Hi there everyone

Well a great week-end we had weather-wise, those who capitalized on the great weather by getting out there on two wheels really scored! The Cycle Club Helderberg's first monthly MTB outride yesterday saw a great turn-out - thanks to everyone who attended and enjoyed a great morning out, including the fantastic riding that's out there waiting for each and everyone who wants to get out of bed a little earlier on a Sunday morning to enjoy our region and the fitness it will bring you. Those of you who don't know: depending on the attendance, the group is split into a fast, a medium and a beginner's group, and each group has someone looking after it. Bottom line: you will have buddies during any technical difficulty, and you won't get lost! The deal is to get you fitter, faster and technically more able during the next 6 months. - the next monthly MTB ride is on Sunday 15 June, so keep turning those legs for more fun next time!

Petie Viljoen

Cyclist can sue over pothole
29/05/2008 21:12 - (SA)

Bloemfontein - A cyclist who fell trying to avoid a huge pothole in the road in the Kamberg area can sue the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport for damages, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruled on Thursday.

The SCA upheld an appeal by Pietermaritzburg advocate Allister McIntosh, who was a keen cyclist, against a High Court decision that he was solely to blame for his serious injuries from the fall.

During the appeal it was argued that the pothole had been in existence for nearly a year - and had eventually grown to such a size and depth that is was dangerous even by the department's standards.

The department submitted that it did not have sufficient funds to properly maintain the road network in the province.

Delivering the unanimous judgment by five appeal judges, Judge Douglas Scott said the road had been the subject of weekly inspections, but notwithstanding this, no reason was given why the pothole had not been repaired.

Liable for 60% of blame

He said no evidence was given to show that the repair of potholes had to be neglected in favour of some other priority.

He found the department's officials were negligent.

However, the Bloemfontein court found that McIntosh conceded that shortly after starting his downhill ride he had seen a pothole in the road.

The SCA found that McIntosh had proceeded downhill at a speed which left him little room for error and for this reason he had also been negligent.

The court held the department was to carry 60% of the blame.

The courts were asked to decide only the issue of liability. McIntosh's damages can now be decided.

http://www.news24.com/

2008 UCI JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Junior SA Cycling teams announced for World Championships

The 2008 UCI Junior World Championships, in Cape Town from July 12 to 20, includes several top South African cyclists who will participate in track, road and time trial events.

The two South African Squads that will be competing against the world's best were recently announced by Cycling South Africa (CSA). The national female road team is made up of Michelle Corbett, Charlotte van der Merwe, Caitlin de Wet and Claire Matthews with Lorine Jooste and Jeaun-Mari Breytenbach as reserves. The national male road team is Paul de Zweel, Tiaan Swart, Christopher Jennings, Johan van Zyl, Clinton Barrow, Rourke Croeser and Johan van der Merwe. Reserves are Willem Jordaan, Hendrik Kruger and Avery Arendse.

Michelle Corbett will ride the 14.1km time trial in Wellington while Paul van Zweel and Tiaan Swart will tackle this 26.8km "race of truth".

The riders who will compete at the Bellville Velodrome during the five day track events are Michelle Corbett (CG) and Natasha Marang (Boland) representing the females with Evan Carstens, (WP), Gerrit Scheepers (NW), Brandon Christiaans (Boland), George Stroebel (FSS), Clint Hendricks (Boland) and Robert du Preez (KZN), making up the male squad to represent South Africa. The reserve is Avery Arendse (Boland).

Track cycling is cycle racing in its purist form and the five day event (July 12 to 16) includes disciplines such as The Match Sprint, The Individual Pursuit, The Keirin, The Time Trial, The Points Race, The Scratch Race, The Team Sprint, The Team Pursuit and The Madison.

The time trials are being staged in Wellington on Friday, July 18 on a closed circuit with the individual road race taking to the streets of Cape Town on Sunday, July 20. This road race circuit route has a varied profile - with some very tight corners, great long sprint sections as well as steep inclines - through the CBD as well as along the Foreshore and out towards the Southern Suburbs along scenic De Waal drive and back. The total route for the men is 133.6km - which means 8 laps of the circuit, while the women will complete 5 laps of the circuit to make up the total distance of 83.5kms.

Around 1500 National Federations from over 50 countries are expected in the Mother City to participate in this international cycling event. For more information go to www.juniorworlds.co.za

Sunday 18 may 2008

It has been 6 weeks since the end of the Cape Epic, oops correction … Absa Cape Epic, the magical African MTB race. Yes, magical is the word, it draws people from all over the world. Riders and supporters have lots of ‘magical’ experiences, with various degrees of enjoyment.

