trail - er - park

Jason recons best guess based on 2-3 months ago was at least R1,300 so will need to work UP from that price-point for sure with ROE. have you tried one yet Sliick?

Nice Patches! You have saved some face. If the truth be told tho' she looks almost too pretty for the damage I am likely to inflict on her .... and if Omega is right, too expensive to end the way my Xar did ....

done ............ stomach contents purged ...... .....feel better now ...

..... only Hobbits need apply ..... Fffffuuuuugly....!

Thanks Patches!

Dude, great feedback - good detail, comparative elements with competitor offerings, alternate considerations ....you do a better job than some of the journos out there. Appreciate the insights! I am intrigued that, even with the 4 brow vent ports that they go on about (yeah, I know, marketing speak ...) that it is not cooler - must be to do with the greater coverage area ..? I am definitely looking for an All Mountain lid, in the sense that everything gets ridden. Not a jeep track slog and grind necessarily as this is mind-numbing but certainly pedalling the ups. I am talking to Andrew at Dial'd about the 661 Recon Stealth (the 2013 one as the newer version has a paint job that looks like my 2 year old daughter had an art accident) as it does look like a viable option - pleased to see you rate this as well .... and the IXS Trail RS looks yummy (apart from that short-ass visor which may be impractical) with good vents and coverage Bru, short of major reconstructive surgery, no brain bucket - or any other kit for that matter will be able to make me look younger so there is absolutely no fashion consideration.... besides the image thing goes out the window when they hear me huffing and wheezing my way up the hillside in any event ... Any ideas on where to sources the IXS locally, and pricing?Thanks again.

Thanks Omega, .... actually have my eye on the After Party version .... don't suspect many will go for this one

Anyone know where to buy the Bell Super locally / what price? Thanks!

Hi there, just had a little off and cracked my Giro Xar right through. This looks like a decent replacement option. Can you post some details for Jason / pricing / etc. Appreciated!

In for the 45.

Check out: www.racephoto.co.za They have some lekka pics from singletrack to forest to bridges - all you need to search / order is your race #

Just the 30 - which was far enough for my fat ass ...

What a fantastic event! For an inaugural race the guys got it so right. Real biking country, interesting trails, reasonable signage, great support crew, fun vibe .... The Konka team and the venue itself have everything one needs for a race and the setting works well at every level - from registration to facilities, to helpful staff, to the food & bev, the whole deal. That climb at 8kms had EVERYONE walking, the awesome singletrack forest and river sections, cool river crossings, floating bridge .... something for a variety of tastes. Rustenburg hospitality rocks! This is one to do for years to come. Congrats guys, you got my vote on the race calendar going forward.

Flows fantastically. Easy riding, even on the Blue Route. Black has some nice "play parks". Once you get into your rythym here you can hold good speed for long stretches. The only drama is the river section which stinks very badly of human waste - must do something about this!

Who has done this one before? Would appreciate comments on atmosphere, vibe, organisation, value for money, .....

Take Nelmapius offramp from the R21 and go through Irene Village. The road is the M18, Glen Road running to Olifantsfontein. You can't miss the barn from the road. Check out their website: www.thebigredbarn.co.za as they have a map. Ride is R40, trail run is R20. Good coffee afterwards

Rode Big Red Barn this morning. You were right about the FLOW! Thanks again to all!

As others have mentioned - Voriberg + Parys Dirtmax both run as series throughout the yesr and tick many of the boxes mentioned in the criteria discussed thus far

Thanks for the insights folks! Seems like it is a real soft, family option. Appreciate the heads-up on "big red barn" as well.

Groenkloof (tel. 012 440 8316 or website: www.tshwane.gov.za/groenkloofnaturereserve) is perfect as camping facilities (run by City of Tshwane) are basic yet decent, affordable, right in Pretoria city centre (Fountains) close to all amenities yet feels like the trails are out in the sticks, safe, accessible. Great access to range of wildlife ( buck, zebra, giraffe, wildbeest, etc.) on bikes / horses / hiking / 4x4 / even sedans access most parts. Can vary trail lengths and difficulty according to own desire, age of kids, fitness, etc. We have taken kids between ages of 8 and 16 all around the reserve on MTB and they enjoyed every experience. Can't go wrong with kids here as far as I am concerned.

Hi Hub'rs Would appreciate your experience on the Rosemary Hill trails out Pretoria way, i.e. distance, route profile, what it may be compared with locally (I frequently ride Modders, Thaba, Rietvlei, Groenkloof, Voortrekker ...) as well as your impresssions of the technicalities - if any. Thanks in advance!

Got my eye on the new Thomson carbon XC and AM bars 730mm widths - seem to get good early reviews and you typically cannot go wrong with anything that Thomson puts their name to as they over-engineer everthing

Yep, been using this exact one in 26" size for a while. Have done around 1,000+ k's and it is the business ... quiet, sticky, runs cool, wears well - everything you want. Definitely recommend this.

Thanks guys, will check these out