WANNABEES POINT OUT AND CALL OUT ANY ROAD HAZARDS AHEAD. THESE INCLUDE POTHOLES, DRAIN GRATES, STRAY ANIMALS, OPENING CAR DOORS, STICKS OR STONES, PARKED CARS, RUNNERS, GLASS!!, ETC.

Good Afternoon,

Just come back from CT and the roads are still pretty busy seeing as it’s supposed to be a long w/end with a normally massive exodus out of CT.

Not too much (I think) took place over this past week/end what with welcome rains making there presence felt. But there is a time for everything. I know of some that took part in a MTB race in pretty inclement weather, rather them than me. I must be getting old.

Appears as if we will be having a clear day tomorrow for the King of The Mountain climb, and I hope there will be many there. Don’t worry about giving your weight away, I won’t say anything it’s just that your bike is overweight at this point in time. Time it went on a diet.. U can start off by trimming the wheel rims. Half a kilo saved on the wheels means double the actual saving on the road (according to the experts) so why not start there?

The Blog seems to be coming on fine and please don’t be shy to become involved. Pics of u cycling somewhere or an interesting bit of news that u would like to share with everyone would be more than welcome. REMEMBER, u as members of the Wannabees are going to make it work, worthwhile, meaningful and interesting---- so please how about some input.

Maybe we must pick on a couple of subjects. Be innovative let me know. For example we have quite a few Star Athletes of Yesteryear amongst us. Maybe they would like to share some of there successes with us. Maybe old pics of Guess Who??. I don’t know help me!!

Go Well,

ek

Good morning Vietnam, (Morning all)

Didn’t sleep to well last night and had a recurring dream about the above movie of yesteryear. Maybe some of u will recall it. Starred Robin Williams, brilliant actor. Anybody out there know how to interpret dreams. Give me a call.

Well what’s up for the next short while. Firstly as from this coming w/end the start time will be 7.00am from Waterstone. This includes Sat, Sun, and of course public holidays.

Secondly if u are not disappearing into the mists for the long w/end then don’t forget about the Steenbras King of the Mountain Time Trial. This will be based on a Handicap system set up and done by non other than our own Michel de Clippel. Brilliant to say the least. When? Tues 1/5 .

We will all meet at Waterstone as per the norm, don’t forget 7.00am. Everyone will be weighed with bike and all, given a number to be stuck onto your helmet and entered into the system. Shouldn’t take long. We will all ride to Steenbras as a warm up ride. Once there you will start as per your number at most probably 30sec intervals. The quickies should take about 13min. The fastest time that I am aware of is 9min 50secs held by Lucky of CSC. Ronnie Davies I’m led to believe takes 17min 23.2567 secs for the climb and that is damn good considering his age of plus 70yrs. Gaan moeilik geklop word.

Should u wish to ride further that’s up to u but I think the whole idea is to ride back to Waterstone have coffee or ”break the fast” at Dulcies and announce the winners. Something different and that’s what we need.
What does it cost? Registered Wannabees wearing a Wannabee top for FREE
Registered Wannabees not wearing a Wannabee top R5.00
Others R10

Would really like to see all of u there.

Young Jurie one of our up and coming youngsters had a Knee op last week. Let’s hope it was a success and that he is back with us shortly.

That’s it.

Go well. Don’t forget the BLOG. http://wanna-b-team.blogspot.com/index.html

Ek.

Club 100 Tour de France Package

Hi Erill
I am going to the tour de france 10-21 july (alpine stages) with Club 100 cycle club. Take own bike and ride in front of the tour (obviously not the whole stage). I believe there are still some places available. Maybe you can forward attachment to the Wannabees.
Regards
Mark

More info contact Mark Abelson mark@helderbergheart.co.za
or have a look at this link http://www.club100.co.za/recreational/519909.htm

WANNABEES CYCLING ETIQUETTE

Be predictable - ride in a consistent manner. Do not swerve or change rate of travel unexpectedly.

Indicate - learn accepted cycling hand signals and use them.

Call out hazards - the rider in front is responsible for those following.

Keep an even pace - do not brake or slow unexpectedly, be aware that there is a compounding effect to those following. Look ahead at what is happening on the road and anticipate the moves of the cyclists ahead of you.

