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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...

That was an awesome weekend of MTB - DH and XCO. Chris Philogene managed a 52nd spot and was the only other Saffer in it after GM. The run of the day was Miriam Nicole - only 24secs off the fastest man and 4.5 better than CB. Amazing. Lovely clean racing and happy faces afterwards unlike the win at all costs display of bad judgment and aggro in the men's XCO.

Under pressure the cracks in the façade show up... I wonder if this is the end of the story or there will be a complaint against Flucki by Nino? Is that even possible given the lack of evidence so far, but perhaps Alan and Luca are writing some statements as we speculate?

Its a free event, so no, you can use your phone to call an ambulance and buy coffee and eats along the way if you wish. Are you in?

Speak to me and I'll send you on a free 60km route all over Table Mountain including some gnarly jeep and single track. Manicured single track is for gravel bikes. we're talking about mountain biking, okay?

RB blamed it on Swiss TV which was providing the coverage...

Then you have stuff like the Witfontein Enduro and WCDH events which cost peanuts in comparison, and in some cases include shuttle rides all day over two days. I blame the Epic for the huge growth in over priced bike events. $$ signs were seen by many and the slope has been slippery. I find the so-called premium events like Val de Vie (which is/was a thinly disguised financial services marketing exercise and the Piket BoBerg 3 day luxo rip off especially irksome. Yuck.

Looks very lekker, well done.