flymango

Our bikes took my wife and I from the Drakensberg ... ... through the Umkomaas ... ... to the Indian Ocean ... ... and then home to Cape Town! Our third Sani. Suffered like hell. Almost came stone last. Loved every minute of it though. A truly special event.

Time to start packing - my wife and I fly tomorrow morning. Weather forecast looking great, even though slightly chilly. To all Hubbers who are riding - be safe and enjoy. Doing Adventure from M.

But the real question is, how many Afrikaners in this poll can "langarm"? Anybody can braai, eat stywe pap, drink brandy en coke, or have ancestry from Jan van Riebeek. Ek vra maar net ...

8848 m ascent in one go!!! Wonder how many times you'd have to do the mast at Tokai from the car park to achieve that? Good luck to all you aspirant mountain goats ... will be interesting to follow.

I'm a first generation South African of British descent, went to a dual medium (English and Afrikaans) school, married an Afrikaans girl from Klerksdorp who now mainly speaks English. Let's just say I regard myself as fully bilingual.

I say it's a good start and better than nothing. Besides, not everybody can afford the "non-Makro" brands, unless bought second-hand or from some "opportunist seller".

I'm also under-trained compared to previous years. 1,520 km and 14,500 m ascent. But I'm up for it. I'm going to take each day one hour at a time, assuming it will be a long day in the saddle. I'm starting in M, so no prospect of falling much further back. At least that gives me an extra 45 minutes of sleep each day. Strange, but I have I never felt over-trained and underweight going into any Sani before.

You want believe the memories that view over Bloem elicits from me ...

A mobile phone jamming device when a car's ignition is switched on.

Late start in summer > 150km by car one-way, returning same day Prospect of a mud bath

Haven't heard anything, but the name Brendan Venter comes to mind. He loves Bloem, but I doubt he'll go back. Maybe consult like he did for Saracens?

How was that first black, stale mud crossing? Sies!! Walked through the second crossing just to clean my shoes.

We arrived at 1pm. Did a 4 hour ride. 42 km and 1200 m ascent. Sani is lurking ...

Any friend of Cheetahs is a friend of mine.

Monday - Looking north from the Mast and then Silvermine

Sunday - Table Mountain from Burry Stander @ Meerendal

A friend of mine has a Trail entry for sale. Check the classifieds for his contact details.

Welcome to my (Cheetahs) world. Hang in there. At least you still have money and are rated as a "rich" union. Did you see Gert Smal was in Bloem watching the game? Would love to know what he's thinking is at the moment.

I think their problem is much bigger than the coach. It starts with their administration and structures. Half of the Cheetahs heroes yesterday come from the WP. But I agree, the Stormers game plan has become stale, was (is?) focussed on defence, and the other teams have worked it out.

Well, it's no secret that I only have two words to say ... Heinrich Brussow. He has no equal in SA rugby. But I'll tell you something, Deon Fourie is not far behind. I'd rather have him at 6 than 2 for the Stormers. And on current form, Pretorius must be the in form 9. Hope Cheetahs can take some momentum into the domestic end of the campaign. Their biggest problem thus far has been the breakdown, and a fit Brussow seems could sort that one out. Now if only Goosen can finish a game at 10 and regain some of his former glory. He's got too much talent to ignore him. Not that Elgar Watts is doing anything wrong.

Thoroughly enjoyed it. I've used these words before, but I am most grateful when these farming communities open their hearts and gates for us riders. And there were like 4 water tables over the last 20km of the 63km route. Keeping up the rear, I felt so bad that they'd been waiting for me that I stopped at each table. I'll definitely be back.

Gives new meaning to "worth its weight in gold".

How about this for good measure? https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/138734-do-not-try-this-at-home/

PPA website says starting times "from 08h00".

Not sure if this has been posted before. Insane. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=685741498150994&set=vb.100001454510814&type=2&theater