Keep adequate distance - avoid overlapping wheels. If your front wheel touches the rear wheel of the rider in front of you, you will fall. Be defensive to stay safe.

Obey the rules of the road – conduct one's self with the same consideration as one would expect from any other road user, particularly motorists. Aggressive behaviour and gestures by cyclists will alienate motorists and could lead to endangering other cyclists.

WANNABEE KING OF THE MOUNTAIN

When: Tuesday 1st of May
Where: Steenbras Dam Road
Stats: 3.40km long
260m climbing
7.7% average gradient
Rules: Handicap race based on weight (bike included), gender and age. Everyone has a chance to win!
How: All coming together at our normal meeting point (Waterstone village) for the weight session with bike. Then we leave for a warm-up ride to the bottom of the Steenbras Dam road. There we start with 30sec interval. After the race we cycle back for optional breakfast and final results.
Fees: Registered wannabees wearing wannabee cycling top FREE
Registered wannabees not wearing wannabee cycling top R5
Others R10

Hi Everyone,

At last I have managed to get to the Blikbrain and I must apologise. Been caught up in my own little fishpond the last couple of weeks. Much to think about and contemplate. Pretty self centred at the moment but hey I suppose under the circumstances that can be deemed as NORMAAL.

Managed to get a few rides in last week and it was great to be back in the group again. Erna just about recovered. Congrats to all who competed in the Epic and survived.

Had a meeting the other evening and we will most probably be changing the start time as from next month but will keep u posted.

Strange S/Easter the last couple of days coupled to the traditional seasonal change of weather pattern. Can’t wait for the Winter.

Well what’s up for the foreseeable future. The DC is on the roll. Teams are being put together based on last years squads and would appear (as per the norm) that we will gain a few and loose a few. Whatever the sitrep it remains a great event and we are going to be part of it again!!.

Still a few fun rides on the calendar. We, as the Wannabees will be hosting a King of the Mountains Challenge most probably on Tuesday the 1st of May which is a public holiday. The venue will be the Steenbras Dam Climb and will be based on a handicap system with plenty of prize money up for grabs. This is Michel’s brainchild which I think is fantastic.

Details to follow but book that day now. The event will start at Waterstone as per the norm with a weigh in and for some a small entry fee. We will also be posting it on the Blog so stay in touch. This could be the first of many such events.

Go well,
ek

For any competitive cyclist, to train on the road is to accept the risk of serious injury, because of the twin hazards of vehicle traffic and speed. A multitude of orthopaedic injuries occurs with high-speed accidents, but of most concern are head injuries. Because of fatal injuries during competitive cycling, the compulsory use of helmets has been in place for a number of years at the Tour de France. IN SOUTH AFRICA, ALL CYCLISTS (FROM EVERYDAY USERS TO PRO COMPETITORS) ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR HELMETS OR FACE HEFTY FINES!

AT SUNRISE OR SUNSET BE EXTRA VIGILANT, RIDE DEFENSIVELY AND SLOW DOWN. BE AWARE THAT THE SUN ACTUALLY BLINDS ONCOMING MOTORISTS.

Epic 2007 follow up for some Wannabees

Stage 8: Kleinmond - Lourensford

Start: Municipal Day Camp Area

Finish: Lourensford Estate
Distance: 75km
Ascent: 1285m

Stage 8 results

Some pics of Danie, Julian and Dane comming down along the Voortrekkers ox wagon trail.

Stage eight took physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted riders through 80 kilometres of exquisite Winelands territory, with a total climb of 1 285 metres. After following the Palmiet River, riders passed through the apple orchards of Elgin and Grabouw, working their way to the summit of Sir Lowry's pass, where they were forced to carry their bikes down a slippery one kilometre descent over the historic national heritage site of the Voortrekkers ox wagon trail. In Lourensford, thousands of supporters welcomed the winning riders and over 1000 proud finishers. The crowd, a sea of red vuvuzelas, saw the 2007 Absa Cape Epic come to a heroic and festive end. Many riders were overwhelmed by emotions when they crossed the long awaited for finish line and received the coveted finisher T-shirt and medal.