Thierry and I also had a ‘magical’ ride. We are very proud of ourselves on completing the ride, err race. With our Zebra’s on our helmets, we had lots of encouragement from the supporters along the tracks and roads. Go Zebra’s Go! Thanks to all that shouted! We heard you, but weren’t always able to show our appreciation. But the biggest Thanks go to Gwen and Mike, our backup team! Without their support, we wouldn’t have made it.
And also thanks for the camaraderie from our group of fellow sufferers, Jack & Roger, Chris & Danie, Billy & Julian

The Highs:
Well, completing it is a High and the other point is…….err is there one, oh definitely the country side. The forests, karoo plains, valleys with early morning mist, and then the rocks, Rocks, ROCKS and a ‘bit’ of SAND…. (sorry that should be among the lows)
The Forests from Knysna to George are really beautiful to ride thru. The Karoo, well it is the karoo with its own beauty. The valleys from Riversdale to Swellendam is another area that I would go back to visit.

The Lows:
1. Well my accident coming down the Gamkaberg (Stage 2) will not be forgotten to quickly. The pain in my shoulder and lower back has been a constant reminder for last three weeks. I don’t know how I completed the Epic. Maybe the stare that I got from Thierry after the stage: “Is this the end of the race?” No Thierry, but thanks for all the Myprodol’s.
2. Another Low I had was on the gravel road (with head wind) on the way to Bredasdorp. I thought it would never end, at a stage I had to sit-up and shout a few &%#$% words. To add to the frustration the rear derailleur cable snapped and I only had one sprocket to use.
Some other difficult sections:
3. Was coming into Swellendam, the temperature close to 40 deg C, and being sent up into the forest with 3 tuff tuff climbs to do.
4. I never knew how far Stanford is from Hermanus via the gravel road, it is bloody far on that corrugated gravel road.
5. The climb from Botriver to Highlands (Lebanon) is one of the toughest climbs with tired muscles. This is a track to train on for next time. (is there a next time?) This climb and others gave me a vivid nightmare on 1st night after the race.

Why do we do these challenges? I think because we enjoy the achievement of overcoming the challenges!

See you soon on the tracks/road again.

Henri

Overall Time: 59:38.11,0
Overall Team Position: 157. in Men category and in 237. general classification
Out of 1198 riders who embarked on their gruelling journey, 968 cycled (435 teams ) all the 966km from Knysna to Lourensford and climbed a total of 18 529m

Evening,

Strange weather. Beautiful lightning flashes adorning the horizon in the West early this morning as those that rode will have observed.

Thought maybe I could get out of a ride but alas no such luck. Joining Wendy’s DC group and then having a tyre blow-out I managed to give the bike the band aid and disprin treatment and limped back to the coffee shop. To my surprise I caught up with Ockie and a friend on the way back. Ockies first ride since his going to Hospital for knee surgery. Welcome back Ockie

Well the Oscar P sit has hit the headlines again with all the controversy surrounding it. Below a bit of info re the subject. Interesting to say the least. Experts and experts and nog experts. Amazing how they can differ. Where does it leave us mere mortals?

Missed the group on Sat. Gesukkel om die vrou uit die kooi te kry om koffie te maak. Saw the group fading away in the distance but did something.

This morning saw the start of the DC training rides. Two teams were out. John and his group doing a 80k ride and Wendy and her merry group baled on a 70 but managed a 55k. Dulces was beckoning methinks.

SAs. The big one for all those that think they can ride a bike. We had no fewer than 4 that I know of that went up to compete in East London. I still can’t quite get over it. In the Elites (Alex and RK, that’s our RT manne), MTN ripped the field apart at 80ks. Neotel who were also pegged as one of the front runners to win vainly tried to bridge the gap which just grew and grew. They managed to have one rider with the break JvR. The rest were nowhere. I don’t think there were more than 14 Elites out of 40 starters that finished. Our two boys were caught in the initial break and like the rest weren’t going anywhere.

Barlow World have set the standard and MTN are following. Great for SA cycling to say the least.

Fred van Zyl competed in the 55/60 cat and young Dean Graham in the under 18cat. Both did well considering.

Without making any excuses one of the major problems that we have down here in the WC is that all the races without exception are in the 100k bracket. Trying to compete with the top pros that are racing overseas and locally covering race distances of 150ks plus per ride makes a huge difference.


Also below a mail from Michel. A very concerned Michel and I don’t blame him. What he is raising is not negotiable. How many times haven’t we addressed the issue surrounding backing one another up, leaving at least two people with a puncture, calling and warning about hazards etc. The senior guys must come to party but at the end of the day it’s up to EVERYONE to be aware of what’s happening around u.

