Hey guys!
Well yesterday was the Barberton National XCM (marathon). Ryan and I entered the half marathon. With Team mates Craig and Pete hooking the Ultra Marathon.
We were up really early in the morning as the other guys had to get ready for their race at 07:00. We took a drive across from our accommodation and made our way toward the start.
After a good thorough warm up with Ryan we took our place on the front row of the grid with fell Natalians, James Reid (Mr Price/Specialized) and Trav Walker (DCM). The nerves kicked in with a few minutes to go and I became really keen to scope out the form of the national competition. We began our ride slowly but a few hundred meters down the road James attacked. I managed to get onto his wheel, with Ryan following close behind. We went through the town really hard and by the time we reached the main climb (11km long) I knew I had to back off. Travis bridged the gap, and I fell off the lead pack and rode on my ace.
I chased hard to close the gap and eventually after 8km of climbing I reentered the bunch,as I made contact I went really hard around the side to see if any of the riders would drop off. I held the pace for a while but soon slowed to let the others come through. James and Trav came through extremely fast and I found myself off the back again with only 2km left of the climb. Ryan soon dropped off and I managed to catch and drop him. At that point shear determination took over and I started to reel in the gap very slowly. By the time I reached the peak of the climb James and Trav were only 62seconds ahead, but had managed to increase the gap on the descent while I was climbing the final few meters of the climb. I pushed myself to the absolute limit on the descent, scaring myself to death on some of the loose rocky switch backs. By the time I had reached the bottom I had closed it back down to 60 or so seconds. The gap sat between 1 and 2 minutes for most of the race, but as I got nearer to the 40km mark my back went into an immense pain. This was caused by my frame being too small. I tried to push through the pain, and was nearly forced to pull out at the final water point, but I received news that I had a good gap over 4th place so I just chilled the last two or so kilometers. I crossed the line in 3rd overall and a few minutes down on James and Trav. Ryan brought home a 4th. KZN had a fantastic day, with the top 4 positions going to us.
The race was super hard but it was good to race and see how the national competition's form is as well as the way that they race. I am totally over the moon with my result. Well done to James for the win!
Craig and Pete had a good race. Pete brought home 11th, Craig 12th and Carl Calvarley was 14th. Well done guys!
The trip back this morning was awesome! It was great to get to know Carl a bit better It was a totally amazing experience! Thanks to Jeep for lending us the vehicle, which just made the experience all that more unforgettable!
This weekend is the first national! I absolutely cant wait! New course, new venue... should make for some interesting racing
Until next time
B
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Team Jeep Road Trip - Barberton
Hey guys!
Well I'm busy blogging from the dining room at our accommodation here in Barberton! Our epic adventure started off at 5 this morning and went pretty well. We had a good time coming up, which always makes the trip fly by. I managed to learn some new stuff on my awesome new HP Probook 4510s Laptop, man what an awesome piece of machinery! I'd really like to give a huge shout out to the guys from HP, they really helped out with an amazing deal!
The trip was done in comfort too! We traveled in style in a Limited Edition Jeep Patriot, with 3 bikes on the roof, 2 on the back, a boot filled to the roof and 5 athletes in the front of the car. SUPER SPACEY!!!
Tomorrow Ryan Ellis and I are hitting the half marathon, Craig, Pete and Carl are gonna tackle the 120km ultra marathon. Hopefully all the fun we had on the way up pays off and bring home some good results!
Will keep you guys updated!
B
Well I'm busy blogging from the dining room at our accommodation here in Barberton! Our epic adventure started off at 5 this morning and went pretty well. We had a good time coming up, which always makes the trip fly by. I managed to learn some new stuff on my awesome new HP Probook 4510s Laptop, man what an awesome piece of machinery! I'd really like to give a huge shout out to the guys from HP, they really helped out with an amazing deal!
The trip was done in comfort too! We traveled in style in a Limited Edition Jeep Patriot, with 3 bikes on the roof, 2 on the back, a boot filled to the roof and 5 athletes in the front of the car. SUPER SPACEY!!!
Tomorrow Ryan Ellis and I are hitting the half marathon, Craig, Pete and Carl are gonna tackle the 120km ultra marathon. Hopefully all the fun we had on the way up pays off and bring home some good results!
Will keep you guys updated!
B
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Shout Out - 2010 Racing Machine
Hey Guys
I just want to say a HUGE thank you to Johann Wykerd, from WSquared Cycling in Hilton. He's really helped me out with an amazing deal on a bike for this season, and I really appreciate it!
You guys should really go check out his shop, they stock an awesome range of bikes and accessories!
Pictures will follow of the new Merida 96 XX ! :)
I just want to say a HUGE thank you to Johann Wykerd, from WSquared Cycling in Hilton. He's really helped me out with an amazing deal on a bike for this season, and I really appreciate it!
You guys should really go check out his shop, they stock an awesome range of bikes and accessories!
Pictures will follow of the new Merida 96 XX ! :)
The Ball is Rolling
Hey Guys,
Wow, it's been a while since I've updated my blog! Just to let you know that this past weekend was the first Provincial XC of the year and was held at Stainbank Nature Reserve.
