T-Bob

Got Ghillie Kettle / Kelly Kettle / Thermette for my b/day. Was supposed to be a bike packing pressie from the wife along with my Hennesy Hammock tent but turned that the one she bought was the big one so bike packing kit has now gone straight to the camping kit and I'm stoked! Boils up a large amount of water in about 4 minutes just using tinder, leaves etc.

My god. How has that not gone. At that price? That is one of the best boutique HT's. I've been looking for a M for well over a year here and overseas and never found one close to that price. Even on their recent lockdown special they were R19,500 and usually closer to R25k before importing / shipping them. Most second hand ones overseas go in the region of 650eur - 850eur. I'm a medium and have just done a calculation for the XL and it's not looking like that frame is going to come to me even with the best will in the world and acceptance that my nuts need to come off. It's titanium, not alu or steel and it's cheaper than most. That thing is a keeper for life if you're a lucky sasquatch. I was crying when I first saw it and now I'm sitting in the corner hugging myself and sobbing. Please some one buy it!

Oh, tell. I know nothing about the healthcare procurement methodology or goals as well as the medical standby response directives so I'm guessing you have the inside word on what has actually (not) been done since then. I'm guessing feedback is they have been sitting on their hands doing f'all part from scheming how to make ordinary folks life difficult. Would love to know the inside track there.

Doping positive for EF rider Villalobos. Positive took place over a year ago (while at another team) and it's not been lodged until now. That is not a great system for Rider, Team or sport. https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/luis-villalobos-provisionally-suspended-after-positive-drug-test/

Not having that 3 riders all fighting each other in the same team while wrestling with the 'trident'. He seems a rider who needs a clear role as leader. I actually think if he could be in a team of 1, just ride, not let anyone down apart from himself then he'd be the happiest. That is one of the shames about the issues with this season, I was loving seeing him come out of his shell and just ride.

Portal will be hard to replace.... Shame man.

You'd have think that it's classic manoeuvring to secure a contact and a settle the leadership questions in a very uncertain year. Unfortunately Sky / Ineos have always been pretty immune to riders having little chats with the cycling press to resolve anything. If, and that's a big 'if' he were to leave Movistar would have to be one of the stronger teams without leader issues. They have the remnants of their GT super riders in place, always gun for the team prize and with Max Scandri on board now there is a DS that could help another GT win for Froome and Unzue. Is' Startup Nation is also being touted but what is their team actually like to support him? Ineos will know everything about how Froome is planning to approach the race and knows the tried n tested way they break a peloton. Could he survive day after day on his own at the pointy end of a stage as well as all the other teams looking eliminate him? Another point would be who else in Ineos would be allowed to break contracts mid season and go across with him? Seems a beat up really as there are more downsides than upsides in a season that might not even run.

That is just brilliant. Thanks for kicking my day off in style!

Landa? He's at Bahrain last time I looked unless he's bolted back to Movistar since the lockdown.

You have to think Froome is just marking the land for this year and maybe having a look to see what is available for the next two seasons. I doubt a mid season transfer could really work for Froome for this years (if it happens) Tour as he'd have to work pretty fast in semi lock down conditions to get an existing team into his vision. Will be interesting how it pans out now Froome. He's gone from the prince to the king in a public wrestle with Wiggins and is now on the other side of the situation and in danger of being pushed out by these other guys. Froome knows Ineos / Brailsford have no room for sentiment in their decisions. It helped him in the past and now might force his hand. Movistar might be a good option as they are a bit rudderless and would be sole leader. Can you imagine Landas sad face if Froome bolted over to Bahrain. He's been moving to teams and playing second fiddle again and again! Poor bugger.

I know that sounds berserk but I dread to think what that is going to be now. Look, I didn't pay even close to that as I've built up my kit through my last 4 or so bike and got the frame on a close out from the UK which was cheaper than local at RRP to start with and came in cheaper than most local alu frames across multiple brands. One industry that is going to benefit from the exchange rate is the bike insurance co's as we're all going to have to up our replacement prices and pay out some more premiums.

The latest edition of 'Life in the Peloton' with Cam Meyer has some telling comments about the state of the team when they stepped up to WT level. This and the other interviews with former riders /staff along the way seem to point to it all being a bit much, too soon and they never really got on top of it. Until now maybe.

Congrat's! Epic choice, you'll love it. That's a good jump up from the 110. I've got the carbon Ripmo 1 and it's all the bike I want or need and has saved my butt a few times. With the release of the Ripmo 2 there could be some great deals on some original frames around. Jeez, R68k for an alu frame is getting crazy now, I thought the carbon ones were that price. This time last year the replacement price on a Carbon Ripmo full build with GX eagle, Fox 36 and X2 shock was only R92K

Fair play, that is a good hit out. Well done, beers earned.

That has always been the question but everyone has happy overlooked it for decades for cheap, cheap. I've always tried not to buy Chinese where I can as I'm still grumpy about tibet!

A carbon frame designed and made in a french factory with all the madness of French employment laws, cost in the EU zone vs China... you're never going to buy that one for a headache free life and riotous profit stream! I love Time frames but you'd have sleepless nights owning that one.

Not sure why you'd really run to bunker in NZ... If you've got a decent rural block of land then you're pretty isolated as it is! Couple of my mates in that Hawea / Arrow town / Wanaka / Cardrona area and up top of north island have barely registered that anything is going on in the outside world as it is!

Seems abit of a mess. If I know anything about french law it's going to be show to see if it gets sold off, wrapped up or what... there was report about it being snapped up by a private equity firm but that is uncertain. They are part off the fabric of cycling, shame their products had gone off the boil in the last few years but it's a classic brand with supply chain, staff and one hell of a history so I'm guessing it will live on. It would be a real shame not to see the Mavic Neutral Service at Le Tour any more, it seems to have been a part of that race for as long as I've followed cycling.

That is a good call, I'd not even thought about checking the accom' favs list.

Standford Hills has 20% off their wine plus free delivery.

Colby Surfboards were doing R600 gets you R2000 against a board once they are up and running. That has expired but he did say he might do it again if there is demand. http://www.colbysurfboards.co.za

There have been a lot of small businesses trying to keep afloat by offering 'buy now and collect later' with the incentive of a discount. Jewbacca put me onto a board shaper who was doing a good 'buy now' deal. I was more than happy to support him and told a fair few mates who also supported him in this tight time. Unfortunately that has expired now but I thought it might be a good resource to post some and let other know / support the smaller guys in a range of businesses.

Can I say you're a doctor and it's medical advice?

And in other news it also seems that the zombie apocalypse plague can be passed through intercourse. It is ruining all the fun. Darn grinch virus is worse than a mad old grandmother.... wash your hands, don't cough out loud, wash your food, clean your surfaces, don't play on bikes, don't go out late, you're not allowed to the pub, I hope you're not sleeping around. Grrr.

I just open it with my mouth... no touchy touchy germs germs.