Wanna B Pickfords DC Traning Report

Hello Team


All that I can say is a very BIG well done on today's performance. Some of the riders pushed through some challenging times and you did it! Great Stuff!

Oh yes, Mr Chairman, before I forget, my team would like me to tell you what happened today and paste it all over the blog... oh well, I guess I am being a bit of a sucker for punishment. Well, to tell the truth, I rocked up without a helmet or gloves. When I discovered my mishap, I went into stress mode. Steve came around from between the cars and said, 'Mandy what is wrong?'. So I had to explain my little crises. So Steven then said, 'Well I have a spare set of gloves in the car.' I was to grateful to hear that. Then I had to make a plan really quickly. I raced off to the PPA office and told them that I had the biggest crises in the whole wide world and the lady said, 'I have a helmet'. It was like there was an angle looking after me. I was so grateful, even tough the helmet was a Pick'nPay special, it was the best thing I could have asked for. Thanks again to both parties that bailed me out. The ride was awesome.

Today ways a good test for the big day. The last two weeks has taught us how tough it can get out there. DC normally hits about 35 degrees with a bit of wind, and some BIG climbs at the end. Today taught us how important it is to stay hydrated, to keep encouraging each other and to look after each other. It was a great performance. Use the lessons learnt today and build on them. An example, today I struggled again with my juice getting hot and not tasting to good, which indicates that I need to make a plan for ice on the big day. Some of us struggled with sore feet and Steve's massage in the middle of the race made all the difference. The fine tuning now has to take place.

Oh yes, Andrew, please could you thank Mario and the Blue Guy, once again for all their help. They were great to ride with.

The next focus is building speed and leg work. The morning sessions are happening at 5:30 meeting at Water Stone on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Please could as many of you as possible attend, as it builds speed, pushes the lactic threshold level and just makes us leaner and meaner.

On Tuesday, Eben and John have arranged for a speaker about lactic threshold ect, which was sent out on previous emails. It's at 6:30 at Bull's Eye Financial Services, behind the Total at the Mall. I am sure we can all come back with some more knowledge.

Happy Training

Mandy

DC Training report

Hello Team

Let's make the other teams jealous and tell the Chairman what a awesome weekend we had away. The team went for a rather challenging ride out to Hermanus, for a night out. The wind was giving us a hard time, but we got there. The house was stunning, we had great bonding time together and Steve cooked us some mean steak. Then even a bigger challenge came long, getting home. Well, Annamieke took a dive for the barrier, Mandy visited the pavement a couple of times and it was Argus 2009 all over again. Refuge was taken at Cafe Jack and back up was called in. Thanks to Jan, he had planned how to get us all back and Alf came to the rescue to pick up a few more wind blown souls. The team stuck together and everyone is working hard to achieve a common goal. You guys are awesome.

Mandy

100 MILER MTB

If anyone thought of doing the 100 miler its too late.(you snooze you loose) The race started very relaxed with everyone chatting. After the first water point the roads opened up. For some fast flow riding to a breakfast stop where some coffee and muffins were devoured by all. Mountain goat heaven for a few km's and the open road again and on to water point 3 potatoes,bananas,oranges ect.
Flowing roads were the order of the day water point 4 had water shortage but overflowed with coke and the endurance kicked in from 80km working to keep your body going through the delicate stage to water point 5 at about 140 km. Turning home was just too sweet but a slight misjudgment and my tyre was cut with 6km to go. I fitted a tube and we were on our way going as fast as possible because I could hear my tyre loosing air. Coenie and I stopped 6 times to pump up my back weel and then got another tube from team mate Clifford and raced to the end.
Thanks to the team we over came all obstacles to have the best 9 hours of riding in years.
Regards Clayton Hindle (0827777408)

Wine to Whales Ride

The weekend of 24 and 25 April saw the W2W (Wine to Whales Ride) take place right on our doorstep and it was great to see so many Wannabees taking part. This is a 2 day event with the 1st day's distance of 73km starting at the Tri Active Centre in Elgin heading out through Oak Valley, Thandi and Lebanon etc - 80% OF THE RIDE WAS SINGLE TRACK. Day 2 consisted of 66 km from Elgin to Hermanus - just amazing.

