GrumpyOldGuy

Cape Union Mart in Fourways still had about 10/12 this morning when I went by, the big retailers are always supplied first and they fill most of the pre orders, but this week will see a lot of the smaller independents start getting stock and they dont get that much in the line of pre-order's so I anticipate they will be available pretty much everywhere by late next week. My dive retailer is getting me one and he has 10 on order for stock with only mine really been a pre order, so 9 to sell.

Sure is, but a very boring one too. My opinion is he wont feature much this year in the grand tours, a lot just happened to fall his way last year in that the TDF suited him with the TT's, relatively little competition from the rated tour riders like 'Berto and Schleck and of course a strong team in context on the day, however the courses have changed radically and now there is a lot more climbing which suits the lightweight climbers, the teams of the big names will also be very strong, make no mistake about that as they will have a potential podium winner to support and of course 'Berto is unlikely to lose huge chunks of time in the TT, so Bradly's dominance there will be limited as well. Although I think he is a great rider, he is not in the same league as 'Berto, Schleck and Rodriguez when it comes to grand tours, or at least I dont think so.

The American motor car industry collapsed. Although I was in Detroit last year and it was still very busy, not sure where those photos were taken, but in any city you will find derelict buildings, just drive around JHB, but yeah, Detroit suffered a heavy blow with the car industry moving offshore and of course the recent collapse.

- very possibly true, but I wouldn't feel safe with that on my head,.......... sometimes the old tried and trusted methods just feel better.

Sheesh, thats scary man. I dont know anything about it, but if thats what the cardiologist says, then thats it I guess - assume he knows more than us. All the best and look after yourself man.!

Oi man, they must not leave me there alone, I would be hard pressed not to take them all. I am a sucker for a puppy.

Hmm, yeah, this bit interested me though - And there’s also the political angle with Katusha team boss Igor Makarov sitting on the UCI’s own management committee. He must be red with rage right now and it’ll be interesting to see if he reacts, especially given whispered ambitions to run the UCI or place his man Andrei Tchmil into this role. Plus Russia is negotiating with the UCI to get a World Tour Race (perhaps a WSC event) and a decision on this is expected in May 2013 but Russian cycling officials might well have had enough of the UCI. I recon they will end up getting a license.

Maybe you need to try a few other blends, or alternatively Checkers sells the Cafe Luxe brand pods which are compatible with Nespresso machines, there are four blends I think and a decaf.Nespresso is probably not keen on you using the generic pods in their machine so it may be prudent to check if it will effect your warranty, but I use them in my machine when I feel like something different and I have had no issues, although to me, Nespresso pods are better, but it might be worth a try for you.

Hmm, strong words, obviously from their legal partner. The question is, are the UCI listening.?

Thats actually quite fair Wannabe, average here is 100 bucks each and Moscon is 10 kms away, you will be lucky if they fit them here either, usually just give them to you in a packet and wave goodbye.

Thats for the Black Edition, No.? I was told this week as well. .............but the Silver Edition is everywhere, Cape Union Mart in fourways has dozens.

- Now rush off to the waterfront shop (or you can buy on line for december and you get free delivery) and try the coconut flavor, then buy 20 packs cos when its finished its finished and you dont want to be out over Christmas.!

Yeah, could be,........ or you can just call Moscon Optics who are the distributors - 011 483-8001 - and they will tell you the agent closest to you. Saves a bit of hassle.

Hmm, I think their grand tour aspirations were always built around Rodriguez, but other guys like Kolobnev and Moreno were also quite prominent.

Hmm, but it doesn't really say much about why Katusha wasn't granted Pro Tour status. I am sure their administration is good, I haven't heard of any ethical issues and as far as I know all riders are getting paid, so it just leaves a points issue.? I dont know mind, thats just my guess,........... but it still seems odd.

Yeah, I dont know, I mean they really didnt feature at all this year, if I didnt see their name on the start list to most races, I wouldn't have known they were there.

I would be interested to know why their application was rejected, was it based on points or financial obligations or some other issue. Katusha had some seriously good riders, Rodriguez been only one of them. I will be very upset if they are relegated down and dont manage to secure wild card entries to the grand tours or if the sponsor pulls the plug.

