Jacques@ACT

FWIW - this relates to the event on the weekend of 15 August. I can also extend the offer to the following weekend, providing there are 6 people. Just a quick update - I have had a couple of enquires already. Potentially, 3 people might be interested in the service, so probably only 3 spaces left. I will only be able to do the transfer if there are 6 people interested. I don't have final pricing yet, but it will be in the region of R1800 (tbc) per person return. This is a transfer service from Cape Town to Willowmore and then back from J-Bay to Cape Town. FYI - this is not rider support for the event. We will most likely leave early on the Friday morning from Cape Town. Depending on where everyone lives, I might be able to pick you up from your home, alternatively, it will be from somewhere like CWC at Tygervalley (or similar place). Departure between 8am and 9am (tbc) for arrival in Willowmore in the afternoon for registration. Return trip will be on Sunday after the event. The event finishes at 10am, so we will leave soon after the end to be back in Cape Town on Sunday (albeit a bit late). It will take at least 8 hours for the return trip. Interested parties so far: Mopkop (2 spots) Mulmi (1 spot?)

At this stage only looking at transfer to the race and back, and not support on the actual race as such. That would be a whole different kettle of fish. ..not impossible, but might be a challenge if the support is for a few different people.

I suppose silly questions deserve silly answers...!! Kinda makes sense to drive there and drive back, doesn't it. The reason why I'm asking is that similar to the offer for the Robertson Wacky Wine MTB weekend, I'm thinking of offering a transfer service from Cape Town to the event and back for a max of 6 or 7 people. This will include transport for you, your luggage and your bike. Transfer will be in a VW T5 Kombi (with relevant operating permits etc in place). So the reason for the question was more to find out if there will be an interest in a service like this.

How do you all plan to get to the start/end of the race and back home again, especially those from Cape Town area?

I will most likely be arranging a transfer service for riders from Cape Town to the event in Robertson. Transfer will be in a VW Kombi and I will take 6 passengers with luggage and bikes. Transfers by a fully registered operator (Africa Cycle Tours) I am flexible at this stage on times etc, but it will most likely be a transfer on Friday from Cpt to Robertson, returning Robertson to Cpt on the Sunday. The service will also include transfer between winefarms at the festival on the Saturday after the race as well as Sunday morning. I unfortunately won't be able to arrange accommodation for the weekend. The group will have exclusive use of the vehicle and guide for the full weekend. Cost for exclusive use for the weekend will be R750 per person (R4500 for the vehicle, max 6) Let me if anyone is interested.

Any custom build touring frame with Roehloff hub...

I will look into this after easter. I have some tours booked for this weekend, so running around a bit at the moment.

Road events are definitely an option too. I can certainly look into that. It all obviously just depends on the general interest and whether people would want that. Do you know of a few people who might be interested? Any preference on how many days for an event?

With reference to some recent posts about local stage races becoming more expensive, I started to look into potentially getting a small group together to enter a stage race in Europe. This post is to see if people will be interested in trying out/joining a group for an international race with some added days riding before/after the race. I have managed to find what looks to be an excellent race in France on 19/20 Sept. The website is unfortunately still only in French. The organisers promised to let me know when the English version is available. Below is a link to a short teaser video. http://www.ultraraidlameije.fr/pages/media/2014.html This race is close to a small village called La Grave in the French Alps - this obviously means there will be some major climbs and awesome downhill sections. The race will be at relatively high altitude, so that will add to the challenge. You will unfortunately have to use Google translate for the detail for now, but here is a very brief summary. Raid Ultra 2 day event - Day 1, 70km, 3000m climbing; Day 2, 50km 2500m climbing http://www.ultraraidlameije.fr/pages/les-epreuves/parcours-test/parcours-raid-ultra-sur-2-jours.html Rando Raid 2 day event - Day 1, 50km 1790m climb, Day 2, 35km 1690m climb http://www.ultraraidlameije.fr/pages/les-epreuves/parcours-test/parcours-rando-raid-sur-2-jours.html There is also an Elite section as well as single day events as part of the race. The plan for now is to arrange a trip for about 2 weeks. The race will be towards the end of the 2 weeks. Potential departure date: Around 10 Sept Potential return date: Around 23 Sept Return flights from SA will be to either Zurich or Geneva in Switzerland where the trip will start with a transfer to Basel. That is the starting point for a 350km MTB ride to Nyon on Lake Geneva - this will take about 1 week. The MTB will be more of a XC type of ride with some single track. The route runs between 700m and 1300m above sea level. The route will take you through medieval villages, beautiful valleys, forests, farm land and vineyards. Cycling in Europe is so different to SA - not only do people respect cyclists, but they are also on the ball when it comes to cycle paths and cyclist safety. Further transfer from Nyon to the race and back to Zurich/Geneva for the return flight. Cost - Seeing that this is still in the very early stages of planning (depending on interest) it is a hard to say exactly what the cost would be. Currently, flights cost around R8k - R9k per person return. I might be able to get a deal on this somewhere, but not sure. As a very rough estimate, it looks like it might be around R30k - R35k per person for the 2 weeks. That should include B&B accommodation, transfers, flights. The entry fee for the race works on a sliding scale, based on when you enter and for what race (Euro 70 - Euro 100 per person). The cost per person won't include any visa costs or travel insurance. Will this be of interest to anyone? If so, then I can get the ball (wheels) rolling on this one to get more accurate pricing.

So it looks like the path leads pack to the road. Nothing to see here folks, move on, move on. ????

Sorry for my ignorance, but why not ride alone in franschhoek. Is it really unsafe there?

Its all actually just a bit random to be honest, really not sure where thus will lead to.

I've also noticed it, but can't work out where it will be going. Who knows, maybe it is the start of a cycle route to cbd...

Stage 1 through jonkershoek and Banhoek. Might be a route change on the cards?

They are all new. Part of our new 'fleet' for our 2015 tours. [emoji16] [emoji16] [emoji605]

I think I might have a problem... [emoji16] There are still another 6 bikes that needs a spot somewhere

Just left a friendly message on the answering phone to please stop parking in the lanes.

Momsen AL129 Giant Revel 0 Trek 7.3fx Surly LHT (absolute favourite) Wife Momsen Al129 Giant revel Dawes Galaxy Cross Surly LHT

Durbanville area

I've got lots of touring stuff if you want to come and have a look. Pm me with what you are looking for. I'm in northern suburbs, Cpt.

I ride a Trek 7.3. Really nice hybrid bike. Used it to commute in London on a daily basis, 35km daily ride and very comfortable.

Thanks for all the info. Soft sand isn't really my favourite. Will go and check it out at some point.

Thanks, will check it out. Are the trails or the club on the web?

Thanks, I had a look there, and it looks like it might be possible but thought I would ask here. Maybe someone has ridden there before.

Does anyone know if it is possible to cycle from Kleinmond to Hermanus (or most likely Hawston area) via the beach area? Is it possible to cross at the Botriver lagoon mouth? Thanks