tinmug

I'm not going to bother reading through the 4 pages, but I will say this: I find it challenging – at best – if the OP cannot find the energy (on an what is really an exercise forum 😆) to a) structure the statement clearly and b) presents us with zero clear information supporting his/her rant. In addition I will say that having dealt with Janos via email, over the phone and many, many times in person, I cannot imagine a nicer human being to deal with. Yes, he is a busy lad and cannot respond to your queries at the speed of Google Ads, but he works VERY long hours to catch up and keep up. And because of that EvoBikes (with an S at the end ... these little details are kinda important) is absolutely my preferred supplier. If the OP finds every bike shop impossible then perhaps, who knows, it's the OP who's the problem. 🤷‍♂️

We're in the wrong hemisphere. We don't matter, well, not until someone needs gold or diamonds or a bit of game viewing. How the governing body of cycling thought, between lunches and espresso breaks, thought this was a good idea is beyond me. But then every micro decision I take is not profit driven. 🤷‍♂️

“Cedarburg wilderness” Erm, you chaps never heard of this handy thing called a map? And accurate place names? Speaking of maps, a vague idea of where it goes would be highly useful info. And no, I’m 100% sure it doesn’t get close to the “untamed beauty of the Skeleton Coast”. Apart from that it sounds like a blast. But who knows.

That's absolutely awesome G. Not only some much-needed bucks raised for the critters but also awareness. Good on you pal, and hope to see you back behind the tape this year. 🤙

Proud potcake walker. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potcake_dog

100% for rescue dogs. Had a few, one left and won't consider anything but a rescue in the years to come. I'm in full support of anyone willing to commit their time and efforts to raise funds and awareness for any animal charity. 🤙

Sheesh Djuice, I understand Jewbacca is a hairy creature but maybe a bit harsh calling hime four-legged.

You set out to raise money for the SPCA. You raised money for the SPCA. Mission objective accomplished. ... then there is Munga 2024 for the other bit. Something to look forward to! 🤙

No shame at all pulling out: heck, you made it to the start and a long way down the trail, which s a LOT more than the rest of us can achieve. Hats off, and better fortunes next year (and @gemmerbal good on you for raising some much needed funds for the critters 👏). 🫡

Drikus is young. I'm ancient. That's my excuse. ... hell, that was impressive to watch though. Bloody well done to Drikus (and every finisher). Palatial respect for these nut jobs, erm, riders. Now get a life FFS! 😝

True. But one of them keeps falling off his bicycle.

Erm ... you do realise that the SPCA is a charity. For animals. And that the SPCA didn't give gemmerbal as much as a cent (or a cat) towards his selfless campaign to help them? Gemmerbal simply stated that all the costs towards him riding the Munga – that's entry fee, (branded?) kit, spares, food ... everything – is paid out of his own pocket. Whatever awareness he raises, and whatever donations are made go directly – and crucially every cent of it – to the SPCA. So what have you done lately to help the helpless (or unfortunate)? 😶

See what happens when you listen to Heavy Metal! 🤓

Snakes don't just bite because you're there. I've had a dog stand (briefly) on a sizeable puff adder, then step off with foot right next to it, and still the puff adder just remained still. Ready to strike, but still (and likely quietly sh1tting itself). The dog was totally unaware of the snake's presence. A more recent, and worrying, episode saw my dog smelling something in the air, then turned to zone it on source of smell ... which was a puff adder. Fortunately I looked in the the direction of his interest and saw the puffy before his nose made it there. Dog yanked back, puffy bailed into the bush. Same dog also sighed out and made contact with sizeable mole snake (earlier on the same walk). 😑 A week later I stopped to let a puff adder cross the road a few metres ahead, then found another – significantly larger – puff adder literally right next to my foot. Coiled and ready to inflict pain, but silent and no doubt hoping I'd go away (which I did, rapidly). That was the last time this summer I walk anywhere remotely near empty veld (have ventured back to a broad trail on a busy weekend morning). I've seen more snakes in one week this summer (is it summer yet?) than I have in 5 years of walking in the veld. Too risky, trying to get my dog to his fifteenth birthday (just around the corner) and beyond.

Oh boohoo. You can drive to half the races!

🤬 So much for that 2-year subscription. Where to now with UCI MTB? I suppose I have to move to the First World ...

I have a Silverback (have owned it for several years now). My advice: buy a Scott. Boring details: nothing particularly wrong with my and wife's two Silverbacks except some manufacturing issues (damaged threaded inserts on carbon frame). Quality control issues (rear shock) and reluctance (read refusal) to honour warranty on a few items (shock included, to be fair this is via a bike shop; approaching Silverback directly may have had a different outcome). Silverback was born is SA but they seem to want to put a lot of distance between themselves and SA. Scott is a well-established international brand with direct local representation. That alone makes the choice obvious. At least a mid-range groups is advisable (Shimano Deore or Sram NX). But this will push the price up little.

Yup. https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/kaitlin-armstrong-tried-to-escape-custody-ahead-trial-over-murder-of-cyclist-mo-wilson It's difficult to see how she could be found innocent. Justice for Mo Wilson. 🤞

It's like a soap opera. The oh-I'm-not-guilty-at-all Armstrong escaped from custody (for all of ten minutes before being found). Some fresh-faced lawyer says the jury is biased thanks to skewed reporting. Um. Fleeing client. Twice.

My 2c worth: break the bank and buy something with a replaceable battery (you'll definitely save in the long run). And it's available locally (haven't read the reply schpiel up above but I'm sure somebody steered you in the right direction. So in short, I reckon, +1 for going local.

Nothing yet. I heard via the grapevine. Bear in mind the WCNP is under new management and it seems the manager has big plans. Have also heard there may be some routes (walking? Cycling?) sponsored by local businesses. And from what I gather things will move fairly quickly.

… many things are cheap when you earn a First World currency. 😝 Land and triple storey houses excluded.

No, you need a bare minimum of 161 mm of travel.

Update: just heard that new cycling routes are in the pipeline! 😁🤙

About the map above; 'You can basically ride anything': I'm afraid not. The green lines in the diagram above are, strictly speaking, for hiking only. Seeberg has a new 360-degree hiking trail called the Baker Trail (with the southern section being brand new), but bicycles are not allowed there. Same applies to the trails from Geelbek, but folks do occasionally ride between Geelbek and the Churchhaven area (part or trail not shown on map, no signs calming you can't ... yet). A big part of the peninsula between Geelbek and Preekstoel is privately owned. The white line (tar) that you see on the map between Langebaan Gate and Tsaarsbank (and/or West Coast [Road] Gate) is perfectly pleasant to ride, even on a MTB. An absolute no-go route is (apart from obvious stuff like the beaches etc ... you'd amazed where some cyclists venture and how close they are pushing to get rule-abiding cyclists banned outright) is south along the twee-spoor marked MTB Trails on the map above. The road is closed for a very good reason: there is an Black Harrier pair (endangered species) nesting close to the trail; and any traffic – foot, bicycle etc – disturbs the birds and places the chicks' lives at risk. Play according to the rules and the trails will remain open to cyclists for many years to come (and bear in mind that the volunteers – who have a loud voice in the rules – consists of riders and hikers who generally see mountain bikers as a nuisance). The park has a brand new manager that has already carved one new hiking trail and will hopefully toss a new MTB route or two our way the the future.