Obey the Rules
It is important for everyone’s enjoyment and safety, to abide with our basic ‘rules’ on any of our tours.
By riding the Tour de Boland or any of its related rides you confirm that you will assist in keeping everyone else safe, and talk to one of us if something is bothering you. We can make a plan to ensure we meet your expectations, or at worst, to adjust your expectations. By riding the Tour you confirm to understand & abide to the below ‘rules’.
Open roads
We ride on bitumen. These roads are open to all traffic. We obey all traffic rules, officials, marshals, medics and ride captains. We are courteous to all people, including on the roads, where one often finds a phenomenon known as a “driver.” They tend to be less courteous than humans, and like going fast in special transporters that make them impervious to life’s joys, i.e bicycles. We forgive them for that.
Assistance
This is a tour, not a race. There are no prizes and you may take as many shortcuts or detours as you like, BUT we can not look out for you, then. If you have a friend or mistress in a support vehicle, ensure they adhere to the route & rules, and stay far away from all riders while in convoy. Their best position is behind a group, and to be aware of any riders behind them. They may drive in the emergency lane (denoted by a yellow line) according to the stupid laws of this country.
Be self-sufficient
Ensure your bike, you, and your gear are in good working order. Carry some basic spares with you. Bring anything else that you would like to store in the sweep vehicle. Limited mechanical assistance may also be provided by your ride captains, but a tube, a few essential tools and a small pump will always be expected.
Know the route
We do not use route markings other than the GPX tracks provided. Ensure that you are familiar with the route information and maps. (if we change it, you will know, and your ride captain will make sure you are all close to each other). Stay close to your ride captain.
Try not to deviate from the official route. When in doubt, ask your ride captain. Know which town we are sleeping in every night. Then you will not get too badly lost, and learn to pronounce the name, otherwise you might get truly lost. Have a mobile phone on you – more about that later.
Keep it clean
We are proudly South African. Please don’t litter. RFather, pick up trash. No, not that kind of trash. We don’t allow trashy habits.
No helmet, no ride
Helmets should be worn for the duration of the event. It is the law. Carinus doesn’t agree with the law. But that is not the point.
While cycling
Don’t overtake any vehicle, unless directed by the police, the actual driver, or a ride captain. Be courteous, ride defensively. Things are a little weird here. Never ride more than two abreast. Single file whenever asked, or when sense requires same. Like on roads with no shoulders. Don’t endanger anyone.
If you are requested to take a ride in the sweep vehicle you must please comply. If you want to ride in a sweep / support vehicle – just tell your ride captain. Try only make such a switch at a designated water stop. Your ride captain is your go-to guy.
Don’t use your phone, earphones, ipod or listen to music while cycling with us. mySOS is a handy app that we use for emergencies and available for free on https://www.mysos.co.za/download.html.
Security
You are responsible for ensuring your security, on and off the bicycle. If someone really wants your bike, give it to them. Yes, muggings can happen. But has never happened on our tours.
You must personally ensure your bike is not stolen. We can’t look after your bike, unless you have a tracker on it. Ask Carinus.
Be prepared
Be on time. Be early. For alles. The starts will not be delayed if you fail to show up on time. The Tour will take place regardless of bad weather. It will only be cancelled, re-routed or stopped for reasons of safety and at the discretion of the organizers – we won’t discuss it too much. We have done this before and will be forced to do so again. Ask Ellen how cool it was going over Bainskloof in 2016.
Oh, keep left – this is a former British colony (and Dutch, and German, but that’s not the point, is it?)