NotSoBigBen

Avid perhaps?

Nowhere.... Stress and strain taking a toll on my health and wellbeing. Can see it on my resting heart rate over time in the GCM app, never really bothered with that! The training bikes are washed and raring to go, maybe this afternoon, maybe tomorrow who knows [emoji848]

https://m.pinkbike.com/news/3-competitors-removed-from-world-championships-e-mtb-race-after-bikes-fail-uci-checks.html

But but all the cool 'kids' must have dropper posts even those riding their bikes here in Alberhoughton on the gravel roads ....

Touche! But for those all day rides ....

Some days start dark and gloomy but end up glorious! Three words for what I've learnt over time 'life goes on'

*makes note of clear bottle advice*

Bloody hippies!

Mudguards are like saddle bags and 'camel packs' dude [emoji12]

Sometimes #RainIsOK 'A bicycle ride is a flight from sadness'

Sorry about that, if you have a look at my post in the 'Corona-Virus fallout' thread you may see where I'm coming from ... Trust me you guys all have my full sympathy!

Despite my not inconsiderable heft it is holding up well, keeping in mind that unlike some I ride it as a gravel bike not a 'jack of all trades' type bike. Gravel roads that do have some pretty rough corrugations, jeep tracks with some rough sections and occasional reasonable singletrack.

Just another 'bad business' that would have gone down anyway, not the virus/lockdown's fault I suppose ... *No sarcasm font on Tapa*

Has anyone else experienced that bikes which have been resprayed seem to chip easier than the original paint? Could just be the way 'my guy' who is just a regular car spraypainter does it of course ...

There you go!

Just something to ponder on... Valuable lesson for all business owners... #knowyourworth A client asked me how much it cost to do a job. I replied: "R 15000" He said to me: 'For this job? That's so much! '' I asked, "How much did you think it would cost you?" '' At most R 5000 or free, it's a quick job '' `` For R 5000 I invite you to do it yourself '' '' It's just that I don't know how to do it '' '' For R 5000 I teach you, so in addition to saving you R10000, you will have the knowledge for the next time you request it. " It felt right and he accepted. "I will let you know what you will need to get started: you need tools: Ladder, rollers, roller trays, brushes, paint pots, drop sheets, scrapers, filler, no more gaps, sand paper etc etc…. "But I don't have all these tools and I don't want to buy all of this for just one job '' '' Well, then for R 5000 more I rent you all the necessary tools so you can do it '' Plus, you need to buy all paint and materials you need for the job. ′ Okay ′ he tells me, Agreed! Friday I'll wait for you to come and show me how to do it. '' I can't on Friday, I am busy with my work at the moment. '' Can you do it today? No today I don't have time to teach you and lend you my tools. I can do it on Saturday But you have to be very punctual because I have multiple jobs to go to. I'll be waiting for you Saturday morning at 7 am to start with all the work. '' Oops, no ... Buying these things takes too much time and more money. _ You know? It's too early. I'd better give you the R 15000 I've already done my math and it will cost me more. Remember You don't get paid just to do a job It charges for: - Knowledge – Experience – Study – Tools – Instruments – Services - Time- Punctuality - Responsibility – Guarantee and Patience - Payment of: Insurances, Work cover and Superannuation for employees, offices, transportation and more that any legally established business needs. Nobody can denigrate anyone's work by putting the price they want, or by belittling your work. “It is an example of what self respect and respect for others means and why time is money, mechanics, engineers, plumbers are given less respect than Drs yet spend just as many years studying, you wouldn't ask your Dr to fix your car or fly you to London, show some respect and pay the experts,not traumatise them".

Thanks Captain!

Thanks for everyone's insights, I feel somewhat more enlightened to be able to answer a question like that next time it comes up or at least to discuss it without feeling doff!

Just something I've been contemplating, often you hear someone say something like '105 of today is as good as or better than Dura Ace of x years ago' So I've been thinking is it possible to actually define a period within which the lowest (let's stick with 105 vs DA or perhaps SLX vs XTR) will in fact 'catch up' to the highest? Also would that be in tech as well as materials/weight... I would think that in these tough times when people consider 'upgrading' groupsets it could be useful.

Maybe add a 'motor' [emoji12]

It's because of this confusion that there'll be 'gravel bikes' with front and rear suspension, suspension seatposts and stems, 9-51 dinner plate cassettes and 700*50 tyres.... Then ridden on good gravel roads, skud maar net my kop

No chain drops on a pretty bumpy ride this morning with some of everything, sorted! Am still not a fan of the look of gravel specific bars but I will admit they're comfortable and easier over the more technical sections such as they were, keeping in mind I don't use it as an MTB. Lastly legend has it that this chainring has been used to win the Crater Cruise on a single speed bike some years ago by the one and only Jules [emoji41]

When you only weigh 46.3kg's you don't have to worry about bike weight [emoji12]

So many thoughts come to mind but as Fanie says 'upgraded bosk@k'

With your OCD you could at least have given me credit for the matching flippin tyres [emoji849] A driveway halfway up that climb passed the 'blue barn' at the back of Eye of Africa