Unsupported touring

[Moriarty]

I am looking for anyone interested in doing unsupported tours either off road or road or a mixture of both in South Africa, preferably based in Gauteng. Basically what I envision is setting out from home or some not too distant start point and doing rides from about 4 days up to 2 weeks, either coming back to the start point or getting somewhere where public transport can be used to get back.

 

Anyone interested?

[Procrates]

I might be interested.

 

What dates are you looking at?

Direction or any preliminary ideas ito towns/scenery?

 

I want to get my kit sorted and tested before the Dec holiday.

[Johan Bornman]

Count me in. When do we start?

[Moriarty]

One of the ideas I had was heading out east from Pretoria (where I live) going through Mpumulanga and maybe into northern KZN. Probably mostly on roads although I only have an MTB, if someone has a GPS we could aim for minor road/track routes?

 

Otherwise maybe driving down into the eastern freestate and doing a circular route?

 

Comments?

[antfrank]

Sorry to bother, but it seems you know a bit about touring:

 

Can one get a 29er frame which is suitable for light to medium weight touring, but with disc brake compatibility?

The frame must also be able to have racks attached to it.

The wheel set has a rear over lock-nut dimension of 135mm and on the front 100mm.

Your advice would be appreciated.

[Kickass]

One of the ideas I had was heading out east from Pretoria (where I live) going through Mpumulanga and maybe into northern KZN. Probably mostly on roads although I only have an MTB, if someone has a GPS we could aim for minor road/track routes?

 

Otherwise maybe driving down into the eastern freestate and doing a circular route?

 

Comments?

 

Please list the dates that you are thinking of. I have never done a bike tour but I am planning an unassisted trip for next year. This would be an amazing 'practice run' for what I have planned. I have a GPS and I'm currently trying to source another bicycle to use specifically for touring.

[ibruegge]

Please list the dates that you are thinking of. I have never done a bike tour but I am planning an unassisted trip for next year. This would be an amazing 'practice run' for what I have planned. I have a GPS and I'm currently trying to source another bicycle to use specifically for touring.

 

 

Amazing handmade German touring bikes : www tout-terrain.de :-)

[Kickass]

Amazing handmade German touring bikes : www tout-terrain.de :-)

 

They look like amazing bikes! Pity they're 2000 euro + vat + shipping for the cheaper ones! My budget is about a third of that

[Moriarty]

Sorry but I don't know anything about 29ers, I was planning on using my hardtail 26 mtb with road tyres and slightly higher gearing for a road tour or my softtail for an off road trip.

 

I haven't set any dates but tentatively propose 10 days in October this year as an option.

 

I wasn't planning on putting on touring panniers, just taking minimal gear in a small backpack. Probably the best solution for planning would be for all interested parties to go for a longish casual ride together and discuss the options and preferences. For obvious reasons I would prefer this to be in the Pretoria are but i am flexible.

[ibruegge]

They look like amazing bikes! Pity they're 2000 euro + vat + shipping for the cheaper ones! My budget is about a third of that

 

I happen to be the exclusive importer for some of their products (mainly trailers) - I can chat to them re price, and get a large discount for you, however, a third of that is probably pushing it mate... :-)

[Grondpad]

Good morning peeps

 

I am following this topic with interest. I want to start with short touring next year as well.

 

Why would you recommend getting a touring specific bike? Cant you just use one of those trailers that fits to you standard MTB? I see some of the touring bikes have a shock damping system that helps with the bags on the back, but this wont be needed in the case of a trailer. Do you think a touring specific bike is needed for the short trips (about 5 days)?

 

When we came back from the Groot Marico race yesterday, I saw a dude and dudette with there touring bikes heading in the direction of Botswana on the N4 just past Rustenburg. It looked Awesome! The didn’t have the trailer setup and all the bags were mounted to the bike. I sure would rather be one of them at this moment rather behind the keyboard.

 

Then back to the original topic: Do you plan on using road or off road? Will you be camping or using guesthouses/hotels/B&B’s?

[Moriarty]

My idea was to try and stay as comfortably as possible in guesthouses/self catering whatever but to carry just enough with for it not to be a train smash if nothing whatsoever is available, I would carry lights and dry rations so that you can carry on at night if absolutely necessary.........................

 

I have a bivvy bag as well as an extremely lightweight tent but this would have to be shared out to reduce weight, I would regard being independent of complicated arrangements/prior organisation as the main object, sort of like wilderness hiking with a bicycle.....................

[touringza]

I'm presently in Vanderkloof, N.Cape, on day 15 of a 28 day solo unsupported trip from Durban (east coast) to Honderklipbaai (west coast). Have followed the 30 degree line of latitude as closely as possible on minor roads and farm tracks. Using a Morewood Shova fitted with rear racks. The questions of whether hardtail, 29er, etc. are completely irrelevant. As the man says "it's not about the bike".

[TYGA]

I'm presently in Vanderkloof, N.Cape, on day 15 of a 28 day solo unsupported trip from Durban (east coast) to Honderklipbaai (west coast). Have followed the 30 degree line of latitude as closely as possible on minor roads and farm tracks. Using a Morewood Shova fitted with rear racks. The questions of whether hardtail, 29er, etc. are completely irrelevant. As the man says "it's not about the bike".

 

Post some pics and updates of your setup and of your trip if you can! Enjoy it...wish I was there...not here.

[Guest]

Sorry to bother, but it seems you know a bit about touring:

 

Can one get a 29er frame which is suitable for light to medium weight touring, but with disc brake compatibility?

The frame must also be able to have racks attached to it.

The wheel set has a rear over lock-nut dimension of 135mm and on the front 100mm.

Your advice would be appreciated.

 

On One Inbred 29er. Steel, strong and cheap. The new "swap out" frames have lugs for racks in the back. You do get some racks that fit on suspension fork for the front.

[Procrates]

Ok,this is what me and witkop did last year

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/79786-bike-tour-for-dec-holiday/

 

It was the first time touring and we learn't a few lessons along the way.

 

-Pack everything you think you need out on your bed, draw a line and take only one side, you can really get along without a lot of the crap you take.

-You do not need a dedicated touring bike, any MTB that has pannier mounts is suitable. You can get the racks that mount on the seatpost but they make the centre of gravity of the bike much higher, I wouldn't suggest a full suspension anyway.

-Take it slow it's not a race, if you see something nice stop and take a photo, and if the sign say pub you should stop anyway.

 

 

Other brands that specialise in touring:

http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/