bobbie

Thank you!! Will do

I'm fortunate enough to be in Nelspruit from 19th till 26th December and would love to do some road rides there, but I don't know the area etc. Anyone know of cycling groups in town I might be able to join? Having just suffered the Smurfie 500 I am looking for chilled rides with lots of coffee afterwards. Thanks!

Well then I can say a big Thank You from The Cows for helping pushing that ice cream bike you legend! Our Charity Group, The Cows, took off just after 8am.

Veebee, the roads up that way are incredible for cycling. It is about 50km from Ladysmith to the top of De Beers, or there about (blurred vision hahaha) and they have re-tarred the bit from Ladysmith to just before the Besters turn off, chip and spray so rather bumpy to be polite... However the next 30 odd kms are on smooth road, no pot holes and best of all, if maybe 6 cars were on that stretch of road I might even be exaggerating... So absolutely perfect cycling conditions. The wind that day was a bit hectic, 40km plus, so the challenge to get to the top but stay on top of your bike was equal hahaha.

Definitely - Team Work to be repeated!! Rode De Beers pass on Sunday..... omw... wont do that again in a hurry hahahah.

Valley of a Thousand Hills Partners!!

I have only just realised it was You who started this topic! Hello hello Gabran partner - what a small world!!

Ooooooooooooh Scotty, I did the double lap last year with The Cows, and I can assure you that I actuallly don't know where I found the extra energy to do lap 2 after coming in at 3h04 (which was 4 minutes too slow). But as you know, what drives me are those little fighters in hospital (hence I signed up and raised funds with The Cows) - amazing when you are completely exhausted, are cramping in places you didn't know you had muscles, but yet, you drink your cup of cement and get back on that bike (uphill bleh... I dont like the reversed route) cause the reason you are out there remains first and foremost on your mind. Finding and helping struggling cyclists, pushing/pulling the ice cream bikes with the like minded herd, man oh man there is no bigger award! Exhausted after the 2nd lap (which took almost 5 hours) but in the company of legends, anything is possible!! Join us Scotty!!! PS Double Lap again this year... have to smash that 3 hour mark!

Hi there, It really isn't that bad! Attended 3 of them, and if you have a good sleeping bag, sleep on a stretcher bed vs blow up mattress; it really is quite comfy! As for the OB'S... well, what happens at Gabran stays at Gabran!

Event Name: Gabran 2018 When: 31 August 2018 - 2 September 2018 Where: ATKV Drakensville to Hillcrest, Kwazulu-Natal Category: Road Start: ATKV Drakensville Finish: Hillcrest, Durban Non Timed No Podiums 3 Days of fun cycling across KwaZulu Natal Compulsory Stops (for grazing and quenching the thirst) LIMIT: 200 riders Go to Event Page

Such a pity for sure! But, there's always next year!!

You are so right - we've been watching the forecast with concern!! Weather is looking rather grim at the moment, but luckily there are lots of stops and vehicles to put our dry stuff in. But we can't wait!!

Unfortunately not! Perhaps you can arrange to catch a lift with a friend to the start? Most of us get 'delivered' at the start venue on Thursday evening and collected from the finish in Hillcrest on Sunday morning. You can visit our event page on Facebook, Gabran CHOC Cows and post that you are looking for a lift to the start, you might be able to catch a lift with some of the KZN cyclists.

The Cows gear up for GABRAN Stampede Durban - With a lofty national target of raising R10 million for the Childhood Cancer Foundation in their tenth year of existence, the irrepressible sport fanatics that make up The Cows are gearing up for their annual three-day fund-raising bicycle tour known as GABRAN, or the Great Annual Bike Ride Across Natal. Into its 26th year, the ride is now organised by Westville Cycle Club and attracts cyclists of all abilities keen to enjoy a slow paced, social ride and contribute to The Cows CHOC fund-raising efforts by buying an entry into the three day ride for R1950, which includes three cooked meals a day and all camping and transport of the riders personal possessions during the ride. "It is not a race at all," stressed event organiser for The Cows Lynne McRae. "It is an experience. Everyone rides at their own pace, and takes as long as they want to complete each stage." "It all forms part of the national campaign to raise funds for CHOC, and over the last three years we have raised R385 000 through GABRAN," said McRae. "This year we want to really raise our game to contribute meaningfully to the national target of R10 million, by raising R250 000 from GABRAN 2017," she added. The race is open to any cycling enthusiast looking to enjoy the leisurely 283km ride from the foothills of the Drakensberg to the outskirts of Durban. Minors who are 14 years or older are welcome if accompanied by an adult. While road bikes are the popular choice, many opt for tandems or mountain bikes, and the odd unicycle or mini cycle has also completed the fun event. "Safety is paramount throughout," stressed McRae. "Every rider will adhere to all the usual cycling safety requirements, like compulsory helmets, and they have obey all the rules of the road, all the time." The race actively discourages riding in big groups to contribute to the events safety and a sweep vehicle will be on hand to assist riders battling at any stage of the ride. The event website makes it clear that this is a non-timed, non-podium event, and warns that there are numerous 'compulsory' stops for 'feeding and grazing purposes'. Legendarily, these have, over the years come to include pit stops at the Winterton Country Club and the Escourt Bowling Club on Day One, the Bierfassl in Nottingham, Road on Day Two, and the race-ending lamb-on-the-spit at the Hillcrest Running Club. The first stage is a 100km ride from ATKV in Drakensville, followed by an 87km second stage to Howick, and finishes with a 94km closing stage to Hillcrest. The 2017 GABRAN takes place from 18 to 20 August. More information can be found at www.gabran.co.za

Fantastic!! Look forward to meet you!

