Dear C2H members,

As you all know the Cycle Safe Committee is running a Cycle Safe Project at our local primary schools. We are aiming our program to grade 4 learners and we hope to make our kids cycling safer on our roads when they travel to school.

There are 8 schools and more or less 600 of our youngsters taking part. This is a huge achievement for C2H and the Cycle Safe Committee and we are putting a lot of effort to make this Cycle Safe Project a success. We are starting end of September and hope to finish around mid of October.

But we need your help! If you can take a couple of hours off your busy time and join us on one of these mornings you will help our kids to become safe cyclists. Any wannabee can contact Petie 0823233502 or Michel 0826942011 or drop a email to helderbergcyclesafe@gmail.com. We are looking forward to a fantastic support from the wannabees for this ambitious project.

Kind regards
Cycle Safe Committee

Hi,

Had to change the intro from yesterday to this morning. Yes its trying to rain. Lekker koel nie koud and an earthy wet soil smell.

Well what’s to report?

DC

Two DC teams were out and about this past w/end. The Social team on Sat doing a plus 100ks and I Andre’s team on Sunday.

Time slowly but surely ticking away and not that many w/ends left to get up to speed.

Would appear that John has five teams up and running. Fantastic if we can realise this on the day.

Club Race day

One couldn’t have asked for better weather conditions. Coupled with the fact that we weren’t starting at sparrow(time slot was allocated to us), a beautiful scenic setting, an exciting 4k cycle route going thru a scenic little Boland suburb, and a group of “Workers/Officials” that made it happen.

For those of u that weren’t there, for whatever reason, u were without a doubt the losers.

The racing was excellent, from the youngsters to the Elites.
The turnout was just what we needed. Not knowing what to expect and how the roads and route would accommodate the faster riders it turned out just perfect.

We now have a pretty good idea of where we can improve and what bunches we can handle. All bodes well for the future.

Sad though that we did not have the support that one would have expected from the local cyclists and even more so from our club. Maar nou ja, so leer jy mense ken. What’s in it for me? And yes everyone, I’m well aware of the fact there was MTBiking taking place and that we all have different priorities; but to support your club for the only event they host once a year, is that asking too much??

While I’m on a roll let me make use of this opportunity to thank all the sponsors namely;

Fabi, Herman van Zyl; Flandria; Maverick; Masons; HCW; Mr. Price; Hannes Pretorius; Mikes TV Repairs and all the volunteers for your unselfish contribution
and/or time.

And last but not least many thanks to our announcer Hendrikus Lemmer, (ek hoop djy het djo tip gekry)

Olympics

Natalie coming a credible 16th in the 10k swim. One silver medal with the possibility of several more. Not over until the fat lady sings. Let’s be positive.

Controversy rages. Unbelievable the number of records broken especially in the swimming events. Was it?

1. the deeper pool -1m
2. The open lanes on either end
3. The temp of the water
4. Special lane barriers
5. or the special material used for the swim gear
6. Special guttering
7. And then of course Phelps and his so called “underwater work come 5th stroke”

Phelps himself alla Lance Armstrong just didn’t happen on the scene. He’s been around for quite a while. Taking into account that at the age of 15yrs and some months he was the youngest swimmer ever to break a world swim record.

One just has to go back to LAs book “Its not about the bike” read the first few chapters to see where he came from and what it took to make it. Theres nothing for nothing and NO free lunches

Talking about records. Questions being asked as to why the likes of Bolt doesn’t finish his race. Looks around at 90m very casually and slows down for the last 10m still breaking the record. Of course, it’s all about money.

The big money payout is in the Golden League events. So little by little with breaking that record= more payouts. But what a chance one is taking. Another bite of the cake if all goes well and why not??? After all a record is a record. Of hoe??

How does one reward/compensate/accommodate someone when their tool of the trade namely your pole for the pole vault event has suddenly gone missing. You can’t compete and the responsible officials shrug their shoulders and walk away. Well it happened. Tragic to say the least.

Other

The light is starting to change for the better so we should be able to start earlier on w/ends. Will keep u posted.

