22 Jul 2007

Lots of news!


Lots of news with what is happening with Barlowworld team at the tour de France, our own ride at The Cradle and more news from the market place.
Firstly, isn't it just amazing to see Robbie Hunter and team managing podium finishes?! Wonderful to say the least.

To go back to our wonderful ride at The Cradle of Mankind, a wonderful ride with about 18 participants. Also a well deserved lunch at the end at The Teaspoon and Tankard. The weather was mild and we all set off at not too hectic a pace as we had to wait for a flat to be fixed at the start. And off we went, uphill! A clear break came between the roadies and mountain bikers. As hard as the mountain bikers peddled, the roadies still pulled away.

There were lots of hills to deal with, out of breath hills, not so long hills and koppies. We managed them all. Here Anthon and Ivin are dealing with the "out of breath" koppie









Janine doing the "smiling uphill"








And the beautiful winding, open road.
The support vehicle was an absolute blessing as we were helped with punctures, cramp pills, something to eat and just moral support all the way. We all agreed that the next ride is not to be missed.
A very interesting website has been brought under my attention by Silke. http://www.escapecycletours.com/. Would you like to go on a biking holiday? They have a really great holiday selection to choose from. 6 Days mountain biking from Knysna to Gordon's Bay. I liked the mountain biking on a Karoo farm, but to extend the holiday and go further to the coast at Port Elizabeth. Another amazing tour is a 3Night/4Day Baobab tour at Mapungubwe. Go to the new poll and tell us what you think, would you like to go on a cycling holiday. We might just organise something like that.
Now if you thought that the Baviaans Mountain bike Marathon is a challenge, go to http://www.freedomchallenge.org.za/ and see what that is all about. Just a short peep tells you about 2300km from Pietermaritzburg to Cape Town in 26 days. You have to carry all your stuff on your back. You only get a map to navigate, and you have to peddle, carry your bike, peddle, peddle and peddle. Go read the full story on http://www.cyclelab.co.za/ "Freedom Challenge Report" of Hannele Steyn Kotze who came 3rd overall in the race. Her story is about endurance, about a mind, about finding your deeper soul. Really amazing stuff. By the way, the Baviaans mountain bike route forms part of the freedom challenge route. Incredible! Go read it.
Next weekend is the Tshwane lap race around the Union Buildings. Hope you've entered!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Die oefen sessie by Milderdrif was great dankie Gerda. Kan nie glo julle het my gevang smile met 'n optrande nie. Weird! Dis lekker om saam julle te oefen. Altyd baie fun. Sien uit na 'n volgende een.

Dankie vir die insperasie.

Janine

Anonymous said...

Hallo weer. Ek wil net hoor hoe mens aan 'n club kan aansluit? En waar is dalk een naby. Ek wil graag mense kry saam wie ek op naweke kan pad oefen. Ek besef net ek sal iets moet ekstra doen as ek so ver wil begin ry. Enige raad of hulp sal waardeer word.

Dankie

Janine

Anonymous said...

Hello to all you mudbunnies out there. A stage race which I only ever dreamt of, is the Cape Epic which used to run from Knysna to Spier in Stellenbosch. It is tough but with the beautiful surroundings it definately seems worth it. Google it at www.cape-epic.com

Gerda said...

Heya Janine,
www.velo.co.za is die cycling club waar van ons ouens saam ry. Hulle winkel is in Atterbury Value Mart onder die brug. Die ander groep wat hier naby is , is Morne Bester. Hy het 'n winkel in Waterkloof rif shopping centre. Dink nie hy het 'n web nie.

Gerda said...

aaah spanner!! thought you died on us. Cape epic great,but to get in......But have to agree, a most wonderful event.

Anonymous said...

The last I checked on the Cape Epic (probably 2-3 years ago!) was that if you volunteered at the race you would be guaranteed entry the next year. That's not so hard... :-)

Anonymous said...

Dankie Gerda. Ek het bietjie gaan kyk op hul web. Sal met hulle gesels.

Lyk lekker fun.

Janine