DesertConvert

Hi I need to replace the knobblies on my mtb with slicks (a once off swap for the Argus). I had the bike shop add sealant to the tyres. I'm assuming that the sludge is in the tube, and that changing the knobblies to slicks is in theory quite easy. So for those that have done this: 1.) Does the sludge leave the tube when deflating the tyre? 2.) Would the sludge clog the valve? 3.) Is this procedure a lot more complex than I imagine it to be? i.e. Would I have to replace the tubes? Thanks in advance

Yes, sorry. I meant trying to remove the bullet & case whole. I doubt you would be able to move any metal component on that revolver though.

OK. I never realised they made casings from lead too. Another thought...to empty the clip(or what would be the correct term for the revolving bullet receptacle?) you would need to "swing it open", which seems pretty impossible from where I'm sitting.

Is that electromagnet powerful enough to prevent the revolver from discharging properly in the event of someone pulling the trigger (that is IF the trigger can actually be moved). I can't imagine, with such a magnetic force in play, that it would be possible to remove any bullets.

Eish...remind me to remove my belt if I even go for an MRI!

People, please read the thread before posting...the length of Upingtons runway has been determined (4900m and not +-6 or 7 KM). <-- I see this has also been edited

Wikipedia(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upington_Airport) says: History With the fall of the Portuguese regime in Angola, South African Airways lost its landing rights in Luanda. In addition to restrictions to overflying African states, there was concern that the country would lose its landing rights at the Ivory Coast and Ilha do Sal (Cape Verde). Upington Airport's runway was built to accommodate a Boeing 747 with a full load of passengers, cargo and fuel, so that it could take off for Europe without having to stop along the way. Upington was chosen because of its strategic position, availability of land and comparatively lower height above sea level than Johannesburg. Upington Airport was opened in 1968 as Pierre van Ryneveld Airport. In 1974 a corrugated iron fire station was erected but this structure was converted into administrative offices for airport management and other administrative staff in 1996 and the fire station was relocated. From August 1976 to December 1996, South African Airways made use of Upington as a refuelling station for two weekly scheduled Boeing 747 flights to London and Zurich. The Concorde did flight testing at Upington Airport in June of 1976

Hmmm...any idea why I get this error when trying to upload an image? "Error Only members with sufficient permission can access this page." http://maps.google.co.za/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Upington&sll=-25.746019,28.18712&sspn=0.815161,1.234589&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Upington,+Northern+Cape&ll=-28.40031,21.263695&spn=0.049755,0.077162&t=h&z=14 DesertConvert2010-02-19 01:23:52

I know many a test vehicle is brought in via the airport at Upington, though I'm not sure which runway they would be using. I surmise that vehicles are flown in on 747's. Also, I believe the Concorde visited the OR Tambo International, the airport previously known as JHB International, previously known as Jan Smuts International, in '92 or '93.

Anyone have a video clip of it landing?

As with most things these days, it's all about the money, the advertising revenue. "Good will", "Development" and "Soccer" are all convenient marketing tools. I was so excited about this WC but I now see how FIFA are exploiting our country - I have no time for them anymore. Just sad that I've already bought tickets...

I believe the text says: " 'motor vehicle' means any self-propelled vehicle and includes: ". A bicycle is not a self-propelled vehicle. Based on all our "research" a few points are clear: 1.) Cyclists are, by law, not allowed on a freeway/highway (definition of such a road has been posted previously). 2.) A motorised vehicle may travel in the emergency lane if the road is a single carriageway, the vehicle driving in the emergency lane is being overtaken and it is safe to do so(daylight hours, good visibility etc.) This part of the Act as quoted in the previous posts does not apply to cyclists. As far as this is concerned: See point 1 above

Unless it is between dawn and dusk' date=' visibility is at least 150m, it is safe to do so and you have moved over to let other vehicles past (a pretty much permanent state for a cyclist). [/quote'] ... yes, so by rights you should cycle in the road lane and only move over into the emergency lane when a vehicle come up behind you. On freeways/highways that applies to motor vehicles since bicycles should not be present there. On normal roads I suppose that would apply to cycles too.

