Wannabe

My first Argus many years back was still the "Detour" route over Ou Kaaps, and I started quite late. (so late that when I got onto Edinburg drive, the Elites was on their way back already in the oppsosite lane) A friend of mine gave me the advice to get a "ref's whistle" and just blow it for short bursts when stuck behind a group, or approaching from behind at speed. I tried it and it worked, so much that I ended up with a not too shabby 3:42 and riding on my own most of the time.

That race had the right nickname, "The Fast One" I was crazy enough to try my hand at "racing" with the Vets for a year or two in the early 2000's. Needles to say that Mighty Mouse and the Beneke's and kie ripped my legs off. One year our average in the first hour was just short of 50km/h. If memory serves me right, I finished around 2:30 that day, still way behind the winners. But it was exhilarating. These days if I can ave 30km/h I'm cuffed.

What a stunning morning to be on the bike.

Resting the legs after climbing Old Helz on "Okkie the Hybrid"

With Dorstberg, part of the Meerendal Trails in the background.

They erected a new building in the spot where the bike was originally placed. They obviously removed it. Ask the people in the offices there, maybe someone knows where it is now. Sorry again for your loss.

Thanks Matt. Yeah, like a "long service award" At least I'm on the podium, if you look at it like that. Lol....

I'm sure you can. Will take a long time though.

Tis such a pity. I would have loved top do it one more time before I got too old. Lol....... Did it in 2016 on my hardtail 1 x 10, and except for a sore ass after bumping over rough farm fields for the first three days, it was the best nine days of my life. I would have loved to do it on a more modern dualie though. Alas, it seems not to be for me.

Interesting stats. How about adding a section for "Longest / oldest Hub member" Hopefully my name will then be on the wall of fame....... Lol.

LOL!!!! I'll rather not. Sounds like baffles has been removed. 🤪

I think it will be frowned upon if I post clips of my "2 stroke" starting up, especially after a hearty vegetable broth. 🤭

Yeah, got an SMS on the 15th of December that my audit has been finalised, and that it transpired that I owe SARS zilch, and that they owe me the same. The holdup was that the company I worked for filed a different IRP5 to the one they supplied me, after I already submitted the copy supplied to me with my assesment. I'm gobsmacked about it, as I have a RA that I contribute to, as well as as other refundable contributions.

Ja, that was hilarious to read. Thought that I will not be the one to throw the egg.

I've procured a gravel bike frame, in anticipation of winning this groupset. 😉😁 My old groupset to go onto the gravel grinder, my newly won AXS onto my dualie.

Is fine by me, improves my chances by 1. 🤣

Did the J2C a few years back with a Vittoria Barzo front and Saguaro rear combo. No problem with traction over the varied terrain, and fast rolling on the district roads / hardpack. And not a single flat / puncture over the 9 days. Winter time here in the WC I run Barzo front and rear.

Will contacting the Ombudsman even be worth the effort? I mean, we are dealing with a Government Dept (read ANC) here. If yes, where do I get their contact numbers, other than just another Call Centre.

Anybody else having issues with their refunds? I submitted my return end of July and got flagged for an Audit. I immediately supplied the requested documentation (that was early August) and got the reply that the requested documents was received. I received a few SMS messages, normally on a Sunday morning, "Dear Taxpayer, 0******162 Case no ***** Tax year 2021. SARS has received your supporting documents. Bah blah blah. Note that SARS aims to finalise cases within 21 working days from receipt of supporting documents" Last SMS dated 30 Sept 21. Since then, no more communication from them. Phoning the SARS Help Desk results in a long waiting time before call is answered. Although the Help Desk staff are generally very friendly and sympathetic, they are unable to assist me in any way, shape or form. All tells me that my case is with an Auditor, and out of their hands, they see the 21 days are long expired and all they can do is to escalate my case. I call them three times a week now, and still no result. I have the same with my UIF claim, submitted 28 Jan 2021. Only answer I get that is my case is with an assessor, and they can only log a query for me. Nobody I can contact to find out why it is taking that long to finalise my case. BLOODY AGGREVATING!!!!!!

I have a set I'm not using. Still new Specialized Lock On Grips with no flange and closed ends. Make me an offer I can't refuse.

Once again. EVOBIKES.

Then somebody else must have taken up my slack. If I drink 5 beers in a year, it's a lot. I've got a gifted bottle of KWV that's been in my cupboard for three years now (does brannas go off once it's opened!?) Wine, maybe two bottles total in a year. So yeah, I'm basically a teetotaler. (Never been drunk in my life, tipsy once or twice, and that's after two beers) Gasp, shock, horror, and that includes the time I spent in SAPS in the 80's.

Evobikes

Ran Quaxar rotors and Baradine pads (both sintered and semi metalic) with my Guide RS brakes. No turkey warbling, no squeeling and no overheating on long descents. Good pricepoint and good performance. Win win.

This is just next level crazy. Things are spiraling out of control, human life has got no value in this messed up country.