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Its been a while ...i should be able to get through till next summer without eating...weighing in at a massive 112 kg. managed to do a whole 10 rides last year... and one this year so far...still battling to get my mind right...did a ride in the middle of last year on the marshmallow .. went over the bars ...slid down the road on my face and arms ...put the bike away and still havent ridden since... took the rattlin red rocket down last week ...had to pump up the wheels ...charged the battery and had to wipe off all the dust...had a really awesome ride ...only 55 km but it was enough.

i need to find closure for myself...not on social media...out of respect to others who are are grieving...i will not be making any more comments with regards to this incident.

A free man...from a poor plumber who apparently couldnt afford his bail because he was supporting his parents ...to a cleared businessman who apparently payed his lawyer and court fees upfront...eeeeish ...that is all i can say...stop the lies ...wearing a cross on your hand does make it right. maybe someone should get the truth out of all the people involved in this accident...from both vehicles involved ...the ones who ran away from the crime scene and the ones who drove away after fighting over Jareds body as he lay face down still alive. One thing that will stick with me for the rest of my life...while sitting with Jared i said to him "everything is going to be OK" at that point the medic looked up at me and shook his head...maybe a towel and a lot of water would help discover the truth. IF Jared didnt go for a piss that morning ...this accident would have killed more of us. I wonder if he remembers going down on one knee... with one hand on the middle of Jareds back and the other on his shoulder...wearing his purple golf shirt...blue jeans...black takkies with white around the shoe...his mate standing next to him with the same shoes but green laces...the look on his face actually looked like he was remorseful of what he had done...he didnt have the cross on his hand that morning. https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-10-11-durban-businessman-cleared-after-deaths-of-two-cyclists/?fbclid=IwAR2DbQwS85C28LqjkEH4v5-CsMkRgFCpqQ7433AYR6NCr4keWPXLl9EqEck

Just a tip when using a router...no matter what router you use DIY or industrial...always buy the more expensive bits...it will make a better routing experience. A handful of decent bits will cost more than the router...but worth it in the long run.

My body enjoys the chocolate...donuts and stuff...cant say i have ever enjoyed the healthy food...must be why there are so many fat people...the good stuff just taste like bad stuff

at a stage i was just happy to be holding my weight...but instead as we all know muscle is heavier than fat ...and boy can i see the change in my body...clearly the muscle density is weening off and turning to fat ... the worse part everything is starting to hang...feel tired all the time...no motivation to do any thing.

Been having some fun with customers false alarm issues. everything from bad joints...no sleeving over joints... loose connection in the panels ...low voltage at out door sensors due to "blackening" wire ...causing high resistance...squashed wires...incorrect zone types allocated...and they say there is a body which regulates this industry...eeeeish.

I have had too many bad experiences with insurance companies (not even going to go into life policies... I lost 2.4 million) ...so when i left for my 10 day round trip to the cape and beyond... i got the insurance broker to visit my house... we went through every single window door...burglar guard ...security gate and alarm... it was worth the 1.5 hours spent with him... had to make a few changes which i did ...fortunately we didnt have any problems while on our trip but at least i knew i had cover while away... best thing we ever did changing to the broker we currently use. We are busy sorting out all the damages at 2 office buildings in Durban ...power surges... insurance declined the claim on the grounds that there was no lightning on that day ...the fact that the lightning arresters are blown to pieces literally...and every electronic component in the building... has blown the PC boards... light fititngs...timers ...Aircons ...you name it. We are busy preparing to challenge the claim...as the protection equipment was designed and installed with the help of one of the most knowledgeable people in the surge protection business who has since retired from surgetech ...the customer had taken precaution to install everything available ...including a trip connect... contactor... surge protection at the meter and in the main DB... as usual there is the fine print. My advise to anyone who thinks they have surge protection ...make sure you read the fine print in your policy ...you have more chance of the neutral cables/bar being stolen form the sub station which will result in a massive surge of power damaging your electrical installations... than you have of getting hit by lightning ...the insurance companies are aware of this and now have fine print which no longer covers for this kind of damage... think about it just about every device on your property in this day and age has a PC board.

On saturday night (7.30 pm) 200 m away from my house ...a pedestrian walking home from a long day at work... a white etios (looked like every other ubber vehicle) stopped ...3 armed men held up the pedestrian and robbed him of his wallet ...phone and jacket... the poor oke was in such a state ...which in turn created a bad situation for both of us ...me being white ...thought he was trying to hijack me... so i was about to drive over him ...when i realsed it was the same person who i have seen 10 minutes earlier walking further up the road ...i then stopped but not sure... i got backup and only then did we find out he had just been robbed at gun point... he didnt think it was unsafe to walk in our suburb... there is certainly no colour bar when these thugs rob people.