Yeah, his Giro win catapulted him into the world spotlight, especially as he beat his own team leader and Italian favorite Simoni. He never really featured again in the grand tours, some say its because he was clean, I know he was one of the few who took that very vocal pledge a few years back to ride clean, but he has done well in the big one day events and has remained fairly subdued and below the media radar, which I also liked, but that move at the Giro was just ridiculous, big star, big ego, big mistake.................I believe Scarponi lost due to his move, which in the end turned out to be totally in vain.

Yeah, its normally that little hinge, 100-150 bucks although you may have some postage involved from Jhb to CT. I just went to my local optician who was an Adidas agent and they ordered it for me. Once I needed it the next day so my Optician ordered it and I just picked it up at Adidas in JHB. I would say any Adidas stockist / optician will get it for you, its 2 minutes to change yourself, just pull up the emblem which has a small leg which locates the hinge on the arm and remove the arm, then remove the old hinge piece in the frame with a small long nose pliers and press the new hinge into place, locate the arm over the hinge and line up the locating holes, press the emblem into place and "Bobs your uncle" - Done.

Agreed, as Ianj says most times its just that little hinge, about 100 bucks. I have replaced at least three on my various pairs, the first time I also got smoked because I didnt know, and the shop replaced the entire arm, it wasn't 900 bucks, I think closer to 300 but it was a few years ago, but I learnt fast. I recently replaced the nose piece as mine broke and that was 150 bucks.

Its disgraceful and a sign of the levels we have sunk to as a nation. I can never condone crime, and especially crime aimed at children, however we really need to move away from this attitude of "Thank Goodness they are okay" or "Oh, its only petty crime, at least they didnt stab me" - in my opinion crime is crime, but to me it appears as if we have as a nation become so accustomed to crime, that we heave a collective sigh of relief when its perpetrated against us and we are still alive afterwards. I dont understand it, anywhere else in the western world people would be absolutely Outraged they stole a bicycle, or broke into their locked house, or threatened them with a weapon, it would make front page news, and the police would be searching the area with dogs and police lines for clues, - here you are lucky if they even take a look................ - "Are you all okay?" " - "Yes" - "Oh Okay",... "do you need a case number for insurance?" .............and generally thats the end of it as far as they are concerned..........and sadly we have no option but to accept it. Please dont think I am aiming the post at you mate, thats not my intention, I understand exactly where you are coming from and how you feel, its an outrageous situation and completely unacceptable in a civilized society - I just think its such a sad state when, unless someone is killed or brutally injured, no-one in any position of power to do something about it - cares.! ........But, maybe I am just having a bad Monday it happens with us old blokes, we have our good days and bad days, maybe I just didnt sleep well, ........I'll see how I feel tomorrow.

Cunego's solo exploit on the last mountain stage of the 2012 Giro and leaving Scarponi isolated and having to look after himself when he was fighting for GC. I always liked Cunego, thought he was one of the more amicable riders around, but I have since changed my opinion.!

Yeah, I think the general mass market for lights is brutal, the big retailers sell the mass brands for tuppence and discount them further on Sunday. Not a market for the faint of heart in my opinion!. Even the specialty light market is pretty small, it probably still has some meat on the bone simply because the big brands and retailers are not really into niche markets yet, but then again, like you say, there's a number of brands all competing for a piece of a very small pie - tough business I think.!

Yeah, most likely. As I said I dont shop much for bicycling stuff, so I dont go look. I may pop into the odd store if I see it, but generally its not interesting to me. The other advantage of course is that if you buy out of state and have it delivered you can sometimes avoid the local sales tax in that state, which in a state like California is substantial, New York as well actually. Again I think its a state to state thing, some will some wont.

Yeah, Princeton Tec make great lights, very underrated here in SA. I have a few of their diving lights, Tec 40, Tec 400 and a Minni-wave I also have one of their headlights the Apex, first class lights and tough as nails. I got a Maglight around here somewhere too, but I never use it, but I use my Tec all the time.