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