What have we been up to?

This is the April newsletter and the first bit of May too. I know it is not quite on time, but my PC was playing up a bit. I will therefore jam pack it with loads of interesting bits and pieces.

We were in Paris!! Or was it Parys??

Firstly, the long weekend of the 7th April, a few musketeers from the gym set off to break some personal records. They were taking part in a mountain bike 6 hour solo lap race and a 12hour 2man team lap race. What is a lap race? The course was a 5.9km ride over all sorts of terrain, rocky, sandy and the BRIDGE, which we had to do over and over and over, lap after lap after lap. We had a wonderful support team, cheering us on and who made sure we had enough to eat and drink and sunscreen and lip ice etc. In the 2man lap race the 2 team members were not allowed to be more than 2min apart, meaning , riding together. So that was a good lesson for some and a hard lesson for others. The 12 hour race did include some night riding and it was a very good opportunity to check our lights for the Baviaans Marathon.

There was on the course a deep sandy ditch which we had to manoeuvre ourselves through every time we did a lap. Our support team was there to capture our different styles. Firstly, the "I wanna be a pro":

Then the "I can walk faster than I can ride":

And "oops......... aaaaggghh.......eina.......":

Great news is that the face of the gym will change, hopefully by the beginning of May. The garage doors will be exchanged for real sliding, folding doors and am sure will look just so much better. Of course the gym is also 8years old this year and with the new look we will have to celebrate. So keep your ears to the ground and your diaries ready for the announcement of a big celebration! The date will be set as soon as the gym is upgraded.

Very exciting news too is that some of the spinners are now at last also trying to fit a ball class in. So congratulations to the new faces at ball class. It is great isn't it?!! If you haven't tried a ball class yet, it is all about core stability, muscle toning and strengthening and of course sport orientation. Give it a go and tell me what you think.

The BelaBela is the next road race coming up, on the 26th May, a Saturday. It is a fairly easy ride with only 2 little hills. Only 98kms or so, no real mountains and a fantastic O'Hagans at the end. It would be nice to see a whole road full of Bulla participants and because the race is just at the beginning of winter, a very good time to keep that body into shape.

Talking of winter. That is the time for soups, sweets and sherry and unfortunately adding weight to the shape. Don't fall into that trap. Stick to your regular time slots and keep on training. After all, you are doing it for yourself!

Not such good news is that one of our regular ride together friends has been involved in an accident. He is in hospital waiting to be operated on. Keep going Peter Kemp, we are all watching you and willing you on to health again.

New on the blog is the mini poll. Vote please and tell us what you think. Also if you think of a relevant question to ask, please do. We will put it on the mini poll and see what the people have to say.

Tip of the month: Keep training, you are doing it for yourself.

The Argus Migration

We've all seen the migration of birds to stunning breeding places, and we've all seen the animals of Africa migrating over big grassy plains.

But, have you seen the biggest migration of bicycles trekking South? Are you part of the migration to the biggest timed race? Are you part of the 35000 cyclists congregating every year in the beautiful Cape? Not??!! Well, there is always next year to become part of this huge move of bicycles. Bicycles everywhere, on cars, on trailers, on planes, in trains, in trucks, in boxes, out of boxes ....... Hotels booked and B&B's and rooms, and family homes quickly transformed into hostels of sorts. Almost sounds like the story of ..."no room in the inn"....... If you by this time don't have a room to put down your weary head...you have a problem ...... and you'll need good luck.

There is going to be TV coverage of the race for all the other unfortunate people who has to stay at home. Sunday 11 March, 6:00-14:00 live coverage on SABC2. Check it out, be part of the buzz. You never know, the bug may bite and you might become part of this event.

How many people of the Bulla Gym are taking part? I don't know, because just as I think I've got the number right, I got late joiners to the gym looking for a last minute of extra training. More or less 23 spinners, I would say. Watch the space just after this article as I will start loading our "Argus Hall of Fame". Pictures of our heroes and what they have to say about the race. For some it is going to be their first Argus, for some their 9th or 10th.

Please note, the gym will close on Thursday 8 March, but only after the 6am class. So we will still spin at 6am on Thursday. I have a plane to catch and will only see you again on Tuesday 13 March at 6am again.

