More,

Cold front sliding through. A bit late but better than nothing.

A pretty testing week has just become history, regarding both work and cycling. The DC, the focus point at the moment, but a bigger challenge lurking in the background. Get a hollow feeling in my gut when I sit down and think about it. I can barely finish 100ks on a road bike how the heck am I going to repeat some thing like that for eight consecutive days off road.

Maar nou ja, ‘n mens wil groot g-t wees!

Last weeks’ Polar Program went off well. Good turnouts. Available time still being the enemy. Never forget that whatever quality work one does, it’s better than nothing.

Last week I listed some of the pertinant physical indicators re “Overtraining”. Modern days thinking with regards to training (the two bad elements) is that it’s better to go into an event (especially and endurance event) undertrained than overtrained.
Herwith some behavioral indicators:
Apathy, Lethargy, Depression, Poor Concentration, Poor sleep patterns, Irritability, Decreased Libido, Clumsiness, Increased Thirst, Sluggishness, Craving for sugar.

With regards to following a training program; I have repeatedly stressed in the past that one should always have a three day break during the sessions every plus minus about 4 weeks. Dis nie my mening nie maar dis wat al die Experts sê. Of course I agree. This applies to our current PP. Next week is a good time to have a break somewhere, your call. Fit it in as u feel fit.

The w/ends rides went off extremely well to say the least. Sat was stunning along the coast. A big group well behaved. Thank u!!
Sunday saw several DC groups do long rides, the 4 x passes and Bainskloof.
Quite a few did the race at Milnerton. Well done to all of u. I’m led to believe that young Wynand came third in the short ride. Geluk man. Wel gedaan!
Damn, Richard Cane came in 2nd, 4th(photo finish) , and 5th with CSC 1st and 3rd.

Well we are into No 3/6 of the PP.

Mon: 30/10 Rest
Tues: 31/10 WW BZ 70/80% 7x or Rabbit Runs 5.30amWS
Wed: 01/11 Rest/Recovery ride Small Blade 1hr “
Thurs: 02/11 West rd YZ 80/90% 8x “
Frid: 03/11 Rest


Sat: 04/11 Bonnievale Race or Wannabee group 6.00amWS
Sun: 05/11 Wannabee Group ride “

I’m led to believe that the notorious railway crossing just outside Fransieshoek
is no more. The powers that be have tarred over the crossing and no lines are visible. Maybe we should erect something there. Many cyclists have come horribly short there.

Have a great week.

Don’t forget the kit.

ek

Morning,

Pretty eventful past week. What with the S/Easter howling during the week and then two beautiful days Sat and Sunday.

Virtually clear until about 10 min ago and the fog rolling in pretty quickly from the coast. Deathly silence with the occasional hum of cars.

Nog ‘n week, and Friday is just around the corner.

The Polar program started off pretty well considering the strong S/Easter. Five weeks to go to the DC so it’s very much count down time

Sat saw a league race take place at D’ville. Pretty flat but funnily enough not that fast. Teams playing games. The elites had a breakaway pretty early on and the initial reaction by the chase group was that they would be hauled in, not so. In as much as that Richard Kane got a second it was poor decision making by them to say the least. CSC won the day.

Pretty big group rides on Sat and Sunday and I’m led to believe that Marc had a mishap. Nothing serious thankfully but never the less the fewer the better.

The Wannabee Better Team (Hannes, Julian) and co had a get together braai at Andre’s place yesterday afternoon. Great bunch of guys and then of course Sasha the Small took over. Traditional way of beheading a bottle of bubly with a meter long Cutlass by the greatest. Bubbling with enthusiasm, awesome team spirit. Hey! what more can a team ask for? Many thanks guys, it was great inviting Erna and me. Hannes just about back in the saddle after a major shoulder op. Chomping at the bit to get going but alas!! Tyd meneer, tyd.

Many is the time that in a discussion, training versus overtraining comes up. Wat is van die tekens van iemand wat oor-oefen is? Hier is ‘n paar van hulle. It’s important that one takes cognizance of these points.

Weight change.
Morning Heart Rate up
Muscle soreness
Swollen lymph glands
Diarrhoea
Injury
Infection
Decreased exercise heart rate
Slow healing cuts

The menu for this week is.
Week 2 of 6—PP


Mon: 22/10 Rest
Tues: 23/10 Water works Blue Z 70/80% 7 x plus 1 5.30am WS
Wed 24/10 Rest/Recovery ride Small Blade 1hr “
Thurs:25/10 West rd Yellow Z 80% plus 1 plus 7x “
Frid: 26/10 Rest
Sat: 27/10 F/Ride or 3hrs LSD 6.00am WS
Sun: 28/10 “ 4hrs “ “

Go Well,

ek

Môre,

Blustery morning. Koffie and beskuit in the lounge and not on the stoep. Much to think about. Feathered friends unusually quiet this morning maar die katte hol oralster.

Hannes had an op on his injured shoulder on Thursday evening. I hope and trust all is well and that u are on your bike shortly.

Michel took part in the Vets tour which started on Friday, but alas, was “sort of” involved in the crash on Friday, lost several spokes and couldn’t continue. Fairies must have kept an eye on him. Cyclists falling all around him but he managed to stay off the tar. Really taken in by it. Tells me he intends winning next years’ tour and will most probably be putting a Wannabee sponsored team in. Great news to say the least. Is it going to be called the Wannabee/Villa du Cap team?

Well, what a fantastic cycling w/end we had. Great turnout on Sat. (Yes we will have to split up pretty early if we go through Strand). Too much “fishtailing” and we don’t want ANY accidents. Jammer, I should have realised it immediately. Hopefully it won’t happen again.

