stringbean

Not doing DC. Just got a few panic calls from fellow club members and mates asking for help with licenses. Many of the participants are triathletes so are not interested in a CSA full racing license for 1 event and are already registered with TSA.

You know what they say about death and taxes. im 100% certain that the only aim of CSA is to completely destroy cycling in SA.Forget this promote blah blah,everything they do is destructive. So I’ve just got confirmation from CSA( who were uncertain and had to contact the commissaire),if your DC team intends for podium all riders must have a full racing license. WTAF Just another attempt by CSA to scrounge R500 from each rider. I am speechless.

Does Giant still sell bikes in SA ?Dont see many on trails or at races and dealers here in CT got virtually zilch.

Any sponsors willing to pay 10-50 m euros to add feel or fuzziness to their brand will be closing there doors soon. Corporates are retrenching and there is no money for crap like that.Sorry if I open a can of worms but Qhubeka has done little for SA riders imo.Yes some have been given a short term job(some because they deserve and some out of pity)but wonder how many of those riders will make it into another WT team. Even if they are going continental not sure if they have the riders to progress further again.Rumours that some continental riders don’t even get paid a salary.Perhaps John can confirm this?

The sewage pump station at Milnerton has been broken for ages (lack of maintenance etc etc)so the only solution the municipal has at the moment is to send a guy out every day to manually pump the sewage to the other side of the road.(big red pipe) Don’t think there is a end in sight .Sorry but think the bike lanes will go the same way.Also was involved with a group of cyclists a while back cleaning bike lanes,cutting back overhang etc but it’s a loosing battle.The City should of stamped out immediately when squatters started building and setting up on the bike and bus lane.There are sections that have become like a squatter camp,you can go round with your buddies and clean up all you like but after a while(like the Woodstock area it’s a lost cause.) There are sections of the bike lane cyclists skip because of safety as well as not really nice to cycle thru the rubbish and human sh@t and ride on the freeway. Only a matter of time where cyclists will bypass the bike lanes completely and ride in the road.It’s starting already.

We have lost a absolute legend.Yes he did unfortunately take his own life but please let’s respect the family and close friends and not go any father but rather just give as much love and support as we can.Everyone has their own inner demons they dealing with and the times we are living in make dealing with them even harder.One thing I have learnt is that social media is a ball of **** and often hides how people are really feeling.Often those that have all the happy posts with endless motivational quotes ( I see this a lot on youngsters social media pages)are the ones that are really dying inside.Let’s always just remember to “be kind” SB

With some groups starting just 5 min apart going to make to some interesting racing

I don’t believe it is racetec job to sort this out but the organisers should do.As I’ve said in another forum Val de Vie results,run by same organisers was a disaster.Everyone thrown together including teams,age groups and ebikes making getting a true result a absolute nightmare.

Problem JBR is racetec dumps everyone into their age groups,even if you on a elite racing license.As per your example Jaco Venter is in 30-39. Makes it a nightmare for those racing in age group categories.

Your problem is racetec can’t distinguish between if you a elite or age group license and just throws everyone together in results. Had this problem in last race run by these organisers.All results just thrown together so you don’t really know where you have come in your age group.

Don’t get me wrong.I’m not looking at CTCT interest from cyclists point,of course it’s always going to be huge. Its just if I look at social media,tv,newspapers there is virtually nothing. Can understand why riders struggle to get some sort of sponsorship if there is nothing in social media or general lack of interest.

Is it me or is the CTCT loosing its appeal?Not to us cyclists but to general population.Old days Lemmer live TV coverage,lots on social media. Thus year very little.I know it was streamed but just not the same. Loss of interest or just saving money?

Would of been nice if they somehow got the results out.Not just thrown everyone all together.Teams,solo riders,ebikes,mixed teams.Kind of pointless entering the event next year.Might as well just go ride those trails on my own.

So of the 22 Safas 14 had DNF ( just over 60%)but hey,they gained invaluable experience and will aid in building and shaping the future of SA cycling.Go champs ✊????????????‍♂️????????‍♂️

Hopefully we won’t have a recurrence of the last WC where we had a lady representative getting dropping the neutral zone.

As I read it you either got to show a vaccine certificate or a negative COVID test. Whether we like it or not,that’s how things are going to happen in future.

On the South African side (besides Ashley) are we sending just a group again to DNF or post some PB?

Anyone know if they going to have a woman’s category?

Vac passport or not means nothing if government locks us down in levels where we can’t do anything.We will totally Cock it up for ourselves. Went out for dinner with wife the other night,first time in a while.Pub across the road from Restuarant was pumping probably at 130% capacity.Not a care in the world.Most patrons completely pissed.For the first time ever I zero sympathy for the alcohol trade. Takes only a few idiots to get our asses thrown back into lockdown

Lots of events going on at the moment but I suspect most of them will be testing the current laws around current lockdown regulations.I predict in the next month or 2 a event will get targeted and that will be the end for future events. Im with Jewbucca on this,there will be NO return to normal.There has to be a mind change.If you in the events game it’s time to look at plan B.If you a youngster dreaming of a pro contract time to wake up.Those days are over. The future of certain industries are bleak.I include things like epic ,CTCT etc.

I currently buy all my sram and shimano stuff from overseas.As mentioned bring in via Aramex global.So basically ship to my local Aramex address overseas ,who then ship to my SA address thus bypassing the so called international block. Yes I have to pay the vat of the country I’m importing from(example 19% if it was Germany)and then the 15 % SA vat.Along with import duty,usually nothing on part but also shipping. sounds rough but worst case scenario it has still cost me at LEAST 20% cheaper than ANY online Mtb shop in SA let alone what the lbs charges. Just shows you how much sram and shimano shaft us here.

For those looking only to buy if there is “local backup” have never dealt with shimano SA. Local backup means didly squat . If you looking for items to fill your space try and source some cheap Mtb & road chains and clusters. There is a huge problem with spares worldwide with shimano and sram at the moment and only going to get a lot worse.Looking at what top end sram Mtb clusters are costing as well as chain prices if you could find cheaper alternatives ( and there are lots) the shops would love you.

I have to admit I’ve been one of those “cavendish is done and should retire bandwagon”. Ive been made to eat my words and am genuinely happy for him.Looking at this TDF which has been absolutely brutal there have been a few ex Qhubeka guys that are having great rides.Which begs the question,what the hell is going on in that team. Just looking at guys like Cavendish,Meintjies and Ben.Good riders before they join Qhubeka.Join team and are absolutely nowhere.All 3 have been having a great tour since leaving Qhubeka. Is there a problem with management or training at Qhubeka????

And you guys think this event will actually happen ????????????????????

It’s part of the process,sorry it’s the weight,no it’s the disc brake bike....