How many times haven’t I personally expressed what a proud record we have with NO group falls taking place since we started and and and.

Hey everyone, this is NOT a ”what’s in it for me club”. It’s about us as a group of like minded people who enjoy one another’s camaraderie and company. The physical challenge that goes with it and the safety aspect. Everyone has a responsibility in the group that u are riding in. NOT just one or two people.

In closing I am really struggling at the moment. Much like the birds, bees, plants and trees. Ek het reen nodig, baie nodig.

Go well,
Ek

Dear C2H members,

I feel sad when I’m writing this letter but after last week’s incidents I feel like missing the WANNABEE spirit.

Where are the buddies pointing out harmful objects or potholes during our group rides?

Where are the buddies who wait for each one?

Where is that comradeship that was bringing us together?

We were looking after each one and making sure all of us could enjoy a safe ride.

Today at least 3 times no one at the front pointed the hazard out. This was almost fatal to Sepp when he went over a big piece of concrete and lost nearly control over his bike. After turning off the R102 the front guys didn’t wait for the buddies who were blocked by the passing traffic. And a little further again they did not point out a dangerous piece of metal causing substantial damage (tire, tube and rim) to my bike and putting to risk the rest of the bunch. WHY?

Taking this and other incidents in consideration one could think it is maybe safer to cycle alone.

Michel de Clippel
Wannabee

Hi All,

Don’t quite know what’s hit me what with this extended long w/end. Becoming a bit lethargic to say the least. Weather not managing to make up its mind as to what it wants to do but winter is nigh.

Good turnouts over the past few days but alas not that many of the fairer sex. Waar is julle dames. Is julle net “fair weather ryers” of hoe?

Well we had our bi monthly Steering comm. meeting and there are exciting things in the pipe line.

Firstly let’s talk about the DC. Just about time to get the ball rolling. Would appear that we are going to have at least 4/6 teams in this years race again.

1. Social team 9/10hrs Team cap Wendy
2. Johns team 8/9hrs “ John
3. Andres team 7/8hrs Andre
4. Racing team (Soc) 6/7hrs Michel
5. Tandem Anton
6. Pro Team Mr Price 5/6hrs Alex

Anyone who is a member of the club and who is not included in the above teams and would like to have a ride, please contact John Arnold who manages this portfolio. 082-557-0031

The chances are good that we will be hosting our own Race event I think round about the 17/8. Nico van Rensburg will be setting this up. His thinking is that we will have a hill climb (possibly Old Helshoogte) and then followed with a crit race within close proximity to the hill climb. Much basic planning to be done but we will keep u all posted.

Not too long ago Andre van der Merwe started up our MTB section. Has been pretty low key at this point in time simply because there is so much taking place. What with the traditional DC, Argus, STD fun rides, Sani to Sea, Cape Epic jol and and and finding the time to slot things in becomes testing. Unless one is involved one doesn’t quite realise just how much time effort and commitment goes into handling such a portfolio.
HCW have offered to assist Andre with the mountain biking scene which will certainly take pressure off him. I suppose one can safely say that winter is the season for the MTBiking and traditionally this takes off from about the beginning of April/May and extends through to about Oct/Nov of each year.
We will keep u all posted of Andres/HCWs progress and planned ride schedule.

And it’s not over yet. Michel De Clippel (u all know Michel) he’s the guy with that fast V12 BMW and an incredible asset to the club (putting it mildly). Over and above his putting the schools project together for the Safety comm. and his involvement with the DC, he has now said that he would like to get Cyclo Cross racing going for the club. I think it will be a first for the country
This is apparently the cycling sport that is doing incredibly well o/seas at the moment. For those that don’t know about it, it’s similar to mixing cross country cycling with mountain biking and including obstacles on the course. It’s also very spectator friendly. Overseas they have hundreds of spectators pitching to support the event and is also very challenging.
We will keep u up to date.

Herewith is a pricing list for the new club kit and pics. Orders to be placed with Pieter Schoeman. He can be contacted on 082-557-0031.
1. Club Shirt Inv Zip R 235.00
2. Club Bib R 315.00
3. Club Pants Mens R 265.00
4. Club Pants Ladies R 265.00

Should u require any additional info on the club per se, licensing etc u can contact; Charles on 083-2919-438 or Nico on 082-378-0616.

Last but not least Dean Hopf, Alex Heward and Ryan will be representing us at the SA National Rd champs to be held at East London this coming Sunday.
We wish them sterkte.

Go well,
ek