nonky

The SUV in front of the bakkie is also way over the yellow/red line (left edge line) for no reason - BOTH of them could've taken out cyclists or runners. This is anxiety inducing footage...

This is 100% accurate summary of the situation, which reflects my experience. I used to ride that route regularly but stopped after almost being hit head-on by a taxi coming from the opposite direction (doing an illegal overtake on a solid line). Once you add in parked cars; myciti buses; tourists; sightseers; and people on their phones while driving, the danger increases exponentially...

The Atlantic Side / Victoria Road is now a BUSY taxi route between Camps Bay and Hout Bay - please treat with extreme caution at all times of day and night. On the other side of the mountain, taxis are now running through Bishopscourt - using Klaasens Road (previously safe) and Bishopscourt Drive/Canterbury Drive to get to Rhodes Drive, then over Constantia Nek and down to Hout Bay. Southern Cross Drive (Constantia) is another taxi route, and downhill is regularly used to test the terminal velocity of a HIACE, despite blind corners and hidden entrances. Be careful out there.

If you are on Vitality, an apple watch is a steal. If you want honest opinions and objective testing, go check out DCRainmaker (www.dcrainmaker.com) or The Quantified Scientist on youtube.

This looks awesome

You are EXTREMELY LUCKY - go buy a lottery ticket (joke). My previous millisecond of inattention needed 9 months of rehab.

THIS https://bicyclesouth.co.za/2017/10/the-cross-cape/ https://www.wesgro.co.za/travel/attractions/cross-cape-cycle-route https://www.irideafrica.com/12-day-cross-cape-cycling-adventure/ https://bikepacking.com/routes/bikepacking-south-africa-western-cape-passes/ https://wildairsports.com/taking-on-the-mighty-742km-cape-cycle-routes-cross-cape/

My OLD comment from December 2019, copied and reposted, as applicable here: "Remember when the violent Melville bikejackers got caught, along with many R1,000s of bikes, after a HUGE effort by the community, ratepayers, security, SAPS.... ...........................................and the Newlands Mag Court gave them each R500 spot fines?"

"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your cycling..." *Marcus Aurelius (possibly) :-)

The new shipment will be arriving any minute now... *[old bikeshop joke]

Bike Addict has a new 2025 Titan Gravel Bike (XL) in your price range https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/gravel-bikes/products/titan-racing-switch-sport-alloy-2025?variant=50414422688041

I looked at the Scout to use as a city commuter. Chromoly frame with Alu fork, so it's "old tech" Largest Rook size is 58cm, which may be an issue for you. I'd look at a used gravel bike or one on sale (XXL or similar)

I am not medically qualified, but the below touches a nerve. Stockholm Syndrome is a rare, complex survival mechanism where hostages or abuse victims develop positive emotional bonds, empathy, or loyalty toward their captors / abusers. It is caused by extreme, life-threatening, and/or prolonged trauma, victims often exhibit fear of authority, rationalise abuse, and may refuse to cooperate with rescuers. Causes: It originates in situations of severe power imbalance - such as kidnappings, sex trafficking, or abusive relationships—where the victim perceives their survival as dependent on the abuser's kindness. Symptoms: Victims may express positive feelings toward captors, harbor negative feelings toward authorities, and experience cognitive dissonance, self-blame, and PTSD symptoms like nightmares or anxiety .

Meanwhile, the Premier (what does he ACTUALLY DO?) arrives at a sitting of the Western Cape Provincial Legislature in cycling pants, shoes and pink socks. I wont' express my view, as it'll get me a warning. He is, obviously, happy to use cycling for free PR, but refuses to ensure the safety of cyclists in his province. Just another thing to bear in mind at the next local gov elections. https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/politics/horrified-anc-says-windes-outfit-during-parliamentary-sitting-an-insult/