Remember

1. To still have lights back and front and reflective/light clothing.
2. To make everyone aware of obstacles etc on the road whilst in a group
3. Spanners, spare tubes and a pomp that works
4. and the blog

Regards
ek

CCH Club Race

Morning all,

I sense/smell a change in the air early in the mornings. No, its not that we now have six cats and two dogs in the room with us during the night, I’m talking about in the wee hours of the morning, on the stoep met die koffie en Louis (dis die trein en ons het al voorheen van Louis gepraat). Is it the first signs of spring or what?

Results;
Well what has happened the last week or two? We had the Nat Mazda MTB ride in Stellenbosch Sunday week ago and I’m led to believe with a record entry. Many Wannabee/C2H members took part with Anton getting a second in a Ladies Cat!!!!!! And the promising young Klara Rossouw coming a very credible third in the junior woman’s cat over 41ks. Wel gedaan.

Club Race:
Much excitement building up leading to the clubs first official race to be held this Sunday 17/8 at the Helderberg Coop/Raithby area. Almal is welkom en dit sal fantasties wees as ons ‘n honderd klublede in hulle klub klere op die pad kan sien.

Please come and support us its going to be fantastic.

Starting with the u10/12/14 @ 10.am - 30min
Followed “ u16 and Ladies @ 10.45 am- 45min
“ “ open funride @ 11.50 am- 40min
“ “ Vets @ 12.45 pm- 1 hr
“ “ Juniors/u23 and Elites @ 2.00 pm 1 hr

U need to enter at least 30min before the race.
Entry fee R50.00 Scholars and R75.00 other

MTB:
Well, we had another successful MTB ride this past Sunday. Danie and his team did an awesome job in controlling and looking after in excess of 30 keen, enthusiastic and very determined MTB riders.

The odd tumble, getting lost, doing a hike, making it all that much more exciting and challenging. Mooi so manne.

In the future, we (Cycling Club Helderberg) hope and plan to have more sponsors on board hosting similar MTB rides.

We will keep u informed re the next ride.

Safety;
Michel de Clippel still looking for help:

Dear C2H members,

As you all know the Cycle Safe Committee is running a Cycle Safe Project at our local primary schools. We are aiming our program to grade 4 learners and we hope to make our kids cycling safer on our roads when they travel to school.

There are 8 schools and more or less 600 of our youngsters taking part. This is a huge achievement for C2H and the Cycle Safe Committee and we are putting a lot of effort to make this Cycle Safe Project a success. We are starting end of September and hope to finish around mid of October.

But we need your help! If you can take a couple of hours off your busy time and join us on one of these mornings you will help our kids to become safe cyclists. Any wannabee can contact Petie 0823233502 or Michel 0826942011 or drop a email to helderbergcyclesafe@gmail.com. We are looking forward to a fantastic support from the wannabees for this ambitious project.

Kind regards
Cycle Safe Committee

Remember;
Our race day on Sunday 17/8/08- starting 10.00am
Never to take chances on the road, cycling, running, as a pedestrian or driving.
Courtesy costs nothing; be part of the solution and not the problem.
4. The blog: www.wanna-B-team.blogspot.com

Goedgaan,
ek

CYCLING CLUB HELDERBERG HOSTS WINTER LEAGUE EVENT

Cycling Club Helderberg is hosting a WPCA winter league cycling race day on Sunday 17th August at Helderberg Co-Op on the Winery Road. A fun ride is also included for non licensed riders.

An entry fee of R75.00 per adult and R50.00 for scholars will be charged. Prizes will be dealt out for each category at a prize giving. The races will be marshalled with medical back up and the rule “no helmets no ride” applies.

The event starts at 10h00 and the venue is best found by taking the R44 towards Stellenbosch from Somerset West and turning left into the Winery Road and Raithby is on the right hand side just near Helderberg Winery.

The programme will be in the format of Kermesse which will be a circular route through the village for a specified time plus one lap. The categories which will be catered for are under 10/12/14 open (both licensed and unlicensed riders) for thirty minutes ride, the under 16 and ladies licensed riders for forty five minutes, an open fun category for unlicensed riders for forty minutes, licensed veterans will ride for an hour as will the final event for licensed juniors/under 23 and elite riders.

