Wat gaan aan hier?

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Where are all the okes and chicks from Souf Efrica?

Originally posted by Vo2
Where are all the okes and chicks from Souf Efrica? hier is ek.

here I am,
this is me,
there's nowhere else on earth I'd rather be.

my koneksie is stadig, dis hoekom ek nie soveel prat nie.

Originally posted by Vo2
Where are all the okes and chicks from Souf Efrica?

Well I wont count??
As I am only a fake one going back to europe in less than a week

And, what you think of SA?

Ons is nog hier... Maarten are you chickening out on the ARGUS. If not bad planning!!!!!!

Keep those wheels spinning!!!!

Big H

Originally posted by Vo2
And, what you think of SA?

I definitely had a great time in Sa. Its nature wise definitely a beautiful country and has interesting roads to cycle.

Its sad that traffic is that bad with taxi's on one, short cutting trucks on 2, muggings and stabbings if you cycle past townships and some crazy motorists on the road. there is definitely some work there to do(withnessed sadly one of the last victims from traffic from close by recently).

Don't want to be too negative I definitely had the greatest experience off my life. And met lots of nice and interesting people. But there is way more potential in the country(also on other things)

Cycling wise I had a great time although there are some minors at races.
- the level is lower than home
- Races are very passive
- where are the long events?
- coverage?? why only focus on the same names even if they keep getting their ass kicked
-some people have a serious attitude problem
- seeding and race correcting times are a serious mess without decent basis

I will be back if possible next year to set some things staight in some races else In sevral years time as a normal tourist.

Originally posted by big_h
Ons is nog hier... Maarten are you chickening out on the ARGUS. If not bad planning!!!!!!

Keep those wheels spinning!!!!

Big H

I only sort of chickend out of the Giro although several amateur teams asked me to ride for them. But there are good reasons for that I was ill early in januari and am now riding with an inflamation in the shoulder because of a crash end of jan. Which means that I am only at 75%. With stage 2 in mind and the fact that I am a sprinter(afraid of hills) its no real use staying in SA. I want to be sure that I can finish the ride decently else its no use. University classes started again 2 weeks ago back home, should actually already have gone back weeks ago but stayed for the 99'er(decision made before the injury). Degree goes first bike is just a hobby(although a time comsuming one)

Don't know why I should chicken out for argus its only just above a 100k's and the first long part is flattish. Riding it is no real challenge for me(nothing bad intended). I already got my spot in invitational months ago, before I finished top 15 in 2 of the qualifiers(although not satisfied with the results). I respect that its big cause of the number of people and its time going. But as a ride, route and distance Argus has not much to trill a racer.

Hi guys - We are on our way to Cape Town (from Seattle, WA) and my brother from Mexico City. We can not wait to do the Cape Argus Cycle Tour.

I need your help suggesting bike routes - we are staying at Victoria Junction and would like to ride safe, broad sholdered routes during the week prior to the 14th. Safe is the key.

Any suggestions?

thank you.

Mauricio
maurigo@microsoft.com

or organized club rides - slow to moderate pace (16mph).

Originally posted by maurigo
or organized club rides - slow to moderate pace (16mph).

Don't know about the broad shoulders....

There is a club in CT call CycleLab. I think they have organised rides from there. Go check on their site www.supercycling.co.za

Hope you enjoy it.

Thank you.

Originally posted by Vo2
Where are all the okes and chicks from Souf Efrica?

Originally posted by Vo2
Where are all the okes and chicks from Souf Efrica?

You'll find half of durban in southfields, London!Although I'll soon be returning home along with my new colnago c40hp:-)

How does that work that I can buy an entire bike with 04 dura ace and ksyriums for the price of the frame in SA!Someones making money!

Originally posted by HandyAndy
You'll find half of durban in southfields, London!Although I'll soon be returning home along with my new colnago c40hp:-)

How does that work that I can buy an entire bike with 04 dura ace and ksyriums for the price of the frame in SA!Someones making money!

Well, as they say, 'you pays your money and you takes your choice'....

Why on earth would anybody want to open a cycling business if not to make at least a living? And when you want spares are you going to hop on a plane to London and fetch them, or pop down to the local cycle shop owner who has been keeping his capital tied up in spares so he can service your need(s)?

Get real - if you invest your money in anything you expect a decent return on your investment - otherwise you open a savings account and/or donate to charity...