Its the most awesome fun!! email me: durbsdaisy@thecows.co.za

Met Barry here too - the day Tumbleweed went missing many many years ago. He was absolutely distraught and I sent him a private message to just say I was thinking of him and his furry friend. The rest is history What a special guy, his passion, his enthusiasm, his love for his boys, the many dogs he rescued/adopted/adored, his sharp wit and infectious laugh, and of course his love for coffee and beer. I'll miss you my special

Hi Grantc! We are setting up the online entries page but in the meantime you can email: dusart@iafrica.com or durbsdaisy@thecows.co.za We will send you all the entry details and any other details like the menus etc. as well! You don't wanna miss this one! Regards Bobbie

Hi Cadre Apologies, must have had some of that Nottingham Rd brew when creating the event!! It's an amazing event and wait till you see the menus!! Hope to see you there this year!! Bobbie

Event Name: GABRAN (Great Annual Bike Ride Across KzNatal) When: 18 August 2017 - 20 August 2017 Where: Start: ATKV Drakensville, Kwazulu-Natal Category: Road GABRAN – GREAT ANNUAL BICYCLE RIDE ACCROSS KWAZULU NATAL This is a NON-TIMED, NON-PODIUM event!! Day 1 The event starts at the ATKV in Drakensville on Friday morning, and makes it way through the hills and dales of Kwazulu Natal to Wagendrift Dam in Escourt. Compulsory stops at the Winterton Country Club for an assortment of breakfast nibbles – muffins/sandwiches/scones/crumpets/coffee/tea/juice. Then onto the Estcourt Bowling Club for some “beverages” before the final stretch to Wagendrift Dam where we set up camp for the evening. Cooked lunch and dinner Live entertainment for the evening Day 2 Breakfast is bright and breezy from 6am on Saturday. “Tent town” needs to be taken down, bags taken to the truck, and then you on your merry way.... The “concrete road” is a wonderful start to the days pedal.. followed by Bacon Hill, Griffons before heading into Mooi River for “the 2nd breakfast”. Once refuelled, it is onwards and upwards to the Sherry Tasting, or Bierfassl... if you think you going to sneak past... beware... you will be spotted... and called to order at one of these venues... cycling is thirsty work after all! A meander from there down to Midmar dam is the remainder of the ride – yip, lunch will welcome you! Set up camp, share a drink or ten, and then dinner will be ready! This is followed by a marvellous raffle (security system, weekends away at private game lodges, in the berg, leather back packs to name a few!!) and some more live entertainment and partying. Day 3 Sundays' cooked breakfast, is warmly welcomed, before/during the tent breakdown. Once again, load your kit onto the truck, and begin the descend to Pietermaritzburg Pass the City Hall... and let your Amashova 2017 training begin..... Fox Hill or Polly Shorts awaits... and then it is “downhill to Hillcrest” for a final Lamb on The Spit at the Hillcrest Athletics Club. The GABRAN has raised R385 000 for The Cows (The Cows raise funds in support of CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA) over the last three years, and we have every intention of making the R250 000 mark this year alone! R1950.00 per rider Includes meals: Friday: Snacks in Winterton, Lunch & Supper Saturday: Breakfast, Lunch & Supper Sunday: Breakfast & Lunch Includes transportation of your camping gear and kit from campsite to campsite Includes campsite costs for Friday and Saturday night GABRAN – it’s not a race, it’s an experience! Go to Event Page

This race deserves to be supported much better. The route is fantastic and fast! The race was brilliantly organised, registration was swift with efficient staff and the marshalls were superb too. My only worry was at the bottom of the M19 having to turn sharp left before the bridge. As we had turned a big truck also turned and took down the steel barriers in the process causing a cyclist behind us to almost hit the deck. If it had been us on our tandem we would not have stayed upright - but said cyclist seemed fine and with the adrenaline now pumping flew past us. My little one on the back giggled all the way as she said: "Mom, that cyclist showed the truck his middlefinger" hahahahaha anyway, roadworks is nothing the organisers could do anything about and hopefully we can fly straight through down the M19, through Springfield Park and join the M4 again like previous events. Thank you for an awesome event as always!

It was an awesome race as always and even more special as I did it with my little girl on the back of the tandem! Highlight of the event was definitely meeting Harry (Harryn) - an honour to meet you at last!! See you all at the Shova!

yup and it's a crazy excuse as I know someone who only cycles Argus. Rode last year, didn't cycle in any event thereafter, entered Argus, and got a 7h30 start.... crazy!

I got a very "late" start in comparison to my previous 7 to 7h30 starts (no racing snake I know) and only got going at 8h30. Even though this was my 12th Argus I was told that because it was my daughter's very first one I got "10 penalty points". Wasn't going to argue with the tense lady at registration and we duly started at that time. However, my gripe certainly was trying to get into our batch, TT. As our start pen was at the back, we had to try and and get through various groups of cyclists in order to get to it. This is not easy with single bike but with a tandem it's a whole different ball game all together. You cannot pick it up or expect the little one to do so. Not many riders were willing to give us a gap (and yes we were on time as per all the instructions). Most of these cyclists were batched in groups after us yet no one wanted to move. Ego ego ego.... Eventually a lady with mtb took control and just barged ahead and said "follow me", uttered a 'few words of 'wisdom' to these cyclists and they started to give us a gap. Definitely hope they will sort this one out. Other than that, another amazing journey with my daughter!

even better, why not join us CHOC Cows and raise some funds for CHOC whilst swimming. .we have a few groups entered in the 2nd race on Saturday the 8th...(also need to be sure there are many swimmers around who can save me from drowning...i swim like a brick)