MtB SA: (frames site) The good stuff

Ganora, WP
Once again the 4X4 route rules! (That is for mountain bikes) A circular 34km jeeptrack leads you atop an escarp through river beds and includes 500m's worth of altitude difference. Yes you got it, some bitching downhill. Beyond scenic, this is a mountainous Karoo. The views surpass one another as you traverse the full circle along the crest of the surrounding mountain.

There are springbok, ribbok & kudu on the land. The riding could get a tad sandy in places in summer. Generally speaking it is more of a winter destination. Get ready for that sodden shoe feeling if attempting the route after rain. The river crossings will get you wet.

Duweltjie (thorn) country. You would be better off using protection. I went without because I dislike liner or slime and I pushed back onto the werf (farm yard).

A view from the fossil cave

Watch out for snakebites on the descent. Those shaly Karoo rocks chow sidewalls before you can say Pofadder (tata omkhulu of man s nightmares). Speaking of which, keep an eye out for those on the broken ground.

For the experienced mountain biker. Go equipped and preferably use a full-suspension bicycle. Availability of water depends on circumstances. There are shorter routes for the less experienced mountain biker.

Getting there: 7 Kilometres from Nieu Bethesda on the road to Middleburg. The turn-off is well signposted.
Accommodation: JP & Hester Steynberg have a cottage for hire. The traditional plaaswerf (farmstead) is a prime example of a working Karoo farm. The Steynbergs have a few thousand Dohne merino sheep on the farm. The shearing time is busy & interesting.

This is the traditional farm yard/cottages

Ganora is also frequented because it's fossil & San Bushman heritage. Fossils are so abundant that they regularly host specialists who come to chip & tap in the veld. Different strokes, but hey, I have seen weirder. Speaking of things normal: The Owl House in town is one of South Africas premier cultural destinations. Helen Martins art is a testament to the virtues of isolation & imagination.

Bushman San paintings on the rocks

Look at their site to see more. Or alternately E-mail or phone JP & Hester on 049 8411302.

And so dear readers I implore you to make that call. Think of sanity, think of freedom. Have a happy mid Winter break.

Philip Grutter
Indola MTB Apparel adventurer

SHAUN'S VIRTUAL PARADISE - all the stuff you never wanted to know...

Oi!
Back at last, and ready to rumble. Thought we might as well start off with an old pic. Take a close look and you might just see the first Giant ATX1 in South Africa, and the original Indola riding top and worst of all - check out that fro! Things have certainly changed since those dodgy old days, except for Simons shocking taste in music maybe.

We have had a nice long break, but now its back to work - and are you in for some surprises! Everyone who partakes in my survey can now win the featured CD - so remember to include your e-mail address. Otherwise, the regular old reviews are back - enjoy them.

MUSIC:

MTV
EXTREME

A disc aimed at what the MTV guys think us extreme guys listen to. Bah! We all love Rob Zombie - they should know that. But in reality they have actually hit the nail on the head. All the tracks on the CD are awesome. Moby and Fatboy Slim are my fav's - the double CD has all the electronica and easy listening anyone would need, making this my compilation of 2001 (so far). As a bonus everyone who heard it wanted it - so obviously we all dont like old Rob then, do we. Top honours for this compilation!

PRICE: R 169,99
5 out of 5
MOVIE:

PEARL HARBOUR

Here comes another Titanic size epic - and actually there are a number of similarities. Both have sinking ships, both take forever to get to the point, and most importantly (for the studios) both will stay at the theatres for months. This is THE big movie for 2001, so do not miss it. As the title suggests, the movie revolves around Japans bombing of the American naval base at Pearl Harbour during WW2. I cannot remember any actors names, except that one of the opening aerial scenes rates as the best movie footage I have seen. Despite all the special effects - I left yawning. Brilliant, but in the documentary sense.

SHOWING: right now!
4 out of 5
OPINION POLL:

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MAGAZINE:

M B U K

These guys are just too good at what they do. It must take months of fore planning and tonnes of photographs - but the end result is brilliant. The mag is just jam packed full of riding tips, profiles, photos and best of all product reviews. Get a copy today and learn something! Its better than Playboy! Pity about the price though, but it still gets full marks - cause its just sooo damn good!

PRICE: R 62,99
5 out of 5
MTB EVENT:

Piccy DITROPIA

This is what mountain biking is meant to be about! An entire weekend of just riding and schmoozing with people who want to do nothing but ride and talk about bikes. It certainly got better this year, and a whole lot bigger - you should see the campsite. Almost every conceiveable event - but commercialism does tend to ruin somethings - take the bike polo for example. Otherwise, this is highly recommended. Check their pic (and website with more) out and be there next year.

CHECK OUT: www.dirtopia.co.za
4 out of 5
MUNCHIES:

Piccy LIQUIFRUIT
BERRY BLAZE

The new flavour has been out for while now, and I first tried it in Pietermaritzburg last year. Initial taste tests put this between raspberry and orange juice - but the more you have the better it tastes. The great packaging and handy attached straw are great when you are taking a lot of juice along for either a roadtrip or camping spree. Shelf life is excellent and you can even pallet the stuff warm - a bonus! (ever tried hot RedBull?). Although I must say there are better flavours - so thats were the stars went...

PRICE: R2,99
3 out of 5
MORON:

GEORGE BUSH

This man really needs a good smack. Although I do not agree with his cold-war theories and other mumble jumble, shutting down pristine singletrack across the states is just going to far. This monkey is killing the riding Stateside which can only be bad for the entire industry. He wins 5 MORON stars!
5 out of 5

REALLY, REALLY GOOD LINKS TO CHECK OUT!

Send us your link and we can put it up for the entire planet to see! Its not too often that a really good South African site comes along - but check out this months HOT site and let us know what you think.

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