Friday, November 21, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Team Jeep Weekend 14-16 November
Cumberland Nature Reserve were the hosts for the 2008 Team Jeep Weekend. The weekend began with the arrival of most of the team athletes on Friday, 14th November. We chilled and just had a good time on Friday night, catching up with some of the athletes who were rarely seen in KZN.
On Saturday morning most of us went for an early ride before breakfast and the team building exercises. We got back to the accommodation after the chilled ride and went to chill by the pool.
We were guided down to the team building area by the instructors. We were Split into 3 groups, and we were to tackle the the obstacle courses in the fastest time. The exercises consisted of 2 obstacle courses and 2 different exercise to build our trust in other team member-"trust fall"
Saturday night saw the commencement of the potjie competition between the 3 teams. Our team honestly had no clue as to what to do, we even had I.T. God - Dave Miller- looking up some recipes and in the end we just threw all the ingredients into the pot and let it cook, and to our surprise it turned out pretty well... but we lost to the "Baboons."
Sunday morning was ours to do as we wanted. We tucked into a good breakfast and after some team discussions with team management, Craig Paul and I left and rode back to Hilton.
The weekend was really cool and it was awesome to meet up with team members that we do not see very often. A big thanks to Max, Clint and Kita for a great weekend away.
On Saturday morning most of us went for an early ride before breakfast and the team building exercises. We got back to the accommodation after the chilled ride and went to chill by the pool.
We were guided down to the team building area by the instructors. We were Split into 3 groups, and we were to tackle the the obstacle courses in the fastest time. The exercises consisted of 2 obstacle courses and 2 different exercise to build our trust in other team member-"trust fall"
Saturday night saw the commencement of the potjie competition between the 3 teams. Our team honestly had no clue as to what to do, we even had I.T. God - Dave Miller- looking up some recipes and in the end we just threw all the ingredients into the pot and let it cook, and to our surprise it turned out pretty well... but we lost to the "Baboons."
Sunday morning was ours to do as we wanted. We tucked into a good breakfast and after some team discussions with team management, Craig Paul and I left and rode back to Hilton.
The weekend was really cool and it was awesome to meet up with team members that we do not see very often. A big thanks to Max, Clint and Kita for a great weekend away.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Hill 2 Hill - 21 September 2008
A very early morning, had us leaving for the 2008 Hill 2 Hill. We arrived the start of the half marathon just after 5:00 a.m. with the race starting at 6:00 a.m. the weather was completely miserable, which I was very happy about. It rained continuously until about 5 minute before the start of our race.
I went hard from the start and managed to get a good gap on the guys. Travis Walker then rode across to me and we began to work together. About 5km in a marshal sent us in the wrong direction and we rode 2km in the wrong direction. I noticed this and shouted it to the bunch I was in. some of them did not hear me and continued riding. I turned around with Travis, and we faught our way back up the field. At the crossing over the Free Way Travis and I were back in the lead and had a very comfortable gap. We continued working together. We approached the first KOM (king of the mountains) and Travis put the hammer down. I later on caught him again, and resumed our “team work.” As we approached the 2nd KOM I broke away and managed to win it. In doing so in doing so I had also managed to get a gap over Travis. But then more disaster was to come. I again came to a marshal who sent me in the wrong direction, down a very long hill, I got to the bottom to notice that there were no more markings. I turned around to see Travis shouting to me. I sprinted up the long climb, and I was now in 2nd position. Bryce Munro, Adriaan Louw, and Jedson Tooms had not caught up yet.
I was furious. And gave chase as hard as I could, I had been preparing for the long flat road into the finish, but as I reached the cane depot, I noticed a monster of a climb to the left. I tried to hold my pace, but slowly began losing my legs. Bryce caught me with about 2km to go, and Adriaan caught me at the 1km to go sign.
The course was phenomenal, it was just a pitty that the marshals were not on form. Well done to Kim Phillips and the team for an awesome course, and the sponsors, Jeep Apparel, and Sunday Tribune for an awesome event.
