IanJ

At least the hose pipe is still intact htone, thanks for that, I will check with the husky guys and the vet about Advocate. I know that huskies have problems with some products.

Shew, that is hectic, Husky Rescue charges a R850 adoption fee which includes sterilization, microchip and home check etc. I know they have it done at a regular vet but I think the vet gives them a special rate. Have to take Panda Bear to the vet today for his annual vaccinations and check up. Found a tick on him the other day which is surprising in winter so also need to redo the Frontline treatment.

Not quite Kyalami but just north of Diepsloot yes. We are there most Sundays in winter from about 6am, pm me if you want more details. I still want to make a trip to the wolf sanctuary, I have heard about it from the Joburg2C guys.

I think you are pretty much spot on, get a cute puppy for your kid from a pet shop without doing the research and then it gets to 1 year old and isn't getting exercise and no one can control it. Maybe one day it manages to escape because they don't have the right kind of fencing etc and they just don't bother looking for it. Some others just come to realise that they bit off more than they can chew and ask Husky Rescue to fetch the dog or maybe have to move to a smaller property etc. I got my Panda Bear from Husky Rescue just over a year ago, he was 2 years old and had already been used to breed, the guy still had the mother and 2 puppies and called up Husky Rescue one day to come fetch them because he didn't want them anymore. When they asked what had happened to the father (Panda) he said "he got out 2 weeks ago and I haven't bothered looking for him" He was picked up as a stray in Springs and ended up at Husky Rescue. His loss is my gain, the guy doesn't know what he missed out on, Panda and I have the best bond ever and I love him to bits. At least Husky Rescue (and I'm sure other organisations) do home checks and will not let a dog go to a home which is not suitable and before it is sterilized and microchipped. Also interesting is that the microchip stays registered in the name of Husky Rescue so that they can trace him if found. You will also see from the pics that all the dogs have to be attached when not running so it is almost impossible to run most huskies off leash although there are exceptions. Here is Panda watching Tour de France with me a few weeks ago.

They are lovely and there are lots more where they come from, sadly Husky Rescue has more than 100 dogs looking for homes at the moment and that pales into insignificance if you look at the general animal shelters and SPCA etc. The message here has to be to adopt rather than buying from breeders and make sure your pets are sterilized.

Not my own pets but Sled Dogs Unlimited collected some of our furry friends from Husky Haven and took them out for some sledding fun, huskies doing what huskies love to do. These are all dogs looking for homes, more details on www.huskyrescue.co.za Me and Mojo. Mojo and me on the bike. Arwen standing on her bowl to get a better view. Frankie the lover boy.

Any idea who stocks Lancewood in JHB northern suburbs?

Here is Panda watching Tour de France highlights with me last week:

My son bought me the DVD of Eight Below but I haven't plucked up the courage to watch it yet, from what I hear a box of tissues is a necessity. Watched Snow Dogs on DSTV a few weeks ago with Panda my husky and he got very emotional when the dogs nearly went over the cliff. He loves watching TV, especially movies with dogs.

Yes, dryland sledding takes place just about every Sunday during winter from 6am. Below is a picture taken by another lady last Sunday, I think it is a fantastic picture which shows the action and excitement of the dogs.

In my experience it is quicker and cheaper to go to a sunglass shop than an optician. I think opticians tend to have a bigger markup. Just look for a shop that is an Adidas agent.

Copy and paste of their About Us page from this site: http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/aboutUs.htm They just moved to new premises in Ludlow, quite far from George.

On my Adidas glasses you can replace just the hinge (clear plastic piece), cost less than R200 for a pair of hinges. Not sure if yours are the same? http://i.ebayimg.com/t/NEW-ADIDAS-EVIL-EYE-SPARE-HINGE-REPLACMENT-PART-AC-167-5648-FREE-SHIPPING-/00/s/MTA3MFgxNjAw/$(KGrHqV,!rkE88hC+yYDBPYedWi1)w~~60_35.JPG

Evan suspects they will head for a neighbouring country, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique so N1 North and South or N4.

I am in for 68km on the SS. Will probably add a few more people in the next few days.

Stopped about a month ago for winter, too dark to ride now. Will start again in August.

I think people are getting confused between supporters cars (which have to leave 20min before the stage start) and support cars normally driven by a team manager who has to be at the managers meeting and will be given a sticker. They drive behind the various categories to give support to their riders.

Cool, which day shall we make it?

Although I haven't ridden at SBR for ages I would hate to see it closed to cyclists. Anyone keen to join me on a clean up ride over the easter weekend, let's do something proactive. We can do a slow lap and pick up as much litter as we can, I will arrange a following vehicle to dump rubbish in. Could also do a braai after at the car park if there is enough interest?

GOG, firstly may say that i think you are reading a bit too much into my initial statement and also maybe my choice of words could have been better. What I was trying to say is that, in my opinion, the Hub is not the same as it was a few years ago when it's primary focus was cycling and there was plenty of coverage of local races with lots of photgraphs etc. The topics have become much more diverse and people seem to have become much more confrontational than previously. I know of quite a few other people who also don't post here any more for similar reasons. It is not my position to say that because of the above the Hub is any worse than it was that is just how I feel. As with any forum the direction followed will be determined by the members and that has obviously changed over the years. I still come here to view topics that interest me and will occasionally comment if I have any valid input. I do feel that as a cycling forum there would previously have been quite a bit of mention and discussion on an event like the Tour de Freestate. Incidentally I was not referring to any other forum when I said I had discussed the Tour on other media but rather more personal social type media with closer groups of personal friends. My intention was certainly not to criticise the Hub or it's members, but simply to compare the current Hub with the old. I hope that clears things up. Out of here to enjoy my weekend and get ready for a lekker race on Sunday. Have a good weekend all.

Zac,A, I don't post much on the Hub any more for the reasons I stated above, I have followed the tourdefreestate extensive on other media and made my comments on those media. I used to be quite active here but I feel that the main focus has shifted away from what it used to be and I don't feel it has much value any more. I also don't feel that your personal comments about me were justified (or truthful as you obviously don't know me) but again this is the nature of the Hub these days.

The total lack of comment on a major cycling event happening right on our doorsteps to me sums up the state of the Hub. Even Fridays epic final few km where most of the elite field where reduced to walking didn't even elicit a single comment on a so called cycling forum as far as I am aware. Of course everyone will say it wasn't marketed properly so no one knew about it but those that were bothered would have found out the details. I firmly believe that the Hub has lost it's cycling focus and people prefer to come here to discuss more random and often controversial topics.

I keep getting an error after voting, "Empty response received" Any suggestions?

Tells you on the website: Musandam, Oman.

My Garmin had 73.71km so call it 74km.