Astroboy

Really like the Gatling Gun! "In 1861 Doctor Richard Gatling patented the Gatling Gun believing it would bring an end to bloodshed." ..... ..... Riiiiight....

Athe

I prep my kit the night before and then set my alarm for 5mins before sunrise. I make sure the alarm is placed somewhere I need to get up, walk to it, then switch it off else I am too tempted to hit the 'snooze' button and carry on napping..

Just spotted your old post-no worries to reply, got the area!

That's really a great ending to a horrible story... :eek: Whereabouts in irene did this happen? I live (and ride) around there so I would like to avoid the spot if its possible. I know some guys got bikejacked at Smutskop near the Village Market in the vicinity of the Eskom station a year ago and stabbed in the process. Seems like you can only go out if you're locked & loaded these days...

Can't get Joost!!

Hi guys-am going to Mabula for the weekend and MTB'ing is apparently not permitted inside the reserve. Does anyone know of a worthwhile trail/s in the surrounds? I'm sure there should be something but can't find anything on the mtb route websites available for that area.. ......

Why not post the artwork so long then we can get a better idea on tips etc. and supplies you may need. Will you be going hardtail or dual suspension?

I'm a bit slow on the uptake on this thread so sorry if I missed most of the chit-chat. Last friday I migrated (note the avoidance of the word "upgraded" for the sake of caution only) to a full;-carbon 29'er hardtail. I did my 1st Sani2C on a (26")softail Anthem X1 and that bike is in my mind an indestructible bomb of a bike. Handles technicals like a dream, descends switchbacks like a rattlesnake etc. So I don;t know if its just the bike itself and how its engineered or the 26" thing but its a beaut and I love it. Enter 29" racing snake: Full carbon FRM Galaxy with FRM XCR2 groupset. Took it for a 2 hour ride on saturday and again on sunday. It's a complete different bike -again, could be engineering or the 29" thing or a mix-I can't say. What I do know, is that I kept missing the soft and controlled ride of my Anthem. But then again, I recalled a saying as I was thinking that : Harden the ****up mate! Its obvious to me that I can become used to anything if I do it long enough, so spending TITS (time in the saddle)on both is the only thing I believe stands between a 26" and 29" migration experience... There is no right or wrong answer methinks....

AAAAWESOOOOOME !!!!!!!! :thumbup:

Hi - try Panda sportswear I had some team kit printed for the Sani2C and I found them rather efficent and not too expensive. If you provide them with the logos they'll design some nice jerseys (and bibs if you want). The email address is: pandasp@mweb.co.za - I was helped by Amanda and Antonella.Their telephone numebr is 011-334-2288. Hope it helps!

That's the point right there Papa Bear! :thumbup:

Hi Enticement- I'm sorry to disappoint you, but that guy you must have seen was not me. I'd happily claim it if it was me, but see I always take my 4-year old son with me when I go over there because he loves to look at the bikes and I try and make it a pleasant experience for him too - he loves cycling ever since he was 2 and a half. So apart from always keeping it decent, I try and make it pleasant for my boy's sake. You're going to have to rack the ol' memory of your again and picture someone else to stick that tail to, and for all the incorrectly aimed comment that follows in your post I guess you'll be big enough to own up. Then, after that exercise, try read my initial post again. Especially try find the part where you seem to think I insinuate FP's service guys trying to 'do me in'. C'mon lad, 100 bucks says you won't find those words anywhere. I don't mind crit, but if you want to rip into a post like that, just make sure you get it straight.

NOW I have FP's email, I honestly tried to reach him directly to discreetly discuss it with him - I even regietered on his webiste as a member just to try and mail him, but (and check it out for yourself) all the mailboxes go straight to the shop you're complaining about, not to TOPDOG, so it has to get filtered from the bottom up. Which is why I posted, others joined in the chorus, everyone had a a good vent, and FP stepped up to the plate in fine fashion. Everyone's happy! Thx for the post Drongo

Hi Fritz, I'm the guilty goblin who started the thread. I really think its a great gesture to become involved in the discussion and a good thing to hear what people think in general - that is, the good and the bad and all the other stuff inbetween. I'd really like to continue supporting your Irene shop and, just for having the courage and character to make such a generous gesture, I'd like to challenege evereyone on this thread to visit Fritz's Irene store and rate their experience post 2 FEB 2011. C'mon guys, lets give FP at least that credit and the benefit of his undertaking to stick some smiles on his service dept's faces! Well done Fritz, those are the colours of a champ! :clap:

Thanks a mil Regard - I'll make a note of David's name and chat to him (hopefully he's not the guy I ranted about)

No the service I get is spot-on. Its just the etchies attitudes that make me cringe everytime I go there. Don;t get me wring, I don't expect a Cuppacino and a warm handshake from the guys, but try it for yourself and see how you rate the experience. It a mix between a home affairs government employee and a manic depressive, rude metrocop. I just wonder if poor FP wouldn;t make more money/attract more customers if only his service guys were a tad more polite. Now relaying the message through the sales guy sounds good in theory, but can you imagine the politics after that happens inside the FP shop? Don;t want to bust their nuts or get anyone into dwang, so I think I'll post FP a note on FB and like he said in the thread, if FP cares he'll have a chat with his team and that should cut it. I'm also a business owner and if my (service) staff had to be naffy to customers, I'd want to know it and cure it immediately. After all, we're not through the recession yet and last time I checked, friendliness to customers is kindof the X-factor in a service-oriented business, it makes guys want to come back again and support you.

Thx Trek Fan I'll suss 'em out over the weekend

Hey THIS is a very cool idea - do you rivet the frame to the bakkie or does it stand alone through transport? :thumbup:

I think that's good advice, I'll post a note on his FB page and hope for the best! Thx a mil!

I really have had just about all I can take from the dodgy (service) staff @ FPC Irene. I have been going there for over 3 years now and thought that perhaps my first couple of visits I must've just caught the service guys at a bad time. But it stays the same -each time I'm begrudgingly greeted and helped (very well) but MAN - these guys just make me not want to go there anymore! I recently moved to Irene and so FPC is the closest cycleshop around, but perhaps I was just too spoilt by Bruce Reyneke's friendly staff, I dunno. Anyone out there have any similar (service) experiences? I'd like to hear about it.The sales guys are very helpful and friendly, but sinking down to the basement level where the service dept. is seated is almost like going into another world! Mordor or something, with Gollum the service guy hanging onto his friendliness like something precious. Now I know the easy out is to just not go there, but why penalize FP for his ill tempered staff?