Jase619

Luckily I am not looking for that then. . . .

To be fair I knowingly opened a can of worms here, but i asked with the idea that i can't seem to find a common opinion anywhere. And the discussion has been way off the worst threads I have seen on here, so i am actually quite happy with how this is turning out

Flat and non technical would be the most weekends kind of vibe, however, if you read further the goal would be to get a bike that if we were to take them away with us, say to a place that is not flat and technical, and we decided to do a race, be it Sani2C, or W2W or whatever the case may be, that we would be correctly kitted out for such an occasion. The decision to ride these races is basically made, just needing the bikes, hence making a decision with that in mind. I am picking up on a few things here, but I am guessing that a hardtail would not be sufficient in such a case?

Thanks for the multitudes of advice so far, really appreciate it. Was looking at the Spez Stumpjumper Alloy, with 140mm travel upfront, so more or less seems to fit within the advice given so far. . . If you stretch the recommended 120mm to 140mm that is. But Can't really see if i would ever sit back after a ride and wish I had 20mm less travel. . . The biggest problem as mentioned is stock, but that is befalling all brands as i can see it at the moment. Will take a look at the Scott and Merida as well, helps to be pointed in the right direction in terms of model within a brand. Any issues with a Momsen Vipa other than the ridiculous name haha????

So, my wife and I have decided to give this MTB thing a try. Been in the works for a long time, but varying annoyances like getting married, buying a house and having a child has tied up cashflow until now. So as not to bring up fanboyisms, I shall not be revealing the brands we are looking at, but am merely trying to cut through the cowpat and get some advice. We are looking to ride on weekends around our local trails, which in the Free State means flat and dusty, but we would also like to be able to take our bikes with us on holidays and ride trails there, whether it be in the Western Cape or KZN. Also looking at doing some stage races just for the experience, and obviously to test ourselves, like Sani2C, Wines2Whales and the like. To that point, what is the real marked difference between a trail bike and a XC bike? Would I regret buying one over the other? Most locals I have asked have referred to the trail bikes being slightly heavier and having more travel. But does more travel really equal Bad? Got told by a local bike shop this weekend that the trail bike we were looking at was "Too Much" bike for us and our local area. . .

I bought myself one about a month ago and my wife the women's version and it is leka warm. I use a body warmer under, but I could conceivably just wear it on warmer days. Holding up nicely in the Free State winter, did a ride a while back in Bethlehem and it was -1 and my body was the least of my worries. Would definitely recommend it. Got the blue, gonna buy myself the sea green as well!

I emailed ATOP directly a few years ago, they couriered a replacement for both sides to me directly, I think they sent me two for each side. I eventually got put in touch with a company in Elsies River that sent me the repair kits. Send me a PM and i will send you the email addresses. Thanks

My First Tour they told me that the last hill is Suikerbossie, forgetting that piece of crap climb out of Camps Bay

Okay, let’s then compare it to financing a holiday house in Ballito?

Don't start, she rubs it in my face all the time, her 10th one was supposed to be the cancelled one. Haha, that's a lot of babies to allow me to catch up

I think you specials will get a earlier entry or be included in the PPA round. My wife and Father in Law normally get preferential treatment as they have done 10+, but we will see what happens. As to the entry fee, it is actually exactly what I expected.It was R550 last year, so 595 makes sense. especially if you take they are getting half the entries, plus they still need to make considerable charity contributions for those okes to survive as well.

Yeah, there is no option to renew for 2021/2022. Only till end June 2021. So might be a typo or they are gonna require that we renew come end of June

PPA renewed again, just like ever year before the entries open haha. Keen for this, October and March is gonna be rough on the wallet though yoh

Okes be organising a winter training camp and everything haha.

Correct.

Starting planning already, going to be a hectic time. Plus if you include Ride Joburg on the 21st of November it is a very busy 6 weeks!

Finally got this set after months of waiting for stock or just missing a drop. Started building last night, got through 2 of the 6 bags so far and it is taking time, but also enjoyable and very detailed. It's my first Lego Ideas set but I must say it is well worth the price. Looking at the Winnie the Pooh set next.

Finally got my first one with the Friends set my wife bought for me, was almost as exciting as getting the set haha

Many a nail was irreparably damaged when i was younger trying to get the damn things apart haha. That tool wasn't available in my day, i don't even own one as i have never seen the point of buying one. And have never got a set with it included. Will probably change as the laaitie gets older and he graduates from Duplo to Normal Lego

That thing is a crutch, real Lego people suffer their way through getting plates apart haha

So we should know in the next 2 weeks what the planned date is for later in the year

Yeah, it's pretty insanely massive, was there last year December as well for a workshop, was nice, but was a bit of a ghost town.

The one by Mall of Africa? I think that's waterfall city

It is most definitely. Ironic that we are attending a workshop on the "Future of Work" next week at Deloitte, while being sent back to the stone age of sitting in an office.

I did find it confusing that you said you were going down a week early. I think alot of people were confused by the Savages decision to ride a week before the time, think they got confused with the Junior Cycle Tour or something. . .