Cape Town Cycle Tour build-up hit by hijacking scare https://www.capetownetc.com/news/cape-town-cycle-tour-build-up-hit-by-hijacking-scare/ Fresh safety fears have surfaced for cyclists ahead of the Cape Town Cycle Tour after the Pedal Power Association flagged an alleged attempted hijacking on a well-used Constantia training stretch. The association said the incident unfolded around 6am on Sunday along Firgrove Road, close to the M3 bridge, where a cyclist riding towards Constantia Uitsig was allegedly targeted by occupants of a white Toyota Venture. According to the PPA, the vehicle reportedly swerved towards the rider on two occasions in what appeared to be an attempt to force him off the road, prompting the cyclist to take evasive action and escape down a side street before seeking refuge at Constantia Uitsig, as reported by the Cape Argus. While waiting there, the cyclist later linked up with other riders who claimed they had experienced a similar confrontation on Firgrove Road just minutes earlier. The organisation also revealed it had been made aware of another incident in Constantia involving a female cyclist, with footage of that encounter circulating on social media. PPA chief executive Neil Robinson said the association has received multiple reports in recent weeks of cyclists allegedly being targeted along popular training routes, including areas in Constantia, Hout Bay, Spaanschemacht Road and Wellington Road in Durbanville. Robinson warned that such incidents tend to spike in the build-up to the Cycle Tour, as criminals are aware that cyclists are training in large numbers and often riding alone in the early mornings on high-value bicycles. He encouraged riders to cycle in groups where possible, consider using a support vehicle during early sessions, wear bright and visible clothing, and ensure their lights are switched on. The office of Western Cape Premier Alan Winde stressed the importance of reporting these incidents to the South African Police Service so cases can be properly recorded and monitored. Premier’s spokesperson Regan Thaw said failure to open cases makes it difficult to track patterns of crime, adding that the Premier remains deeply concerned about road safety and condemns all forms of violent crime.

even simpler, use the apple watch to record your ride, as It's accurate enough for the points. If the battery isn't great, switch the watch screen off.

ever tried an apple watch?

I USED TO ride the atlantic seaboard route, regularly, until one close shave too many (thanks mainly to Main Road Sea Point). Watching this gave me heart palpitations. Glad to hear the rider is OK. Time for me to sell my road bike and forget about ever using it again.

One should never forget that half of the drivers never had a driving lesson or passed a test, as they simply purchased their driving licenses or bribed the testing officer. Baleka Mbete, former parliament speaker, was caught with a fraudulently issued license. She was not charged, suspended or even reprimanded. The rot goes ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP.

When people are faced with 12 dead in a tavern shooting, 3 dead in a bus accident, 8yo boy hit and run death, dj warras murder (arrest), bloem granny murder (arrest), 11 pedestrians among 30 dead in W-Cape IN ONE WEEK, they become completely inured to death... [*the above from today's news24 headlines]

Francois helped me out with an emergency at a stage race, when i had not purchased a service package and he did not know me. His service team was fully booked, but he still made a plan to assist me, which meant that I could finish the race. May he Rest In Peace. Condolences to friends and family.

Background story, for those who missed it, below. I used to cycle that stretch of coast regularly, until it became too hazardous (my concern was suicidal PEDESTRIANS in Sea Point and Camps Bay). Too many close calls led to me losing my nerve, taking a break, and then putting my road bike into storage. https://www.capetownetc.com/news/tragic-accident-claims-life-of-cyclist-on-victoria-road-near-glen-beach/

I see that a lot of work has been done on the trails from Kirstenbosch Top Gate, along both sides Rhodes Drive to the top of S-Cross Drive, and then down the Alphen Trail / Diep River. Does anyone have their details and how I can make a donation? Thanks in advance.

All the millions of rands of charity channeled into kayamandi over the years via the cycling charity https://www.songo.info/, specialized africa, investec bank, thule, ninety-one, as well as fundraising efforts by local & international riders (sauser) and the champions race...and this is the situation in 2025. I'm not surprised, just sad.

There is enough will, competence and money for a "new" chopper, which is based at the Newlands Forest HQ and supposed to be used for exactly what you're proposing. I have seen it - it is smaller than the fire choppers and looks brand new in its CoCt / TMNP livery. https://www.capetownetc.com/news/table-mountain-national-park-enhances-security-with-new-helicopter/