T_Boss

How some bike shops stay in business I really cant fathom. last year when I was in the marker for a trail bike - looking to spend between R35 and R45k, I walked into one of pretorias oldest shops (granted, they have changed hands and moved location a few time). The shop was empty, but they has pretty decent selection of bikes on the floor (mostly XC bikes though). Although they were empty, the salesman didnt find it nescesarry to engage with me. I eventually walked up to him, and said, verbatim, "Im looking for trail bike and willing to spend up to R45k, Specialised is running a massive sale down the road, why shouldnt I just go there and buy one of the new Stumpjumpers for R35k". The answer I got blew my freaking mind - the muppet says to me, You should probably just go an do that, thats a really good deal - So I went and did exactly that - even though if he actually tried, he would pretty easily been able to sell me a Scott Spark 950 - seeing as they were/are scott agents....

If you have kept your job and been drawing a salary throughout the length of this year, you are making that statement from a very very high horse.....

I see someone has already posted "not wolwespruit", but i tend to disagree.... Wolwespruit is pretty well drained. I find it very rideable after rain. cowhouse is a mudfest, but still fun if you (as you have made clear) dont mind getting dirty. Then I can also second the Friends of Magalies trails as mentioned above. the Magaliesberg in its nature drains extremely well. Just take it slow on the sections heading back to the gate at Wonderboom, as this part can get muddy, and the drops can become sketchy. - But once you are on top of the mountian, its awesome.

Groenkloof is great as a starting point. After heavy rains some sections can get really bad, and should be avoided, and there is one really tricky rocky climb that I wouldnt do unless you have proper underbosy protection, but it has a "chicken run" Im in pretoria till christmas, and my ITB injury means im not cycling much, let me know if you want to meet up, I would gladly show you around the Groenkloof Trail

The major difference is, that to a large extent, bikes rival the cost of cars, because they can, and people are willing to pay for it, for whatever reason that may be. But a bike is in no way anywhere as complex as a car, and you will not convinces me otherwise. (I service my own bikes as far as possible, and I used to rebuild and overhaul classic cars as a hobby). Comparing a bike service to a car service is not the same, wether major or minor. Just the oil alone required for an everage modern cars "minor service" costs what 3 bike services at a decent bike shop will cost you. I agree, we shoudnt pay good mechanics peanuts, wether they are bike or automative mechanics, but I am not going to agree to pay a bike mechanic even half of what I pay my attorney.

The riding there is/was great, but I just dont think its worth it anymore, with the choice of great bike parks in and around pretoria now days. As with all things run by the state..... it could be great, but simply isnt. I havent been in a few years - we still occasionally do the 4x4 trail and some game viewing, but I wouldnt go on the bike, unless in a group of 8 or more.

There are two places left for the 27-31 January Departure of this trip next year. If you would like to book the last remaining spots for this, for the 2020/2021 Turtle season, then click here for all the details: https://adventurelogistics.co.za/mtb-adventures/cross-border-mtb-adventures/tracking-turtles-by-mtb/

Tested Positive in June, but remained completely asymptomatic. After Isolation I went back about riding business as usual. Im in better shape now then I have been in 3 years

Agree with others that the lense was probaby already slightly loose, probably from the previous repair, but that doesnt mean iStore is justified in how they are handling this. The phone is out of warranty anyway, so third party repairs previously done are a non issue here. They damaged it, they should fix it at their cost. I fail to beleive that "cleaning" a phone with Prestik is an official technique authorised by apple. Even if Core group is a 3rd party distributor, they are the licensed apple agent in SA, and im sure they have an SOP described by apple for how a phone should be cleaned and assesed. But, good luck trying to fight this, Core is a really crappy bunch, they make many of the local distributors in the bike industry look like shining examples of customer service and integrity

Awesome shop in an amazing part of the country, run by a true legend

Very glad to hear someone has stepped in, Looking forward to a visit in the new year

Am I missing something, or is there still no way of managing POIs in the “New” Suunto App? I knor when Suunto moved from Movescount to the Suunto App a lot of functions were lost, but didn’t realize something as basic as POI management still hasn’t been worked in. For a company that has built their brand around hardcore expeditions and explorers, this seems like a very weird oversight

Comms have been a bit limited on the reserve, but pictures and details to follow soon. We are heading back to "civililisation" later today....

Exploring the Snueeberg Mountain Range near Graaf Rienette - Hoepfully soon to be a destination for epic 5 star MTB breakaways

At midnight tonight (with permits in hand), my business partner and I are setting off on an adventure to the Karoo, where we will be visiting a "top secret" location, to scout out some new trails on an exlusive big 5 game reserve. Needless to say, we are more than just a little excited. I have visit the property before, sans bike, and I was immediately convinced of its potential as a MTB destination. Now, 12 months later, we will be putting that theory to the test. The seeds have been sown for not only for the opportunity of hosting epic small group MTB getaways, but there is also a plan in place for a 3-5 day Multistage event in the near future. I will try update with progress on this thread throughout the trip, but be sure to follow @adventure_cycles_rsa on Intagram for closer to real time updates.(https://www.instagram.com/adventure_cycles_rsa/) Cant give out too much info right away, but will have more details by this time tomorrow, as by then we should have met with the reserve manager, and discussed some route options etc, and have a better idea as to what is possible and what is not.

