Trans Karoo

There will be ample water available at all of the check points for water bottles and hydration packs.

Dont forget that the Sutherland hostel still has place available - contact Martin for all the details, entries@fluency.co.za

The Ceres and Tankwa Karoo has had a load of rain over the past weeks so I am expecting pot holed roads and most likely a fair amount of rutting...... I do know that the they have been working on Ouberg Pass and grading here and there. I cannot foresee to much thick sand, maybe the odd wash-away or drift here and there.....loose gravel you are going to find on some of the climbs and maybe it would be better to be cautious on the descents. I think the danger is that it is a long way to go on gravel and dirt..... concentration is key.

Great advice Shebeen.........some things you just don't want to take chances on. In terms of the water...... I guarantee that there will be plenty at all of the check points for filling of water bottles etc.

This is a further boarding call ……… all aboard who’s going aboard for the 2014 Trans Karoo The start line is getting closer and closer so here are some reminders of what you need to do……. or not do, in order to ensure you get to have a fantastic ride through the karoo. Registration Date: Wednesday 23 April 2014 Time: 18H00 – 20H00 Venue: Cape Union Mart Adventure Centre, Canal Walk Format: Registration will open at 18H00 for you to collect your race number and race pack, with snacks and drinks once again being provided courtesy of the team from Cape Union Mart The Race briefing will be at 19H00 so bring all of your questions and queries with….. you know that you won’t be the only one wondering about that same thing. What else should you remember to do that evening?? - Collect your two McCarthy Toyota Paarl check point boxes. - Check in with the EMO Team and make sure that they have your medical details - better safe than sorry. - Get any last minute items such as lights, space blanket, med kit etc, etc from the large range on offer at Cape Union Mart. If you do happen to miss the Cape Town registration then you can collect your gear from Ceres on Friday 25 April……. check out the website for all the details. www.transkaroomtb.co.za Medical Kits We always get asked what must go into the medical kits, as they can be bulky to carry. Remember this will be your life line should something go wrong for you out on the road and we don’t expect you to be able to perform open heart surgery, unless you are Bear Grylls of course. (Chuck Norris wouldn’t need a med kit for this!!) So here is what we suggest you have: - Whistle - Space Blanket - Paracetamol Tablets - Anti-Histamine Tablets - Plasters - Antiseptic Cream - Bandage. It is also good to carry a cell phone as you may find some reception out there. REMEMBER THAT THE TRANS KAROO / FACEBOOK PREDICT YOUR TIME AND WIN COMPETITION IS STILL ON So…… if you have entered already got to Facebook page, Predict Your Time and Win thread and put your money where your mouth is……. Then get your mates to enter in order to activate the competition. ENTRIES ARE STILL OPEN!!!!! (But seriously – you are cutting it fine!!) www.transkaroomtb.co.za 2014 Trans Karoo Tip #6 Be nice to Theo……he’s the guy that is feeding you – and he is also a friggen big oke!!

TRANS KAROO / FACEBOOK PREDICT YOUR TIME AND WIN COMPETITION Predict your time, post it on the Trans Karoo Facebook page – for all to see – and you could win big!!!! So…… if you have entered already got to Facebook page, Predict Your Time and Win thread and put your money where your mouth is……. Then get your mates to enter in order to activate the competition. (Please like our Facebook page while you are there....we trying to crack 400 likes!!) ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN!!!!! www.transkaroomtb.co.za

Hi All An important news flash regarding the Paarl Toyota Box Service for this years event has just been released.......... the boxes are now being delivered to CP2 and CP4. Please check your newsletters and if you are not yet a subscriber please subscribe on our website, www.transkaroomtb.co.za, to ensure that you get all the updates as they happen.

Hi Copperhead - Not sure if you have entered yet or not but there is definitely still place left on the Day Tripper bus. You can email entries@fluency.co.za for all the info.

