gogo@

Thanks!Good decision to wait. Ironically we had thought of doing just that because we were worried about parvo in our own area. But it travels so easily and is incredibly infectious so at 6-10 weeks puppies are terribly vulnerable. And, we’ll still have to be careful of other illnesses like distemper, should we get that far...

We have 3 rescues, a husky-Swiss cross and 2 Belgian-Swiss crosses. I have some hairy stories about their lives before they came to us, one directly from the SPCA where heaven knows they were threatening to put her down.I’m all for that but there’s a place for pure bred dogs as well. Not keen to argue it right here or now but I’m a bit tired of having that thrown at me or others who I know do a helluva lot for the dog world. Where would you get your Malinois who do such a good anti-poaching job come from if not from breeders? I do see your point, to a point, but let’s not derail this thread.

How old was your pup?It’s completely out of my hands... which I’m not good at. The litter was exactly 6 weeks last Sunday when the first one got sick. Two have died, in the last two days. One was a boy we nearly chose. The breeder is doing everything possible too. Three have been OK to this point so crossing fingers there. But our boy is one of the sick ones. Unfortunately I have had first-hand experience of this - our oldest dog came within a whisker of dying while at home on a drip. But she was 5 months. These chaps are so small still. I’m sure everyone here has, but please do the inoculation thing! And hug them, again ????

All the beautiful people on this thread. Came here to find it was 2014 last time I visited, good grief. Feeling a bit low as we should have been getting our new pup this weekend but he's fighting for his life with parvo. Life is cruel sometimes. Hug all your furchildren please.

Happened yesterday apparently? Hectic! At first I thought it was a sick joke.

I would find it difficult if I didn't have family in CT to stay with and awesome folk to catch a lift with who don't rip me off for petrol and hop out to make sure the bikes are OK every hour. In the past I've done the plane and bus thing which is getting pricey. But the last couple of years the trip down has become a whole lot more fun because, "bike, bike, bike", is all the talk we do and "bike!, bike!, bike!" is all we look out for on the road. Would be cool if hubbers in CT could maybe start a thread offering accommodation should they have to spare?

Maybe, maybe not.It’s all relative, or have these gods forgotten what it was like when they started?

*Shimano FH-M590 freehub/compatible FH* Any chance someone might have a freehub body for an old (non-disk) deore FH-M590 rear hub??? Or even the hub (32h)?? Mine is kaput and I can’t find the part other than on import at HUGE cost.

Event Name: G2C Grahamstown 2 Sea Sponsored By BUCO When: 8 July 2018 Where: Grahamstwon, BUCO warehouse, Rautenbach Rd, Eastern Cape Category: MTB 58km MTB race (or ride) from the hills to the sea. Mix of jeep track, dirt road and single track. As easy or as difficult as you want it to be, but it WILL be FAST! Perfect for racing snakes and those new to mountain biking. Starts Grahamstown 8h30am, so plenty time to get there. Ends Port Alfred at the Rosehill Mall. Last day of the National Arts Festival. Registration Saturday July 7, 2-5pm and Sunday July 8, 7-8am. Online entries close 2 July. Go to Event Page

Yesterday

Thanks! Not sure if I’m spending more time riding or taking photos these days ????

Short ride on the road less graveled this morning.

Been following this thread with too much interest for my future health, I'm sure... Verrrrrry interesting. Anyone with doubts, suffering, or maybe even thinking of quitting at any point, just remember there are sad people like me out there, envious of you Good luck all.

Ball Pottinger?????? (Hat. Coat. Door)

Plenty I’d say by what I saw trundling past me. (It’s lotsa fun at the back).

Riding at the back of the seeded groups it’s always a matter of luck how your race (ride? but I am racing, against myself) goes. It’s such a pity people don’t get the importance of cooperating. My best times have been from working with a group. Then there’s the thing about keeping left. It’s very simple. Going slower? Stay as far left as you can. Faster? Pass on the right. But try keep a channel free on your left/right (depending which side you’re on). And don’t switch someone’s wheel when you cross in front of them (!!). Most of the problems I see are because people don’t bother with these simple things.

It is happening, where I am, but slowly. We do a short bike tour of town for new students in orientation week and many if not most are black. But we also have many asking how they can learn to ride a bike as they’ve never had the opportunity. It’s worse amongst adults.But it is happening although I have to agree with Slowbee that MUCH more needs to be done to encourage more people to take up cycling and enter events. Clubs often come across as pretty exclusive if not elitist, even when they aren’t.

I had the same thought.

Agreed, on the last, but the first, no. From where I was, towards the back of the seeded groups, there was great support along the route. I’m always amazed people come out to cheer us on. I had a fast ride to Smits then went “tourist class” from there. Applause for the first half, cheers, chirps and encouragement for the second. Support on Suikerbossie was brilliant: no chance to stop off for a nap!

So maybe I should pack last year’s number just in case??? (Same start group, who’s going to notice ????)

Once again, unfortunately/fortunately, I will be doing battle from the back. But this year it’s serious as it seems everything (almost - I am not dead) is going wrong. So I shall be quoting Marshal Foch to myself (and anyone else who cares to listen) as I roll along: My centre is giving way, my right is retreating, situation excellent, I am attacking. (!!)

But, why???Plenty ways to get a legit entry. Just do it in time. Is it that difficult?

That will be fun. Haven’t done one of those yet ????

Not that it helps any, but know that you are not alone!