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And for 10s you can get deore 11-42 and 11-46 cassettes for around R1k. I have the former on my HT. In today's overpriced 12 speed market thats a bargian.

A friend of mine showed me his latest jewelry the other day - an XO1 cassette bought on "special" for R7k. Thats half the price of my first dual sus bike that came with XT and Fox.

The more hi tech cars become the shorter their lifespan it seems. I've owned several second hand BMW's over the years. The 1990's versions were by far the most fun to drive and the simplest mechanically. There were some unforeseen repairs required along the way, but on the whole they were very reliable. Fast forward to the 2000's and the cars became less fun to drive - unless you bought an overpriced M version and became more complex and unreliable, especially as the km rise, - mostly in the name of safety and fuel economy. That said, I can see the appeal of a Kwid or Spresso - fun no, but they'll do the job and remain relatively simple. I wish I'd had a barn to stick my old cars in - my teenage son would now be dusting off my lovely old e30 318i, redoing the cylinder head and doing another 300k km in it.

Moto restoration update- I managed to find brake caliper seals and have replaced the rubber and fitted new pads. Still some pesky engineering required on a broken off master cylinder mounting bolt. I started stripping the matt black off the tank to discover the bike had even been painted a kind of desert camo at some point. After an hour or two this is what the l/h side looked like - that original paint is almost completely resistant to paint stripper and looks pretty good. This got my hopes up but sadly the other side of the tank is a mess. It was obviously resprayed in original colours at some point but this was done with crappy paint which is coming off along with the black and camo stuff. Will have to do a full tank respray after all...

Just entered the heavy version. I feel tired already. My last ride at JH was several months ago and I came away with arm pump and sore hands after only 2x ascent/descents. Eish.

Don't bank on being able to replenish. You may find yourself having to climb even more if the stages end slightly higher up the mountain.

My optometrist can also do them. How do you find using the glasses as far as fogging up and the extra weight is concerned?

Had a little off this morning that resulted in my rather expensive prescription specs taking some damage. I am thinking of getting a pair of decent riding glasses eg Rudy Project with prescription inserts. I've traditionally worn contact lenses and sports glasses for riding but increasingly found it simpler to just wear my day to day specs for short rides. Looking for some advice and experience with prescription inserts. Fire away!

A very wise example and one which I did not follow for various reasons, some of it out of my hands. To be debt free - what a pleasure that would be.

Or more accurately, have people finally started running out of cash to spend on overpriced luxury items like bikes. Obviously there are the "always wealthy no matter what" crowd who will buy top end everything and new car sales are apparently growing in SA while declining elsewhere. The reason I ask is I have heard that stock is not moving and suppliers have extended payment deadlines to assist retailers who can't sell the stuff...

Yep, Goldstone has raised the bar. Fastest time of all the riders on the day but obviously on a less destroyed track. I remember watching him as a tiny kid riding ridiculously well around Whistler. He is going to shake the elite field up hugely in a year or so.

That was a freaking good race - the best for a few years I think. The track seemed a bit bland at first but it was so fast and got harder as the weekend went on. Did anyone see Pierron's crash in practice - looked like he tried to fell a tree with his hips.

After last weeks race, this one was a bit of a let down. No Fluckiger to taunt Nino, Alan sick and two races with far out front winners. I suspect the altitude and heat played a role. What was wrong with RM's tyres I wonder. Maxxis issues again?

So you saying Mr Min gave him what he deserved?

Thats Mister Min heading for a fat OTB on a gnarly section of the track. It appears there are around 8-9 Saffers racing in junior men and elite men this weekend. Chris Philogene was 27th in timed training.

Okay, race time again at a bit of a weird venue - thanks to the pit layout and new track. That said, despite my initial feelings on the track I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes and will reserve judgment until after some practice sessions and Vital Raw viewing. Interesting developments regarding the riders vis a vis next years change in organization to Chris Ball's company and Discovery as media provider. Riders are also largely in the dark and are starting an association to represent them in discussions regarding issues like safety and track design and prize money. I suspect the interest in $$ has been sparked by talk of growing the viewership and taking DH and XC perhaps to a wider audience. This is clearly motivated by $$ and there is no wonder the riders want to have a say. Good move on their part. I am not very confident MTB will pick up a massive viewership and anticipate a pay to view set up. There is also talk of limiting DH finals to far fewer riders, perhaps with TV in mind and shorter broadcast to keep the masses attention. This in itself will ruin the sport for long term fans. Come back Red Bull, all is forgiven. https://www.pinkbike.com/news/video-ben-cathro-battles-the-dust-in-his-course-preview-for-the-2022-vallnord-dh-world-cup.html

I'm hoping we see more fireworks from AH this weekend. That said its a a venue known for its altitude so may favour some skinny swiss guys or that Italian. i wonder how Flucky and Nino will get on, or won't. Prost v Senna #2.

I can se eMoto's are slowing evolving back into bicycles. A bit like gravel bikes to MTB's

Yeah, more like real life in other words. Hoping to get to Esels again this year.

*moer

Ah, the U, R29 500 for the luxury option. R18 500 per team for the poor persons version (3k per day pp). I rode the 40km last year when they had an open day. was worth the few hundred bucks for a lekker ride. I find the U offensively expensive for what it is though. Many of the planets problems stem from the ceaseless need most of us have to be cossetted in luxury be it on an outdoor sports weekend or in our cars and homes. To me this event exemplifies this. I guess I'm not not the target market, whether I had the cash to burn on an entry or not 🙂

Arm wrestle and Nino is winning?

Has Nino asked him for a statement I wonder. If MF's riding was blatantly unsafe then perhaps Nino could get MF disqualified and take 3rd place. Small consolation.

A R500 per day stage event on great trails.Eselfontein. Charity fund raising is the motivation. I'd far rather spend there than lining some pockets at twice or 4 times that per day

Nino looks ready to rip him a new one...