Unfortunately, the course was a lot less technical from previous years, but the number of laps was increased. I made the decision to race up an age category, meaning, I'd be racing U23 instead of Junior. I knew there was a mountain of a task ahead of me, but at the same time, would help benefit my riding by racing against the elite athletes.
Our race started very late in the day, so I chilled around the feed zone and technical area to watch some of the youngsters battle it out. After some good racing throughout the day, it was time to suit up and hit a spin to warm up the legs. The humidity and heat was really unbearable, so the officials decided to reduce the number of laps from 8 to 7. I lined up on the start line and managed to get a good position on the front row of the start line. My nerves began to kick in as I sat amongst some of the countries best elites, but I tried to remain calm and relaxed for the pain that lay ahead. Straight out of the gates, Rourke Croeser went hard and I managed to jump onto his wheel. Roan Exelby and Dave Leiman were close in tow as we hit the fast open grass sections. I held onto Rourke for as long as possible and we managed to open up a small gap on the other riders. By the time we hit the big climb of the race, Rourke had opened a gap and left me in no mans land... I dropped back to the chase bunch with Roan, Andrew Warr and Dave. We rode hard to try close the gap for a while but Rorke was just too strong. As the race went on Roan and I dropped off the chase bunch and then on the fifth lap disaster stuck. I flatted my rear tyre and the valve came loose after I bombed the tyre. I tightened it as much as possible and had to wait for another rider to give me a bomb. After waiting, James Reid popped around the corner and came to the rescue. I bombed the tyre and rode to the finish. I put my spare wheel in, just in case the valve came loose again. I pushed super hard to try make up the positions I had lost and started to real in some of the riders that had past me. But disaster struck again on the last lap, I burped my rear wheel and was without a bomb. I decided to ride the final KIlometer or so on my flat wheel.
IN the end, I was a little dissappointed, but it was a very valuable learning experience. I was stoked that I still managed to pull off a 2nd in the U23 Category. It was insanely difficult racing, but hopefully it'll pay off when the time comes for nationals!
Wow, it's been a while since I've updated my blog! Just to let you know that this past weekend was the first Provincial XC of the year and was held at Stainbank Nature Reserve.
Unfortunately, the course was a lot less technical from previous years, but the number of laps was increased. I made the decision to race up an age category, meaning, I'd be racing U23 instead of Junior. I knew there was a mountain of a task ahead of me, but at the same time, would help benefit my riding by racing against the elite athletes.
Our race started very late in the day, so I chilled around the feed zone and technical area to watch some of the youngsters battle it out. After some good racing throughout the day, it was time to suit up and hit a spin to warm up the legs. The humidity and heat was really unbearable, so the officials decided to reduce the number of laps from 8 to 7. I lined up on the start line and managed to get a good position on the front row of the start line. My nerves began to kick in as I sat amongst some of the countries best elites, but I tried to remain calm and relaxed for the pain that lay ahead. Straight out of the gates, Rourke Croeser went hard and I managed to jump onto his wheel. Roan Exelby and Dave Leiman were close in tow as we hit the fast open grass sections. I held onto Rourke for as long as possible and we managed to open up a small gap on the other riders. By the time we hit the big climb of the race, Rourke had opened a gap and left me in no mans land... I dropped back to the chase bunch with Roan, Andrew Warr and Dave. We rode hard to try close the gap for a while but Rorke was just too strong. As the race went on Roan and I dropped off the chase bunch and then on the fifth lap disaster stuck. I flatted my rear tyre and the valve came loose after I bombed the tyre. I tightened it as much as possible and had to wait for another rider to give me a bomb. After waiting, James Reid popped around the corner and came to the rescue. I bombed the tyre and rode to the finish. I put my spare wheel in, just in case the valve came loose again. I pushed super hard to try make up the positions I had lost and started to real in some of the riders that had past me. But disaster struck again on the last lap, I burped my rear wheel and was without a bomb. I decided to ride the final KIlometer or so on my flat wheel.
IN the end, I was a little dissappointed, but it was a very valuable learning experience. I was stoked that I still managed to pull off a 2nd in the U23 Category. It was insanely difficult racing, but hopefully it'll pay off when the time comes for nationals!
Monday, January 4, 2010
2009 S-Works Frame For Sale!!!
Hey Guys
I'm selling my race frame from this past season!
It's a 2009 Specialized S-works Carbon HT (19inch)
it includes
Specialized 'Brain' Fork,
S-Works Carbon Seat post
It's still in amazing condition!
R18000-00 ONCO
If you guys are interested drop me an email on davids.brendon@gmail.com
ciao
B
I'm selling my race frame from this past season!
It's a 2009 Specialized S-works Carbon HT (19inch)
it includes
Specialized 'Brain' Fork,
S-Works Carbon Seat post
It's still in amazing condition!
R18000-00 ONCO
If you guys are interested drop me an email on davids.brendon@gmail.com
ciao
B
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