Hi,

For those of you (like me) who like a bit of comfort at sleep time,
I have found an inflatable pillow you can buy from Cape Union
Mart (one of the outdoor shops here in SA) for only R20. Its small
and compact, so should not take up to much of your 20kg allowance.

Cheers

Willie


--- In gwcbr@yahoogroups.com, "Michelle Dubrowin" <michelled@...>
wrote:
>
> Pillows are not needed and a complete waste of time – you will be
so
> exhausted from all the pedaling and partying and sightseeing that
you won't
> even notice the rocks – seriously though – I do what a lot of
campers do and
> bring a pillow slip and put my fleecy jumper and whatever in it
and then it
> is just like a pillow without the extra weight – and when I forget
the
> pillow slip I just use a t-shirt.
>
>
>
> Michelle Dubrowin
>
> Great Event Company
>
>
HYPERLINK "http://www.greateventcompany.com"www.greateventcompany.com
>
>
>
> Australia-+61 419 928 771
>
>
>
> We aspire to a place where people work on projects that improve
other's
> lives.  We love bicycles and cycling.  Imagine people's lives if
they rode
> their bicycle more: their health and fitness, the environment, the
impact on
> infrastructure, the economic ease of transport, the freedom,
through the
> pure enjoyment of cycling.
>
>
>
>
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>

--- In gwcbr@yahoogroups.com, "mandy_g_m" <mandy.home.email@...> wrote:
>
> Hi there,
>
> I'm doing the ride on my own and was wondering whether there was
anyone
> else out there planning on doing the same. If so, please drop me a
note.
>
> I live in Centurion (Pretoria).
>
> Mandy.
>

Hi Mandy - I'm also going alone. My brother "chickened" out so it'll
be a great week away from work, kids and the rat race. I'm from JHB so
see you there!!

hi there aussies!

the best sim to buy is the vodacom one (maybe i'm biased, i have been
a happy customer of theirs since 1998...) , but get it at a
supermarket such as Pick 'n Pay and it will cost you R2. two rand. the
packs are on sale at the tills, next to the chocolates and
magazines... it is very easy and quick to activate them, full
instruictions are in the pack.

the cell phone shops sell the exact same thing but it costs a lot
more. go figure. the sim card comes with a 6 month incoming window,
you just need to buy outgoing airtime. Airtime is available from a
variety of stores, including the small convenience stores (that we
call cafés), or vending machines.

(for the record, there are now 4 mobile service providers in SA)

:)

Linda

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Rrrriiiggghhhtttt.... I'll get my IT friends to work that one out for
me. Like skype for instance. Sounds like texting is the way to go,
with a new SIM card. I'm not just a Luddite about telecommunications -
I see things like bring spare spokes and other accoutrements for the
bike which I've never clapped eyes on, and go 'yipes!!'. Learning
curve, here I come!

--- In gwcbr@yahoogroups.com, "Michelle Dubrowin" <michelled@...> wrote:
>
> You can get a sim card at the airport which doesn't cost too much.
You have
> a choice btw mtn and vodacom.  Both will have pretty good coverage
over the
> route and do fine – vodacom may be a smidge betta.  The costs of
mobile are
> much the same as Aus except international calls are v/expensive, txt is
> pretty cheap and the least expensive way for friends and rels to
communicate
> with you is for them to set up skype out and to phone on skype to SA
then on
> the mobile network to your mobile.  This will still cost the usual
mobile
> rate and to get it super cheap then you need to get to a land line
and have
> them skype out – this can be like 2 cents per minute or something
wonderful.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
>
>
>
>
> Paul McKay
>
> Great Event Company
>
> Australian Mobile – +61 425 796 001
>
> South African Cell - +27 83 333 8416
>
> www.greateventcompany.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
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> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.5/426 - Release Date:
8/23/2006
>

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I have found that a mixture of Fissan's Paste (used for baby's bums),
and normal vaseline, in a 80/20 ratio works well for ensuring an
enjoyable ride, especially if you are not used to a number of
continuous days in the saddle.