For more information contact Marilette 082 788 3560

Hallo,

Strange to think that we are well on our way to Xmas. Couple of days and its August then into spring and bingo its funny time again. Scary!!

Well it’s life after the TDF. Even if there was some disappointment re the drug sit I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed the tour.
The old adage applies. New faces, new places and new cases.

Well what’s happening in the club I was asked the other evening? Strange to say the least. I was under the impression that we were/are a vibrant, proactive (not reactive) innovative, go getter club to put it mildly and have the following on the go;

1. DC—stands for Double Century; 4 x teams up and running(I think—am I correct Henry/Andre) and of course we might even have a 5th team pretty shortly—Jurie’s team.
   John doing a great job handling this portfolio.
   The team caps are;
   a. Wendy’s team—the social team
   b. John’s team
   c. Andre’s team
   d. Henri’s team
   e. And hopefully Jurie’s team
   
2. Safety Comm --- These are the girls and guys that strive to keep cycling safe with “out reach” training programmes in place being presented to the primary schools in the Basin area. Much work to be done here and volunteers are urgently needed to assist in the running thereof. Those that can help please contact Michel de Clippel on 082-6942011. Many thanks. Refer attached below
   
3. Annual Club Road race. This to be hosted by us on the 17th of August. Great work being done by all the comm. members. Without exception people have put there hands up and I can only see us hosting an awesome event in just over two weeks time. Comm. members have all volunteered for duty on the day but we still need quite a few to help with the marshalling. Those that can help please contact Volkie on 083-453 0057. By voorbaat dankie.
   

   All the details will be going out shortly but in a nutshell;
   It’s in the form of a Kermesse, 4.2367ks long. The loop starts at Helderberg Co-op turns left into the Raithby Rd back down onto the Winery Rd back past the Co-op. Maklik nê!! All categories will be catered for.
   What we need is everyone to be there to support the effort and of course if u are not working / helping then u may enter and ride.
   
4. And then of course we have the social w/end road rides taking place every Sat and Sun weather permitting and Danie(gp) who is now handling our MTB portfolio. When he has rides taking place I will let u all know. Great guy is Danie very experienced. Several Epics under the belt and to crown it all a super personality. Julle moenie worry nie, hy sal djulle entertain!!!
   5. Remember!!!
   a. Safety, safety en nogmaals safety—not negotiable
   b. W/end rides Sat and Sun. Meet Waterstone Village @ 7.00am
   c. Volunteers needed. Please respond.
   d. Club Ride. Diarise 17/8/08. Where:? Helderberg Co-op @ 10.00am
   e. The Blog: http://www.wanna-b-team.blogspot.com/
   

And finally, two pics for u to look at, scrutinise and let me know what they are and where they are. Surprise me. Oh yes don’t forget to GLADWRAP your Pumps.

Goedgaan,

ek

STUNNING SENIOR MOMENT A very self-important college freshman attending a recent football game, took it upon himself to explain to a senior citizen sitting next to him why it was impossible for the older generation to understand his generation. 'You grew up in a different world, actually an almost primitive one,' the student said, loud enough for many of those nearby to hear. 'The young people of today grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, man walking on the moon, our spaceships have visited Mars. We have nuclear energy, electric and hydrogen cars, computers with light-speed processing and,' pausing to take another drink of beer. The Senior took advantage of the break in the student's litany and said, 'You're right, son. We didn't have those things when we were young........so we invented them. Now, you arrogant little shit, what are you doing for the next generation?'The applause was resounding..I love senior citizens

Hi everyone,

Winter time, recovery time for most I would imagine. The Die Hards are out there but sensible mense stay in bed if the weather is inclement.

Well on that subject. The Freedom Challenge has just been completed. Must probably the extreme of extremes re endurance. Pretty much a Triathlon split into the Comrades, a 2300k off road mtb ride and then a bitterly cold and wet Berg River canoe marathon. Not for the faint hearted.

We in our midst have Erol Derick (I’m sure most of u know him, a humble Maverick man) who competed in the cycle leg of the race. (U can do it in sections). About 2300ks off road with a cut off of 26 days. No tents to sleep in, no mechanic waiting patiently for u to come and service your bike, no masseurs at hand and and and. Net djy alleen. Something to think about die menere ne!