I got a quote to add an exapander...keypad and do a few minor mods to my alarm system ...was expecting like a R 2 k quote...it turned out to be just under R20 k. I thought it was over the top ... so i went and did a couple of basic and advanced courses on a few of the popular systems...bought a full 64 zone system with a Hyyp ...Xseries receiver... Xwave 2 bidirectional wireless hub...an LCD keypad and the serial cable... downloaded the hyyp app and IDS swift2 built a test rig which simulates my house...security lighting and even has a facility to switch off the wifes hair iron...just in case she forgets to switch it off... opens and closes my gate...garage doors... from the app or a 6 button remote... so without having to find the phone open the app then switch on security lights... ican press a button on the remote which activates all the security lights around my house and if i hold it in for 3 seconds the panic is activated. While playing with the system i bought the serial cables for some of the more popular system ... and been having some fun just downloading alarm system program which allows you to preview the setup... and thats where it really started getting interesting... how many of my customers alarm systems...have for example on one site as many 9 zones bypassed (because they were causing false alarms) so it is easy for the "installer" to just bypass the zones. Then what really got under my skin ... an installer from a company turned around and told me i am legally not allowed to interfere with peoples alarms system because i am not a registered installer... no problem i scratched around and found out how to be come a "registered installer" apparently all the certificates and hands on course i have completed doesnt allow me to download the system info. I have to pay R400 and spend another 5 days in an approved training centre and pass the course to be able to register with PSiRA and SAIDSA ...or pay R700 and not have to attend the classes... i am all for doing things right... i was also told by SIDSA that i am not welcome to join them as my intentions are a conflict of interest to their members. The part that gets me ...this is the funny part ...the reason i cannot download the customers info from the system is because of bylaw 25 (google it) is because it could cause a problem with an insurance claim... ok ...so i am not allowed to download the info and review it... but a "registered installer" can create a loop hole in your system without you even being aware of it. I ask myslef this question who is then doing random checks on alarm system to verify that these approved companies are not bypassing your system creating a loop hole in your home security system. I also ask myself what would happen if insurance companies found out and rejected a R100 000 claim for theft from a property... who would the customer sue me for downloading the info and pointing out the loop holes in their system ... the company installer who bypassed the zones... or the governing body who is responsible for the standards in the industry? If the insurance companies are so quick to reject a silly claim like mine for a ladder which slid of the roof on my vehicle onto my bonnet because one tyre was past the min depth mark (deemed not road worthy) imagine what a shyte storm it would cause if they got hold of some of the info i have on my computer. My advice to you as a home or business owner make sure you have a commissioning sheet from the installer who fits and sets up your alarm system ...with all the relevant information... and i mean all the info... and get someone who is "suitably qualified" to do random checks on your system to verify that it has been setup correctly (another issue we have identified) and all the zones are in fact active and functioning correctly. An alarm company would only have the right not to disclose the installer code if they have changed it from the default setting if you are tied to a contract with them ...which included a "free system" which is include din your monthly fee. Please feel free to correct me ...as i am not a certified installer and not registered.

Just another day in Africa...if you read our neighbourhood notice board you would be too scared to leave your house ...actually too scared to leave a window or door slightly open... walking the streets or riding a bicycle is like a hell run for the bravest or stupid.

green tree looking thing ...with some bright orange stuff on the side and a piece of chicken...and that is it ...9 weeks in ...sorry mate but i couldnt do it...throw in 2 slices of toast with peanut butter maybe... unless she is cheating at work.

I think a lesson we can all learn from this ...dont assume anything until you have the facts.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Some useless information...but i thought i would share. 24 December 2018 ...stopped cadence training and pretty much cycling in general. Went from around 200km per week on average down to less than 700 km in 9 months. here the interesting part ...went from around 104 kg to 108 kg (4 kg in 9 months) which goes up and down depending on my state of mind...still dont eat KFC ...steers or any other junk food on a daily basis like i did in the past...and still off the coke ...the odd zero here and there....still eating just as much bread as I have always...which could explain why i havent gone all the way back to 130+ Here are the big changes... clothing size and body shape... i no longer fit into a size 38 and i mean not even the first button on the 501 levis... gut hangs out the bottom of the shirts...i doubt i would be able to ride in the drops position...gone from a large to an XL...2nd chin is coming along. Gone from being able to pull our B group into the wind...to getting dropped off the back of our C group and some...barely managed to get back to the car after a short 40 km ride...with my HR at 199 BPM ...eased off and took it easy when it got to 199. The good news is Lisa my wife ...is on such a roll ...dropped 5 kg ...2 dress sizes and doesnt miss a get fit class...eating the same food everyday (something i dont agree with ...but she must do what works for her) it includes flowery green stuff which i dont enjoy. The year is coming to an end so soon...as with everything in life there is a small minority still at it ...putting in the effort to make it work ...well done to all of you...keep it up. I dont have any excuses ...it is what it is...only time will tell what the future holds...at least the bicycle look good on my office wall

You mean factor riders?