Safe cycling

Wayne

--- In gwcbr@yahoogroups.com, "mandy_g_m" <mandy.home.email@...> wrote:
>
> Hi there,
>
> I'm doing the ride on my own and was wondering whether there was
anyone
> else out there planning on doing the same. If so, please drop me a
note.
>
> I live in Centurion (Pretoria).
>
> Mandy.
>
Hi Mandy

As Michelle has said , many new friends are going to be formed during
this tour.I think it is going to be awesome.I live in Northcliff area,
and most of my mates are green with envy.

Safe cycling



Wayne

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Anyone got suggestions for bringing (or getting) a mobile phone (cell
phone) without it costing an arm and leg? I had an horrendously
expensive experience taking mine to Vietnam - had to change provider.

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this is going to be fun! i just went to the cape town info evening and
i am REALLY sorry for all the people who haven't signed up...

i am from cape town southern suburbs and am doing the ride with a
friend   but don't expect him to nursemaid me as he is waaay fitter
than i am... i am inexperienced in cycling but have done quite a few
road races (running/walking) and love meeting new people along the way
& chatting to them.

i am thrilled to se there will be Aussies coming along! i am more than
happy to help out with any regional info that might be required..

dressing in layers is the only way to go, the weather in the cape can
be extremely variable. november is usualy not cold but it CAN be.
nights can be chilly, it usually gets nice and warm during the day but
not humid.

sun lotion factor 8 is too low unless you REALLY want to be tanned by
the end of the week. i use the maximum, that blocks out as much UV as
possible like factor 30, the thick smeary kind. a stick of mosquito
repellent is probably a good idea, as well as a snug jacket for night
time. (doubles as a pillow)

bye

Linda

Hey Mandy!!!

Cool Stuff! Im also going alone! Live in Randburg (jhb)

Adi




--- In gwcbr@yahoogroups.com, "mandy_g_m" <mandy.home.email@...> wrote:
>
> Hi there,
>
> I'm doing the ride on my own and was wondering whether there was
anyone
> else out there planning on doing the same. If so, please drop me a
note.
>
> I live in Centurion (Pretoria).
>
> Mandy.
>

Hi there,

I'm doing the ride on my own and was wondering whether there was anyone
else out there planning on doing the same. If so, please drop me a note.

I live in Centurion (Pretoria).

Mandy.

Hi,

I find it best to dress in layers that can be easily removed. Even
without stopping. Get a thermal vest, one that wicks - Peleton1 make
a very good one. It dries in about 10 minutes as well.
Instead of getting a long sleeved top use those arm warmers. Then if
you get hot just pull them down to your wrists. Over your top wear a
sleeveless wind breaker. Also works well to keep you warm and takes
up very little space.
Also use leg warmers rather than long legged knicks. Get good gloves
as well, and even if you don't use cleats, get riding shoes. The ones
that look line normal hiking books. Specialized have a good range.
You need a stiff sole if you don't want to kill your feet. I also use
a head scarf as my head gets very sunburnt through my helmet.

Rich


-- In gwcbr@yahoogroups.com, "wattle60" <wattle60@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks for advice so far, now for clothes. (If there's any room in
my
> luggage once I've packed all the crockery, bike gear and
accessories,
> mat, sleeping bag and pillow that I just know I'm going to
need ....).
> My reading indicates temperatures in low 20s(C) as maximum. If this
is
> correct, I guess capri length knicks and long-sleeved but light
> jerseys will be okay? I did a ride here in Oz in that gear recently
at
> 24-29 degrees and it was comfortable - not humid here tho.
>

Had sunscreen on my list (30+ for us; we live in the sun cancer
capital of the world) but what about flies? Shall we need repellant?

We have a very high UV index in South Africa.Dont forget a suitable
sunscreen as November can be rather warm. Something with a factor of
about 8 or above should suffice to avoid "lobster syndrome."

