BigDL

Lots of very low value bikes used for commuting in lots of places in Europe (and in sa I suppose).

Just completed it as well. Looks like a data harvesting exercise to get leads for a coaching business. I doubt that the data has any other purpose than to allow them to try and sell something.

Makes sense. Please let us know if we can assist in any way.

I disagree. I have no expectation of being on a podium anytime soon (except maybe in the Big DL ride by myself around my field Christmas spectacular), but have always been poorly prepared for events in the past, resulting in me suffering more and enjoying less. I am considering a coach again in the new year to prepare for an as yet undecided event, not so I can win, but just so I can enjoy it and do as well as I am able to and to hold me accountable to prioritising my training commitments over all the other stuff life brings. I suppose that the equivalent is an average golfer going for sessions with a pro, not because he or she wants to win the masters, but just because he or she wants to improve their own game a bit.

Hi Reinet please don’t feel an obligation to sit and record the service. You need to focus on you. Don’t worry about the rest of us unless someone else is able to do that for you. Nobody here will complain if you don’t spend the time recording.

Very sad to heart this news. May he Rest in Peace after a long, exhausting battle.

Spoken like a man who has never tasted a fine Irish whiskey, not that Scottish tequila masquerading as something special

True -although bells is pretty awful stuff, even at Christmas. 😂

Special bells 😂

That's the challenge with an operating system that is trying to support so much different hardware and systems I suppose.

If it's an iPhone, just set it to update on wifi only if you're worried about data.

just set it to auto update and you never have to worry about how many updates there are

Very sad

Cois - hospice are wonderful people who do incredible things. I am saddened by your changes but pleased that you will be cared for full time by experts in this terrible situation. I have no other words but to wish you the best in the next period

Ja - woke up this morning in the berg. First message I saw was from my boss with a link to the news article. I’ve managed to change my flight to Sunday night now. Just hope that Dublin doesn’t have hotel quarantine back in place by then and I’m allowed to drive to belfast and quarantine at home

I’m laughing at this whilst I change my flights back to the uk from Tuesday next week to asap from now ????

Anyone know what shape these trails are in currently?

I was a DNS. Arrived in sa on Friday, went straight to FNB stadium and collected my pack. Wasn’t at that stage certain that I was going to do the ride, but I had paid for socks and a t shirt and stuff as part of the entry and had to go and collect them. As usual, with only three days in Gauteng, I had over committed and realised on Saturday that there was no way I could ride on Sunday (very slowly) and still visit people that I needed to see, so decided not to ride. I suppose I am one of the DNF numbers.

I like my medals, I don’t have a lot, but each one holds memories for me. Prior to moving house, they hung off the bookshelf in my office at home (where nobody but myself ever spent time) and every now and again I would catch myself reflecting on what each one was. Even the medal from the 10k race at big red barn means something as it was the first official event my son did. having said that, my favourite two items on that shelf are the piece of stone on a wooden base that was given out at the end of the imfolozi mtb challenge and the beaded bracelet thing that they gave us on day 2 of Sani. I would be happy to donate for a medal and agree that locally made stuff is a better option, especially if it’s unique

Yes, but Craft Beer is a Crime. You should take that thing down instantly. ????

****, I don’t know what to say here. I’d love to make a donation, and have been doing so through backabuddy so far, but if they are charging you to access funds, then I am reluctant to do so further through them and it’s a pain for you if I send money from here to your sa bank account. I wonder if you would be kind enough to let me cover the cost of one of you to fly to the cape and back. If you would pm me details, I can either pay the airline directly via visa or can give you my card details to make the payment. Alternatively, if you’re happy to do the paperwork, I can transfer from here to you and cover the cost that way. My (unmet) friend. Every day I think of you so many times. I hug my wife and my children harder and count my blessings. Your journey and story have made me approach so much differently and, when I get stressed, I sometimes reflect on your story and have a word with myself. Thank you for sharing your journey. You are facing that thing we fear the most; with humour, with courage, with persistence, with a focus on your wife, and with a humility that is incredible. I don’t pretend to know how you’re feeling but hope that, if I ever get the news that you have got, I can face it with similar courage. You are an example to me and I thank you for that.

Probably a one way system with masks and social distancing

China - keep off the knees and use the energy to fight this thing. Everyone here is on your side and those of us who are able, are happy to help. The thing that has separated the hub from all of the other forums (at least for me) over the years, has been the community. We are all willing you / praying / hoping / believing that you will turn a corner soon and that we can celebrate your recovery as a community in the not to distant future.

Nice one - my last one was 2015 before we left in 2016. I arrive on the Friday from Ireland and will hopefully have 4 weeks of cycling in the legs after a 3.5 month hiatus. Going to also just take it slow and hope not to overheat. Super pleased that the finish isn’t in steyn city again. Counting the days of riding between now and then, but have a stag weekend in Dublin this weekend, so losing a couple of days already. Also now entered the Tour Durban the following Sunday, which should be a bit easier at lower altitude and with less hills.