kilodan

Many thanks for the replies much appreciated and should allay the wife's concerns. It will be our second trip to the area for biking so we have guides sorted and I'm sure it will be every bit as good as all the other biking trips we've had to RSA . You seem to be our default location for good weather biking, 5th year visiting now (3x Sani2c and then just holidays)!

The wife and I are heading down to Cape Town in May to bike, probably a couple of days in Tokai and then out to Franschhoek and Stellenbosch way probably about a week or so in total. The question my wife is now asking is how bad is the drought and will it make the trip a bit too grim? We're looking to stay in decent hotels not camping or any of that hardship. Any advice gratefully received, cheers.

Entry and payment made so that's holidays for 2016 sorted

Good points 1) The trails 2) The South African people. Invariably friendly and welcoming both out on the trails and in the race vilages (give yourselves a pat on the back and a round of applause!) 3) Jolivet. Great venue great food 4) Glencairn Farm, big improvement 5) The evening race round ups, especialy the Jolivet one were very well done Minus points 1) Queing for twenty minutes for a shower at MacKenzie 2) Queing for ten minutes to take a dump in the morning at Jolivet 3) Poor comunication of the varying of batch start times 4) Not really a Sani2c issue but all the hotels in the Himeville area seemingly block booked, presumably by sponsors, was a pita 5) Poor riding skills and trail ettiquette. I've not got a problem with people who are slow and steady, but people who are slow because they can't ride off road are a different matter. Can I add a 6)? 6) I hate tents! Re the clothing, not realy a moan but I would prefer to get cycling kit rather than leisure wear, and I would be happy to buy some Sani2c cycling kit but didn't see any for sale

Thanks for the replies, just off to hire a pick up truck to get us there ????. The dream continues!

Just done sani with the Mrs and we have a few days left in umhlanga before back to uk. We were thinking of going to holla trails so a couple of questions arise. First is it safe for a couple to ride around? Secondly are the trails fairly easy to follow? Finally are there any facilities at the trailhead, cafe shop etc. Cheers Danny (the Pommy team at the back end of sani race????)

We bought ours at registration last year

I've used them quite a few times in the UK and they're fine to follow, and that's on much smaller and fiddlier trails than Sani. You will quickly get a scaling on the screen that suits your speed and eyesight after that it's even easier, even my Mrs could follow the trail when she tried it last weekend!

Race Skubarra C Mike Bike D ratherberidin' E Nibali G MTB_wannabe H Sniffie J Loop en val L escapee.. M Kerbouchard N Kilodan M Janneman J Adventure Eldron A Cav' A ians B Ricochet_rabbit B Talus B lapa B typhoon B CleatsnCleavage B tinycle D WesleyR G watsonr H/G Greg29 I flymango M shaper N Trail Ranga A Conna A Oxter B Francois PienaarC Squier C Ramrod D Pusher E word E River Rat F Gringo G CMK I

One of the advantages of being old and slow is at least you get a lie in, batch M rocks.

Yes but it's not a patch on the Nandos at the top of the hill on day two of Sani. Out on Saturday here for one of the last training runs, four layers on top, a jacket over that and it rained, roll on some sun!

Still be warmer and drier than Surrey hills, can't wait. New 650b faster rear tyre for sani arrived today

We had the same problem flying over, we bought co2 from one of the stalls at registration

1) Is the bike service & maintenance package worth it? (Just thinking that you pretty buggered after riding and waste beer time cleaning and prepping your bike) 2) How do you carry all your valuable belongings each day, ie. wallet, cellphone? Do you ride with these items on you - in camelback? 3) At the end of the race, is there a designated area to collect your keys for your car from the shuttle service? 4) Suggestions of MUST TAKE items (I know there is a list but do you need everything)? 1) We think so, not in the mood to even wash the bike so if someone wil do that and fix any defects for money, so much the better. 2) Wallet and phone in camelback 3) no idea 4) Other than decent cycling kit, good microfibre towel, sleep kit; decent earplugs, we used disposable wax ones and one of those realy hard pillows (almost solid) cut into thirds

Re gps units I've recently gone for a garmin etrex 20 over one of their bike orientated models. I got this specificaly for Sani as most of the races over here aren't long enough to get lost on. Fairly tough, easy enough to use and works on normal batteries which is why I went for it. If you use a HRM function you need the etrex 30. Having said that I've followed breadcrumb trails on cheaper units such as a forerunner 305 and the garmin 200 so you don't need to spend top dollar