Dan Dob

Yeah, that is the problem. That is why we have set up up cheaper, shorter courses on this side...

I wish Marulaneng! Look up Yellow Saddle. They do great courses in JHB!

Hi Hubbers, Our first courses have gone down a treat and I've managed to streamline the course to fit the important stuff into 3 hours (no easy task!). I've secured the dates for our courses in July so if you would like to book please follow the link. [self Rescue] * 3 July 2013 [6pm-9pm] * 7 July 2013 [9am-12pm] * 16 July 2013 [6pm-9pm] * 24 July 2013 [6pm-9pm] [basic Service] * 6 July 2013 [9am-12pm] * 28 July 2013 [9am-12pm] * 30 July 2013 [6pm-9pm]

This is an interesting topic. The sign going into Rhodes Estate has a mtb symbol on it so most people assume it's fine to ride here. I think the official take on things is that no bikers are allowed on any singletrack on the mountain Hopefully the Table Mountain bikers forum is going to be able to resolve this soon.

SkinnySweatyMan, My only concern is time. There are so many different types of brakes on the market that I would have to go through each type. The procedure is more or less the same but the tools and nuances of each one complicate things. I may have to add another course to cover it but will see how future clinics go.

Not yet Hairy, what are you looking for? Bleeding brakes? Servicing forks? Wheel building?

June special is R250 for each course, but normal price will be R300.

Thanks Meezo, We'll offer wheelbuilding one day, hopefully if there is enough interest. Cippo, these courses are aimed at both road and mtb as what we cover applies to both types of bikes with a few differences.

Hi Hubbers, I would just like to let you all know that we have launched 2 mechanics skills courses that will be run at our premises in Cape Town. A special price of R250/course is running for the month of June! After many requests from our skills clinic customers, we have added 2 courses that deal with fixing your bike and maintaining it. The more basic course is about 'getting you home' in the event of a mechanical failure. You'll learn how all the parts of your bike work and how to check and adjust the most important parts of it. Of course, puncture repair (tube and tubeless), broken chains, setting up your suspension properly, adjusting your rubbing brakes and basic gear adjusting are covered in this 3 hour course. The more involved course is about saving you money at bike shops. After doing this course, you should never have to drop your bike off for a 'basic service' at your LBS and thus save a LOT of money each year. On both these courses, you'll learn about the specific tools you need to service and adjust your bike and I'll offer advice on what tools you would have to invest in. All the information is on our website, so please just go and check it out there and feel free to suggest what you think is missing from the courses on this thread (keeping in mind they are only 3 hours long!). We won't go into wheelbuilding and shock servicing as these courses would take a lot more time and money to introduce.

Hi Hubbers, I would just like to let you all know that we have launched 2 mechanics skills courses that will be run at our premises in Cape Town. A special price of R250/course is running for the month of June! After many requests from our skills clinic customers, we have added 2 courses that deal with fixing your bike and maintaining it. The more basic course is about 'getting you home' in the event of a mechanical failure. You'll learn how all the parts of your bike work and how to check and adjust the most important parts of it. Of course, puncture repair (tube and tubeless), broken chains, setting up your suspension properly, adjusting your rubbing brakes and basic gear adjusting are covered in this 3 hour course. The more involved course is about saving you money at bike shops. After doing this course, you should never have to drop your bike off for a 'basic service' at your LBS and thus save a LOT of money each year. On both these courses, you'll learn about the specific tools you need to service and adjust your bike and I'll offer advice on what tools you would have to invest in. All the information is on our website, so please just go and check it out there and feel free to suggest what you think is missing from the courses on this thread (keeping in mind they are only 3 hours long!). We won't go into wheelbuilding and shock servicing as these courses would take a lot more time and money to introduce.

It's actually a great course as an intro but as tough as hell on the legs and lungs, so be warned! Just go out and have fun and you will learn a lot, very quickly. Don't let the rain put you off, the course runs better in the wet IMO, more grip actually than in the dry and just so much fun to get wet and muddy! Have fun and keep to the 26 and baggies -I still do it every once in a while but sadly won't make it there this weekend.

