Shell Belle

This is not a riding track - there’s a section at the top that is a link trail between the Rathfelder and Bel Ombré sections of the cycling legal Greenbelts, but this part of the greenbelt is not a cycling trail.

There was nothing innocent about that comment, or the others that followed. The extent to which the sexualisation of female athletes has become normalized is really quite astounding. The mere fact that you think that you can “queue* to hug a pretty lady” and consider it an innocent comment shows just how normalized it has become. That whole “discussion” was off-base and deserved to be deleted.

#spicygravel

Hier kom *** .......

+1

Maybe if you got his name right....

We stopped to assist the guy on Saturday. He was attacked with a panga by two guys and pushed off his bike. He broke his leg and sustained some cuts buy was not stabbed. Another guy who stopped to help said he was running there the previous day (Friday) and was also attacked by two guys. A friend of mine assisted a woman this morning who was attacked in the same spot and bike taken. I do not know if she was stabbed though. I also received a forwarded message about an attack, but doesn't say anything about a stabbing. Either way, these attacks are getting out of control.

We rode Broken Road down last Saturday - I checked for signage as the idea of colliding someone coming up the trail is not so lekker! There is no signage that I saw - think this must be addressed.

SMS came through now. Seems like the right decision based on weather conditions from friends in the area!

We took our gravel bikes last year when we went to Mauritius, and are taking them with us again for our honeymoon in June this year. We took the bikes in Evoc bike bags with absolutely no issues - just check with your transfer company from the airport to ensure they bring a trailer so the bikes can fit in! My husband and I felt 100% safe riding on the roads in Mauritius. While I agree the driving seems rather hectic when inside a car being driven around, when on a bike on the road the drivers are patient and wait until it is safe to pass you. They treat you as if you are a valid road user and we never felt like we were in danger. Travel insurance - check with your medical aid as they may cover you. I know mine does. Otherwise definitely go for the all inclusive option - makes life very simple and easy and is 100% worth it.

We did the 100 miler on gravel bikes last year. It is absolutely non-technical with fast flowing undulating gravel district roads. Quite a lot of climbing with some steepish gradients at times which can make it challenging. But honestly it was one of the best events of the year for us ????

Not yet. And we actually want to do it twice this year, as the guys doing the seeding somehow think I am going to start in Glencairn

How “technical” is this race?! ????

Fair enough - I just thought the “100% gravel bike friendly” claim could have been a little misleading. I rode the canola field and N2 section but like you, I was feeling generally unhappy at that point ????

Is it though?? The organizers said that “the route is 100% gravel bike friendly” on their website, FAQ document and in reply to individual queries. That section along the N2 can’t be described as “100% gravel bike friendly”. I am sure you had no issues on your mtb, but my point is that the event shouldn’t be marketed as a gravel bike friendly event when sections of it are not reallllllly suitable for gravel bikes. PS I will be back again next year, and on my gravel bike again ????

We had an absolute ball on our gravel grinders. What an awesome day out!! However, that last section alongside the N2 was not ideal for gravel bikes at all. A few people we spoke to on gravel bikes came short there. I think they need to rethink that short section a little. Glad to hear that we are not the only ones who’s timing is off. Our Pont time (the full 45 minutes!) was included on the results. Apart from the timing issues, what a great day will definitely be back!!!

Hahaha thanks Nick!! We will see you there - on gravel bikes too

Very excited for Saturday But I am between a gravel bike and mtb. How suitable is this event for gravel bikes??

Are you guys doing a Savage ladies team and a Savage mixed team?

You have a strange way of showing it

THIS ^ I dropped many guys Chappies and Suikerbossie in 1H but they caught me again on the downhills. At 57kg I am not exactly a downhill specialist haha

Well for example, if she was seeded incorrectly due to not having done any seeding races and therefore being stronger than the bunch, then I would say absolutely. I think you also underestimate how fast some ladies actually are on the climbs

Exactly. And why should it matter if it's a lady? Are some men so insecure that they can't handle the idea that a woman may actually be stronger and faster than them?

The shorter route was an invitational for the racing ELITE ladies. I am not sure that riders from 7B and 6G would have qualified for that route

Appreciate the edit hahaha!! I finished with my team as the only lady - all 12 across the line in 6:06 What a great day out!!!