Sundays’ ride was a scheduled DC training ride with the teams being well represented. John and Julian had to revert to Plan B. The s/easter was up which meant the Four Passes and Kleinmond rides were out. All ended up going to Du Toits Kloof and back.

Averages were excellent. I think one can safely say, that based on yesterdays’ ride, all that took part can feel pretty confident going into the DC. The BIG hurdle on the DC is the last 40/50ks which includes the “Small Tradouw Pass” climb. This climb is nothing compared to the Du Toits Kloof climb and yes, I’m aware that they are done at different stages, maar nogtans, alles loop volgens plan.

This week sees the start of the Polar schedule. Taking into account that we had a “Tuffy” yesterday, we will ease into tomorrows’ session.

Six weeks to go with the last two being taper weeks.

Mon: 16/10/06 Rest
Tues: 17/10 Wworks Blue Zone70/80% 4 x 5.30am W/stone
Wed: 18/10 Where ever Small Blade Recovery ride 1hr “
Thurs: 19/10 West str Yellow Z 80/90% 6 x “
Frid: 20/10 Rest
Sat: 21/10 F/Ride or Group LSD 3hrs 6.00am W/stone
Sun: 22/10 “ 3/4hrs “

Please take note that the W/end rides now start at 6.00am and not 6.30am anymore.

Goedgaan,

Ek.

Good Morning,

As per the norm up 5’ish, engelse verdriet en beskuit en op die stoep. Chilly and somewhat overcast. Needed to confirm if there was enough light to start the Polar program this week. Afraid not.

So it’s official. The morning rides will start as from Tuesday 17/10/6, 5.30 am to 6.30am. That is next week. Next Monday I will lay out the program. Would like to see as many as possible there. Aimed at sharpening/tapering up the DC manne and dames for their event next month, but ALL other Wannabee riders are of course welcome to join.

Some good riding this past w/end. Sat we had the Lourensford MTB ride and the rest of us did an awesome coastal run.
Sunday was wettish and windy. I am not too sure if anyone went out on Sunday morning but there was quite a large turnout at Joostenberg for the Fun Ride. Yes RK did finish. Was a tough ride.

Sasha and Alan pitched and Elsa bailed. Preparing herself for the Wannabee “Unplugged Lunch Party” at John’s place I’m led to believe. A great braai. Many thanks to Belinda and John for once again hosting it. All 12 members and their families were there, and that in a nutshell says it all.

Hannes had a bad fall whilst Mtbiking with the kids last week and hurt his shoulder badly. He will be undergoing surgery this week sometime so spare a thought for him. He will obviously not be able to lead the team with Julian on the DC anymore. A sad loss. Archie has also had to withdraw because of a knee problem. Get well soon Archie.

It looks as if we are slowly managing to fill the Sosial DC team. We had a few unexpected withdrawls but should be up to strength by the end of next month.
Quite a bit of midweek training is being done by some of the ladies--- nothing wrong with that!

Would appear that Pieter is running to schedule and the the T-Shirts and kit will be ready as planned. I will keep u all up to date.

Go well,
Ek.

Good Morning,

Up at 5.00am(bit Late) smelt the roses, listened to the Hadies and Gypos, picked up the buzz of the traffic volume building up, made tea and toast for two, sat on the “Stoep” and suddenly realised that next month is DC month.

Scary to say the least. Think about starting the ball rolling many months ago(six to be exact) the trials and tribulations that go with the territory, the tough cold and wet Winter months of Base training and we are just about in the home straight.

Time has come and gone. Lost time. Used time. Misspent time and Productive time. Reminds me of something I read in a book lent/borrowed to me by Ginge. (who is also a staunch Wannabee, and is currently recovering very well from a recent knee replacement). The books name is “The Cold Moon” by Jeffrey Deaver.
It reads like this--

You can’t see me, but I am always around you.
Run as fast as you can, but you will never escape me.
Fight me with all your strength, but you will never defeat me.
I kill when I wish, but can never be brought to justice. Who am I?

Old Man Time.
Food for thought!!

Not a good week for us on the road. Three accidents that I know of. Derick Coetzee (a Wannabee up in Ptown) was involved in a road accident in Durbs somewhere. He went up to do a ride on the South Coast and somebody jumped a red robot. His Audie is a write off and his Cannondale doesn’t exist anymore. Fortunately they came off pretty lightly but the drama and inconvenience as u can well imagine.
Ricky a new member from Blouberg side, was involved in a Hit and Run. His bike is a write off but fortunately he wasn’t badly injured.
I’m led to believe that Jack Ack had a tumble last Monday in the wet weather conditions but seems to be OK.

This past w/end was a DC w/end. Recovery w/end if anything. Sat quite a few went out with Sunday having being pegged by the Social team for a Du Toits Kloof 130ks or so. Weather forecast wasn’t too good.

First call at 4.15am Sun. “Erill it’s pouring and the Team wants to know if we are riding or not. Well let’s give it an hour or so maybe it will go away. The rain that is. Let’s talk again at 6.00am. All’s ok. The ride is on. See u all there.”
Chuckle, Chuckle.

Well done to all that pitched for a magnificent Annandale Ride. The weather turned out good. Cleared up and quite warm. Not quite what we wanted to do but what the heck - money in the bank.

During the past couple of months quite a few bikes have been lost to “Affirmative Shopping” Michel and Nigel amongst others. This past week, Wendy had her bikes stolen as well. Ek weet nie wat om te sê nie maar ek dink baie.
Please take care of your bikes. Lock them up and chain them to your ankle at night—or something like that. Ek raak so die !@#$%^& in when I hear about this and there is not much one can do.

Pretty shortly we will start the morning sessions. Most probably a fortnight from today.

Have a great week.

Ek.