justinafrika

With England being outplayed in every aspect of the game and losing by an innings within three days, I was a bit surprised by how upbeat Stokes' post-match interview was. A touch of delusion I thought.

I’m happy to pay a bit more at my local well-run Spar compared to other supermarkets nearby as management and staff welcomed me to lock my bike inside the store in a safe, quiet corner next to the entrance and security guards. Consequently I do our (just the youngest daughter and myself left) grocery shopping by bike and almost exclusively at that Spar. The local wine store and pharmacy are equally accommodating for cyclists.

Stunningly beautiful pieces. Congrats! And best of luck, will be keenly following your progress.

Found this old and unused bit from an USA seller. Not the sharpest pic from me old phone. Excellent hydrophobic coating judging by this morning’s rain ride.

Mostdef. Am in the habit of unfailingly donning helmet and gloves even just to the Spar 2 blocks away. One destroyed helmet and also the 4cm obvious palm scar from a bike fall decades ago guide that choice. Also the back of my hands are untouched by sun damage, unlike my mate who never wears gloves and who’s hands are frequently mistaken for a dinosaur's scrotum.

100%

Net so. Have a couple of rad pink shirts and I’m so “manly" I even sh*t standing up...

“Grab life by the balls!" by Sarah Skinner

Yes please mate, and I’d love to see your raw Roscoe as well. Am happy to pay and collect from you at any time. Am messaging my number to you, thanks.

Near home, after turning from Fordyce downhill into 9th Ave, Walmer on the way to Baakens Valley trails. A friend’s father was bikejacked right outside my home about 10 years ago and I’m always 360° vigilant (edit: and not anxious about it). Shoulder’s not in actual pain, from when I hit his head, but it still has a warm “glow”. Lekker. 🤣

A close encounter. I routinely move off the cycle path or pavement when two or more pedestrians approach while I’m on the way to trails. This morning around a bend on the cycle path, too late I saw them drawing knives. Two hard pedal strokes, late swerve, hit the thug on the left with my right shoulder and arm. Luckily all three of them were smaller and I still resemble that eighth-man that I was decades ago, so when I dropped my shoulder into the thug’s head he went flying. I veered off the path and only just prevented falling, stopping maybe 8 metres past them. When I looked back the thug was face down on the concrete cycle path. Shouted “T-S-E-K!!!”, laughed and pedaled away. Further away I looked back and the poor guy was still lying motionless. Am I allowed to say I enjoyed decking someone who attacked me? I absolutely did. Let’s hope they’re permanently put off trying to tackle cyclists.

I drive old European classics (infrequently as I cycle everywhere) but I simply love that four-wheeled beast in your twitter profile pic. Sê ma’ net.

https://metro.co.uk/2022/07/13/outrage-over-bmws-decision-to-charge-15-a-month-for-heated-seats-16992099/ Eh? Thank goodness I prefer to (infrequently) drive pre-internet-connected and beautiful old cars. The article claims the scheme applies to SA as well, is that the case?

Thanks mate, they’re a bit pricy around here so your reply is much appreciated.

Am looking to buy a pressfit headset lower (with bearing), ec44 for tapered 1.5” steerer please?

I don’t habitually hold regrets yet I do wish I had taken up the offer to visit the now-passed Swiss paternal ancestors rather than favour work, more so since the acceleration of my cycling love and obsession. Those road surfaces and climbs and descents and valleys look simply amazing. Appreciate all your images.

You win bikehub today. 🏆🥇 Edit: geomark simultaneous ditto

As small as Pidcock is, Ineos kit has him resembling Ant-Man. What’s happened to Ant-Man, and what are his prospects?

