XC: Saturday:
Saturday saw the second race of the festival, the XC (cross Country) and this also doubled up as the final race in the KZN XC cup series. The racing for this race was a little different from the previous XC’s as you had to race in your age group not in your chosen batch. This placed me in the C batch and my race was off at 9:30 am.
The start was off on time. As we took off Travis Walker came to the front and sat in front off me. I sat behind him and let him pull for quite a while we opened a gap on the rest of the field and we sat with each other until we caught up to the back markers of the previous batches.
Travis managed to squeeze through a couple of gaps and broke away. I waited until I could find a gap in the single track and I took every chance after that to try catching him again.
I pushed hard every lap and felt that my times were consistent but the gap between Travis and I continued to increase slightly each lap. I still went as hard as I could and I managed to get into a group of the faster elite riders and let them pull me, which enabled me to conserve some energy.
In the end I could not close the gap enough, but I still managed to grab 2nd overall in the Youth championship, 2nd in batch and 2nd in age group. I was really happy with my result as I had achieved one of my goals for my first year as a youth rider.
The course was really awesome, one of the best XC course I have ridden, great single track, slippery river crossings and a tough rock garden/river crossing. Well done to every one who put a great amount of work into the course!
45km Half Marathon:
Over the last two days the Karkloof had seen the Friday night race, the XC and the Dash for Cash. Today was the final races, the 75km Marathon and the 45km half marathon.
I had a game plan for the race and was really eager to get started at 09h00. The start was very fast and I was really surprised that no one came with me as I soon found myself out in front on my own as I had put in attack very early effort to draw out the faster riders in my batch so that we would have a clear run at the course and hopefully a good race on the day.
I then decided to settle into a comfortable pace and soon had Travis and another rider with me, but we still had a long way to go. The first big climb of the day drew close and both Travis and I put in an attack in order to drop the other rider.
I sat on the front of the break away for most of the race with Travis just sitting on my wheel and not really helping to work to stay ahead of a hard charging Jedson Tooms.
Then at about 30km or so into the race, my juice bottle was empty and I knew I had made a big mistake by only taking 1 bottle for the race!
I knew had to go with Trav for as long as possible, but I could feel myself needing some energy. He opened a small gap on me on the bottom of the KOM (king of the mountains) I gave chase but slowly began running out of energy.
A little while after this, Jedson caught me and I gave chase as long as I could, but I had completely blown all my energy.
With only 8km to go I blew completely and could only try and stay on the bike and nurse my body to the finish.
I definitely learnt from my costly mistake!!!
Well-done to the organizers once again, the course was a lot tougher than last year, but was absolutely awesome.
A big thank you to Andrew Nicholson, Barry Hullett, Bruce Mackenzie and Rene Stubbs for all their hard work in putting this great event together. It was really awesome! Thanks loads!!!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Forest to Falls Half Marathon 03 May 2008
We left early on Thursday morning, on our way to the “thriving metropolis” of Graskop. The road trip wasn’t too bad, Meg driving, Craig watching DVD’s, Pete studying and myself, playing play station. We arrived in the tiny town of Graskop around 14:30. We found our accommodation and managed to settle in just before the miserable weather set in.
The next morning was cold and wet, and so we decided to hit the pancake house for some breakfast and some hot coffee!!! We then took a tour around the minute town, walking in and about all the curio shops that are placed every where among the town. Later Craig, Pete and I went for a ride to Pilgrim’s Rest, a small town/village some 30 odd km’s away. The weather up the climb of the pass was really snotty, the rain was drizzling the whole time, we then crested the climb and had what felt like a 10km dry run almost the entire way down, it was really awesome!!!
Our day ended with us attending another pancake house just across the road from the other one (This was the 2nd pancake house out of the 4 we knew about).
On Saturday came the race, we were up reasonably early, with the marathon off at 8am and my race (35km half marathon) off at 8:20 am. I warmed up with Craig and the guys, and then went to the seeding area, after the marathon had gone we lined up, I was on the front row, I sat nervously on the start. We started on time and had a very long neutral zone, but after the lead car pulled off the racing started.
