hboli4

I watched a bit this morning, Abbott looked good and Vern also asking some questions, Rabada though struggled to find his line and length, almost looked like he was trying too hard.

I was very disappointed. My wife and I entered the 55km (she has been building up to this event and it would have been her first 'long' one) and ended up doing 18km. R300(with PPA discount) for the both of us. We were also turned back at the botanical gardens gate and then advised that the route has been closed and we should head back to the start. It will be great to get feedback from the PPA as to the cause. I have heard numerous stories which varies from the organiser not obtaining the proper permission from landowners to riders cutting wires in the gardens due to another gate being closed(not open because the lady was late) with this action prompting the lady from the gardens to refuse entry to the rest of the field. From what I gather there were some issues with route marking further on from the riders that got through. I also think that the level of tech skill expected from the riders doing the 35km was a bit of a stretch. There was no proper description of the route and in my humble opinion the very rocky nature of the trail through 7dams with small drop-offs etc. is not something the average 35km rider expects. I volunteered at a waterpoint on the road race and all the feedback from the riders seemed a lot more positive. One of the ER24 guys did say that there was an incident where a vehicle got onto the route and 4 riders were badly hurt and taken to hospital. All in all not a good weekend for the PPA Mangaung weekend I think.

I'm not sure whether it was mentioned before but I heard an interview with Jake White on the radio the other day. One of his statements was something to the effect of: 'We' (the rugby loving public and 'previous' coaches etc.) are quite upset by the state of Bok rugby and the way we are playing/losing and not being number 2/3 anymore. He said that maybe someone should ask the administrators/government what their goals/targets are. If they are happy with a 'representative' coaching staff and playing squad and the target is to be top 5...we are there. Sad but...

Cool will try.

Without filling in any info regarding earnings etc.? No IRP5 info from the company on there either. Or am I being doff.

I have the same issue. They want my 2006 return as it shows outstanding. I only registered in 2007 and have completed all returns since(also very straightforward) and received all pay-outs since then. The company I worked for in 2006 doesn't exist anymore and I don't have docs from then, was earning peanuts and below tax threshold. Anybody in the know?

I have used them a couple of times in the past, no issues.

I have a pair of Full Leather Hi-Tec boots I bought in 2005, did lots of hiking(including Kili and Aconcagua approach) with them and still going strong. Also have a good pair of Merrell's going now for 7 years (wear them almost every day). Salomon also good.

Falke and Bridgedale get my vote when looking at socks.

They make VERY good stuff. Best known for their stoves but also make excellent clothing and tents. Difficult to get hold of in SA though...

I have a green one

I typed up a huge response but somehow lost it...but Stretch has basically covered it all. I did Otter around 15 years ago...Agree completely on the bag size. Nothing more than 60-65l will be more than enough for Otter. The bigger the bag the bigger the temptation to pack the house. The biggest I've used was a 80l and that was climbing a 7000m peak on a 3 week expedition - including a -30 sleeping bag and down jacket with food. I generally use one zip-off type long pair of trousers for at least 5 days at a time and will probably take 2 quick-dry shirts, a light fleece and a top. Couple of pairs of underwear. Also swam a lot in the rivers/pools and ocean on Otter. Food wise stuff like Oats-so-Easy / Futerelife type porridge you get in a sachet works fine. Snacks/lunch go for biltong/droewors/salami/trailmix/tuna sachets etc. Dinner can be Knorr packet pasta/2 minute noodles. For the 1st night on Otter I carried a lekker vacuum packed steak, if you are prepared to carry the weight go for it! Agree with the quality. If you buy good quality the stuff can last for ages!

Bok team is out... 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Lwazi Mvovo

What happened and where? No worries if you don't want to talk about it. Have had some moments on high mountains myself.

Now you are just being mean

Snap!

Well done! Just check whether both in one year actually 'count' as 2 towards your shield. I seem to recall that the question was asked before and only one count 'per year'. I'm on my 7th.

I agree, this format is really silly. But doesn't is change around next year as in the side of the draw that the Stormers are in currently play the NZ sides?

I spoke to the lady manning the last waterpoint, she mentioned that the route had to be changed on short notice as the land changed hands and the new owner did not give permission, or something like that.

I had a couple of hours to kill on the airport and spent some time in Exclusive Books, wow but books are getting seriously expensive. Narrowed it down to 'I am Pilgrim' by Terry Hayes - which I ended up buying as at R170 it was half the price of the other book I was looking at (good read so far if you like 'thriller/spy' stuff) and 'The Mountain Shadow' by Gregory David Roberts (follow up to Shantaram). I loved Shantaram and have read it at least 4 times - anybody read 'The Mountain Shadow'? Comments?

Aaaahhhh I understand, as you say makes sense.

Wouldn't it be better to run a wider tyre which you can run at a lower pressure for the rocky/sandy terrain? I am not that 'technically' minded so maybe completely wrong.

Quite narrow tyres front and back, used to see 2.1/2.25 combo or similar, or is the 1.95 a different indicator?

Since the thread regarding the tragic incident in Durban I have been paying special attention to the signage when driving, noting the difference between the 'blue - freeway - illegal' signs and roadmarkings and the 'green - non-freeway - legal' ones. They are very well marked in and around Bloemfontein. I was guilty in the past of riding on the freeway sections(as do many roadies in Bloem) of the N1 and will ensure to ride legally from now on.

38 if memory serves, would/have turned 39 this year. I went to school with her.