Of course, and I agree. The word demonise has the notion of unfair criticism to it. Nah, the Emirates and Israel (and a few others) have made their own bed with widespread and systematic human rights crimes. Heck, it’s perfectly legal for Emirati men to physically assault their wives and daughters and to lock them away, as many court cases have also confirmed. The intent of the discussion wasn't about politics, more about whether bikehub citizens would work with such an employer. FWIW, my original bit on another thread: "I’ve admired the exploits and successes of TeamUAE and especially the exraordinary talent and effort of Pogačar. It's sparked curiosity about whether anyone here would have reservations about doing work for/with a client or employer associated with widespread and serious human rights violations? To qualify the question: I stopped working with a major client, a multinational corporate, when they were bought out by Degussa. That company is of course notorious for processing millions of jaws of those who died in German concentration camps in WW2, in order to extract gold from their teeth. I started refusing to do business with any level of the SA state about 14 years ago when I realised it was becoming endemically corrupt. I’m not virtue signalling, I’m outright stating that I won’t do business with the corrupt or criminal. My ex SiL and her hubby are devout Christians but have no qualms about befriending the likes of the dodgy (traitorous, IMO) Zumas and Mbalulas and Gigabas, who'd occasionally turn up at family birthdays. I’m outspoken and they were concerned about what I might say when those @R$3#0L3$ were present. Where does one draw one’s proverbial line? Would you have reservations about working for the likes of Qatar or UAE or Degussa? Am interested so just asking…" I also dropped Coca Cola SABCO as a client for the disgraceful way that they bankrupted the many distribution drivers who had been set up as independent contractors. Many family homes were lost. The majority shareholder Gutsche’s daughter was a very good friend of mine, still refused to continue working with them. Would you work for Israel Premier Tech? Clearly not. How about UAE Team Emirates?

A bit of a difference between working with a not-“clean” team/company and a team/company owned by those notorious for gross human rights criminality, wouldn’t one think? I guess that’s not a consideration for you, each to their own. I’ve met a couple of gang bosses (and Zuma) over the years if you’re ever desperate for work…. 😁 😂 🙈 I’ll see meself out. Edit: Banter

Yeah thanks Chris. Just got back from an overnight ride so this is my first look. Am a little surprised to read that there’s a consideration that that thread might be derailed ‘cos it's related to a TdF team, I deferred and stepped back at any rate. I guess the question was also elicited in part ‘cos I chose to turn down a World Cup-related job offer in Qatar last year despite a significant personal and professional and financial slump these last several years. Some kinda “personal code” prevented me from working with several of my former graduates in Qatar, given the widespread abuses and shockingly high number of labour-related deaths (6 500) in preparation of the FIFA world cup. I really am interested in the opinions in the bikehub community. Regarding your point 1. about TeamUAE the idea that international sport and politics are separate entities is no more than a myth, since the origins of international sport it has ALWAYS been political. Even the Olympics have always been political. Are we to ignore the massive and widespread abuses of the kafala labour system (especially since 90% of labourers are foreigners with no rights), the forced disappearances of very large numbers of anyone who even even vaguely comments on reforms whether in private or on social media, the legal and formalised assault of wives and daughters? Heck, even the supreme leader al-Maktoum is notorious for the vicious assaults and detention without trial of his wife and daughters. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_the_United_Arab_Emirates In fact, Amnesty International’s description of “serious human rights violations, widespread arbitrary detentions, cruel and inhumane treatment of detainees, systemic suppression of freedom of expression…” sounds just like this “white boy from the suburbs’” observations of working in New Brighton and KwaZakhele at the height of the anti-apartheid struggle in the mid 1980’s. Those words describe the apartheid police state. At any rate, the original question came during a lull in action in yesterday’s stage and was directly related to my admiration for Pogačar and his team’s achievements. As for "You are conflating government, and cycling…”, team ownership does in fact go back to Emirati government ownership through two state banks and Emirates Airlines and I was wondering if that would factor into those in the bikehub community’s team/work considerations. Appreciate your opinion and you taking the time to respond, Chris. 👐 Edit: It’s turned into a glorious day here so I’ll check back here after a lunchtime ride through the valley trails.

Yeaaahhh with kids many years out of the house I’ve the freedom to almost only cycle wherever I go. Am on for a chilly-overcast-showery few hours night riding as soon as this stage concludes… Man I’d love to biketour this gorgeous northern French coast. Finale action!!!

I know bruh, no worries. There was no defensiveness on my part I light-heartedly volunteered to shut it.

Got it, I’ll shut it. 😊 Can’t imagine why a discussion about a TdF team would get this thread shut down, surely not in this dimension or on this planet... Zip. - a cycling obsessed currently unemployed half-retiree with clearly too much time on his hands

Not entirely, it was precisely TeamUAE that sparks the question. You know, the TdF team? Sportswashing, also in English football, is most topical and relevant at the mo. PS. It may not interest you but it’s undeniably cycling and TdF related.