tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37798503989041187992012-02-16T10:26:57.634+02:00Life after Freedom Challenge - yes, there is oneSantacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.comBlogger1841100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-2419797972209033362011-09-30T09:52:00.002+02:002011-09-30T09:56:55.284+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">I wondered if I had cooked my goose by running that much quicker the day before and I noticed some swelling on the outside of one foot. When its the last day and the mileage is about the same, well...what has to be done, gets done. It rained quite hard in the night but the morning was cool and overcast - perfect running conditions.<br /><br />The ascent was the highest of all the days and mostly came in the last third but if you're walking, it doesn't really matter. But beginning at the beginning is a good place to start. Our destination was the famous Hole in the Wall, 34km distant. There would be less beach running and more inland running and for me, this was the most interesting day because of the variety.<br /><br />There were also some navigational challenges which saw a couple of runners heading waaay inland. Once again we started on an incline on a small dirt road which then climbed up and over a small hill to reach the beach again. I started by walking to ease my achilles and sore foot into it. I had also taken the precaution of putting my road soles into my trail shoes. They had a slight heel raise and once the achilles was warmed up, I never felt it again. But the foot...it was eina for all of it.<br /><br />Aileen and Brett jogged off and once we were on the beach they were a constant 150m or so in front of me. Once again, there were gorgeous beaches to behold and most people seemed content to amble along knowing it was the last day. We caught up to Heather and Carlo who had left an hour before the field. She was limping along determined to get to the checkpoint before calling it a day. Brave woman with a great attitude and Carlo was a hero. He then ran the rest, clubbing a lot of people on the way, it must be the rested legs! <br />I finally caught Aileen and Brett at the check point and the three of us set off on the last beach before heading into the rolling green hills and small villages. At the top of the first climb, we followed some people in front. Aileen and I were taking photos and when we looked up they were all standing in a huddle, arms gesticulating in all directions. Looking back, we saw Kelvin Trautman (photographer extrodinaire) bolting down the hill and without a thought, we turned and followed. He knew the route and he would run past all the runners, take amazing photos then bolt past again with camera in hand and heavy backpack.<br /><br />The scenery changed to one of natural forests and magnificent aloes. One last beach saw us walking at a brisk pace because of my foot and Aileen's tender knee and then we swung away for three big ups before the final one that brought us out above Hole in the Wall and the cheerful yellow finish banners. The last swim across the Mpako River mouth was the biggest and we made the most of it, using the waterproof camera to take the final pictures.<br /><br />The race was over. But the cameraderie and memories are forever. The final dinner and prize giving was a great celebration of everyone's achievement and was a fitting way to end. Rushing off after the race just would have detracted from the experience.<br /><br />Writing about it here doesn't do it justice. To all those we ran with, suffered with, chatted to - I hope to see you there again.<br /><br />Owen, Tam and the team - respect! As one race organiser to another, I know what it takes and you guys rocked.<br /><br />Aileen - way to go friend. Can't wait for our next adventure!<br /><br /><div class="p_embed p_image_embed"><img alt="Img_0952" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/XT7P5CCVenJJrxs8WPYLCGfGkJOLtNM1g6nne0ZMdAn2uvPH0WY75ODNpQtL/IMG_0952.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="Img_0955" height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Yeburniexy2WwAJMfC2OGObUIPmIOqhLdpWUaK8STIjYrsXJT5CF9sTXPWt3/IMG_0955.jpg" width="300" /> <img alt="Img_0958" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/03ERD3mC21krInUovijSHHfqmMOZ4eJy1GVyFt7pMeYcfMv2cJgXp9JkeYQQ/IMG_0958.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="Img_0961" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/GIecgun1mbMCAz5uMk2WPvcZ7Coy5Zw1F2oCq0n4tonOH5pUcRU7ZbFj2NFM/IMG_0961.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="Img_0968" height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/NsHT8VoB0wkO8Ch85AkWjilWdmm86MgxSwMN1WOtdy4nPi4w8nBvGu7IHq80/IMG_0968.jpg" width="300" /> <img alt="Img_0977" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/9Xq5XDXnEBoyJ4jVbR4iP44N8m82oZIHyC7gzSAXMOzCBrhsVcpz5Eox3I16/IMG_0977.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="Img_0979" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/MzibhcDRE4JLRqsmQfraYGjleA0A1lBsK6lIj0Ma4fO3654l3mwKs6dfy1uT/IMG_0979.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="Img_0983" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/g2ZnQoKAfpIBHsSM8EFjAWKaqLzZojkaekT1RHFqD7FIimxW2p0dSXZcrizp/IMG_0983.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="Img_0984" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/UpUEGBWql8NeSjw04465P0ExsuVlh8pLKHmlA8tpMhKJ0upxHAuRubccTNOi/IMG_0984.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="Img_0985" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/cbR7iwBz0UYKsVOO6738K4kgEyX8vKqqEniqSc4wfGPUMNHe0QmsMyeI8EOV/IMG_0985.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="Img_0987" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/TOnXm1xsmufGhbvLUKC2yXkrpMZtC1uuTLJgSDDJNMjkMILdqYLIKCI90NWe/IMG_0987.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="Img_0997-1" height="303" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/vWqcXOewhFthHp2Yi3ZkKVLG9M7zjYkJeuhDthoGxxMwmrV2pnPcO29eafpu/IMG_0997-1.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="Img_1044" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/AByf7QEWZznyPd7EflYub6fmWwHEo0Dr9EIXxci47Skb9HHP4DhaVoOZB0A9/IMG_1044.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="Img_1045" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Kw0tjHcfVAXSSwlcfY6JLehNWZQQJ3iN3AdozaAUthbPEbBeSD9zHjIiZfO4/IMG_1045.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="Img_1027" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/shvAlm8dRqewCLylGnczL4gA7chC0raX76nWucQroaGtJf9zPYgAOQBIIk0c/IMG_1027.jpg" width="400" /> <br /><div class="p_see_full_gallery"><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/wild-run-part-iii">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/wild-run-part-iii">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-241979797220903336?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-19590156951278759782011-09-29T13:21:00.002+02:002011-09-29T13:25:22.484+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">The runners were split into two start groups with the majority (slower) starting first.&nbsp; After our 7h50 day, we were clearly in the first group (we had by no means been the last the previous day!).&nbsp; The run started on an uphill so as the countdown reach "go", we all walked leisurely up the hill until it reached a flat section and we began to jog.<br /><br />Some neat navigation saw us pop up near the front of our group and this was given added value when we heard a lot of thrashing and cursing as a group of the "faster" runners cams mincing their way through the marshland to fall in behind us.&nbsp; Pardon me while I smirk.<br /><br />A shallow river crossing cropped up quite quickly and as Aileen and I were looking for a dry place to cross, she slipped and banged her knee.&nbsp; Bravely hobbling on, we hoped that it would loosen up again.&nbsp; The beaches were flatter and harder and we found the going much better, almost finding a crisp pace in places.&nbsp; Did I mention there was a strong tailwind?<br /><br />Surprisingly, I felt quite strong on the way to the check point at Dweza Nature Reserve and Brett and I and a Pat (of 23 Comrades fame) were bowling along merrily.&nbsp; It was at the first serious river crossing that I realised Aileen was nowhere in sight.<br /><br />I made the decision to carry on until the checkpoint and reached there feeling pretty good still. Then there were only 12km left for the day.&nbsp; At the check point, one of the runners told me Aileen was battling with her knee and going along slowly at a pace she was comfortable with. With only the 12km left, I decided to carry on. Nice friend - I know!<br /><br />That's probably why I found this section long and hard. I remember a long stretch of beach with huge sand dunes and realising that going over was the only option. Sadly for me, Brett had fallen back slightly as had Pat. Sadly because a young runner (Clare - see we were a friendly bunch) caught me in this section and cajoled me onward. We'd walk a bit then she get the pace going.&nbsp; Damn these younger people with no respect for their elders.<br /><br />The final swim was in the Mbashe River mouth about 2km from the finish (apparently rich with Zambezi Sharks). Finally I got rid of her encouraging her to go on ahead!&nbsp; It was all uphill to the finish at The Haven but I ended up 44th which I was right royally impressed with.<br /><br />Aileen came in about an hour later well ahead of many other runners.&nbsp; Her knee was swollen and the one blister she had was quite ugly.&nbsp; Grit doesn't even begin to describe her attitude - grit in spades.<br /><br />On this day, a new record was set for the longest day.&nbsp; Our room mates from the first night - Heather and Carlo - had come in with the sweeps in 9h43.&nbsp; Heather's knee had packed up and she had limped most of the way.&nbsp; I guess this is what these adventures are all about - hanging in there, determined to get to the finish.<br /><br /><div class="p_embed p_image_embed"><img alt="Img_0932" height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/hvr6XPVFYwSeMSxM2xgAm3bguNOJ77r1DT44MI2IdJeHIhLY7N5xZNhtHX6k/IMG_0932.jpg" width="300" /> <img alt="Img_0934" height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Q1BsEWRfJh2pcYGb3Jv7bB0PCxljjbUnN2tEREi9l3eM9abo0G6vGYnacomu/IMG_0934.jpg" width="300" /> <img alt="Img_0937" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/A9ZUzTQmMs4EWMeF4nSAkS33gtqS7jTc8G3Vmhhw95i40OAHQNZuKM9pcHVk/IMG_0937.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="Img_0939" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/dsXljoOJfo9yzU7Ugjy8ayTAmSDa5f7EDQ7UampGoZ3WsMeFqIIZ0hpNaEHq/IMG_0939.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="Img_0942" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/5IX4EjqgrebIjzvyza1QbaT386WuliUoM4IwPv243KFTwiadK3BYTI6rGiEW/IMG_0942.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="Img_0948" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/fSM9vjjW3PQ4Ofkl78OzrhV1MaPkzHmMfbt3otlZOw3HnqnxYgp9MG4fPTvZ/IMG_0948.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="Img_0949" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/bIRjjX1xo5KN4y4aGqbxKs4fyb2ZznErE4j7FpAxPVBA0SePXDvLReJglQ6L/IMG_0949.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="Img_0991_2" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Xe6VKEaF6qxmKbGj4Vj2TOdJffPaserqnzHdKKFaAP7IMhaixuj65ua9qFhz/IMG_0991_2.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="Img_0995_2" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/ycqygsyJRfPWUVB7tuNQqSF8MpuHsBhlaTkpjtozgdKnpIyjHl9FH2JUw2fy/IMG_0995_2.jpg" width="400" /> <br /><div class="p_see_full_gallery"><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/wild-run-part-ii">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/wild-run-part-ii">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-1959015695127875978?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-51953683110732540502011-09-27T11:26:00.003+02:002011-09-27T19:03:48.511+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">I just don't understand how people survive without adventures.&nbsp; Its this step out of the ordinary that makes the day to day living and grind of domesticity all surviveable.<br /><br />Wild Run was my second big adventure this year.&nbsp; It was a long haul to get to the start line but I really looked forward to the experience. Aileen (@gardengodmother) and I had been upbeat about the event. This was probably to disguise the fact that we knew we hadn't done enough long runs. But there is also time to just get on with what you have - and this was one of them.<br /><br />We flew into East London and then were transferred to Thatches in Kei Mouth just in time for briefing followed by dinner at the Green Lantern.&nbsp; There we met Brett and Francis. He was running and we ended up doing a lot of miles together and she (a physio) provided Aileen with a lot of plaster for blisters. The few people we had spoken to all seemed to have fallen into our category of training but were they spinning a yarn?&nbsp; Exaggerating the deficit in case things fell apart?<br /><br />The next morning was stunning and the 80 runners loaded onto the ferry across the Kei River for the official start.&nbsp; 7.30 and we were off jogging down the beach accompanied by thundering booms as massive spring tide waves crashed onto the shore.&nbsp; The high tide crimped our running space onto soft sand which ended up giving lots of people blisters amongst other niggles.&nbsp; Then there was the camber.&nbsp; Picture running 45km on a steep camber while sinking into soft sand.&nbsp; It did some damage.<br /><br />I decided to keep my feet dry for as long as possible on that long first day which meant some time wasting at the two big river crossings (Khobonqaba River and Nxaxo River).&nbsp; Note: river crossings equal swimming.&nbsp; This, together with my fabulous (new) trail shoes (Inov8 Roclite 295) and handy gaiters meant I had absolutely no problems with blisters or toenails.&nbsp; Upfront, I'll tell you that by the last day, I had quite bad tendonitis in my foot from the sand and camber but nothing else wrong.<br /><br />As the day wore on, the headwind increased but the tide eventually went out giving us a much firmer footing and easier running. Aileen and I made a little train of two to give one person respite from the wind by drafting.<br /><br />The scenery was spectacular.&nbsp; Long empty beaches, brilliant green headlands, black jagged rocks and perfectly blue water.&nbsp; I guess this is what keeps you going when you're tired.&nbsp; Honestly, I don't remember much other than the approach to Mazeppa Bay and being able to see the finish about 5km away.&nbsp; I remember the final swim across the Qhorha River and the 100m stumble to Kob Inn.&nbsp; I remember my the tiny muscles in my feet feeling like they were cramping while I lay on my bed dozing.<br /><br />I remember being gratified that everyone was hobbling - without exception. Oh yes, and I remember seeing the wreck of the Jacaranda at some point.&nbsp; The pictures will have to tell some of the story.<br /><br />We mingled and chatted to others throughout the afternoon and evening in a camaraderie of shared suffering. It was early to bed after a five course meal with a hope and a prayer that the feet would be ok the next day.<br /><br /><div class="p_embed p_image_embed"><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/ItfDBa7zQkpGk66OEnFdIZFDmUS90cQXXRJoQBsjZK0fYgbjNSgipZnp5g6X/IMG_0880.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0880" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/KCNwMH6wXTz6lHJ3KbS8QD4JjMLbxubvAVAt7ZrshlM60RK4rCiNp5OMUG0d/IMG_0880.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/aWXTlHOD0tNTl0DpfniC511mE788SycQbXv7srl0fr4O4tDs3YO0YQq44PTN/IMG_0881.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0881" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/VBVuocebvrRox0rLvcBqtrzGmlJ4Hj1YRSuMP1b9hP2zGUcsSbiWPpL0cb3Y/IMG_0881.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/fMig7ol5gppznd0NAB56ZlpvptvSsHc9SR1Aa98EbJraY0HVhYkyYvfFiJ8b/IMG_0884.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0884" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/3DEKDRSsRYQGaU7IiuwFVOUIDfugUFlsambJGmhE0qap0BCpF7hKPPEzyuVL/IMG_0884.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/TKZiO1XZ2UQY58Tu34O9d0lh5BMAZnbUiu62WEGfqkzqRkDg9Bv4aLzSAJ6v/IMG_0886.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0886" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/sbGP5NC3ZIWsii34BDaOj11URnqwtCyn52G16HyB6iCo83RGaxbdFKDYfKFE/IMG_0886.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/zyAdyAXsfrDfYWtAq5cGSRgocACvyuRnrKFbTqV0MfEmNmzti8VBJBVxZGuA/IMG_0892.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0892" height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/GtcE74lnhYBPjBy8tI48oZBIPd4Ra35pyj3vhsrher50G38t3EJYFmKVAws4/IMG_0892.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="299" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/BWbz9wpq21GoP1bxWpCIFP7vKo9FtGhUzzMSCgHo9x94LfUNTzvEeu9G1nnr/IMG_0894.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0894" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/0AYGFREDZaXrb9PDAgnaCNU2NFrZY7KkfZ4H3dA4CcNIFpj2vluSNsrDPbq2/IMG_0894.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/AIRdxbdjTvjz7792yRkDfMx8mTZYXFRiMMKqN3hluKzOuVqRDDFXwmBDM8oR/IMG_0903.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0903" height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/nx30DGG0AsyaNvqJEJ7W3rIGs7NOdr0cv9fsTNmGmaLaqJ95jBJ0IkZWKjg9/IMG_0903.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="299" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/taXo3vSoYWt56zgmh7IGqiAT0lCCD83JebbQovptBTXhToMm1B2GoGEDFSxg/IMG_0912.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0912" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/AzByEZ0OxMEdpbF9O82Ozk2a0ygqZYRxXrKBWP4fP1UoCCQ4EwOadOVbVcpo/IMG_0912.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/226XwuhV4QFhHmcMv5xDAmHURYZ3UaVspyyuYC1D4crSuC0zMAo2ka9jQCLZ/IMG_0911.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0911" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/7sPoDMrTCOlt9Ima9zrxXxVTnhtfxb6nNCBzOE6HjJgosvhLPwsDviL3Yccl/IMG_0911.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br /><div class="p_see_full_gallery"><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/wild-trail">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/wild-trail">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-5195368311073254050?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-38634285260234647712011-09-19T10:13:00.001+02:002011-09-19T10:13:47.708+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> The next big Event is only three nights away.&nbsp; @gardengodmother and I head off the beautiful Wild Coast for the three day Wild Run.<p /> Its been a long haul to get here. She and I both sat eagerly at our computers in January waiting for entries to open. It was a frantic few minutes trying to fill out forms and submit them and hoping we'd got ours done in time.&nbsp; It took twenty minutes for all the entries to be taken, but we were in!<p /> Then we "appointed" a running coach as neither of us had enough running background for a staged trail run of between 33km and 45km per day at that.&nbsp; Marcel Viljoen of <a>Fitness From Africa</a> did his best.&nbsp; He had a programme to build us up to appropriate mileage but he had not reckoned with the two of us having bodies that stubbornly resisted a smooth run up.<p /> Between backs, legs, calves, feet, we stuttered and stumbled our way through the months to bring us to this point at last. I juggled mountain biking with the running knowing that at least I was remaining fit if not running strong.&nbsp; Once Ride 2 Rhodes was over, the bike was put away, still with the mud of the ride on it, and out came the trail shoes and a three month cramming session.<p /> Mileage flucutated wildly from 2km(worst), to 64km (best) per week. Ja, ja - not ideal but hey, we worked with what we had.&nbsp; The best part of the build up were the twice weekly track sessions under Marcel's guidance. Our improvements have been phenomenal through this discipline.<p /> The <a>Wild Run begins at Kei Mouth (just north of East London) and finishes three days and 112km later at Hole in the Wall.</a>&nbsp; The distances are intimidating for us novices but the spectacular surroundings will get us through.&nbsp; The event is so popular that they have two races back to back. Although, our event is not a race - its the social version so we hope to not be last!<p /> Events are what keep my going.&nbsp; A big goal to take me out of the mudane and a friend to share it with.&nbsp; The pain won't last but the memories and the experience will be there forever.<p /> Watch this space for reports or follow on Twitter : @santacruzrulz and @gardengodmother<p /> Try not to be too envious....<p /> <p></p><p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Img_0928" height="360" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/cCSccHQq4qR3vDJWaqVqk9EiBS6DB9pLXHWC8j3Ptntx57NrbGY6clQDgcaG/IMG_0928.jpg" width="480" /> <img alt="Img_0930" height="360" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/BG9OcZSBmyCkwmuw2SCVqA9kBhRgwSYxvlHgmAJnFAtderVVCclK7LF1aiiX/IMG_0930.jpg" width="480" /> <img alt="Img_0938" height="360" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/sxFflGEzSj8HNkeFQGO0NakwFWcNoHtvhu5gtEB0mJx4p7ycKdjJm4mn7dSy/IMG_0938.jpg" width="480" /> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/three-more-sleeps">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/three-more-sleeps">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-3863428526023464771?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-9468788033929553742011-09-08T16:27:00.002+02:002011-09-08T16:33:10.041+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">Yes, there really was. The Ride2Rhodes is all of six days but this rider got so caught up in the drama of the Race Across South Africa (RASA), I completely forgot to finish off the saga. But finish it I must as the most significant sports event so far&nbsp; this year in my personal calendar. I'm about to embark on the next Event so I have to clear the decks.<br /><br />I'm scraping the barrels of my memory now.&nbsp; For possibly the first time in two R2Rs and one RASA. I hit the snooze button twice that morning in Vuvu. I felt drained. The polite knock on the door by our hosts galvanised me at last and @gadgetrules and I trekked back to the school to collect our stuff and push through the final day.&nbsp; I knew it wasn't going my way when there was no hot water for tea and the kettle didn't boil in time before we left!<br /><br />Last to go, the usual four suspects, Derek, Andries, Pawel and I, plodded out the door into a strong wind. Its 8km to the turnoff to Lehana Pass and the wind seemed to grow more ferocious, the closer we went. At times, I couldn't move forward into its teeth and I was standing still unable even to push let alone ride.<br />Having experienced Lehana twice already and once with strong winds, I was seriously fearful that I would get blown off the narrow path that wound its way up the ridge spine.&nbsp; A long and complicated debate with myself ensued and in the end I succumbed to the fatigue which had sapped my mental edge and took in the sites of Mount Fletcher by road.&nbsp; The two hour doze helped and I hopped on my bike on the other side of the mountain and rode back to meet the team.<br /><br />I felt less bad about missing out when two of them said they would not have been able to help me if I had got into trouble. They were so busy trying to keep their own footing on the mountain in the insane wind. Some of the other riders opted for a longer route around hoping for a break from the pounding but all it meant was longer exposure, less recovery time and more exhaustion and for some, race ending injury.<br /><br />We rolled into Rhodes with our own paparazzi - multiple RASA finisher, Trevor Ball - and celebrated with a wide range of drinks and huge plates of crispy chips. "Our" two RASA riders from FNB had a quick bike service and parts swop with Andries and Derek and were set to go the next morning on substantially better performing bikes.<br /><br />I thought I might be envious of them setting off for the rest of the adventure but I was happy to have finished. Lack of long rides had taken its toll but the awesome cameraderie of our group had more than made up for the efforts of the previous six days.<br /><br />And I can't close off this chapter without singing the praises of our guardians - Dave and Dawn. Nothing was too much trouble and when the going got really tough, they brought out the banana bread or fruit cake!&nbsp; Its worth going back just for that. You guys rocked.<br /><br />To the group - muchas gracias. I hope to ride with you again.<br /><br /><br /><div class="p_embed p_image_embed"><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/hF9FCP0V7QXd5r3eMn8WP7emmydXLv91EqHEeFLrD0vpM8CicGaK2kSmycWb/IMG_0810.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0810" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/VMTrYPRvFD5FNQvXo2q7Tr5FuVu3ggXRTrEUvTvmDZcgLisdirHTyeZkISNL/IMG_0810.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/JYlw4AP1h2b4w6fgOmAnWXNUw1nhM3fdmoiuMVcIEGEExXCnY7GLcxCHMi0l/IMG_0803.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0803" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/pZBVF4p3CqHEuzpKgEEknvMj0czkxxrtmH4nTopXsYLluCf3DM6fye0AzWAW/IMG_0803.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/a2GC2T1s1Oi7ajOUCjiWzLSkSnpvhfGUyoqkPzaLgORC3dTgdWIyTQmJXYk1/IMG_0813.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0813" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/jtmVZfds9zzKFpNY7fMcVMWw0ldc9MdIK1GrHD0vunyBvxVLU4OHvDqFANji/IMG_0813.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/NPBg44iH6WpR2WMp3V7GlKQHyCo9sBFn8zneLv1VKcAzZJ3Xk0RchUpCFZF3/IMG_0811.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0811" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/bylMM863seMyqUirH11qF4OQSmLchlYTaDIpquw0mYFavgHgvUJVXwpdEqAt/IMG_0811.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/SvC4zd2I5ndEadQf1Lf9bAxCDcTOjBtSDUx9iLnLTIYhDRyDXaxmxzLmMZgj/P1010090.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="P1010090" height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/uQin5vMbffrpk0piOUHDps9bz3CRGBE2ItCNIFaDg4DMxdgD1V1EvfWsQrLE/P1010090.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="299" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/yz5kVdAbHGWbzCUZZCTX5NhTcJe6HVJmuHBsnGAxuDfgxLhnXlJf289Av38N/P1010066.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="P1010066" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/rpQBOViWj2MWdGDxFzpPAiCx1fuLSmfZUEA2O3H08R38MZS3wa8kx7t82n29/P1010066.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br /><div class="p_see_full_gallery"><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/there-was-a-day-six">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/there-was-a-day-six">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-946878803392955374?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-37786620880239782192011-06-21T15:19:00.001+02:002011-06-21T15:19:50.283+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'><p>Everyone is terrified of Day Five - Malekonyane to Vuvu.&nbsp; The final valley stretch has caught out many a rider and there are a zillion tales about lost riders and late arrivals to the little school on top of the mountain.</p> <p>We were fairly confident in getting through and the challenge as per all the other days, was to get there in the light. Once again, the entire group was going to leave together and push on as one. A big group is very unwieldy and slow so the pressure was to keep moving at a reasonable pace.</p> <p>That afternoon, Paul (rasa) and I went to recce the exit from the Lodge and thought we could navigate our way in the pitch dark at 5:30 the next morning. I had slept poorly and felt like a walking/riding zombie the next day but we hit the road on time and the posse headed off to the dongas ready to begin the slog to Vuvu.</p> <p>We didn't quite get it right - too many navigators pulling in too many directions. Eventally <a href="http://derekhj.blogspot.com" title="Gadget">Gadget</a> Andries, Paul and I put our heads down and pushed steadily in the direction we believed to be correct. Soon there were lights scattered all over the hillside. At a particularly boggy section, we saw Alex Harris's tracks and knew we were correct. As I squelched through the mud, I regretted (and not for the first time) not having my seal skin socks on.</p> <p>The was a small stream crossing between us and the road and I took a chance and rode it only to stop dead in the mud, wheel buried and my one foot properly stuck. Urgh - cold, wet and muddy. The sun was just coming up and the temperatures dropped significantly. My toes had disappeared and my bike parts froze. The jockey wheel refused to turn and the gear cables stuck. I wrung out my socks hoping it would help but by the time I had laced up my shoes again, the laces had frozen!</p> <p>No matter, it was a push up Ongeluksnek anyway and a chance for things to defrost and to get the blood circulating. The small problem was the downhill on the other side. Bitter. As we turned off the road, the sun finally hit the fields in front of us and I had to push my bike towards it, not wanting to force any of the frozen bits.</p> <p>Andries scratched around in his backpack and next minute, he's got a paper taper and match and he has lit a fire under my jockey wheel. it never stopped working after that. No one else would have thought of that.</p> <p>Before long, we were enjoying some of the best natural single track ever. As Pawel said of one the well known multi day races "That is just a creche."</p> <p>Then we lost him. He disappeared somewhere behind us and re-appeared somewhere in front of us! By now the large group was split into two making it much more manageable and Pawel was somewhere inbetween.</p> <p>We searched for him all over and eventually cell phone technology came to the rescue and we were all reunited again. However, the time spent looking for him put us under pressure to get to the Vuvu valley. And I, in my rush made an amateurish blunder in the navigation and brought us all down several valleys too early. This mean't clambering down cliff faces, pushing through thick wattle and aiming for what I thought was the road. NOT!</p> <p>We were in hysterics when we got to the bottom and looked back at the huge cliff we had descended and to their credit, the boys were very upbeat about the "adventure" I had taken them on. The road was actually a wattle drag track and when I finally studied the map properly, we were almost off the paper! Fortunately, I had used the same track in 2008 with Doug and Stu Brew and knew we would come out at a good spot. Wattle drag tracks are also incredible riding and we bolted along until we could see the bell at Tinana Mission where the bakkie was waiting for us with hot noodles and coke.</p> <p>The other group had left about 15 minutes before us so despite the pioneering route we took, we were not that far behind.</p> <p>We rode hard to the turnoff to the Vuvu valley taking in another spectacular wattle drag descent, and there Dave and Dawn loaded us up with fruit cake. Pawel elected to ride around on the road and Derek, Andries and I set off in our race against the sun.</p> <p>Memory, maps and narrative are an excellent combination for finding one's way. I relied too much on memory and we did a 10 minute detour before getting back on track. As we entered the valley, Derek spotted the other group heading up the wrong river valley! Too far for us to call them back.</p> <p>Nothing for it but to grind our way through. And we did. There was quite a bit of pushing and shoving of the bikes as I strove to remember the quick route of 2009. I needed to calm down and think but I was just too tired.</p> <p>Eventually we got it together and it was really quick to the point where we started to ascend from the depths of the river bed. By now I had regained my equilibrium and we reached the newly graded road halfway out the valley as it got dark. Well satisfied with our effort, we sat down, added clothing and ate all of the fruitcake.</p> <p>We were out the valley in three hours which was a bonus. Luckily the other group realised their mistake and came in an hour after us.</p> <p>We were assigned an awesome home to sleep in and I was more than happy to pile in under the heavy blankets knowing that there was only one more day left.<div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-21/jxHJFgcItEwmjdCFBipkgeixqphIjIloBEjlzexJlfDmJosxutkJmafqgwAD/IMG_0787.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0787" height="375" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-21/jxHJFgcItEwmjdCFBipkgeixqphIjIloBEjlzexJlfDmJosxutkJmafqgwAD/IMG_0787.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-21/IutttrmbEJBJzkdkciCFwwtEtfxnwtowlkzrBCeqBDwGHCHenuhamFndgtmp/IMG_0788.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0788" height="375" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-21/IutttrmbEJBJzkdkciCFwwtEtfxnwtowlkzrBCeqBDwGHCHenuhamFndgtmp/IMG_0788.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-21/fncGDDIeshrsJloAzdAFovGJczveiFxfriokGAbcjcyzcoDCymobrlwbmFga/IMG_0797.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0797" height="667" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-21/fncGDDIeshrsJloAzdAFovGJczveiFxfriokGAbcjcyzcoDCymobrlwbmFga/IMG_0797.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-21/zlqraptoJtqGDFGxEulnkrapdlhaqrugJEixuotEfEklcBmwixwgGFlEbkEp/IMG_0801.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0801" height="375" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-21/zlqraptoJtqGDFGxEulnkrapdlhaqrugJEixuotEfEklcBmwixwgGFlEbkEp/IMG_0801.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/nav-crazy">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/nav-crazy">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-3778662088023978219?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-54059241237949980852011-06-16T20:33:00.001+02:002011-06-16T20:33:54.281+02:00The problem with being so wiped out is that one presses send before ready. <br> <br>As I was saying before interrupting myself. It been a bruising day. Constant headwind pounding at us wearing out the granny gears and feet. We walked more and rode slower. And this was a day we hoped to have an easy passage. <br> <br>But spare a thought for a pair who left support station 1 (SS1) at 17.00 and got lost in the forests ending up finishing behind us at SS2. They then opt to leave at midnight to get a jump and try and do a double. <br> <br>By lunch they are only 1,5 hours ahead and by SS3 they finished behind us again. A massive net loss of time and waste of energy. Dunno what stunt they&#39;ll pull tomorrow! <br> <br>96km and another 12 hours. The latest I have ever got to this SS. <br> <br>Late start tomorrow. Joy! <br>Sent from my BlackBerry&#174; wireless device<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-5405924123794998085?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-23837709775196402262011-06-16T19:54:00.001+02:002011-06-16T19:54:39.775+02:00Thanks to whoever shot NN. I owe you but no doubt she&#39;ll ressurect herself soon. <br> <br>I also had other things to worry about - like sucking enough air into my lungs to keep going. I have this strange affliction. My heart rate is below 60% and I&#39;m panting like I&#39;m at 6000m. <br> <br>A pity when my legs are feeling goodish. <br>Sent from my BlackBerry&#174; wireless device<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-2383770977519640226?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-52389677642283508032011-06-15T20:54:00.000+02:002011-06-16T06:09:42.824+02:00She&#39;s at it again. Woke up this morning spritely and frankly, a damn nuisance. I hate negative Nellie and need someone to take care of her - preferably permanently. <br> <br>Any offers? <br> <br>It didn&#39;t help that we started incorrectly from Allandale Farm and wasted a lot of our early start with mud, mielies and general mayhem. But eventually we got out of there for a virtually trouble free ride to Centacow. <br> <br>There must be something about Dave and Dawn, our guardians, that shuts her up. <br> <br>We started the next section in good spirits and the company was as good humoured as yesterday. The real slog began with incredibly steep uphills that only the uber athletes of the trail can ride. So we pushed, swopped stories, waded rivers until we met up with Dave and Dawn for the second time. <br> <br>We were quite a group by now - nine had bunched together. It was a group effort to conquer the next 6 or so kms which were virtually unrideable for tired cyclists. <br> <br>We reached the fence of Nshikeni at 16.00 well pleased with our days efforts. Now it was a mere 11km to May Lodge. On the way we saw secretary birds, wildebees and a pair of buck. We were also privileged to see an enormous moon rise - the same one we had seen set first thing this morning. And now I also have seen part of the eclipse and a shooting star. Lucky indeed. <br> <br>The thick soup followed by a hot shower was just what I needed but it was only after dinner that I felt human again. <br> <br>Tomorrow we start at a more sane hour and explore a new route out of Nshikeni. I hope its an easier day cos I&#39;ve really suffered. <br> <br>Maybe next time I&#39;ll show more respect for the race! <br> <br>103km. 2445m ascent 12 hours <br>Sent from my BlackBerry&#174; wireless device<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-5238967764228350803?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-18163218268802966692011-06-14T17:43:00.001+02:002011-06-14T17:43:42.225+02:00I should have known better. What was I doing outside the Pietermaritzburg Town Hall at 6 this morning. <br> <br>Heading for a stunning farm 110km away. The only problem was....well one of the many problems were the lack of sport specific training. Running, hiking and spinning don&#39;t really prepare one for the rigours of Ride 2 Rhodes. Muscle memory also doesn&#39;t cut it. <br> <br>I really had to battle the little but insistent negative Nellie inside my head, at least up to the lunch stop at Minerva. Yummy soup, a million slices of bread and an exquisite downhill gave me some breathing space and I managed to get rid of the horrible person between my ears. <br> <br>I guess what really did it was the great company. Gadget, Andries and Pawel were all going to Rhodes and we made a great group. Then along the way we picked up Paul going all the to Cape Town and we did the Umko Thrash, the Hella Hella hell climb to be rewarded with Dawn&#39;s damn fine banana bread. <br> <br>Coke and banana bread make a great energy mix for the last 15k sprint. Finally we got to Allandale a shade under 11 hours later. <br> <br>If you have a snide comment about the time over distance, I dare you, no, I double dare you! <br> <br>Sent from my BlackBerry&#174; wireless device<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-1816321826880296669?