Christopher Brunsdon

Hit the SPAM button guys, hit it hard! ... oops, I see after I did it the ad is going

Take2 are excellent and now the offer an Amazon portal. They handle all the duties and clearance so the price you see is the price you pay. To top it off, they give free delivery on orders over R350. Our office gets at least 1 parcel a week from Take2 and in the 4yrs we have yet to have a problem. The secret to the Amazon portal is to go to Amazon US site, filter on Amazon stock since they have 3rd parties selling through them and then build up your wish list. Got to Take2 and enter in the correct description as per Amazon and then order. With the expection of the Kindle, its way cheaper. Takes 10-18 days for item to be deliverd to your house

Be careful, Take2 Amazon portal is addictive and I'm addict I do 1-2 purchases per month and I just cannot stop.

Actually reality is you will get far better back up service with Take2s Amazon portal than local suppliers even though your stuck with the delivery charges of returning the item to Amazon. And I will bet you $1 that it would be quicker and a far less painfull experience But I also buy a lot from Take2 Amazon portal as I save a packet. My last order took a day quicker to be delivered to the office than my CRC order to arrive at my SAPO (and the orders where done within 24hrs of each other)

Old post but sadly I would not be suspicious of any garden executive riding such a bike as most of them do. BTW, where in Somerset West?

So today my Kryptonite U-Lock arrived from Take2 (was cheaper than CRC) and it looks impressive. Comes with a 4 foot cable secure the front tyre. Just need another small cable for the saddle. Kryptonite Kryptolok Series 2 Standard Bicycle U-Lock (4-inch x 9-inch) with 4-Foot Flex Cable http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41l9U3IEgVL._SL160_.jpg Now I no longer need to stress when going to the Post Office with my commuter. Must say that originally I was just going to get something that looked liked pimped up floss but after reading experiences from the Dutch, Brits & New Yorkers concerning bike locks, I decided to get proper protection. Could not be bothered with the extra 1,5kg weight on the bike as at least it will be more secure.

Yeah, I thought it would be at least a contactless dynamo - still going to make one, just need to find old relay switches.

It was so hot in Somerset West that we slept with two of the flats doors open (and we are ground floor). It was only at 4am that a cool breeze started to come in. Thank goodness I left for work early this morning on my commute and not my usual 8:45am departure time. I also get to sit in the sweet spot of the office aircon and I control the remote

LOL, cause damn its hot today in the Cape

Mod Note: After a quick look at what is available to me, Snip posted from a different IP (resolving to a Telkom ADSL hostname) to that of Chicababe (also resolving to a Telkom ADSL hostname) during the same time frame. I would say in my experience with working on log files with originating IPs on a daily basis, the chance that Chicababe is an alias of Snip is minimal. So we will leave it here and please remember to continue to keep it clean. Thanks.

Today at work we got a new GSM-GPS tracking device in for a project one of the guys is working on. The device is the size of a pack of Astros. We need to test the battery life and the signal strength. I'm interested as it will also be a great way to map / track my routes.

Aggh, but I'm on chronic antihistamines so they play nicely with booze. 3rd generation pills so zero side effects.

This by far a "Rant 'n Rave" topic as Happy Pills either work or the don't Took some Spasmend today and avoiding getting banned off this forum the Political Correct Mods, I will just say that the name dose to an extend describe ones mental and motor skills ability after taking them. Fell down some stairs on Saturday night and landed on my bad ankle - it was sore. At least the pain has gone away today and I currently don't care how stoopid or tappet I like walking around the office with plakkies and one sock on So whats your fav Happiness pills?

Continental Town & Country - done 2K on them in the last year and still good for another 3K. My commute route is abit demanding on tyres, especially the steep downhills where I tend to skid a bit. They are 1.9 so technically not a slick. I had slicks (Kendas) but damn those things are deadly. Nearly came off my bike when hitting a pothole because they are too skinny. I commute in all weather with them and cannot find fault - I even hit some non-technical dirt sections with little Hubber in his seat and never a complaint or seeing dirt. Best price for T&C is Bucycle.

There is also no WD40 - absolutely useless I say.

I ended up buying tools from my LBS as I needed them. I got BBB, Pro, GIANT, and no-names. Bought an old Gedore toolbox from Cash Converters for R40 and a-for-a-way. I just found that many tools are not-needed and your better off spending a bit more on better ones. Some tools can be DIY and even some other tools from your hardware store will work just as well.

About to PM you with the link

I will PM you and I think I still got your details

LOL ... at our office we have 3 commuters

Battery life is a problem - the cost of the technology is cheap just look at how cheap basic phones have gotten (sorry I cannot say how much the hardware costs NDA). The problem is the cost of running the device as data is expensive and certain networks will charge your a certain amount of data for each session but then again my Samsung uses 8Mb data per month checking and downloading my email headers every 2 hrs. One could just get a Vodacom TopUp contract for R20-R30 per month that you leave in the device even if you have to run at out of bundle rates. The only real problem with the battery is charging it even if you do install enough batter packs to last you a month.

Last month I switched to panniers as my Camelbak was cuasing some kneck pain when overloaded. I orignally turned and old rugsack into a pannier (still work in progress) and also bought a new pannier off CRC (R350 with taxes and delivery). Best move ever. With panniers I can now stop at my local Spar and buy bread and milk on my way home. I can now do more than just commuting with my bike now - earlier this month I took some parcels in my bag to the post office in my pannier bag, did some shopping at Pick 'n Pay, etc One thing about panniers is to either use those wet-safe bags inside your pannier or get one with a rain cover (the CRC one has a rain cover and got an opportunity to test in a freak storm as few weeks back). My Camelback Scudo has a rain cover and it helps a lot in winter. Also get yourself a descent U-Lock, ordered mine from Take2 and should arrive soon (R445 all incl) - its a Kryptonite U-Lock with a 4 foot cable. Having a good lock makes it easier to pop into stores. Also remember the commuting-code, eye contact, always smile and always say hi. Don't be afraid to stop and talk to locals - I got my regulars who I greet each morning and one old guy that I always stop and chat with. Its a life changer but its great fun.

Well said as this is what commuting is all about. Next month is 2yrs that I've been commuting and its been the best two years of my life. Have no false belief that commuting will save you money (as the cash goes back into your bike ) but it will have other side effects that money cannot buy - better health.

But next questions is how much tools is enough before being considered a mobile mechanic work shop. My usual list: Valve core remover + spare valves Spare Tube Patch 'n solution Leatherman Leatherman Micro Tyre Levers Shifting Spanner Pump Latex gloves Suntan lotion Plastic bag Plastic sheet to work on Spare nuts & bolts Big pack of large cable ties Set of allan keys Chain breaker + piece of chain

I will post picjas tonight, let me first fit all the pimpage I go lying around

I so wish I had one of those air horns this morning when I had to pass through the local taxi rank - not my favourite place to be even in a car. Then again I usually wear my hiviz jacket as the guys think I'm a bicycle cop or some neighbourhood watch.