[[Event] The Gallows]

On 5/10/2024 at 3:14 PM, I FLY said:

The single track also gets quite narrow near the dam because of shrubs next to the track. Hopefully the organisers trim these

if it does not rain hard here tonight I might ride the track through the nature reserve tomorrow 

We rode the section through the nature reserve yesterday. About 5kms and 66 m of ascent. Apart from a few minor patches it might have the nicest non tar surface of the race

[[Event] The Gallows]

1 minute ago, bleedToWin said:

At least appears to not be a super fast section. 

The single track also gets quite narrow near the dam because of shrubs next to the track. Hopefully the organisers trim these

if it does not rain hard here tonight I might ride the track through the nature reserve tomorrow 

[[Event] The Gallows]

3 hours ago, bleedToWin said:

The kinda shale that's flaky and clay-like and difficult to handle at speed, or the kind that destroys tyres and will have me sidelined (again)?

Unfortunately it’s the hard and sometimes sharp shale

[[Event] The Gallows]

21 hours ago, MongooseMan said:

I reckon the bit through the Vrolikheid nature reserve, and the bits that skirt McGregor before heading back to Lords, would be hella sketch on anything less than 36.

I walk the dogs on the section coming back around McGregor past the dam. Lots of stones and shale.

[[Event] The Gallows]

I am in McGregor this week and have ridden most of this route except for the last 6kms in my rides so far.

The gravel roads and the short tar sections are in good condition.

[Best MTB towns in the Western Cape]

10 minutes ago, BMCfan said:

I read this thread and is on the verge of opening a Woolies in Swellendam and Greyton .....

McGregor residents are also keen on a local Woolies.

[Best MTB towns in the Western Cape]

17 hours ago, Me rida my bicycle said:

Durbanville and Kraaifontein border (Kraaistantia) with over 150km trail network on the doorstep, not even thinking of the 100's of km's of farm roads. Fancy riding somewhere else, Bottelary, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington all only couple of minutes away. 

To be honest there are so many great trails and places to live all over the Western Cape it's a difficult decision that I am glad I don't have to make. 

So here is how I have handled this quest for good mtb trails on my door step.

I bought a holiday place in Somerset West in 2019 but ended living there two weeks a month until December 2023.

Moved down to Kraaifontein from Johannesburg in December 2023 so I am in the middle of Tyberberg and the Winelands trails. I joined a housesitting forum and so far this year I have spent a week in each of Greyton, Gordons Bay and Prince Albert. I am currently doing a two week housesit in McGregor. 

My wife is also a cyclist so we take our bikes and explore the different options every day. I work remotely a few hours in the afternoons. 

In May we are going to spend a week in St Helena Bay.

 

 

[the unofficial Cape Epic 2024 thread]

57 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

Great story. As much as I was one of those moaning about the cost and commercialisation of the Epic at the time, KV kickstarted an industry. Not mentioned here, but I know the IDC took on funding commitments before ABSA came in and it could wash it's own face - incredible investment if you think what the event has given back to RSA inc.

Very interesting to see where he goes next. Maybe reading too much into it but the door for him to setup a rival series with staff he trusts seems open.

I remember KV sitting at his table at the 2003? RIDE Expo in the Dome. He even tried to convince me to enter the 2004 event. I told him that Joe Averages like me could never attempt such an outrageous event.

History has proved me wrong as thousands have.

[2011 Tour of South Africa]

20 hours ago, DJuice said:

Giving away my age, but back in the day of junior triathlon racing, Christoff would hammer us on the bike and put in the nail on the run.

He could have raced as a pro triathlete.

His mom was also a good age group cyclist

[2011 Tour of South Africa]

I remember rushing to finish my ride so I could stand on Witkoppen Road to watch them race past.

[Cape Town Cycle Tour 2024]

59 minutes ago, DieselnDust said:

109km entries stood at 23950 last night.