I came across these 2 Wannabees on day 2, perhaps you recognise them......Andre van der Merwe and Theo Scibante. They were not too happy at the time I reached them as Andre's power was too much for his chain whilst going up a short but steep section and they were in the process of fixing it. The photo was taken just after the repair was completed, needless to say the smiles were back.

Some of the locals seen along the way were: Ockie Kruger, Jack Ackerman, Julian Conrad, Billy Swiegers, Giso and Ingo von Petersdorf, Ralf Rudd, Andre van der Merwe, Theo Scibante, Dudley van Rensberg. If I have missed a few I apologise.

A huge thank you to Marianne and company for all their support along the way.

Regards
Anton de Freitas

W2W Info

The goal of the Wines2Whales Pre-Ride was to give riders a taste of what can be expected during the much anticipated Contego Wines2Whales three-day mountain bike stage race, which will take place from 12 to 14 November 2010. This exciting event is already fully subscribed with a waiting list of more than 400 riders.

For more information on the Wines2Whales three day mountain bike stage race, please contact Stillwater Sport & Entertainment on (021) 883 – 2413 or e-mail info@stillwatersports.com or visit www.stillwatersports.com

Training for the King of the Mountain

Lekker training this morning

Epic final podium

1. Bulls 1 Men 29:47.46,0

Karl Platt Germany - Stefan Sahm Germany

2. Songo-Specialized by DCM Men 29:57.49,7

Christoph Sauser Switzerland - Burry Stander South Africa

3. MTN Qhubeka Topeak Ergon Men 30:12.30,0

Kevin Evans South Africa - Alban Lakata Austria

More results http://www.cape-epic.com/

MTB Ride last Saturday

Baie lekker ride! Easy 40km ride in the basin.
Thanks Clayton for organising!!

Argus Results Wannabees

More than 100 Wannabees rode the Argus this year! Congratulations!

Tim Butler was the fastest Wannabee with a time of 3:06:27

Dylan Hattingh finished first of his group! Well done!

Alf and Jack finished again within the first 20 of their age group!

More awards at the price giving at our family ride, Sunday 28th

Sani2C 2010 Adventure

After months of preparation, the last week was spent repeatedly checking the weather bulletins and seeing dark clouds over The Natal Midlands, the worst being over the area between Underberg and Scottburgh. They were correct and we rode in fairly continuous mist and gentle rain, resulting in mud which varied from watery and very slippery, to thick black treacley mud.

The first obstacle was getting the bike packed into a box, but once I had mastered the jig-saw puzzle it got easier every time. The airlines are very confused - they state the bike must be boxed, but then allow unboxed bikes on. They charged me per kg excess baggage on the way up but not on the way back and Henri was charged both ways? They are also discriminatory, golfers are allowed 12kg, but not cyclists or for any other sport. I enquired at the cashier why this was so, “I dunno “was the answer and the others in the office just shrugged.

The organization was brilliant as usual and the food overflowing, so no weight was lost during the three days. Registration and the race briefing went smoothly in spite of the rain, which started as we arrived. Once we had registered we found our lodgings, a mattress in a small house right at the start, we assembled bikes and prepared for Day 1.

Henri having this image of hot, humid Natal jungles only brought a sheet to sleep under so had to make a plan to keep warm as it was more like the Cape in winter.

Day 1: 92km. We woke to misty rain and grey skies, so straight into rain gear, not to be taken off until the end of the day. In spite of the weather the course on day 1 was great. The plentyful single track was slippery but flowed well and lived up to its reputation and the double track made passing much easier and eased congestion amazingly. The floating bridge was briliant, pity it could not be done twice. Day 1 went well until the sting in the tail, the steep climb with tired legs to the finish at Mac Kenzie Country Club.

