Danger Dassie

The question is pretty open ended. But, light to mid level XC/Marathon riding. Like most hardtails in this segment it provides an entry point into general MTB riding. So dirt roads and your green/blue level trails.

Touched a sore point for me, people often get so shrill and irrational when they hear someone rides/runs/hikes alone. NEVER GO ALONE! Jesus man, calm your farm and take a breath. Often out on my own as well, because sometimes I just like to zone out in my own space and missions. Plus not everyone has the same work schedule/life commitments, so it's also a case of practicallity. I'll practice basic outdoor code, if lost back to a point where you're familiar with the surroundings. Know your route and times, share them, wether it's a live location or with someone you know. Try and practice situational awareness of your surroundings and know ahead of time if there are hotspots and/or dangers. An emergency button/app is a great help. If in a group, DON'T just ride your mates off and leave them, keep them in sight. Not just because of crime but also mechanicals or a crash. Again, this is just basic outdoor code stuff, which too many people ignore unfortunately.

Seems to be a case of both a lack of political willpower and handwringing. I also think the whole 'national government has our hands tied' is often overplayed as a scapegoat for the sake of political grandstanding. Local government can increase policing when it suits them, ie beaches and parks during lockdown. But not when the community really needs them. I remember when Oceanview residents blockaded the road to Kommetjie because their pleas for assistance against the increasing gang activity were not being listened to. Then suddenly CT Metro and SAPS had resources to disperse for pop.

Plus a charity event in the Berg in Feb - https://www.instagram.com/p/Czx6hyIpxkA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Really good and insightful one on one interview with GM on The Roller Door; "The Goat moves on... Greg Minnaar holds more wins than any other athlete in the history of Men's elite downhill racing. He's been on the Santa Cruz Syndicate for 16 years, he's raced 7 genertations of the santa cruz V10, and he's put our bikes on the top step too many times to list here, and as you may have heard, his time on the team is coming to an end. On this episode of the podcast Garen and Greg talk about the early days of the syndicate, numerous competitors througout the years, how gregs stays young, and about some of greg's greatest moments with the Santa Cruz Syndicate. Remember, you can ask questions/ make comments by emailing podcast@santacruzbicycles.com" https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/celebrating-greg-minnaars-16-years-on-the-santa-cruz/id1670189778?i=1000637582151 https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0epVPPxSPU/

From Rob Roskopp "What a ride, Greg! I have so many fond memories over the years, on and off the bike. The Syndicate was so much more, it was our extended family. It's hard to watch what has happened to SCB. It all comes down to leadership. My biggest regret is putting people that lacked vision in place. We all make mistakes, but getting rid of key people that made the brand what it was, is just plain stupid! I understand why you wanted to leave. All the best going forward with your new ride. I'm excited to spend time with the family over Christmas and New Year's in SA." https://www.instagram.com/p/C0fx7yUrvEp/?hl=en

Well that went feral fast ......

Look side by side they're pretty spot on, but if you're looking at the spec and pricing then the Titan is the smart choice to make.

Anywhere in the country Avalanche is local and falls under Dragon Sports. So support is not an issue.

Saw that, was just an announcement of GM finishing with the team. Nothing about Norco etc

One article, which very specifically says to take with a dose of salt. No one knows anything yet. Norco is no longer in SA.

It's not a competition, SA just has a different market that's all. Intrinsically it is predominately XC and full suss focussed. But there are some good options, Rapide, Commencal are a good start.

Not too far out from Sutherland!

Praat ons nog steeds van Munga nou? ....

Thinus and Willie look like they're together, wonder if this could motivate them to closing the gap to Drikus?

Ja but isn't your wife a Mungril? ...... Joh, sentences that in any other setting would end in violence!

Thanks, that isn't the entire paragraph however which sets a very different context scenario broadly. "Given that the appropriate steepness has been reached, a major change in race dynamics occurs. As gravity supersedes air resistance as the primary force that must be overcome, drafting becomes a relatively less useful tool in the competition...." Plus most riders are averaging above 16kmh. Even on corrugations pacing together works, obviously one can't rely on generalisations, but pacing/draughting in a group does on balance offer an advantage. Unfortunately, I don't have any Munga palmeres to brow beat with, just my own overall riding experience. Dabbled with some min events and designed a few sets of kit, so I identify as a jersey. Without getting personal it also doesn't make anyone's contribution lesser. Understandable that it may be your viewpoint. Well done on doing it, memories for life.

Nope, you'd have to be falling over to not get an advantage from drafting. Any grouping will benefit, no matter the speed. All credit to Jenny, nothing untoward and she is a pro in her own right. Still has work commitments but gets in elite level training. So lets not detract from that by making up physics.

People were whining about the RAF photo packages, which were free and not that bad actually. Given the hard costs of photographing an event, R80 for an image is not an unreasonable amount. Back in the day, agencies like MyPicture and Action Photo often had to pay many events to sell images to riders. Plus the imaging software for sorting etc is pretty pricey, and you need to pay staff on the day. So these are all costs to be recovered before showing a net turnover. Everyone expects their image to be a cover shot, unfortunately not everyone is cover shot material and when you're nailing over 10000 button/shutter actuations on a single event, there has to be a compromise between creativity and getting a clean infocus image in the moment. Personally I think event images should be subsidised at least in part as brand value for A sponsor/event. Also a reality in SA, photography is generally not an understood medium of communication, both in value and creation. This is a whole other topic on it's own.

None series cup and cone alloy hubs, 28hole. - https://titanracingbikes.com/bikes/rogue-sport/

Evert? Great guy, been really impressed with his work and ethic.

I know Trailwolf at Taroko/Modders have a guy who comes and does the invisi wrap protection on site. About R1900 give or take.

Just do it in one sitting and it's over with .... 😜

Hear that! ... XX1 is a gold standard on it's own, proven. Depends on what you're after as well though. XX1 gold- Light, reliable, fast shifting and butter smooth. Being mechanical it is susceptible to worn cable housings and impact damage. GX AXS- Heavy, near bomb-proof, slower shifting but consistently smooth and effortless. Not susceptible to cable wear and the only weakness is your hangar really, but even then it will auto-adjust to a bent hangar. Most people I know stick with GX AXS once they've changed, the shifting does take some getting used to and the weight penalty doesn't really count given the benefits, shifting and shifter use are way less effort. For peace of mind, get spare battery/s.

Which GX AXS are you looking at, first gen or the new Transmission stuff?