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-76507467696185154132011-06-12T19:39:00.001+02:002011-06-12T19:39:20.111+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> I'm not sure this would ever have appeared on my bucket list but today I went gliding.&nbsp; <p /> <a href="derekhj.blogspot.com">Gadget</a> decided I needed a wake up call from the endless cycling and running so presented me with a gliding voucher for one of those birthday's that shall not be named.<p /> I nearly forgot.&nbsp; When it finally occurred to me that there was an expiry on this gift, I had wasted a whole summer and apparently the best gliding time. What do I know about thermals and best and worst seasons? So I duly presented myself at the Magaliesberg Gliding Club this fine wintry Sunday morning. I saw the windsock showing some activity but alas, wind doesn't seem to be a pre-requisite for getting the balsa wood and fibre glass contraption off the ground.<p /> I must have looked like I knew what I was doing because I was asked if I was the Duty Officer as I arrived. It was my "pilot" who asked showing very poor judgement! For his sins, he got lumped with taking me up. <p /> The group I approached knew nothing about my contact person there but took over the arrangements with aplomb and lots of enthusiasm.&nbsp; It was all happening a bit too fast for me. The plane was tilted on the grassy runway looking very small and about two inches from the ground.&nbsp; <p /> I decided I wanted the real deal so opted for the winch launch (I don't know all the correct terminology) as opposed to being towed by a small plane. A very thin cable with a parachute lay partially concealed in the grass and I believe it tows at about 100km/hour.&nbsp; A quick loading of a parachute and instructions on its use followed - that was really going to help! I could just see me extricating myself from a four point safety belt system, unlocking the canopy, hurling myself out and pulling the rip cord all in that order. But, Chris the pilot said, he had no plans to ditch the plane in mid air. He added later that he had ditched it into muddy fields several times in his flying career, joy of joys!<p /> And of course there were the snide comments about the barf bag!&nbsp; Unfortunately, there was an odour lurking from the previous week when the occupant had apparently ditched their breakfast.&nbsp; Uh uh - no way. I was not going that route.&nbsp; <p /> Then there was a bit of waggling of the controls, some radio coms and the cable came to life and we were off.&nbsp; it was noisier than I thought with the wind whistling past the canopy but we were airborne so quickly and steeply, it was freaky.&nbsp; One is used to the rumbling of a jet engine down a tarmac strip building in crescendo before taking off - not here.<p /> At about 1500 feet, the cable jettisoned itself and we were free and flying.&nbsp; Chris kept a running commentary to what was going on which made me feel a lot more in control but it was a strange motion with lots of corkscrewing to keep on a thermal.&nbsp; We stayed at that height for a while but then started to drop altitude a bit.&nbsp; Chris manfully worked at the controls and used all of his 30 years of training to find us stronger thermals but we were circling the drain. Damn winter weather!<p /> There comes a point where one has to call it quits and he had already decided that it was safer to go back and land.&nbsp; We turned (again) and headed in a slightly different direction (yes, these things are very mobile as you'll read) and all of a sudden picked up a strong thermal and we climbed and climbed and climbed.&nbsp; There was much less corkscrewing and just more lift. The buzzer that indicated ascent and descent was constant beeping instead of whining and all of a sudden, reaching the clouds was an option (literally).<p /> We reached close to 10 000 feet which was incredible - the panorama of the region laid out for miles around. Then the fun and games started. Chris, having done the impossible, could relax and show off some of his skills and exactly what the plane could do.&nbsp; He showed me how they chase thermals when racing cross country and we reached speeds of about 170km/hour. As you hit the next thermal, you start turning to gain height and all of this is done on feel and visual cues - amazing.<p /> Good, kind pilot that he was, Chris kept asking me if I was ok. Silly me - I said yes and we launched into a complete loop. I briefly opened my eyes and saw the ground above me. Freaky with no engine to power out.&nbsp; I had done that in a Harvard aerobatic plane (name dropper I know) but this was way cooler.<p /> Then we sped off in a direct line to see how much speed we could get and I swear it was heading towards the 200kmk/hour mark. I felt as if I was in a fighter plane with the narrow cockpit, clear canopy and speed. We did a few slidey things (the name escapes me) where you do half turns and bank rather steeply and then, just for laughs, we did another 360 loop.&nbsp; I kept my eyes open for this one.<p /> Then it was all the pre-landing checks and we glided into land. Smoother than many a 747 landing I've had.<p /> Chris, Martin, Peter (the other newbie) - thanks for a great morning. And to Gadget - that was an awesome gift, one I'll remember for a very long time.<p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Za1RsF2FTARxRPVm3kIYyQUyfyKAJCvhpiZI9zFffwEDEUZE0j900aC0aRwG/IMG_0689.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0689" height="375" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/cJjXXEQZXL8eCnLTPXm4TpcFlgsJ7TVHCDrNxk9o8SMJKNIhtHNvuUJ35uHF/IMG_0689.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/lWttkROTnmCUdEPH7kEMEaWRK4n7XI14iNRscQ4pcPyF6RFyI1uMtDweZljL/IMG_0697.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0697" height="375" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/hXHI0mzrePLrKX0ifcZqeDUzG4NmEOgHFALGs7FTrZdfuwNlOqnH1Jsp4PCc/IMG_0697.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/5LJxKYrfXForeJlOBJ65iJqBgJ8hOILB2g0nuIboPA223r8rExvPySYufRzh/IMG_0698.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0698" height="375" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/XGyNwBfL0ce3VqRJmiTRHgzuvDNkp2tpqKyG86SI0ZN72uwrW0WDUV6ZOhHb/IMG_0698.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/VY1jCMkQ3DvlWq0oKYq1l7Esj9iNPckbF9fzHYMk9C9blIHycVAtm5RB4gOF/IMG_0699.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0699" height="375" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/8DR4w7Vqs2bwBfQWFmH2xodBUKPKutERp04eVFW8c1m9dliOzJ1JbUuTDRv0/IMG_0699.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/zrqpEQV0OHRJVQ5ep04SiE302kVXfn7nI817CQLY2RitbgsMeHaD6XLMrWpR/IMG_0692.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0692" height="375" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/qIjqcJCJRdiUaBhcjBZsEh2KpA9QC0ZbzLgB2rFTqGcTPLlpXuLV5bRPiRCN/IMG_0692.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/a-new-experience">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/a-new-experience">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-7650746769618515413?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-40992744491568160392011-06-10T12:42:00.002+02:002011-06-10T12:51:58.515+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">The year is almost over - I exaggerate not. It seemed just the other day I updated this blog with all the activities.<br />Now its months down the road.<br />I've found an editor for my Nanowrimo novels, @gardengodmother and I have started running more seriously even including track work, I entered Ride2Rhodes for some inspiration and I spent four days last weekend hiking in the magnificent Drakensberg.<br />Like I said....Busy, busy.<br />Ian had a drink to many last year when we were in the foothills of the Drakensberg and suggested we go and hike "that sucker".&nbsp; He rustled up to other Capetonian mates, Simon and James and the date was set for early June.<br />The only problem was the discrepancy in the term - hike.<br />The Myth and I mission when we go, covering bigger distances than considered normal and we somehow failed to convey this to our coastal brethren.&nbsp; The food list should have given us our first clue - brie cheese, cucumber, baby tomoatoes, humus, cos lettuce, exotic mushrooms, sundried tomatoes and olives.....you get the picture.&nbsp; The Myth and I - well, Outback dried meals. lightweight crackers and snacks and some Jack Daniels for comfort.&nbsp; <br />There was plainly a problem looming which was exacerbated by the taking of the espresso coffee pot and ground coffee.<br />The plan was to hike up Icidi Pass to the cave on top and work our way across the escarpment to Easter cave before descending back down via Ntonjelana Pass.&nbsp; Hint: the best kept secret of the Mweni area of the Berg is the Mweni Cultural centre. What a fantastic base to begin from. Agrippa (head honcho) organised a taxi to get us to the end of the road which saved about 7km of walking and we organised with the driver to meet us four days later on another road with an aproximate time - saving another 5km of hard walking.<br />It was perfect weather - sunny and cool and before long we had stopped at the river to brew coffee!&nbsp; Confusion between GPS routes (new school) and map routes (old school) had us split up before long and eventually we re-united with a very tired James finally arriving at the second river stop.&nbsp; We'd lost time so we bashed our way further upstream before calling it a day and bivvying in the boulder strewn river bed. <br />Eish - the hike up the river to the looming exit and steep climb to the escarpment hung over us and the quads quailed at the prospect. But we made it and flopped down out the wind at the top. (This sentence does not do justice to the effort)<br />Re-arranging our route plans meant heading for Mbundini cave - which we missed, ending up at Rat Hole cave. Literally a long narrow passage with a slightly wider area at the back. Ian and James were offended at the name and its implications and decided to try and find Fangs cave. Nobody knows what they found but it was an overhang keeping out the worst of the cold.<br />The hike to Mponjawane cave was a big one with a howling wind which forced us to lean at crazy angles. while we walked. Many of the rivers were frozen solid on top of the escarpment.&nbsp; It was a long day but oh, so worth it. It is one of the most spectacular outlooks in the Berg: Mponjwane Pinnacle (Rockeries Tower) is mysterious and the view extends for miles over the community lands far below.<br />As it got dark, it started to snow. The flakes grew larger and world grew silent.&nbsp; It didn't last long but the morning still brought a white world and mist to five weary hikers.&nbsp; The descent down Rockeries was misty but there was no wind so clothes were stripped off as we descended. The views were non existent but every now and then the mist would lift her skirts and we would see massive cliffs and deep river cracks.<br />Then it was over. Bongani met us as promised (my feet and hips were very grateful) and it was hot showers, spare ribs in Harrismith and home to icy cold weather.<br />And now its off to Pietermaritzburg for the Ride2Rhodes - the first 6 days of the Freedom Challenge Race Across South Africa (<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.freedomchallenge.org.za/">www.freedomchallenge.org.za</a>)<br /><div class="moz-signature"><div class="p_embed p_image_embed"><br /></div></div><div class="p_embed p_image_embed"><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/QbDYm4P5OeqjJzEqph7PMmTTqNzzQ2DGZMfXbg3nQkj3benn4v0AYWjrXYEq/IMG_0580.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0580" height="667" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/2bOPOW6XHrrhzvVLmE5f8ipift2BRV6hj8qhGKZcwGwR9KyFLKjg4wHHc05y/IMG_0580.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/xzTiDiLwq1DKHA1P0SwEa9lKCmYx1XlhojBNcbD2r1x8XueYsG4odgjsblsN/IMG_0583.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0583" height="667" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/inxCmAXQumsx2zNJoDcnH0FWIVT33b5uIARuwJKSTKV09dYQrvyLMM2GqNv5/IMG_0583.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/4keX33DHrQG7tLk2n131qxHtNknPMsA7qTLrII2BUvm4KinXhCDuGLI7xeCK/IMG_0641.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0641" height="667" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/1gJEtQsGLTEHcoNkY5k6Z7wiW25kngCBRu3PvJkEjc35SwqskE7sbRrHR1mv/IMG_0641.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Bs6abOEsWogpy7euOdvEQCgcbH99kb1nHicUtuNpOVCDS17P7wIXu4OThS2C/IMG_0603.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0603" height="667" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/0hL8CeU6A7ErLf0i2GkCDL5AMuBSoyStmBithEqiphH85Vx76BQJ3DUbtHhx/IMG_0603.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Zt0xuGngTa4YRy0SZurDa6nivWKUIf16ilCa8tLdYZ66vWfz7l6Y33u0mzqA/IMG_0664.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0664" height="375" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Ivu78i6PSZRWTBlgqRDL49ezDKhKnnrAUOuP1Ly3jILL0amXuacXreMeGW39/IMG_0664.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/LKHVcJEhQtFwsKGqh838wAWZSuaMbIoL8ZdFM5S1vORLa4iUampckbeHW8fa/IMG_0631.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0631" height="667" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/UuUSizxxSH72MLoU5vvwipNBtVgscavDEREt0AZPQuWKPkEUrMDdk4RTaX0R/IMG_0631.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br /><div class="p_see_full_gallery"><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/busy-june">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/busy-june">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-4099274449156816039?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-6972180024232573382011-03-07T14:14:00.001+02:002011-03-07T14:14:07.342+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> We're well into March and there hasn't been a shortage of goings on especially on the cycling front.<p /> The <a href="www.gocyclingsa.co.za">Alchemy Trail is two weeks away and we spent the weekend checking out the BIG day.&nbsp; What a difference to September last year - green and lush and very overgrown.</a><p /> But I am getting ahead of myself.<p /> In quick order, these are the events done and lined up for the year.<p /> Alchemy is the big one for the first half and I surprised myself with being very motivated to get fit. I upped my game with at least 11-12 hours a week of spinning/cycling. This included a 90km race in the mielie heartland from Frankfort to Reitz. It poured in the night and we had short squalls of rain come hissing through the tall mielies to drench us. Although flat, it more than made up for difficulty with the soft squelchy mud. The Bielie Mielie festival was a hoot and we indulged in all sorts of local fare.<p /> Around about the same time, @gardengodmother and I entered the Wild Run - a 3 day trail run in September from Kei Mouth to Hole in the Wall.&nbsp; This required a good hard look at our training or lack of and tendency to injuries.<p /> So its been 6 weeks of intense work at the biokinetiscist, a visit to a running expert for assessment and an exciting structured training schedule. Its really nice to have someone else do the thinking for me.<p /> There was also the obligatory membership of the FFC.&nbsp; Fat Friends Club or any other version you like. December had been good to many of us, too good so we decided to motivate each other to get rid of the lard.<p /> @GadgetRules finally joined the gym and when not making excuses, pitches for spinning. @Kennaugh has been running and spinning a bit and we'll all made the effort to get out on the weekends.<p /> The weekend's recce up in the heat of the Oliphants River valley is for another post. But what a great riding and characters exist in the area.<p /> Stay tuned. <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/catching-up">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-697218002423257338?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-27960827245745432882010-12-02T10:58:00.002+02:002010-12-02T11:00:40.087+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">The last month has flown past and there were three significant 'moments'.<br /><br />It was the beginning and end of Nanowrimo - National Novel Writing Month. Would be authors from all over the world enter a frenzy of writing. The goal - 50 000 words in 30 days. South Africa had roughly 780 authors registered. I wrote 53000 words last year and this year, scrambled to 51000. My characters fortunately are more creative than me. Grabbing every spare moment to write puts every thing else under pressure.<br /><br />Its the final run up to the 7th Sabie Experience mtb stage race and this month is always a wrestle with suppliers, budgets and late entries. We also through in the traditional pre ride where we give the routes the once over. This completed my training for the World Fun ride Champs as we like to call it. The 2nd largest time road cycle event in the world, the Momentum 94.7. Base I had in plenty but speed an intensity??? Not even my favourite friend, USN's Anabolic Nitro could maintain the headlong rush. I faded towards the end but thoroughly enjoyed owning the streets of Jozi for one day.<br /><br />One other notable event was the arrival of my book on the Freedom Challenge's Race across South Africa. That was a proud moment to see that huge adventure in print.<br /><br />Tomorrow is December! Then it is 2011.<br /><br />Its all too fast!<br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-02/aAdxmFhckdfwJxwDxrJssGtdgCcHcxtxwsjcbiqxGGAhtFlwhflJkAcfuvGC/nano_10_winner_120x90-2.png.scaled500.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-02/aAdxmFhckdfwJxwDxrJssGtdgCcHcxtxwsjcbiqxGGAhtFlwhflJkAcfuvGC/nano_10_winner_120x90-2.png.scaled500.png" width="120" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/rushing-to-2011">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-2796082724574543288?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-21181991756895504362010-11-16T15:12:00.001+02:002010-11-16T15:12:39.769+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> Its been a hectic couple of weeks but it ended with some great riding in Sabie.<p /> Every year we host a pre ride for the four day <a href="www.sabiexperience.co.za">Sabie Experience</a> where we test the race routes for the event in December. This year we also had the Sabie Experience Lite route options.<p /> I arrived earliesh on Thursday to do some admin and meet with the race office. Glenn, the race director for the Lite, also pulled in and the team assembled over dinner to run through the millions of details that make up the successful hosting of a stage race.<p /> The weather was hot and dry and we headed off the next morning through town to tackle what would be Stage Two of the race. The banter was soon replaced with heavy breathing and cursing as the riders sweated their way up the first climb. And the group soon splintered all over the plantations.<p /> I struggled with a hectic heart rate and worse than useless energy levels and eventually I suffered the ignomy of calling it a day and getting into the back up vehicle. As the temperatures soared there was a lot of bartering for my seat but I hung on for all I was worth. The upside was that I converted to riding the Lite routes which gave me some insight as to what these riders were in for.<p /> Great decision. We were finished before the heat of the day kicked in and we had many hours of extra R&amp;R before the others staggered back, hot, weary and thirsty.<p /> The last day saw a quick shower as we were about to start but 5kms up the road it was dry and stayed that way until we started on a mean climb. Then it was a fine drizzle which kept us cool and hydrated. Our group was somewhat larger on this day with a lot of riders opting for the shorter option.&nbsp; A hot shower and a snack brought three great days to an end.<p /> The Sabie Experience remains one of the toughest events on the calendar and located on the edge of the escarpment means there is no respite from the climbing or the weather of that region. The Lite will also test riders who will have dramatically improved their riding when they complete these four days.<p /> It comes down to mental tenacity. Why do something if its not a challenge.&nbsp; We have to go out of our comfort zones to feel alive.<p /> Do you agree? <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/busy-busy">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-2118199175689550436?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-75935753602902226282010-11-01T15:04:00.002+02:002010-11-01T15:26:17.125+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">It was back to Burgersfort to see if we could compress day two down to a manageable distance. Doug, Glenn and I were lucky to get accommodation at Kusile Guest House - not only for the stunning rooms but also for back up allowing us to ride untried and untested trail.<br /><br />Kudos to the people of Burgersfort for the help and support. It's a scorchingly hot town but the warmth of the peoples hearts more than match the searing temperatures. Let me elaborate.<br /><br />One of the things I have enjoyed the most about putting this trail together is the detective work. One of my contacts in Burgersfort works on the mines - JohanR - and we've had many a conversation on the phone, me on Google Earth while I ply him with questions on the various route options.<br /><br />He had mentioned a more direct option to Burgersfort from where we first meet the Oliphants River and I could find most of it on Google Earth but there was a significant gap. Unfortunately, we were still destined not to meet but he gave me the first names of some local quad bikers who he thought knew the route. My job was to track them down - no surname, no telephone numbers but the name of a water project for the local communities and mines.<br /><br />I love the internet.<br /><br />It took me a while but I found them. JohanE was the man for the job. He and his fellow quadbikers had cleaned up an old and forgotten track through to Penge. We made an arrangement to meet early on Saturday morning but late on the Friday evening, he phoned to say he had gone out, ridden the route and got me a GPS track log! He mailed it through and we were in business.<br /><br />Pity about getting lost trying to get to his house (which we had ridden past a month ago). This included getting stuck at the gate at Havercraft Mine and phoning the Mine Engineer to get permission to go through. He kindly arranged an escort and eventually, several hours late, we arrived at the start of the ride. <br />But this was not all.<br /><br />Driekie and Pieter were our hosts at Kusile and when I asked them if they knew of someone who could drive our vehicle to the start to drop us off, Pieter immediately volunteered. He was quite used to being a second as Driekie is an avid cyclist. Driekie then bravely decided to ride with these oddball cyclists who had no idea of where they going other than a vaguely formulated plan from Google Earth and hearsay. JayBee and Madeleen also accompanied us to the start but ran out of time to ride.<br /><br /><br />Doug had entered all the route options onto his GPS, plotted them on a map and we were good to go with instructions to Pieter to meet us in Penge.<br /><br />What followed was inspiring. Despite the dried out scrub and thorn bushes, we loved this section. It was challenging and rewarding and when we popped out on the banks of the Oliphants River again, we were treated to a fast ride under a canopy of huge trees all the way to Penge.<br /><br />Driekie wisely bailed as this had been the only section that was a logged route. And for the next hour we thrashed through thorn bushes, left blood and fabric on the thorn trees but eventually found the old road we were looking for. I'll not describe this, rather leaving it as a surprise for those who join us on the Trail next year.<br /><br />We popped out for a short 4km section on tar before peeling off onto a dirt road into a village called many names but the one I remember is Sonskyn. A short stop at a spaza shop resulted in warm coke, lemon cream biscuits, tiny Bar Ones and crisps and then we were on our way again.<br /><br />At the end of the road (we knew it would run out - promise) we met an extremely helpful lady who encouraged us to follow the rocky path down the hill which, she assured us, would take us to our next village on our map. Rocky it was and my arms were burning from holding on.<br /><br />All of a sudden, we intersected with the proverbial highway of single track and we bombed down the hill whooping with delight. We figured that this was a track cleared for dragging firewood. We'll just have to figure out where it starts.<br /><br />Then it was a magical ride through villages, wading across the Steelpoort River, chatting to locals, admiring vegetable gardens and finally we intersected with a tar road. We hadplanned to "cut the corner" so we looked for the first or any path to the left and then took a tiger line towards a lone hill which we had identified from Google Earth. There were so many footpaths, goat tracks and the odd car track that we split up and were scatted all over the thorn scrub.<br /><br />Glenn and I reached the village first and were treated to booming music out of a speaker the size of a normal fridge. As we stopped to check tires, we were accosted by a villager who wanted help with setting up his DSTV satellite dish. Unfortunately, neither Glenn nor I had the requisite skills to help.<br /><br />Driekie phoned to check we were alright and agreed to collect us at the local fire station. The three of us regrouped at the railway line and headed back down the road to meet them and be treated to two massive homemade hamburgers each. Oh, there was dessert too.<br /><br />The next day was hotter and we had a stop/start to the day with puncture and tire problems. Eventually we were on the jeep track next to the railway line and climbing to Ohrigstad. Pieter and Driekie would meet us at the top and we would treat them to lunch.<br /><br />It was a hot climb and we were forced to take shelter in the railway culvert for a short break. We were also treated to sight of the very long goods train as it chugged down the hill.<br /><br />As we crested the saddle, there was the vehicle and our great seconds with cold cokes and ice and water. It was a fast 12km to Ohrigstad from there - faster than we thought and we ended up at the only pub/restaurant in the village for a well earned lunch.<br /><br /><br />We were then driven home to pack and head home.<br /><br />The people of Burgersfort hardly knew us but reached out and helped us achieve more than we could have otherwise. Their kindness and generosity was amazing and I for one, can't wait to see them all again when the Trail launches in March next year.<br /><br /><img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/jYe286eq5A9FI8PRZDQ2NIz9T9FN8rmZp5xvsrs7JMbJF0Q9dkehYbGVuwN0/IMG_2497.jpg" width="300" /> <img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Bs5yyiGA9fg6DE2aT3GHrrMPAzPI35eXmPjtbga9LI9bbo1lvQEQPKi5oXeH/IMG_2502.jpg" width="300" /> <img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/LY6HkBJ8DqUJgchqZCjh33MO4GcXlesxMQCdt7w0PgRXEWvx21FO5v9Ewgzo/IMG_2504.jpg" width="221" /> <img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/gsaqcprIpo2ZsUtBzwoFquPqJ8NZ005nZzmcimVCDOCjXcfaVB7Q2GsY0beL/IMG_2506.jpg" width="300" /> <img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/V7N6WBQdfKdCEuPHfjKkhTuSIKPDLFvf4StdMa7W8CRmaUbOCvRnH1L48msm/IMG_2511.jpg" width="300" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/fS6PYxIMjsQflbCPDk2P1q85WWh8hfxmL1DyUhZ8Zk7BKJlRp1OTq4g3Ey4x/IMG_2514.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/2oXv2jd0B82B1IOzPzY2Kp2hAFQpgj2tCTQljoIf6Rzp95sFI5pxCurXyn6s/IMG_2519.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/s0l79yKngLGqyX6dKfe1cZaYq5mbp4wZGfwDnapPP1POte0PRCxp0Qf3hB9R/IMG_2524.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/tGlVWJkBO2qTNVjOVNzDSLntG1Oqz7P0ESBN9AMddvqace58MGZXZ9BP6GHP/IMG_2538.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/QBL50k5T10OubOSvhRXanLXrgSkhjdw8o15E86bA0TEyvycIegEeAsHfzzBm/IMG_2536.jpg" width="300" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/4NWubEw1zZ2nPYfX9qMgAkG9Qa0BaymwGf6xeGm0yBfjcFXWCkK6FLRyAd3o/IMG_2540.jpg" width="400" /> <br /><div><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/stories-from-the-trail-burgersfort-bo">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/stories-from-the-trail-burgersfort-bo">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-7593575360290222628?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-89925120967338315292010-10-19T10:45:00.002+02:002010-10-19T11:44:19.267+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost"><span style="font-family: Berlin Sans FB;">By Derek aka Gadget</span><br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/qGIwJjiCFlxcDpjaasbllxEnIojAoCdrcyHcmeHzownsokkjArcbdlgcvEAI/DSCN2435.JPG.scaled500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/qGIwJjiCFlxcDpjaasbllxEnIojAoCdrcyHcmeHzownsokkjArcbdlgcvEAI/DSCN2435.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Berlin Sans FB;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/EKbSuSM9sodzGnqTf7s4Sum7H6h6kNKcO3f41EgGlhYcoKkqqh9ZQVygMzUd/P1000752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/EKbSuSM9sodzGnqTf7s4Sum7H6h6kNKcO3f41EgGlhYcoKkqqh9ZQVygMzUd/P1000752.jpg" width="240" /></a>So I’m apparently the one that’s best placed to comment about our great mtb eating out adventure which started in Haenertsberg’s Iron Crown Pub with carbo loading draft beers and ended at Swaziland's Bulembu Country Hotel with ‘serious’ milkshakes @ a mere R12 a pop excl GST !<br /><br />Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that whenever anyone was looking my way I had a bacon, egg &amp; cheese sammie in my mouth or just because I relate most of my mountain biking adventures in terms of the catering that was provided.<br /><br />Well, no mountain biking adventure of note is complete if it can’t sustain its epic riders, ‘vakansie perde’ and those breakfast riding, weekend guru’s that reside somewhere in between.<br /><br />We had a spectacular adventure and the support along the way ensured we were more than well catered for. You can’t exactly ride for six days in a row through some of the country’s biggest mountain ranges without food now can you ? Our hosts at all the overnight stops were well briefed on what to expect from a pack of ravenous mountain bikers and boy did they step up...<br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/BsjgvjrlmdhfxztscxcjqByhyyuqIBtgEnzscszswkCyooGDDCFHvJBwAqgy/DSCN2240.JPG.scaled500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/BsjgvjrlmdhfxztscxcjqByhyyuqIBtgEnzscszswkCyooGDDCFHvJBwAqgy/DSCN2240.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="320" /></a>Breakfasts usually included porridge or cereals, yogurts, fruit juices along with significant quantities of deliciously crispy bacon, sausages, farm fried sunnyside eggs, toast and jams with the regular coffee &amp; tea’s etc.<br /><br />We even had freshly baked chocolate muffins one morning – Wow ! Of course not everyone can ride straight up a mountain on such a big breakfast so it’s always a good idea to make sammies for second breakfast. Ok, so I make two and maybe a muffin too...Strewth, you never know what might befall you up in those mountains - you might actually have to share one !<br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/flFnowobzydmqirqlkHqkgsnvugurhvvbDAyhxzckzdrBElzxqJJmDvADjxc/IMG_2437.JPG.scaled500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/flFnowobzydmqirqlkHqkgsnvugurhvvbDAyhxzckzdrBElzxqJJmDvADjxc/IMG_2437.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="320" /></a>We were always provided with equally delicious lunch packs mostly carried in the backup vehicles which met us around halfway every day. These lunch ‘packs’ ranged from platters of sammies to personalised boxed lunches of frikkadels, boiled egg, cold salty roast tatties, banana, apple, muffin, selected fruit juices &amp; even a chokkie ! No shortage of carbs &amp; protein - is there?<br /><br /><br />So what about afternoon tea and dinner ? Well afternoon tea usually coincided with our daily finishes. Yes we actually rode quite hard despite all the royal catering and frequent water stops along the way. Temperatures soared to above 40*C on a number of big riding days so hydration was critical. Here our backup vehicles played a crucial role and provided ice cold cokes, fruit juices and fresh water. When no backup vehicle was around, Spaza shops worked equally well.<br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/fAddRHNiVvdDUObAPn4ofq79Kurz3ERecgL5jebVZ3MSa9J84sRmOn2B9dbz/P1000493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/fAddRHNiVvdDUObAPn4ofq79Kurz3ERecgL5jebVZ3MSa9J84sRmOn2B9dbz/P1000493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/fAddRHNiVvdDUObAPn4ofq79Kurz3ERecgL5jebVZ3MSa9J84sRmOn2B9dbz/P1000493.jpg" width="320" /></a>A most memorable spaza stop was around midday when a group of us were craving an ice cold coke after traversing a mountain range and ending up in the 42*C Olifants river valley. The lovely Ester Maboqwani (“I’m so heppy”) had these on hand and we each consumed a litre and more.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/xqlcEHGfxDEyAyCytvnzaehFasGInJikfvqqyilwyqgxfulrHryhsBBBkiuJ/IMG_2309-1.JPG.scaled500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/xqlcEHGfxDEyAyCytvnzaehFasGInJikfvqqyilwyqgxfulrHryhsBBBkiuJ/IMG_2309-1.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/qleyvybvwgEjhmmvhlIGJCJmkppqclBCxIHqoyouoEeucdzkvtwsucsxpkAa/P1000601.JPG.scaled500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/qleyvybvwgEjhmmvhlIGJCJmkppqclBCxIHqoyouoEeucdzkvtwsucsxpkAa/P1000601.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="320" /></a>Our most memorable afternoon tea must be the one we had at Kaapsehoop. We started the day riding out of a valley near Long Tom pass and ended it riding up a 23km swelteringly hot 42*C climb to Kaapsehoop.<br /><br />Our guide for the day, Dennis, promised us that there were the best sweet or savoury pancakes ever at the top of the climb and boy was he right !!! The owners spaniel named ‘Lieflap’ thought so too....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>You might think that after all this feasting every day that dinner was a lazy underrated affair.&nbsp; Well you’d be dead wrong! How about Borsht with frozen vodka for starters, Maranga chicken &amp; basmati rice served with sides of fresh garden salad, spicy beans and pickled jalapeno chillies rounded off with crème caramel topped with pomegranate and chocolate ! All this served on a silver dinner service &amp; accompanied by fine white wines and copious snores for the rest of the night in the trout bungalow next to a burbling brook...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/asfvoCvAoHqfHEqnofGbzjyHyHaadmlgqgrlpkscpilmGfsbkgzGrsbqwJey/IMG_2394.JPG.scaled500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/asfvoCvAoHqfHEqnofGbzjyHyHaadmlgqgrlpkscpilmGfsbkgzGrsbqwJey/IMG_2394.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="240" /></a>Or how about a piping hot choice of chicken or beef lasagne with fresh garden salad or beef potjie and rice. At Queens Rose we were treated to smoked ham &amp; banana mayo starters with crisply roasted farm chicken, roast potatoes, rice &amp; gravy, cinnamon &amp; sugar pumpkin fritters topped off with a hot brandy &amp; custard tart....<br /><br />And last but not least there are always the foodie oddities: Ben with a white bread &amp; Bar One sammie, Gadget picking fresh tea for the pot at Senteeko and poor Dennis desperately trying to revive a hot banana that rode 30km sandwiched between his backpack and riding shirt...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I’ve since joined a therapy group for recovering mountain biking foodie’s if anyone is interested. Most meetings start thus: “Hi my name is Gadget and I ate way too much food on that mountain biking adventure ride...</span><br /><span style="font-family: Berlin Sans FB;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/pHweoFotuyiayEvnHEmoACfxewhkAwgbesqttrAnlpgGugnBefcIcEIFbwcc/IMG_2383.JPG.scaled500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/pHweoFotuyiayEvnHEmoACfxewhkAwgbesqttrAnlpgGugnBefcIcEIFbwcc/IMG_2383.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Berlin Sans FB; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="240" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/imvhAdrHFbdqFqqoeCEuGblksukqyffvzmHeAvsfsyGDrDHIDdaBggpoxetv/DSCN2381.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="320" /> <img height="320" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/nBGFFGmIHvcvrsCohfErpjFpudqrEDrFDhJEsbojmypwEhhCwuDeygunEfBu/IMG_2276.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="240" /> <img height="240" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/uinmzlCcktgAuAtvqajIwzjtGyAAAoqeArmJthgfoCduanocpuBkHcyCDwCA/DSCN2627.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="320" /> <img height="320" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/qhmoJtqzeaDhJJqvvgIwplenmCGlkokfpshlEcwGkmqdqlfEihqtGrfldDdn/DSCN2626.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="240" /> <img height="320" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/uzAqhsuoIimwnIqjtekhrowBlvgeDdmkoicGHGolwurorBxeqsEspzhAfyvn/DSCN2665.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="240" /> <img height="240" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/ccBvAAcpvBavdfCuaqijuGjopGHDCtJFabbvrfzAmupExbdgwAAyiiBlJeAG/DSCN2667.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="320" /> <img height="320" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-19/dmAzICurxuhwIkrlJsgasvyGcmCeChwAcolrwEBIhkznHJlIfhoJvBwshfvi/DSCN2859.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="240" /> <div><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/stories-from-the-trail-food-glorious-food">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a></div></span><br /><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/stories-from-the-trail-food-glorious-food">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-8992512096733831529?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-64221161527248557472010-10-11T14:36:00.002+02:002010-10-11T14:41:06.846+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost"><i>As the weeks roll on, we still have memories of the great week of riding from Magoebaskloof to Swaziland.