I went hard from the start and managed to get a good gap on the guys. Travis Walker then rode across to me and we began to work together. About 5km in a marshal sent us in the wrong direction and we rode 2km in the wrong direction. I noticed this and shouted it to the bunch I was in. some of them did not hear me and continued riding. I turned around with Travis, and we faught our way back up the field. At the crossing over the Free Way Travis and I were back in the lead and had a very comfortable gap. We continued working together. We approached the first KOM (king of the mountains) and Travis put the hammer down. I later on caught him again, and resumed our “team work.” As we approached the 2nd KOM I broke away and managed to win it. In doing so in doing so I had also managed to get a gap over Travis. But then more disaster was to come. I again came to a marshal who sent me in the wrong direction, down a very long hill, I got to the bottom to notice that there were no more markings. I turned around to see Travis shouting to me. I sprinted up the long climb, and I was now in 2nd position. Bryce Munro, Adriaan Louw, and Jedson Tooms had not caught up yet.
I was furious. And gave chase as hard as I could, I had been preparing for the long flat road into the finish, but as I reached the cane depot, I noticed a monster of a climb to the left. I tried to hold my pace, but slowly began losing my legs. Bryce caught me with about 2km to go, and Adriaan caught me at the 1km to go sign.
The course was phenomenal, it was just a pitty that the marshals were not on form. Well done to Kim Phillips and the team for an awesome course, and the sponsors, Jeep Apparel, and Sunday Tribune for an awesome event.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Lynford Super Classic 14 September 2008
A very early morning saw us to the Lynford School, just outside Ixopo. Having left home at 5:00 a.m. we arrived there, still half asleep. As we stepped out the car, I could already feel the heat and knew that there was going to be an extremely hot.
Again the turn out for this super classic was immense and had a pool of top riders, Brandon Stewart, Pete Smith, Roan Exelby and Jedson Tooms, along with many more. The racing was started with the traditional shooting of a bottle of milk, and from the start the attacks started. As we turned onto the climb Jedson attacked. Brandon charged through the pack and took control of the race shortly after. I hung on as long as possible but had to drop off before the crest of the climb. I was sitting 10th overall and trailing quite badly from the chase bunch.
I gave chase as hard as possible and I eventually worked my way back up to 7th, passing Tim Stark and Daniel Paul. I continued chasing as hard as possible and I managed to eventually drop Daniel. Going into the second loop of about 10km, I was beginning to close down the Gap on Travis Walker. But in turn Daniel’s sheer power seriously closed the gap on me on the open sections. He caught me on the last big climb and dropped me, but I was still closing down on Travis. With about 2km to go I could seem him in the distance. I went hammer to the wall to try close the gap but it was too late in the race. I managed to pull off an 8th overall and 2nd Youth male.
The course was fantastic, as always. Hats off to “Farmer” Glen Haw and the course setters. The venue was awesome and the atmosphere was great, which made for an awesome days racing.
Again the turn out for this super classic was immense and had a pool of top riders, Brandon Stewart, Pete Smith, Roan Exelby and Jedson Tooms, along with many more. The racing was started with the traditional shooting of a bottle of milk, and from the start the attacks started. As we turned onto the climb Jedson attacked. Brandon charged through the pack and took control of the race shortly after. I hung on as long as possible but had to drop off before the crest of the climb. I was sitting 10th overall and trailing quite badly from the chase bunch.
I gave chase as hard as possible and I eventually worked my way back up to 7th, passing Tim Stark and Daniel Paul. I continued chasing as hard as possible and I managed to eventually drop Daniel. Going into the second loop of about 10km, I was beginning to close down the Gap on Travis Walker. But in turn Daniel’s sheer power seriously closed the gap on me on the open sections. He caught me on the last big climb and dropped me, but I was still closing down on Travis. With about 2km to go I could seem him in the distance. I went hammer to the wall to try close the gap but it was too late in the race. I managed to pull off an 8th overall and 2nd Youth male.
The course was fantastic, as always. Hats off to “Farmer” Glen Haw and the course setters. The venue was awesome and the atmosphere was great, which made for an awesome days racing.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Harburg Tour de Krantz Super Classic 16 August 2008
The 2008 Tour De Krantz was a bit chilly but a lot warmer than the previous races. With an hour or so to go Rourke Croeser and I went to warm up, we noticed all the top riders were here and knew it wasn’t going to be an extremely difficult race.
On the start we were all lined up together. And as the whistle went it was a full on sprint. I managed to get into a group with Rourke Croeser, Brandon Stewart, Craig Paul, Jedson Tooms, Pete Smith and Travis Walker. On the first small climb I could not hang onto the pace and I dropped off. I still maintained a pace fast enough to maintain my position on the road.
After I had recovered I caught Craig Paul who was suffering from flu, and we began to work together. The course began to get really difficult, and we hit some brutal climbs. Daniel Paul caught us and Daniel Paul and I broke away and started working together to catch the group ahead of us.
