Ride Where Champions Race: Join the songo.info Champions Race in Kayamandi

[two hands]

On 3/11/2026 at 1:52 PM, BuffsVintageBikes said:

By having police security

I go into Kayamandi weekly. And I have done so for the better part of 15 years. Never had police security accompany me. Never had anything stolen. Neither has Christoph. I genuinely have no idea what you're talking about...

However, I can understand your decision not to support the event if you have had a bad experience outside Kayamandi. That is your choice. And I respect it.

I have invited you before (last year, I think, after a similar comment about the event) to come and experience it for yourself. The offer still stands. And I will extend it to any Hubber willing to get out of their comfort zone. At any time, not just during the Champions Race, where, yes, we have security, mostly for crowd control and to make sure the kids don't run onto the race course on their way home from school. It's the same level of security required by local municipalities and insurance companies for any organised event. I had a Wahoo bike computer handed into me after it came off one of the pro rider's bike on course.

I'm genuinely sorry you have had a traumatic experience near or in Kayamandi. But wouldn't you agree that supporting an initiative that feeds and educates the community youth every day, gives them a safe space to learn and play after school and supports them in developing a passion for the sport we all love is a step towards reducing the type of crime you seem to blame them for? songo.info is dedicated to providing resources in a very neglected part of Stellenbosch so these kids grow up to be healthy, balanced adults who contribute in a positive way to their community and see a world full of opportunity. And seize it. Not just become another statistic at the hands of a failed education system and historic disadvantage. 

If you want to be angry, shout at the police, change your politicians. Don't blame the kids in a hostile township for their circumstances...

Anyway, if you're courageous enough to have your perception of songo.info changed, and understand the challenges that the Kayamandi community faces, I am here. Offering you a safe, guided tour of the clubhouse, BMX track, kitchen and classrooms that provide hope for 150 kids every day.

 

[BMCfan]

22 minutes ago, two hands said:

I go into Kayamandi weekly. And I have done so for the better part of 15 years. Never had police security accompany me. Never had anything stolen. Neither has Christoph. I genuinely have no idea what you're talking about...

However, I can understand your decision not to support the event if you have had a bad experience outside Kayamandi. That is your choice. And I respect it.

I have invited you before (last year, I think, after a similar comment about the event) to come and experience it for yourself. The offer still stands. And I will extend it to any Hubber willing to get out of their comfort zone. At any time, not just during the Champions Race, where, yes, we have security, mostly for crowd control and to make sure the kids don't run onto the race course on their way home from school. It's the same level of security required by local municipalities and insurance companies for any organised event. I had a Wahoo bike computer handed into me after it came off one of the pro rider's bike on course.

I'm genuinely sorry you have had a traumatic experience near or in Kayamandi. But wouldn't you agree that supporting an initiative that feeds and educates the community youth every day, gives them a safe space to learn and play after school and supports them in developing a passion for the sport we all love is a step towards reducing the type of crime you seem to blame them for? songo.info is dedicated to providing resources in a very neglected part of Stellenbosch so these kids grow up to be healthy, balanced adults who contribute in a positive way to their community and see a world full of opportunity. And seize it. Not just become another statistic at the hands of a failed education system and historic disadvantage. 

If you want to be angry, shout at the police, change your politicians. Don't blame the kids in a hostile township for their circumstances...

Anyway, if you're courageous enough to have your perception of songo.info changed, and understand the challenges that the Kayamandi community faces, I am here. Offering you a safe, guided tour of the clubhouse, BMX track, kitchen and classrooms that provide hope for 150 kids every day.

 

Nic

 

I love your work, and always have! Not just with songo.ingo

(and i have thought about taking this offline and chat to you directly)

I don't blame the kids of or the academy, and i cant talk on behalf of BuffsVintageBikes, but im sure that's also not what he means. 

Now take the following in consideration

1) Stellenbosch Entry/Exit

a) R304 - Khayamandi

b) R44 - Cloetesville

c) R44 - Somerset West

d) Devonvalley

e) Polkadraai

f) Helshoogte

On all of these there were incidents the last year (maybe by exclusion Polka, but definitely in the past)

2) Stellenbosch Business

a) Specialized

b) Canyon Cafe

c) Versus

d) I can list a lot more!

 

 

With that in mind:

I have no influence in votes in Stellenbosch as i stay in Durbanville.

But i decided to vote with my wallet (and yes, my wallet doesn't mean much). If the businesses in Stellies cant stand together and put pressure on local authorities, they will have to do without my coffee money, no spending at their bikeshops and no donations or support for their community projects.

 

 

I guess what I am asking is support in making Stellenbosch safe for all of us, before something more serious happens to one of 'us cyclist'.

Heaven forbids is happens to any of Stellies' international guests.

 

 

This is by no means a post looking for a fight or taking a dig at anyone, more a cry for help and hope our industry leaders and person with influence can step up and stand together to help

 

[ChrisF]

On 3/11/2026 at 1:50 PM, DieselnDust said:

I was planning to go through this arvie, but its 44degrees in century City and 35in Muizenberg....

