MaxUmis

Wow, looks like they are readily available at this stage...

Okes, I have a UltrAspire Synapse in the classifieds if anyone is interested: https://www.bikehub.co.za/index.php?app=hubmarket&module=core&do=view_item&item_id=178845&new=1

I went through this last year. As you said she'll need all 8s. Avg 8 doesn't cut it. (first try I got 9, 8, 7.5, 7.5 so had to re-write) I can highly recommend going for the workshop that the IELTS guys present. It did help knowing in what format questions should be answered. Especially the written section. Also, do all the exercises on the IELTS website. The other web resources that helped were www.dcielts.com and www.ieltsbuddy.com Other than that, read lots and after reading an article for example, ask yourself questions about what you've read. Your comprehension needs to be sharp. Also speak English as best you can as often as you can, even at home assuming your home language isn't English. And lastly... They might tell you that those tests are standardised. They lie. The first test I wrote was ruff. The listening and comprehension sections were really tough and felt like they tried to catch you out around every corner. The second time around I found it to be VERY easy. So you're going to need a little luck when they draw your exam question paper. Tips on sections: Listening: Listen closely; understand what is being spoken about; jot down telephone numbers, addresses and times as they whizz past. Comprehension: be very awake here. Make sure your answer and question actually relate to each other. There will be keywords or synonyms that link questions and answers together. Writing: Attend the IELTS workshop. Number of paragraphs are important; "linking" words that assist with the flow of your writing is important; appropriately addressing the recipient of your letter is important(know when to use Dear/Best/To. Know when to use Yours faithfully/sincerely ). Speaking: Just keep talking. Even if you actually have to say "Wow, I don't know what to say". That'll give you an extra moment to get something else lined up. Try like hell to steer clear of one word answers. Watch your tenses.

Unless you're Mr Robot.

I'd say to get to and go comfortably at 120km while 2 up, you'd probably need to look at something with at least a 600cc motor. I use a little Honda CBX 250 Twister as a commuter, riding 25km a day to the Centurion Gautrain station and back. While it's the perfect tool for the job(in town riding), giving 30km/l, I cant help but itch for more horses. Taking the Twister on the highway is absolutely frightening. It tops out at 120km/h and not being able to get some space between yourself and other vehicles more or less doing the speed limit is nerve wrecking to say the least. While looking for a bigger bike I'd like to use it to cruise out to Harties on a Sunday arvi with the Missus on the back, but it also needs to be my daily commuter. The bikes on my shortlist are: Kawasaki KLE 650 Versys (I like the look for some reason. Reviews reckon its more playful than others in it's class. Second hand they go for R35k and up. Currently a special on 2014 models off the floor for R65k), Honda NC700 (also like the look. while it's very economical at 30km/l but reviews say it's a bit lazy and revs weird for a 700. Second hand they go from R48k ish), Kawasaki ER6F (I really like the look of these, esp the newer models. You can pic up second hand 2008 models from R35k ish) Other bikes that often make me wonder are: Suzuki 650 V strom and SV. And then there are them CBRs...

Just remember, on race day, at some point, you'll recall some oke on The Bike Hub said that it hurts.

So the other night I was thinking about the safety issues we're having at Klapperkop, Groenkloof and Voortrekker monument. Day dreaming about how to catch those fu.... uhm... skelms brought up ideas of sting operations and special forces type tactics... River rat and the CPF okes gave a good effort the other day, but almost as if to send a message to us law abiding sheep, there was a violent attack that same night after the law had left. The problem is obvious, we need more law enforcement patrolling these areas even at weird times of day/night. But who would do these patrols? Who has the capacity or even the training? Who would be suited to this almost military requirement... So, what would it take to get Thaba Tswane to start doing training patrols in these problem areas? Surely regular night time patrols would benefit military training?

Hi guys, I thought I'd share another red flag for Klapperkop. I over heard a couple of guys talking about a serious attack at Klapperkop this past weekend. The incident happened around 3pm on Sunday(if I heard right). Be safe out there.

Yeah, the "Stranger Danger!" alarm bells were ringing for poor old Yaseen, but now thanks to theHub he is a stranger no more Thanks for the kudos Yaseen

Do you have any more info on this?

Just to avoid confusion; The "conservancy" trails are Groenkloof. The "single track below the bridges" are referred to as Fountains.

No such thing as an easy race. If it was easy, you didn't race.

The problem is the batteries. The couriers/post offices aren't shipping anything containing Lithium. They even had an issue with a device I ordered the other day that has an internal coin cell battery. Best bet to get batteries here from the east is to use DHL.

I'm not sure about Brytons, but I do know there are 1 or 2 commercially available products to charge Garmin devices. I'm all about DIY and built myself a little mini USB charge cable that I use with my 1000mA Energizer power pack. I got all the info I needed from https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/sfrandon/--pVvyaDZWg/JTIbgxZ3LuUJ and this If I remember correctly, the Garmin Edge 500 has a 700mA battery. I get about 17 or 18 hours off a single charge. So my DIY setup theoretically gives me about 40 hours (not taking charging inefficiencies into consideration). So far the DIY cable has seen me through a Van Gaalen 24hour race as well as the 36One.

I always laugh at my GF when she complains about the oomies that sit in her slip when racing. Everyone generates an air pocket behind them, not just you. It doesn't cost you anything to create it. If someone sits in your slip, it doesn't endanger you and it doesn't make you slower. My view on slip streaming in racing (MTB and road) is: Do your part when you can*, use what's available to you, THINK. *If every A batch rider in the 94.7 (or Argus for that matter) did ONLY 1 minute at the front of the pack, they'd be over the finish line before everyone had a chance at the front.