After a km or so there was a group of 7, Bryce Munro was setting the pace, myself, Jac-Johann Steyn and Arno du Toit sat at the back and in the middle of the pack, trying not to use too much of our energy too early in the race. Soon Bryce, myself and another guy were all together, but at the top of the ‘King of the Mountains’ I couldn’t hold on and I began riding with Arno and Jac, who were working very well together and closed up to me. From here on the three of us worked very well together and about 10km from the finish I started attacking, as I knew both Jac and Arnot both had a better sprint than me.
I got away but they worked together and closed up every time. A couple of kilometers down the road, one of the slower marathon riders that we were passing fell in front of us and I got caught up in the fall while Jac and Arnot seemed to come away relatively unscathed and they saw the opportunity and took off, leaving me to play catch up.
I chased really hard for about 3 km’s and managed to catch both of them again after putting in a really big effort. With about 3km to go they put another attack leaving me to try and chase them down again after having just played catch up and could feel the body starting to talk back and was really feeling the pace, but I still pushed myself to the limit, as we crested into the finish holding as long as I could but was still beaten to the line by a second or two.
I was really happy with my result, being my first major half marathon, against a field of seasoned competitors who have been doing this for a while.
The organization gone into this event was really awesome, the course was really cool but hard.
I would just like to say thanks to Craig, Meg and Pete. You guys are awesome. Thanks for the great weekend!!!
Lastly a big thank you to Dellah Paul, who also made it possible for me to attend.
The next morning was cold and wet, and so we decided to hit the pancake house for some breakfast and some hot coffee!!! We then took a tour around the minute town, walking in and about all the curio shops that are placed every where among the town. Later Craig, Pete and I went for a ride to Pilgrim’s Rest, a small town/village some 30 odd km’s away. The weather up the climb of the pass was really snotty, the rain was drizzling the whole time, we then crested the climb and had what felt like a 10km dry run almost the entire way down, it was really awesome!!!
Our day ended with us attending another pancake house just across the road from the other one (This was the 2nd pancake house out of the 4 we knew about).
On Saturday came the race, we were up reasonably early, with the marathon off at 8am and my race (35km half marathon) off at 8:20 am. I warmed up with Craig and the guys, and then went to the seeding area, after the marathon had gone we lined up, I was on the front row, I sat nervously on the start. We started on time and had a very long neutral zone, but after the lead car pulled off the racing started.
After a km or so there was a group of 7, Bryce Munro was setting the pace, myself, Jac-Johann Steyn and Arno du Toit sat at the back and in the middle of the pack, trying not to use too much of our energy too early in the race. Soon Bryce, myself and another guy were all together, but at the top of the ‘King of the Mountains’ I couldn’t hold on and I began riding with Arno and Jac, who were working very well together and closed up to me. From here on the three of us worked very well together and about 10km from the finish I started attacking, as I knew both Jac and Arnot both had a better sprint than me.
I got away but they worked together and closed up every time. A couple of kilometers down the road, one of the slower marathon riders that we were passing fell in front of us and I got caught up in the fall while Jac and Arnot seemed to come away relatively unscathed and they saw the opportunity and took off, leaving me to play catch up.
I chased really hard for about 3 km’s and managed to catch both of them again after putting in a really big effort. With about 3km to go they put another attack leaving me to try and chase them down again after having just played catch up and could feel the body starting to talk back and was really feeling the pace, but I still pushed myself to the limit, as we crested into the finish holding as long as I could but was still beaten to the line by a second or two.
I was really happy with my result, being my first major half marathon, against a field of seasoned competitors who have been doing this for a while.
The organization gone into this event was really awesome, the course was really cool but hard.
I would just like to say thanks to Craig, Meg and Pete. You guys are awesome. Thanks for the great weekend!!!
Lastly a big thank you to Dellah Paul, who also made it possible for me to attend.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Juicy Luicy Classic - 27 April 2008
An extremely cold and early morning saw us to the first ever Juicy Luicy Classic. Situated in Mid Illovo surrounded by HILLS and sugar cane. The organization looked very well-done, and the conditions were looking to be set for an awesome days racing. Surprisingly some of the top racers were there, Dave Lieman, Andrew Warr, Jedson Tooms and Carl Calvarly.
