BrianMTB

Thanks all for the helpful input, I appreciate it. Am flying tomorrow on Swiss; bike packed and all set. Thanks again and safe cycling 👍🏻

I really appreciate all this great info - thanks for your help. I will be sure to go to Morgins 🚵🏻👍🏻 Who needs a toothbrush… 🥷🏻

Hi all I’m spending three months in Switzerland soon and am taking my mountain bike with me. I’d appreciate advice from anyone who has done this before, specifically in terms of whether I will be charged any kind of importation or customs clearance fee?

I haven’t been on this site for quite a while, and so I was intrigued to see a large and active thread about veganism (being a former professional animal scientist turned vegan). I expected to see a complete deterioration of civility and decorum in the thread, with opposing views on this contentious subject facing off across an impassible divide. I read the first 20 or so pages that started in 2018 and then the last 10 or so most recent pages. It seems to me that (with the exception of the inevitable spat here and there), the discussion was always constructive and in fact appeared to evolve over the 3+ years into a real platform for positive debate on the topic. I’ve been fully vegan for about 6 years, and in that time I have seen what I perceive as a swing in societal attitudes about vegansim; from open hostility (which I’m embarrassed to say used to be my position) to greater awareness and even partial adoption. Perhaps this is just my perception based on my frame of reference. I am interested to hear other’s views on this.

Magura MT6 or MT8 - the latest versions. Best brakes money can buy.

There are ways of dealing with problem animals. Shooting them with a shotgun in front of guests and children was a stupid move.

Was a great ride on Sunday - if your bike didn't creak before all that dust, it sure as hell would have after Does anyone know how many people started the 55km? I heard the race officials saying 2000, but according to Racetec only 911 finished?

Hi all, I know its late but I can't find the starting times anywhere - the link on the site doens't work Does anyone have the schedule?

These guys are missing a trick. They could start a programme teaching trail building to minor offenders and they could build what could easily become one of the nicest trails in Joburg. I understand that security is paramount but they could control access (and charge for it). I wonder if that is a discussion that could be had with their management?

Hi all I was doing some exploring today and found my way onto the Leeukop Prison grounds. I only realised this when I rode past a few people who were obviously Correctinal Services people but they didn't bat an eyelid. There are some nice trails there and even some wildlife. Is it okay to ride there? And if so is it safe?

The Lobo is a good size - 2l capacity and space for what you need. I also have a Mule for the really long stuff, 3l capacity and space for the kitchen sinc...

20 hours per week? 8-12 a week is fine.

There were issues with the Polar site over the weekend - check again later today or tomorrow before looking for a workshop.

To the OP - damn sorry about your fall and I sincerely hope that you get well soon. Don't give up on biking just yet - heal up and get back on, you'll regret it if you don't. Not that this is in anyway the same but I saw dudes with prosthetic limbs (not Oscar) doing the Epic - never give up. Didn't do the ride myself so can't comment on that.

Very cool, thanks for the feedback. As soon as I'm allowed back on my bike I'll be trying that route.

Sounds like a great base-type ride - how safe is it from a security point of view? Were there any dodgy sections?

I would love to join but am recovering from neck surgery so am off the bike until December Perhaps after that

Me too. I can think of the roads through Midrand but it would be dangerous with all the road riding involved.

Aw come on guys, don't diffuse this now - I was just about to get some real power into the next swing of my handbag...

Every cyclist would give you a different interpretation, Nathrix. The point of the competition though was not to raise awareness about cycling safety nor, I believe, to make light of it. No sober minded person would argue that cycling safety is not a serious matter, not even ugly little toads like Gareth Cliff. When you take the emotion out of the discussion and look at the context of the competition, an awfully big fuss is being made of a silly picture.

You'll probably find that the picture/illustration/cartoon/depiction was put together by a cyclist (a frustrated and pissed off one).

It seems to me, Wyatt, that you were the one arguing the (somewhat irrelevant) semantics of this, so the question is are YOU happy now?

Bar-ends are a liability if you're likely to ride through bush or grass. So unless you are a dirt-roadie sticking to farm roads I'd leave them off. I learnt my lesson the hard way a few times during the Tour De Tuli a few years back. No bar-ends for me anymore.

The sad thing about this cartoon is not its arguably (depending on your point of view) poor taste, it is the inherently negative view of Johannesburg that so many people apparently identify with. It won the competition after all. Cycling safety is a serious matter, no doubt, but the overly emotional responses on this thread to a silly cartoon leave me wondering if people don't have enough to worry about. There is so much negativity in SA already without people looking for things to be offended about. Sweating the small stuff is what is straining the fabric of our society and putting everyone on edge unnecessarily.

Thanks for all the input. It's good to hear from others who've experienced this. Will surely be following the doc's instructions and taking it step by step. Looking forward to being back on the trails soon! Have a great Heritage Day!