Hi Everyone,

Beautiful winter’s morning. A brush of snow on the HHMts with the possibility of more to come. Water badly needed everywhere I think. We are blessed.

Again I don’t think much road riding took place this w/end other than some mountain-biking, but that in itself would have been great.

Due to the bad weather (the very strong winds more than anything) the Western Province Road and Time Trial Champs had to be cancelled. I would like to think that they will take place this coming w/end.

The following w/end will see the SAs taking place in Bloemfontein and speaking of the SAs, several very promising young Junior cyclists that are part of us have had to sadly withdraw because of injury and illness. Jurie Franken that has recently had a knee op and young Wynand Cilliers who is struggling with flu amongst other things.

Several others have had to withdraw because a local school has indicated that they would not condone their being absent from school for a day or two. Cycling is not seen as a school sport and they have not been chosen to represent WP. Well, u don’t necessarily have to be chosen to go to SAs. If your are good enough, and u can afford it, u can compete. U would be out of your mind to lay out the money and time if your child was not good enough and didn’t have the potential.

One would like to think that given the fact that the Helderberg Basin is seen as one of the Cycling Training Mecca’s of several of the top pro cycling teams in the world and that cycling in the Basin area must be one of the fastest growing and popular sports in the area its just beyond me that one hears of the above decisions been taken.
Maybe it’s something that the Safety Comm. can address in the not too distant future. The intention is for them to target the schools (starting with the Primary schools) and educate the kids at an early age all about road safety, wearing a helmet etc.

ASSEBLIEF ALMAL. It’s becoming more and more dangerous on the roads now that the wet Winter weather has arrived. If u are training early in the mornings remember lights, lights and more lights on the bike. Make sure that your brakes are in very good condition and remember the old saying” it’s not the inclement weather that’s the problem BUT a poorly maintained bike and not the correct winters clothing that’s problematic”

Goedgaan,

Ek.