Racing was off at 9:00am. A neutral zone for the first couple of hundred meters, had the field get really anxious to race. As the lead bike pulled off the racing began. Jedson was the first to put down the hammer followed by David Lieman and Andrew Warr. Carl and myself caught up and soon were in a pack with Bruce Hughes, Jedson, Carl and myself, with Dave and Andrew ahead. A couple of kilometers down the road I put in a big attack, in an attempt to catch Dave as I was keen to try and race with him and also try to learn from him at the same time..
I slowly began to close the gap and was soon in third place with Dave only metres ahead of m, but I ended up taking the wrong route through the river and lost all the time I had gained. The chasing pack then caught me on the other side of the river and I decided to settled down and try a break a little later once I had been able to assess the other riders after some distance.
Carl, Jedson and I now were in a pack taking up third , fourth and fifth place respectively and were really working well together. We were really pushing the pace, and we received news from the camera crew that we were closing on Dave Lieman again, which really got the motivation going again
But just after that tragedy struck, whilst descending before the water point really fast, in an effort to close down Jedson and Karl who were about 20 meters in front after a small break away, I hit a huge rock and flattened my tire completely. I stopped and bombed it and was going again soon after, but my stop had allowed them to break away and I decided to really give it everything again in an attempt to try and catch them, but in doing so I blew and just had to maintain my pace and ride to finish in fifth place overall and 1st youth rider. I would just like to give a major thanks to Carl and Jedson for the fantastic ride and Johann Wykerd for his assistance with my bike before the start of the race
The course was Extremely tough, very nasty hills, but very well organized, great first impression guys… well done!
Racing was off at 9:00am. A neutral zone for the first couple of hundred meters, had the field get really anxious to race. As the lead bike pulled off the racing began. Jedson was the first to put down the hammer followed by David Lieman and Andrew Warr. Carl and myself caught up and soon were in a pack with Bruce Hughes, Jedson, Carl and myself, with Dave and Andrew ahead. A couple of kilometers down the road I put in a big attack, in an attempt to catch Dave as I was keen to try and race with him and also try to learn from him at the same time..
I slowly began to close the gap and was soon in third place with Dave only metres ahead of m, but I ended up taking the wrong route through the river and lost all the time I had gained. The chasing pack then caught me on the other side of the river and I decided to settled down and try a break a little later once I had been able to assess the other riders after some distance.
Carl, Jedson and I now were in a pack taking up third , fourth and fifth place respectively and were really working well together. We were really pushing the pace, and we received news from the camera crew that we were closing on Dave Lieman again, which really got the motivation going again
But just after that tragedy struck, whilst descending before the water point really fast, in an effort to close down Jedson and Karl who were about 20 meters in front after a small break away, I hit a huge rock and flattened my tire completely. I stopped and bombed it and was going again soon after, but my stop had allowed them to break away and I decided to really give it everything again in an attempt to try and catch them, but in doing so I blew and just had to maintain my pace and ride to finish in fifth place overall and 1st youth rider. I would just like to give a major thanks to Carl and Jedson for the fantastic ride and Johann Wykerd for his assistance with my bike before the start of the race
The course was Extremely tough, very nasty hills, but very well organized, great first impression guys… well done!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Energizer Night Relay 25 April 2008
The 4th Energizer night relay was again held at the awesome grounds of Hilton College, with the sun setting the back drop was awesome, and it was going to be an awesome night for racing!
Candice Neethling (a fellow team mate) and I had joined together for the mixed relay. The racing started as it became dark, Candice did the first lap, and came in relatively near the front after a great first lap. When she came in she tagged me and I sprinted off into the dark, pushing as hard as I could. Maybe I went a little too hard, my light on my handle bars came loose and I had to stop and put it back on a couple of times. After reattaching it a couple of times, I went really hard at every place I could, and managed to catch and pass some teams ahead of me. Coming back onto the field I caught Lance Kime, going onto the last lap, I had to tag Candice and then we had to do the third lap together.
Candice, myself, lance Kime and Andrew Birkett all left together.
Working together we took turns pulling in the front, but coming into the one sandy section, I lost focus and hit it at full speed, not prepared for what was going to happen, I was spat off and landed hard on the ground.