Everytime i read these kind of posts ...one thing comes to mind ...video footage. The day the taxi almost side swiped me ...looking back at the video footage from one of the other cyclist in the group...you can hear the other cyclists in the group commenting about how close it was and you can see it happen...a deliberate action ...and i have his registration. We all see some crazy shyte out on the roads...one thing to remember... it is a lot easier for an angry driver to kill you on a bicycle than it is for a angry cyclist to kill a motorist...less angry drivers ...less chance of getting killed. This kind of behavior is not acceptable...after the close call with the drunk who killed 2 cyclists behind me... the close call with the taxi and the many other close calls...it doesnt give us the right to do what i am sure most of us are thinking and would like to do to the drivers. on many occasions i sit and think what would have happened that morning if the person on phone didnt calm me down...20 min after the accident as i sat with Jared face down on the road ... i dont believe he could actually feel the pain of all his broken bones and damaged organs as i said to him everything was going to be ok...the medic who was attending to him ...looked up at me and said he is gone...at that point i became so overwhelmed with anger that i wasnt thinking clearly... doing something to that drunk (according to the law ...not really) could have changed my life... as i sit here now and think about it... i see a clear picture of Jared's lifeless body face down on the road and the fact that he is sitting at home at home with his family right now with a smile on his face after his latest court appearance (the judge let him off) ...makes it very difficult not to do something about it. I understand how angry and frustrated we get after a close call...however taking it out on the driver or their vehicle... shines a bad light on cyclist in general and makes other drivers less considerate to cyclists on the road... think about it.

3 things i have learnt... carry a rock in your vehicle... make sure you dont get tested for drinking and driving in the first 2 hours of an accident and make sure you have good lawyer. just something to add to this fiasco... there were 2 vehicles racing with each other...at the time of the accident the other vehicle stopped and the people from this person and the other vehicle were actually fighting with each other... could it be that they were throwing rocks at each other....this could explain why some on the occupants from the vehicle ran away from the scene of the accident... i wonder if all these passengers from both vehicles were questioned? https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-09-06-judge-slams-botched-investigation-into-deaths-of-two-cyclists-hit-by-car/?fbclid=IwAR2r2Oqn8Jb2GFBdfynGk1IlAKpTebxehtwuQn8gyvvkgHlUfRZeu2kWNEg

So why is it so important to do a no cheat first 3 weeks at least...simple... motivation to continue. ( i am not doing it...but rather paying attention to someone who is with good results) what i am seeing... scale moving slowly in the right direction... motivation to make it work...commitment to the exercise and joy as the clothes get loose. What have i learnt from this in the past 3 weeks... the key... your mind... get this right and the rest just falls into place. next you need a goal...what do you want to achieve...in my case it was simple ...just be able to ride up hills without pushing...you might want to run 5 km ...it might even be to complete an ironman... it is not important ...you just need something to get you started. then the eating plan/diet/fasting whatever you want to call it... a means to drop the weight ...as we all know this is 80 % of the struggle ... so make sure it is something you can keep at or evolve as you achieve your goals. then the exercise ...this could be anything from a simple walk down the street to a structured plan from a personal trainer... there is a good chance an instructor will come with an eating plan... some people need a personal trainer to get them into the right place... the first time round i did this because i didnt have what it took to get me up and going ... so i found a personal trainer... paid the person for one month and got into the habit... the right personal trainer will help you get motivated and get going. once this is all in place...so long as your mind stays focused... it gets easier by the day. Sometimes we need to get to a point where we need to change... junk food...beer and the coach just become too easy ...to get out of it gets harder by the day. sometimes it takes a spook to get you motivated... in my case a couple years ago ... it was the blood test results... some might have and ER scare with chest pains... we just need to do it before it is too late. It is not an easy task loosing weight and the further you fall into the hole ...the more difficult it is to get out.... in some case people just never get out. 2 things were holding me back accidents and fear of crime while walking ( which has made it even more difficult with the recent armed robbery of a pedestrian 150 m away from my house) ...and it has just got to the point where i am just too lazy to do anything about. It is hard work keeping fit and healthy ...that is why there are so many fat people out there (including myself)