TRANS KAROO / FACEBOOK PREDICT YOUR TIME AND WIN COMPETITION Predict your time, post it on the Trans Karoo Facebook page – for all to see – and you could win big!!!! For the person who gets the closest to their predicted time you will get a 50% refund on your 2014 entry and a free entry to the 2015 “Down Ride”……… Terms and conditions apply of course……… prize is applicable to all entrants of the Trans Karoo, irrespective of when they entered. All entrants must post their predictions on the Trans Karoo Facebook page, under the Predict Your Time and Win thread. Prize includes the cost of the entry fee only and excludes any travel and accommodation. Only fully paid for and confirmed entries are eligible for this competition. Competition becomes active on the confirmation of 20 event entries received after 25 February 2014. So…… if you have entered already got to Facebook page, Predict Your Time and Win thread and put your money where your mouth is……. Then get your mates to enter in order to activate the competition.

Things are really warming up out in the karoo….if Cape Town temperatures are anything to go y then they are bl**dy boiling actually!! Speaking of warm ………… here’s a warm TK welcome to our partners for 2014…..the folks that make it possible for this sizzling event to take place Sharron, Peter and the team at the Northern Cape Tourism Authority……. Welcome back folks and thanks for 3 years of great support. To Chris and his crew at McCarthy Toyota Paarl – the new kids on the block with the Trans Karoo….welcome guys and with you we know that our rider boxes are in safe hands and are guaranteed to be delivered no matter what the terrain.

Congratulations to 69ER and BIG MAC - looking forward to seeing you on the start line in Ceres.

Click on the Trans Karoo advert on thehubsa and stand a chance to win an entry to this years event..... remember you gotta be in it to win it!! ENTRIES ARE OPEN AT www.transkaroomtb.co.za ...............If you not lucky enough to win an entry to this awesome event.

Heres an FAQ which we are getting......... is there transport to Ceres and back from Sutherland? Absolutely...... our mates at Day Trippers are putting on a special bus and bike service from Cape Town to Ceres and then from Sutherland to Cape Town. This will include the rider, the bike and one medium sized bag............ visit www.transkaroomtb.co.za for all the details, or mail entries@fluency.co.za and Martin will take care of you.

WHICH WAY IS SUTHERLAND? 2014 IS ONCE AGAIN AN "UP RIDE" WHICH MEANS THAT YOU GONNA START IN CERES AND FINISH IN SUTHERLAND Contrary to popular belief the up ride is actually a lot easier than the down ride, as many an aspirant Trans Karoo contender found out in 2013........Yes there is that little 8km, 1000m climb just 50km's from the finish, but hey what would life be without an itsy bitsy teeny weeny challenge along the way. Clearly 2014 is the year of the 'karoo' as our entries are flowing in, with lots of people returning to show Ouberg who is boss, and a lot of first timers hoping to claim that "they tamed the Karoo" after 240km. For those of you who are still sitting on the fence.....here's a few good reasons to enter right now: - Serious bragging rights.....one of SA's longest events, and you only have 17 hours in which to do it. (Plenty of time if you not gonna stop for coffee, lunch, have a kip, spend time with the kids.....you get the idea) - Say you have actually been to Sutherland....c'mon how many times have you flown over to the sound of "this is your captain speaking and on the left we have Sutherland....." or driven down the N1 and seen a board "Sutherland 250km" opposite Matjiesfontein - but never actually been there?? - Make Chuck Norris look like a girl....show the guy who has counted to infinity, twice, that numbers are for girls - taming the karoo is for real men......and women. (Notice that cunning side step to avoid being beaten up by the girlfriend.....again) - Experience the karoo....how did Dorothy put it - "we not in Kansas anymore" - the karoo is another world with wide open spaces, majestic landscapes and undiscovered gems - you have no idea of the beauty until you experience it on the back of a bike. 240km - Ceres to Sutherland - 4 Check Points - Teams and Solo's ENTER NOW Visit our website - www.transkaroomtb.co.za - get the info, sort your entry and of course our tame, yet friendly, entries manager is always on hand to answer any questions and queries.

Entries for the 2014 Trans Karoo are now open. The second, much anticipated, "up ride" from Ceres to Sutherland will take place on 24 April 2014 and will once again see participants testing their mental and physical skills over the 240km and taking on the might of the Ouberg Pass. For more info and entry options please visit www.transkaroomtb.co.za.