After landing so hard my light had once again come loose, I told Candice to carry on. I fixed my light but as I caught Candice it once again came loose, this happened 2 more times during the last lap!
Coming into the finish we became very excited and anxious to know how we had featured in the mixed division and were delighted to hear that we had actually come home first in our respective category.
It was awesome fun, and we both really enjoyed it. I could not have asked for a better partner to race with and a huge thanks must go out to Candice. The course was awesome, great single track, and a huge amount of organization went into the race. Well done!
Candice Neethling (a fellow team mate) and I had joined together for the mixed relay. The racing started as it became dark, Candice did the first lap, and came in relatively near the front after a great first lap. When she came in she tagged me and I sprinted off into the dark, pushing as hard as I could. Maybe I went a little too hard, my light on my handle bars came loose and I had to stop and put it back on a couple of times. After reattaching it a couple of times, I went really hard at every place I could, and managed to catch and pass some teams ahead of me. Coming back onto the field I caught Lance Kime, going onto the last lap, I had to tag Candice and then we had to do the third lap together.
Candice, myself, lance Kime and Andrew Birkett all left together.
Working together we took turns pulling in the front, but coming into the one sandy section, I lost focus and hit it at full speed, not prepared for what was going to happen, I was spat off and landed hard on the ground.
After landing so hard my light had once again come loose, I told Candice to carry on. I fixed my light but as I caught Candice it once again came loose, this happened 2 more times during the last lap!
Coming into the finish we became very excited and anxious to know how we had featured in the mixed division and were delighted to hear that we had actually come home first in our respective category.
It was awesome fun, and we both really enjoyed it. I could not have asked for a better partner to race with and a huge thanks must go out to Candice. The course was awesome, great single track, and a huge amount of organization went into the race. Well done!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Cumberland Super Classic 19 April 2008
Another overcast and drizzling morning saw us to the Cumberland Super Classic. After hearing many good remarks about the race, I was really looking forward to it. I had never done the longer race and had only participated in the 25km race 2 years earlier.
All the top racers were here, Brandon Stewart, Craig Paul, Pete Smith, Dave Lieman, Roan Exelby, and a few others. The pace was going to be really hard and tough.
Off the start the pace was fairly chilled and we all sat in a big bunch. But as soon as we came off the dirt road and into the grass section the racing began and all the top guys went. Myself, Mike Smith and Carl Calverly all settled into a small bunch and soon we managed to catch Jedson Tooms and Pete Smith, and we pushed to catch Travis Walker and Andrew Hill. We maintained this tempo well into the race and I had settled in nicely in 6th place on the road and was riding at a good pace together with Jedson Tooms and Mike Smith.
Further into the race we entered one of the many single tracks, Pete Smith upped the pace and I decided to try and go with him, but tragedy struck when I came into the one sandy corner too hot, losing the front end and smashing my knee into a stump.
I tried to recover as quickly as possible so that I would not loose too much time and Stumbled back onto my bike. I really put down the hammer to catch the group again and had soon reeled Jedson, Carl, and Mike back in (Pete was gone). It was a good thing I managed to close back up again as we continue to work with each other trying to catch Travis Walker and Andrew Hill who were just ahead of us. At about the half way mark, we managed to drop Carl and Mike and myself were really upping the pace through the single track. Just before the big drop off we passed Andrew Hill who had punctured.
Up the big dirt climb we got news we were only 30 or so seconds back on Travis, who at this stage had found himself on his own with Andrew having problems and I set my focus on closing the gap which was at that stage reported to be in the region of 30 seconds. Mike Smith and I managed to break away from Jedson and we were racing Time Trial (TT).
With about 5km to go Mike and I caught the 25km riders and Mike managed to find a gap but I got boxed in and after I managed to get through I was the one on my own as Mike had made his break. I pushed myself to the limit to try catching Mike, and in doing so, I blew with about 3km to go and both Carl and Jedson caught up again.
I got a second wind and I pushed really hard to the finish, but to no avail. I still managed to get a second in age group, and 12th overall.
It was a great race which I found to be quite tough on the body, but I really enjoyed it.
All the top racers were here, Brandon Stewart, Craig Paul, Pete Smith, Dave Lieman, Roan Exelby, and a few others. The pace was going to be really hard and tough.
