Johan A Marais

I think it will work out quite well (the short route). Anyone saying the view or scenery is awful, I guess it is your opinion. I think the view from a bicycle anywhere is pretty spectacular, and then given this entire route will be lined with spectators who will now have more to see to see, and more to cheer - it could be quite an awesome vibe - give it a chance. The wife and I did a road trip on the CTCT route this weekend (in the car), and I just thought how awesome it is that these busy roads (and they are busy) are actually closed for the cyclists on the day. It is really something to behold, savor and enjoy. I did not yet enter for the 2023 event, thinking, done that (to many times), and got the T-Shirt, but after this road trip, seeing and experiencing the route, the views, the climbs, so busy, but so spectacular, man, I am in it, not to win it, bit to ride it!! And we can do it without cars - imagine that - priceless!!

And, it is really that simple, but somehow there is no will or priority or ownership to do this. I am just cobsmacked that this investment was done into the infrastructure creating the facility and then no maintenance... wtf? Tweets to our Premier, Mayor and City are just being ignored... The big talk about making Cape Town a cycle destination and green city, is just that - talk for the masses #bull****. It is time to put photos of the bike path and surrounds on social media on Cape Town Tourism pages etc. Great the visibility, make them embarrassed (if that is possible), and hopefully this way get some action.

I use good old Doom - put it on (once you pulled of the top layer), let it be for a while, and just vibe it off - it's like magic 😇

Seeding, timing and results was a downer for me on what is a pretty lekka event, one I will gladly do again. I just need to adjust my attitude towards it (especially ebikers) a little and be more relaxed. Seeding: Was last moment and was so wrong. And all riders could really start where they wanted, and seeding was not adjusted after day 1 Timing: My timing was spot on with theirs (bar a couple of minutes, so not sure why the seeding could not have been better on Day 2. Day two was really a free for all, apart from the "racing" ebikers who were called out and asked to start 1st. We obviously never saw them again... Results: Are mixed i.e., Cyclist and ebikers results are mixed, and they only had 3 categories, ebikers, open men (cyclists) and open women (cyclists). More organizers these days rather caters for ebikers that for age categories... Guess that will eventually just drive away some Cyclists from entering some events Organizers in general are more and more catering for ebikers - hopefully soon they can have their own motocross race and then they do not have to mix it with the cyclists. I am sure they get as frustrated, but obviously happy to be able to ride the race and measure their bike performance against other bikes. Beers at the end (not the free ones), and chit chatting with mates were pretty awesome and rounded off a lekker day out and about in Stellies.

Flippen Ebikers 😇

Paul I love this, I do the same. Bike projects drives my spending to a large degree, and I found a LBS (and nogals a concept store) who supports this passion, very much like you did. They get as excited as I do re these projects and go far and wide to help me with sometimes really crazy ideas (and they do throw in their own also 😉). To the point that not one of my bikes are a stock standard (you can buy it in a shop) bike, and I love that... And it is not really a money spinner for them, but the love of cycling and providing exceptional service to a very loyal customer and supporter. (It takes two to tango). Off course they will make a buck or two, or three, sometimes even four, but that is good... I just love it when fellow cyclists come on over to talk and admire these creations. And that happens often and much more than when I am at the coffee shop, drinking by standard Americano, with my Sworks Epic. (PS. also customized 😁)

Tablemountain on the Campsbay side, before work...

Epic haters/wannabees - you can smell them a mile away...

New customized gravel machine, 1st ride pic.

A mate of mine completed a race last week end. There was an ebiker in front of him and this biker got the official position ahead of his... So it seems the biker did not enter as an ebiker, and raced with the cyclists... Not cool, or good for cyclist and biker relationships...

Was accosted by 3 kids, one with a rather menace looking blade, Tuesday morning on the bike path just after the Woodstock bridge, coming from city side. Stopped and k@ked them out. This was stupid, I know, but **** this. The kids, probably bored (school holiday), just walking around causing ****. There is always police, so stopped and told them, and they did immediately went after them. Did not followed this up further, but the one cop said; "why are you guys cycling here, it is very dangerous". WTF dude, this is the cycle lane, built for that purpose? "Facepalm" I also shot of a tweet off to our City of Cape Town and Alan about the lack of maintenance and them not keeping the cycle lane safe. Silence, complete and total silence. They feel a ****, or I guess just have to much other **** to deal with. I am getting a weapon, and next time will shoot the little *******. It will be non lethal (but moerse eina), but it will give me plenty of satisfaction. My next tweet to The City and Alan, will be that I am now armed (will not say non lethal), and war is about to break out on the bike path. See if that gets reaction...

And these days it must be able to conceal a weapon, one that is easy accessible 🤪 PS. No they do not belong, they should be on motox tracks...

Assume your wife is not on The Hub...

Coffee shop...

Pictures of Caliper's body - yes please. Oops, sorry wrong forum, my bad...🤪

Thank you - good feedback. Just cancelled my order and will wait some...

King's Blockhouse before sunrise...

Another sad day...

Sad

A total disregard for cyclists. This is a regular occurrence all over the bike path. Really disappointing attitude from the city's service providers, contractors etc. On a different note; this morning I had to swerve to miss a motorbike (no, it was not an ebike) on my way into Cape Town, and nogals riding on the wrong side of the bike path i.e. coming directly for me at speed... WTF? I gave him my best army voice uitk@k parade shout, and he left the bike path soon thereafter, but really...

If a motorist does not see a bright flashing red light from behind or a bright white light from the front (because he/she is on the phone or doing whatever they are doing apart from concentrating on the task on hand), trust me they will not also see whatever color kit you are wearing... Apart from the above, the lights actually take away the most of the visibility behind them i.e. try to make out a riders detail, kit etc., when they are approaching behind a white light, or when you are approaching a rider from behind with a flashing red light. You actually see nothing but the light, so what color kit your wearing is an irrelevant point. And in day-time someone may say a black kit is more visible...

BEN – Bicycling Empowerment Network What we do - BEN - Bicycling Empowerment Network (benbikes.org.za)

My experience with Taxi's are for 90% of them better than with the general motorist. I find most Taxi Drivers giving me right of way and even stopping allowing me to do what I need to do to stay safe. As long as you make eye contact and gesture they assist, give way, and I have plenty examples where they pro-actively gave way. Motorists (and there are indeed certain brands that excel here) on the other hand in most cases ignore you, even if you make eye contact (which is difficult as they are seemingly on their cell phones) do what they want without consideration and are way more aggressive to me as a cyclist. Busses - eish - no comment.