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Thanks for advice so far, now for clothes. (If there's any room in my
luggage once I've packed all the crockery, bike gear and accessories,
mat, sleeping bag and pillow that I just know I'm going to need ....).
My reading indicates temperatures in low 20s(C) as maximum. If this is
correct, I guess capri length knicks and long-sleeved but light
jerseys will be okay? I did a ride here in Oz in that gear recently at
24-29 degrees and it was comfortable - not humid here tho.

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Hi there, I am from Cape Town and the southern suburbs, are there any
more people doing the ride.......

Hi, I'm from Brisbane and going on the ride. Ditto questions from Rich
+ pillow needed?
cheers
Robyn
PS thanks Christo for this group!!!

--- In gwcbr@yahoogroups.com, "rich_jenz" <rdodd1@...> wrote:
>
> Are you planning on having some information sessions in Australia
> <joke> and assuming the answer will be no, can someone answer the
> following.
>
> Are there any other riders from Australia participating ?
>
> I have taken the option of having by bike delivered to George
> assembled. Will the bike be in a ridable condition with only seta
> height and bar ends to be added etc ?
>
> I have also taken the option of having my tent assembled by the 'Tent
> Angels' (yes, this is a holiday and yes I am lazy)but does the tent
> come complete with mattress and sleeping bag for my partner and I, or
> do we need to bring our own mattress and sleeping bag.
>
> Any other helpfull hints to help out ?
>

Are you planning on having some information sessions in Australia
<joke> and assuming the answer will be no, can someone answer the
following.

Are there any other riders from Australia participating ?

I have taken the option of having by bike delivered to George
assembled. Will the bike be in a ridable condition with only seta
height and bar ends to be added etc ?

I have also taken the option of having my tent assembled by the 'Tent
Angels' (yes, this is a holiday and yes I am lazy)but does the tent
come complete with mattress and sleeping bag for my partner and I, or
do we need to bring our own mattress and sleeping bag.

Any other helpfull hints to help out ?

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Physical address, and perhaps a map of the location of the Start
venue, and Camping Ground Venue in George may be useful to all
participants.

Hi all

To get the discussion group going (and so that the early birds
will have something to find in the message archive) I forward
some of the questions raised at the recent road shows in Cape
Town and Johannesburg, together with Paul McKay's answers.  These
will be added to the event FAQ available at the official website:
http://www.greateventcompany.com/topic.php?a=8


Do I need to bring my own plate and cutlery?

Yes you do.  We shall provide the meals and serve these onto your
plate, bowl and cups.  We recommend an inexpensive plastic or tin
set and we will have some facilities for you to wash your gear.
So you will need a plate, bowl, mug and cutlery set.


Will the campsite in George be open early?

Yes it will certainly be open on Thursday and Friday evenings.
This will be managed by the local community and there will be a
small charge.  We will email and upload the details and booking
process when finalized.


How many people will there be on the ride?

At the close of entries we had around 800 people enter the event
so based on previous experience we guesstimate there will be
around 1000 riders on the first ride - woo hoo - that's
incredible.


What happens if I get a puncture?

We recommend all touring cyclists carry at least a puncture
repair kit, tool kit (there are some fantastic ones available
these days), spare tube, a few spokes.  If you are in a group you
might even pile the fittest rider with some extra bits - cables,
crank set tool, chain, cassette/cluster tools.  We will have a
mini bike shop at each campsite and some roving mechanics during
the day.  However it is not like the Tour de France and you wont
have a car following where a sublimely skilled mechanic jumps out
of a car and whips on the perfect replacement - you may have to
wait sometimes an hour or two by the time we can get the cavalry
to you.


Can you help me with transport at the end of the ride?

We undertake to help you get from Outeniqua Park in George to the
beach at Table View.  At the end we will have your bag waiting
and a hearty handshake (and we are happy to join you for a
celebratory frothy) and then we hope to see you next year.  In
some cases we may be able to help but don't rely on us.


Can the tent fairies put up my tent?

No - we have a standard tent with all the same poles and set up
to make it easy for the team of fairies (what is the collective
name for fairies - perhaps a fantasy of fairies eh).  The problem
with different tents with different poles and construction
requirements is that you can bet one of the fantasy will join the
C pole to the F pole and ...


Cheers

Christo