Over the past two weeks I keep getting a very suspect email from SARS, to my business email adress, stating that a notification has been issued on e-Filling, with a letter attached. The attachment is in some weird format (r11). I have tried downloading it, but my antivirus blocks it. The email adress does seem like a legitimate SARS email adress (noreply@sars.gov.za) - and they have sent it about 6 times over the last 2 weeks. I am concerned that I am missing something important from SARS, but surely correspondence from them would simply be in a PDF format. Is anyone else getting similar? Is this actually from SARS

Day 1 – A deceptively easy start At 05:45 on a Friday morning, Cullinan was a rather sleepy town, excepting for 16 riders, that waited in front of the towns normally bustling restaurants, not entirely sure of what was to be expected of them over the next few days. Luggage (and there was a lot of it, made its way into the follow car, and after a short rider briefing, where the best news was that everyone had been upgraded to Chalet accommodation for the entire tour (this will be the norm for future tours). Excited by the knowledge that no one would need to sleep on the floor in a tent for the next few nights, the group set off from Cullinan, at exactly 06:00, to tackle the 118km to Loskop Dam. The route is a pretty easy ride (when measured against what awaits on day 2), that flows along district roads through some very enjoyable scenery, especially in the second half, after passing through Verena. From here, you get amazing views into the Olifants River Valley, as we rode along the upper boundary of the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve. The last 15 odd km is on tar, taking you past the dam wall, and then just for kicks, a short punchy climb before arriving at the entrance to Forever Resorts Loskop Dam, where we would spend the night. Check-in went smoothly, with all the riders arriving within a 45-minute window – not bad over 118km. After Check-in and being allocated rooms, everyone went off to enjoy a shower, and then a splash in the pools, before all getting together for lunch an a few drinks. The resorts in house restaurant also catered for a lovely dinner, that was thoroughly enjoyed by all, and then it was off to bed, to rest up for what tomorrow will bring. For the full text, and a lot more photos - click here: https://adventurelogistics.co.za/2020/11/24/tonteldoos-beyond-13-17-november-2020-ride-report/

And then Suunto makes even better sport watches, with even more limited "smart" features......Except for the 7, which is an abonination........haha

We still have place for 6 riders to join us on the 4-6 December on another Zululand Wild Ride, going now at only R1650.00. The Reserve is only 4 hours Drive from JHB, or 3 Hours from Durban, and this is going to be a kick ass way to end of the year, with some proper Wilderness MTB riding. Price inlcudes Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, A guided ride Friday afternoon, two guided rides on Saturday, and one on Sunday Morning, as well as a sundowner boat cruise on Saturday afternoon. You will battle to find a better value for money MTB weekend anywhere. To book now, click here: https://adventurelogistics.co.za/product/zululand-wild-ride-4-6-dec-2020-2/

We have decided to extend this offer till close of business (17:00) Today. There are only 2 spots left. Don’t miss this opportunity.

As part of our Black November deals, we are running a flash sale - valid only till midnight tonight, on our 10-14 March 2021 Limpopo Wild Ride - Book now, and only pay R2250pp (Normal Price R6550.00) There are only 4 spots avaialble. To book now, click here: https://adventurelogistics.co.za/product/limpopo-wild-ride-moz-10-14-march-2021/

Flash sale currently on the last 4 remaining spots for our 10-14 March 2021 Limpopo Wild Ride MTB adventure. Book before midinight tonight, and only pay R2250.00pp (Normal Price R6550). To book this now - click here - https://adventurelogistics.co.za/2020/11/22/sunday-price-slash/

My last post on this, as I fear we are derailing this thread a little - Why do people buy branded clothing might be a better thread to carry on this discussion. I am again going to disagree with you here. Those that know me well, would know I am a very down to earth person, who truly doesnt give a rats about brands and who wears/rides/drinks whatever, but I do see myself as something of a connoisseur of quality stuff. Mr price does not sell quality clothes. The stitching is rubish, and the stuff doesnt hold its shape at all. PnP clothing does however surprise me with their quality and value offering. Woolworths, albiet a bit more expensive, sells clothes that fill well, and last. But unless there has been a drastic change in quality over the past 3 years, you will not convince me that Mr Price quality is on par with Woolworths, Old Khaki, Levis etc - and none of these carry heavy, in your face branding RAPHA and EF do have nice looking kit, but if they were to start branding it with all the team logos, to match the racing kit etc, I would not want to wear it.

I have to disagree with you. Outside of the Hip Hop/Urban lifestyle scene, most people buy branded clothing because of the real or percieved notion of quality. Because it’s comfortable and a good fit, and because it’s fit for purpose. Almost all my clothes are from top tier brands, but the branding is subtle. I agree, I would also buy an assos casual wear t-shirt or pants, because I know that assos makes high quality items, and I am confident it will be a good fit, and will last, and the branding will be sublte. But, as vetplant mentioned, there is no way in hell I would wear a Jumbo branded casual wear T-shirt or whatever, it would just be too over the top

I don’t really see this working either. Most people, outside of wannabee gangsters, don’t particularly want to walk around as walking billboards for a brand. The kind of branding that goes onto “desirable” casual wear is too subtle, so the brand awareness goes out the window.