Riverbed cycle challenge in Kgalagadi

[Mel]

IF they call it a cycle trail, in could mean that they will repeat the race every year or even leave it as such I know, terrible speculation, but with sanparks you never know

It's not a speculation. In the promo video it is quite clearly indicated that this is not supposed to be a one off.
They hope that this will become one of the most important cycle events on the cylce calendar...

(Or did you mean that it could be used as a cycle trail throughout the year? Heaven forbids!)

[annie]

One thing that amazes me about this thread is that it has got a lot more reaction than one about proposed building developments in KTP both here viewtopic.php?f=78&t=456 and elsewhere. Those developments are even more worrying and potentially more permanently damaging. I urge everyone to revisit that thread in this forum or even on the sanparks forum (though it's now in a section open to members only) http://www.sanparks.org/forums/viewtopi ... 73&t=59527 and make their comments.

That's not to say, however, that I agree with the cycle "trail" - after all, I spent some time researching and writing the blog post http://www.roxannereid.co.za/1/post/201 ... agadi.html that was picked up to start this thread. If you're not aware of what these developments are, please inform yourself by reading "Kgalagadi developments: have your say" and "Kgalagadi development update" at http://ow.ly/esnXt.

Finally, a word of thanks to all of you for your support on these issues.

[Mel]

Metoo, annie. I am also surprised that this challenge attracts so many more comments
on either forum compared to the planned developments like building more accomm even though
the latter will have at least the same impact on the flora and fauna in KTP and her visitors.

[Flutterby]

Well done Mel!!

[PRWIN]

Here is the offcial reply from Imberbe:

Click here and scroll down to Imberbe's post

Post edited: The original post showed the quote from the Sanparks Forum but due to SPF's Terms and Conditions we have replaced the post with a link. Unfortunately, SPF has seen fit to put the thread in a restricted forum so if you are not a member you will not be able to see it.

The truth hurts and they scared that the bookings for the period is going to take a dive. If this was not exposed they would have let it slip under the mat and the poor people in the area at the time would have got a lovely suprize. Also what they scared off is that they have booked but not yet paid there deposits as it is still in the first month of the booking operning for Septenber and they scared people are now going to cancell. ( remember it is school holidays and people book well in advance for the holidays)O**

[Toko]

Here are the links to the official responses:

SANParks Honorary Rangers Statement by Louis Lemmer

SANParks Statement by Glenn Phillips

[sim]

I am one of the unlucky people to have a fantastic booking in the Kgalagadi next year but may well just not go!!! 3 nights at Grootkolk during the period of this event does not sound like such a good idea. I am furious!!! I don't want to spend my drives looking at a bunch of cyclists!!!

[PRWIN]

me confused big time


Do they think they are speaking to a bunch of grade 3

[PRWIN]

Sim I feel for you as I love Kgalagadi veary much and used to try and get there reg, The way this was done and how they tried to push it under the mat so no one would have know , also there comments coming back from them is unreal, Now the race is on the road and iis not off road,

Who do you belive

[Mel]

sim, welcome to the wild forum!

I really feel sorry for you as I would feel exactly the same way!
Getting into GK is difficult enough as it is, but with the prospect of watching cyclers
on a game drive, it's just a horrible nightmare. Maybe you should still go and just
enjoy what the waterhole in the camp has to offer. With a bit of luck, all the critters
flee from the riverbed to there... (Not likely, I know.)

Also, I never noticed the entry for that challenge under important notice,
and I went on the KTP site several times a day over the last 6 weeks
as I was trying to get some more nights at GK for our upcoming trip...