If you're ever in Cape Town Pom1, then give us a call. I make sure everyone gets what they want out of each of our courses. Some people learn quicker than others, even if they are more or less at the same level, so I change our course content to match what they need to learn.

I made one like this a while back, very easy and clean lines. Could look a load better with decent wood!

Thanks for putting the feedback on TheHub cadenceblur! I look forward to seeing you flying through all the switchbacks when I next see you on the trail. For those that want more info please take a look at our website. We do skills clinics for Beginners and Intermediate riders throughout the year on Saturdays or Sundays (mostly in Meerendal/ Hoogekraal and Tokai). For those in the Stellenbosch area, my little sister (Jo) also does clinics in Jonkershoek.

I agree with DJR. A 'mugger spotter' along the same lines at the shark spotters. How are they paid? I do a lot of cycling and scrambling on the mountain and there are spots in which you can see almost all mountain trails and tracks-you'd only need 2 spotters to cover the entire Table Mountain biking route. You can see muggers from a mile off (ie loitering, walking one stretch of road backwards and forwards, looking for places to hide etc) and a radio down to rangers/police could make sure they get there BEFORE any incidents take place. Hell, I'd even volunteer 1 day of my week to do this myself if a system could be put in place, but it's be better to employ somebody to do it on a permanent basis.

Helped a guy last week that crashed on the hairpin of Ou Kaapse Weg. Helmet smashed and there was STILL swelling on his head. Took him to medi-clinic Constantia with his friend but had to rush off as I had other cyclists to take care of (was on a cycling tour of our own!). Hope he was treated as he didn't have medical aid...

You can just download one of our maps to give you an idea of the trails and how to link them up. http://irideafrica.com/trail-maps/ Have fun out there!

So how much singletrack can one expect on the Grotto trail for example?

Will chat to Johan (of W2W) about this. Think its his initiative but not sure. What you want to know?

I have a feeling it may be the doing of the moonlight Mass guys. Think they are planning on a 'commuter station' of some sorts with showers and lockers etc. I may be totally wrong though!

I hear you about maps Salah! Our trips are not for people who cycle rarely-only for serious cyclists that want good singletrack and brilliant rides. I am a past pro elite champion of the province (and African singlespeed champion , and Jennie is a proffesional road rider and is getting super fast on the mountain bike. That means if you come out with us then we will love to try and keep up on the climbs (I love climbing too and Cape Town is full of great climbs!). It sounds like a lot of people are keen to ride with you for free, which is great but if you do not have any luck then you are welcome to contact us for a guided ride of Cape Town or Stellenbosch. I can guarentee that you will not find the best trails easily without local knowledge. I'm super glad you are decing to visit this country and sure you will have a superb time here (and be back again, the next year)

Hi Salah, I know you said that going through a tour operator is not an option for you. Also, not sure why any hubbers haven't mentioned us but we do mountain biking trips in and around Cape Town (we also supply many free maps that you can download from our website). We take a lot of Swiss people (we can put you in touch with past guests if you like) out on day trips as well as longer holidays and we have a great product in our 10 day singletrack trip at the end of the year. Check it out-you won't get better value and better riding in 10 days! www.irideafrica.com

That's good news-seems like the guys (and farmers) out there really want to get mountain biking going there. Hoping that people start building fun trails (not just singletrack, but fun flowing singletrack or really challenging, technical trails).If you ever need maps made once the trails are there give me a shout and I'll compile them and put them up on www.irideafrica.com

Hi Flossy, Hope you're feeling more confident on the bike by now! Some good advice on this forum. If you are wanting to get more confident I host skills clinics through iRide Africa-more info here. We hold them on different trails most weekends so if you sign up you can get more confidant, meet new people to ride with in the future and ride different trails.

Hairy, I'm afriad I am not at liberty to say...