Danger Dassie

Normally abrasive scratches can often be polished out, but not if it's a coated lense or the scratches are deep. Most likely cheaper to replace the lenses or lens. I really wouldn't reccomend trying to polish scratches out yourself, especially if it's a prescription.

Yeah and down the road is Mikes Bikes. Mike used to work at Linden and you can see it in his attitude to the job at hand. His shop though focusses more on the boutique side of things, but they've filled that niche perfectly with their approach and workmanship to boot. Plus they gave me a beer once

Everything else aside, what would the point of a mountain climb exercise be? Surely the value is not worth the risk and and expense of calling out the rescue guys from SA Mountain Club to retrieve an item that is more than likely damaged, unless theres some form of enviromental impact?

That may be half the story, part of the problem with local pricing here is also the fact that taxing and shipping structures are resulting in higher pricing on the goods arriving in SA. This isn't just in the cycling/sporting industry either. Goods are shipped from Asia to the distributors (Africa falls under the European supply chain) who then distribute to us. Irony being that more often than not, those very goods being shipped actually dock on our coastline before carrying on their journey to Europe for distribution to us. If the manufacturers could wake up and wake up and ship directly to SA, making SA the distribution point, it would greatly reduce cost. Likewise if the DTI investigated the taxing implications alongside SARS and reviewed the current structure of taxation on certain goods. Cameras and videography equipment faces the same issues, a Nikon D3 here costs approx 60k, I can bring it in myself for approx 30k.

They are nifty, bought some at CLab for about 90rondt or so, and warm enough too. Lycra ones would be better for wind chill methinks. You doing other nations too? ... may have some interested Spaniards after they thrash Portugal.

Some stuff from the parade... http://www.sportzpics.net/search.php?searchField=ALL&searchstring=bafana+parade and behind the scenes images http://www.facebook.com/TEAM.tourvest

What a game, my ears are still ringing. Impressive infrastructure and transport system as well. For the first time in a long time I saw our national coach smiling! Sleep though, would love some long time nap time!

Some shots from the Bafana Bafana Parade through Sandton... madness! http://www.sportzpics.net/albums.php?albumId=114505 http://www.galloimages.co.za/Search?q=Bafana+Bafana+Dino+Lloyd&a=3&st=2 And a personal favourite site of mine, Boston.com's 'The Big Picture' hands down some of the best photojournalism around! http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/06/preparing_for_the_world_cup.html

Still remember shooting it last year. Didn't eat anything while driving there, arrive and ask this one tannie "where can I get buy some Kremetart please, starving!" She gave me one times strange look and after some discussion I realise that it's a frikin boabab tree. Left me pretty damn despondent I tell you, not too mention red faced.

Bicycle specific products are often a ripoff, what you pay for in a tiny bottle you can buy in bulk of normal dergreaser, lube, grease etc.. For me personaly, prepsol, rinse wash, dry and lube. I might use something like squirt, otherwise for wet rides I use wynflo, greases I buy the Herschelle products from builders. Same often goes for suspension oils and brake fuids.

Similar in a sense .... Geof the Aussie who ran Logwood also built the MTN Bike Park.

"THE LOGWOOD BIKE WILL BE RE-OPENING ON SATURDAY 29TH MAY 2010 TO CO-INCIDE WITH THE ANNUAL LOGWOOD COUNTRY FESTIVAL" Seems to be a typo leaving out "Park" .... but the way I read it is that the bike park is reopening in conjunction with the festival? Say it is so!

It's official http://www.logwoodvillage.co.za/news/mountain-biking-news-flash

Really? Would be awesome if Logwood opens up again. Where did you hear about it? http://www.logwoodvillage.co.za/news/mountain-biking-news-flash

Canaris listed a bunch of spots for an analogy of technical trails.... but sacrilige has occured, he left out Teak Place and van Gaalen, both meccas in their own right. Especially van Gaalen! Shame on you Canaris, a month of commuting by tricycle!!

Which "90%" Would that specific race be the Epic? I know plenty social riders who are faster than pros in the technical bits, but then what is your definition of "technical" ? Clarens is a challenge, if people can't make the full route perhaps they need to question how they approach their own skillsets, not to dumb down the route. For myself I feel there are more than enough events catering to riders across the board. So perhaps people should choose their events more carefuly.

Gauteng was ok, 20 odd riders and a guest appearance from Nic White Pity that the full 85 didn't pitch, but still better than the attendance for Ray Chaplin's departure.

So to what end is this thread? The thread has not been removed, it's been locked. I can still read it on my screen. "They" as you put it never complained. Joe did, and had the balls to say as much and gave his reasoning. The only "gods" were those who responded like a rabid mob. Interestingly, no one seems to be banging on admin/mods for locking the thread. After reading some of those comments admin did the right thing. Not because of the topic itself, but because a fair number of people displayed in their comments the same mindset as the hijackers that were killed. Those alone were far from progessive or intellectual.

I'll be there ... click click

Mainstream media is failing in this regard as well, take a look at the piss poor local coverage of the MTB World Cup in Pmb last year. Even the standard of local cycling media left much to be desired!

Slave I pretty agree with you say, just to add though... One of the other major factors is ourselves and our attitudes on the road as well. As road users in general, South Africans must rate as some of the most inconsiderate and aggressive out there, whatever the excuse. I notice it myself, and actually feel embarrased that I have to make a concious decision in traffic to not fall into that trap, and it's nothing to do with roadworks, ineffective traffic policing etc ... it's how I choose to act, and observing people's behaviour around me, many should start pointing fingers at themselves as well.

The stats in the UK (not Europe) are far higher than many assume. Still, the whole argument of where else it happens vs it happening more here etc etc etc .. really is a stupid one on both sides. If anything it just gives people ammo to feed their particular stereotype as opposed to any pro-active points. IMO anyway.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=185&art_id=vn20100507072258532C916155

Full story in tomorrow's edition of the Star.