JustAgar

Hi All, A question regarding the single track that runs alongside the Klein Jukskei (on western bank) from the opposite side of Heron Bridge school in a southerly direction to Cedar Road. I notice that recently an electric fence has been erected in the general area which bisects the singletrack alongsode the Klein Jukskei preventing one from riding this section. I last rode here in mid July and there was no sign of any development then so this is obviously a recent installation. Does anyone else who rides this area know what this is all about or what development is planned for this area....? Thanks,

Thanks again "djembe"! As hard as Kings is on the rubber I knew I was taking on some "risk" in riding there with a tube and no tyre liner instead of my usual "tubeless" set up. In hindsight, big mistake, compounded by not putting enough air into the tubes I used. I should have known better. First tube went to thorns, second turned out to be holed at the start and the third (djembe's) succumbed to a "snakebite" 5 minutes from home. Lessons learned and my fault. Trauma aside i.m.h.o. the riding at Kings is premium quality and quite special. There are few other venues on the Highveld to test your lungs, climbing and descents in the same way. I always come away feeling satisfied. I'll be back next weekend but running tubeless again

Following a tubeless tyre failure and then two punctures in two separate tubes I was stuck in a remote part of Kings Kloof this morning with a useless rear wheel and the prospect of a long walk out. Thank you to Brian on the Santa Cruz Tallboy for the special gift of a new tube which got me most of the way home. Thanks!

I agree. I have a Garmin 210 and think is probably your best option. Works well for both running and cycling, very versatile I've owned a Garmin 310xt, great device, and also use the Edge 800 for MTB. If I had to use one device the 210 would be it.

I found this map online. It covers some good parts of the Northern Berg and there are contact numbers there of people likely to be able to give you info on the region you're interested in. I have not used it though and am not familiar with these trails but hiked most of this area many years ago, beautiful scenery, God's own country!

This is a very beautiful part of Gauteng it will be great to get an opportunity to ride it! Can you confirm approximately how many riders will be allowed in the 35km event...?

Good Luck! I wish you all the best and will certainly be stopping by.

Great news! Looking forward to paying a visit!

A lot tougher than previous rides by comparison. Definitely one of my single toughest days out on a bike. Keen to hear other views... Possibly designed to impress international "Pros" ...?

I think that defines it well!

Thanks Zuludog. Delta Park does seem to make the most sense, I have considered it but not ridden there yet. I will give it a try. In fact like you we also have a young German Short haired Pointer too who's almost ready for this type of thing.

Lovely footage. Question: I am Gauteng based and have an english pointer that enjoys a good run on the singletrack. I took him out to Teak Place once or twice for 8-10km which he loved. Dogs understandably are not often welcomed at MTB venues. Are you aware of any venues within close range of JHB that would allow dogs (under control) to accompany riders..?

If you're still considering this I'd suggest check on the product review on the Forerunner110 at www.dcrainmaker.com You will not find more comprehensive information anywhere, but if you do let me know.

I'm going to be there at the end of September and would also be grateful for any suggestions/pointers on where to ride...? Once I've been down there I will reciprocate and post any decent rides I find for others when i am down there.

Following your thread here and I thought i'd share my findings as you seem to be in a similair boat. I've spent many hours hours researching a replacement bike and finally invested in a Yeti BigTop, size L. I've ridden a 26" HT for the last few years and i must say that the move to 29" has been a revelation for me, a massive improvement in almost every aspect of my riding, by my personal comparative and i accept every situation is different, i'd say 90% of the "like on like" comparatives to my old 26" hard tail place the BigTop far ahead, significantly so. I am very happy with it!! This is a solid and sound choice if you can find your size to test ride - can't help you there unfortunately as i'm also in JHB. Good luck in your search

My new machine, four days old and infinitely satisfying. After 4 happy years on a 26" HT I did a lot of research and spent some quality hours testing the BigTop. For me the change has been a revelation and a brought a significant improvement in many aspects over my old 26".

I rode with tubes on my hard tail until mid this year when i did a conversion to tubeless. In my opinion, and i say this with confidence that this is the single best Rand value improvement you can make to your bike. Once you have settled on the tyre pressures which best suit you, you will very quickly feel the improvement particularly in traction and rolling resistance. I'm stating the obvious here but make sure that the "conversion" is done properly, any money paid for same is well worth it!

I ride on my own from time to time but use common sense about where and when I ride and take what I believe are reasonable precautions. I have never had any problems, not to say that I never will - I understand common sense and precautions do not guarantee my safety. My personal view is that there is often too much negative emotion/sentiment attached to "riding alone" and often very little objectivity, this way fear of the same becomes self fulfilling. Put another way if "fear of riding alone" was a listed share price on a stock exchange it would be well over priced and ridiculously expensive for what it is.

They have a nice mix of all types of riding there. It is not a "bike park" however ie: not like the MTN bike park. But it does have lots of open space comparable to Northern Farms or Teak Place in some ways and is safe. It is a new venue and speaking to the managers there after a sunday ride they seem very keen to develop it as a MTB venue of choice or alternate to the other venues should you want a bit of a change. it is well worth a look in my opinion.

I use a 310xt for running and cycling, largely MTB. I bought it for this specifically and am happy with it after having researched different GPS devices. There are better Garmin options for pure cycling such as the Edge series but if you are going to use it for running then I believe the 310xt is well worth a look.

If you want more detail on the 310XT visit this Blog review http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/09/garmin-forerunner-310xt-in-depth-review.html I've trawled the web and this is the best review out there that I could find. It is of a high standard and covers the 310XT comprehensively and objectively. It is ideal for triathlon but also works well for running/cycling. I use one.

Any feedback from current owners of a Garmin Forerunner 405 would be very welcome. Thanks

Hi All, I am considering purchasing a Garmin Forerunner 405 (the one that looks like a bulky watch not the notebook on the wrist) and am justifying my purchase based on the following criteria; I am a regular MTB ride 3 plus times a week but also do road running (possibly also trail in future). The 405 seems to offer good basic heart rate as well as the GPS including all of the required metrics for both running and MTB eg: ave speed/ave pace, distance access to the Garmin online facilities etc.. Given the cost of these things my thinking is that the 405 will work well on both MTB and my arm for running and save me having to buy two separate devices one for each activity. I know that the Edge 705 is probably the best Garmin offering for pure cycling but my thinking is that the 405 will give me the basic info needed in both disciplines perhaps slightly less function as a MTB computer though. I would be grateful for any reviews from local riders or runners who might have used on of these..? URL for the Garmin Forerunner 405 http://www.garmin.co.za/prod_detail.php?productid=236&categoryid=13&subcategoryid=10

A good effort by Simon and team in the quick and visible measures taken to manage this. Question: does anyone know specifically where the hijacking incident occurred at/near Heronbridge..? Was it near the concrete weir bridge spanning the river just upstream of the road to Northern farm..? Or did it occur on the road itself.