&nbsp; Our medic, Glenn (don't call me unless you are unconscious or not breathing), had a different view:</i><br /><br />Doug, Fiona and I got together on the Wednesday evening for a preview of the proposed route on 1:50 000 maps as well as Google Earth. The proposed route was thorough and once we had established the routes for each day, the logs were downloaded to the gps and we were ready to go.<br /><br />DAY 1- TRAVELING TO HAERNERTSBERG<br /><br />Met with Fiona and the rest of the cycling party on Saturday morning north of Pretoria. The group travelling to Heanertsberg consisted of two vehicles, A medical vehicle (myself) and a support vehicle. Nine of us travelled up arriving in Haenertsberg in the early afternoon. We were booked in at Lamei Lodge, a wonderful off the beaten track overnight stop surrounded by plantations. The rest of the afternoon was spent in the little town wandering around their spring festival. The group that would be doing the mountain bike route were all battle hardened veterans of the sport and everybody was very comfortable with each other and got on well. It has to be said that Fiona picked the overnight stops well as the food at each and every place, although different each time, was truly amazing.<br /><br />DAY 2 – STAGE 1- HAERNERTSBERG TO MAKUTSI<br /><br />Up at 5 am. Breakfast at 6 am. On the road at 6:30 heading for Makutsi camp in the Legalameetse Nature Reserve.&nbsp; We weren't sure whether the vehicle would be allowed through at Wolkberg onto the Makutsi trail so the medical vehicle circumnavigated this region. It was a 100 km round route to the Legalameetse Nature Reserve’s main entrance and another rocky drive to meet up with the group for lunch at the bottom of Orrie Baragwanath Pass. It was a difficult and tough route to navigate as the route took us through stunning sections of mountain ravine along sheer cliff edges. At this point the clutch on the air conditioning compressor decided to pack up so no more air con. Took us all of twelve hours to complete the route.<br /><br />DAY 3 – STAGE 2 – MAKUTSI TO CRYSTAL SPRINGS<br /><br />On the road +/- 6:30 am heading for Crystal Springs near Sabie. First two hours was extreme 4x4ing as I wound my way through a very narrow ravine crossing the same river 15 or 16 times and then a steep climb up out through some nice 30 degree angle rutted tracks. Just the thing to do to get your blood pumping early in the morning. I was then sent on a reconnaissance mission to recce a possible alternative route down the mountain to the Olifants river. Turns out the cyclists went the long way around and followed my tracks down the mountain. By midday I was convinced I had lost the group and I was now in a small rural village and there was only one way out – southwest towards Burgersfort. Nobody spoke English or Afrikaans so after searching the area for tyre tracks and trying out various amusing styles of animated sign language with the locals, I figured I had come out ahead of the group. I decided it was time for coffee. While indulging my favourite passion under a huge Indaba tree, the group caught up with me, in straggled bunches. They had clearly had a physically testing ride so far.<br /><br />Refreshed we set off for Burgersfort and beyond to my biggest challenge for the trip - crossing the Oliphants River. With no obvious road and no other vehicle to pull me out if I got in too deep, I approached it with some trepidation. and walked back and forth for half an hour looking for a spot where I wouldn’t leave the undercarriage behind. After a few rather enthusiastic locals waded through to prove the depth and stability of the soil, I decided on a spot. I was half way through when I came up onto a silt bank which didn’t like the weight of my car and decided to give way. I bogged down and thought for one frightful moment<br />that I was in for a two kilometre hike to the Alverton mine ahead to get a front end loader to come and pull me out. The cyclists of course had all scurried on ahead so no help from them. Aaaah&nbsp; - the wonders of diff lock combined with low range and really good mud terrain tyres (no better combination) I hit the diff lock and dropped into low range and literally ploughed my way through, up and out the other side.<br /><br />The group had split to try different routes up a valley and I was to follow the more tricky route but there was absolutely no way a vehicle could get through. I used the mine road to drive the six kilometres<br />to the top of the valley. I spent over an hour searching for the explorers before leaving to drop the lunch packs off with the rest who had opted for the district road. Temperatures were extreme (well above 40C) and distances far for that day.<br /><br />Eventually cell signal kicked in and I got a message from Fiona to say that they had also turned back out of the valley and were on the same route as the rest. It was already nearing 3pm so Fiona rode with me to Burgersfort for a meeting. The group was exhausted so loaded up in Burgersfort and drove to Crystal Springs arriving around 6pm. Great rooms and the food and beer wasn’t bad either.<br /><br />DAY 4 – STAGE 3 – CRYSTAL SPRINGS TO GUNYATOO LODGE<br /><br />Day 4 was a leisurely ride for the riders, Up at 6:00 am. Breakfast 6:30 am. At the main gate and cycling by 7:15. Dennis Lawrie had joined our merry little group the night before to guide us through the next two days. This gave me the opportunity to sleep late and only get up at 7:30 am. Well not quite, my early body clock decided today was no different. I had to meet the riders at Misty Mountain at 12:30 pm where the gps tracks exited the forestry plantations and ride the remainder of the route with them.<br /><br />I checked out Pilgrims Rest before heading to Sabie for a well earned cup of coffee and a waffle. (one of the unfortunate perks of this kind of special event work).&nbsp; While waiting for the riders, a branch from a Bluegum tree detached itself about fifteen metres above my vehicle and paid my bonnet a visit depositing two lovely prize dents that I really didn't require.&nbsp; We arrived at about 2 pm at Gunyatoo Lodge - a pristine trout farm complete with dams, hatchery and lovely stone and timber accommodation.&nbsp; We rounded the day off sitting around a big table having dinner and chatting. A couple of penalty drinks were also issued to team members.<br /><br />DAY 5 – STAGE 4 – GUNYATOO LODGE TO KAAPSEHOOP<br /><br />Up at 5am. Breakfast at 6am. On the trail by 6:30 am. The cyclists were in for an easy days ride and kept mostly to private and state owned timber plantations. It was an easy wind along plantation roads, marsh land until we arrived in Kaapsehoop. More beer and waffles for lunch and off to the local backpackers accommodation where we would be staying for the night.&nbsp; I took a two hour hike up onto the escarpment where I had a breath taking view down into the lowveld.<br /><br />Kaapsehoop was established in the 1880’s as a result of the gold rush and is a most beautiful little town complete with original mine managers house and jail that has been well preserved. The rock formations on the way up to the escarpment and the sheer 1000 foot drop off’s on the escarpment into the lowveld made this a stunning place to overnight.<br /><br />DAY 6 – STAGE 5 – KAAPSEHOOP TO QUEENS ROSE<br /><br />Another relatively short day, +/- 50 kilometres. Up at 5:30 am. Breakfast at 6:30am. We set off around 7am. A new member of the team joined us the night before, Glenn Harrison, a well known extreme mountain<br />biker holding the record for the fastest time to finish the freedom challenge on a single speed mountain bike. Glenn was our guide for the next two days as he is local from Waterval Boven. We started on the edge of the escarpment at a lookout point and then made our way along the escarpment ridge.&nbsp;<br /><br />We ran out of driveable road and had to do a bit of bundu bashing and vehicle trailblazing. The riders were waiting for us at a series of steep sand road switch backs that dropped us down into the lowveld again. The rest of the morning and early afternoon was spent traversing tea plantations, pine and bluegum forest. We arrived at Queens Rose Youth centre around 2 pm for our penultimate night. The centre is no longer used as a youth centre but is used as an overnight stop for hikers. It was quiet remote and reminded me of veldschool. Wim and Mari who were our host for the night splashed out a dinner fit for kings. Off to bed early.<br /><br />DAY 7 – STAGE 6 – QUEENS ROSE TO BULEMBU (SWAZILAND)<br /><br />A long day to finish the route. Up at 5 am. Breakfast at 6am. Set off for Bulembu at around 6:30 am. We followed the cyclists for the first 5 kilometres down through plantations and natural forest with a beautiful<br />waterfall cascading down the mountain side until we where once again forced by forestry regulations to circumnavigate and wait for the riders on the (R40) road, 25 kilometres from the Swazi border.<br /><br />This meant a huge route east to Barberton where we were forced again to have coffee and waffles at a lovely little English tea garden right in the centre of town. After a Fuel and toilet stop we headed up the very steep winding mountain pass along the R40 over the mountains to Swaziland. We arrived at our co-ordinates well before the cyclists and spent the next hour and a half wondering around the hillside taking photo’s of the old cable way that was abandoned which used to transport asbestos into South Africa and coal back out.<br />Eventually the guys arrived and we all had a fantastically packed lunch once again courtesy of Wim and Mari. The last 25 kilometres where to be done on tar road in absolute baking conditions and our little procession moved along slowly. Ben, however, could not contain his excitement at seeing his wife again and shot off into the distance not to be seen again until we actually arrived at the Bulembu Lodge in Swaziland. The border post was really friendly and I even entered Swaziland without having to fill out a customs form for the car (had to pay the R50.00 though). Good thing I came back out through the same relaxed border post the following morning.<br /><br />The last two kilometres were all down hill into what seemed at first a ghost town. Bulembu is a mining town that was established here in the forties when asbestos was discovered. It flourished during the fifties, sixties and seventies. Then in the Eighties it fell on hard times as South Africa went through its changes eventually closing down in 1992. It opened for a short period again in the late nineties but eventually went into bankruptcy under the new ownership and closed around 2002. A couple of years ago it was bought up by a Canadian welfare organisation and was converted into an orphanage aiming at catering for 2000 orphans by 2020.<br /><br />When you arrive you feel like you have stepped back in time to the fifties. It still has the original cinema at the old exclusive mine members club complete with original cinema seats and movie projectors. In it’s heyday, the mine housed more than 600 families and came complete with its own first world hospital and very own power station. I spent the afternoon exploring the old buildings and chatting to some of the old residents who were there for a reunion, about the history of the place. I had one small cut knee to attend to as Ben had fallen off on the initial descent out of Queens Rose in the morning and had decided now was the time for TLC. We had a wonderful dinner at the Lodge in the evening and later we sat around a huge steel brazier obviously salvaged from the old mine with a roaring fire and some of those old locals I mentioned above playing the guitar and singing. Sleep was wonderful at the end of such a long and busy trip.<br /><br />DAY 8 – RETURN TRIP TO JOHANNESBURG<br /><br />We all agreed to a late start Saturday morning. Breakfast at 7:30. Didnt help, I was still up at 5 am. (Damn fresh air and beautiful countryside to blame) A great continental breakfast was laid on for us and eventually the vehicles were packed and everyone was set for the return trip. We reluctantly crossed back into South Africa although wishing we could all have just kept on going. We all arrived home late Saturday afternoon in Pretoria where we said our final goodbye’s and I arrived home around 6 pm.<br /><br />Epilogue<br /><br />I didn’t realise at the start of the trip, just what beautiful countryside I would be driving through. I have never actually been up to the North West part of South Africa which is strange as I have been all over the rest of the world including Africa. Sections of the trail follow the renowned “African Ivory” 4x4 trail which in itself is magnificent. More importantly I soon realised that large parts of the route we where following are not open to the public and very few people other than hikers get to appreciate it. Thanks to Fiona’s drive and determination, cyclists will now have this opportunity too.<br /><br /><img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/yZFfh9nAoRipWqGrQSKaXDf65AQJVsCJDEvTWZXsPVL5cnddiBHnPYmYCujp/CIMG2390.jpg" width="300" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/NcBQuMaJoPy9tFqgTJPWn62ELS7JQuWfhA919wODY5SxQszhTag9HildVZEe/CIMG2367.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/gXKgTnshaXs4NcbPSLfu547LKISGqvQSQKkr4pwM4XyXGDqbCtRQvsg6ME7X/CIMG2361.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/P8chLZ5BscHVcNg8s486Ejy3RAGzGXR5aeDnDedDlJdiXmBGkiS5bDPAxPk0/IMG_2190.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/x9pVVPLkpnA8rXnTzyU6hzj3guCT4ZQG60VN6EDWHujE7EhxW0Y6XLZqUbsa/IMG_2222.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/JDSrVWttcBZaL0FvMsdPEUnm4UQT0Rm7rN9JrCVjNOMN2pdTvBWlnEvwcQDn/P1000456.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/YbWMMl4D5LuucMpKuPfsYBOSiRDQNVOlIf48WB5SGUkbCdEo2DiqgngMGiSh/NED_284.jpg" width="400" /> <br /><div><br /><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/stories-from-the-trail-continued-view-from-th">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/stories-from-the-trail-continued-view-from-th">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-6422116152724855747?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-85476348267326861202010-10-03T16:08:00.001+02:002010-10-03T16:08:00.572+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> Its only a week since we've been back in the big smoke and its been a flurry of race reports, write ups and round ups of our ride.&nbsp; We have decided to re-christen it but that is for another time (when we've finally decided).<p /> The problem we're all experiencing is loads of flash back and an extraordinary amount of time spent sifting through photos and reliving the week.<p /> In July, I ran the Hout Bay Trail run and have been hankering for more and finally, the trail running series has come to Gauteng.&nbsp; I entered the 12km long course at Hennops and went hunting for my amazing muti - USN's anabolic nitro.<p /> I run maybe 2-3 times per week, not a lot and its been a very long time since I ran anything over 10k - even on the road.&nbsp; But I dragged the <a href="www.gardengodmother.blogspot.com">Garden Godmother</a> along with me so that I could suffer with someone else.<p /> A last gasp search the day before netted me some sachets of the energy drink and I felt confident that I would be ok.&nbsp; Amazing what strange beliefs we hang on to.&nbsp; I had convinced GG that it would help her too seeing the last time she ran 12km was part of the 90km marathon called the Comrades in May.<p /> So nervously yabbering non-stop, we headed out to the venue which was a pretty shaded spot next to the Hennops river.&nbsp; We glugged the bitter tasting concoction convincing ourselves that the worse it tasted, the better it was and then we were off.<p /> We started on a country road which wound around for about a km before hitting a meander next to the river. With this loop over, we set out in earnest on some dusty single track heading back upstream and in short time, we were out in the open with the towers of Pelindaba looming in front of us.<p /> I walked the first climb, not wanting to blow too early and then settled into a reasonably rhythmic jog to the base of the big climb at 6km.&nbsp; So far, so good.&nbsp; This climb was about 1k and it was a hike up over rocks and around huge aloes.&nbsp; There was a lot of chatting and cameraderie here as no one could go faster than the next and my legs burnt somewhat. I was fully expecting the jelly to set in at the top but no, we were off again at a good clip and my legs felt fine.<p /> My biggest problem was my frozen water which hadn't defrosted as quickly as I thought so I got a few drops every now and then.&nbsp; (Several hours later and its still ice cold - won't make that mistake again).&nbsp; The trick is to stay focused as even the smallest loss of concentration can result in damage and that Pelindaba rock is extremely sharp.<p /> All of a sudden, we joined the short course and I glanced at my watch - 12km done already.&nbsp; I was surprised at how quickly it had gone.&nbsp; We dropped down to a rickety cable bridge over the river and we could hear the announcer getting closer.<p /> I still felt remarkably strong and hadn't faded at all - just a tad thirsty.<p /> I finished in a clump of long and short course runners and it was over.&nbsp; It was the longest and shortest run I had done in a long time.&nbsp; Although the final distance was somewhere between 12,5 and 13km, it felt like minutes since I had started.&nbsp; Time freezes with the joy of running on trails and focusing on the minutiae of placing your feet every step of the way.<p /> So where do the 500kms of riding come in?&nbsp; Somehow, to my embarrassment, I won my category.&nbsp; As an average and under trained runner, this was completely unexpected.&nbsp; <p /> So I am claiming the riding and the muti as my secret to success.<p /> GG ran in a short while later beaming and had also found that her stamina had not waned over the course so she's off to invest in new trail shoes and more sachets.&nbsp; We're probably going to can the road running race next week in favour of another trail run.<p /> The bug has bitten. <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/500kms-of-mountain-biking-helps-your-running">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-8547634826732686120?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-10471009493651392072010-09-26T11:08:00.002+02:002010-09-26T17:19:25.545+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost"><span style="font-family: Berlin Sans FB;">The latter days of the tour...</span><br /><span style="font-family: Berlin Sans FB;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Berlin Sans FB;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Berlin Sans FB;"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-09-25/AmGlBFjbnczsqvnarrDiIEoiFcBulcsmkzJtzhwzjsyurnCbszswwGJjvzmo/P1000553.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="480" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-09-25/IytuHquCcCwzCiluDxtcjtHfgeDjkmIxvhwIffhkjrFpwAdirptxnyvriCki/P1000566.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="360" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-09-25/lJwsqCcFtddleodEfbJqtdbefFmzwpnIdqpFxoFGmmmuhHqoFflqewBDCyeD/IMG_0382.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-09-25/tImCrkECBvGxasBxqepoyErnIwddysvhtwGFBDHIGiapxppthmkuysIGzEej/P1000617.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-09-25/BfqzFFbJJjCsheJyGEvjjtfJljsBkAgrtxodylBEggDCEFFivoyxbovtljDi/P1000638.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="480" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-09-25/rcEHnGfHxEDjibacjfmtoplxGEdozgHCjHkFGvxkHuGmeFBExEuFknAIrvpw/P1000655.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="360" /> <img height="480" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-09-25/bodwaFuBbnduGlGDppqzhAstexBoAsuehfvIDAebAqdzjHyydpywoIAnusgw/P1000685.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="360" /> <img height="480" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-09-25/mqkeyICymjehxlzDHqnHjqympGttEnCDDbdlwqcivjgGaAFxEBlGjbAAEHCv/P1000702.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="360" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/HSxDjeVFN7YGGSy5G2qaLnmMMzz20dMIICWu0dsU6Oa0vgIEJTKN4BeV1Ntw/DSCN2641.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="480" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/KtOAthkRTuYdmffDfjOzaa0VbccuR0fYzzCydPwvEc6mXVzpRNG9Jr6CHIPB/DSCN2649.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="360" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/q8I9EHAtDJB2cOiX7AzBF9sMNK3FnDipHHZ0sUHFcwNOSh2G7Ou5nB8C3QB2/DSCN2678.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="480" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/zkwWjCf1LlAs2QmrLMMkM1KNT4EywcgUqF013ZmCfN5h5cRaEfbutlMeEgTA/DSCN2848.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="360" /> </span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Berlin Sans FB;"><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/more-visual-stories">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a></span></div><span style="font-family: Berlin Sans FB;"></span><br /><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/more-visual-stories">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-1047100949365139207?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-30863638092602176452010-09-25T13:59:00.002+02:002010-09-25T19:44:05.323+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">We had thought that there may be a possibility of combining the last two days but at the end, it was a no go. It was a great ride but with plenty of climbing and always, lots of descending.<br /><br />We left Queens Rose and had a detour past the Kupid Falls. We started with a 10km descent into the indigenous valley. Ben and Derek went farming and left some skin in the donga but it was minor.<br /><br />Then we joined onto the Barberton Classic route for a long climb out the valley which was superb. When I did that race many years ago, it wasn't that nice. This time around, I really enjoyed it.<br /><br />It wasn't the end of the climbing by any means and we totalled over 1600m of ascent in about 65km.&nbsp; But what great passes and valleys. the mountains in this area are packed closely together and the valleys are extremely deep.<br /><br />We eventually met up with our vehicles for lunch and Wim and Marie had gone ballistic. Two packs containing juice, bananas, apples, bar ones, sandwiches, meatballs and a boiled egg.&nbsp; We needed to be riding 120km to deserve all of that.<br /><br />The next 20km were on a new tar road to the border post at Josefsdal.&nbsp; It was "undulating" but the different surface allowed us a good rhythm despite it being so hot.<br /><br />All of a sudden, it was 1km to the border post and the tour was effectively over. A few formalities and we were descending the final 2km to Bulembu - an old mining town that is being converted into a self sustaining entity to support some of the 2000 orphans in Swaziland.<br /><br />We were accommodated in one of the refurbished mining houses and ironically, we met the man who used to live in the house when the mine was in its heyday.&nbsp; There was a group of ex residents who were having a reunion at the same time as our visit.<br /><br />What a great ride and a fab group of riders.&nbsp; We had fun all the way.<br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/N3ifE44bdBSawgMJh5pkzn64R1ZeBxQehAfyn4K99aqZKH0nWv8HskiuIreO/IMG_2448.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/MTbVd5aVA7r54iYAemUWkzqQK5FvzvnQANbIPEchxPjZjUL4XFsuTRNmYPwA/IMG_2448.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br /><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/the-last-day">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-3086363809260217645?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-42545305986866737512010-09-24T14:05:00.001+02:002010-09-25T19:43:10.659+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">Back in the land of connectivity - and its a shame.<br /><br />There is something very magical about being away from technology and its inherent demands. But it does mean that the blog is behind.&nbsp; We're now at Bulembu just inside the Swaziland border and our recce is over.&nbsp; It seems really quick now but a couple of days ago, it was a different picture.<br /><br />Last communication was at Kaapsehoop which was at a high point. We had slogged to get there but everyone agreed that the climb wasn't as bad as it could have been. We're still looking at alternatives there.<br />&nbsp;<br />We were well treated at the backpackers and without fail, the meals and packed lunches have been amazing.<br />Then it was on to Queens Rose - a hiking and youth centre. It was only about 52km and somehow, we all slowed down and spun the time out. No one was in a rush to arrive so we ambled along, taking photographs, picking tea and in no mood to rush.<br /><br />We had been joined by Glenn who kindly scouted a portage on the day we arrived at Kaapsehoop and prevened us from having to explore that as an option. What he replaced it with was sublime. Switch backs that dropped us steeply into the valley before we swung around towards the overgrown tea plantation. Apparently, they are looking at re-working the plantation which would be great. Its a stunning little valley tucked away.<br /><br />We climbed out the valley on a great track and then parked off for lunch with our support vehicles. So we stopped a lot and ate a lot but this is touring - riding for the moment, not the end line.<br /><br />Next was a bit of exploring and we found a marvellous direct route parallel to a watercourse which brought us out on the exact road to our destination. Half the group went haring off in another direction and missed the experience of mud on tires. (It was the first mud we had seen the whole trip).<br /><br />We arrived at Queens Rose to a warm welcome form Wim and Marie who manage the trail.&nbsp; Our bikes were washed by one of their staff, there were lots of hot showers and tea and coffee on tap. Just as well, as the support vehicle with all our kit in it, went awol.&nbsp; He had ducked into Barberton but couldnt find his way to our gate even with a GPS.&nbsp; Sometimes, good old fashioned navigation is best.&nbsp; He eventually arrived with our (by now) melted ice creams.<br /><br />Dinner was, as Glenn described it, a real mountain bikers meal.&nbsp; Mounds of crisy chicken, roast potatoes, pumpkin fitters, veges, rice and gravy.&nbsp; This was after a starter and then they still served dessert - malva pudding and custard. We ate fit to burst.<br /><br />The next morning, they sent us off in fine fashion with a full breakfast - the whole nine yards.<br /><br /><br />We were off the Bulembu, Swaziland and it was the last day.<br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/C3OpmEJWlnoFXiwNZqc46TYgVghasflE355La5khl68rD7eRdnKOaEldaiaC/IMG_2357.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/60ia8Hye0umvpAm0hEHSlcYFpJm8nvvgVwUSFIAUILF8hAzP2n4emObYDbtY/IMG_2357.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="299" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/w3qZwVZKCeCBnRrKTTDPiXMXC24DLNaY6u0IqUKjnQMZw1XIZuPxYZOAKwn7/IMG_2373.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Ml0Ljz7TiPJEGDyNR04o1umwbwmG1I4NF650vbChJZsG3sfH9E054y4B3WQf/IMG_2373.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="299" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/ECiKaoBNJnkID9ChcZBLldCgsV4XDi6QsaOJsPYWGatyxwo21a7WhP6Zy89f/IMG_2383.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/ZtVoL3kLu5FxqXfJFpJGCmeNy65yGPjEvsAawockhUeRXejBY832WeuAK9We/IMG_2383.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="299" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/one-day-to-go">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/one-day-to-go">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-4254530598686673751?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-1311458023591535722010-09-23T12:32:00.001+02:002010-09-23T12:32:20.064+02:00We&#39;re about 15k from the end of today&#39;s stage and its been gloriously relaxed. <br> <br>For some reason, no one was interested in getting to the end in a hurry. We&#39;ve checked out all sorts of sights and views. <br> <br>There was also a fantastic switchbacks which dropped us about 420m in 7km to the tea plantation. <br> <br>Now everyone is lying on beds of pine needles after lunch. <br>Sent from my BlackBerry&#174; wireless device<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-131145802359153572?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-21563854461866091492010-09-22T17:15:00.002+02:002010-09-25T19:45:50.456+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">A few of the hundreds of pictures taken so far.<br /><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/JVEZY51dR8BBhWESUtRQYyPVXNmgcprKl6ow4MVAE5psZpH2I1K0dfzyuhn1/IMG_2168.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/w420YJV4GbOmsBzaX2HTJmBotxwDHcQPwlx9NO2y8aJSsFtLsRxKiCDIRSbT/IMG_2181.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/4X9NrCnpHcI3ulFdVzx19H17xgxAaokUiEVuKt4Gy5LLaBozoalUx1BfP0dV/IMG_2196.jpg" width="300" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/npyjH7R7yYX03DUwPiKR1LdRB2gZy3xwsNarGGFJxJP4cEtcsz4DZgTqe6F7/IMG_2197.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/ZV7ibSQhZxNeYExD1D97hqeI7UUoJM8LGlnPvprYAu6ninf6GgHtvFlFP6Rd/IMG_2221.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/vG8D1wjJ9MKdWxxhKjcT8cqyZ70S11cYX2m24fyXcpTOC0qhv5AxgDO6hvlR/IMG_2233.jpg" width="300" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/bRpgVtNByqnYXwNcvK2qOfv0EMsn0pPPfotsgTItglSgkBwBmL6itgoKU6gc/IMG_2240.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/kUhaYa4OGhmCZtAzBQlBhG2vuVnEfLp0twdIJan02dRs4XPm2XFik7q9YXZI/IMG_2248.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/hNkNT8FLFuvyJqG4SdHpnTBs1gHt5UM4XmnIVp90srsbye75pA0C1U8Hglyl/IMG_2256.jpg" width="300" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/NFufFd0qOs3ZWtj3SNEl5oLugapOXE7T2BEYiG9uNjI3e2Flp7zugkpkWAMH/IMG_2267.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/licldbuwULwjHCNqjcQAkRCz0EduuIJ0ThDTLRuWdT2wqWIep0hnRjl4L314/IMG_2299.jpg" width="300" /> <img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/8zpEN55ObAqfrSYiDlSFVZXuUGQjkGWXR5BUoQJ1OZC6dbG6zZP3WGLgX2B9/IMG_2307.jpg" width="400" /> <br /><div><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/a-brief-history-of-the-tour-so-far">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/a-brief-history-of-the-tour-so-far">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-2156385446186609149?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-10311001233158721042010-09-22T17:07:00.001+02:002010-09-22T17:07:18.203+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> Its day four and we are more than halfway already.&nbsp; Today was once again something different.&nbsp; <p /> We started off with some climbing but all great gradients with plenty of recovery. When we eventually dropped down through avo orchards to one of the tar roads, we had a quick refill and snack with the vehicles before heading towards and through Schagen.&nbsp; What a beautiful valley - over the last three days, we had moved from barren scrub to grasslands, plantations and now it was orchards and groves of avos and macadamia nuts.<p /> We crossed over the N4 and began a 22km climb up to Kaapsehoop.&nbsp; Luckily the gradient was only steep at the beginning and a bit rough but it smooth out and we were able to maintain a nice cadence. It was pretty hot though when we left the trees and once on top, it was quick to the picturesque town with its old mining houses.<p /> The day was rounded off with pancakes and waffles and we are now ensconced in the Backpackers Lodge.&nbsp; Actually, I am ensconced in the pub next door typing this with a beer shandy at hand.<p /> The Life as she is supposed to be lived. <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/were-in-kaapsehoop">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-1031100123315872104?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-17951844107622794532010-09-22T16:17:00.001+02:002010-09-22T16:17:35.233+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> We left Crystal Springs at the civilised time of 7:15 to get to the gate of a private game farm of over 2000 hectares. We had arranged to meet the owner John, at a specific time to make the 4km crossing.<p /> Once in the farm, we saw herds of buck, wildebees and the odd ostrich galloping across the plains as they caught a whiff of these over active cyclists.<p /> The scenery was spectacular with wide open plains that were green and gold.&nbsp; Hidden valleys masked waterfalls and other game. The change from yesterday was so specific, we could have been worlds apart.<p /> Crossing out the other side, we climbed to a high pass overlooking valleys to the south and north.Tthe best of all was the pumping tail wind that pushed us up the climbs.&nbsp; I don't remember having this help before and it was good.&nbsp; So good because my legs were burning - not enough recovery routine the day before.&nbsp; Not so good for the forestry people in the region as they were on high alert for fires.<p /> We had lunch near the top and could see for eons. Somehow, food tastes so much better like this.<p /> Many contour paths later and a skinny dip by Doug and Derek at a waterfall, we reached Long Tom Pass.&nbsp; It was a thrilling but dusty 12km descent to Gunyatoo Lodge. What a gem this place is - filled with character and little nooks and crannies to catch you out. But we found the bar which operated on a tick, and the staff made incredible rolls for the hungry riders.<p /> Our washing is now being taken care of and we are all showered and resting.&nbsp; It was a really superb day. About 62km in all but over some of the most magnificent countryside.<p /> (Gunyatoo is worth a whole 'nother blog posting.) <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/then-came-a-beautiful-recovery-day">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-1795184410762279453?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-40317021040972147352010-09-22T09:14:00.000+02:002010-09-22T09:19:36.686+02:00Day three was out of this world. We climbed to the top of the world at Hartebeesvlakte. <br> <br>Then we headed towards our lodge past waterfalls - where Doug and Derek skinny dipped. <br> <br>Gunyatoo Lodge was way above our league. Fantastic full setting three course meal and another impressive breakfast. This should be call the Foodie Tour. <br> <br>More later when we reach Kaapsehoop. <br> <br>Sent from my BlackBerry&#174; wireless device<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-4031702104097214735?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-71307858428682428842010-09-20T21:42:00.001+02:002010-09-20T21:42:33.194+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> The plan was to leave earlier this day because we knew it was exceptionally far. In fact we had two points where we would make a call on whether to push on or not.&nbsp; There was some debate as to the total distance for this day - 135k or 150k. Either way, we realised it wasn't going to happen.<p /> We left Makutsi camp and meandered along a stunning 4x4 track but typically, it required many river crossings and pushing.&nbsp; But what beautiful riding along the narrow valley.&nbsp; We eventually summited out of there with a rather steep climb and wound our way towards Mafefe camp on the African Ivory Route.<p /> Glenn was instructed to check out a track while we descended into the valley. It had been burnt earlier and we spotted some gorgeous single track cutting out the corner and unfortunately Mafefe camp.&nbsp; Glenn's route was the business - it will cut out about an hour of looping around.<p /> It's hard to describe what followed. Technical riding both ascending and descending on a really good track and the final descent to the Oliphants river to the first habititation in a long while, was out of this world. My wrists and calves ached from the strain.<p /> We eventually caught up with Glenn under one of the largest trees I've seen in a while and had lunch on the banks of the river and all to soon, we had to push on to the Havercraft mine.&nbsp; Our group had split up earlier and we, the laggards, caught up with them crossing the Oliphants below the dam wall. There was rather a large cliff face to be scaled on the other side so we chose another route.<p /> We waded through ankle deep water, found a cattle path and were back to together again.&nbsp; That was the last we saw of that group.<p /> Ben, Neal and I chose to explore an optional route which turned out to require more work than we were prepared to do on this day. But there is great potential for when we return. By this time, we were at least an hour behind the others. The road was fast and flat and of course we had to stop at the local spaza/bottle store for a top up.<p /> I found the next stretch long.&nbsp; The dirt road was quick to ride but it seemed to drag on.&nbsp; About 22km from Burgersfort was a tar road and we met up with Glenn again.&nbsp; By now the consensus was to stop in this town as it was late.<p /> There were also three groups of riders scattered all over the landscape.&nbsp; It took a serious amount of calls to and fro between them and the support vehicles to bring everyone together.&nbsp; I had manufactured a meeting (actually it was necessary) with some mountain bikers in Burgersfort so I headed off there by car.<p /> Finally we were altogether and drove up to Crystal Springs. What a difference in scenery - green and lush compared to barren, dry and hot lower regions.<p /> It was a big day out and some more research required for this day of the tour.<p /> Tomorrow should be easy by the previous day's standards. <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/then-came-the-second-day">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-7130785842868242884?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-18272910141921989782010-09-20T21:38:00.001+02:002010-09-20T21:38:48.542+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> An unbelievable day's riding - not easy but rewarding.<p /> We set off after a huge meal prepared by Lamei Lodge. It was a five star buffet, with cappuchino muffins straight out the oven and the best crispy bacon in a long time. Tinka had made us a beautiful sandwich pack as well - too nice for scruffy mountainbikers.<p /> We heaved ourselves away from the table and rode down to town to meet with Dylan (our late addition to the group) outside the Haenertsburg Village Hall for the official start. And then we were out of there.&nbsp; We rode along some pretty forest track for about 10km until we reached a well established pedestrian path which was the tiger line to the upper forestry levels. It took us about 20' to reach the contour and to get our first views of the magnificent Wolkberg mountains and gorges.<p /> Some winding roads and gnarly downhills brought us onto the district road which would get us to the Wolkberg campsite - a well cambered fast descent.