Desi

Yesterday morning - Hillcrest trails.

https://www.capetowncycletour.com/ 'Enter here' button in the Tier 1 Box.

It seemed to work; had no issues. Actually, the one behind-the-saddle bag did have some issues - it rubbed on the tyre when the suspension kicked in; Hans had to truss it up like a turkey to keep it away from the tyre. The other behind-the-saddle bag had an internal metal frame that seemed to prevent this.

Give it a go - it really is worth it! PS. Non-legends can manage it too! I did.

We found the racks worked very well. Very stable. Nigel lost one small clip that clips the bag onto the rack (you need to check that they are tight every now and again), so he had to add a strap around the bag to hold it to the rack, but other than that - absolutely no problems with the racks and panniers.

When we let the family know that we planned to spend three months in Australia to visit them, my brother-in-law sent us an email – ‘something to do while you’re here’ he said, and added a link to a bike trail in Western Australia. Bikepacking has been on our ‘to do’ list for a while, so we thought – right: we’ll give it a go. Of course, being typically South African, we didn’t do a two or three-day trip to try things out, we went straight to the 20-day, 1000km trip. Deep end and all. We even persuaded our friend Hans, an ex-South African now living in Australia, to join us. Click here to view the article

Currently bike-packing the Munda Biddi Trail in Western Australia. 1000km, mostly off-road track or trail, or on gravel roads through state forest. Planning on taking around 21 days, from Perth to Albany.

The Ride for Joe just got to be even more fun! We currently have more spot prizes than entrants, thanks to Giant Durbanville, Many, many thanks to Giant Durbanville!

Check the cost of an annual membership vs the cost of paying for the various permits, depending on how often you think you'll ride. Annual Membership costs: Main: R670 Spouse: R440 Family: R1270 Student/Pensioner: R305 Dependent: R190 http://www.tygerbergmtb.co.za/online-orders/memberships.html TMTBC TRAIL ACCESS & PERMITS Please note that there are day permits available for the following trails: Bloemendal - Biosport is open 8am to 5pm and weekends 8am to 1pm. There is one permit available: R50 for adults, R30 for under 18's. This allows access to the Bloemendal, Nitida corridor, Hillcrest, Bloemendaaler and Majik Forest. Night Ride permits sold at Biosport on Thursday evenings for R30. Protea Hotel will now be selling the R30 and R50 permits for Bloemendal. These can be bought from the staff at the reception desk and they are open 24hours / 7 days a week.Hoogekraal/Welvergenoegd/Faircape – a payment of R60 SNAPSCAN allows access to all the trails at Hoogekraal as well as Welvergenoegd and FairCape.Contermanskloof – Day permits at R40 are available at The Dairy Shed (07h30– 17h00 Tues to Fri/07h00 – 13h00 Sat & Sun ) gives access to the Contermanskloof trails.Meerendal – Day permits at R30 are available on the entrance road just before The Crown restaurant. Alternatively, make use of honesty box if no permit seller is on duty.These day permits do not give access to the club negotiated corridors between Meerendal and Contermanskloof or the dirt road corridor between Contermanskloof and Hoogekraal, or the Altydgedacht corridor. Cycling is strictly prohibited on the concrete road to the Bloemendal Restaurant, except for arranged special events. Trail running is not allowed on any of the club maintained single track (Bloemendal, Hillcrest, Bloemendaaler, Hoogekraal, Welvergenoegd and FairCape).

Event Name: Ride For Joe When: 14 April 2018 Where: Contermanskloof MTB Trails, Western Cape Category: MTB It’s not a race, it’s a celebration of being ABLE to ride your bike. Ride the Contermanskloof trails, appreciate your good health AND do a good deed for a fellow Hubber on Saturday 14 April. Fellow Hubber Joe spent many happy hours on his bike until he took a fall last September and sustained serious spinal injuries. We are holding a fun mtb event at Contermanskloof to raise money to help Joe with the costs of ongoing rehabilitation and therapy. We know that you can ride these trails at any time, free if you’re a TMBC member, but you’re not really paying for a ride, you’re making a donation to Joe, and getting to ride your bike at the same time – bonus! Ride your bike, enjoy the scenery. Better yet, ride with your wife and kids – there are 4 routes to choose from, to suit the whole family. In the meantime, save the date, enter the event, and celebrate the fact that you’re healthy enough to ride your bike! http://cycleforlife.co.za/joe/ Go to Event Page

Here's the best 'version' of Sounds of Silence... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKkVETYgTfs

Does anyone know how difficult/easy the 45km and 65km are?

I also did the 50km, and didn't see any litter. Maybe I was going too fast (not likely), or maybe I spent too much time looking at the scenery (more likely)!

Well, that rules out giving the prize to the better half! It's a Juliana Furtado for me!

Right, I'm in! Now, will it be a 5010 for her, or a Stigmata for him?

'Free camping grounds provided for all entries' - can I bring my 4x4 motorhome, or do I need to be in a tent?

! TAKEN ! Old saddle – Selle San Marco Rolls This old saddle needs some love and attention, but it looks like a classic. If it’s worth your time to spruce it up, it’s yours. Looks like real leather. Collection only in northern suburbs, Cape Town.

I just saw these posts from way back in 2015. Does this mean that if I travel to the UK, buy a bike and use it for the short time that I am there, and then bring it back with me, I pay the 14% VAT and the 10% ATV, but NOT the 15% import duties applicable to importing a complete bicycle?

The traverse between Bloemendal and Odendaal Road. Lovely morning.

Meerendal morning.

Anyone know how tough the 36km will be... for mere mortals, not superheros?

A few days spent in Plett/Keurbooms.

Windy was pretty hectic in Cape Town today too. Pity you didn't ride ... looking forward to your photographs - they're great! Love the one of the guy carrying a beer crate in front of the purple wall.

A grey and windy day at Meerendal before the rain.

Anysberg Nature Reserve in the Karoo for the long weekend. Watched by some gemsbok.