Cape Argus cycle tour

Posted on Mar 13, 2014 by krfarmer

What a nice weekend I had. Rode my first ever cycle race. The Cape Argus cycle tour is the biggest timed race in the world. There was over 36000 entrance. 31046 finished within the cut off time. It takes place on the Southern tip of Africa. Starting and finishing in Cape town. Route is 109 km passing through some of the most scenic parts on the cape peninsular. Having lots of hills and sometimes strong winds. Locals line the streets and encourage you on your way.

Cyclists waiting in check in holding area

Adriaan and I at the check in holding area

Behind me at start

In front of me at start. This is the OA starting group

Entered in Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour

Posted on Feb 12, 2014 by krfarmer

My boss Kobus and the vets from CS vet have been pushing me to do the Cape Argus race. I tried to wriggle out of it as I have not ridden a cycle race yet. Well they got it right and I received an email from the organizers that said the following.

You are now entered for the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour taking place on 9 March 2014.
Website: http://www.cycletour.co.za

The Cycle Tour forms part of the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Lifecycle Week and is organised by the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust.\

Now all I must do is ride, as there are sponsors that covered the entry fee, hotel and cycle clothing. There are some others from our farm that will be ridding also. I am looking for a 6 hour time over the 109 km distance. However some say I should be able to do it under 5 hours. I will be ridding my mountain bike so do not expect such a good time as the people who ride road bikes. Follow this blog to see how this goes down.

Few photo’s from Malawi

Posted on Feb 1, 2014 by krfarmer

Domwe Island Lake Malawi(Niasa). Rented a kayak and spend two nights here. Had a good rest on the hammock on front of tent. Did some snorkeling in the lake.

Planning next big adventure

Posted on Feb 1, 2014 by krfarmer

I have been asked a number of times, where you going next? Lets put it out there. Before going to Malawi, I was thinking of doing Johannesburg to Windhoek. Now that I have been to Malawi, I have been thinking to go some were in South Africa. Are there any trips that somebody would like to do? The next adventure I would like to do with other cyclists. Is there anybody that would like to join in an adventure?

Home from Malawi

Posted on Jan 19, 2014 by krfarmer

Well this was a fast moving trip. The wheels of the bus pushed me deep into Africa. First leg was up to Lilongwe Malawi. The bus straight to Karonga did not run anymore so had to take one to Mzuzu. From there took a mini bus taxi to Karango. At one time there was 19 people plus bicycle and all their luggage. My back wheel was hanging by a string from the mirror on the back of the taxi. Then there was a rope with fish hanging from the two windscreen wipers.

Well for more details of trip go to bicycle trip page. I will be posting actual costs and distances done there. I will also be posting pictures there once I have condensed them.

malawi on my bicycle

Posted on Jan 6, 2014 by krfarmer

I have tried to down load pictures from my cell. They do not want to go on my media file. I only have my samsung galaxy s4 active with me on my trip. So when I get home on 20th January I will post them. Well it has been a wonderfull trip so far. Only a few small deviations to trip plan.

Well crossing three African borders in less than 48 hours is a book on its own. I had a clean pass but other passengers had to pay bribes and import duties.

Bus and taxi rides in malawi is amazingly simple. Never the less to a person that gets around on their own car it can be a little nerve racking.

Took 4 days by bicycle, bus, train then 2 buses and finally a small high ace taxi to get to starting point.

Karongo malawi is a dusty town with more bicycles in it than I have ever seen in africa.

On to chitimba camp. Nice cheap get away on the beach. They have about 12000 visitors a year as the overland tour operators stop here.

Then on to mzuzu over the monster of a hill, rising more than 800 m. Not to mention the ups and downs along the way. I am now sleeping at Mzuzu after 130 km on this road. Temperatures rising to 43 at on time. I also met another couple from the Netherlands on the road. They had been on the road from Namibia then Zambia and now Malawi. They had previously worked here so know people and the area.

Sorry for the poor typing but phone does not do it as well as a computer. I will keep you up to date as best I can.

Trip to Vaalwater via Alma in Limpopo province

Posted on Nov 10, 2013 by krfarmer

I rode 240 km this weekend on my bicycle. I had heard lots about the town Alma. However did discover it is just a T junction with a bottle store, grain silo, primary school and a squatter’s camp. The road to get there is not recommended to cycle best done with a bakkie (pick up) or a 4X4 vehicle. This is the end of sand road to Alma. Only the T junction was tar.

On to Vaalwater. Nice new tar road with some monster hills. At the camp site I was told that cyclists come to train on these hills for the Cape Augus race.

Feels like Africa begins here. Take note of the following signs just before town.

It is a sandy town that wants to grow but with the lack of employment opportunities. Thus many houses standing empty. All along the main road biltong shops advertise. Looks like biltong and game animals are the main export of this area.

I tested out some weight saving strategies on this trip. Cut tent pegs by half. Crocs (light Chines ones) for time off of bicycle. Cut unnecessary tools. Cut down on traveling with food, ate at restaurant and stopped at shops for food. Mounted solar panel on Velcro (to charge cell phone and camera) for places where there is no electricity. Pouch to hold cell and camera.

On the way I passed Modimolle and dropped in at the bicycle shop to see what needs to be done to my bicycle for the trip to Malawi. Also looked at camping shop to see if there are lighter tents.

All in all think it was a very good trip. For those of you, light is much better. Lighter load made the ride much more pleasurable. Well there is room for more weight saving for me.