<p /> We had a short break, filled up with water and paid for the permits before heading out again.<p /> A jeep rack undulated around the mountains before dropping us steeply to the Mhalpitsi River. The descent was white knuckle stuff with a few sideways skids but we all made it safely down and then began the umpteen crossings of the river - what a surprise. It was beautiful - spring flowers, green trees and a winding river under a canopy of tall trees. The butterfiles were there in droves too.<p /> All to soon, we emerged on the dusty road that signified the start of the Orrie Baragwanath Pass.&nbsp; The gradient wasn't bad but it was hard going because of the rocky outcrops and loose stone. It was also getting really hot.&nbsp; We had met Glenn at the base of the climb and had topped up with water, coke and sandwiches but we all had to stop in patches of shade to cool off and catch our breath.&nbsp; The gate to Legalameetse Reserve popped out of nowhere and it was time for another water stop before heading off for the last of the climb which was only about 7km in length before we hit the equaivalent of the Serengeti plains - a wide open valley teaming with zebra and eland.<p /> The road undualtes here and the views were vast.&nbsp; At one point some 4x4 enthusiasts stopped and offered us drinks. We accepted coke and ice which had a distinct brandy flavour but we were past caring. We shared some good laughs with the guys and summoned up enough energy to reach the top of the pass a short while later. Bizarrely. at this point there is a stretch of tar road leading to the main gate.&nbsp; <p /> It was a wicked descent down this road and gave a huge shot in the legs for recovery. We stopped at the waterfall, ate some bananas (supplied from Glenn) and flew to the gate.<p /> From there it was 12kms to the campsite on a really good surface but by now it had been a long day. With all the stops, we'd been out for 10,5 hours and had ridden about 7 of those. The legs, body and mind felt the 90kms.<p /> But sitting on the deck of the chalets in the warm summer air, eating piles of food and sharing war stories brought the day to a super civilised end. <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/the-first-day">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-1827291014192198978?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-10213459728893225962010-09-19T20:03:00.000+02:002010-09-19T20:08:23.521+02:00No signal most of the day and and Makutsi camp. So a quick update to go out at the top of Orrie Baragwanath Pass - I hope. <br> <br>What an awesome day. About 10k in we did a short portage to get up to Iron Crown and entered the Wolkberg. Wow. <br> <br>The ride to the river was insane and riding along the Mapitsi River was amazing. When we have proper signal, will post pics. Now its a slog up the pass in the heat to the camp. <br> <br> <br>Sent from my BlackBerry&#174; wireless device<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-1021345972889322596?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-28617138156221563342010-09-15T10:51:00.002+02:002010-09-15T10:56:32.136+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">The recce is only a few days away and thank goodness for uncapped adsl and lots of phone minutes. All this technology at hand has made planning and communicating so much easier.<br /><br />We've spent hours pouring over maps and floating above the routes via Google Earth. The "route finders" have sent us as much information via gps as possible but not everything is known. There are so many enticing paths that look ideal but are very different on the ground.&nbsp; Last night, Doug and Glenn (the paramedic as opposed to Glenn the singlespeeder) and I spent several hours checking the route overlays on the 1:50 000 maps.<br /><br />And then there are last minute changes...like this morning.<br /><br />A local from Tzaneen, who spends plenty of time in our start village - Haenertsberg - can take us on a more direct route to the Wolkberg campsite. It involves some portaging but cuts out several hours of riding. And on a day that promised to be about 12 hours - that's good.&nbsp; Portaging that enhances the route is part of the adventure. Plus, we get to one of the prominent peaks in the area.<br /><br />I'm throwing out names of places here but over the next week, you'll get to understand how they all fit in as we relay our adventures over the net.<br /><br />Saturday we travel north which leaves me with two days to finalise everything even the last gasp training.<br />Back to the web, google, email and cell phone.<br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/v1bbzlaIU84MwMrMFvmUTiOGHZ9UAfGHoWWPA8LTaMmjCLz3vGxG62KaOicO/haenertsberg.jpg"><img height="289" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/9J6waxgC0ttTm6LlGOhRKd3imW9UrzwyyrUmR15pavQQhlSsoE2wI0BCdq9J/haenertsberg.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br /><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/googled-in-and-out">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-2861713815622156334?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-12878431728936572092010-09-08T17:48:00.001+02:002010-09-08T17:48:00.364+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> Oh yes, its September, hot but greening beautifully. The long winter is suddenly over and the days are noticeably longer. Its out with the sun tan lotion and time to pack away the winter gear.<p /> The big ride I have hinted at is almost here.&nbsp; A group of 7 intrepid riders are set to explore a route from Magoebaskloof (near Tzaneen in Limpopo) to Swaziland (the last absolute monarchy in Africa - if not the world).<p /> Kevin Davie (journo) and <a href="www.beit2cape.blogspot.com">Jaco Strydom</a> (<a href="http://www.beit2cape.blogpot.com" class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated">www.beit2cape.blogpot.com</a>) have already pioneered a rough route and we are planning to formalise it into a spectacular touring route. Its about 500km that takes us through mountain reserves, private game farms, forestry plantations, tea plantations and over the border.<p /> Its been a team effort between locals and passionate riders who have all chipped in with local knowledge, time in the saddle and an adventurous spirit.<p /> None of us have done the whole route and most of us have not ridden any of it.&nbsp; We've booked lodges along the way so we'll be comfortable at night and assured of good meals too.<p /> We'll be blogging (<a href="http://www.gocycling.posterous.com" class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated">www.gocycling.posterous.com</a> or <a href="http://www.dash4freedom.blogspot.com" class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated">www.dash4freedom.blogspot.com</a>) and tweeting (@santacruzrulz) to keep you jealous.<p /> Can't wait! <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/so-where-are-we">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-1287843172893657209?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-37882537832873963652010-08-20T11:47:00.006+02:002010-08-23T13:37:41.589+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost"><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/SyCUeX0o4xNJmmzPa6fGGCbmhDE8gLnj4dX4j1xaTt9w0ME9Pnicwu0NiU8q/trail_run_Fi.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="133" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/UhlqdbHw2MZivPJBIVCVkyL16NWRiu1yklH7dWqKmABI6gIfSqbqtKfWHZD7/trail_run_Fi.png.scaled.500.jpg" width="200" /></a>It's the middle of August, hot blustery, dusty conditions and probably the worst month of the year.<br /><br /><br />But in only a couple of weeks, it will officially be spring and the signs are here already. Greening trees, whiffs of Jasmine and Banksia Rose, and a very definite lightening of the mornings.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/25C0TMpigLQwVhCfIRXAclbQ58C3HvGX3vA8G8TiB1h0qRsnOPCd6axhPSHY/trail_run_simon.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/25C0TMpigLQwVhCfIRXAclbQ58C3HvGX3vA8G8TiB1h0qRsnOPCd6axhPSHY/trail_run_simon.png" width="134" /></a>My big ride is looming (details for a later post) so I have really needed to get focused and start riding consistently and this week has been great so far with a couple of road rides, a spinning class, a run and still the weekend ahead to get in some more miles.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/hXL11nRBtm2iO8ofRPlPwISTVHs7ay3Atu1tcFLM21vDJ0B0GeLwkYEGdxPL/trail_run_ian.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/hXL11nRBtm2iO8ofRPlPwISTVHs7ay3Atu1tcFLM21vDJ0B0GeLwkYEGdxPL/trail_run_ian.png" width="195" /></a>After all, I have a mountain bike ride of roughly 500km to contemplate and it ain't all flat!<br /><br /><br />Other good things this week were some more photos from the Hansa Hout Bay Trail Run and finally, the completion of the editing of my Freedom Trail book&nbsp; - Ride, Walk and Cry.<br /><br /><br />This has been a much longer project than it should have been. I used <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.blurb.com">Blurb</a> to compile the book. It's amazing software which gives the would be author layouts for text and photos which is simply uploaded to their server. It goes into the production process and about two weeks later - voila! Your book.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/YtBvujs7MJqvgNteHGFvwhYpQ6IToN8njR8t8a284kB21ca5d8JrSXa8LzQ7/book_cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/YtBvujs7MJqvgNteHGFvwhYpQ6IToN8njR8t8a284kB21ca5d8JrSXa8LzQ7/book_cover.png" width="199" /></a>I printed a preview copy and it has taken almost 7 months to do all the editing. A flurry here and there but now it is finally done and in the printing works.&nbsp; An early Christmas present for family and friends (or very late depending on which way you look at it).<br /><br /><br />Now if only I can keep up the momentum.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/a-good-week">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/a-good-week">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-3788253783287396365?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-3227910491417971262010-08-04T19:51:00.001+02:002010-08-04T19:51:21.879+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> Of late, I just seem to keep on travelling. There was the two weeks in St Francis Bay, last week was Cape Town for a few days, this week was Hazyview with a quick jaunt into the Kruger National Park and back there again next week. <p /> Its that weird sensation when you wake up with no idea of where you are which makes you realise enough is enough. All my cycling buddies ever seem to get is the sms saying "Sorry, I'm away....again."&nbsp; I have to catch my breath.<p /> This weekend is a long one and whilst I hoped to get out of the Big Smoke, its looks like a much better idea to stay at home, do some cycling and running and slow down.<p /> Yes, that's sounding better and better. <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/where-am-i">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-322791049141797126?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-68295619314193046722010-07-26T20:45:00.006+02:002010-07-27T13:44:37.317+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">So the Hansa Hout Bay Trail Run is a thing of the past, but the pain remains.<br /><br />Let me go back a step or more. I've had this run on the calendar since last year and when earlier this year, my brother invited me to join his relay team, the answer was a huge Yes.&nbsp; Even to the point of getting a special gym programme together to help with agility and core strength.&nbsp; But the last six weeks fell apart with a couple of niggles and injuries and the most I was able to run was 6km in the week preceding the race.<br /><br />Not a lot of ideal prep. In fact, I didn't dare tell my brother about the last niggle. But I arrived with a plan.<br /><br />I had two sachets of USN's Anabolic Nitro (sorry for Simon - our middle runner) which I had used before and had felt bullet proof, a couple of anti-inflammatories and "muscle memory". I hoped it would hold me together for about 11km of severe trail running around the back of Hout Bay.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PuRovz6j6nc/TE7F_uyPJDI/AAAAAAAACWY/hyKxc5affec/s1600/10072409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PuRovz6j6nc/TE7F_uyPJDI/AAAAAAAACWY/hyKxc5affec/s400/10072409.JPG" width="300" /></a>It was perfect weather. Ian departed on leg one in the faint light of the pre-dawn and I went home to have scrambled egg on toast.&nbsp; Collecting all my gear, I headed off the changeover point at Suikerbossie.&nbsp; As I got there, the front guys came through absolutely flying and I heard later they were on a mission to break the record. They did - by miles. They were runnng twice as fast as me!<br /><br />The Suikerbossie restaurant did itself proud handing out tea and coffee and scones to the runners and I resisted the temptation. Not so much Simon, who after a scone and coffee headed off to the toilet and of course, Ian arrived at that moment. Eventually Simon emerged, took a leisurely photo and jogged off.<br /><br />Ian was over the moon having run strongly the whole way. The thing about running in this environment is that it leaves you on a complete high. Ian missioned around talking to people, eating scones and generally beaming. I also think the USN had something to do with it!<br /><br />Then we headed home again to collect warm clothes for him and wandered off to my checkpoint at the top of Constantia Kloof.&nbsp; There I faced the huge dilemma of what combination clothing to wear. It was sunny but chilly. It was on with the short sleeve top then off again, on with the long sleeve top then indecision.<br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/PKv5B0vpouR9uY8ZWKrjBRrmJXtUtFWyZ6LOEtOb1s3PkDSrS7VQh7dpKbmn/IMG00051-20100724-1236.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/VL4B2X2Z1gLYjAkhww6u6wBD5xtGZvOp79vlmwJrMuw2XwI1E6SPAbWJvuTG/IMG00051-20100724-1236.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a>In between, I was trying to decided when to drink my jungle juice. I ended up having it too soon so by the time Simon arrived, I was buzzing and ready to go.<br /><br />A quick handover of the race passport and I headed off beginning my leg with a long climb with lots of steps and then lots more steps. I felt great, partly because of the low altitude but more I think due to my race juice.<br /><br />I ran way above my fitness levels. I climbed the stairs and stones with ease, ran the tricky bouldery downhills, ran the contours, stopped for a photo, chatted to the girl with me, hurt badly on the descent down to Chapman's Peak Drive as it was too slippery to attack the path.&nbsp; It was here that I knew beyond a shadow of doubt, that I would not be able to get out of bed the next day.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PuRovz6j6nc/TE7F8da8tCI/AAAAAAAACWQ/uHhGvn7Z7NM/s1600/10072426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PuRovz6j6nc/TE7F8da8tCI/AAAAAAAACWQ/uHhGvn7Z7NM/s400/10072426.JPG" width="400" /></a>After the last checkpoint, there was a gaggle of girls running together and we hurtled down the tar section to the beach. The tide was in and the sand was soft and wet. There was also a headwind.&nbsp; My heart rate read 104%. I kid you not.&nbsp; I saw later my max was 180 (the highest I have ever seen was 186 and that was about 10 years ago!)<br /><br />But we pushed to the end and stumbled into the finish exhausted but elated. <br /><br />It was a fantastic experience and I am so envious of the Cape Townians who have this playground out their back door.&nbsp; I am seriously hobbling at the moment and stairs, downhills, downslopes and sitting down amongst other movements are extremely painful.<br /><br />But I don't care. I ran, I felt the wind in my face, I could see forever and I exerted myself in a beautiful place.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/qX9UB7dql8fCzF7GZOjY0Y9mAG1i5Tv5GMI9ledq7LJPNsg9uhhPppMxGXYD/CIMG2522.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Cv39VdiTfXOOsvEN6lDxfy2LHwJsOXKnaUXaRNm9GytLyOdMkDHvNLBBDJGx/CIMG2522.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/run-now-pay-later">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/run-now-pay-later">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-6829561931419304672?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-84034376182474901382010-07-19T09:11:00.001+02:002010-07-19T09:11:01.199+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> The week that was included four spinning classes, a run and a mountain bike ride. Phew, talk about getting back into the groove.<p /> I am heading to Cape Town this week to run in the Hout Bay Trail Challenge with my brother, Ian and fellow Ride2Rhodes rider, Steve. They are both stalwarts in the game (or sport?) of Ultimate. You know, that frisbee throwing thing that has its own World Championships. Thus my frantic week of trying to open up the lungs and fool myself into some fitness.<p /> I am really looking forward to it despite being laid off with niggles for the last month. Stumble or run, here I come. <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/moving-up-a-gear">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-8403437618247490138?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-1086839603636805962010-07-12T20:16:00.001+02:002010-07-12T20:16:50.456+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> Now what. <p /> The joy and the happiness of the past month has no focus anymore.<p /> The World Cup has come to an end (with a bit of a whimper with a grumpy final) and we all woke up this morning missing something. The volunteers and members of the various organising groups will feel it most of all. Billboards are already coming down and the cars are not festooned with flags or mirror covers and the winter suddenly seems drab again.<p /> And, it was a rest day on the Tour de France. Must be why I got through some work today and am finally managing to type this.<p /> I guess the feeling now is akin to a proud medical team who witnessed the gestation and birth of a very large baby and now we can stand back as the baby leaves these shores, secure in the knowledge of a job well done. And we did all play a part. We may not have personally organised a single aspect of the Cup but we supported, cheered, laughed, groaned and forgot our woes for four glorious weeks.<p /> Coincidentally, the last riders in the Freedom Challenge have also finished, all with war stories and memories to last a lifetime. I'm going to be creating new memories in my cycling life come September and I look forward to sharing these with you as they unfold.<p /> But for now - Viva Mzansi! <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/theres-a-hole-in-my-mojo-dear-sepp">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-108683960363680596?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-85521232900626264842010-07-06T15:20:00.002+02:002010-07-06T15:31:09.340+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">Its been an awesome couple of weeks, actually make that a month. Work has been reduced to a trickle as has most forms of exercise. Its been much, much better watching others excel.<br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/so3ntUlGRiLUWtaC19J9Gf2XC8dPbrATu2BYeyx6ZecFveZkKMUuleRoPgCu/IMG_2079.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="240" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/6XLF71cD9Xh3VZolGyw2KZI8Ir4Cyd2Xy1Yx3CV1fRF7bBXMI0HW8HgJi4tW/IMG_2079.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="320" /></a>It seems so long ago that we gathered in our bright yellow Bafana Bafana colours to watch the kick off the 2010 World Cup. And the fever hasn't stopped. Now I am usually unenthusiatic about soccer as my time as a sports administrator gave me an intense dislike of the powers in that sport.<br /><br />The problem is, when you are passionate about sport, you get sucked in and despite prejudice, you begin to offer opinions, ride the emotional rollercoaster and follow teams with intensity.<br /><br /><br />I watched all the Bafana Bafana warm up games and despite all the prophets of doom, even I could see the improvement and dreamed that they might do the miraculous.&nbsp; They didn't but they punched well above their fighting weight. I loved the fact that South Africans were still proud of the team and are prepared to support them once again.<br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/TZaE1WfdZNqcMS858YtfgNRYGbYWfQSUuymYQTlqULI2ayntXd2Hz3eI34FO/IMG_2096.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/jDnMhCP4SOLF4M3zjTCOzViuVsQzQph6p6ao6VLLF2yEYsE9OQRIDNcsBeQo/IMG_2096.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a>We attended the match versus Uruguay and froze in the stands. We went to the new Nelson Mandela Bay stadium (Port Elizabeth) to watch Chile vs Switzerland and watched fans celebrate with vigour and we enjoyed the smooth organisation.&nbsp; At least I will be able to say "I was there!"<br /><br />But the pride doesn't stop there. What hosts we have been. As a nation, we have produced a superb event with its own character and memories and the final script is&nbsp; still be to written with the last couple of games.<br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/kmPXWaO05EgnObhG55qE1JD2rAtoewGXTuHcVNFKl32UUQucqaNiLCJrf93j/IMG_2097.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/O0fiz4GTiXo8XBrln1xOTSBhaheupyPBNdjc9bWwGQIwnaRcaduEcPNArg4n/IMG_2097.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="299" /></a>Then of course, it is the annual riding of the Freedom Challenge (Race across South Africa - 2300km) - the event that I did last year.&nbsp; I hadn't really got all that interested as my head was elsewhere but I had a friend riding it as a novice and I suspected he could win. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.alexharris.co.za">Alex Harris</a> is an adventurer in the true sense of the word and I re-lived the race vicariously albeit at a much faster speed than my attempt.&nbsp; And even now, the final riders are still trickling in.&nbsp;<br /><br />So when I wasn't watching football, I was locked onto twitter of following themountain bike race on the forum.&nbsp; 2011 entries are open if you're interested. I know some of riding buddies from last year are toying with the idea. Me - I have another idea gestating (such a word?) and I hope to persuade them to buy in too. This will also force me to get back on the bike with a lot more vigour.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/p771OIrD4z3lsbh1s36HZyZpWFyNuaUIRGwdJMMIKWJ3FHSqxQ4hFr9pMmev/IMG_2093.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/yw1pql2B5zpNO3L8lSJJTZudGNNuvl7FMJ6Vwew8tRvbUqaV3y1EBKwgnKvX/IMG_2093.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="299" /></a><br /><br /><br />As the football rush subsided and more non-game days made their appearance, it coincided with the start of the Tour de France. So I don 't expect to have a post World Cup hangover - there's plenty to keep me occupied and away from work.<br /><div style="text-align: right;"> </div><br /><div><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/crazy-times-11">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/crazy-times-11">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-8552123290062626484?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-3096569744889566722010-06-08T11:27:00.001+02:002010-06-08T11:27:08.971+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> <i>Here is Aileen's story of her Comrades. It's always best in her own words.</i><p /> <big><a href="http://leen-pie.blogspot.com/2010/06/dramas.html">The Dramas....</a></big> <div class="WordSection1"> <p><br /> Oh boy and were there dramas......<p /> I wrote a dozen lists of what to pack in what bag for what day - you know my normal anally retentive behaviour. I had slept really badly in that last week and was quite grumpy. We left at 4am on Friday morning and I slept all the way to Harrismith - thank you Doug. We had breakfast at Heikies restaurant and Kayla had a run around and jump on the trampolines. I then drove us to Pietermaritzburg. I found a parking and gathered my bits and pieces to go a register at Comrades House. I realised as we were down the road a bit that I had forgotten my shoe with my timing chip in the car. I ran back to get it, locked the door and checked that it was locked. I registered and bought myself a Comrades coffee mug and we ambled back to the car. We did not notice anything was amiss. <br /> </p> <p><br /> Doug was going to drive and I was in the back with Kayla strapping her in. He asked why I had broken the GPS window attachment to which I grumpily replied I hadn't done anything of the sort. I asked him had he opened the cubbyhole and he said no. I flew over that seat and saw my suitcase and bag were missing - we had been ROBBED. Oh God what a horrible feeling. I ran up and down the street completely panicking - my running kit was stolen - all my stuff so carefully planned, packed, broken in - everything. I cried and shouted and wept and absolutely despaired. Fiona cried when I told her, my Mom cried, my Dad swore. Anyway the police came, they took a statement and were very efficient. <p /> We set off again on the road. I asked Doug - what now? Do I give up or do I run? Is this a series of warnings or is this a case of running despite all the things against me? There is no clear answer in the moment - it is only clear in hindsight. So I chose to run despite everything. We rushed off to a Sportsmans Warehouse and I replaced most of the running kit. I got a few other things for us to wear on the weekend.<br /> </p> <p><br /> I did a little run / walk on Saturday morning with some stretches. My bursitis was playing up a little and my glutes quite tight.<br /> I slept so badly on Saturday night. I had 2 nightmares and my bursitis was so sore. I was so scared of the next day. I was scared of the pain and I was scared I would quit.<br /> </p> <p><br /> I said to Doug in the morning I was in pain and afraid. He said just go out and do the best you can -that is all. Enjoy whatever I do on the road for whatever length of time I am on the road.<br /> We went to the start and Doug gave me huge hug and we went our separate ways. </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://leen-pie.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-am-comrades-winner.html">I am a Comrades Winner!</a> <p /> </p> <p>Well I did it - 11h51min. I achieved my big fat hairy audacious goal and it was worth it. I am proud of myself.<br /> I slept badly on Saturday night and had sent my alarm for 3am instead of 4am - doofus! I was a quiet bundle of nerves and very concerned about my very sore bursitis. I was just going to go out there and simply do the best I could for whatever length of time I was able to be on the road. Doug's encouragement was consistent and sure. We parked near the start. There was a chemist open! Clever business people - it was quite festive in the chemist - never thought I would say that. Doug gave me a huge hug and I went into my pen. I found a place to sit down and simply absorbed the energy and space and excitement. I saw God in the moon surrounded by clouds. <br /> </p> <p><br /> I spotted Christine and stood with her. The cockeral crowed and then the gun went off. It took me about 7 minutes to cross the start line. I was being very careful of all the debris in the road. A woman fell and was in pain - some runners picked her up - not sure if she continued. Then I took a fall at about 2 kms. Put my foot in one the disposable shirts that were all over the road. Someone picked me up quickly from behind and someone else passed back my dropped bottle. It all happened so fast that I wasn't sure it happened - except of course for the blood down my leg and stiff bruised knees. I had some energade to calm down and just carried on running.<br /> </p> <p><br /> The 1st kilometre marking is 88kms to go. Then 87km to go. The kilometres just passed on by. I was glad to leave Maritzburg and get on the "proper" road. It was a day spent quite alone. Seems weird to say whilst surrounded by 19000 runners and thousands of spectators but I stayed very close to me and really just lived a little fuller. I took in the rising sun and pink clouds on the horizon, the mist on the fields, the noise of running shoes hitting the tarmac, the pungent smell of the chicken farms.<br /> </p> <p><br /> I was starving at about 20kms into the race and there was no food at the tables! I was salivating thinking of Doug holding my cheese, mayonnaise and banana sandwiches and was looking forward to seeing him (and not just coz he was holding the grub!) at Camperdown. I started seeing food at about 28kms - thank goodness. The bananas and salt were absolutely DIVINE! I saw Dave Hodgekiss at Camperdown (25kms in)and gave him a big hug. I managed to borrow a phone when I didn't see Doug at our arranged place. He said he couldn't get to me. No worries, this was to be expected - see you at Inchanga. Up the hills, down the hills, off with the warm clothes, drink the coke, eat the grub, up the hills, down the hills.... and the kilometres just ticked on by. I would look at my pace chart periodically but the sweat was making it harder and harder to read. All on track. I got hectic cramping in my feet at about 30kms. So everytime I walked I would wiggle my toes and try kick my feet out differently to stretch the ligaments and what nots. <br /> </p> <p><br /> Harrison Flats (35kms) was quite tedious and by the time I got to the bottom of Inchanga I hit a bit of a low. I was feeling quite desperate to see Doug. I borrowed a phone and he described where he was - near some orange flags. I got there and no Doug. I called again. Now I was desperate. But I couldn't loiter I had to keep moving forward. I said to myself I must not rely on seeing Doug and I need to keep focussed. I was crying a little. Then I got to another Inchanga. I found him by the orange flags! Whatever that 1st place was it was not Inchanga. He gave me a huge hug and I cheered up immediately. I ate sandwiches and painkillers and carried on - so much more fortified and not just on food and drugs. I ran/walked up the hills. And the kilometres just sped past under my feet. I felt so alive and very fortunate. I listened to music for chunks of time but switched it off when there were lots of people so that I could hear them and interact. Sometimes the talk around me was so negative - I felt quite sorry for those people and wonder if they finished. I got to 45kms - halfway at 5h40 (11:10). I passed the actual halfway mat about 8 minutes later at 11:18. Shoo some of those uphills were very UP. I did not find any of them very daunting - just run from one tree to another. Up, up, up.... I heard my friends voices a lot. Fiona - run upright, run strong, run light. She simply never doubted I could finish and I felt that from her everytime I thought of her. Bev - she said that if I get into a dark difficult place I must just think of her coz she will be screaming her support. Well I tell you I called on her a lot. My sister - her love is a constant in my life and I knew it was particularly strong on this day. My brother in law - his advice and sense of humour popped into my head frequently. Mari and Wim - their excitement and support for me. Mari and her angels. My own angels. There were times when I called on them saying I need some help. I would then physically engage my core to keep upright and they would lift me a little and make the weight on my body a little less. Beautiful and powerful stuff.</p> <p><br /> It was great to get to the petrol station in Hillcrest that I had run from at Easter. Yay - familiar roads but the kilometres were further than I thought. My feet were cramping so badly at one point that I had to hold onto these 2 spectators - they were so sweet and supportive (physically and verbally!). He kept on offering me food and his wife would chastise him - "oh no the poor girl can't eat a pork sausage!". Off I trundled again down down down Botha's hill. My music was particularly inspiring at that point. My version of Wind beneath my Wings came on and I thought it was fabulous! Frank Sinatra's "I did it my way" - felt particularly apt.<br /> Field's Hill was hectic. I heard Bruce's voice saying shorten your strides and it will help - I did and it did!</p> <p><br /> I knew Doug was the other side of Pinetown going up Cowies Hill. And I was running towards him. Well perhaps the word "running" is a little exaggerated! His hug this time was too painful to stretch my back that way but the rest of him was perfect. He ran/walked with me up Cowies. Next time I was to see him was at the finish. I met up with an RAC runner - he was funny and a complete chatterbox - in fact I think he used up the man's quota of 3000 words from down Cowies to the other side of Westville! He also had a brain tumour that was due to be operated on in a month. You know we just never know what life is going to give us. I send him strength.</p> <p>Ok, so Westville seemed to go on a very long time. My energy levels were dropping, my quads were finished, my feet were cramping, my glutes were going into spasm - jurre bliksem! I found my self BEHIND the 12 hour bus - oh bugger! One of the other rules of Comrades - besides no new clothes or shoes - is don't get behind the 12 hour bus! I ran with the back marker of the bus - an old man who was on his 10th Comrades. He was fabulous and so encouraging.<br /> </p> <p><br /> I cried down to 45th cutting - the down hills were doing me in at that point. I hobbled on the uphills and shuffled on the flats. 5kms to go, 4kms to go. They weren't quite flying past me now but the numbers were definitely getting smaller. However the cutoff was looming. I kept on waiting for my 2nd wind - but that kept eluding me. And so I shuffled on. The back marker left me - oh bugger again! West street was jolly long. Then it was left onto Walnut - I could sense home. But I was still worried about getting there on time. It was taking me 12 minutes a kilometre! There was this huge bus in front of me and what if there were too many people at the finish line.....</p> <p><br /> Then I saw the lights and the entrance to the stadium. I was there and there was time. As I went under some tunnel I started to cry and sob and laugh. The field section was long and beautiful and amazing. I didn't feel the agony in my body any more. I beeped over the finish mat, pressed the time on my watch and cried a little more. I was my own hero on that day. I had surpassed boundaries I didn't know I had, I had reached deep into my own power and strength and was not found wanting. Everything I needed was within me.</p> <p><br /> Thank you all for your love and wishes and belief in me. </p> <p><br /></p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/aileens-story">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-309656974488956672?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-65641836289695029592010-05-30T17:44:00.001+02:002010-05-30T17:44:36.725+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> I write this with tears in my eyes. Tears of pride and joy.<p /> My dear friend Aileen has just crossed the finish line of the the Comrades marathon - a run of 90km between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. But for Aileen, it wasn't that simple.&nbsp; Since she entered the race last year, it has been a momentous struggle to get to the start line.<p /> Its been months of fighting niggles and muscle tweaks and the constant nerves of a big goal.&nbsp; She dealt with both injury and fear with eveness and acceptance. And when the final large hip injury struck just weeks before the event, she fought back despite the naysayers. With a week to go, she managed to get on top of the injury but life hadn't finished yet.<p /> She and Doug had travelled to Pietermaritzburg for the race and when they stopped to collect her race number, their car was broken into.&nbsp; Everything was taken.<br /> All the carefully packed running kit, the worn in shoes, the running belt with all the pre-packed kit she would need - everything. It was a devastating blow.<p /> But she fought back again, bought brand new stuff ignoring the old adage of nothing new on race day. Having come so far and through so much, she refused to allow these petty thieves to take the dream away.<p /> She finished.<p /> I am so proud to have run just some of the way with Aileen over the last couple of months. <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/a-story-of-courage">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-6564183628969502959?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-72399314650693791092010-05-24T15:31:00.001+02:002010-05-24T15:31:12.768+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> I love autumn the best of all the seasons. The yellow light as the weaker sun shines through the fading leaves of the Syringa tree, the subtle colours of the grasslands&nbsp; sprinkled with candy coloured cosmos and the freshness of the cold mornings.<p /> But I wish my body would adjust quicker. I went for a run this morning. Came back, had hot tea, then a hot shower, breakfast and sat down at my desk. I just got colder and colder till my hands were numb. <p /> On Saturday, it was the same. Even after a huge bowl of hot porridge. I ended up huddled in a blanket on the couch in the only spot of sun trying to get warm again.&nbsp; Sometimes I find that after eating, my extremities get icy cold as the blood rushes to my stomach (at least I think that's why it happens). Then as autumn progresses into winter, it all eventually settles down. So I want to know? Is there something I can eat/drink to make this process hurry up?<p /> Soon though, everything will adjust and come August/September, these same temperatures will feel too hot. <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/blood-thickeners-wanted">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-7239931465069379109?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-66276958980843808892010-05-21T15:29:00.002+02:002010-05-23T16:16:47.981+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">I am not sure how to write up experiences of the past week. Its been a different mountain biking experience - especially when there is no bike.<br /><br />On Friday, I zipped to my lbs to collect my bike only to find out there had been a misunderstanding about the spares and some strong advice not to ride it in its current condition. So it was off to the Berg with hiking boots and trail shoes.<br /><br />We were going to begin planning some trails for a client as well as recce the area for a new event.<br /><br />It was three glorious days of quiet and fesh air. Tramping all over the mountains assessing grade, fall lines, drainage and routes was a whole new way of getting involved in mountain biking. Alpheus, the hotel guide, had cut about 200 bamboo stakes and painstakinginly painted their tips white - good call else you can't see them in the long grass.