NicoBoshoff

I may have to call in a favour to have someone (hint hint) pick me up a pair since it's rather impractical for me all the way from Paarl...

I had my appointment last Friday (actually went a week too soon) and got it back yesterday, approved. So I actually got my Visa in -2 days ;b Starting to feel real now. Only things left to do is get some proper grips (can't find ODI anywhere), a long sleeve top, some socks and one more pair of baggies then I'm ready to go. Big service on bike was done last week and it's going smooth. Everything tip-top. Riding now limited to fitness and maybe some light trails...

Peach we'll just gorilla tape it!!!

Fark! Won't that need an open reduction???

So sick. Looks like a winner

I heard great things about the Ibex

Yes well I've noted that more and more of my Strava PR's are on climbs lately and less on the fun stuff. At least I'll be super fit for those ski-lifts...

Bobby, I'm sure you can use this platform to raise funds. But then just actually come out and say "Guys, we need money. Here's how and where you can donate to help." Post bank details and I'll pay some money and I'm sure many others will too. Nobody here expects something for free (except those jerkface rogue riders on their R50k carbon hardtails that can't afford R25 entrance...). As for the coffee shop, Scott etc. I think that fight needs to be taken off this forum as they're not participating and it's muddying the waters.

Can I ask this: If it's not a about a feud with the coffeeshop and Scott, then it can only be about a shortage of funds for trail maintenance. If that's the case, should the tone of this thread not have been more proactive in sorting out that as a primary issue? Focusing on the true problem? Yes, I understand principle creeps in because you feel (rightfully so) that Scott and the coffeeshop are piggybacking on your dime. However, ultimately you did this for the trails and proclaim to still do this only for the trails. What has changed? How does a Scott sign and a pound-foolish businessman change your motive for doing what you do? Frankly, all you can do on that front is to call them on their BS, be angry about it and carry on with what you enjoy. Or you can spite them And yourself and us riders and call the maintenance off. I think you've achieved what you may / may not have intended with the shop. People will now probably spend money elsewhere. The ethics of this is a whole thread on its own, but ok. So perhaps now is the time to focus on the actual issue - A shortage of maintenance funds. There are obvious and clear solutions to this. Unfortunately it's going to require someone to be the bigger person here...

Yeah, I wouldn't want to be hitting a jump with my AM45's not clipped in. Their soles aren't exaclty tacky. 5.10's maybe, but I also find inevitably you do rely ever so slightly on the security of being clipped in even with proper flat pedal technique so suddenly going Jekyl/Hide may end you on jumps. I'd rather use the flat part on a trail with plenty of fast loose corners where foot out is the name of the game.

Ja sorry. I understand OP's frustration, but now they want to dick us to make a point. Not really fair to the riders hey?

I suspect TMM is a mixed bag of Stellenboach locals and possibly Giniel De Villiers is involved too.

I call bullsh*it Friday post.

So big. So very, very big! Are those jumps out of the berms or just features to assist braking?

Capra

Dude I'm taking my Stumpjumper 29'er with 140mm front and 130mm rear travel. XT brakes are plenty I'm sure. I'm probably gonna go with my old Avid codes or maybe spoil myself to SLX brakes. All the UK mags currently rate SLX as top. I'm going with Hans Dampf front and Ardent rear for rubber. If you're planning on hitting blak trails with huge gaps then you're probably underbiked, but if like me you're planning on hitting the blue red and green (and from what I hear some of the black) runs and going for some XC rides then you're bike as is should be fine. Bigger rotors may be a good call though. More important to be really comfortable on your bike. The Pascoe is very capable. As is my Stumpy. I've seen Hylton Turvey do things on a Stumpy that I will never be able to do so I'm not worried in the least.

D-E-D Ded.

Nooois!

What Mountain Bike tested the Ghost and LaPierre AM bikes with EI suspension in the latest edition. Must say, at the added price of about R8k, and a kilo of weight, I just don't get it. It hardly seems like a game changer for the average Joe.

I wonder how many riders would commit to buying a full DH rig if Jonkers, Tokai, Cascades had weekend uplift services? I think I would actually find it worth my investment then. Currently there's no ways I'm spending 75% of my weekend's riding pushing a bike. Then I'd rather ride what I'm riding now and be limited to avoiding the big boy lines. Just throwing the ball around here. Maybe the answer is simply no, the market is too small and AM bikes are plenty good enough to ride all our DH lines.

I reckon you're plenty fit man. Those two sessions on the spin bike did the trick

But are these venues not missing a trick then by not investing in year round (even if only over weekends) uplift services? Or is there not a big enough big bike market to justify that?

Access to venues and along the trail does become relevant when you want: - Spectators to go to the star attraction; - Want proper coverage of the event; - Want the venue to be sustainable after the UCI packs up and leaves till the next season. Event coverage is basically an advertising platform for the sport and it's commercial supporters AND the venue. The obvious spin-off is that people watch it, get inspired and want to go and ride. The return on investment for the venue HAS to be visitors throughout the year, no? So then Omega's argument makes perfect sense insofar as it pertains to proper uplift systems at WC venues. I'm not particularly interested in getting amped on a sick line which I saw on TV during a WC event only to get there and be told I have to push my bike up it to ride down. It's like a laaitie dreaming of playing rugby at Newlands (not that I think laaities are particularly inspired lately by Problems) and you then taking him to the warm-up pitch instead. The allure of the prestige associated with that venue is relevant! Obviously I don't really give a crap whether I go up by lift or bakkie or bus. I just don't want to push or hike up. So I would argue that venues that commit to DH WC's should accept that they will then have to create a sustainable infrastructure to make it worth everyone's time and money to travel and ride there for a season (in SA that would be almost the whole year). I'll admit to ignorance here, because maybe Cascades and Cairns do have season long uplift services, in which case I suppose it's splitting hairs when arguing about the quality of the uplifts as long as they're safe and reliable. Anyways, this is perhaps a thread in its own right - uplift options and suggestions.

I reckon still contermans. 4 May is Paarl DH.

Fools. Money. Soon separated.