Good afternoon everyone,

Beautiful day. I trust u all had a productive and lekka naweek, we did.

Pretty eventful to say the least. Exciting build up the past week or two going into the DC. Last minute arrangements to have the cats and brakke looked after, pack the bakkie, and off we go, to Montagu of course.

Pasta evening for some, and whatever else for the others. Much talking “bring back the past” stories, of DC’s already completed. Stories of broken jockeys, borrowed bikes, much cramping, bonking, dehydration, which pass is more difficult? Swaarmoed or Fransieshoek or is the “On the Tradouw” the killer and and and.

What’s new? All the “highlights” the euphoria of having finished the race, the sighs of relief, disappointment (such as myself) the unbelievable support by family and friends and Team Members, the incredible “vasbyt” shown by competitors and then sadly the “varknekke” for lack of a better word, that on the occasion put a damper on things.

An awesome event to say the least and to ALL of u that took part in whatever capacity, from Backup to supporter which includes the many telephonic calls I received. Julle weet wie julle is and a very special word of thanks to Laura and Charles for supporting Sanette when she experienced some difficulty and to some buddies of mine riding for the Williams Team who accompanied Mandy up the last pass many, many thanks and well done. To the Team Captains, many thanks for backing me up and making it happen. Without u nadda will happen.

Life carries on, with new challenges and opportunities to contend with and isn’t that just great.

Well for us as the Wannabees its time to relax, take it easy and just enjoy each others company on the morning rides. In as much as that we have a league race this w/end (which is also a last minute Qualifier for the Argus) I think we can all be proud of an exceptionally productive and eventful year.

Talk to u all later,

Ek

Ps Should you miss it, Mandy has a sleeveless jacket with a green collar.

Middag,

Bit late but not forgotten. Short and sweet and in to the Home Straight.

Last weeks training was as per what the coach prescribed and all went off according to plan. I’m led to believe that the w/ends ride turnout was exceptionally good. Well done to all of u.

OK, so now we have dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s and the following is in place and has been done.

Fit, confidant and raring to go.
Training has gone according to plan and is in the Bank ---- haven’t peaked yet, that is going to happen on Sat, and most probably the most important of all is that u have NOT OVER-TRAINED, and have NOT injured yourself.
Bike is booked in for a service en alles wat gepaard gaan daarmee. Tyres tubes etc.
Supplementation/Nutrition has been tried and tested and u know what works for u.
Clothing has been worn in, and other than one or two queries (me for example, who would like the shoulder strap to be plus minus about 2.5mm longer) it would appear that the greater majority are very happy with the kit. (Of course there are going to be some other opportunities for Pieter to sort out but there always are aren’t there? And Pieter, being the professional that he is will gladly accommodate) we strive to serve and deliver the best.
Mental preparation is cardinal. With the above in place your mind should be at rest, so, geen probleme hier nie.
Visualization is one of the final building blocks that we need to put in place and we started doing that some time ago. Die saak is reg ne?
You have trained with your team and know your team mates well. You have confidence in one another’s support and ability, and trust one another. You know each ones strengths and weaknesses and know when to exercise restraint and apply common sense. Dis nou vir jou ‘n bekvol, but I think very important.
And finally, I would like to think that the ‘RESEP is in plek’. Not much more we can do.
PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR TRANSPONDERS – YOU WILL NOT BE TIMED WITHOUT IT.

To all of u that are competing in the DC (maak nie saak vir watter span nie) have a great and safe ride.

Week 6/6

Mon 20/11/06 Rest
Tues 21/11 WW 70/80 % 3 x or RR WWV 5.30am
Wed 22/11 Rest/Rec ride Small blade 1 x hr “
Thurs 23/11 West rd 80/90% 4 x “
Frid 24/11 Rest

Race Day.

It’s been a privilege to be part of all of U.

See u,

Ek.

Ps. Was up in Joburg this past w/end for the ride (not me) I haven’t checked the results but I am led to believe that several competed and did well, including Pieter, Derick and Anneline and the Robinsons. RK missed the early break but managed to hang in for a 17th place. Well done to all that took part.

Greetings to all of u,

I trust u all had a great weeks’ cycling and recreation. Once again the PP sessions went off pretty well. Tuesday saw us doing Rabbit Runs instead of Intervals and Thursday a real crunch session at Westridge. Nogal 10 x, plus an extra”Reverse” one off. I am impressed. Not for the feint hearted these sessions.

Sat was pretty Breezy so we hid on the KuilsRiver and Stellenbosch side. Weather was perfect and an excellent 80 odd Ks were done.

It’s great to see so many cyclists in their Wannabee Kit. Many thanks once again to our sponsors and Pieter for making this Quality and very affordable kit available.

Sunday the Breeze picked up somewhat. I’m not too sure what the groups did. I was involved with the Tri at G/bay which turned out to be a disaster, to put it mildly. The swim was cancelled because the water temp was below ITU requirements so the race was changed to a Duathlon. To crown it all the routing in and out of the transition area was a nightmare. Wat kan ek sê, ek was maar net ‘n “Worka” en die Base wou nie na ons sagte baarde luister nie.

Many (I think) took part in various events which included the ride at Simonsvlei and the To Hell and Back MTB event. Hopefully I will get some feedback later.

