HELDERGBERG CYCLE SAFE

Pilot project De Hoop

Hi Guys and Dolls,

The first month of 2008 is just about a thing of the past.

January has really been testing for me and several committee stalwarts with regards to cycling matters. Much frustration. Everything has been a slog and quite frankly without the support of a fantastic comm. ‘ek dink ek sou dalk/miskien/maybe’ have called it a day concerning certain issues. We will persevere – many positive things happening.

Well, the good Cape Dr continues to dish out his prescribed dose of medicine, and coupled with some warmish days has made the majority of us feel a tad uncomfortable to say the least.

The cycling this w/end was good and not so good. Die Wingerd funride was dominated by C2H (for those who do not know, our new club “Cycling Club Helderberg”) with the club taking the first five places in the A group and the Racing Team taking four of the five first places. Well done to Fourie Kotze who at his age managed to hang in with the break and get second place.

We decided at the onset to have the RT ride both the Wingerd and the Roller Coaster as part of the prep for the Giro, but sadly the wheels came off several of the team on the Roller Coaster. The best was RK who missed the break at the top of Ou Kaapse weg (vas aan die slaap) but managed to finish strongly with the chase group and Alex Heward finishing shortly after, but a specialist sprinter as opposed to a climber. The wind played havoc in certain areas and blew them up Smits Winkel and virtually blew them back going down Black Hill.

The R/Coaster once again sorting the boys out from the men with plenty of climbing in the 88 odd ks. The break led by Moolman Welgemoed and eventually won by Moolman (36yrs old). Awesome cyclist to say the least.

Don’t forget the meeting tonight 6.30pm Methodist Church Coronation Ave.

Well this week we kick off with the mini Polar program for the Argus and ouder gewoonte we will be riding Tues, Wed and Thurs mornings and Sat and Sun on the W/Ends.

Week 1 of many 28/1 Start 5.30am Waterstone parking

Mon 28/1 Rest
Tues 29/1 YZ plus 80% Lactic Threshold West rd 7 x 3min intervals
Wed 30/1 Recovery ride 1 hr small blade LSD
Thurs 31/1 BZ Waterworks 4 x 6min intervals
Frid 1/2 Rest
Sat 2/2 3hrs LSD/Fun Ride
Sun 3/2 AA

Have a great week.
Ek

Hi everyone,

I trust u all had a great weeks riding, training and racing.

What with the Nationals taking place (MTB) at Jonkershoek on Sat and the infamous Cape Cobra PPA ride with a Crit afterwards taking place on Sunday. Plenty of action in our neck of the woods. I have not checked the results yet but believe that Henning came fourth in his section. Mooi so.

Well, the Cape Dr has certainly dished out its fair share of medicine the past week or so with a howling S/Easter having to be contended with racing the Cape Cobra. Always a tough race to take part in, and this year even more so, with added climbs to make it a climbers’ dream race and for the likes of the heavies, alla RK, a bit of a nightmare to say the least.

Our clubs riders in general did exceptionally well for this time of the season. In the Elites we had Lourens Calitz coming in with a fantastic second and RK coming in about one and a half minutes behind him in 22nd position with young Ruan van Schalkwyk not far behind.
The small Elite lead group comprising of about 30 riders splitting with about 500m to go and of course having to finish on the climb at the top of Ou Kaapse Weg. Proved to be a nail biter right to the last couple of hundred meters.

Young Dean Hoff taking a fourth place in the Crit after having some bad luck in the RR with two punctures. Alex Heward having had a fall on Saturday (and not being able to have his bike repaired) and having to ride all those massive climbs with no small blade. Well done, takes some doing just to finish.

I’m led to believe that Dean Graham came in fifth place in the junior section, and our Vets rider Vince Bergh in eighth position. Excellent.

Added to this we had the likes of Paul Fourie and Alwyn van Pitius competing in the gruelling Attakwas MTB race. I have had no feed back at this point in time.

All in all some pretty good results and something that the club can be proud of and we have only just started.

Well this week we will continue with the Tues, Wed and Thursday 5.30am one hr LSD rides and from next week the Polar program geared for the Argus.

Do not forget about the INFO MEETING scheduled for next Monday the 28th Jan 6.30pm at the Methodist Church Coronation Ave. Hopefully plenty and possibly exciting info to share with u. Please pitch as u have done in the past. Hopefully only 1hr of so iets van julle tyd.


Goedgaan.

ek

Hi everyone,

Nog n week verby. Some beautiful days and some pretty breezy ones as well. I suppose pretty normal for this time of the year. Some of the weather experts are predicting an earlier than usual winter, remains to be seen.

Good turnouts the last week or two. Just a reminder that we are, believe it or not, starting to loose daylight time already, so dem lights please. Back and front and bright reflective clothing if possible.

This weekend saw two major events on our local calendar take place. The Total sports challenge from G/bay and the Wiesenhoff 24hr MTB challenge. I don’t have any official results yet but I am led to believe that several of the clubs members partook and did well. Check the results I suppose this coming week.

The scheduled INFO Meeting for the end of the month is still in place. At this point in time the date is 28/1/8 (Monday). Start time 6.30pm and venue the Methodist church in Coronation ave.

Please guys/dolls as many as possible teenwoordig asseblief. I will post another reminder next week.

Just a reminder to the Steering Comm. of our get together today at 6.30pm (De Hoop).

Using daylight time is important so let start the weekday mornings rides tomorrow 15/1 at 5.30am for 1hr. The Argus program will kick in most probably around the beginning of Feb but will confirm a date later.

Several of the club members are training for the Epic which as u know is due to start towards the end of March. Supposed to be harder, longer and tougher than the last one. Good luck to all of u.

Anything u want added let me know. Remember to keep tabs on our own Blogsite.

Go well,

ek

Morning to all of u, Tues 1/1/08

I trust u all had a great festive season and hopefully this New Year will be everything that u want it to be.

Well, as per the norm several pitched for the traditional New Years day ride. I must add that there was a lot less glass on the roads than as per usual for
this time of the year. Not a single puncture!

Dulcés was closed so off we went to a little French coffee shop/restaurant in Bright Street, open from 5.30am this morning and had bietjie Boeretroos. Baie lekker. Breakfast is excellent and well priced. Try it sometime, I recommend it.

Last year was pretty hectic to say the least. Many, many meetings to get us up and running, secure sponsors and get the necessary documentation out to all on the mailing list. Great effort on the part of the Steering comm. and accolades to all who were involved. Much time, effort, dedication and money involved.

Well where to now? First off all we need to have a INFO Meeting towards the end of this month to bring everyone up to speed as to our status quo re (a) the club situation; (b) the dev racing team /Mr Price side of things; (c) the Wannabees, and then of course very important your views comments etc.

But let me stress that this is not an AGM. We want to be out of the meeting within an hour so please let’s keep alles to the point.

Ons is amper daar and we need as many as possible to attend. UNITY IS STRENGTH. Traditionally the attendance has been excellent, let’s keep it up.

REMEMBER, its all about u and for u. It’s your club!!!!

I will confirm a date and venue shortly.

Go well,

Ek.