The bikes were cleaned and warm showers had with little fuss. There is an endless supply of milk, vanilla milk and yogi sip supplied by Clover , the ideal recovery drink. With the bikes serviced the rest of the afternoon could be spent relaxing and socialising. The cloud and drizzle persisted.

There was a delay in the prize giving as the recce team was out checking Day 2’s route. Sad news came back, we were not to ride the organizers pride and joy, the new and old legendary single track into the Umkomaas Valley but were to by pass it on country roads. It was considered dangerous and the mud too bad.

Day 2: 94km. Still cloudy and raining intermittently. There was also a mass start which went better than we expected as were the country roads winding through farms and villages, where dozens of school children cheered us on. This passed quite quickly and we were soon back on track and into the bush fording four “Crocky/rocky” river crossings and then winding our way through some more great single track with some flattish “Out of Africa” single track, through classic thorn trees in the veldt. This was some respite before the infamous approach UP some tough rocky climbs, with the routine warnings to “Beware of Mambas”, to the Nando’s compulsory 10min. stop. After Nando’s, the worst climb of the day, “ Push Hill”. I pushed and Henry rode most of it.

We now passed through more of the great single track for which the Sani2C is so famous, the very fast flowing F1 and others, winding through fields and past dams to the next water point. The water points/ feeding points were fantastic. The people are always friendly and very helpful. Plenty of doughnuts, flap jacks and syrup, potatoes, hard boiled eggs, fruit and the usual energy drinks.

At 10 K’s to go, disaster; I went over a sharp object and had my first puncture in about 5 years of mountain biking. A slash in my tire required a clean out of Stans and a tube. Then 5 K’s to go Henrie’s front wheel wiped out on a steep muddy middle mannetjie, throwing him in my path. Full power brakes and me an endo into the mud! Fortunately nothing more serious than a few grazes and bruises for both of us. Soon after we discovered my hanger had bent as I managed to jam my chain fairly solidly between the inner sprocket and my spokes. So a lot of work was going to be done that evening on the bikes, a new tire and a hanger.

After 94 k’s Jollivett farm was a welcome site. Straight to the bike wash, then some recovery drinks and a shower before a very welcome lunch. The rain started again in the afternoon having given us a good few hours respite, so we fixed bikes in the large old milking shed now housing the toilets. We were soon joined by half the camp but there was lots of room.

Supper involved a bit of queuing but worth it for the famous medium rare steaks.

Day3. 75km. Raining again. The start was in batches 10 min. apart the same as day one, to separate the field for the single track, of which there was lots, leading to Vernon Crooks nature reserve. The climb into the reserve was testing and only a few elite and energetic get to the top without walking, Henri made it and had to wait patiently at the top for me to walk ½ of it. From there you can survey the round hills and valleys of Natal and we passed through some of the best bush of the ride in this reserve and some more amazing single track before getting to the punishment of the day, Little and Big Heart Rate Hills.

After the water point at the top the pace is fast and furious downhill to the coast. This year there was no floating bridge across the lagoon at Scottburgh but the really nasty 500m steep climb to the finish had not changed, in fact they made it a few 100m longer and the sun was now blazing. The rain had now gone and the sun was shining. We and the bikes had made it through thick and thin mud.

Wannab’s there:

Henri Meier - Jack Ackermann

Anton De Fretas - Lourens

Mark Ableson - Partner

Lance Armstrong

A few wannabees were lucky enough to see Lance riding from Lourensford to Hermanus today!

More photo's on wannabee facebook group

Ride with Lance?

