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hi - lift required for 1 person from Prince Albert to Joburg after the Medio Fondo, on 28 April. Willing to share driving and petrol costs. Please contact Lucille on 084 238 0453 Thanks

DATES: 19 & 20 September 2019 (18 - 20/21/22 Sept, including return transport from Johannesburg/ Goerge Airport) VENUE: Prince Albert, Western Cape, South Africa ENTRIES CLOSE: 19 August 2019. First 15 entries gets a #BucketListRides riding shirt COSTS (share basis): (includes Getting there by road & 2 nights' accommodation) R 3 000 - R 6 000 (numbers depending) DISTANCE: 120 km (Day 1 = 60km; Day 2 = 60km) RIDE FORMAT: Social/ Adventure ride (share expenses - non- profit) with the backing of established people/bike transport & touring company (visit http://choicetours.biz/multisport/ ). Includes travel logistics/ services from/to Pretoria/ Johannesburg/ George (nearest commercial airport). E-bikes welcome; rentals available TERRAIN/ TRAIL COMPOSITION: Rough dirt Mountain passes (steep ascent/descent in places); Start and end at 764m elevation; highest point 1 583m VALUE ADDED: Bike mechanic & Support/ sweep vehicle with extra water DESCRIPTION: The awe-inspiring, historic Swartberg Pass seems a formidable barrier between 'groot' and 'klein' Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa, and the thought of crossing it leaves fear, or an exciting sensation of adventure, in your heart. This is top 5 on our bucket list of rides in Africa and we're calling mountain bikers who can't wait to dig their wheels into the dirt over this sensational pass, and into 'Die Hel' ('the hell' or Gamkasklooof; also called the 'Lost Valley'). We love riding 'adventure style', i.e. with our eye on the goal; yet making the most of it and taking in the spectacular sights between start and finish. The racing snakes are welcome to ride it 'conquer' style, and meet back up with the 'peloton' at the finish. CONTACT: Gerhard de Jager: geredejager@gmail.com or +27828211673 (WhatsApp) ADDITIONAL FEATURES (extra expense): Add-on: Combine with Race entry & logistical support for 'gotta-do' local (September), 1-day to multi-day events e.g. Buco Karoo to Coast (22th)(HIGHLY recommended) https://www.karootocoast.com/ ; Lesotho Sky (23-27th) www.lesothosky.com ; Ride2nowere (6-8th) http://ride2nowhere.co.za/ ; De Hoop vlei (27-29th) http://dehoopvleimtb.co.za/ ; The Rock (27-29th) www.therockrace.co.za; Fedhealth Mtb Challenge (14th) https://www.stillwatersports.com/event/fedhealth-mtb-challenge/ ; Rift Valley Odyssey (25-29th) www.riftvalleyodyssey.com

I refer to a recent post under 'help needed' where I told of a guy, Neels, in Prince Albert, who sells biscuits from door to door for a living on his bicycle. When the fork on his bike broke he was without transport and a local inhabitant kindly donated a dilapidated Giant to him. I offered to give the bike a 'make-over' and asked for help on The Hub. I delivered the bike to Neels today and he was suitably impressed with his new bike! A shout-out to Anton/Bogus One for an amazing spray-job on the bike, to Mark, for the headset, and to Lourens of Cycle Centre, for labour and spares. Great stuff, guys, thank you!