I'm heading to the beach. See you in the douches

 

Was around 40 degrees in Stellenbosch.  Strange hot spots, betwee 36 and 43 degrees ....

 

Have to agree with @BuffsVintageBikes .....well said

[two hands]

3 hours ago, BMCfan said:

Nic

 

I love your work, and always have! Not just with songo.ingo

(and i have thought about taking this offline and chat to you directly)

I don't blame the kids of or the academy, and i cant talk on behalf of BuffsVintageBikes, but im sure that's also not what he means. 

Now take the following in consideration

1) Stellenbosch Entry/Exit

a) R304 - Khayamandi

b) R44 - Cloetesville

c) R44 - Somerset West

d) Devonvalley

e) Polkadraai

f) Helshoogte

On all of these there were incidents the last year (maybe by exclusion Polka, but definitely in the past)

2) Stellenbosch Business

a) Specialized

b) Canyon Cafe

c) Versus

d) I can list a lot more!

 

 

With that in mind:

I have no influence in votes in Stellenbosch as i stay in Durbanville.

But i decided to vote with my wallet (and yes, my wallet doesn't mean much). If the businesses in Stellies cant stand together and put pressure on local authorities, they will have to do without my coffee money, no spending at their bikeshops and no donations or support for their community projects.

 

 

I guess what I am asking is support in making Stellenbosch safe for all of us, before something more serious happens to one of 'us cyclist'.

Heaven forbids is happens to any of Stellies' international guests.

 

 

This is by no means a post looking for a fight or taking a dig at anyone, more a cry for help and hope our industry leaders and person with influence can step up and stand together to help

 

I'd love to chat about this over a coffee, or a beer. Better still, a ride and a coffee/beer!

And I get it. I really do. I'm no saint, and I certainly don't have answers to the safety issue – which plays out in so many communities across this country. We lost one of songo.info's brightest graduates to tsotsis on New Years Day in 2024. It effects everyone. There are no quick fixes. The root cause is so complex it's not going to be solved here.

Something has to change, and I'm heavily invested in just one small way to initiate change. Is it the right way? I have no idea, its a way. All I know is we have had a material impact on the education outcomes for the kids in our care. There are less kids on the street because of us. There are more matriculants in Kayamandi because of songo.info. There are more students from Kayamandi at Stellenbosch University because of this organisation. All the research points to the quality and level of a person's education opening up opportunities to a better life and lifting people out of poverty and crime. So that's where we start. Feed kids. Tutor them. Ride bikes.

Are there other ways to initiate chnage? Sure. Boycotting a charity race in Kayamandi is also a way. Voting with your hard-earned dollars is also totally valid. And I genuinely respect your right to do that.

Just please reserve judgement about an entire community until you've spent some time talking to people here.

[two hands]

On 3/11/2026 at 1:50 PM, DieselnDust said:

I was planning to go through this arvie, but its 44degrees in century City and 35in Muizenberg....

I'm heading to the beach. See you in the douches

This was an excellent call. I felt like I was being boiled alive setting up at midday 🥵

[ChrisF]

11 hours ago, BMCfan said:

Nic

 

I love your work, and always have! Not just with songo.ingo

(and i have thought about taking this offline and chat to you directly)

I don't blame the kids of or the academy, and i cant talk on behalf of BuffsVintageBikes, but im sure that's also not what he means. 

Now take the following in consideration

1) Stellenbosch Entry/Exit

a) R304 - Khayamandi

b) R44 - Cloetesville

c) R44 - Somerset West

d) Devonvalley

e) Polkadraai

f) Helshoogte

On all of these there were incidents the last year (maybe by exclusion Polka, but definitely in the past)

2) Stellenbosch Business

a) Specialized

b) Canyon Cafe

c) Versus

d) I can list a lot more!

 

 

With that in mind:

I have no influence in votes in Stellenbosch as i stay in Durbanville.

But i decided to vote with my wallet (and yes, my wallet doesn't mean much). If the businesses in Stellies cant stand together and put pressure on local authorities, they will have to do without my coffee money, no spending at their bikeshops and no donations or support for their community projects.

 

 

I guess what I am asking is support in making Stellenbosch safe for all of us, before something more serious happens to one of 'us cyclist'.

Heaven forbids is happens to any of Stellies' international guests.

 

 

This is by no means a post looking for a fight or taking a dig at anyone, more a cry for help and hope our industry leaders and person with influence can step up and stand together to help

 

 

The two of us have met up to and from Stellenbosch rides over a number of yrars .... but not in the last six months .... simply because I can not brazingly risk my life on a bicycle past Cloetesville ..... 

 

So yes, my wallet is also closed off to Stellenbosch.  Take a few hundred of us per weekend and it adds up ....

 

The irony, this hits close to home .... family owns a nice spot on top of Hellshoogte.... 

 

7 hours ago, two hands said:

I'd love to chat about this over a coffee, or a beer. Better still, a ride and a coffee/beer!

And I get it. I really do. I'm no saint, and I certainly don't have answers to the safety issue – which plays out in so many communities across this country. We lost one of songo.info's brightest graduates to tsotsis on New Years Day in 2024. It effects everyone. There are no quick fixes. The root cause is so complex it's not going to be solved here.