Guys, if you have issues with one another, please send each other PM's or exchange emails addresses or create a Coenie vs Big H thread(for those that feel like following your conversation) or something. Make a meaningful contribution to the thread or don't post here please.

So it should be...and I hope we can still share a round of beers at the finish line even if our opinions differ. The main thing is to keep the wheels spinning...

Most rules have been set in place out of a specific need' date=' or for a regulatory purpose to ensure people/society don't degenerate into anarchy... Not following them because you feel you have more of a right than your fellow citizens indicates, by default, that you support the concept of chaos and anarchy. I'm sure our politicians, whom we love to lambast, are looking forward to using the above quote in their next speech - makes it so much easier for them to justify their anti-social behaviour. To be truly honest, I try to hold myself to a higher standard than what is happening in society in general. I try to hold my family and my friends(the cycling fraternity falls under this category, be you a roadie or mountain biker) to the same standards. This by no means makes me perfect, and I often fall short of my expected standards, but if I stop trying to keep to those standards, shrug my shoulders and join the crowds (because "everybody else is doing it, so I can too") then I can't possibly expect that this country will ever improve. Do what you like, just don't expect much sympathy from people when, one day (maybe tomorrow, maybe in 10 years), an 18 wheeler takes out your car, your scooter & your cyclist because he didn't see you while merrily chatting on his cellphone at 100km/h

That is the sign I didn't look out for in my anger :-( I will check if it is present the next time I drive there

Based on the wikipedia definitions for Freeway & Highway, that whole road would certainly fall into one or the other category. It's a catch 22 ... freeways, as ASTANA mentioned, are long stretches free of any stops etc. In addition they are generally in much better shape than urban roads, and have wide shoulders. Quite ideal for training rides. You will also not find much scum wandering around. Problems will begin to crop up when more and more cyclists decide that the freeway is an ideal training area. When the flood begins, so will the flood of casualties. My concern is for the well being of my fellow pedallers...

Just out of interest: http://roadsafety.co.za/2009/07/23/where-does-it-say-i-may-not-cycle-on-the-freeway/ http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/highway http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeway

Well, at which point does a freeway become a normal road? I didn't see any signs to that effect. Maybe I missed them?

So, there I was driving to work on Saturday morning, 6:45 (read: I was already unhappy about this), along the N4 towards Pretoria North, when I see 2 road cyclists on the opposite carriageway on a morning training ride. 2 thoughts popped into my head at this point: 1) Even at this time in the morning you could be run over by a dozing driver. 2) It is ILLEGAL for cyclists to be riding on a freeway (I believe the minimum allowed is a 125cc motorcycle?). Why do educated(?) cyclists do this(and they were not the only ones on the N4 on this particular morning)? I understand that other roads can be just as dangerous, if not worse. I understand a freeway is a lovely uninterrupted piece of tarmac free of traffic lights, stop signs & circles. But it's still not legal to cycle there. It's challenging enough getting non-cyclists to be aware of cyclists and our right to be on the road. Don't make it even more challenging! I'll just assume that the parties in question are not hubbers, since we have a little more common sense (I hope!).

Have you had problems of the sort mentioned earlier in the thread (not being able to clip back in after the pedals get muddy, trouble clipping out etc.)?

Having never ridden with cleats, how comfortable are the egg-beaters, considering that they only have 2 points of contact for the foot? Would you recommend riding longer road races(eg. Argus, 94.7 etc) with the egg beaters? (My main activity will be riding in the dirt though)

I'm full of dumb questions today but since I'm not keen on buying, trying & then selling again after 2 weeks I would like your opinions on the MTB clipless pedals that are available. I've read some comparisons on the web, but discussions are always livelier 1. How easy is it to pedal with clipless pedals wearing normal shoes(should it happen that I leave my bike shoes at home)? 1.1. How do the 2 types of pedals compare in relation to 1. above? 2. Space reserved for more questions

Then again, I'd rather have the brake failure while hurtling down a hill, than my wife who will be inheriting the Silverback.