I began to chase as hard as I could but Jedson and Travis were too far ahead and I could not close the gap in the end. Eventually Daniel broke away from me and I just couldn’t go any harder.
It was definitely not one of my best races of the year as I did not feel very strong, but it was one of my favorite courses so far.
The course was awesome and the climbs were really difficult. There was some good single track, and some awesome views from what I had a glance at. Well done to the organizers who put in a very big effort to make it an enjoyable race!
On the start we were all lined up together. And as the whistle went it was a full on sprint. I managed to get into a group with Rourke Croeser, Brandon Stewart, Craig Paul, Jedson Tooms, Pete Smith and Travis Walker. On the first small climb I could not hang onto the pace and I dropped off. I still maintained a pace fast enough to maintain my position on the road.
After I had recovered I caught Craig Paul who was suffering from flu, and we began to work together. The course began to get really difficult, and we hit some brutal climbs. Daniel Paul caught us and Daniel Paul and I broke away and started working together to catch the group ahead of us.
I began to chase as hard as I could but Jedson and Travis were too far ahead and I could not close the gap in the end. Eventually Daniel broke away from me and I just couldn’t go any harder.
It was definitely not one of my best races of the year as I did not feel very strong, but it was one of my favorite courses so far.
The course was awesome and the climbs were really difficult. There was some good single track, and some awesome views from what I had a glance at. Well done to the organizers who put in a very big effort to make it an enjoyable race!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Cowan House Super Classic 10 August 2008
The 2008 Cowan House Super Classic saw their most entries ever, along with many of the top riders being there. The Cowan House is one of the favourites among most riders, with its variety of single tracks, and really tough climbs makes for some awesome racing.
This year Cowan House greeted everyone with some nice warm sun, nevertheless it was still very cold, but at least the sun was out. The classic was heard to be thee toughest it has been in years, and all the top riders were there, Brandon Stuart, Craig Paul, Rourke Croeser, and Pete Smith. The race was off at 09:10 and the racing stated from the word go. I had a good start and was situated at about 7th overall. The pace lifted and Jedson and I began to work together and we soon found ourselves going really hard to try and reel back Trav Walker and Andrew Hill.
By the time we had reached K.O.M (King Of The Mountains) we had noticed David Louw and Gary flint were closing on us. Jedson upped the pace considerably and we manage to open up the gap. Luckily I managed to enter the single track first and I went as hard as I could, but Jedson would catch up on the open roads. Eventually we caught Andrew Hill who had taken a wrong turn, but it did not last long as Andrew and Jedson opened up a gap and I chased as hard as I could to close down. Their sheer power was too great on the open roads , but I was able to close on them in the single track, unfortunately not enough. On the last climb I went as hard as could and closed the gap down to 4 seconds between Jedson and I by the finish. In the end I had to settle for a 8th overall and 2nd youth.
The course was absolutely grueling, but it is one of my favourite courses out of the super classics I have done this year. The climbs were really brutal, the single track was fantastic and the all round organization was brilliant. Well done to everyone who made the event possible.
This year Cowan House greeted everyone with some nice warm sun, nevertheless it was still very cold, but at least the sun was out. The classic was heard to be thee toughest it has been in years, and all the top riders were there, Brandon Stuart, Craig Paul, Rourke Croeser, and Pete Smith. The race was off at 09:10 and the racing stated from the word go. I had a good start and was situated at about 7th overall. The pace lifted and Jedson and I began to work together and we soon found ourselves going really hard to try and reel back Trav Walker and Andrew Hill.
By the time we had reached K.O.M (King Of The Mountains) we had noticed David Louw and Gary flint were closing on us. Jedson upped the pace considerably and we manage to open up the gap. Luckily I managed to enter the single track first and I went as hard as I could, but Jedson would catch up on the open roads. Eventually we caught Andrew Hill who had taken a wrong turn, but it did not last long as Andrew and Jedson opened up a gap and I chased as hard as I could to close down. Their sheer power was too great on the open roads , but I was able to close on them in the single track, unfortunately not enough. On the last climb I went as hard as could and closed the gap down to 4 seconds between Jedson and I by the finish. In the end I had to settle for a 8th overall and 2nd youth.
The course was absolutely grueling, but it is one of my favourite courses out of the super classics I have done this year. The climbs were really brutal, the single track was fantastic and the all round organization was brilliant. Well done to everyone who made the event possible.
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