Took a ride up to Nylsvlei Nature reserve this weekend. I left my bicycle at the restaurant and my stepson left his motor bike there also. We took a walk in the reserve to do some birding.
Lunch rest after a long walk
Breakfast the next morning.
Camp from another angle.
Camped the night at the farm where I live.
Had a good ride in some nice hills of the Waterberg. Did 220 km all together. That is counting 105 km from the Nylstroom side down a fair amount of dirt road. Some stony stretchers and other sandy patches.
Then there was about 18 km riding around the farm.
Came back home past Naboomspruit and Cresy.
Down hill to Naboomspruit. With Springbok flats stretching out in the distance
Was very disappointed to see the tar road that was ripped up by a contractor who ran out of money or was it ran away with the money. Ripped the tar road up in about 2011 has not even been taken to court or the government has not got another contractor to retar the road. There is about 5 km of dirt road now. It used to be one of the main roads to transport grain, fertilizer and other goods out and in of the Springbok flats. Now transport company’s have to use other longer routes.
Can see what road looked like before it was ripped up. This piece of road was left untouched
Road after been ripped up.
Cannot say too much about the fishing. Did not even get a bite. We tried all different baits, worms and lures.
As can be seen from the pictures it was in a lovely setting. The winter temperatures are on their way in. Night was a little cool (6 degrees celsius) and day time temperature going up to 30 degrees celsius.
Well there are lots of nice off-road places in the Waterberg. Game farming is reclaiming the bush and cultivated lands are returning to bush.
Africa is at Gautengs door step. Malaria free and close to the big cities.
On my bicycle for the long weekend to another farmers farm in the Waterberg. Plan is to cycle there and do some fishing and camping for the weekend. Then ride back home on Monday. Not to many km for the weekend. It should be about 160 km. Will get a chance to test the heart rate monitor out on a longer road. Will be interesting to see what it does to my over all time and different terrain covered.
My step son and his wife will be going on his motor bike. Well it promises to be a bit of a caveman weekend. No shaving and just hanging out by the fire and river.
Will bring back some pictures of Africa and life in the outdoors of South Africa. Looking at posting again on Tuesday next week.
Take a look at the back ground to get an idea of what scenery is like.
Start of race
Chapmans peak
Sukerbossie
I did not post a post this weekend as I took a long weekend to visit my sister. I did 332 km by bicycle for the weekend.I will post a few photos.
![20140323_140142[1]](https://longdaysafaris.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140323_1401421.jpg)
Had to cross a few mud puddles. I landed up been covered in mud. Some were a foot deep.
![20140323_130518[1]](https://longdaysafaris.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140323_1305181.jpg)
I will not try my luck going through this fence, if there are lions in this game farm.
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Stopped to take photos
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No doubt they are serious. Just wonder how this sign will help in court if they did shoot a person
![20140321_112118[1]](https://longdaysafaris.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140321_1121181.jpg)
Highveld of South Africa. My view at lunch time.
![20140321_104504[1]](https://longdaysafaris.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140321_1045041.jpg)
Highveld. My lunch time view.
![20140321_104445[1]](https://longdaysafaris.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20140321_1044451.jpg)
Bicycle also had to take a rest at lunch time.
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
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.
The second time I took the Titanic out for a ride was on the farm where I live. Well that brown dog in the photo was running with me. He decided it was time to stop and look me in the eye. Well there was not enough time to stop the Titanic or to change the course. I hit him in the middle. He just gave one small yelp and carried on running. As for me nearly broke my arm. Arm has been out of use for two days now. Hope it will have mended before my trip to Malawi.
Saturday 30/11/2013 I went to collect my new bicycle. A new Titan sport 29er size XL. Had my cleats moved over from my old Mongoose. Put some bar ends on. Moved cycle computer over. Mounted two bottle holders and my pump. By this time it was dusk and was fixed on taking it for its maiden voyage. Got geared up and took the photo.
Think I will have to call it the Titanic. It was 14 km into the planed 35 km round trip when it started to get dark. So I was putting on my head lamp just as I hit a big rock at the start of the road works. I took a good roll, surprising just a few scratches on the back. I was going about 25km/h. The Titanic however got a puncture, saddle came loose and the chain came off. In the light once I got home it looks like it did not get any further damage. Will have to check the wheel alignment, to see there is no dent in the rim.
In the dark, patched two holes and knowing that they did not look like they were going to hold I turned back the way I had come, as it was the shortest route home. I had to stop three times to pump the wheel in the 14 km back home. Then there was the snake I nearly rode over and a porcupine that crossed the road in front of me.
When I was looking at the bicycle in the shop, I had said to Jimmy the owner, that I will have to change the tyres. I did not think they would hold out in Africa. Well, there you have it, on the maiden voyage they gave in. I would like to put Maxxis crossmark on. This is what I have on my Mongoose. They did Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Not even a puncture on that trip and back home the thorns have given them a good go (I live in the African Savanah, lots of thorn trees).
Anybody got some comments on the best tyre they have used?
Long day safaris 