&nbsp;<br /><br />The tractor delivered them in the trailer to a central point and then it was boot camp.<br />I filled my back pack with stakes and felt like an archer with a quiver of bows. I would have been useless in battle though as I could barely reach around to grab any - none of those Lord of the Rings Elven archery skills. But we hiked to a particularly steep section where we planned to link some cattle paths above us to the trail we were on. It was hard work stamping through the thick grass and hammering in the stakes with a 4 pound hammer.&nbsp; And we were trekking up the hill.<br /><br />Once the basic route was in place, it was back to the trailer to mark another section along the edge of a small waterfall. This was a lot easier and the terrain was flatter.&nbsp; Then it was time for a well earned break.<br />In the afternoon, we got wiser. We requisitioned the tractor to take the trailer all the way back to our morning's provisional work and bring all the stakes with him.&nbsp; Better still, he was able to drive up the hillside and drop them off along the way.&nbsp; So now we had a winding trail of stakes every 2/3m. Finally, we could see the shape starting to emerge.<br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/KbLHb2ZH40b00F0DWguO5Gx3zC4UZXdf9GMa0PxrrCGsbmqxjYkgoKcDIabn/IMG_2041.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/rdhTxIYZgQmIwJ1yN4R55j14pmMqMUB0LqpcdRz6ExVnwFSR13TsuwENo5g9/IMG_2041.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a>It was getting dark by the time we had finished and we jolted back in the trailer to save a bit of time and to save our now very sore feet.&nbsp; One particular gear change squashed my hand against the side of the trailer and I had a cut and immediate bruising to add insult to my already sore legs and would have repercussions the next day.<br /><br />The next day we arranged for the tractor to meet us closer to the top of the trail where we had run out of stakes. I headed out before the others intent on measuring distances on my GPS as well as to suss out the planned descent.&nbsp; I hiked down the hill which gives a different perspective and then I hiked back up again. I made some modifications, bashing in the stakes with a stout bamboo cane (the hammer hadn't arrived yet).<br /><br />Eventually Alpheus arrived with a bundle of stakes on his shoulders as the trailer could not be brought close enough.&nbsp; He also had a spade.<br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/A3DqaeXiPrs8EMIJvs8strh2vlFAlOn0dkc19F4bcrW64ejc1xLXNZiPOFKx/IMG_2049.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/ZUyDvvBpuG13ZaCCaA4FQ2mn6gRwqYEPwos00UYOdkLE3WNmZSSNq49wwZMu/IMG_2049.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a>So we finished the last pegging and got to the muddy river crossing which was the cattle drinking spot. Alpheus was keen to dig out the crossing and make it rideable (I don't know if he can actually ride a bike- will have to test him) and I felt bad that he had brought the spade all the way.<br /><br />So the two of us got stuck in and moved rocks and clods of earth to create a temporary stone bridge. It was here that I realised the folly of digging in this mud/dung with a cut on my hand. (I followed up with a tetanus injection the next day).<br /><br />But it was fun to do although it will have to be contructed better. The upper section of trail was a well defined cattle path and didn't need much marking but we did spot an alternative descent off the mountain which will be better than I had originally planned.<br /><br />So now, the staff will have to brushcut the route, we'll ride it rough and then begin the hard, manual labour of clearing the trail and building the turns.<br /><br />It was a tired but happy body that came home to the city.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/and-now-for-something-different-3">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/and-now-for-something-different-3">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-6627695898084380889?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-59427059542474258212010-05-12T16:52:00.001+02:002010-05-12T16:52:40.619+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> I am amazed how one can ride the same old routes and never discover their true value and beauty. Saturday was no exception. The trusty mates and I headed out to the Cradle for a gorgeous autumn amble. Six kms into the ride, Gadget was writhing in the grass clutching his thighs, then his calves then his hamstrings and then he started all over again.<p /> Racked with cramps after completing a tough 9 day ride the week before, he couldn't move whether it be riding or walking. We decided that seeing there was no blood, we could leave him to make his way home. It took him about 2 hours.<p /> In the meantime we pushed on. There comes a time in every rider's life when the phrase "Why don't we ride that and see where it goes" can be a gateway to a magical experience or just plain awful and frustrating moments.<p /> Our first "Lets try that track" climbed up the hill and ended at a huge game fence and a battered braai. Great views but disappointing result. Although we did wave to Gadget as he gingerly made his way home on the opposite hillside. So we took the tiger line across the veld and picked up the farm road and came to another decision point. You know the one where someone has regularly said, "Next time we must see where that goes" pointing up the hills and fast disappearing jeep track.<p /> Game we were and game it was. Probably 500m into the climb we crested the hill and spotted a herd of Eland blending into the gray green landscape of trees and boulders. As they moved off, we pushed on and to our absolute delight, the jeep track turned into stunning single track winding along the base of the hill and dropping down to various river beds before meandering on again.<p /> "Shame, poor Gadget" we muttered as we explored. I wished for the thousandth time that I had my camera.<p /> A chat and a sticky bar under a spreading tree gave us renewed impetus and we followed the track all the way back to below the mountain with the braai where we startled some more eland into crashing into the game fence before bolting up the hill to safety. Then we circled back to the main farm road. It had been quite a hard effort as the single track had sharp ups and down and had been very rocky but we loved it.<p /> We had to cross through several fences on the next section and where we usually manouvered our bikes around the posts, Dave (The Elf) simply threw his bike over onto some tall elephant grass leaving us stunned. He's getting a new bike so I guess he really didn't care. The rest was pretty much the usual until we hit the veggie farm. Bakkie loads of cabbages had been coming out of this farm and there were still zillions of fat and flourishing plants. <p /> The bridge over the river had been partially washed away with the heavy rains of the past month which must have made it difficult for the farm trucks but as we rounded the corner - What? More single track! Ok, so we were doing it about face and going up hill when we should have been racing down it but it made for far more interesting climbing. Somewhere in the middle of our happy moments we made a pact not to tell Gadget. It would kill him to know that he missed out.<p /> I'm not going to mention how long it took us to ride a mere 40km but the fun factor was off the scale.<p /> <i>On a side note, I rode my road bike on Sunday and was astounded to ride up behind a horse and cart going at a helluva clip up Witkoppen Rd in the midst of suburbia. The horse (apparently a Shire) was enormous and the driver of the trap explained in a guttural accent that the horse was well shod in the front and wasn't hurting its legs on the tar. Did I ask a stupid question?&nbsp; Maybe.&nbsp; But I had to ride like hell to get away from this huge, huge beast. If the hill had been longer, I would have lost.</i> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/weird-and-beautiful-0">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-5942705954247425821?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-70210187490824329022010-05-04T15:24:00.003+02:002010-05-04T17:39:57.107+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">I haven't "raced" in a very long time. I can't remember when I last lined up in a start pen surrounded by hundreds of other riders but Sunday was the day.<br /><br />I received a complimentary entry to the Honda Mountain Trophy Adventure race. A whole 45km! But remember, I haven't been on my bike for several weeks and almost all of my riding over the last year has been at coffee ride pace.<br /><br />The rain had bucketed down in the night and the going was wet and muddy. But I had a secret weapon. Left over from the MTN Panorama Tour were some sachets of USN's Anabolic Nitro. These are guaranteed to give you explosive energy and going by what the riders in the Tour's time trial said, it works.<br /><br />So it was with a bit of trepidation, I glugged down some of the stuff 30 minutes before starting.&nbsp; We stood around in the pen chatting and reminiscing and eventually we were off. I felt good.<br /><br />I passed people. Then we hit the jeep track and I passed people on the left (I don't why they were all in a polite line on the right). Then I started passing the people from the stage race who had started 5 mins before us. Then I hit mud and grass and I heard my rear wheel start to whine as it all jammed solid. At the top of each steep rise (which was a quick push), I tried to poke out the solid mixture but was hurrying to keep my place which I think was at least the first woman.&nbsp; I was conscious of the need to free the wheel else my legs would take more of a hammering than they were already.<br /><br />Eventually I was crawling up a hill feeling like I was in my big ring and I realised I would have to take the time to do it properly. So with a lot of prodding, digging in of fingers, I eventually got rid of the mess but by now I had lost interest.&nbsp; Returning the same way we left, I made the silly error of changing lines on a rocky, muddy downhill trying to pass a "girl in pink". Thump - I hit the deck. Luckily it was more damage to the ego but I have a beaut bruise on my thigh.<br /><br />It was now 12km into the race and I was bored. I was sore and the guys dressed warmly on the other side of fence made for far more interesting conversation than the slog. But "girl in pink" remained just in front and, I reasoned, I had a comp entry so should at least respect that.<br /><br />On we went. Bumpy grass firebreaks along the fence and a few brown buck in the distance. Not the most inspiring. Then we turned out the reserve and had a quick downhill. I had lost sight of the "girl in pink" when I stopped at the waterpoint but I figured she wouldnt be far.&nbsp; A quick downhill section on a blessedly smooth dirt road and we hit another dirt road which was all too familiar. It was a section that we had ridden often on our Magaliesberg rides when preparing for Freedom Challenge and also for years before that. I knew where we were and what to expect.<br /><br />Against the odds, I had good rhythm going up the hill and encouraged some riders explaining about the long downhill to come. Big Ring finally. I put my head down and cranked up the speed. Everytime I looked back, I could see a train of riders behind me. Didn't they know I was a long slow rider?? Clearly not. We blew past "girl in pink" like she was looking for parking and eventually, I left my train behind as well.<br /><br />Bizarre. But now it was slog time again and I was mega hungry. Being out of race and long distance practice, I had no bars or snacks. Eish - what a mission to get home with slurpy mud which hugged your wheels and slowed your speed dramatically. I caught up with another girl (this one I knew) so I shamelessly sat on her wheel recovering although the effort of riding in the soft squelch was a killer. Eventually I chose a better line and also left her behind.<br />Now I was tired. But I could see the entrance to Maropeng and the finish. No, no, and again, no!&nbsp; Do race organisers not realise what a mistake it is to bring the riders close to the finish and then send them on an arbitrary loop around crap grassy riding for no other reason than to add distance! It is such as basic mistake. The extra loop around the perimeter fence was bloody awful and added no value at all.&nbsp; I was seriously grumpy and sore when I finished. A very respectable 3rd lady and with my stoppages for mud, not that far behind in riding time.<br /><br />I was suitably impressed but also very surprised. Apparently I was fairly hyper when I got home (several hours after the event as I was socialising) and the conclusion was the unbelievable performance of the USN Anabolic Nitro. Because it can't be me - I just haven't got that kind of talent nor fitness!<br /><br />Hmmmm. Looking back, I really enjoyed riding hard and pushing. So I reckon a few more shorter races had better be on the cards but with a bit more training inbetween.<br /><br /><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/turning-the-legs-inside-out">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-7021018749082432902?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-3093541262423270232010-04-30T14:21:00.001+02:002010-04-30T14:21:32.641+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> Its pretty awesome to create an event that has everyone smiling and enthusiastic about their ride. But it burns the proverbial rear end not be able to ride it myself.<p /> There is no question about participating - simply too many responsbilities to swan off on my bike with the other riders. Besides, I do get to talk to them from the comfort of my car or from the roadside. And if the weather is freezing like it was last weekend, well, I'm just warm and toasty.<p /> The MTN Panorama Tour is the only road tour for amateur riders. They ride in teams of two and for many, it is the first time that they experience this level of cameraderie. There is something about being out of sight of any other team but still having someone there with you which makes the long kms bearable.<p /> Mountainbikers are well used to this concept and are now getting a bit blase. And the challenge for us race organisers, is to continually innovate. But for now, it is great to see exhausted but elated faces crossing over the finish line after the hard 24km Time Trial that brings the MTN Panorama Tour to a close.<p /> And then there is the teamwork. Not only amongst the riders but the crew - most of whom have worked on the race many times over its five year history.&nbsp; Each person just gets on and does what has to be done and if someone needs help, its always there. I sometimes feel at a loose end as everything is just taken care of but I wouldn't have it any other way. I've had the panic and the adrenalin rushes that come with crises and I can do without it.<p /> So now as we wrap up one event, I am looking forward to getting stuck into the planning of some of our new innovations. I received two brilliant books from IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) and in two weeks, I hit the road to one of the new venues.<p /> <p></p><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/qkquPYDx4BiikZ73N7EKOOsFovCfZflilaLTpVc1MeImqS9fZRPEZuijuapZ/Day1_056.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/4tRdKQo1gKXNuEUxfq4QTmC0b3kegB6VQMiCVfD7ZPn2ka6FhRLfEKvlb2Im/Day1_056.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" height="333"/></a> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/moving-on-already">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-309354126242327023?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-36531788290731843582010-04-25T13:08:00.002+02:002010-04-28T13:55:05.341+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">Pics from the day's racing - courtesy of Karen Schermbucker and Dave Collett.<br /><br /><img height="266" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/xyiaKbNR1UobK2aDJ97Yo3uXIMbQca5KPaeNbr8FNF0UiOB3RvJhFE2x3Es3/Pano_6.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="266" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/clpliMmmzmc5ecppsEiQS0QGkTKgAfPY6dsnFwm1voXljKmhNv60qpxLSuVS/Day1_003.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="266" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/qT6D3uOZiQDUwE9Pbte88kbjFUlKCmpF0jgZed18XhTRWBlIqoO4ZCyL1swb/Day1_059.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="266" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Cy0IIEpWTrTNmDgeppMlHfI51RPYKqvbsmBgR3R7qywUoyuzxsc2ITkkBWA4/Day1_061.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="207" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/oOqrfPrlFDJTqFDzTu4q4h4eJDTa8aK1O3ld6LQmS83eQplsRn6vs7oASfVl/Day1_062.jpg" width="400" /> <img height="255" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/aff7E9Q3Kz6q6TjVRRcgGmaFTKrrA8v6oJ2kbYGquTDMLqNoivKtNwWR9R02/Day1_069.jpg" width="400" /> <br /><div><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/the-mtn-panorama-tour">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/the-mtn-panorama-tour">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-3653178829073184358?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-26857250410368476702010-04-25T11:35:00.002+02:002010-04-28T13:52:32.922+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">Things are quiet on my personal cycling front. We're busy with one of my events - The MTN Panorama Tour.<br /><br />Its the only stage event for road riders in the country and the guys enjoy the cameraderie which is not usually apparent in road races. Professional riders may not ride with another pro which creates a huge vibe amongst all the riders. I'ts not often they get to see the elite riders mixing it up amongst the bunches back in the field.<br />The days are long and hard with lots of climbing and there are a lot of tired cyclists at the end of each day.<br /><br />More pics on this soon<br /><br /><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/road-stage-riding-for-amateurs">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-2685725041036847670?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-36346529612513472652010-04-14T13:07:00.002+02:002010-04-14T13:09:01.753+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">The photographic record of our ride on the weekend says more than the words. We all rode as we felt on the day and there was no pressure to keep together or even do the same routes.&nbsp; Some photos were taken to illustrate the route for Freedom Challenge wannabees. (For a fee of a cafe mocha - I'll share).<br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/IJrEpcdCwoevIaiqCyboGjlnuFzrktisibdAqtElAotmyIglshADsCpAjDCF/IMG_1975.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/IJrEpcdCwoevIaiqCyboGjlnuFzrktisibdAqtElAotmyIglshADsCpAjDCF/IMG_1975.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br />So here we are at the turnoff to the Weltevreden Farm, maps out and much gesticulating. As we headed off to the Stormberg portage, Andre and I tried another option which came out too high and resulted in a steep scramble down to the blockhouse, disturbing a duiker from the bush. We had a birds eye view of the other riders as well as the goods train hissing quietly in the siding while waiting for the passenger train - Shosholoza Meyl - to come through. We scampered across the line just in front of the incoming train.<br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/JJmqzDcnDlqdcqsoypwHnxFdFmfzfBrefHpctmmJiBgilucHIIpCeruztFzp/IMG_1985.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/JJmqzDcnDlqdcqsoypwHnxFdFmfzfBrefHpctmmJiBgilucHIIpCeruztFzp/IMG_1985.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br />The Plaas Kombuis (Farm Kitchen) was closed but it is the venue for the Molteno mountain bike race and we rode some of those routes on our meander around the the Stormberg. It sat in the shadow of the second Blockhouse and it was amusing to see all the old sheds and outhouses converted to showers and toilets for the riders. There were some ancient farm implements lying around harking back to a bygone era.<a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/IJrggHeycdJFBlGwJJrmtgzfAGBiuHvowmpGggAwuHIuJAlhntnlmfACdeCu/IMG_1981.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/IJrggHeycdJFBlGwJJrmtgzfAGBiuHvowmpGggAwuHIuJAlhntnlmfACdeCu/IMG_1981.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /></a> This is the infamous blockhouse as mentioned on the narratives for the Freedom Challenge. The walls are almost a meter thick and the outer layer of sandstone is pockmarked from bullets fired in the Boer War. It was built to protect the railway line which was the main supply line of troops and supplies.<a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/xwequwIoChmxxwwscDyeojmpjlrowzpjGEinhJuDudgcnIiwmtpwalFexcBf/IMG_2011.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/xwequwIoChmxxwwscDyeojmpjlrowzpjGEinhJuDudgcnIiwmtpwalFexcBf/IMG_2011.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /></a> If you see this sign when crossing Aasvoelberg, you know you're on the right route. Say no more other than hope that you are faster than your fellow riders when it counts.<br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/BCIbnFmppkiepkkIktuxfeywplGICsubptxIJryDgbexokhebehffrdkBfaF/IMG_0226.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/BCIbnFmppkiepkkIktuxfeywplGICsubptxIJryDgbexokhebehffrdkBfaF/IMG_0226.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /></a> We discovered in the light of day that we had made an error when entering Elandsberg during the race. We turned too early and wasted at least an hour of precious light getting back on track. It was only now that we saw how simple it actually was. However, during the race, we were able to find the faint wagon tracks fairly easily making up for the ealier blunder. The tracks lie directly in front of Andre (third from left) but it is still another 150m to find them and in the mist beyond him is the Elandsberg mountain. Once over the mountain, we split up all over the veld looking for the quickest way to the jeep track. (Hint: walk 90 degrees to the fence and you should reach it within 200m). That is assuming you, as the rider, have remembered to cross over the fence!<a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/FdmCdbodpCFiJjnwmndvIqjwsxFcHiaBDxcbanBHmFHwrdFafGcDErgvwshl/IMG_0237.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/FdmCdbodpCFiJjnwmndvIqjwsxFcHiaBDxcbanBHmFHwrdFafGcDErgvwshl/IMG_0237.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/FdljHdrFyJdjjdgDhsHaDwGFwxDpjjEromwFGIdGxcBGpBmzpbvaxJjiuCEl/IMG_0236.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/FdljHdrFyJdjjdgDhsHaDwGFwxDpjjEromwFGIdGxcBGpBmzpbvaxJjiuCEl/IMG_0236.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /></a> Once over, we headed on some very fast dirt roads to Cradock. Renato had yet another puncture and the group split at this point. Derek, Doug and I took the tiger line to Cradock while Alex and Renato headed over two tar roads in the direction of the Stuttgart Support Station before turning back to Cradock and the tandem took the middle route.&nbsp; The wind pumped into our faces for over 20kms into town and we were glad to see the Wimpy and our backup vehicle.<a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/BDlBtFyEkIyIqrkhpzrkGrdgyytIpvymFDGnfJtBioanpfzgjhnefagGfobC/IMG_0245.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/BDlBtFyEkIyIqrkhpzrkGrdgyytIpvymFDGnfJtBioanpfzgjhnefagGfobC/IMG_0245.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /></a> I forced the others to stop at the laybye so I could look at the Fish River - the scene of my many canoeing epics. Then we headed to our accommodation which was absolutely picturesque. The Tuishuise are all original cottages that have been restored in the style of the era (circa 1890) and we spent some time wandering the length of the street admiring them.<a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/pFEwGsjeCisiotqjxBoBqHrCAvBrzopfltiaAjlDfCitjvbceruxqCwuajqC/IMG_2028.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/pFEwGsjeCisiotqjxBoBqHrCAvBrzopfltiaAjlDfCitjvbceruxqCwuajqC/IMG_2028.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/udewfxrbosteegxIxrCInmwIalrivkudvBHAfuuDdEzemqCEineAsoApDkmz/IMG_2036.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-04-11/udewfxrbosteegxIxrCInmwIalrivkudvBHAfuuDdEzemqCEineAsoApDkmz/IMG_2036.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br /><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/space-to-be-free">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-3634652961251347265?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-41001422510319464842010-04-04T14:40:00.001+02:002010-04-04T14:40:53.294+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'>The rain came down last night giving us cool overcast conditions. We decided on a late start which tied in nicely with the weather. After a substantial breakfast we headed out of Hofmeyer for 6km before hitting the dirt road with a strong tailwind. Those first 26km to the end of the road flew past. Doug and I realised to our disgust that we had made a navigation error in the race which cost us at least an hour. (Note to other FC riders - ride to the second gate) <p /> The wagon trail was shorter than I remembered and finding the jeep track was easier too. Then it was fast riding until the group split with some going over Baroda Weir while we battled the headwind all the way to town. Now its lunch! Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/elandsberg-in-the-daylight">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-4100142251031946484?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-33627104617152413282010-04-03T21:54:00.001+02:002010-04-03T21:54:21.808+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'>We missed out on the Aasvoelberg portage due to weather during the race and man, I was glad to see what is was all about. First off, its mostly rideable - uphill. The downhill is gnarly and adrenalin pumping. Some white knuckle moments. The tandem was incredible coping better than us on the rocky and very steep jeep track descent. At the bottom, we are all grinning like lunatics and this moment was rounded off by coffee and rusks at the Magdala farmhouse. <p /> I was feeling great despite the pumping headwind and we crested a small climb to be faced with the huge expanse of the Karoo. But first there was another wicked pass to descend. We gradually picked up speed and hauled the last 35km stopping only for a brief coke stop when we met up with our vehicle. It was a reunion with the local coffee and pie shop although in much warmer conditions than the last time. We're now ensconced in the Karoobos B&B and the stories of the trail fly thick and fast. The day was 88km and a brilliant mix of terrain, views and hospitality. <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/aasvoelberg-rocks">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-3362710461715241328?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-20558283786536064652010-04-02T18:19:00.001+02:002010-04-02T18:19:50.871+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'>We were scattered all over the Stormberg today. Dr Rudi de Wet (who was the race doc for Freedom Challenge) rode with us and was a massive store of knowledge on the Boer War battles in 1900. We checked out the blockhouses and graves for British soldiers killed in an ambush. <p /> The riding was pretty easy and the views were stunning. Groves of poplar trees were donning their autumn colours and the veld was green and lush. I split off from the group to head back a different way with Rudi and was treated to a panorama from the Stormberg around to De Rust farm all the way to Aasvoelberg. Then a 10km descent to Molteno with a tailwind rounded off an 80km day. Brilliant! <p /> Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/a-history-lesson-9">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-2055828378653606465?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-7591856348829700962010-04-01T10:20:00.001+02:002010-04-01T10:20:46.299+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'>Not only have I driven through Hofmeyer (near Molteno) 100 times but I have a map book. The boys have the GPS. First they couldn't find Molteno on the GPS and now they can't find the N1 highway. The route is Jhb to Bloem then Gariep dam to Steynsburg and finally Molteno. For some inexplicable reason they decided to follow the GPS and we are now on a dirt road looking for town called Excelsior. Our speed is 75km/h instead of 130k/h and it is quite silent in the car. We looked at the non technology direction finder - the map book - and saw we were closer to Maseru (Lesotho) than our destination. How these two got to Cape Town in last year's Freedom Challenge is a mystery. Oh yes, they didn't have a GPS, only maps! <br />Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/high-tech-not">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-759185634882970096?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-76437400389738732482010-03-31T10:22:00.003+02:002010-03-31T14:59:48.862+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">Yes it is. Another word for hitting the mountain biking trails in the middle of nowhere.&nbsp; The crew from last year's <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.freedomchallenge.org.za">Freedom Challenge</a> (or Race Across South Africa) are heading out to re-explore some of the routes we traversed last year.<br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/QcvJIGiZsEpKor74Q7NSnL7yesRCzpgUyc0aEH5B7kQ4oMOqdcfo32XA9TW3/IMG_0319.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/0S3YBY84viMaffAxAj2FWXqHQzzfe81i60Y5L6PCpvCWZ9Gpfv2bs909rO7J/IMG_0319.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a>The upside? Better weather, more sociable and a back up vehicle. The downside - much less miles in the legs and butt.<br /><br />I'm really looking forward to seeing this terrain as we missed out some of the most beautiful and spectacular riding due to bad weather and horrible choices.<br /><br />And, whats more, we'll get to see some of the kind hosts who look after the riders on their epic ride.<br /><br />Romansfontein (just outside Molteno) was hospitable beyond words. Stephanie and her daughters treated us like royalty. All our clothes were washed and dried while we sat around in borrowed kit eating and eating. She dug out cough mixture for me which was a life saver over the next week allowing me to sleep better. In fact, Romansfontein was the first time since I started the race, that I had a full nights sleep.<br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/SfHWMVK84N629SU7tl3HfjrbwQfUF6Axezwjrb3zKULo7g5N9UeJg84PGDaY/IMG_1469.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Q8KmMmcbJ0E7vjxoDveq8XkUxE6AwU1Z9W7ApFBLqGBtA7qkP7lZktUxCp3O/IMG_1469.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a>Molteno is also the home of Dr Rudi de Wet. He was the race doctor and was studying endurance cycling. What a perfect group to study. He saw it all. I had big knee issues in the first week and he coaxed me through.<br /><br />From Molteno, we head to Hofmeyer. Last year we left in blizzard conditions and and ploughed our way through mud and high winds and sleet. Arriving in Hofmeyer, the group was re-united in the pie shop. I had two hot chocolates and two pies.<br /><br />I remember one member of our group, Mark, heading to the local co-op to buy himself the thick plastic waterproofs worn by the farmworkers and gloves of similar rgidity. He was that desperate.<br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/FF5iS60Sn6G0EOy8CPJBsHqlyYrgl5fenoRXvn4hHFqCJrspyV6EasYbMWoa/IMG_1464.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/GWc1Ba8gWv90Ll89Bh1zDbWtUAThfggofcMY8QwVzBDb56o60Edjx3syl6tC/IMG_1464.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a>It will be a coffee visit with Margaret of Elandsberg stopover fame. She was expecting four of us at 16:30 last year. Well, seven arrived at 20.30. Unfazed, she brought out piles of food and sorted us all with beds. I miss being able to eat all I can see.<br /><br />We left for the farm, Stuttgart after that and I was assailed with much nostalgia as we crossed over the Fish River. In my previous non-riding life, I had done 10 canoe races down this river earning a coveted Coelecanth award.<br /><br /><br />But this year, we may bypass the river and head straight towards Cradock - the scene of many wild parties in my canoeing days.&nbsp; Somehow, mountainbiking has never reached those levels of debauchery. Maybe some bottles of wine might help.<br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/IU5b5p5GKfj1PbOcRSoHzaETokXCwqqDFP4hr4inXgNFDvOjBgviSFG7eIEE/IMG_0346.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/LjngmzcQVMWrHfHt2M3IEp1SwpcPhsjFUseOzHE3J3EZr8nPAXUCcyMKjIG0/IMG_0346.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />You can read the details of this awesome race on <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.dash4freedom.blogspot.com/">www.dash4freedom.blogspot.com</a>.&nbsp; It was the greatest 3 weeks ever and I am so excited about going back.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/freedoms-just-another-word">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/freedoms-just-another-word">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-7643740038973873248?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-56792940572216932072010-03-26T15:00:00.002+02:002010-03-29T09:20:40.727+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">I can't wait to go back and check out more routes.<br />Watch this space over the next couple of months.<br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/X0zw3sYxFdKgMbae2f0Zgf459CY6EAIm4F7ytWASUPlpK4vxsL6PaF7EKcNT/IMG_1948.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="375" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/2DIlIeITSDFg3NTbi0QoiCwxTebgbPBm4iyWR3et3tqWGOrYAOju4F7aATga/IMG_1948.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/VVp1rgl7jdl84nDS21DiXZ3FHWks2FnXRTKtDCiiXRx6bwDqj1xcTOPK0P0z/IMG_1960.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="375" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/5LCv8Qme8OBMSBk10hOJUUun3g1xyMM1DpVZNq9HxbWUuCNGCKyFf0HKYXcO/IMG_1960.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br /><div><br /><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/more-mountain-splendour">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/more-mountain-splendour">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-5679294057221693207?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-90197680355077995992010-03-25T10:08:00.001+02:002010-03-25T10:08:02.691+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> Imagine riding your bike with this backdrop!<p /> <p></p><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Dj5EzogXx7XlmhBEp0lc90Fcp9UgTyoSz4qG3yzgl6pQCSCSoywdZ01ZHJb9/IMG_1945.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/guP8tyeyGqSGIG6d0Hk6iAkIkSgLb4LUxEhD42QVybseSGvIQtCTKycNEVu8/IMG_1945.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" height="375"/></a> </p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/breathtaking-91">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-9019768035507799599?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-33537992254106665942010-03-23T10:37:00.001+02:002010-03-23T10:37:44.146+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> Its been a good couple of weeks. I'm feeling a litle fitter but the wheels came off a bit this last weekend with very little exercise. Thats not strictly true. A couple of us rode in the Cradle of Mankind through some private farms (with permission). Its a far cry to see these areas again in the late summer. Last I rode here was autumn last year and the grass is currently thick and lush and overgrown. However, I did have to have a little nap later that afternoon.<p /> But there are always compensations. <p /> I'm typing this post sitting in the back of a Vito minibus on my way to the Drakensbeg.<p /> Yup, its Tuesday and a work week. You can be jealous - I don't mind.<p /> The shade of green may change when I say I am going to recce some new mountain bike spots! Oh yeah. A yet untapped area for all us knobbly tire enthusiasts. We're a group of 7 checking out various options. I don't have my bike this time. Pity. But the good news is that I will have to come back a few times, make that a lot more times.<p /> Just to put the knife in a little deeper, after the 'berg, we head off to the KZN Midlands to check out another spot. What a job.<p /> I'm looking forward to posting some pictures after our trip. <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/the-mountain-biking-adventures-never-end">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-3353799225410666594?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-25321524248825478672010-03-15T14:07:00.002+02:002010-03-15T14:11:59.537+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost"><big><i><b>Pirelliology</b> </i><i>n. the noble art of being able to identify tires from the tracks they leave on the ground</i></big> (<a href="http://world.std.com/%7EJimf/biking/slang.html#P">Mountainbikers Dictionary of Slang</a>)<br /><b><br /></b><b>So there we were, riding across South Africa in the middle of winter on the<a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.freedomtrail.org.za"> Freedom Trail</a> with a race route and set of instructions in hand. As a non stop race, riders were scattered all over the 2300km trail, some racing to the finish and others focused on just finishing.</b><br /><br /><b></b><b> Now, most people would see a tire track and say; "Oh look, lets follow those tire tracks and hope they are going in the right direction."</b><br /><br /><b>But not Gadget.</b><br /><br /><b>"Look, there is a Maxxis Igniter tread pattern. Thats what Marnitz rides. That means we're on track."&nbsp; "There it is again", "and again", "and again."</b><br /><br /><b>Several days later...</b><br /><br /><b>"And here we have a Kenda Small Block 8 which is Fiona's tire - let me take a photo of it to show her."</b><br /><br /><b>Gadget - the consumate Pirelliologist.</b><br /><br /><b><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/WtMUVfyYDNgFqBI3mayTmyzyWvp33ISzvzrdW4z6XNqsNX47atEMOeGaODND/Freedom_Challenge_Race_Pics_33.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/cM02ecBhisLT0sh1KpQxFgfGPuWQ8Fkvi6At0B9Bl29lSthkN0fDzJ1bEel2/Freedom_Challenge_Race_Pics_33.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/INQIiVhMKkXSH6FmbMqPrnQDXkv1xjiXrNyev8dmw1B1GS8MAd4AqaWcGU15/IMG_1490.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/878ciqs3oVMfNzA4U6HINYC90gIcFkWnl2SDCZl7uL3Uu3tSxZYvvM5VB0NW/IMG_1490.