To all those trekking down by car, have a safe ride, be patient on the road and remember your extra number plate behind your bikes. The road from Bloem to Beaufort West in particular is a traffic officers' heaven. To all those flying down, enjoy the relaxing trip, and when you collect your bike at the various points, please make sure it is your bike you're grabbing. I know we all would like a Specialized. Remember also, no CO2 bombers on the plane. It's no fun unpacking your case on the floor at "check in" trying to find the little buggers among underwear and goo sachets and water bottles. Gee, what a combination!

Training tip for March: If you stop training now, all the hard work will dwindle down again to almost nothing. So bottom line: keep training!

This and That- February newsletter

So many things have happened just in one month that the only title I could give February's newsletter is "This and That."

Parking
First This: The parking is for real! Many of you, while reading a previous newsletter either commented "I didn't know we had a parking problem" while others commented "we actually don't mind walking miles to the gym, it adds to our fitness". I was quite aware of the parking problem and so has addressed it. The crushed stone is getting off loaded tomorrow and should be leveled and in place by the first afternoon class. OK, so I have done my part, here is yours. I wouldn't like to paint parking lines on my driveway, so I'm asking you to be considerate to other gymmers.. If you know you hate to reverse on an uphill, please park on the new gravelled parking. If you like to park almost inside the gym, we know that 3 cars can comfortably fit next to each other on the paved parking. Seeeriiass? Seeeriiiass!

First race of the season
Then That: The first race of the season has come and gone. So we know how much we still need to train for the big one! Quite a couple of new riders, or first timers have joined in the races and it was really good to see you completing your first race. You got your medal, but don't stop now, you've only started! Remember, we normally wait at the beer tent for everyone to come in - that means the last one - but we actually don't mind at all. We listen to all the stories, share in all the gripes and have a good laugh at all the fun and strange things happening on the rides. Please feel free to join us after the races. The results are normally put up in the gym, but also from now on, available on the blog.

Two Bulla Teams
And This: Great excitement as we have entered 2 Bulla teams for the Baviaans Marathon. I'm sure all who attended the braai was ready to tackle any race, including the Baviaans. The Bulla Team will be Rodney, Renzo, Elzet and Gerda with Maggie the support driver. And Bulla One will be Hano and Christo with Juliana the support driver. We know they are going to pull it off big!

The Picture
And That: Yes, I know you won't believe it , but these people have actually asked me to put their photo on the blog. OK, the background of the photo is the year end at Coco's. Every year Bulla Spinning has a year end function where we actually do meet our other gymmers and spinners. We are normally very surprised to see them in "normal "clothing and not in tight Lycra. The last two years we also made use of the event to do a little fundraising so we can change things quicker and make it better faster. Mario, our yellow jersey man from 2005 volunteered to open another shirt button if the girls from the next table chip in R10 every time he does. Here is the result. Estie the challenger, and Mario!

AND..........
Little more of This: 17 new people have joined us in January. A great welcome to you all. Hope you have found the gym you've been looking for.

AND.........
Little more of That: The new bikes have arrived! And at last the cadence meters too, after I have searched high and low. They are up and running but do remember to show a hand if the meters are playing up. Sometimes it is just a little switch or a slight adjustment needed.

Tip of the month: Don't only train harder, train smarter.

Welcome to my blog

It's 2007! A new year with new beginnings.

So, welcome to my blog "spinningatbulla". Please feel free to make comments, good or bad, and if you would like to see something else and different on the blog, please let me know.

Spinning and balance ball classes open again on 3 Jan. Please make and confirm your bookings.
Check the class times on the right-hand bar.

The new spinning bikes will hopefully be on the floor by the 8th, gleaming and ready for your feet on the pedals. All the bikes will have speedometers and cadence meters attached and hopefully all working. If your bike's meters are playing up, just bring it under the attention of the instructor, so we can attend to it.

Another first at Bulla is the cheaper class at 16:30. You can buy a card for R165 for 11 classes but that card will only be valid for the 16:30 class. If you would like to use the card for other times, you could, by paying in R5. The card will be pink in colour to distinguise it from the other class times. The card can be used for spinning and/or balance ball classes.

The first big road race is on Sun 28th Jan. Previously known as the "Hyper to Hyper". They have changed the name to "the fast one", so check it out on www.cyclelab.co.za. Entries close on 10th Jan. The race is fairly fast, that is if you pedal fast, but stay in the bunch and you will have a good time and could better your time of last year.

Tip of the month: practice bunch riding

Happy spinning
The bulla team