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Hi, We live in Ballito and looking to plan an offroad route to the Midlands - a "there and back" route that we could stick to gravel roads. Browsing tracks4africa & gravelmap.com it seems there are ALOT of gravel options to take... any suggestions on a route we could take to midmar dam? (Previous strava activities or gpx files would be a bonus!)

Dirtdax (Audax + Dirt) being held on 27 August starting in Harties. Who is thinking of taking part?

Hey Guys Gone over the whole Trance/Anthem thing way too many times. Ride on local trails around Southern Suburbs, Cape Town. Table Mountain and hopefully if Tokai opens this year there too. I'm still learning but like riding single track, more aggressive time of style and like speed. Would like to start riding out near Stellenbosch and other trails in the Western Cape. Riding a hardtail 1999 old school Trek at the moment and looking at either the Trance 27.5 2 or the Anthem 27.5 SX. The price of both seems to be in the same bracket. I'm pretty convinced the Trance is what I want. Have not test ridden either but will in the near future. My Question: The type of trails in the Southern Suburbs, Western Cape and surroundings from what i have ridden to the clips I watch on Youtube seem to be more XC type flowing single track, jeep tracks, small jumps if any. Would the Anthem not be more suited to the trails around here than the Trance? I don't race but would like to do some of the more chilled out ones in future for fun. Want to do the Argus but will buy a cheaper road bike for that when the time comes. Besides a short ride to the gym or shops this bike will be used mostly off-road on trails. Excited to learn how to wheelie, manual, jump a bit, small drop off's, bunny hop those things in riding I find more exciting then shooting up a hill to beat a record. Saying that I don't like a massive heavy bike that feels like a tank on the up's either but from what I have read the Trance is good up hill too. Any feedback based on the local trails. Trying not to convince myself I need more bike than I do. I'm one that watches a few Redbull Rampage clips and ends up riding a DH bike to gym on road haha Thanks guys

Hey Everyone, So the usual I'm sure.. which one to purchase. Background: I'm 28, 78kg. Started out cycling again not so long ago. Previously iv ridden BMX when i was in way younger, then road for a year or so on an old Trek budget MTB. Recently started doing a bit of road, cycle track (gravel) and jeep tracks off road routes. Nothing downhill/single track yet but would like something capable of handling some easier single tracks and off-road routes too. I did own a Scott full suspension bike a few years ago but was sold it thinking a could ride a bit on road to gym and also hit trails, it felt incredibly slow and the suspension sucked up pretty much all the power going forward. (Probably also due to incorrect settings and so on). What i'm looking for: I need a bike that I can put some sort of slick tires on. Im using 26x1.50 cheap ones for my old Trek now for on-road and they make a massive difference compared to the stock MTB ones. I would like to do the Argus (for the first time) next year (wont be racing against the clock) but have mates doing it too that are looking at cheap road bikes, perhaps something that can keep up. I have read lots over the years and do realize the differences in angles and components, being more upright, gearing and so on. I don't expect to stay with them the entire way but the more capable the better. Not sure if I should be looking at 29er's or 650B's. I really like the components and everything I have read when it comes to the Silverback 15 Sola 1 (R23,394). Giant XTC Advanced (R20,750) but read that the above Sola 1 would be better? with better components. Trek Superfly 9.6 Carbon (R24.500) 27.5/29 Scott Scale 950 (R21,900) I'm thinking the Trek or Silverback one being Carbon the other not. Both Rockshox Reba RL front suspension. Silverback mostly Shimano XT/SLX Trek Deore XT Sram7. The XC / Cross Country bikes I think would suit me better than trail for what I'm looking for and Hardtail seems to be a good option for my price range (the extra saved on rear suspension going towards frame wheels and components) I plan on running off road tires tubeless eventually and getting a spare set of wheels and slicks for on road use. I would like advice on any other bikes in that range and on wheel sizes 27.5/29. Also on gearing for road use, Don't want to do any serious mods besides wheels and tires. Thanks very much Sean