EVENT AGENDA: 10 March 2010:

9:00am Luxury transportation from Cape
Town to Lourensford Wine Estate
10:00am Pre-ride Meet and Greet brunch
11:00pm Ride begins
3:00pm Post-ride lunch
5:45pm Transportation from Arabella
Hotel to dinner venue at Benguela Cove
10:00pm Transport back to Arabella Hotel

Bakkie hits cyclists, killing 3

Cyclists fear for their lives

Cyclist hit by truck

Oudtshoorn - Two men and a woman were killed when a bakkie drove into a group of cyclists outside Oudtshoorn on Monday, towards Calitzdorp around 06:15 when a bakkie tried to overtake a truck coming from the opposite direction, Captain Bernadine Steyn said.

"The bakkie drove into the group of cyclists and two men and one woman died on the scene," said Steyn. The accident happened about 9km outside Oudtshoorn.

"One man was taken to hospital. He was in a serious but stable condition."

The 62-year-old bakkie driver, from Ladysmith, was treated for shock before being discharged from hospital.

Cases of culpable homicide were opened for the deaths of the three cyclists.

No arrests had been made yet.

- SAPA

The Volkie - Hertzel Pre - Argus ride

Hard day in the office

Just got back from a SAFE STUNNING 66KM ride over Boyes drive and Smitswinkel. There were 13 Members working as a team.
Also had a lekker brekkie

Alf R.

Thierry is fine

After that terrible crash this morning we were all worry about Thierry’s health. Well I can tell you that he will stay till tomorrow at Mediclinic Stellenbosch and that from the first X-rays it seems that nothing is broken. However he got some stitches and his face is badly bruised. We wish him a quick recovery and would like to see him soon on the bike.

Makadas Overland Challenge 307km report

On the 14th and 15th November, the Makadas Overland Challenge took place from Montague. This extreme mountain bike event is the longest single-stage mountain bike race in South Africa. It started in Montague at 8:00 on Saturday and the circular route, with stunning scenery, went out towards Touwsrivier, Anysberg and back to Montague. The total distance of the race was 307 km and included some “hiker-bike” sections. It was a self navigation “rally” style event, with 7 seconding stations. Two Somerset West cyclists, Dane Walsh and Julian Conrad competed in the event, and also used their participation in the race as a fund raising exercise to generate income for Altus Minnie, a Grade 9 Beaumont learner who recently underwent a heart procedure at Groote Schuur Hospital. Dane and Julian, riding as team “Altus Minnie” finished the event at 2:30 am Sunday morning, in a total cycling time of 18 ½ hours. They were the first team to finish, although the fastest cyclist was solo rider Fourie Kotze from Stellenbosch who finished is an awesome time of 16 ½ hours. This was an inaugural event and is being planned again for next year.

Julian

Report on the incident on Saturday

Saturday, 31 October 2009: Started out as a beautifull wind free cycling morning with a group of +- 20 to 30 Wanna B cyclists heading towards Bottelary and Polkedraai. There we were on Old Main Road, 2 abreast and in the yellow line opposite Croydon Olive Estate doing +- 34km/h when a loan cyclist approached on the wrong side of the road. Michel and I were in front chatting and in hindsight reacted too late as it appeared that the cyclist was not going to give us much room to go past him. He decided rather late( that is if he actually new we were there??) to move out into the road facing the oncoming traffic which seemed ok to us as we could not see what cars were approaching from behind. From what I can gather +- halfway past the group he somehow ended up in the middle of us resulting in carnage, needless to say he sailed through without a scatch and carried on going. Most of those who went down landed on the hard ground just off the tarred surface. Malan Wykerd and Deon van Zijl came off worst with Malan sustaining a dislocation and Deon a fractured wrist + damage to his rear wheel. With no place to go Malan went over Deon's rear wheel and then over his handle bars. Once it was ascertained that the injuries were not life threatening most of the group continued whilst a few including myself, Michel, Charles, Henri, Volki, and others remained till help in the form of wives and "cycling mechanics" arrived to collect the wounded.
We wish Deon and Malan (who still wants to do the DC) a speedy recovery, we look forward to seeing you back with us shortly.
Although the oncoming (slightly inebriated) cyclist was totally in the wrong by approaching us on the wrong side of the road, I do feel that this accident could perhaps have been prevented if we had been more vigilant and our reaction time in the front had been quicker (front riders to be more aware of what is happening ahead of them), cyclists behind us did not hear the shout to be carefull of the cyclist approaching (shout loader and gesture), cyclists in the bunch need to ensure that should this happen again the cyclist/pedestrian does not end up in the middle of the bunch.