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> </b><br /><div><b><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/perfect-slang">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a></b></div><b></b> <br /><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/perfect-slang">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-2532152424882547867?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-27360978101638428542010-03-08T12:01:00.003+02:002010-03-08T12:07:45.751+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">Yes, I had it all worked out. Muscle memory, running training and a bit of cycling and I would be fine to ride the training camp for this year's Panorama Tour.<br /><br />Not!<br /><br />I died and then I died the next day and the next. I even cut my distances short.<br /><br />I have never been so thoroughly beaten up by these routes and I deserved it. I had thought that my once or twice a week saunter/spining class would be enough to see me through. The running had clearly helped my lungs because I was never really stressed in my breathing but my legs wouldn't turn the cranks hard enough and as for my butt...less said the better.<br /><br />It was gorgeous riding weather for White River - cool and overcast. The bush was lush, the potholes manageable and the first day of 80k didnt seem too bad. But zero to 80k is still a big ask and Badger (Steve Honey of Freedom Challenge fame and even less fitness) and I managed to stay in touch with the group, mostly. This was Stage 2 of the actual race.<br /><br />Stage 1 is always brutal and even when fit, I hit it with some healthy trepidation. It started OK but the hills are long and short downhills limit the recovery. Not even the sighting of a hippo in the dams near the McQueens avo farm would keep the energy levels high. There is one mother of a hill on the Sabie-Hazyview road and and I am not ashamed to say I got a lift in the backup vehicle for this! I was at the back and was steadily increasing the gap. I also found that if I knew there were riders behind me, I would push harder to keep them there whereas there was no incentive with the bakkie droning behind me and reminding me of my lowly position. Badger had wisely stayed at home.<br /><br />A second long lift deposited me at the second water point where after a long chat, I headed back for the last twenty or so kays. Seeing it was mostly downhill, I found a good rhythm and finished feeling strongish (except for the tender rear).&nbsp; There were several tales of woe after that day and everyone was feeling somewhat drained. So the next day, there was general consensus that we would repeat the 80k stage instead of the much tougher Stage 3 (117k).<br /><br />I should have stretched. Better still, I should have stayed in bed and enjoyed the comforts of our B&amp;B. But in the end, Badger and I took a slightly shorter route home but with worse hills dammit. We still arrived before the others instead of hours after and were well into our breakfasts by the time they arrived.<br /><br />What a wake up call. If I want to do our Stormberg jaunt on the Easter weekend, I had better get more than my a*se into gear, I had better get those legs turning the pedals.<br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/IbKHNWMSkRTqYIL7A8kkLrGHceHZFr7pHRo8oxOzd4ufAIgFcEljxEUb1qfY/IMG_1912.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/OW3w7TDiCDGXy3XM7ZojvPEgQHXIAYoi3Kl5kMsmDW6VejIEJHLXIOaX3csm/IMG_1912.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br /><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/boom-the-sound-of-my-theory-imploding">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-2736097810163842854?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-52689758005072007052010-03-02T12:33:00.004+02:002010-03-02T16:57:15.366+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">I love the Winter Olympics and Vancouver did Canada proud.<br /><br />These Games are so different in style, glamour and scenery. In fact, I prefer them to the Summer Olympics. I watched enthralled as skiers threw themselves down the mountains in the Super G, knees straining to hold a line or the speed skaters rounding a curve with a millimeter of steel keeping them anchored to the ice.<br /><br />I've even watched the curling and wondered at the precision of their play and struggled to come to terms with the speed of the bob sledders (or is it sliders)? and luge.<br /><br />Its hard to explain the appeal but most of it comes down to seeing fit, confident people at the pinnacle of their careers. There is something very attractive about these supreme athletes that are modern day gladiators. They radiate a supreme energy that is palpable. I remember my forays into international canoeing and the privilege of being amongst the world's best. Its a sensation not easily explained but I felt waves of nostalgia as I watched these Games in Vancouver. I really wished myself back to those days of intense focus and larger than life goals.<br /><br />My favourite disciplines to watch were the cross country skiing which included biathlons (shooting/skiing), marathons, team events. Lots to watch and marvel at. And the speed skating for its risk, power and precision. Both are colourful and extremely physically demanding. Watching some of the coverage in slow motion makes my jaw drop at the power and effort.&nbsp; All against a pristine backdrop of snowy mountains.<br /><br />Funnily enough, the one I was least interested in was Figure Skating. Don't know why. I even watched a bit of ice hockey to try and understand its fanatic popularity in Canada - glad they won the Gold medal else the nation would be in mourning right now.<br /><br />16 days of glory for some and 16 days of devastated dreams for others.<br /><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/btksVvfQO99Rem8sSasWWAQlo7vVPU9CRKsi5tSLv0ssI1E4SfAYzMgKpKh5/cross_country_skiing.jpg"><img height="308" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/hNuH9OCx9WXgL6ZJ9KPM1IneLE350uAj92UI3XmB1l0Djc6AISJQH3GMmZFL/cross_country_skiing.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br /><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/winter-spectacle">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-5268975800507200705?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-19438488190923032712010-02-25T11:21:00.002+02:002010-02-25T11:44:58.721+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost">For 6 years, the mountain bike industry in this country has thrived. Participation has exploded and the standards of riding have improved substantially.<br />But now I ask, where to next. We have seen a plethora of events arrive on the calendar. There are no weekends without several events to choose from. Multi day racing has taken off, appealing to the long distance freaks that make up South African athletes.<br />But when is it enough or too much? Have we had enough of a good thing. I wonder whether the rest of the world has the intensity and breadth of choice we have locally. As a race organiser (<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.sabiexperience.co.za/">www.sabiexperience.co.za</a> and <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.panoramatour.co.za/">www.panoramatour.co.za</a>), I find myself wondering what is the next big thing.<br />Having personally experienced touring and loved it, I don't want to let my bias colour my thinking. So I am asking you.<br />Answer on this blog or go to the online survey I created : <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/W5WL9FJ">Plan your future riding here</a><br />All in all, the responses should be fascinating. Oh, and send the link to all your riding friends too.<br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/GyCsmauy9vnaQcHuY714jnhyBSO4IQEQgAM4f6dqDL92eqX51TgGXlxyLcfa/IMG_1323.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/kS9g5KyoPkmOqNc3NSIuz3NjbL3IWk17tsRY97PK7JFLAT1rRPbfWCv3sSWh/IMG_1323.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br /><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/quo-vadis-mountain-biking">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-1943848819092303271?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-69116531891113196002010-02-22T13:44:00.001+02:002010-02-22T13:44:58.078+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> I had the most terrible string of thoughts this weekend. They left me in a panic.<p /> I worked out that I have about 20 years left to do significant things. That's only 20 big adventures if I work on roughly one a year. All of a sudden I can see the end of my life looming (if I don't crash and burn inbetween). This is scary and I don't want to waste a moment any more.<p /> This sentiment is good in theory but there are so many other considerations that conspire to tie me up and allow me to make excuses. Family and work commitments. Decisions on what to do and where to go. Company - finding people who want to do something different and mad and can make the time.<p /> How much time do you have left? Have you thought about whether your life is greater or lesser at the moment.&nbsp; Me, I'm panicking right now. There are a couple of small adventures planned but nothing that will allow me to check off a year well lived.<p /> Last year was the Freedom Challenge and I am so glad I got that done. It was big and meaningful. This year is still early and luckily, I have time to create something. What will it be? Dunno yet but I am looking for ideas and volunteers. <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/time-running-out">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-6911653189111319600?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-90667685848888573052010-02-17T11:47:00.001+02:002010-02-17T11:47:17.359+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> <div>So the weekend stalled a bit. I took the toys but they were largely unused. It was hot in Nylsvley, Limpopo - very hot. This was good forcing us&nbsp;to veg out a bit.</div> <p /> <div>Its a smallish reserve but well known for its birdlife. The vlei or marshy area had a lot of water and stretched across the valley. Apparently in the dry months, there can be no water at all. But frogs, birds and leeches (as all the kids discovered to their intense fascination) abounded as well as a gazillion mosquitoes.</div> <p /> <div>The Myth and I went for a ride around the reserve and spotted zebra, kudu and disturbed a herd of Wildebees. I didn't get into the birdlife much but I figured it was ok to be lethargic for the rest of the day. Its helluva confusing in that area because all the town names have changed so you are pretty much guessing where you are in the country. A quick jaunt to the local town for ice and ice creams still didn't enlighten us. Mooph...- what ever its called was either Naboomspruit or Nylstroom in the old life. Even that is not a given. But the stores are all the same and you can still buy the ingredients for ice cold beer shandies.</div> <p /> <div>Sunday (no - there were no Valentine's Day chocolates!) was a great chance to check out the bird life. Even the Myth enjoyed it "more than I thought I would". We found some hides deep in the vlei with long wooden walkways to access them. I spotted some new birds to check off my list and rued the fact that I could find the bigger binoculars before we left. Hornbills and crested Fancolin visited the campsite and wandered among our feet while we sat quietly watching them. Ants removed crumbs that were scattered on any surface. A Monitor Lizards and Golden Orb spiders also topped the list of sightings.</div> <p /> <div>It was a different weekend from the usual head banging riding and running.</div> <p /> <div>But there are only 2,5 weeks to the training camp for this year's <a href="http://panoramatour.co.za">MTN Panorama Tour</a>&nbsp;and I realised I need to do some emergency training so I don't suffer too badly. Eek!</div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/a-few-calm-days">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-9066768584888857305?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-2788460606193132132010-02-12T13:04:00.001+02:002010-02-12T13:04:05.761+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> <div>I was getting into the Monday blog post groove quite nicely but I've had such a cool two weeks of getting back into my personal "happy space" that I had to share.</div> <p /> <div>You know when something is missing and you want it back but you don't know where to look. Plus, you don't have the energy to look either. I felt like that about my exercise regime. And my scale was feeling the love as well. But all of sudden, <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/the-crazy-switch">The Crazy Switch</a>&nbsp;seems to have kicked in. (Thanks again <a href="http://worldsstrongestlibrarian.com">Josh</a>)</div> <p /> <div>That elusive mojo seems to be back but without a specific goal just yet. And I'm loving being back in the exercise pond. The running is picking up nicely with a two minute improvement in my time trial time (boast, boast and thumping of&nbsp;chest). The dodgy calves are settled at the moment thanks to some intense massage and a bit of chiro tweaking. Leen-pie, running partner and friend, is hellbent on her Comrades mission so I have to hang in there. The ego doesn't like being left behind.</div> <p /> <div>I'm only riding the road bike and its great to have a different vibe, different scenery, easier riding (those skinny wheels are just great for improved momentum). The 100km I did last week was ridiculously easy. I didn't even have to have a little lie down afterwards.&nbsp;So, its&nbsp;no wonder the world is shiny and bright and I am&nbsp;living in the moment.</div> <p /> <div>This Valentine's weekend, the dust is coming off the mountain bike. Not sure if I'm ready to feel this lurve but we'll see. I'll take my trail shoes in case. The sad thing is that I had to buy my own chocolates. Myth...are you reading this?</div> <p /> <div>Spoil yourself this weekend - I am.</div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/i-cant-help-myself-2">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-278846060619313213?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-11643931176160746002010-02-10T10:03:00.002+02:002010-02-10T10:09:39.691+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost"><div><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/3Btf7C5g0gcF0iYozwOrvaFdaDpStHcaGQpyjCt0UwPbTZ9bS72mn8d2AOFd/Snagit1.png"><img height="260" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Cck2X5AdPn1sP2EVtvp0AT5vFPAWKycK08CYE2KLA0DHX5SGOeIE3WiADISt/Snagit1.png.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div>I am not sure where this originated from - but oh, so recognisable!</div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/avatar-who">Go Cycling</a> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-1164393117616074600?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-33310778137069961702010-02-09T19:51:00.001+02:002010-02-09T19:51:00.192+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> <div>Gosh, its nearly Wednesday and I'm way behind in gathering my thoughts for this week.</div> <p /> <div>I've been reading some really good stuff this week. Through Josh (<a href="http://Worldsstrognestlibrarian.com">The Worlds Strongest Librarian</a>), I discovered another blog called <a href="http://storyfix.com">Storyfix</a>. As you may have read in previus posts, I have tried my hand at writing and this blog falls into that genre.</div> <p /> <div>But what is really grabbing my attention, is Larry's deconstructing of the story of <strong>Avatar</strong>. You have seen it, haven't you? Even I, a once a year movie goer, have seen it. Now you might not find this interesting, but for me its given me more insight into the complexity of the movie and how its success is a large part of getting the story right.</div> <p /> <div>There are a number of brilliant blogs out there and no doubt, I'll be sharing much of their wisdom with you. Your ideas are wanted too. I would hate to miss out.</div> <p /> <div><em>(The Crazy Switch has flipped and I am, all of a sardine, fully back into the training mode. A 100km cycle and a 16km run - amongst other sessions - in the space of couple of days. Take that, my mojo!)</em></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/ok-im-a-day-late">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-3331077813706996170?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-35589721262799896932010-02-01T07:12:00.001+02:002010-02-01T07:12:43.410+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em>Blogging is an art. Irrespective of how technical your writing, the art is the peeks we have into another world and another perspective. Josh is courageous. Not only does he write exceptionally well, but he has allowed his readers into his private world of Tourette's Syndrome with grace and courage. I am&nbsp;privileged to share with you some of his thoughts</em>.</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">When I crossed the finish line after my final High-School Cross Country race, I fell to my knees and puked.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>My teammates had all finished far ahead of me—they were all runners, as opposed to someone who joined the team because the most attractive girls in our school all ran cross-country. </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">"How do you feel?" </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">When I could breathe again, I said, "My new goal is never to run another step.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Ever." </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">They thought I was joking.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>I thought I was serious.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>We were both wrong, sort of. </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="">Drive</b></p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">I hate running.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>I always have and I don't expect that to change.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>But I love competition, particularly with myself.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>That, and a severe case of <b style=""><a href="http://worldsstrongestlibrarian.com/4338/how-to-have-tourettes-part-7-no-excuses/">Tourette's Syndrome</a></b> which basically turned me into a hermit for a long time, brought me back to physical culture and physical challenges again and again. </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">I was talking about this with David Whitley, a former professional wrestler and current performing strongman.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>I was babbling on about why we all do the things we do.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Why we push ourselves in the ways we do. </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">I look at the madness here on <b style="">Dash For Freedom</b>, and just about all it of makes me smile.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Not just because it's inspiring or goofy or insane—it's all of those things--but because it's all so familiar, even though this isn't my sport. </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">"It's like we all have the same madness," I said, "but it manifests in a lot of different ways.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>It fascinates me."<span style="">&nbsp; </span></p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">"You're taking about the crazy switch," he said.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>"Everyone's got one.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>When you flip it on, it feeds off the same pool of energy, but you never know what's going to make sense to someone when they turn it on.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Everybody needs something different, but for the same reasons." </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">I believe it.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>I do.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Whatever it is that creates the need for us to test ourselves and challenge others—to excel and to grind our teeth and just see what we're capable off—it comes from the same place.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>I know it.<span style="">&nbsp; </span></p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">We feed off of the same things. There are people out there who climb, lift, wrestle, cycle, throw, jump, tackle, sprint, marathon, parkour, tumble, swim, motorcross, dive…on and on and on.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>And they all have one thing in common, besides the craziness, I guess: </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">They're all alive.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>They're not just breathing and sucking wind and thanking their lucky stars that they survived another day.<span style="">&nbsp; </span></p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">They're alive.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>They have purpose and they don't apologize for the things that drive them. <span style="">&nbsp;</span>And their purpose improves them.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Their improved bodies lead to improved minds.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>All of these things lead to a stronger, better individual.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>And as each individual improves, their capacity to improve others grows as well. </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">They're alive and they help others to live.<span style="">&nbsp; </span></p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">Is this too grandiose of a sports metaphor?<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Not for me.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>And if you read this blog, I suspect you might see something here that sounds familiar to you as well. </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">Flip the switch and come to life.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>The more frequently, the better. </p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><i style="">About the Author</i></strong><em>: Josh Hanagarne is the </em><span class="il"><i style="">twitchy</i></span><em> giant behind <a href="http://worldsstrongestlibrarian.com/">World's Strongest Librarian</a>, a blog about living with Tourette's Syndrome, kettlebells, book recommendations, buying pants when you're 6'8", old-time strongman training, and much more. Please subscribe to Josh's <a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/worldsstrongestlibrarian">RSS Updates</a> to stay in touch.</em></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/the-crazy-switch">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-3558972126279989693?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-74730413563159095582010-01-27T14:33:00.005+02:002010-01-27T14:41:36.338+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost"><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/BvTU8Uejol0olaeHJkrN240Irl9SS5RnmGSgoDYOQqwfGsXXUhYrwultXLNd/DSCN0403_407.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="375" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/W3CMdcRaxOiHLu03OH0wQXQBWEic7gkhYwJ71WAfDxcxh6s93U8KP8Jm6tLv/DSCN0403_407.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br /><div>The beginning of the year is the time to look ahead and set some milestones. I finally finished the coffee table book covering my Freedom Trail adventures (<a href="http://dash4freedom.blogspot.com/">Dash4Freedom)</a>&nbsp;and now I wait for the initial copy for final checking. I have started to actively look for an event or goal to get me off my lazy butt.<br /></div><div>Part of the energising came from spending an hour or so chatting about the Freedom Challenge with<span style="color: white;"> </span><a href="http://alexharris.co.za/" style="color: white;">Alex Harris</a><span style="color: white;">,</span> a reknowned South African adventurer. We pored over maps and discussed the nature of the race and I felt animated for the first time in a long time. I loved re-living the adventure and remembering the routes and challenges.<br /></div><div>And while I doubt I'll&nbsp;do the event again (but never say never), I realised how much I enjoyed mountain bike touring and exploring. Just talking about the various sections of the race inspired me to look at some weekend trips and with it came the jolt. I have to get fit. A casual 125km ride isn't going to happen comfortably on my current programme of no riding!<br /></div><div>So there are some ideas brewing and I'll be summoning all the other riders who lust after open spaces, sandwiches, no time constraints and a spirit of adventure.<br /></div><div>This brings me to The Crazy Switch. A guest post from Josh Harnegane who writes as <a href="http://worldsstrongestlibrarian.com/">The World's Strongest Librarian</a>. He is an amazing guy and his post will be up next - don't miss it.<br /></div><div></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/the-spirit-moves-0">Go Cycling</a> <br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-7473041356315909558?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-60370500471883827892010-01-20T14:10:00.001+02:002010-01-20T14:10:10.342+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> <div>I love the internet and I love that people share the information they find appealing. I was reading <a href="http://fatcyclist.com">Fatcyclist.com</a>&nbsp;today and it was an extremely funny tongue in cheek article. Its a double whammy cos the comments are as funny as the blog post. One of his readers shared some information on PASSION which I found insightful.</div> <p /> <div>I lifted a paragraph from the relevant blog (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/yglr2v4">Psychology Today</a>&nbsp;- check it out) to share with you along with some random thoughts.</div> <p /> <div><em>In sum, passions make life worth living but need to be pursued in ways that sustain themselves. That passions can entail sacrifice actually define them as passions. They are healthy when the sacrifice is as freely undertaken as the activity itself and does not undercut the goal of the passionate activity. That passions may strike others as irrational is irrelevant in describing them as harmonious or obsessive, healthy or unhealthy. After all, passions are personal and what matters about our passions is whether they make sense to us. </em><a href="http://tinyurl.com/yglr2v4"><em>http://tinyurl.com/yglr2v4</em></a></div> <p /> <div>On a personal level, my passion has always been around leisure activities as it is for most people. We choose to do something that validates, us, challenges us and has positive outcomes. As far back as I remember, physical exercise and reading have been my passions. The nature of my sport may have changed but it is a thread that remains unbroken. It has ranged from extremely competitive and dedicated to totally recreational. It has experimented with fringe sports to mainstream.</div> <p /> <div>Somewhere along the line, it may even have been obsessive passion. I look around at friends and fellow travellers and the most interesting people are the ones who are excited about something. They have a level of commitment to a project or a goal or a process and that makes them alive.</div> <p /> <div>Of all that I have experienced, canoeing was the most demanding and rewarding. Cycling runs second by a long way which is perhaps the reason for it not constantly challenging me in the same way. Although, The Freedom Challenge was a soul pursuit and invigorating beyond words. A huge goal which left everything else as an anti-climax.</div> <p /> <div>Harmonius passion vs obsessive passion. Which one are you? </div> <p /> <div>Please don't tell me that you are neither!</div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/passion-or-die">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-6037050047188382789?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-84642559502782933782010-01-18T15:53:00.001+02:002010-01-18T15:53:32.799+02:00<div class='posterous_autopost'> <div>Monday again and we are already spiralling to the end of January. I hope this year goes as slowly as 2009. Usually the years fly by. I was once told it has a direct correlation to your age. As a 5 year old, a year is a 5th of your life, so its huge. When you are 80 (I'm not), its a much smaller percentage of all your living. (I hope you are/have lived!)</div> <p /> <div>I use the same parallel to account for my on going inability to remember things. My head is just too full of stuff to assimilate more - thats my story and I'm sticking to it. &nbsp;And so I wonder what this year will bring. Its not really panning out in any definite form but my sense is there is a lot of upheaval for many people. Spare a thought for Haiti and the damage to an already&nbsp;impoverished economy.&nbsp; As an aside, members of the South African rescue unit (who also support The Sabie Experience mountain bike stage race) took 52 hours to get there. No control tower meant no planes could land. Later, air controllers flown in could not move the planes grounded there because of a lack of fuel - so other supplies couldn't be air lifted in. What a mess and strength to the people trying to make headway and those trying to survive.</div> <p /> <div>But moving on. The limbo I feel is echoed by many of my friends and so I content myself with spinning instead of riding and building up my running to acceptable distances.&nbsp;Its a bit of a waiting game and in times past, I would have tried to force outcomes. Now I am content to let things emerge.</div> <p /> <div>It sounds like a cop out but I dont have the energy to spare for any more. Do I make sense here and are you feeling disjointed too?</div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/monday-again-4">Go Cycling</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-8464255950278293378?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-71160195846162318952010-01-11T21:03:00.003+02:002010-01-11T21:09:53.230+02:00<div class="posterous_autopost"><div>So it's 2010. Here in South Africa, it's an important year for all of us as we host the Fifa World Cup. The cynics amongst us think it will be a disaster whilst the optimists are buying tickets so they can say "We were there!"<br /><br /></div><div>Having been to Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final amongst other events, I've been there and they are&nbsp;memories to cherish. It sets one apart to be experience&nbsp;a huge and rare occurrence. So I'm buying my ticket - are you?<br /><br /></div><div>But those are details for mid year. This year started with Fat Boy camping. Instead of monumental hiking with large packs for days on the top of the Drakensberg escarpment, we opted to take the large tent, the gazebo, the camping chairs, the cooler boxes, lots of G&amp;T and blow up mattresses. Luxuries indeed. Injasuti is a stunning location at the base of some challenging passes but we were there to admire from the base and stretch our legs on leisurely walks.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/49iP12QqDQdTU7VYZoN9DtTxZhgMusHOK6GDrGdklD3pkG1zOGIrK3lX5idJ/IMG_1885.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/haDRTNbOBu988hJLxGMT87imbmVIkMKU7ojqlMnR695fiPsbBmYvtc2U6AZv/IMG_1885.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="299" /></a>Now you would think that such a location brings peace and quiet into one's soul and it is a god given opportunity to reflect on the year that's been and to anticipate the next. Damn the raucous students who partied until all hours.&nbsp; I'm surprised their car tires didn't rupture and their tents collapse under the strength of the negative vibes from every one else in the camp.<br /><br /></div><div>At least the morning was quiet as they slept off their hangovers and I know I wasn't the only one looking daggers at them when they staggered around the next day. Most of them left that day leaving us with space and quiet with which to contemplate some serious mountains.<br /><br /></div><div>On the last day, I summoned some energy to do a trail run with my as yet, untried trail shoes. The Myth and I decided to do a 6,5k run/hike to the top of the closest ridge. Off we went and it felt good. Climbing up a short mound, we came across a majestic eland which sauntered off as we approached. Turning right at the junction, we came around a corner and there was a herd of about 50 of the beasts. Magnificent.<br /><br /></div><div>A crawl up a steep ravine through a beautiful indigenous forest brought us to the summit welcomed by the call of a red chested cuckoo (or "piet my vrou" in local lingo). A quick jog down, pack up of tent and a final swim in the Injasuti River ended a very relaxed welcome to the new year.<br /><br /></div><div>I think I might find some mojo in trail running. We shall see.<br /></div><div> <br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/eNJ3eWe5FbeyypsMr1rtkQF5TNT9Sm1jHSjAMOjcRSNfUzxpL9gD636gvTai/IMG_1898.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/kV9HVhX1GSLAorwM4HC39KNVuXYD0HNBdwlhqpWU9o3OyNiUntxy9zzqZ3Ep/IMG_1898.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/another-decade-where-does-it-go">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a><br /></div></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/another-decade-where-does-it-go">Go Cycling</a> <br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-7116019584616231895?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-13252339484442203362009-12-22T15:36:00.002+02:002009-12-22T16:02:51.490+02:00<a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/pOyPrhC1UTjseodbck752nFB7C7eRSl6cxQ6S46ldmEgIyQYTk6pwZxOlXm0/0024.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="268" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/yilJ5WcDt1nW0NiGurWIjrTkMnJlBWV1V4sxxi4JU2nwjYeo7oRPV2f1Hdy8/0024.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br /><div>The year is grinding out its last few days. After the Sabie Experience mountain bike stage race, I hoped to hop back on the bike and use my brand new trail shoes for the second time. No such luck.<br /></div><div>I went down with a cold (I refuse to consider anything close to flu) and simply had no energy to do anything. Several afternoon naps later, I have started to feel like I can move around without dragging myself.<br /></div><div>I can even face the piles of paperwork that accompany the wrapping up of a major race.&nbsp; And for a change, I am ahead of the game with my Christmas shopping. Usually it is a last minute scramble when I return from Sabie.<br /></div><div>So all in all, the year is winding down comfortably for me and I hope for you too. I am starting to feel excited about riding properly again and setting some goals. I am also looking a some trail running goals (if only my brother would play ball and commit!).<br /></div><div>So 2010 looks to be a bit different, not only because we're hosting the World Cup (soccer for all of you fixated on only your sport) but I think I will have some new experiences to savour and record.<br /></div><div>Whether it is shining or snowing on your head, I hope you celebrate this Festive Season in a manner that is meaningful for you.<br /></div><div>(Picture courtesy of Action Photo)<br /></div><div></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/winding-down-28">Go Cycling</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-1325233948444220336?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-63527128887264151072009-12-16T05:46:00.002+02:002009-12-22T16:00:56.976+02:00<div>Kelvin of <i>Media and Kelvin</i> took some amazing photos at this year's Sabie Experience - a four day mountain bike stage race in South Africa. <br /></div><div><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/7ipAWo1iF8Qm1DsTBIuyogKa42zNzsoOrVoVeFYgn7kh1ZJc7HdbKGH1sLoF/100_4667.jpg"><img height="267" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/zokJ43tVl0eOgBAQKZ5m3Qjq914IowyXib9aVUOOwJzJXo2gcRiWyKp7kRR0/100_4667.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/7LBHm4DT6p9N5VERG3eOWIlGtSAe41eNihWyyjIh6IHcI5Sg1SXGabSnTgit/100_5000.jpg" width="266" /> <img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/HmfUFJDXkj1TngGIO8FehYopIADp7DPKMixi5ddfUZzm7BBeoDbIFj5FB2u3/100_5132.jpg" width="258" /> <img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/5wi9WwfrlXWBEdzaOoHiQmNSG63Cu0ofolFlvUgZwmQxhTbOuMs4sfpWOfuc/100_5528.jpg" width="266" /> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/hpI9wXtf9Lk55bxhVlPvCbfbh8JD89nba5rsCyTbfFMPHugUWFUprWoX1LXW/100_5581.jpg"><img height="267" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Sy6uaOgoNhfv1glerPknoy0gTCRxCTNChdlCn4NrdDJCyb8aQQRIcSTpzt2v/100_5581.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="400" /></a> <img height="400" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/rPTT0cWvYxM6Ksn0BjqOwgkiDaHxycGTSi7Snz5RMgx2VAr4GcsqkFJY044g/100_5704.jpg" width="266" /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/the-sabie-experience-mtb-stage-race">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a><br /></div></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/the-sabie-experience-mtb-stage-race">Go Cycling</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-6352712888726415107?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-90416762996380788872009-12-08T14:57:00.002+02:002009-12-08T15:01:36.171+02:00<div>The Sabie Experience four day mountain bike stage race starts on Sunday. Why is this of interest to you or me? Well, there is a group of dedicated people making sure that it lives up to its reputation of being a tough, challenging event and I am the ringleader.<br /><br /></div><div>No wait, the tough and challenging bit belongs to my race director, Dennis. He is the one who must take the complaints from the riders when they struggle up the next big&nbsp;mountain and the next. When the climbs are nicknamed "Ugly Words, Jelly Legs and Bad Language" then you know that it is&nbsp;brutal and they are cursing him with the little breath they have left.<br /><br /></div><div>Moi, I am in charge of all the nice stuff. I get to receive all the compliments. I swan around the route in my VW Caddie with the aircon on, and cheering the riders onward and upward. I am the cheery face of the mountain bike race who commiserates when they suffer and promise downhills to the finish. I am the good guy who pretends to suffer with them, bleed with them and grimace through muddy or dusty faces.<br /><br /></div><div>All the while, behind the inane grin on my face is the little voice saying, "I am so glad this isn't me!"