 

currently it’s 23876 for 109 and 2235 for 42 for a grand total of 26111.

this is considerably higher than any ctct post COVID 

I am back to boost the number of entrants. Now that I live here fulltime I decided to enter this year. My last ride of CTCT was in 2005.

[Bike Computer and Ride Drink]

21 hours ago, Super Sywurm said:

🤢  How does it taste?

It is slightly tart but I only add about 10% of the bottles volume.

It just makes a nice change from the sweetness of coke/water combination

[Bike Computer and Ride Drink]

On 2/12/2024 at 2:44 PM, DroppedRider said:

5 -8 Tablespoons of Sugar Water, a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon juice. Been a revelation for me especially on hard rides. 

In the past few years I have reverted back to water with about 25% coke . Lately I have tried adding fresh ginger beer instead of coke.

We don't ride for more than 3 hours and not at a flat out pace.

 

[@Jewbacca`s Munga 2024 Challenge / Fundraising for SPCA]

I am in.

R2500 towards entry fee and 

R2.50 per km travelled.

 

[Asidlale (Leeuwkop Prison)]

3 hours ago, Dup08 said:

Great trails. Lots of climbing and a fair amount of technical sections on the longer route, but fun overall.
Go and give it a bash.

Agreed. I have even done it on our tandem with my wife as stoker.

[Modderfontein Bike Park - what's happening]

We rode here on Saturday. It is the driest I have experienced. One small patch of mud and no water in the little rock depressions.

 

Weather forecast shows rains going to start again later this week.

[RiP Thug]

7 minutes ago, mecheng89 said:

Full name of the deceased?

Tony Huglin

[RiP Thug]

A gentleman under a rough exterior.

[[Event] Old Mutual go2berg]

2 minutes ago, betaboy said:

 

* please note: requires high maintenance 

You are talking to a bunch of cyclists. We understand the practicality of high maintenance

[Cyclist Down - Muldersdrift]

On 1/27/2023 at 4:20 PM, ChrisF said:

 

Had a good laugh at the Winelands bike race, in the parking area.

 

More than half the vehicles were bakkies .... most being white ....

Try living in eMalahleni ( Witbank) - all the bakkies and Fortuners are white. I used to comment that one quick way to clear a restaurant was to announce that a white bakkie had been bumped in the carpark.

[Which Mtb parks are not overgrown and full of muddy pools]

4 minutes ago, Brakepad said:

Is that the Riverfields MTB Park ? what fee are they asking for ?

It is the Riverfields and you decide on the donation you want to give.

[Which Mtb parks are not overgrown and full of muddy pools]

17 hours ago, JRN89 said:

Nothern Farms, Asidlale (Leeukop Prison), and Cradle Moon (red loop I hear has taken a beating after the rain) are all in pretty good condition. Last 20 odd Km of Modderfontein yellow loop was alright the other day, first 10km or so of yellow route was quite overgrown unfortunately. 

We rode there on Saturday morning. Nothing quite like riding a hidden ( overgrown) singletrack on a tandem to test your stoker's faith in your ability to correct mistakes.

[Which Mtb parks are not overgrown and full of muddy pools]

I rode a little single track in Kempton Park yesterday near the R21 . It's 12kms long , only one little patch of mud, nice and flowing with quite a few berms. Nothing overly challenging - my wife and I ride it on our tandem.

Entrance is on Blaauwklippen Ave , Glen Erasmia. Fee is on a zapper/snapscan honesty system.

[Fixie or Single speed for commuting]

I used a single speed mtb for my daily commute.

I think that I did 8000 kms a year. 

Costs were 

4 tyres

1 chain

1 BB

3 sets of brake pads.

[Marin Bikes South Africa - SA is now Marin Country!]

50 minutes ago, letsride said:

I suspect you are thinking of Maverick, it had the Maverick DUC 32 Upside down fork on it

Definitely a Marin with an upside down fork setup

I rode next to my Epic partner who was  on this bike for a week

the suspension had an annoying squeak the whole week so I did look at the name on the frame numerous times