Your fellow cyclist
Anton de Freitas

FUND RAISING: ALTUS MINNIE

Altus Minnie is a Grade 7 pupil at Beaumont Primary School, Somerset West, who has participated for the past 4 years in the South African Junior championship in hurdles and long jump. He is the fourth best junior long jumper in SA. He is also an excellent all-round sportsman. Recently he developed a heart condition known as Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome that has greatly affected his ability to compete in sports events. However the condition can be cured completely through a medical procedure costing in excess of R40,000, which unfortunately cannot be covered by the Minnie’s medical aid. If he does not have the procedure, he has to lead a sedentary and placid lifestyle, to ensure he never elevates his heart rate. Please can you assist us in raising the funds so that the procedure can be paid for and that Altus can strive for selection as a Springbok athlete for the rest of his competitive years.

In order to raise the much needed funds, Julian Conrad (also a parent of a Grade 7 Beaumont child) and Dane Walsh will be cycling the Makadas Mountain Bike Race as “Team Altus Minnie”. The Makadas (http://www.makadasadventures.co.za/) the longest single stage mountain bike race in South Africa and is a gruelling 290 km race (see profile). It has to be finished within 24 hours. The ride is from the town of Montagu, through the Karoo and Anysberg, back to Montagu. It starts at 8:00 am on Saturday 14 November 2009. “Team Altus Minnie” plan to ride the event non-stop. Dane and Julian successfully finished the ABSA Cape Epic in 2007 (see photo) and intend to complete this event as well.

Please will you pledge your support and donate funds to the “Altus Minnie Fund”. We urgently need to raise the full amount. While all donations are welcome please could you consider pledging in units of R290 (i.e. R290, R580, R870, R1160, R1450, R1740 etc).

Please deposit the funds (use your initials and surname as a reference) into:
Bank Name: First National Bank
Branch Code: 200512
Account name: Altus Minnie
Account number: 62052595637
Account type: cheque

We will provide you with feedback on the fund raising success. If you wish to donate cash, please contact me and I will come and collect. If you have any enquiries please contact me (cell 082 871 5772 / home 021-8525210 / work 021-8801079 / jconrad@geoss.co.za)

Thank you for reading this and thank you in anticipation of your generous support!! Altus’s dream is to wear Green and Gold and compete in the Olympics – let’s help him reach his dream!

Julian Conrad

HOW IMPORTANT CAN A HEART RATE MONITOR BE?

Well in my case it was very important this Saturday morning. After leaving my house to cycle to the Waterstone Village I saw that my heart rate was quite high. I mention it to Alister and he said it was probably a reading error of my monitor. I joined the fast group for a ride to Rooiels. Arriving at Gordons Bay my heart rate was now indicating values above my maxHR. I decided to reboot the unit but it was still not normal. Just before the climb I decided to turn back as I was pumping at 230bpm. I phoned my wife to pick me up and drop me at Mediclinic. After an ECG they told me I was suffering from Atrial Fibrillation. They took me immediately for a cardioversion to RESET my heart to a normal beat. A couple of hours later I’m back home feeling 100%.
I wanted to share this to show how important a heart rate monitor can be during training and how important it is to know your body and to turn back in time if you are not feeling well.

WHAT ARE THE WANNABEES DOING WHEN THEY DON"T CYCLE?

THEY RACE PEDAL CARS AND HAVE LOTS OF FUN

The Lambda Team won the endurence and sprint event in Stellenbosch after a tough race! From the left Petrus, Smiley, Michel, Andre, Danie and Corrie. In the front Andre's kids with "stooter" Dickson.