Well life carries on. Not too long ago many took part in the Knysna Fest. The weather was kind to us and I saw quite a few Wannabees/C2H mense there.
It remains a favourite on the cycling and running calendar.

The school hols are a thing of the past. Back to the grind stone and most things return to normal. I would imagine that the DC groups will start their long training rides again.

We as a club (as I have mentioned before) have a club race pegged for Sunday the 17th of August. We have applied for the relevant permission and have most things in place. The race will be a type of Crit , a 4.2k loop oround Raithby ( If and when we get the off go ahead).

We intend catering for virtually all cats and age groups and it should be great fun. We will keep u informed. But please keep the day open. It’s our event and we would like as many there as possible.

Remember!!!
Safety is not negotiable
Pieter has the new club kit available
Our race day
Starting times are at 7.00am Waterstone parking Sat, Sun and public hols.

Congrats to young Dean Graham who took part in the SA inter prov champs. A great exp and learning opportunity.

Goedgaan,

ek

Hi All,

Well if there is any doubt about winter having arrived I think it was dispelled this past Saturday.

Pretty good turnout what with Wendy and her merry DC span just about at full strength raring to go and then of course the traditional Die Hards. Pretty chilly with a prediction of 30% chance of PLEK PLEK reën. Die ou Transvaal, Springbok Radio news on weather gesegte.

Sadly Wendy (after a call going the coastal road and all of us men telling her “not a good idea”) has handed in her resignation. Effective from the first of December of course after the DC of course. What a delightful soaking wet and cold ride we had. But hey if u want to stay with Wendy’s team u have to be tough. No place for the feint hearted. Let me tell u that even Paul Lewin hacked it out in the rain. Maybe Paul is just generally more sensible on the occasion.

Well, this coming w/end many I suppose, will be making there way up to the Knysna area if u can afford the petrol costs that is. Traditionally a great w/end. The MTB ride on Sat and the RR on Sunday. Plenty to do over the w/end. Enjoy and have a safe trip.

We have had a mishap or two these past couple of weeks. BJ coming down after hitting a tar obstruction and Pieter staking claim to a piece of turf on a downhill section at Thandi. Both up and running I trust and hope.

Would appear that we have a bike shop up for sale and at the same time a bike shop that is soon going to open its doors. Coincidence? Wonder maar net.
Speak to Hertzel.
Must be something happening out there that I am not aware of in the cycling business. Could it be the petrol price? The vehicle market is struggling as we all know so maybe, just maybe, it’s going to be a boom time for the cycling industry. Let’s hope so.

Safety en nogmals Safety.

Taking into account the amount of cyclists that have ridden with us in groups and the man hrs x years (or should it be bike hours) that we spent on fixed routes its quite incredible how few incidents we have had.

Accolades to all of u.
In saying that just a word of caution to everyone when we do the Rooiels run. As one hits the coastal road the drainage area and little bit of safety margin that we have there is actually fraught with danger.

U will all have noticed the drainage holes on the left going out. U will have also noticed the grid and how the pipe work is running parallel to the road. Manne en meisies if one of us hit that drain at 20/30 or what ever kilos per hour it’s going to be nag. Be very very mindful of these drainage points. We did try and get them changed right in the beginning maar het gefaal.

We also have several on the way back to Waterstone. Two come to mind and I ALWAYS signal them. The one on the turn/corner intersection of Broadlands and the Coastal road and the other turning left off the R44 into main road going back to Waterstone.

Well what do the experts have to say this week?

They say its winter time-- Wet weather time. Towards the bottom of the saddle down tube most of us have a water bottle cage and of course very important we have a PUMP. Many is the occasion when I have had to stop and help a person and I have found that both my pump and the other persons pump doesn’t work. How often do we check these tools of ours? About time we started doing something about it.
Pretty easy according to the experts. Make sure the pump works. Then--- either GLAD WRAP the PUMP or put it into a PLASTIC Bag. All the mud, muck and water is thus prevented from getting into the PUMP, and of course the PUMP is very grateful. Simple hey. Let’s see how many PUMPS are looked after.

Attached something to think/chuckle about.

Have a great week,

Ek