&nbsp; Don't get me wrong, I have ridden the routes so I know all about the sufferfest but that was under far more relaxed circumstances.&nbsp; I did not have partners&nbsp;ranting at my being too fast or too slow. I had the luxury of stopping frequently ostensibly waiting to show the riders behind the route.<br /><br /></div><div>But I do know what its like to stay in the saddle when the legs are begging for respite and the sweat is stinging the eyes. And I do feel the rider's pain when there is yet another uphill. But I live the swooping downhills and single track&nbsp;with them and congratulate them as they cross the finish line pumped with the achievement that comes with suffering.<br /><br /></div><div>So to all you riders making the pilgrimage to Sabie for some of the best mountain biking in the country, I'll be there for you but I won't envy you.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/j272xG2moxN7ITGo25xVFQESuFoj1VHRYae0GDlcVyKMurKv8o6nE7Mjn4yz/DSC_0458.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="134" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/MfnOln3QEIhggaeAcAkvQzuTbIVtvUkmiB4hIH2VgqFWMsOvYymDH2RrPnNs/DSC_0458.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/BDY9ndaKaCJKckgcKSvX53WSgzG7lpbEf8kfEGqm1wct60slF30GLs3iQtvn/DSC_0006_2.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="134" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/a4rt7SIxBBFeQy85QmuZqh1qNgcSRlkWJomRtV1Y8pA1wyG14ziQhtyWAVgu/DSC_0006_2.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/a9rMfmYlUrqE8xeP1hPLZ1jriroMTlrZxvS5h57EfbtXBR5oHTOiUWEqYXbT/DSC_0574.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="134" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/YRev2ZM3Xk7lR85OdEfKWrNlw35kPp1SRCc8S4K0cr97HUFjjFiFBxCWMzXs/DSC_0574.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="200" /></a> <br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/zKuR2hBlfdNvZoddXfL0sGzX0eDudwOPu7m74XdGVzXhE7Z8UWT2VSa1MEhZ/DSC_0548.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="134" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Bt4HuSiafXMnEvxjxoWoT8r6jhIrCf7d6lZ3HWASxAhOhdXYKAlOfmuwP3dp/DSC_0548.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="200" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/living-vicariously-0">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a><br /><br /></div></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/living-vicariously-0">Go Cycling</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-9041676299638078887?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-77899064568680318932009-12-02T12:13:00.001+02:002009-12-02T12:13:07.988+02:00<a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/0XxKv177dp3UoTW6L5SiwNxj8VLalfYsr1Z9rBFqqZuoFUF55IQkw8k5iK7O/IMG_1251.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/9aqRxAqDZ3qZ0jbtdkQIeVAkEFNhXpErIxDAvvNCTgvaEPTdptUPWvsT5Ftq/IMG_1251.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" height="375"/></a> <p> <div>This weekend was soul riding. A handful of us headed out to the Cradle of Mankind for a bit of technical riding followed by the ubiquitous coffee and in this case, apple pie and cream. OK, so I had an omelette instead but that's not the point.</div> <p /> <div>The point is that I ride for the exercise, the space, the cameraderie and the social interaction afterwards. This ride just happened to include herds of gemsbok and wildebeest, some impala dashing across the road in front of us and two tortoises giving it horns.</div> <p /> <div>And Sunday was the single track all the way up the Braamfontein Spruit to Greenside for famous Vida coffee followed by brunch at Doppios. (I am such a name dropper).</div> <p /> <div>And for the first time in ages, I loved my riding. Not too much, not too far and wonderful company.&nbsp; </div> <p /> <div>So what's your story? </div> <p /> <div>What gets you out of bed and onto two wheels?</div> <p /> <div></div></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/whats-your-mojo">Go Cycling</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-7789906456868031893?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-60510765922138970132009-11-25T10:38:00.001+02:002009-11-25T10:38:01.123+02:00<a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/JqxP64zxNTgmWyZlSohNbHu0qLdR4EcxPUTEOvCytF1b9VSxXftvdRN94idD/santa_mtbers.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/8iMVhW0R2sZFdRRHIDU9DBQzD78jrXy7vdw9TJYcQoNLvmW2xlZx0xcTTJuq/santa_mtbers.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" height="396"/></a> <p> <div>For once, this has seemed a long year. Normally they fly by and before you know it, another one has started.&nbsp; Its been a year filled with milestones and wonderful adventures. And although there has been a paucity of cycling stuff in the last four months, I have been kept busy with other issues.</div> <p /> <div>Now, we run up to Sabie Experience (the 4 day mountain bike stage race) of which I am the organiser. It is the usual scrummage of getting all the bits and pieces together to give the riders an incredible send off to the festive season. Four hard days of riding will give them a calorie deficit of note which will soon be filled with festive fare.</div> <p /> <div>For those who have battled with the economic downturn, an event like this may sound extravagant but what better gift to give yourself than the joy of riding your bike in some of the best mountain biking terrain in the country. Finishing the year doing what you love best is the perfect antidote to doom and gloom and&nbsp;you can look forward to 2010 with renewed vigour.</div> <p /> <div>Its a pity I can't ride.</div> <p /> <div></div></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/end-of-year-blues">Go Cycling</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-6051076592213897013?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-88605974152946178402009-11-20T19:41:00.002+02:002009-11-20T20:51:03.378+02:00<div>I reached the milestone in my other life. November has been NaNOWriMo and today I reached the goal of 50 000 words. In NaNo terms, I am&nbsp;a winner. No one reads your novel or judges it, you simply submit it for word counting and then it is erased off their system. I stalled a little when I got to 45 000 and it almost seemed that I was sabotaging myself but the words flowed and here I am.<br /><br /></div><div>I am still disbelieving as 50 000&nbsp;is an enormous number and my wonderful characters are still not finished with me.<br /><br /></div><div>So its Friday night and I am sipping champagne (any excuse for bubbly).&nbsp; Tomorrow may be a day off then I will join the other Jo'berg writers at the weekly write-in to see where I go to next in my novel.<br /><br /></div><div>What a good week.<br /><br /></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/i-did-it-38">Go Cycling</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-8860597415294617840?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-62988058558736216392009-11-17T14:59:00.002+02:002009-11-17T15:35:43.990+02:00<div>I have discovered that muscle memory is a wonderful thing. Six months of training including a 3 week jaunt across the country has left me with enough in legs to actually enjoy Sunday's Momentum 94.7 cycle race.<br /><br /></div><div>I was pretty nervous because I knew it would hurt and I hadn't done the work required. Once a week is simply not what the experts recommend. Well experts be damned. If you've got miles in your legs, you can drag them around 97 odd kms. I didn't do a sterling time but did what I hoped for and I really didn't suffer.<br /><br /></div><div>My ego did though as my bunch rode away from me and the leaders of the next group and the next. Then I saw the odd <b>M</b>&nbsp; batch come past too and I cringed (I started in <b>J</b>). Riding solo because you dare not push too hard is not ideal for road riding, especially when there is a pumping wind. It was quite weird in that my lack of training manifested in straining quads and this after I had punished them in the mountains of Sabie.<br /><br /></div><div>I think I should check my saddle height. I really think that must be it.<br /><br /></div><div>But I reckon I rode myself fit because by the time we reached the highway (of ill repute) I was having fun and was tucking in behind all the larger riders. Actually I rode in an echelon of two because nobody else realised it was a wind from the side or they don't watch the Tour de France enough. I also have the wind of St Francis Bay to thank for the practice.<br /><br /></div><div>But back to the race. One of the things I marvel at is the range of logistics required to pull it off. As a race organiser, I understand more of what goes on behind the scenes. I always get a thrill when I see all the straw bales and fencing lining the road on the Saturday afternoon.&nbsp;Sometime after midnight, when all the riders are tucked up in bed, a team of army ants swarm all over the roads, erecting the barriers and blocking off access ready for the first bunch at 5.30. And there it stays until late in the Sunday afternoon where it all magically disappears again.<br /><br /></div><div>Every single access road or dirt road had a marshal and straw bales or fencing. That's an awful lot of people and stuff over roughly 97km. Good on them for hanging in there for so many hours in the searing heat.<br /><br /></div><div>I resolved to do the race justice next year. No more narfiness. Its a great race to ride well and I just know I can knock off lots of minutes. Any volunteers to pace me?<br /><br /></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/next-year-i-will-train">Go Cycling</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-6298805855873621639?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-40404601965573942252009-11-12T09:58:00.002+02:002009-11-12T10:19:20.275+02:00<div>I picked up this article on <a href="http://theadventurelife.org/">The Adventure Life</a>. It reminded me that there is always life after a major event, even if mine was "only" 2300km of cycling.&nbsp; The trick is to keep the momentum and dreams alive.<br /><br /></div><div><i>On September 19, 2009, British cyclist </i><a href="http://www.globecycle.org/"><i>James Bowthorpe</i></a><i> rolled into London and climbed off his bike for the first sustained period in six months. The 32-year-old had just smashed the record for circling the globe on a bicycle: His 174-day, 18,000-mile journey was a ridiculous 20 days faster than the previous record. Along the way, he raised $100,000 for Parkinson's research, was chased by thugs in Iran, and found that Turkey and Kentucky are rivals for friendliest spots on Earth. The Adventure Life caught up with Bowthorpe as he was recovering in London—after six months in the saddle, he still can't stand longer than a half hour at a time.</i><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.theadventurelife.org/2009/11/tailwind-across-the-desert-british-cyclist-sets-new-round-the-world-record/">Read more</a><br /><br /></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/race-across-sa-race-around-the-world">Go Cycling</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-4040460196557394225?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-88182059335989161162009-11-11T13:58:00.001+02:002009-11-11T13:58:17.054+02:00<a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/rPrXbEGMBz08GcLMn0xlnperBQeBttgCQvSyfJoGGGboU16xZMNFd26I8lYW/secret_tool.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/uAfPegm3o92r1K73ZjdNghTVzSmp4V13HbLGM4ZMQu1zyVB7B5ZXlIhtrEOK/secret_tool.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" height="324"/></a> <p> <div><em>(My secret writing tool)</em></div> <p /> <div>There's not much cycling or training of any sort at the moment for various reasons.&nbsp; But whatever the lack in this department, I am gunning it with the NaNo novel.</div> <p /> <div>Our local NaNo Liaison, Chris, organised a write in at the Melville Mugg and Bean and about 10 of us arrived, some with laptops and couple of diehards with paper and pen.</div> <p /> <div>Glen, who has raced to 70 000 words as I write this arrived to help anyone stuck.&nbsp; It was a strange afternoon with all of us ranging between absolute focus and picking up snippets of conversation from the others.&nbsp; I set a target to write 3500 words in an hour and half.&nbsp; Feeling fairly antisocial, I tapped away at the keyboard half listening to the goings on around me.</div> <p /> <div>"How do I get two women to talk to each other," asked Chris.&nbsp; Errr, you open their mouths, I thought but the other answers were far more ribald than that.</div> <p /> <div>I hit my goal well within the time limits and it was a great feeling - it was the most I had written in one session.&nbsp; Later that afternoon, the last of us packed up and it is at these times, you often get gems of information.</div> <p /> <div>We were talking about writing and not thinking about it.&nbsp; Chris summed it up best "We channel words".&nbsp; He's so right.&nbsp; I don't feel that I am making up the stuff as I go, more that the words are flowing through me.</div> <p /> <div>So I am now more than halfway - yes, over the incredible 25 000 mark.&nbsp; That particular angle of the story came to an end and I felt myself worrying about what would come next.</div> <p /> <div>Sitting down at the computer, I forced myself to not think and to just write.&nbsp; Over two thousand words flowed forth and the scenario appeared like magic.&nbsp; So my main character is still alive and facing a huge challenge.&nbsp; I can't wait to find out what happens.</div> <p /> <div>The only bummer about this chapter was being 4 (FOUR) words short of 27 000.&nbsp; And I couldn't find anywhere to slot some in.</div> <p /> <div>Bizarre.</div> <p /> <div></div></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/over-halfway">Go Cycling</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-8818205933598916116?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-37918879508042842502009-11-06T14:55:00.001+02:002009-11-06T14:55:20.166+02:00 <div><em>Err, sorry, he says as we head off for the third day of strenous riding in the mountains of Sabie.&nbsp;I'm not very conversational today. Its usually when I don't have enough sleep.</em></div> <p /> <div>Oh, I say all sympathetic -&nbsp;what happened?&nbsp; </div> <p /> <div><em>Well, you see its like this.&nbsp; After two days of riding, my bowels haven't moved yet.&nbsp; So driven to desperation, I resorted to laxatives last night.&nbsp; They're supposed to work within a hour but they didn't so I ended up taking three!</em></div> <p /> <div>Now I can see kak coming and this was coming from a looong way off.&nbsp; Spellbound, I listened as did a couple of riders who slowed their pace to hear more.</div> <p /> <div>And... I prompted.</div> <p /> <div><em>I felt so terrible, he continued, that I couldn't sleep at all.&nbsp; And then this morning, they kicked in and I had to walk down the stairs backward so I could keep my butt cheeks together so I didn't embarrass myself.</em></div> <p /> <div><em>My mate was in the shower hogging the bathroom, so I ended up pacing around the kitchen table with a tight ass cos I knew if I relaxed the muscles, I was history.</em></div> <p /> <div>By now, we had ridden off the road in hysterics.</div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/overshare">Go Cycling</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-3791887950804284250?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-34585209806167791642009-11-03T18:32:00.001+02:002009-11-03T18:32:44.957+02:00 <div>The <a href="http://nanowrimo.org">NaNoWriMo</a>&nbsp;fever has hit more than 170 000 (at last count) would be writers around the globe.&nbsp; Writing started at midnight on November 1 and there have been wild swings in input from the over and under achievers.</div> <p /> <div>I missed day one because I was riding my mountain bike - funny thing that.&nbsp; And I have started now, cranking out about 2000 words a day so far.&nbsp; Oops - that sounds better than it is because it is only day 3!&nbsp; But I figure the words will run dry at some point and while I feverishly search for inspiration, at least I'll have a buffer.</div> <p /> <div>There was one over achiever on the international forum who wrote over 30 000 words straight.&nbsp; That's just intimidating.&nbsp; How are the rest of us supposed to feel.&nbsp; Eejit (I wish I had that skill).&nbsp; I wonder if he will carry on once he hits his 50 000 tomorrow?&nbsp; Short month for him but for the rest of us, its going to be hard to maintain momentum.</div> <p /> <div>But what a great opportunity to just write with abandon.&nbsp; Posts on the blog will be read by someone so there is a degree of structure and sense to be made.&nbsp; But with NaNo, just write.&nbsp; There is no one watching, critting or even vaguely interested in whether it makes sense or not.&nbsp; Which is just well as there has to be chunks of drivel that pour out at times.&nbsp; But that is December's problem when you finally get to read what you have written in its entirety.</div> <p /> <div>I didn't choose a cycling or mountain biking topic but maybe somewhere I will have to weave a little of that into the story.</div> <p /> <div>So here's to keeping writer's block at bay and 50 000 words by the end of the month.</div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/writing-writing-writing-but-not-for-here">Go Cycling</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-3458520980616779164?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-50227166451323094272009-11-01T18:25:00.001+02:002009-11-01T18:25:47.580+02:00The fourth stage of Sabie Experience pre ride was a mere 55km. <p /> If you think you will hammer it, think again. Its tough especially on fatigued legs and by this stage, trust me, your legs will be very fatigued. <p /> I was so tired even before starting but miraculously, the legs kept turning. Climbing out of Sabi Star Chalets made me wish I had gym work in my legs. It took a huge amount of power and determination to keep riding and not to walk. <p /> Cool, misty conditions helped but the humidity was hectic. Sweat poured off everyone in the group. <p /> The first water point is spectacular and as we arrived, the mist lifted enough for us to look out over the cliff to the valleys below. <p /> Microwave Alley was a great descent and the next 15km or so was really interesting riding. Undulating track through massive bamboo groves, eucalyptus and indigenous bush brought us to the second water point. <p /> Then we did two serious climbs, damn, they tested the boundaries. Once past them, it was a brilliant fast descent down Ross Hill and pretty much single track all the way home. <p /> We had such a cool group of people riding together over the 3 days and the humour was legendary. Only mountain bikers could relate to the chirps. <p /> Marinus was our group leader and his calm presence backed by some serious riding talent kept us all together. But if you did falter, there was the reassuring presence of the Off Road Rescue Unit - our incredible medical and moral support group. <p /> How they dragged the trailer over some of that terrain, I don't want to know. <p /> As for me and my comeback, that was three damn fine days of riding. Now, where is the number for my massage therapist! <br />Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/and-we-climbed">Go Cycling</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-5022716645132309427?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-17321053687748219972009-10-31T18:40:00.001+02:002009-10-31T18:40:23.669+02:00After my initial enthusiasm for yesterday's stage, I realised very quickly that today was payback. <p /> After all, I had done the equivalent of two weeks of my most recent training regime in one day and I was about to double that again. <p /> Stage 2 of the race started innocuously enough but soon started a steep climb which got us all sweating profusely in the humidity and mist. Oof, this dragged on but eventually levelled out to a pleasant contour. The ground was pretty soggy after the rain which sucked the life from already tired legs. <p /> And then we hit another bugger of a climb. So what that the surface was smooth. It was horrendous ever higher into the mist. <p /> By the time I got to the next contour road I was pretty tired and this section also dragged on with mud sucking on my wheels. <p /> At the base of Hartebeesvlakte, there was still a lot of climbing to do. Two hot cross buns and cheese and a 30min break for all of us, helped the recovery somewhat and then I tried to ease my way over the next section. <p /> If you do nothing else in your mountain biking life, you have to ride the "vlakte". The space, the rolling verdant hills, the wild game and the magnificent views are unparalleled. Of course, you have also worked like buggery to get there. <p /> The sun came out dispelling the last tenacious wraiths of mist and we were treated to the wide vistas. And then the descents are sublime, heart stopping too when you discover your front wheel is loose! The bikes and hearts took a hammering but in under an hour, we were into the final few kms to home. <p /> Huge sticky buns and coffee while we cleaned bikes rounded off a longer than expected day. <p /> So my comeback hit a bit of a slippery slope but by tomorrow, I should be fit...yeah right. <p /> If you are doing this year's Sabie Experience, please train. <br />Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/my-come-back-slows">Go Cycling</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-1732105368774821997?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-19020536886620612232009-10-30T18:35:00.001+02:002009-10-30T18:35:33.563+02:00I had nervous anticipation all this week as I was heading for Sabie for our annual mtb pre ride. <p /> Once a week training doesn't cut it for the mountains in the area but a break from Jhb and something new was all good. <p /> Sabie Experience is a four day mtb event in December and is known to be tough, even brutal depending on the weather conditions. <p /> We arrived in rain and woke up this morning to rain. Steady falling rain and dampened spirits. <p /> At the start were about 30 hard core souls. Actually, some were posing as they had no intention of riding but wanted to be in the aura of those of us heading out. <p /> There was a vote. The time trial route (32k and 3 hours of rain) or Stage 3 (80k and 8 hours of rain). To me it was a no brainer but - I won't tell you how I voted. <p /> Off we went. A 13k climb to stables soon had the butt and back complaining but at least it kept us warm. A roaring fire at the hiking hut made it super hard to leave knowing this was the point of no return. 60k more awaited us. I added another layer. Well it was worth it. Sublime single track even in the wet, a near cartwheel over a cliff by yours truly and slightly warmer weather in the valley. <p /> My gears were giving me the zig and fatigued my legs quicker along with the mud, but hey, I was keeping up. I was surprised that I was not exhausted and that I had not fallen off the pace. <p /> Despite the constant drifts of rain, everyone held up really well and there was good feedback on this stage. <p /> On the climb named "Ugly Words", I rather heard the thud of raindrops falling from the trees onto the damp earth and the sigh of my tires as I wound my way onward and upward. I could hear birds faintly and not another soul. <p /> Rare peace indeed. <p /> The race office ladies, Ilsa and Sandy, had whipped up hot soup with buttered rolls for the weary warriors. Manna! <p /> It took several rinses of my bike, myself and my kit to get ride of most of the brown mud. <p /> And now we are off to celebrate Halloween at Georgies restaurant. <p /> Tomorrow? Who knows, who cares. I'm back! <br />Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/what-a-return-sort-of">Go Cycling</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-1902053688662061223?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-12163213310157136542009-10-28T18:38:00.002+02:002009-10-28T21:43:59.220+02:00<a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/MmNnfLP6D7zs4ByJCZAnhlY10QJJ3pXrrllXO6RowgLJ1KSHosI0z5G0JvQ9/IMG_1553.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="320" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/NH2hihXqhZhuDCtii9OqZ2o0NMVtuQeZOEEINaCJFnuZLW087XohUrJmA4sq/IMG_1553.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="239" /></a> <br /><div><br />I found myself doing it again on my longer run this weekend past.&nbsp; Obsessing about 300 - that's what I was short.&nbsp;3.0.0.metres of tar still needed to hit the round figure of 15km.<br /><br /></div><div>I don't understand why we can't let the figures go.&nbsp; 15km sounds much better than 14.7km but does it really matter.&nbsp;<br /><br />Runners line up in the droves for a marathon, frantically pressing buttons on their watch as they start and practically tripping over the finish mats trying to press buttons when they finish.<br /><br /></div><div>Now if you are world class, seconds may make a difference.&nbsp; But you and I?&nbsp; We still focus on the numbers.&nbsp; Even on the odd road ride, I get home and it is 69.6km and I round it up to 70km but feel guilty.&nbsp; I didn't quite make the mark and it feels wrong to claim a higher number.<br /><br /></div><div>For a while, I ran with only a cheap and nasty stopwatch.&nbsp; Most of the time, I couldn't figure how to stop/start it when I paused at an intersection so the overall time didn't matter.&nbsp; It was pretty liberating.&nbsp; There were times when I had no watch at all.&nbsp; But as I have run more, I am filling in the distances, times, average speeds and all the clutter.<br /><br /></div><div>I think I must find the courage to rid myself of gadgets - speedometers, gps, watches and just run or ride.&nbsp;<br /><br /></div><div>If I can do it, can you?<br /></div><div></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/obsessions-with-numbers">Go Cycling</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-1216321331015713654?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-55241249455247313152009-10-23T17:08:00.002+02:002009-10-23T17:14:01.943+02:00<div>Mmmm - I love it when someone else takes the time and effort to make things happen and I can just pitch up.&nbsp; Guy, founder of the new Hilltribe cycling club, sent out a mail this week for a Wednesday Wind Down.<br /><br /></div><div>What a great opportunity to double my riding for the week! (Embarrassing admission that).&nbsp; I was so going to be there and Doug decided to join and Derek spat bricks because he was in the throes of budgets.<br /><br /></div><div>I rode part of the way there to avoid the traffic hooking up with Doug.&nbsp; Luckily.&nbsp; My bike was unhappy and eventually we figured a cable was loose from its moorings.&nbsp;<br /><br />Guy has a garage full of bikes...in different sizes.&nbsp; He says its so he can lend new people a bike that fits them.&nbsp; Crazy. In his place, I would keep all the bikes for myself - a different colour for every mood.<br /><br /></div><div>Les, Oh Les.&nbsp; He claims that all his kit has shrunk.&nbsp; Yeah right!&nbsp; But this Les is in charge of one of the big brand motor vehicle advanced driving schools.&nbsp; He should ace mountain biking. But I think he fell off.&nbsp; Well, that's what I assume when I heard the horrible phrase: "Are you alright?".<br /><br /></div><div>By this time, I had arbitrarily taken over the route and was leading the charge down the single track.&nbsp; Sorry Guy, I just can't help myself.&nbsp;<br /><br />30km later and settling darkness saw me back at the car, happy, upbeat and booking off Wednesday Wind Downs for the next eon.<br /><br /></div><div>PS I gotta learn to minimise the camera shake...ride slower, girl, ride slower.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/b6XRn6d7RkBD2pSwG3oSwyUdm5l4bJ1zoVYiLgzKOqf0elWjwzr89wpFDnZA/IMG00061-20091021-1756.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="150" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/MZ8mV1d4cVziTRDDCoKbubVCGZUhlAsOpisaC8TWYv1HlPzjJmIu1qPkaLS4/IMG00061-20091021-1756.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/aqRbOeHPZa6amm3eo0gt1guRBUJeReL1VZURsCvHW5AgINTZerbZSKmVI6Sz/IMG00057-20091021-1751.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="150" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/rGvof2TAFdspz2WXLImtfU8NFaFklrvx1Pj505lYsQRE05duJiw0E8KOGKsO/IMG00057-20091021-1751.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/9zPjwdy7hIQrIuGiG1AtKomUylgY3Bcx0Ki1rEz5ZdSeThR6zg6u2msZx8xZ/IMG00058-20091021-1752.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="150" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/nK3fYe8AOQWdUCuocGUJeLbCVQdsdfqXr2ALJPkDlcwNBfr28Uol7QHKkuyT/IMG00058-20091021-1752.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/KWHltBVzxLEv2IMUWX3WnX4GeLK55XI8g5bse5mWOZOXhi3DdQ3okEqL6nKT/IMG00059-20091021-1754.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="150" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/3yS8rOfiCuYwykhBxLOmh3vOYydJYhOoL1iZw3JTDoNRyJKTZ6HLAoknOObi/IMG00059-20091021-1754.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/UMsH5DZB85mOQNYkhErUw05tZW6Xl969NxUI2lLsRI1mZrY31L4ITRNyP5ZY/IMG00060-20091021-1754.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="150" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/fvW7R3Wk1uhMtlj4kfA4TRF6UxQggfz2R8GFLpNLwwxLuHQfC8Gl4Ks5AnlY/IMG00060-20091021-1754.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="200" /></a> <br /><div><br /><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/6271413">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a><br /></div></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/6271413">Go Cycling</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-5524124945524731315?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-79954057481700522982009-10-22T09:39:00.001+02:002009-10-22T09:39:38.537+02:00<img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/KZtHQeya3rrXbFmtxDnvS0l2A1Hh7o3KFAFqS7wSNUUXKQYwyGej49vMXV8Z/nano_09_blk_participant_120x90.png" width="120" height="90"/> <p> <div>November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).&nbsp; What an exciting and daunting concept. </div> <p /> <div>How does this relate to me and all things cycling?&nbsp; Well it doesn't really but I am putting my reputation on the line and giving this a go.</div> <p /> <div>November is a month dedicated to getting a draft of a novel done.&nbsp; The target is 50 000 words.&nbsp; You may only start writing at midnight on November 1 and it requires roughly 2000 words a day.&nbsp; And it must be brand new.</div> <p /> <div>Now, I just finished writing up my 3 week experience on the Freedom Challenge and that only comes to 33 255 words and it took me ages so I am hugely daunted at the prospect.&nbsp; At least with my ride story, I didn't have to think up a plot and characters and events - they were all there.</div> <p /> <div>I have fiddled with ideas, lurked on the NaNo forum, scribbled mind maps and was drawing a blank.&nbsp; But the other day, I was at Sugo's&nbsp;(oh yes, the ubiquitous coffee shop), and I got an idea.&nbsp; A theme, characters and personalities.&nbsp; So it was a start but how to drag this idea out for 50 000 words, I don't know.&nbsp; There are some strange tips out there.&nbsp; </div> <p /> <div>I have just downloaded NaNo&nbsp;for the New and Insane by Lazette Gifford and her first paragraphs reiterate that this is all about Having Fun! So fun it will be.&nbsp; I am not going share my plot just yet - maybe I won't ever, but November is going to be interesting.</div> <p /> <div></div></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/go-big-or-go-home-1">Go Cycling</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-7995405748170052298?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-85864163776313286722009-10-20T20:48:00.008+02:002009-10-20T22:32:32.570+02:00<div><div style="text-align: left;">I just read an article on one of my favourite blogs, <a href="http://www.mtbtrailreview.com/">www.mtbtrailreview.com</a>, where he speaks about the one constant in his life.<br /></div><br /></div><div><i>For me, that is mountain biking. For as far as I can remember, there has always been a mountain bike in my stable. As time went on, the sport of mountain biking has meant different things, but one thing is for certain…through all of the changes in my surroundings and tastes…it was always there - Rob Sutton. <a href="http://www.mtbtrailreview.com/blog/thoughout-my-life-one-thing-has-stayed-constant-mountain-biking/">Read it here</a></i><br /><br /></div><div>It got me thinking.<br /><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/JMCDsXYfW2S73cMHIgy1Ye7dVseGDuZfGqbHfMqY9XlD902qC04HLohTltfE/canoe.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="312" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/5hvtVIpuLf6JwpDfdB8qEFek9n7fuJqjK3CoiU7pApSS9qvLKBNU8pE9GCgl/canoe.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The constant in my life has been sport.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Way back before the rinderpest, I attended a smallish private school which had the basics of sport but of course, success was usually measured by academic results.<br /></div></div><br /></div><div>I found school singularly boring bar a&nbsp;handful of teachers who truly inspired me and I have those lessons with me today.&nbsp; The swimming and hockey coach was Mrs Borrowdale.&nbsp; She made school bearable.<br /><br />I survived because of sport playing first team hockey at an early age and eventually captaining the school in the sport.&nbsp; I also remember the dramas of trying to contact me via dodgy phone line after the school gala to get me into the school interhigh team.<br /><br /></div><div>Sport was my lifeline.<br /><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/F1sDFMdPotSuXwHGbEJq4TqDW8zGXlGbww2y9XpFqE9nxolkQLYVtICOjxh7/PAN20009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="200" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/SCj0nuQG0KKton2Fqz3ISAAPpXjDtDLkhhKJGv4vZGh9VLjh0KZtHTUHJYxk/PAN20009.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div>Varsity was a degree in&nbsp;Physical Education punctuated by diving and playing underwater hockey.&nbsp; I must have tried dozens of different sports in those years.&nbsp; I&nbsp;still grimace at the bruises from my foray into karate.<br /><br /></div><div>Then I discovered the passion of my sporting life - canoeing (kayaking as the rest of the world knew it).&nbsp; It began with the 3 day Dusi Canoe marathon and burgeoned into a career&nbsp;spanning many&nbsp;years. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/PJLUqBjaGOfeOEkCwU5VaFOw7ncyYNPOJgmZ63OJ4Ox9JpQDQNaLH8FKnowE/DSC_0047_2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="215" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/s2i7SPHpU0rEMsBCGorFXuVLHJClWo1CaRM0lWIAflgUfhtrakIh19kC7sfX/DSC_0047_2.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="320" /></a>From the long&nbsp;distance river paddling, I discovered sprinting.&nbsp; I was hooked.&nbsp; I watched a World Championship and vowed I would be there as a competitor.&nbsp; It was a fledgling discipline but I persevered and was rewarded in so many ways.&nbsp; I travelled the world with my canoe, met wonderful people and raced in beautiful cities.&nbsp; My biggest disappointment was missing an Olympic berth by 1/100th of a second.&nbsp; I cried for two days.<br /><br /></div><div>But&nbsp;it was all worth it.&nbsp; After sprint canoeing, I ventured into the marathon distance and travelled some more.&nbsp; And then I&nbsp;swopped a boat for a mountain bike.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/sJKkGH7lYJIuArwftPa2thEjcqQgr36VMnGfHlZqhpuCBgyAOKNK0qcviqRz/IMG_0300.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="240" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/iShqDBOZkttZAgjxUkwYHXx5NcVHwvB5pmmcbHIJ1dx8Q9ieZL5oA9cTas7k/IMG_0300.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="320" /></a>I loved the feeling of freedom that came with riding a bike.&nbsp; I loved feeling like a kid again.&nbsp; It would never be the love of my sporting life, but it was a fitting replacement.&nbsp; I ventured into adventure racing (which is a whole 'nother story) and the culmination of my riding career to date was the Freedom Challenge this year (<a href="http://dash4freedom.blogspot.com/">Dash4Freedom)</a>.<br /><br /></div><div>I even run a business in the world of sport - two cycling stage races.&nbsp;This after being involved in our country's Olympic, Commonwealth Games and All Africa Games movements.<br /><br /></div><div>I can't imagine a life without sport, I just can't.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/3MnraFtPiUB8ealsw6Ce9tnqqiV95WP9mcgIFYENqmrMNeiM559ZPqEyuli6/IMG_0274.jpg"><img height="240" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/iSXF0LpzlA3EGkrlxFGnrrc8LwpkoVCpWQ44gLDyBDF5AqR2hpCuWMdlGQtS/IMG_0274.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="320" /></a> <br /><div><br /><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/what-defines-you">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a><br /></div></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/what-defines-you">Go Cycling</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-8586416377631328672?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-31315683981857265472009-10-16T16:09:00.001+02:002009-10-16T16:09:44.773+02:00<a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/MSQJOmyE3oWeohGLfnQmoQTdqOwaCjd0XAT4GKFY7v3dkhIcOkf65ykfey1U/fans.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Dg3Sm4csyu0URQd0K0k6i2NYx89TxTer1DZRQAFlph9gKXguq0GsGUaPFsuA/fans.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" height="375"/></a> <p> <div>What's your language - if you have one?&nbsp; I'm referring to how we greet fellow cyclists (or runners).&nbsp; It seems to be an ongoing source of irritation or opportunity to flame road riders or each other. Even more so when one comes across riders who feel entitlement - entitled to the track, entitled to push past, entitled to curse if you are in their way, entitled to being the biggest asswipes too!</div> <p /> <div>I really do make an effort but I know there are times when I am watching the wheel in front and can't look around much less raise my head and smile or say hello.&nbsp; That feeble flap of the fingers is all you're going to get.&nbsp; Hey but the intent is there.&nbsp; Conversely, when sending it down a rocky mountain, you'll more likely get a squeak but the white knuckles mean no waving, not a hand nor a single digit.</div> <p /> <div>I'm also known to stop completely to talk to other riders with much eye rolling from my companions.&nbsp; Hey, can I help it that I know so many people??&nbsp; We seem to live in isolation behind high walls, locked in office buildings and we seem to have lost the art of connection.