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Wayne pudding Mol

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Everything posted by Wayne pudding Mol

  1. St Francis Bay has had a bike shop since around 2009 when the total population was 3000 mostly retired people with 450 in cape st francis plus a township. Lots of holiday trade but not exactly a nice place to cycle Admittedly the owner didn't get rich but even he would admit that he could have run it better - he fed his family and pursued his passion for bikes. It was recently taken over by Coimbra PE who I believe are part of Cycles United. The area has grown and I'm sure they are doing just fine Point is, you can make it work, nothing is easy. It depends on your goals. Want to get rich? Probably not a good idea opening a bike shop. Want to be happy, follow your heart and get by, definitely achievable with sufficient homework Want advice, come to the hub, need good advice, maybe not available here unless you want to have your dreams shattered and sucked into a black hole a of negativity.
  2. actually they pretty much do milk themselves these days....well almost The farm I know is quite fascinating - the cows "plug" in and get milked then go through to a stall where their chip is read and they are fed according to the scale measuring them. The warm milk is cooled by the water from the mountain stream and the heat exchanged is used elsewhere. Nothing is wasted and it's super efficient, compost water, emergency feed crops, solar - location plays a massive part in the energy and feed savings and its still probably not how the cow would choose to live its life. He does well but he doesn't have an account with Shimano
  3. I don’t need to, I don’t use their products and I’m not opening a bike shop - I have my own business challenges 🤣 But I would imagine it’s near impossible which is why cash flow is important as well as networking with other independents it is very easy to highlight the negatives in starting a business which is why there are always more employers and employees. Nothing wrong with being one or the other but the risk in a small business lies with the owner as does the reward. a dream (with research) is always worth the effort
  4. With a great location, seriously good cash flow and top Mechanics why not ? ideally you’d like to own your premises and obviously get buy in from sram and shimano Their are very few easy businesses and most have supply challenges these days if you have the resources and do a feasibility study why not go for your dream it won’t be easy but what is ?
  5. I’d heard that but definitely doesn’t seem to be the case around me - I suppose lots of water and fertile soil means low feed costs and more cows per hectare. As my not poor dairy farmer mate says, they (the cows) even work on Christmas that said I see a lot of the dairy farmers here have accommodation as another revenue stream seems better than a bikeshop
  6. Why the crux and not diverge I wonder edit - lighter faster more racey
  7. I use these as well as their chainrings they compare well with XX1 - mine are used mostly on gravel and my chain cassette and chainring are wiped and lubed after every ride everything I’ve ever bought from them has been beautifully engineered and lasted well just be aware that although now based in Poland, they are a Ukrainian business so not sure if they are affected by Putins invasion
  8. Think he seems like the kind of guy that could take out the uci gravel series with his mtb skills, monster engine and obvious talent a good saffa back up plan if I don’t give it a go
  9. Nice morning ride, only 40km but just over 1000m elevation gorgeous conditions in Bergplaas, Hoekwil
  10. My bike shop just gave me a few actual pedal washers from the mechanics drawer - ask yours because it seemed like it was a common item - 3 little spacers each side and problem solved in my case
  11. I agree 100 percent, it can be done comfortably but I agree with their thinking - unfortunately they can’t say “skilled gravel bikes welcome” for this particular race I 100 percent agree no ebikes - this will upset a lot of people around here - the majority of people I see on my routes are on ebikes but in this case the lack of skilled riders are the majority and would cause mayhem - that said there must be a way to accommodate them like making them start an hour later for example they’d definitely find those missing 500 entrants this is my favourite event - perfect distance, fast, lots of climbing and I don’t have any pesky single track and technical proper mountain bike stuff.
  12. 500 entries available but no where to stay unless you like tents and portaloos anyone not going I will buy your entry if you a brick and mortar accom (for which I’ll pay)
  13. From a safety aspect I think it’s a good call which they clarify - I’ve ridden the route and part of the route on a gravel bike hard tail and raced it on my full sus. Unless you are experienced and or light, full sus drills the other 2 Sure there are guys who will smash it on a gravel bike but there are many g bikers who will cause problems for themselves and others on those descents
  14. You have much to learn young padawan @Sid the Slothbut you pick up things quickly so there’s hope other uses in a pinch include wiping ones saddle pad in the bush, soaking up oil from food, cleaning windows and rolling a nice boxer loose
  15. You live in the wrong country to be annoyed by the “give it to me for free” culture 😂
  16. best money I've spent and after a few months of moaning my family got used to no dstv and we've adapted to netflix - I have alos found that as a family we now watch less TV which is great. I however will now watch any cycling race Saving money, less screen time and loads of cycling to watch keeping me from overtraining 🤣 - win win win
  17. No Chris not a normal csa member like most of us who do a few events @Sid the Sloth is a proper racer boy and has an Elite Racing license. I know because he told me 🤣
  18. Adding to my list of how do you know if someone ….. How do you know if someone has an elite racing license? 🤣 they’ll tell you
  19. don't get dragged down by these comments - 100km a week is plenty mileage if you average that over a year - over 5000km, more than most cyclists do, especially if you do other sport or gym. And if you are riding a MTB that's at least 5 hours a week, again more hours than most people spend exercising and plenty enough time to toughen up your bum Your question was about bibs. Always a personal choice but if money isn't an issue, the general consensus is Assos are tops - they do a mtb specific bib which is bulletproof and I have found their sizing to be more consistent than most My only concern would be the saddle choice - if it feels comfy then great, if not, the bib won't help Good luck and enjoy your events
  20. Garbaruk do a 10/50 11 speed and you’ll have granny gears you need and before you fret about the cost, bear in mind it will do serious mileage
  21. rarely do I see a MTB I like, this is one occasion, very nice
  22. I think Jewie took it but unless he substituted without me, it may still be avialable but its now his to pass on or use
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