MARIA SKRYF UIT DEUTSCHLAND

Halou julle

Mens kan fietry hier in die noorde van Deutschland!

Dit gaan goed hier. Ek was twee weke gelede gou by ‚n vriendin aan in Geisenheim (‚n klein dorpie in die Rhyne vallei) – ‚n lieflike plek en heerlike wyne! Ek het daar ‚n bietjie my fiets gevat en gaan ry – die stylste bult in my lewe uit! Theo, dis nou ‚n ernstige „skuins“ bult daai! Bo uitgekom is daar ‚n imposante standbeeld. – blykbaar iets wat die Rhyne vallei „oppas“. Maar ek moet byvoeg dat dit sowat ‚n 15 % „incline“ is... my fiksheid was verseker nie opgewasse hiervoor nie – hierdie keer was ek regtig uit ratte uit – het tot stilstand gekom op ‘n plek en toe is my bene te lam om my cleats uit te kry – toe val ek maar om… wat ‘n skande – gelukkig vroeg die oggend en niemand om die palawa te aanskou nie.

Daar was natuulik ook baie sonneblomme en ‚n variasie van ander blomme wat ek veronderstel veral herfs blomme moet wees.

Tussen deur het ons lekker gekuier terwyl Daniel gereeld moes skottelgoed was of slaaimaak – Caroline het leer pizza maak.

So ‚n week gelede het ek Kiel toe gekom. ‚n winderige stad, met logo: „the sailing city“... well met goeie rede. Ek vaar soggens vanaf my hotel na die hospitaal met ‘n ferrie, en was al ‘n paar maal verstom hoe jonk die kinders is wat self bootjies beman – ek skat hul moet so 3 jaar oud wees. Regtig. Ek dink dit word “cutters” genoem – sulke klein bootjies met een seil. In SA leer jy jou kinder fietsry... lyk my hier leer jy jou kind seil.. ek wonder hoe hul sal vaar op n fiets. Selfs waterpolo (of ‚n variasie daarvan) word met kano’s gespeel.

Ek het my hotel gekies so effe aan die kant van die stad (oos) en ry soggens uit om ‘n bietjie te oefen – daar is darem een dorpie naby waar daar soortvan ‘n bultjie-agtigheid is om teen intervalle(tjies) te oefen. Andersins het ek die naweek ‘n paar langer rides gedoen. Die area (noord Duitsland) is regtig mooi en baie landelik hier in hierdie omgewing – baie windkrag wat opgewek word en plase. Heerlik om deur die dorpies te ry! Gelukkig het is daar ‚n kaart beskikbaar wat spesifiek fiets roetes uitwys – jul weet hoe gaan dit in Europa – fietse is die wereld vol maar vir ons is dit maar moeilik om uit te vind watter paaie mens wel met fiets mag begaan – en waar pad stop en sypaadjie begin is ook nie te duidelik nie...

Kiel is egter bekend as fiets-vriendelike stad – well dis nou as jy ‚n „rondritsfiets“ trap – mens sien maar min resies fietse hier – hul gebuik eerder fietse as vervoermiddel, soos in baie ander stede op die vasteland. Iemand by die hospitaal het my darem in verbinding gesit met ‚n oefengroep vir padfietse – hul ry op ‚n dinsdag aand ‚n ~ 70 km roete in die omgewing – weet nog nie hoe hul oefeninge oor naweke is nie.

Hier is ook ‚n heel paar fietswinkels en het verbasend genoeg heelwat parte vir padfietse.

En na ‚n fietsrit is dit natuulik die gemaklikste ding om te kom aansit vir ‚n uitgebreide ontbyt... ek is nie seker wat Ian sal se^ van my eetgewoontes hier in terme van ‚n oefen program nie... maar nou ja – die Duitsers kan ‚n goeie ontbyt voorberei... beslis ‚n gewoonte wat ek slegs onder dwang sal moet afleer terug in SA na ‚n maand se bederf!

Groete eers en lekker week!

Maria