Road to safety

[jmzhow]

Hi guys, I've been sent to Cape Town by work for 6 weeks from this weekend (tough life!  ) but I'm not able to bring my road bike with me. Very sad about that. So I have a few Q's about getting some wheels and riding in the western cape. 

 

My plan is to buy a cheap road bike to do some lunch time training on (cheap heavy bike = more gains ) and then hire a carbon bike for weekend rides (capetowncyclehire). Ideally I'd like to buy somthing and then sell it before I leave. Is there any 2nd bike shops who will buy bikes or even do a cheeky sell and buy back?

I am watching the classifieds on here for somthing.

 

Now as far as getting out and riding here in the UK I normally just jump on my road or MTB when I fancy and head off for a ride  but the one thing I keep coming across is safety and it being a bad idea to cycle alone. Bike jacking is alien to me even here in inner London so I just want to make sure I'm not the idiot out-of-towner who cycles into trouble!  If I was doing a loop around table mountain (Camps - Hout - Newlands - Sea point) is that a safe route? I literally want to put some miles in the legs each lunch time.  

I've looked up some clubs ( ATC Multisport, Teknix)  that I'd ask to cycle with at weekends but it's the mid week solo sessions I want to make sure I'm OK on.   

 

cheers for any help!

[Bateleur1]

If you are planning on buying and renting bikes, why not simply pay extra baggage and cart your bike with?  Don#t think it would cost you more.

[DJR]

Buying a 2nd hand bike, I would start with these 2 places. Both are close to central cape Town and are owned and run by very honest and reputable people.

 

http://www.woodstockcycleworks.com/

Speak to Niels. He specializes in older bikes, but has a massive stock and sure to have something that you will like. Perhaps an old classic?

 

http://www.bicyclecapetown.org/directory/listing/cycle-traders

Speak to Averon. He has a much smaller inventory but mostly sell upper end bikes.

 

The Hub Classifieds always have some good deals going.

 

Personally, I would just buy a good bike and ride that, but if you rally want to rent:

 

http://www.irideafrica.com/

Talk to Dan Dobinson. They rent both road and mountain bikes and do guided tours if you want. Also, a great trustworthy guy.

 

As for safety, if you work in central Cape Town, the Atlantic route through Camps Bay, Hout Bay and Chapmans peak is as safe as they come, crime wise. It is mostly and out and back ride. 

[jmzhow]

If you are planning on buying and renting bikes, why not simply pay extra baggage and cart your bike with?  Don#t think it would cost you more.

I have wrangled with that idea. but buying a hard shell bike box, specific bike insurance to cover it out of the country and extra baggage cost all adds up to too less than I could hire a good bike for for 4 weekends. Plus I still need a 'run around' bike for daily use and I'd never leave my Felt chained up. 

 

thanks for the info on the Atlantic road route though. 

 

Will also look into those places. 

[DJR]

..............thanks for the info on the Atlantic road route though. ............

More info to help you plan the longer peninsula ride for the weekend:

 

From the City Centre, you cycle through Sea Point, Clifton, Hout Bay, over Chapmans Peak (the most beautiful road on earth), through Noordhoek, over Black Hill, through Simons Town (good for a coffee and croissant), Past Smitswinkels Bay and the Cape Point nature reserve entrance (you could make a side trip down to the point at this stage). On through Scarborough, Misty Cliffs, over Slangkop, through Kommetjie. Then you go through the only ugly part of the route past the informal settlement of Masipumelele, but it is safe. At Sun Valley you join up with your earlier route and go back over Chapmans Peak and to the start. 

 

90% of this route is fantastically scenic, with views of the ocean, with whales and dolphins sometimes if you are lucky. You have many options for re-fuelling stops and it is pretty safe. There will me many other cyclists out on the route and many ride it alone. 

[Pure Savage]

Hi guys, I've been sent to Cape Town by work for 6 weeks from this weekend (tough life!  ) but I'm not able to bring my road bike with me. Very sad about that. So I have a few Q's about getting some wheels and riding in the western cape. 

 

My plan is to buy a cheap road bike to do some lunch time training on (cheap heavy bike = more gains ) and then hire a carbon bike for weekend rides (capetowncyclehire). Ideally I'd like to buy somthing and then sell it before I leave. Is there any 2nd bike shops who will buy bikes or even do a cheeky sell and buy back?

I am watching the classifieds on here for somthing.

 

Now as far as getting out and riding here in the UK I normally just jump on my road or MTB when I fancy and head off for a ride  but the one thing I keep coming across is safety and it being a bad idea to cycle alone. Bike jacking is alien to me even here in inner London so I just want to make sure I'm not the idiot out-of-towner who cycles into trouble!  If I was doing a loop around table mountain (Camps - Hout - Newlands - Sea point) is that a safe route? I literally want to put some miles in the legs each lunch time.  

I've looked up some clubs ( ATC Multisport, Teknix)  that I'd ask to cycle with at weekends but it's the mid week solo sessions I want to make sure I'm OK on.   

 

cheers for any help!

 

What is size frame you looking for?

 

What were you looking to spend on a cheapie? 

 

I have a a giant TCR with Ultegra that my dad is looking to sell/hire. Its a large. 

 

we ride from town tuesdays and thursdays mornings.

[Tubehunter]

Hi jmzhow! Where are you from when you're not working from Cape Town?

 

What size bike do you typically ride? Where in CT are you based?

[jmzhow]

What is size frame you looking for?

 

What were you looking to spend on a cheapie? 

 

I have a a giant TCR with Ultegra that my dad is looking to sell/hire. Its a large. 

 

we ride from town tuesdays and thursdays mornings.

A large / 56cm frame. Was looking to just spend around R4000 and then hire a carbon bike for long weekend rides. I'll drop you a PM ref the TCR

 

 

Hi jmzhow! Where are you from when you're not working from Cape Town?

 

What size bike do you typically ride? Where in CT are you based?

 

I'm from South London, great part of the City as you can escape out easily into the hills of the countryside.

I ride a 56cm frame but am flexible on this.

will be based in Sea Point, the northern end just below Signal Hill.

[Tubehunter]

A large / 56cm frame. Was looking to just spend around R4000 and then hire a carbon bike for long weekend rides. I'll drop you a PM ref the TCR

 

 

 

I'm from South London, great part of the City as you can escape out easily into the hills of the countryside.

I ride a 56cm frame but am flexible on this.

will be based in Sea Point, the northern end just below Signal Hill.

 

Welcome to South Africa (and the bikehub)!

 

Ah cool. I spent some time staying in Crystal Palace when I did a stint in the UK in the late 90s.

 

Pity you don't ride a 54 as I have a spare. Hopefully you come right with the TCR Savage has!

 

You're staying in the right part of town to get some rides in! So many cyclists who do the Atlantic ride through to the lookout on Chapman's Peak drive and back from where you are.

 

Cheers for now

Jay

[madbradd]

Welcome To SA. 

 

If you want a cheapie commuter and still to rent over the weekend this might be an option:

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/212947-trek-1000-road-bike-for-sale/

 

Quite a few options in the classifieds  if you want just 1 bike and to sell it on afterwards:

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/214784-cannondale-caad-8-2015/

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/212703-merida-scultura-evo-905/

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/214968-specialised-allez-20142015-shimano-105/

 

Either way you should be fine to get sorted straight off BikeHub.