Watching my wife drop grams by the day ...makes me realize that i have been right all along. The saying "you gotta want it is" (all in the mind) is the key to success in anything you do...be it a weghtloss goal ...a place on the start line at the TDF or even a simple little thing like being able to ride up hills and not walk. I am watcher her achieve goals that she didnt think were possible...her weight is dropping by the day... she has joined a get fit class and going full steam ahead.... so whooppee big deal...it is a big deal...because she watched me go through my journey and just couldnt get going ...no matter how i succeeded if did not motivate her to commit... she now is in the right frame of mind and giving it everything she has... 3 weeks before the challenge started she was already preparing for it ...both food and exercise... i will support her 100 %...she is going to have days were she just feels she cant do it ...i will be there to help motivate her to achieve her goal... i am a firm believer that you cant help people who cant help themselves... no matter how many silly pics you post... or nasty comments people make ...the person has to be prepared to help themselves... once they commit... a helping hand goes a long way in achieving goals... for example my wife would prepare my meals everyday to make sure i didnt loose focus... that made a huge difference for me... a burger and coke on the road is way easier than standing preparing food. why is it such a big deal...because it all boils down to your frame of mind...i keep telling people when they ask ...so how did you loose 40 kg... its not about the diet ...its not about the cycling-running - cross training or what ever it is that you want to do...it not even about a personal trainer... there are hundreds if not thousands of diets/food plans...fasting methods...training plans...get fit programs etc etc etc... the only way any of them will work is when YOU are ready. I watch this thread with interest and notice people come and go... i would bet money that the people who are achieving and maintaining their goals are focused and have the right mind set... i would bet that even if they changed whatever it is they are doing to a different eating plan for example or started running instead of cycling ...they would still achieve their goals... because they are in the right frame of mind. I watched a community remove a hobo/ drug addict from the street ...waste thousands of rands on fixing his teeth... finding him a job... a place to stay you name it ..he was a new man with a future... it lasted 6 months and he was back on the street... i talk from experience... I was in this place a long time ago... i had good support... people who believed in me and where prepared to help... i just wasnt ready... they didnt give up on me... and when the time was right (I wanted to fix my situation) they supported me and helped me on my road to recovery...i sit here today with a cup of coffee in front of me ...instead of a bottle of 1820 brandy... grateful for their assistance... one of the reason i dont judge people until i have walked in their shoes. So for all you non looser...just vasbyte and keep trying... life is tough... get your mind right and make it happen... it is never too late.

summer is almost here...looks like i will be hiding behind a long TEE shirt again wearing stretchy pants ... i am going to have to change my name and profile pic to lazy british bull dog i am watching my wife...so motivated...mind in the right place...amped with her progress already and she only started the get fit program officially yesterday ...she is already 3 weeks into her eating plan and dropped almost 4 kg ...came home as motivated and hell after her first session last night...she is also stoked that she maintained and didnt suffer as much as she expected.

good to see you back and going full steam ahead.

I rode my bicycle yesterday...man did i get dropped...eeeeish and i was riding in the slower group ...i am going to have to start right at the bottom again and work my way out of this rut ...it allowed me to eat the hind leg off a cow and some. there is good news...the other half has got her mind in the right place and she is already 3 weeks into her weight loss program...dropping weight by the week...starts her fitness program this week.

When i started out after my accident which resulted in me loosing everything including my tools and machines (had to sell everything that wasnt taken by the banks)...after a couple of years I got to use my right hand and arm again...i started buying new tools...Ryobi was all i could afford...as i upgraded...i gave my Dad the Ryobi machines (doing DIY projects) When he passed away...i got all the machines back ...which i donated to his life long friend...he still uses them. Ryobi has its place in the market...as do all the other brands.

It all boils down to how much you are prepared to spend and the application. You want an all round tool to last forever...get industrial grade makita (just be careful makita now has a DIY range) and choose the battery wisely...if you gona use the machine to drill big holes or use a long bit...get a big battery and a small one for the light stuff...these machines get heavy with the big batteries...especially after 8 hours of use. Other wise buy the tool specific to the application...for example i wanted a light weight impact driver for general screw fixing...so a small battery on the most powerful makita impact driver works for me...some people ask me why i dont use the 5 amp/hr ...because i dont want a bulky heavy machine...thats why i have a fast charger and spare batteries. If you are using tools like the grinder to sand for example... as i do on occasion...its better to use the 5 amp/hr battery. just be careful of the older makita machines that are not star rated...they will F^&* up your battery if you dont stop when the battery is low...i learnt the hard way... @around R 1000 per battery it gets expensive...the new batteries and machine do cut out when the battery gets low...to protect them.