Something has to change, and I'm heavily invested in just one small way to initiate change. Is it the right way? I have no idea, its a way. All I know is we have had a material impact on the education outcomes for the kids in our care. There are less kids on the street because of us. There are more matriculants in Kayamandi because of songo.info. There are more students from Kayamandi at Stellenbosch University because of this organisation. All the research points to the quality and level of a person's education opening up opportunities to a better life and lifting people out of poverty and crime. So that's where we start. Feed kids. Tutor them. Ride bikes.

Are there other ways to initiate chnage? Sure. Boycotting a charity race in Kayamandi is also a way. Voting with your hard-earned dollars is also totally valid. And I genuinely respect your right to do that.

Just please reserve judgement about an entire community until you've spent some time talking to people here.

 

I applaud your efforts.  For the last 30 years I have put a lot of my time into helping students and young engineers.  Thee most satisfying thing to see a person grow and become siccessful industry leader.

 

Your task of getting kids off the streets into the educational system is a noble task .... likely their only way to a better socio-economic situation.

 

BUT ... and the irony is heavy on this one ...... its the very kids that slipped through your fingers that are attacking us and stealing our bikes ...

 

 

My brain and my emotions are conflicted on this one .... every time that we have to re-route our rides around these danger zones your good kids loose our support ...  a very sad reality

 

Let's hope Stellenbosch steps up safety and security on the access routes ... its that "easy" to buy back support from the cycling community

[Reg Lizard]

Read through this and see for yourself how often Kayamandi is mentioned. Then tell me how this makes you feel-

https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/32361-cape-town-danger-areas/?do=getNewComment

 

 

 

[BuffsVintageBikes]

@two hands Chris has pretty much summed up how I feel about this issue so I don't have much more to add. I also ride for a local NPO that raises funds for those in desperate need of assistance so I get where you're coming from. My gripe isn't with the kids or the entire community, it's with the bad elements in that community that are using the good elements to shelter themselves.
While you might go in there daily, you're naive if you don't think you're a possible target at any time of the day, that's just a reality is SA.

 

 

[droo]

17 hours ago, two hands said:

I go into Kayamandi weekly. And I have done so for the better part of 15 years. Never had police security accompany me. Never had anything stolen. Neither has Christoph. I genuinely have no idea what you're talking about...

However, I can understand your decision not to support the event if you have had a bad experience outside Kayamandi. That is your choice. And I respect it.

I have invited you before (last year, I think, after a similar comment about the event) to come and experience it for yourself. The offer still stands. And I will extend it to any Hubber willing to get out of their comfort zone. At any time, not just during the Champions Race, where, yes, we have security, mostly for crowd control and to make sure the kids don't run onto the race course on their way home from school. It's the same level of security required by local municipalities and insurance companies for any organised event. I had a Wahoo bike computer handed into me after it came off one of the pro rider's bike on course.

I'm genuinely sorry you have had a traumatic experience near or in Kayamandi. But wouldn't you agree that supporting an initiative that feeds and educates the community youth every day, gives them a safe space to learn and play after school and supports them in developing a passion for the sport we all love is a step towards reducing the type of crime you seem to blame them for? songo.info is dedicated to providing resources in a very neglected part of Stellenbosch so these kids grow up to be healthy, balanced adults who contribute in a positive way to their community and see a world full of opportunity. And seize it. Not just become another statistic at the hands of a failed education system and historic disadvantage. 

If you want to be angry, shout at the police, change your politicians. Don't blame the kids in a hostile township for their circumstances...

Anyway, if you're courageous enough to have your perception of songo.info changed, and understand the challenges that the Kayamandi community faces, I am here. Offering you a safe, guided tour of the clubhouse, BMX track, kitchen and classrooms that provide hope for 150 kids every day.

 

100% agree with this. You can't blame me if my neighbour is a ****, and likewise you can't blame an entire community because there are some people in it that cause issues.

I get the frustration from people who have been victims of the skollies, but I do kinda feel like it's being directed the wrong way.

[nonky]

I am not medically qualified, but the below touches a nerve.

Stockholm Syndrome is a rare, complex survival mechanism where hostages or abuse victims develop positive emotional bonds, empathy, or loyalty toward their captors / abusers.

It is caused by extreme, life-threatening, and/or prolonged trauma, victims often exhibit fear of authority, rationalise abuse, and may refuse to cooperate with rescuers. 

• Causes: It originates in situations of severe power imbalance - such as kidnappings, sex trafficking, or abusive relationships—where the victim perceives their survival as dependent on the abuser's kindness.
• Symptoms: Victims may express positive feelings toward captors, harbor negative feelings toward authorities, and experience cognitive dissonance, self-blame, and PTSD symptoms like nightmares or anxiety
  .

[Rowl]

Nothing constructive to add, just to mention international sanctions (like them or not, like the country to whom these are applied or not), get applied to the entire country across sport, financial, travel, etc. Similar scenario will play out at ground level here as well.