handle the paperwork and rebate from Fox Intl through my LBS. All being equal I'm picking up the fork tomorrow with the upgraded damper. Simple and painless enough.

I bought a used 2013 FOX EVO fork. I discovered that the fork is subject to the Fox Evolution Series Voluntary Recall program : http://www.ridefox.com/content.php?c=recall I entered the serial number from the fork on the website to confirm that the fork is subject to the recall and printed the recall submission confirmation sent to me from Fox. The Fox website doesn't mention anything about providing a proof of purchase in order to get the damper upgraded, but I'm anxious to avoid bureaucracy at a LBS that have not dealt with the process before, so I'd appreciate any suggestions of a LBS in the Pretoria / Midrand / Johannesburg area that may be able to assist in getting the fork back on my bike.

Last year I thought nothing could look worse than my team chasing the ball in Mauve.... I was WRONG !!

The other reason some non-pro riders take out a license, is that in the bigger timed races, the licensed riders are seeded together in a separate group. You therefore get a different start time with the other licensed rides provided your seeding index is appropriate. Open and other seeding simply requires the CSA membership.