Oh, and what about back-up? Who pays for that?

Originally posted by Vo2
Where are all the okes and chicks from Souf Efrica?



I'm here. Anyone here a MTBiker?

If so has anyone done the Giants Castle Challenge?

Originally posted by Tamryn
I'm here. Anyone here a MTBiker?

If so has anyone done the Giants Castle Challenge?

Well, I'm also here, also an MTB-er (just recently started), and haven't done the GCC yet(!!!). But if you contact one of these forums, I'm sure you'll get a lot of information:

spinman@yahoogroups.co.uk
warthogs@warthogs.org.za

Both forums are FULL of great, helpful, and knowledgeable people.

Hope you come right...

Originally posted by Goosebeak
Well, I'm also here, also an MTB-er (just recently started), and haven't done the GCC yet(!!!). But if you contact one of these forums, I'm sure you'll get a lot of information:

spinman@yahoogroups.co.uk
warthogs@warthogs.org.za

Both forums are FULL of great, helpful, and knowledgeable people.

Hope you come right... Actually my brother-in-law (Steve) organises it. And my husband has riden it. And I was the time keeper for it this last year.

I was just wanting to know if anyone on here had riden it.

www.ultimatemtb.org.za is the website for the race.

Originally posted by Tamryn
Actually my brother-in-law (Steve) organises it. And my husband has riden it. And I was the time keeper for it this last year.

I was just wanting to know if anyone on here had riden it.

www.ultimatemtb.org.za is the website for the race.

hehehe - so you're actually 007 in disguise!!!!

I really would like to ride a lot more races like this - from what I've heard they are experiences of NOTE! Unfortunately, being based in Johannesburg, it takes a lot of time (especially leave), and being a contractor (you know the story - pale male, over 40, can't get appointed to a permanent position), the logistics are problematic.

But I WILL get there one day soon!

Originally posted by Goosebeak
hehehe - so you're actually 007 in disguise!!!!

... being a contractor ...

Howzit all of you, I'm an old member but has been offline for quite some time, (dis lekke kak gewees) nice to be back though. At least I still managed to get on the bike even though not as often as I would have liked. As Goosebeak said CONTRACTOR add to that your own company not a good combination.
Looks like the SA population on the forum has shrunk lately, but its good to see some of the old names still in there, VO, Big H, R/Oke etc. I will visit more often while I have the chance.

Originally posted by Goosebeak
Well, as they say, 'you pays your money and you takes your choice'....

Why on earth would anybody want to open a cycling business if not to make at least a living? And when you want spares are you going to hop on a plane to London and fetch them, or pop down to the local cycle shop owner who has been keeping his capital tied up in spares so he can service your need(s)?

Get real - if you invest your money in anything you expect a decent return on your investment - otherwise you open a savings account and/or donate to charity...

Oh, and what about back-up? Who pays for that?

Goosebeak I dont have anything against bicycle shops in SA trying to make money and as you say you would have to be a complete idiot to open a shop not expecting to make money ,I always used to support my local shop back in SA and I do here in the UK as well.I also fully understand that once I return to SA I will have to rely on the local shops for spares etc.

The point I was trying to stress was that the price of equipment especially certain brands in SA is extremely exorbitant compared to elsewhere in the world.I know that I got a good deal on my bike.For example, the last time I checked a colnago c40HP frame and fork cost R35000. My colnago frame and fork brand new cost £1750.At an exchange rate of 12 thats R21000.Thats a huge difference!Even with higher shipping etc it still seems a little huge margin on that frame.I've seen other seemingly huge price differences with other components(campagnolo and Mavic for example).Ksyrium SL wheels - R8500 or £400 in the UK!Cosmic Carbone wheels - R18000 or £700!

I know I dont have a price breakdown so it is hard to say where the extra cost lies but at first glance it looks like someone is wacking the profit margin up and coining it.Maybe someone on this forum could care to enlighten us about theses differences?

Maybe it's import taxes? Or maybe it's importers who bought at really unfavourable exchange rates having to try and reclaim some of their money?

What I've found, being involved in the 4x4 scene, is that, while prices look good in overseas magazines, once you've factored in all the transport costs, customs, etc. etc. etc. you very often end up paying the local price that you thought you were undercutting...

Galling, to say the least............