Plentipotential Posted June 23, 2015 Share Would someone give us an insiders view of the support stations services. What kind of food, bike wash? showers, or is it just a place to put your head down in a barn? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cat-i Posted June 23, 2015 Share This thread is great. Must say, technology has really advanced this thread into being able to share the excitement, perils and awesomeness of this ride. It's great to have 'inside' insights of people who have done this and understand exactly how difficult it is. It's easy to read '200 kms' and compare it to a Joberg2C stage or a Transbaviaans. It's something totally different to get an idea of the nav challenges and the route conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grebel Posted June 23, 2015 Share Why isn't Pierre showing up on the tracker at the moment?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Posted June 23, 2015 Share Would someone give us an insiders view of the support stations services. What kind of food, bike wash? showers, or is it just a place to put your head down in a barn?The support stations for me are one of the highlights of this adventure (I am not a race snake and, just enjoy the experience). They can roughly be divided into 2 sections : before Rhodes and after Rhodes. Before Rhodes most of the ss are generally community centres. You will have a warm bed, a hot plate of hearty food. Water can be scarce so you are unlikely to get too much of an opportunity to wash your bike. Vuvu is special as you will stay in one of the houses in the community. It is a humbling experience. After Rhodes you will generally stay in farm houses with the farmer's family. The food is unbelievably good and the hospitality exceptional. The families go out of their way to make you feel comfortable. There are a few place along the way where you will stay in hotels. Dennehof Guest House in Prince Albert is one of them and has to be seen to believed. My favourite. 5 stars all round!!! You will have access to hosepipes to wash your bike at some of the farms. Before and after Rhodes you will have access to hot showers (except maybe Vuvu which may be a bucket of hot water) and an opportunity at most places to have washing done if you get in early enough. The hosts are unbelievably gracious when you consider that they have riders coming in at all hours of the day and night. You will always be welcomed by a smiling face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shebeen Posted June 23, 2015 Share The support stations for me are one of the highlights of this adventure (I am not a race snake and, just enjoy the experience). They can roughly be divided into 2 sections : before Rhodes and after Rhodes. Before Rhodes most of the ss are generally community centres. You will have a warm bed, a hot plate of hearty food. Water can be scarce so you are unlikely to get too much of an opportunity to wash your bike. Vuvu is special as you will stay in one of the houses in the community. It is a humbling experience. After Rhodes you will generally stay in farm houses with the farmer's family. The food is unbelievably good and the hospitality exceptional. The families go out of their way to make you feel comfortable. There are a few place along the way where you will stay in hotels. Dennehof Guest House in Prince Albert is one of them and has to be seen to believed. My favourite. 5 stars all round!!! You will have access to hosepipes to wash your bike at some of the farms. Before and after Rhodes you will have access to hot showers (except maybe Vuvu which may be a bucket of hot water) and an opportunity at most places to have washing done if you get in early enough. The hosts are unbelievably gracious when you consider that they have riders coming in at all hours of the day and night. You will always be welcomed by a smiling face.Second this. my one take out from doing the FC was that karoo farmers wives are amazing! You also get the empty house type stop - where it will be an overflow property/self catering/hunting lodge accom and the farmer lives close by - it's stocked but just not the same without an actual fmaily! not sure if there are any of these this year. The SS get reviewed each year, some circumstances change along the way too(people move on, sell farms etc etc.). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shebeen Posted June 23, 2015 Share Why isn't Pierre showing up on the tracker at the moment??some tracker issues this morning. tim james just came back onto the map too. might be something to do with struishoek descent which the big bunch is all doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shebeen Posted June 23, 2015 Share here is a pic of the top of struishoek descent - NOT rideable! https://www.facebook.com/172756652784736/photos/ms.c.eJw1zEEOwEAIQtEbNY4IxftfrIl1li~_f0DBcFU0yrafHTGWerrMWxoj1q9nz2pweXvf~;B32pqROG.bps.a.938384366221957.1073741892.172756652784736/938384769555250/?type=1&theater photo credit - mike ward off FC page - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.938384366221957.1073741892.172756652784736&type=3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shebeen Posted June 23, 2015 Share what's wrong with this picture? https://www.facebook.com/172756652784736/photos/ms.c.eJw1yskNACAMxMCOUNgNAfffGIfEc2TjJSi0mEFvPKOSI~_PZ0XV74e~;zjPLI3KG8DPg~-.bps.a.938299682897092.1073741890.172756652784736/938299926230401/?type=1&theater Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shebeen Posted June 23, 2015 Share this was last week. leeukoud. second day out of rhodes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grantc Posted June 23, 2015 Share what's wrong with this picture? https://www.facebook.com/172756652784736/photos/ms.c.eJw1yskNACAMxMCOUNgNAfffGIfEc2TjJSi0mEFvPKOSI~_PZ0XV74e~;zjPLI3KG8DPg~-.bps.a.938299682897092.1073741890.172756652784736/938299926230401/?type=1&theaterStu's barefoot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sepia Posted June 23, 2015 Share what's wrong with this picture? Apart from the fact the guys are not normal!!!!!! - don't feel the cold as well?Tough bunch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shebeen Posted June 23, 2015 Share what's wrong with this picture? Apart from the fact the guys are not normal!!!!!! - don't feel the cold as well?Tough bunch! so hardcore no one cares if you wear crocs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest notmyname Posted June 23, 2015 Share so hardcore no one cares if you wear crocs.I would imagine the weigh of those awful skats plays a big roll. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cat-i Posted June 23, 2015 Share The whole bunch that slept at GrootDam arriving at the lunch stop at Gegun ... including Tim James. Still no sign of DirtRider though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shebeen Posted June 23, 2015 Share The whole bunch that slept at GrootDam arriving at the lunch stop at Gegun ... including Tim James. Still no sign of DirtRider though he's probably with them, short day so far. Tim will be enjoying the company, will probably be shooting the breeze with them for this afternoon then kick on, maybe with theo and fjord - am guessing to kleinpoort the rest will surely stop at toekomst lodge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tubed Posted June 23, 2015 Share While all this speculation about hours rested vs hours ridden, mind games, strategy, in/ out of sight is all fine, surely we are missing the big question here.Or are we not supposed to talk/ speculate about it? I mean surely the question is 'what happens when Johann enters the district or when he gets Prince Albert?' I have heard that there is intense speculation in the dorp about the following: · Dennehof/ Home/ Motorhome – apparently the UCI is watching the last option with a hawkeye · What sort of barriers to erect along the main street to keep the crowds back – protruding footings or not in the event of a sprint · Who gets to service his bike? – rumours are that Claas with the bobbejaan spanner is designated, but Linsay is waiting with the powerhose ready · Will he enjoy an escort up the Swartberg and is there really a truce with Ketoors, or does he harbour a year long resentment despite his bosses command? Surely these are the key questions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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