Off the start the pace was fairly chilled and we all sat in a big bunch. But as soon as we came off the dirt road and into the grass section the racing began and all the top guys went. Myself, Mike Smith and Carl Calverly all settled into a small bunch and soon we managed to catch Jedson Tooms and Pete Smith, and we pushed to catch Travis Walker and Andrew Hill. We maintained this tempo well into the race and I had settled in nicely in 6th place on the road and was riding at a good pace together with Jedson Tooms and Mike Smith.
Further into the race we entered one of the many single tracks, Pete Smith upped the pace and I decided to try and go with him, but tragedy struck when I came into the one sandy corner too hot, losing the front end and smashing my knee into a stump.
I tried to recover as quickly as possible so that I would not loose too much time and Stumbled back onto my bike. I really put down the hammer to catch the group again and had soon reeled Jedson, Carl, and Mike back in (Pete was gone). It was a good thing I managed to close back up again as we continue to work with each other trying to catch Travis Walker and Andrew Hill who were just ahead of us. At about the half way mark, we managed to drop Carl and Mike and myself were really upping the pace through the single track. Just before the big drop off we passed Andrew Hill who had punctured.
Up the big dirt climb we got news we were only 30 or so seconds back on Travis, who at this stage had found himself on his own with Andrew having problems and I set my focus on closing the gap which was at that stage reported to be in the region of 30 seconds. Mike Smith and I managed to break away from Jedson and we were racing Time Trial (TT).
With about 5km to go Mike and I caught the 25km riders and Mike managed to find a gap but I got boxed in and after I managed to get through I was the one on my own as Mike had made his break. I pushed myself to the limit to try catching Mike, and in doing so, I blew with about 3km to go and both Carl and Jedson caught up again.
I got a second wind and I pushed really hard to the finish, but to no avail. I still managed to get a second in age group, and 12th overall.
It was a great race which I found to be quite tough on the body, but I really enjoyed it.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
George XC National 12 April 2008
With my race only starting last- 13:30! I used it to my advantage and relaxed the entire morning. At 11:30 we left the house, and took a slow drive to the venue, which was only a couple of kilometers down the road.
After having been at George for the past week, I was fairly confident; I was loving the course and was hoping I was in as good form as I was last year.
Half an hour before the race I left and went to warm up, trying to get in the zone. 10 minutes before the race we were called up to the start. I was seeded 8th, which was the second row, off the start there was a mad dash (about 500m) to the first single track. My start was terrible after I had got boxed in, and now had to fight my way through the field. I entered into the single track 9th place but had worked myself up to 7th after the first kilometer..
Over the course of the first lap I managed to work my way up to 2nd and came through the feed zone feeling really strong. I settled into third place for the second and was constantly trying to close the gap on 2nd place, but half way through my third lap the current S.A. champ Arnot Du Toit caught and passed me . I tried to hang on as long as possible, but he was just too strong.
On the fourth lap, I pushed really hard, putting in a big effort, but I could not close the gap and finished 4th, my best national result for the year.
I was really happy with the result .The course was really awesome, great single track, with really technical root gardens, and fast flowing sections and some really cool drop offs. Great organization went into the race, well done to the organizers.
After having been at George for the past week, I was fairly confident; I was loving the course and was hoping I was in as good form as I was last year.
Half an hour before the race I left and went to warm up, trying to get in the zone. 10 minutes before the race we were called up to the start. I was seeded 8th, which was the second row, off the start there was a mad dash (about 500m) to the first single track. My start was terrible after I had got boxed in, and now had to fight my way through the field. I entered into the single track 9th place but had worked myself up to 7th after the first kilometer..
Over the course of the first lap I managed to work my way up to 2nd and came through the feed zone feeling really strong. I settled into third place for the second and was constantly trying to close the gap on 2nd place, but half way through my third lap the current S.A. champ Arnot Du Toit caught and passed me . I tried to hang on as long as possible, but he was just too strong.
On the fourth lap, I pushed really hard, putting in a big effort, but I could not close the gap and finished 4th, my best national result for the year.
I was really happy with the result .The course was really awesome, great single track, with really technical root gardens, and fast flowing sections and some really cool drop offs. Great organization went into the race, well done to the organizers.
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