</div> <p /> <div>All the experts talk about the connection economy and how relationships have become the new best business tool.&nbsp; So greet your fellow rider, greet the pedestrians, show a little courtesy to the people around you.&nbsp; You never know, it may be the most valuable greeting you have ever given or received.</div> <p /> <div><strong>Helloooooo!</strong></div> <p /> <div></div></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/hello-hi-grunt-howsit">Go Cycling</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-3131568398185726547?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-55352220987779275462009-10-12T22:10:00.005+02:002009-10-12T22:20:56.053+02:00<div><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/06x6Bi8M07ex6a6KbAehFYtugwWc7hGCgwvtvj2TCPvVHn7H0k0mA8a6IjRD/IMG_1706.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="150" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/3kOSP0fmrSYVgHyhRM5mlAjFSNccyHx7rQTdmqJV4W4uDm4ZpVLeSRDxnyy4/IMG_1706.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="200" /></a>I think the biorythms were cooking this weekend - good hard riding and running and the legs didn't flake out.&nbsp; We rode 75k on Saturday taking in one of our regular routes towards Chicken Pie before heading around on the Cradle road to Teak Place.&nbsp; For those who don't know this spot, its quite magnificent with plenty of value for everyone - runners, riders, drinkers, eaters, kids.<br /><br /></div><div>Ironically, my only other two times for a visit were road cycling related so I had yet to experience their mountain bike routes.&nbsp; Gadget led us around the garden path until he found the start of the single track (err - right where we entered) and we were off.&nbsp; We had done 30 odd kms to there already and my legs were feeling the week's running and spinning but soon I forgot them with the winding single track cut through the bush crossing the stream.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/4AlVmcY5idocKYtd868IF3ry47LNB4NA4Ly8EVdAG0ohhMeACxVsVTCffEUK/IMG_1723.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="200" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/mOTkgcxXM9d2LkIdRRcl0dC05vPw6G2E7wZxY2q3BkkYRofel9A8lkQ1Hnbk/IMG_1723.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="149" /></a>Springtime is simply awesome.&nbsp; The shades of green are luminescent and wild flowers decorate the veld.&nbsp; We came across several huge oaks casting benevolent shade over the tracks and interspersed were many indigenous trees also breaking out in new leaf.&nbsp; Following the black route brought us to the floating bridge which we had to cross twice - just for kicks.<br /><br /></div><div>The adrenalin made it worth it but we were disappointed when Gadget managed to correct his skid and not fall in.&nbsp; It would have been priceless. Eventually I called it a day (mindful of my run the next day)&nbsp;and headed back to the restaurant area to meet up with Aileen and the largest rock shandy I have ever seen.&nbsp; Time passed, the sun shone and the wind pumped in my face.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/RKyOSThh3fcyrdOPnelUWYU99DUlqExFtWkvkdOy5PzkJixxCNwLZU7y5mm5/029.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img height="150" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Acc4Y3kyUFh1px8IYYOk5BZDKKxurTayqfvjK2b1wXNb6wxXDNjLW02gaXqO/029.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="200" /></a>I realised we had made a huge tactical blunder.&nbsp; All around me, other riders were showering, swimming and feasting on large breakfasts.&nbsp; The thought of riding another 30kms home was distressing when all I wanted to do was kick back for the afternoon.&nbsp; Aileen had not brought a bike rack.<br /><br /></div><div>There was no short cut home.&nbsp; Worse still, it was on tar which is not right.&nbsp; Knobblies do not go on tar. The End.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/WmL0dl8uj3bocBN9ZJ2sHJyteEpQdYqApepLO01dCdFbrDGRYh8q5cyqKrpO/IMG_1736.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="150" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/UCBk0Lfijqg5WyClBxd2hbDM8zLPTNyMjmtiurOvHectKQSx4BdprlubjtF7/IMG_1736.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="200" /></a>But having almost double the amount of gears for the hills on the home route compared to my road bike made for an interesting change.&nbsp; I found a second dose of energy in my legs and rode the hills pretty strongly - managing to keep Malcolm in sight (he of a million Jagermeisters/tequila/late night before fame).&nbsp; Funny how some people ride well on alcohol residue.<br /><br /></div><div>But by the time I got back to Broadacres, my legs were a bit wobbly so I grabbed a lift home and promptly slept all afternoon.&nbsp; You know how it goes, the siren song of the mattress...plus I thought that I was going to suffer mightily the next day.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/fOMhmLeas23swcghOYD1NjsqAYsZPahULw0ym2caMDJ5k2hSVxWU0LQHsDhz/IMG_1726.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img height="150" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/JHbvKWdpsOEviynKgNQScb8rCRHdtnts5VMFhB3aimsJQOqBxRWg2c6YyNN9/IMG_1726.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="200" /></a>Sunday's run was a jol (blast for non-south african speakers). We started behind several thousand women with another few thousand behind us.&nbsp; Women broad of beam walking four abreast made sure we couldn't start too fast and so we picked our way around them and eased into the running.&nbsp; My legs felt surprisingly good but it was my arms that felt weak from the bike handling which was pretty amusing.<br /><br /></div><div>We cruised our way around and I decided to push the last 2kms and it felt good.&nbsp; So good that I was getting those goosebumps from effort.&nbsp; It wasn't a great time but we were all pretty happy with a good morning's work.&nbsp; Each of the friends had achieved a goal and we now had a handle on what additional training we had to add to the mix.<br /><br /></div><div>So I am looking for a 15km and a 21km to do in the next two months but I had better not neglect the riding as the next time, it might not all come together so well.<br /><br /></div><div><i>Oh yes, and on the way home from the ride, we saw lionesses with two cubs - only in Africa!</i><br /><br /></div><div><br /><div><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/calories-burned-aplenty">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a><br /></div></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/calories-burned-aplenty">Go Cycling</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-5535222098777927546?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-6757009775831800332009-10-09T13:21:00.001+02:002009-10-09T13:21:49.432+02:00 <div>I am running my first 10k road race in a year.&nbsp; In fact, this same event was the last event I ran other than an aborted effort when I was battling with my calves earlier this year.</div> <p /> <div>The Spar Ladies 10k is a festival for women - runners, walkers, elite athletes and your average joe - or should that be Joan.&nbsp; I'm looking forward to it - a different energy and culture.&nbsp; The 11 year old will also be doing the 5k with her aunt - gonna be quite an experience for her.&nbsp; Certainly, she has done some things in the last three months, she would never have done otherwise.&nbsp; Good for her!</div> <p /> <div>Aileen <a href="http:///leen-pie.blogspot.com">(Her Blog)</a> is my regular running partner and since introducing Chi Running to her style, she has taken off and I am sprinting to keep up - Go you good thing with a PB this Sunday for sure!&nbsp; Vivette - another novice runner - is about to tackle the 10k for the first time.</div> <p /> <div>What a great way to celebrate being alive - doing things that challenge and stretch us further than we ever thought.</div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/and-for-something-different">Go Cycling</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-675700977583180033?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-6423779475665780402009-10-08T13:27:00.002+02:002009-10-09T10:14:08.822+02:00<div>The end of October is the annual pre ride for the four day mountain bike stage - <a href="http://sabiexperience.co.za/">The Sabie Experience</a>.&nbsp; I always ride the three long days of the race at this time as come the race, I am too busy running around on logistics.&nbsp; (I am the race organiser, you see).<br /></div><div>This way, I can relate to the sufferfest that happens in the bodies taking part.&nbsp; Last year, I was dry while driving the TV crew - the riders...they got very, very wet!&nbsp; But I digress.<br /></div><div>I have about 3 weeks to get into some shape for the mountains of Sabie and mountains they are.&nbsp; Last year, I was pretty fit for the three days but this year, well, I will have to rely on my running (fat lot of good unless I am pushing my bike!).<br /></div><div>But&nbsp;good for Gadget.&nbsp; He has been pushing us to ride on the weekends or perhaps I should now call him Badger for badgering us. We are doing an expedition from Fourways to ride the trail at Teak Place in the Cradle of Mankind.&nbsp; He promises LARGE rock shandies for afterwards.&nbsp; So I will ride with a smile on my face and a goal in mind.<br /></div><div><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/KigFyItUKQXe8hvw1uTztAoF8zEYICkmqkp19qy7fIjdWqwVbGSU1778vPHz/DSC_0348.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="336" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/UvMncwBPdvOWXJgRODLsG9FWMQjYoIec41REkrRtro1QcRDKvpnC4gC36eet/DSC_0348.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/71cJxPm5LbAYpjBXIRq9BOBKqo5eKgosSv3g6fogqqGHTjCvBzQP2spzAoVk/DSC_0114.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="336" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/cESDtCzEMrbhOgUF0xjs8QooOe31yyEpPYLmJW0r9vm2XwO1p6rWDqgtSGrs/DSC_0114.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/YlaUBDHJqL6CutoRsph53k0iGOYrbtpRw5tI1IgOXDiJ6vfeQdYI3i7kM8vS/DSC_0405.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="336" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/wny2Hjv1hztiFD4dVw1vKTpGLjQyzkBgQvcD5bB3eZ5xlGYMyRhS5AQ5JcRR/DSC_0405.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/RevVeNlPACpDJkM2TxPz8Dob3N1LkSUnHJUZlMnjj7QIrKg0av4D6ogBON0z/DSC_0414.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="336" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/rUqMTYpOsfQBLoZGNuJUg5Xv86pgfDUJ1xPkxXesmuLF1ZsIHofVnJSnabrO/DSC_0414.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/uh-oh-need-some-focus">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a><br /></div></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/uh-oh-need-some-focus">Go Cycling</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-642377947566578040?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-66089164240189363742009-10-06T12:02:00.001+02:002009-10-06T12:02:24.015+02:00<div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <p> </p><h3>WOMEN'S APPAREL</h3> <p>/ 1</p> <p> </p><p> </p><table border="0" width="100%"> <tr><td><a href="#"> <img title="Vanya" src="http://www.chromebagsstore.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/small_image/142x210/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/V/a/VanyaHero_Charcoal_Cart_4.png" height="210" alt="Vanya" width="142" /></a><p></p><h4><a href="#">Vanya</a></h4><p>$120.00</p></td></tr></table> </div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.chromebagsstore.com/apparel/womens-apparel.html">chromebagsstore.com</a></div> <p>I saw these trendy "knickers" advertised for general cycling, probably more for commuters than for racing. But at least it does away with the overshare of bumps and lumps in lycra. </p><p>See what you think here - <a href="http://tinyurl.com/ye9mo64">http://tinyurl.com/ye9mo64</a></p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/would-you-wear-these">Go Cycling</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-6608916424018936374?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-22830378938413589272009-09-30T10:48:00.003+02:002009-09-30T17:46:22.891+02:00<a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/kMddiiNq7DZJIrmhLkPMz10T3DRny0VzyFwzftmrJm5JG9Qz60EhaHj4K23o/spinerun09_088.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="375" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/MFKi0Y4Y0Z3dhGVPwg7rLPoTojLJXSdjx2IsDtXZiHfSxAMsrOYoX8OsOIKA/spinerun09_088.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br /><div><i>Kevin Davie, inveterate sportsman and wearer of a blanket (Freedom Challenger Finisher), has the wanderlust again.&nbsp;Not&nbsp;content to just ride, he has&nbsp;explored the length of&nbsp;one of the most famous mountain ranges in the country on his mountain bike.&nbsp; Read&nbsp;on and follow him on twitter (@spinerun).</i><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div>What do you do when you’ve done the Freedom Challenge? If you have more racing in you and perhaps want to do a faster time, you go back and do it again. You may opt to ride as Mike and Glenn did, on a tandem, or if you are of purist bent, on a single-speed. You can opt, of course, to ride shorter sections on a social basis.<br /><br /><br />Steve Thomas, my riding partner in ‘07, suggested a reverse blanket, starting in Paarl and ending in Pietermaritzburg. We agreed, though, that time constraints would mean we should aim to do the ride in two weeks. He suggested starting at Ponta da Ora and riding to Pietermaritzburg. I began to explore riding the Drakensberg to connect with the FC.<br /><br /><br />I had already found from the RTR and FC how little I knew about the Drakensberg, about where it started and ended and how it had shaped the country. It is arguably our most dominant physical feature and most important resource in the sense that it is the source of most of our water, but I have found that South Africans, like me, are generally ignorant of the range even though it has a looming presence in our lives.<br /><br /><br />Putting together a trail is also a challenge. It has to traverse the most remote parts of the country while ideally having access to tourist resources such as B&amp;Bs where you can wash, eat and sleep.<br /><br />But this a fun challenge. Given that trail riding is one of my favourite things to do, there is little hardship in this. Soon a little group of us were spending three or five days at a time checking out the various possibilities for a trail from Haenertsburg to Matatiele, where the route would join the FC.<br /><br /><br />I also scouted old book shops to get books on the Drakensberg and old wagon and prospector routes. Where I could find mountain bikers with local knowledge I contacted them for advice. In particular Dennis Lawrie, Glenn Harrison and Tim James helped with ideas and advice.<br />Google Earth is, of course, also invaluable, but most important is the 1:50 000 map. I have made so many visits to the map shop in Jan Smuts Avenue that I think I should be given shares.<br /><br /><br />There were several false starts and some areas are tougher to crack than others, but by early this month I was ready to try and cycle the whole thing in one go. I could have hunted around for a cycling partner, but as a back-of-the-field rider, I did not think this a sustainable option. I also thought that riding solo would bring an additional element to the experience.<br /><br /><br />Haenertsberg is an old gold mining town, one of many stretching through Bourke’s Luck, Pilgrim’s Rest, Mac Mac, Kaapsehoop and Barberton. It is a good place to start.<br /><br /><br />Ten kilometres out of the village there is a lake which feeds the Mohlapitse and Letaba rivers. The former carves its way through the Drakensberg to the Orrie Baragwanath pass. This goes down to the magnificent Oliphants valley.<br /><br /><br />The area is rainfall challenged, has contrasting red earth, an abundance of rocks with impressive succulents and even the odd baobab tree. It is also very hot.<br /><br /><br />Ohrigstad, over 150 years old, is a good spot to re-stock and re-fuel. Crystal Springs is a private nature reserve with an abundance of game and accommodation with breath-taking views of dramatic gorges.<br /><br /><br />Heading south there is a choice of going through In Die Diepte, a ride I am yet to do, or staying on the escarpment and heading for the Hartebeesvlakte, a massive area of state-owned land which is completely underdeveloped and the home to herds of blesbok.<br /><br /><br />By now you are entering the forested areas of Mpumalanga. There are several choices of route heading down towards Sudwala, perhaps joining the Mankele bike trails along the way.<br />I took a short piece of tar to the N4 and then rode along the main rail line to Elandshoek and up to Kaapsehoop, one the country’s most charming villages. There is more natural forest and plantation, including crossing the Ndogwana river, to Badplaas, which is also a good place to recharge. I then followed the Umkomazane river to near Warburton.<br /><br /><br />This part of the route is relatively flat and dominated by forestry. You follow forestry tracks and dirt roads through New Scotland to Amsterdam. The Luneberg/Wakkerstroom area has some of the best mountain bike riding in the country, including riding in a natural crater and up the Phongola valley.<br /><br /><br />The Buffalo valley crossing was also a highlight to me. I will be doing more riding on the Free State section as I think there is still a better route than the two I have so far used.<br /><br /><br />From Swinburne the best route will be to drop into the Lost Valley to Geluksburg. The KwaZulu-Naal section of the Drakensberg is the most developed and so has the most tar roads, but with input from locals, the mountain biker can now ride this part of the route without being on any busy roads. There are tarred sections which I would think should remain as cars are few and far between and the scenery is both dramatic and spell -binding.<br /><br /><br />I am writing this in Underberg, on a two-day break. I had considered continuing the journey south via Lesotho but this appears to add too much time to the overall trip.<br /><br /><br />Rather, the local mountain bikers I have spoken to, have sketched out a route they use which in part follows the Bushman’s Nek road. This will join the Freedom trail about 50 or 60km from Matatiele. I could end my ride here but I will ride to Dordrecht as I’d like this trip to have taken in the Drakensberg from end to end.<br /><br /><br />I have taken some trouble in the preparatory trips to arrange permits and have actively sought out farmers to discuss access issues. No problems have arisen and neither do I expect them to.<br />If this part of the trail does formalise over time I would expect that a conversation would start with the major landowners such as the forestry companies to be able to arrange blanket permits for riders.<br /><br /><br />1300km done, 500km to go.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/how-do-you-put-a-mtb-trail-together">Go Cycling</a><br /><div style="font-size: 10px;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-2283037893841358927?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-34903776872619471052009-09-21T17:05:00.004+02:002009-09-21T17:13:11.161+02:00<div>I came across a post by a Saffer (Andrew Clayton) who did his first ever downhill mountain bike run.&nbsp; You can read all about it <a href="http://www.mtbtrailreview.com/blog/downhill-mountain-biking-for-the-first-time-andrew-clayton/">here</a>&nbsp;on <a href="http://www.mtbtrailreview.com/blog/about/">Mountain Biking by 198</a>.&nbsp; He said about his experience: "You have to keep pushing the boundaries cause one day you will get 'MTB Old' and stop testing those boundaries."<br /><br /></div><div>It made me think.<br /><br /></div><div>Is that where I am.&nbsp; Having done a wonderful 3 week jaunt across South Africa, have I become "old" in my mountain biking approach.&nbsp; Certainly the riding or lack of it lately would seem so.&nbsp; This lull I am in was highlighted by our ride on the weekend and the couple we rode with.<br /><br /></div><div>Dawn and Dave. They have a tough stage race coming up at the end of September and they have trained really hard.&nbsp; We set out and at the first river crossing, Dawn fell into the water and Dave waded in to disentangle her. Well, we laughed, she laughed and I wished (not for the last time) that I had my camera.&nbsp; The route was gorgeous single track and was pretty gnarly at times.<br /><br /></div><div>At a particular tricky "bridge" over a fence, Dawn fell off, hard.&nbsp; There is always that moment of silence as you imagine the worst and then she picks herself up, laughs about it and on we go.&nbsp; It wasn't the last time she fell but she charged down the rocky descents and huffed and puffed her way up this hills, pushing her limits all the time.<br /><br /></div><div>She wasn't MTB Old.&nbsp; She was young and energetic and pushing boundaries, like I used to be. Out of practice on some of the tecnical stuff, I would hesitate and then berate myself for it.&nbsp; I hate that I have no MTB mojo but I also understand the need to get some space from the intensity of the first six months of year.<br /><br /></div><div>But I can't wait to ride the section again, this time more familiar with the obstacles and ready to flow through it.<br /><br /></div><div>When the time is right, I will be "MTB Kid" again.<br /><br /></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/mtb-old-i-hope-not">Go Cycling</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-3490377687261947105?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-68941380387296469782009-09-16T14:05:00.003+02:002009-09-16T14:13:48.404+02:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PuRovz6j6nc/SrDWPmJmB-I/AAAAAAAACUc/nmVDHSGCxf8/s1600-h/sarah+on+bike+sepia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PuRovz6j6nc/SrDWPmJmB-I/AAAAAAAACUc/nmVDHSGCxf8/s320/sarah+on+bike+sepia.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>For the last two months, I've had the company of a zesty 11 year old girl.&nbsp; She lives overseas so hasn't been hauled around with us on our mountain biking escapades but in the last year, she took possession of someones hand-me-down and taught herself to ride.<br /><br /></div><div>Then she arrives here and we borrow another bike for her but more suited to her size.&nbsp; This bike was patently a lot larger than the old one and she had to get over her initial fear of not being able to touch the ground with her feet all the time.&nbsp; Then it was the lessons for getting on and off which we practiced in the street.<br /><br /></div><div>Having mastered this, not without a lot of anxiety, we decided to ride a little further on the flattest road I know.&nbsp; Here again, she was completely intimidated by her perception of a mega downhill and it required a lot of coaxing and pushing to get her to crawl along, almost falling off from the slow pace.<br /><br /></div><div>Despite the tears,&nbsp;every time she got on the bike, she gained a little confidence.&nbsp;Then I took her to a stretch of dirt road with almost no traffic and we found that the gentle&nbsp;downhill wasn't as bad and she managed to ride it all and sort of enjoy it.&nbsp; Coming back up the hill was another story as she found the gearing confusing and refused to use certain ratios.&nbsp; But I put my hand on her back and pushed her up the hill with a few screams every time she thought we were going to crash!&nbsp; But hey, we had just ridden 5km.<br /><br /></div><div>Then a week or so passed and we decided to go to one of the best family riding venues around - Northern Farm.&nbsp; I opted to trail run while she rode with Dave.&nbsp; I had all sorts of instructions lined up for Dave about avoiding downhills which she still disliked but they headed off before I got a word in.<br /><br /></div><div>I wasn't sure what I was seeing....she rode down the path, squeaked as she went down onto the road and next thing, she disappears into the tunnel which required a short sharp descent.&nbsp; I fully expected a walk at that point from her!&nbsp; Last I saw was them heading off to one of the more steeper downhills of the farm.<br /><br /></div><div>Nonplussed, I carried on with my run to suddenly find myself chased down by a rampant, confident 11 year old with a smile as wide as the surrounding farmlands.&nbsp; Dave was gobsmacked.&nbsp; She demanded more and more downhills, rode uphills with great determination and rode the flats at twice the speed of her previous downhills.<br /><br /></div><div>Suddenly, she had got it.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/she-just-got-it">Go Cycling</a> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-6894138038729646978?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-70114031380932322012009-09-14T11:28:00.004+02:002009-09-14T11:36:20.483+02:00<a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/JkdduPm33oSqunyGBXQVtszusrfEuPDmoV2y4qn5NReB5ijNwHdj9vltSPpi/IMG_1306.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="242" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/xErSDInMYlY7lnQzpNPfdmO1vg90OjVhGo6waYLx7rMCQrAGsG8rEeEEiILy/IMG_1306.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="181" /></a> <br /><div>But I am.&nbsp; Kevin Davie, journo, Freedom Challenge finisher, is riding another adventure as I write.<br /><br /></div><div>For the last year or so, he has doggedly ridden and mapped a mountain bike route from Polokwane in the north all the way to KZN to link up with the Freedom Challenge trail.&nbsp; And now he is riding his route non stop.&nbsp;<br /><br /></div><div>He started in the picturesque village of Haenertsburg, just outside Tzaneen and plans to finish in Dordrecht in the Eastern Cape.&nbsp; I had to look that up on the map! So in fact, he overlaps most of the first 6 days of the Freedom Challenge heading further south than Rhodes (also the finish of the Ride2Rhodes).<br /><br /></div><div>He left on Saturday 12th September and he expects the journey to be about 1500km.&nbsp; He has taken two days to get to Orighstad (about 193km) with a sleep out in a village and an encounter with giraffe.<br /><br /></div><div>So why am I envious?&nbsp; I've hardly ridden at all lately.&nbsp; Because I know the joy of just riding for days on end without time constraints, with just pure adventure in mind.<br /><br /></div><div>I may just have to meet up with him somewhere on the route for a day or two!<br /><br /></div><div><i>Follow him on Twitter @spinerun</i><br /><br /></div><div></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/how-can-i-be-envious">Go Cycling</a> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-7011403138093232201?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-49547341960306292132009-09-10T15:28:00.004+02:002009-09-10T16:00:14.577+02:00<div>Seeing I'm not riding my bike at the moment, I am re-living some of the memories.&nbsp; These pics are from a ride we did from Plettenberg Bay to Cape Town (South Africa) in January.&nbsp; More later.<br /><br /></div><div>But there is light on the horizon.&nbsp; I am making tentative plans to do a Jollie Patrollie (translation: very easy ride) on Saturday at Northern Farm to be finished off by a bacon and egg roll.&nbsp; Now there's an incentive.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/IMSUNuZkcsEVoWAa25mBHTE0iTQC130HT4JzedlIaBgTGAq5TbVFgrtSqMy7/IMG_0919.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="72" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/RLur91qLJUw5GSjrRfKkQc8lyUSpGhFpGzp7rcyP9wzsiW0B8l0OVG3ym6kT/IMG_0919.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="96" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/r9Vy3uHIuBFkFuojyMssR9n8MykXYUA77Z3JSK35znKJljgQLzrMADgleRVk/IMG_0876.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="96" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/eT8BQ7Q9n6uPPtLNRq756AcPgwQdCRr9KaIriWYztF0a824zl9XXpa2XBIjb/IMG_0876.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="71" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/W57PhIIBZuT9atkZGkMhdIkX3AS3ERMdCijzoN5MQ7W11nZ20qPtTk4N3DPa/IMG_0866.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="72" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/oTYPaRTxOkRsgKv2ocHfdRQzMTlO3l34IUvxTub555pZtZnxIwHl1NJcbUFf/IMG_0866.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="96" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/9Nt3yVzURZQSwv4f482v2MdUSqcUE8JFFIKSq4ozMryCjhlkf4YVRtXZqlrX/IMG_0852.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="72" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/hvD8i7LLS1sCgbad7GF3Vz0UDZx65HdfY4Iz1muEZK3t61GpWfjwj2cuNmSS/IMG_0852.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="96" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/QUNo08ihgRVmn2JtVW8jUznDDoUBFkWxlKrlqI08ZlAalH0K3bHBnHYhHTH6/IMG_0850.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="72" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/TelAlGQus8gU3S7tBLjVZwkMtvvwK8jyYeUkEl7yxgTDWh2zjdaLkWFqGR1z/IMG_0850.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="96" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/GBzhDk6LH8Wv3oXUqECaCZoDKcgzzqNnYYwO7bAU70iE7a4tcEy5KK7uwOBH/IMG_0847.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="72" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/YRy2RepWIOrAR9rZm8pfZppjG1ONo4dGyRv9EgkQVOvCaCYSPAUzfqJuu3ET/IMG_0847.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="96" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/JTNiqM5duEQZMctz29TKcLouHSr6aqPpneRaDGZrrjgxRt0dmiAXGbhzeRNi/IMG_0846.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="72" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/dLq99TWtqrkotjpH8YAMjhEgMVLuAjT5N3nIniI2xeyD9s8hMqEmAoPrzIHV/IMG_0846.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="96" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/jE6SlJGX9oAlxdUOzDOxPKMfEInmPlMVnnf1Tp0mbUw3i699TTGykYU5voPI/IMG_0922.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="72" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/juoZLDzyFBUMpP6UPbq8irc0130mdSnyuU80sA9ihSzrFWoUcwDcOfPZVcqn/IMG_0922.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="96" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/7T6ozbSZx1yczCI2a2frrtt0AoNzT5QqGBWHmJYjNbjg71teUJHwXQVbhUvc/IMG_0955.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="72" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/I2c8kpr3VCPwkILUZzY7IYaOIv5iD7FNtP4G4GyxalMAfMVKF1zGiZdl12yi/IMG_0955.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="96" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/FiI8DuT6JebDaRexQ8bkV5PZ7xuIS1EzsLdXilIgYjvpewAjipeMAox103lM/IMG_0938.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="72" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/ZN2SIwsyyrtfxS6i47ai80PAzz3GXzU2GtRilOgucgWFehaFZTqwmriqW1gV/IMG_0938.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="96" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/oIqnSmWUQpffDxOCkVDKZE1T9NhqWOodz0rNAsGnxVSNGOc8HMjBNVyVnGnt/IMG_0967-1.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="72" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Zcg8hpw5zHdxxYJzp4ePGJXXHzIm9BH97M0oq3Rwmmh5tnf5cdFYlBlJYjfD/IMG_0967-1.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="96" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/7TRoiubuoo1hIArhhJ6XqYbpDdVEB360X32AkZwSq1VPSPAsEoacPL81PO0i/IMG_1009.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="72" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/R55IIbUWuMmxYidWHT3s7oVYGUyW4X5jOjq3saF45eR1fDhQQhiOdHAU5h5W/IMG_1009.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="96" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/alFqSCtSbzzCQ7dT418m9F0MjXfEbhiJdZ1v84ItOBHtwKhodWtqJPHh60s8/IMG_1003.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="72" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/vk4lvOspTC1V2KiJWNtTQymmDPtf9IGfJlap8XImCyAI0FvZZBOAQbUdt7H2/IMG_1003.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="96" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/dO8boZaVvL51YtzmLMvWg6GT9pXfpgXIRdeeOoOlPSDVQ5jr9l2YzFaBfRMq/IMG_0998.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="72" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/e2T09r6mJWZN0ZU7t5w1pj6FBznXFp7PLenjjNXwVsTWPamy9MtBAbJTKu9Z/IMG_0998.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="96" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/RaXYWF9rTKpKlncJ2zvjoAoLDnLv5UpGUtvEqmRo1dpUQDfldgGaPWbB5EC9/IMG_0986.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="72" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/8jBrW2domOVfFjSZFp2U33WSl9mNZwuanID4yycHe0Ps1n5ddocG5lIwS21k/IMG_0986.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="96" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/WvtK7xShh3YvHMgbBBX0Kynu9KGgfM5FNQCOeWp1yNPedsS4vHjZD8bfATxn/IMG_1030.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="72" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/v3vwRgf3MumUhS2eh3xUslYCc4dJmvU9zUj9BFYGc1TRQrTCTLbDuh59gZMO/IMG_1030.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="96" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/cscnib3dW7nKkBcOwbWGwagbqWPCMPXBWCopX4KCpbPpPd3b8GkFQTaJVtvT/IMG_1026.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="72" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/Z1FL4bpWNUiW5QoqOROXjadIlkGTVmszDIC1ya1jqXAfsQFgop5lx0kv0X09/IMG_1026.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="96" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/mbhOqL2JpUS9ZIBpzeCS0RypiD7WPm8V8EjPMAb6GexfIU48dgoyhEoarbNL/IMG_1035.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="72" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/f5EubOIN3wlkYzdJclOAahaknnKE860GGR23tRPeCsXQNZPEcSc6kurUyNwF/IMG_1035.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="96" /></a> <br /><br /><a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/remember-the-ride">See and download the full gallery on posterous</a></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/remember-the-ride">Go Cycling</a> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-4954734196030629213?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-69453198137157918932009-09-08T11:02:00.003+02:002009-09-10T15:59:04.837+02:00<div>The dust gathers on both my bikes.&nbsp; I am not in love with my mountain bike at the moment.&nbsp; I haven't yet removed the gripshifters and they are not set right missing three big gears.&nbsp; I just don't have the energy to sort it out.&nbsp;<br /><br /></div><div>I had a great road ride on Saturday to Greenside - the home of Vida and great cafe mocha.&nbsp; Chilled, good company and a few laughs on the way.&nbsp; Since then, nothing, nada.&nbsp; I am hanging on to the running though and paying attention to my also neglected garden.&nbsp; Spring is a good time to focus on long overgrown beds and weed ridden lawns.<br /><br /></div><div>After the Freedom Challenge, I felt restless and needing change.&nbsp; I just didn't think it would come all at once and knock me flying. I'm left with huge knots in my stomach and playing my ipod loud when I run!&nbsp; So I am trying to go with the flow, some of which I can control and the rest....well, it is what it is!<br /><br /></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/life-in-turmoil-neglected-bike">Go Cycling</a> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-6945319813715791893?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779850398904118799.post-35254736241942207322009-09-03T15:41:00.009+02:002009-09-03T16:08:05.057+02:00<a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/zYpTgnAyrCl2F8X4K9C0LRkXGfwsFYOsRIXtGC2OWc1cU31R4PxXITmDmVcQ/IMG_1672.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img height="150" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/gocycling/XvkAw5xfbXXZooDaeSOBNcq94pCF2MKlCSrvKnTO4PocCY1d2ZUjpU43OroN/IMG_1672.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="200" /></a> <br /><div>Hmmm, that sounds like some way out band or cult movie.&nbsp; But no, its the intricacies of running (with dogs).</div><div>I haven't been able to get back on the bike for a whole pile of reasons but mainly, I just don't feel like it.&nbsp; Also, I now prefer to ride my road bike&nbsp;for a change but that group has disintegrated and I will have to attach myself to others soon.&nbsp; Spring is here and I don't want to miss out.</div><div>So in the meantime, I am running.&nbsp; Carefully at first as I don't want a re-occurrence of the calf problems that plagued me before the Freedom Challenge.&nbsp; So I have built up oh so slowly.&nbsp; The upside is that the dogs have been able to join me with a slow build up in their fitness too.</div><div>I admit they have been under exercised and must be completely bewildered by this change in their fortunes.&nbsp; The problem is always leaving one behind.&nbsp; They just don't get it - "tomorrow is your day". So, after locking one hysterical dog in the house (to be let out once I have left), I head out with the other 35kgs of dog muscle raring to go.</div><div>Nyx is pretty cool.&nbsp; Essentially a timid dog unless there is a gate between her and the "enemy", she jogs along without tugging on the leash.&nbsp; She's not much interested in the cacophony of dogs barking at us as we run past and is quite ladylike with her ears alert and neat foot action.&nbsp; But every now and then, she stops or swings in a circle to check on me and I have to do some fancy footwork to avoid being tripped up.</div><div>But Trinity, oh my.&nbsp; She stares down every dog as we pass, superior in her attitude that she is out there and they are, well, in there.&nbsp; She pulls on the leash until we hit the first hill and only then begins to slow down to a pace I feel comfortable with.&nbsp; I must admit to acting the dead weight to get her to tire sooner.&nbsp; She runs in a straight line with the occasional bound at some dog behind a gate, but a stern "LEAVE!" brings her back on track and we're on the way again.</div><div>This week, they have graduated to the 8km route which is interspersed with stretching sessions.<br /><br />But what a treat for them as this route passes the local river and I let them off the leash for a swim.&nbsp; They just radiate joy stretching their legs at speed and lunging in and out of the water.&nbsp; I swear I hear them laughing.&nbsp; Then it is my turn to keep jumping out the way to avoid have water sprayed on me as they shake their coats.</div><div>And then its time for the home stretch and the reunion with the dog left behind.</div><div></div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://gocycling.posterous.com/running-with-dogs">Go Cycling</a> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3779850398904118799-3525473624194220732?l=dash4freedom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Santacruzrulzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07919667122485733291noreply@blogger.com2