Let 2013 begin

I haven’t been blogging much in 2012.

 

It’s been a long, hard year and I struggled, stressed and cursed A LOT!

This is 2013 and I hope to keep you posted on most of the good rides and ill definitely try to share all the interesting stories that happen on our adventures.

 

I stared preparing for 2013 a week before Christmas. It went very well. I even got a new personal best on the Caltex – Summerstrand Route. On a ride with friends I discovered a “bubble” on my tire. I was afraid of having a blow-out so I decided to turn around and head back home.

Cruising home at a snails pace this bubble just got bigger. I took a photo and let some air out so there would be less pressure on the bubble. A few kilometers I had to let some more air out because this bubble just didn’t want to wait till I got home.

 

Long story, short. I haven’t really been training, because I’m waiting for the rep to give me a new tire because it’s a manufacture defect. Now I have a weak spot on my tire and another bubble appearing. I did go or one training ride so far and no real problems, except for the second bubble are misbehaving. I just hope it stays good enough till my other tire arrives.

 

At the end of every week I’ll post some stats and a little recap of my training. My friends call me easy so please comment and share some ideas so that I don’t bore you too much. In the mean time ill play some “call of duty”.

Pre- Herald VW Cycle Tour

TOP cyclists from all around have landed in Port Elizabeth to take part in popular Herald VW Cycle Tour (105km classic).

Port Elizabeth will be pumping with two-wheel champions and rookies (like me, but some call me brave or stupid to race on a MTB) checking out the routes.

I’ll be more likely to be checking out the beautiful backdrop of the ocean and Maitlands‘ coastal dunes. This is definitely one of the most scenic routes races I’ve seen in the 11months that I’m cycling.

Kevin Evans(professional cyclist); “The circuit would be described as a climbers route, but the nature of the power profile according to the data from the SRM file would suggest otherwise. It would however be only the strongest rider on the day that would win, and this would be deservedly so!”

Some riders to look out for: Anriette Schoeman, Ashleigh Moolman and Lise Olivier (yes, they are my favourite cyclists that’s why I am mentioning them) the Tasol GT team, Momentum Toyota and MTN Qubeka team. It will be an exiting race.

Talking about the “strongest”… I was diagnosed with ITB (Ilio Tibial Band) syndrome. Its been around quite a while, but hey. I cycled 2000km in 7 months. How would that effect my riding?

PS: Have a look-out for me at the Herald, say hello and take photos lol.

2012 Herald VW Cycle Tour (105km classic)

Early 2012

 

So 2012 is a few days away and my first race is 37days away.

My next race on my MTB will be the Herald VW cycle tour that’s a 105km road race in Port Elizabeth.

The “Plan of Action” is to “train” twice a week. and by training i mean cycle 50km with a cool bunch of roadies and at least one ride out in the bush or a chilled ride with some friends. Basically that leaves me with about eight training sessions till the race.

The route for me is much harder than the Amashova, and it is going to be so beautiful. I cant wait to start at Hoby beach and climb 150meters in the first 15km, and then climb some more. The view will be worth a tough ride along the sea going through Beachview and Seaview and then along Seaview Road heading back towards town.The route is deceptive in that it looks flat but it has a gentle climb to it all the way.

 

Thanks for having an eye out on my blog and please share it with anyone.

 

Remember to GO OUT AND RIDE!

Hello again.

This is my VERY FIRST post on my blog since I’ve been back in Port Elizabeth. I’m soooo sorry for staying away for so long.

I was planning on writing a whole novel. I decided not to because it would take forever for you to read. I’m not lazy, I was just thinking about you.

So what have I been up to these almost three months?
– 10 September 2011 I rode my first road race on my MTB(2010 Shwinn Mesa Elite). The Makro Bestmed 90km was history in 3hours 33min.
– I found this guy on twitter, Wayne who said I was more than welcome to join them on their roadies. This adventure means waking up at 4am, getting on my bike at 5am and reaching home at 7am, before getting ready for work.
– 16 October 2011 I did my first Amashova, the 106km Durban Classic. I could not afford an extra R100 odd for a chip that times me, but I recorded 3hours 56min.

At the gym, way back in February 2011 I thought how difficult can the Amashova be. Long story short, I got me a MTB, got “bike-jacked” and I still entered the Amashova without a bike.
500m away from the finnish I almost burst out in tears… “This is the reason I have a bike”, “is this the end of me on two wheels”? That was going through my head.

I have good news… Its not the end!

GO OUT AND RIDE

2011 Hill2Hill

 

All of a sudden Rob pulls a rabbit out of the hat by asking who is entering the Hill2Hill and what distance they are riding…

No one else, but the “ridiculously handsome” Clint steps it up and said that he will do it in the 7 hours time limit. As you can guess the guys are dissing Clint now. Example: Tyron, “Well crampy the percentage of finishing is small”.

A few minutes later Clint has an awesome excuse and can’t ride the Hill2Hill. The amazing thing is that the excuse never changes… Yes, it’s always a wedding. Clint got the dates all mixed up (I think he just couldn’t take the pressure from the guys).

So here is the unofficial entries. It could just be smack talk, but ill have an update when the guys ACTUALLY do ENTER.

• In the 105km Hill2Hill:

             Ray and Clint

• In the 45km Hill2Hill:

             Rob and Michael

 

Till next time guys. I need to get back to work (not that i really have something to do at the moment).

 

Pierre Bellew

My turn…

I’m not going to say much about me. I had my first tumble in front of these guys and these guys witnessed me making a balls-up with my ROAG nr and ended up getting a DNF. I earned my nickname, Error.

Kevin Werner de Wit

Kevin

We could not keep him away from the ramps. He makes a jump look easy.

 

Clive Killian

Now this is another good friend. Motivating all the guys to do stuff for his GoPro action camera… “Just because it look absolutely insane in HD”, and then Tyron gives in and falls.

 

Clinton Andrews

Clint…

No idea what to say about him. He loves to be in the air and every now and then he gets a lesson about gravity and that it really does exists.