For those of u that don’t know, Elsa took a nasty tumble last week on the Great Escape ride and had to have an emergency op late Thursday afternoon. Would appear that all went according to plan and that she is out of the ICU unit and in a general ward. Please bear a thought for her. Many thanks to all of u that have been to see her already.
From all of us, get well soon Elsa.

Alf Robinson is travelling by car up to the 94.7. If anybody is interested in joining him and sharing fuel costs, please contact him on 082 560 6969.

Ian (Chatterbox) is looking for a lift to and from the DC. He has to come back on the Saturday after the ride. Please contact him on 082 728 2364 if u can help.

The Wannabee There DC Team had their spanbou braai this weekend. Agter elke vrou is daar ‘n goeie kok! Wys jou net. Thanks to Wendy and Louis for an awesome get together. What a fantastic team.

It’s Taper time. Last week we crossed the T’s and now we have to dot the I’s. Pretty much reminds me of yesteryears so called 40 days time period. For the many of u out there that were part of Die Weermag u will well remember “Louis” and the 40 days. For those of u who don’t know, “Louis was the “Train” that took one home after your Military training.

Cliff Richard sang the song that became so popular during those years and I think it was called” I’m gonna give uuuuu---- Forty Days-- to get Back” In this period of time, Die OU Manne, that were going home, never ever stepped out of line, took any chances and never ever volunteered for anything that meant going out of the base camp.. One never ran if u could walk, never took a chance at an inspection and u were always available to do Kitchen duty and Guard duty. Anything to stay in camp and not have to be out on patrol.

Depends were u were stationed of course. We were about 2000ks from home. First had to fly to base camp (Dacs and Hercs—remember dem planes?) then “Louis” took us the rest of the way. When we hit De Aar u knew u were just about home.

Mid sixties en baie water onder die brug.

So what’s the message in this bit of sentimental drivel? Take it easy, relax, only do what’s necessary (cycling that is), stay off the N1, R44 and N2 if possible, and be extra careful.

In the old days when one tapered one backed off completely in volume and in intensity. Today not so! We back off on the volume but don’t let up on the intensity but don’t forget to stay relaxed. No more grinding of teeth and hunched/tensed shoulders going up the hills. U are fit and have done well.
Into the Home Straight. Saak is reg.

Week 5/6

Mon: 13/11/06 Rest
Tues 14/11 WW BZ 70/80% 5 x or RRs 5.30am WSt
Wed 15/11 Rest /Rec LSd Small Blade spin “
Thurs 16/11 West Rd YZ 80%plus 6 x “
Frid 17/11 Rest
Sat 18/11 3hrs LSD 6.00am WSt
Sun 19/11 3hrs “ “

See u ,

Ek.

Morning,

Pretty busy “Bee” this past w/end. Family affair, Erna sin, en geen fietsry nie. Must admit I needed the break. Alles seer, physical as well as mental, and desperately trying to recover.

Not a breath of air at my place maar die “skape wei” doer onder in die baai. An amazing past week what with the rain and pretty strong winds. In general I don’t think much training took place.

Saw a group of Wannabees coming back on the R44 at about 12.00noon yesterday and I think it could have been the “PRO”team. Must have been a long ride. I wonder if they are training for the DC?

Several rode the race out Bonnievale way on Sunday. Pretty wet I’m led to believe and quite testing towards the end. Earlyish break away in the Elites group and the usual games being played in the chase/hold-up group.

I wonder how they control the actual time versus position at the finish. RK comes in eleventh at the finish line but is timed way out at 30 something. The timing mats are way after the finish line. I will have to have a word or two with the “Falcon Sports mense” methinks!

Well we are into week 4/6 leading into the DC. Too late to be early at this point in time but I think in general a pretty good Base is in place for most.

This is pretty much a crunch week. We need to make this week really count as we move in to the final two weeks of tapering.

At this point in time 99% of the prep should be under control. Its now time to dot the I’s and cross the T’s.

Book your trusty steed in for a Major Service.
Good idea to have new tyres and tubes on the bike.
Make sure that the Back up vehicle will be carrying extra tyres, wheels and tubes for all.
Don’t forget a paar spanners and a chain breaker just in case.
Extra water, ice, first aid kit, sun block, stomach mutie, extra food (fruit, raisins, muffs) etc.
Get together with the team and discuss the above which is just an example.

I am well aware of the fact that some of u are very experienced with regards to the DC, so please share your wisdom and experiences with the others. Ons is mos een groot famielie al is ons in vier gedeel nê!!

Time to also start mentally preparing yourself. The experts call it “Visualising” Think of the event. How great it’s going to be. Think positively of the awesome experience, your team mates, the fantastic countryside you will be riding thru. Believe in yourself and your team. Remember some of the tough training rides. The Du Toits Kloof Pass and how u managed to handle it. Think of the bitterly cold and wet morning sessions that u were forced to do by some idiot and the GREAT cup of coffee and chat afterwards and much much more.
(If u need counselling please don’t hesitate to contact me.)

Oh Well!!!

Hierdie Week: 4/6

Mon 6/11 Rest
Tues: 7/11 WW.BZ. 70/80% 7x or Rabbit runs 5.30am WSV
Wed: 8/11 Rest/ recovery ride. Small blade 1x hr 5.30am WSV
Thur: 9/11 West rd. YZ. 80 plus 10 x “
Frid: 10/11 Rest
Sat: 11/11 3hrs LSD/Fun ride 6.00am “
Sun: 12/11 3-4hrs “ “

Go well,

ek