the alaskan version of the freedom challenge is SO on my to-do list.
it might not happen next year - it interferes with Argus, and I'll be going for my 21st next year, so will have to sort that out first.
But reading through the blogs and what these riders experienced - WOW.
entries for 2011 open on 8 april 2010 - race starts on 27 Feb 2011.
2012, anyone??
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Epic, anyone?
It happens every year:
Epic entries are sold out within hours and the waiting-list people just have to make piece with the fact that this year, they won't ride.
Then, a few months, weeks or sometimes days before the event, someone gets a cold, break something, or simply realise they haven't trained enough.
and then entries are practically get given away.
Epic starts THIS weekend.
There are entries available.
On the hub, full team entry going at R10k (this includes the rider change fees of R2500 pp)
My Friend Mummy also has his entry available. Give me a shout if you happen to be in Capetown on Sunday and can use his entry - he won' use it.
Epic entries are sold out within hours and the waiting-list people just have to make piece with the fact that this year, they won't ride.
Then, a few months, weeks or sometimes days before the event, someone gets a cold, break something, or simply realise they haven't trained enough.
and then entries are practically get given away.
Epic starts THIS weekend.
There are entries available.
On the hub, full team entry going at R10k (this includes the rider change fees of R2500 pp)
My Friend Mummy also has his entry available. Give me a shout if you happen to be in Capetown on Sunday and can use his entry - he won' use it.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
How i'm going to make South Africa's roads safer
gonna wear a black armband on sunday on the Argus tour.
For the cyclists killed yesterday morning.
It will also be a reminder of my pledge to make the South African roads safer.
when on my bike on public roads i'll:
- respect traffic rules
- know that i'm invisible to all vehicles
- ride single file
- in an event, when there's not full road closure, ensure that i stay on the left side of the white line
- wear my helmet - and fasten it (2 guys in groenkloof on sunday - one with helmet, but not fastened, and the other one with his helmet in his backpack???)
- wave and smile thank you when-ever a car noticed me and gave me a gap (even though it was legally my turn at the green traffic light)
when i'm in my car i'll
- not answer the cell phone if i don't have my hands free kit already on the phone (that includes not fumbling for the hands free kit when the phone rings) - calling back is cheaper than repairing damage to the car
- not type sms's
- not put on make-up while in traffic (was watching the whole episode in the car in front of me last week - from base to mascara and liquid eyeliner, 4 different shades of eye-shaddow, lips, even the hair)
- not accelerate when the traffic light is red
- not clog up the whole intersection when the light is green, so that no-one else can get through when it's their turn
- be curteous to at least one driver a day (even if it is a taxi) - with some luck he'll pass it on.
anybody else who wants to help me with this??
For the cyclists killed yesterday morning.
It will also be a reminder of my pledge to make the South African roads safer.
when on my bike on public roads i'll:
- respect traffic rules
- know that i'm invisible to all vehicles
- ride single file
- in an event, when there's not full road closure, ensure that i stay on the left side of the white line
- wear my helmet - and fasten it (2 guys in groenkloof on sunday - one with helmet, but not fastened, and the other one with his helmet in his backpack???)
- wave and smile thank you when-ever a car noticed me and gave me a gap (even though it was legally my turn at the green traffic light)
when i'm in my car i'll
- not answer the cell phone if i don't have my hands free kit already on the phone (that includes not fumbling for the hands free kit when the phone rings) - calling back is cheaper than repairing damage to the car
- not type sms's
- not put on make-up while in traffic (was watching the whole episode in the car in front of me last week - from base to mascara and liquid eyeliner, 4 different shades of eye-shaddow, lips, even the hair)
- not accelerate when the traffic light is red
- not clog up the whole intersection when the light is green, so that no-one else can get through when it's their turn
- be curteous to at least one driver a day (even if it is a taxi) - with some luck he'll pass it on.
anybody else who wants to help me with this??
Monday, March 8, 2010
How Fragile we are
Read just now about 4 cyclists killed in Oudsthoorn - on the R62 between Oudtshoorn and Calitzdorp. Bakkie overtaking and ploughing into a group of 11 cyclists.
It is such sad news - so unnecessary. 4 families whose lives will be changed forever, 4 people who just stopped dreaming.
Raising awareness for bicycles - that's the reason for the Argus' existence - a protest ride against exactly this.
Will be sourcing a black armband to wear for these riders, who were training for this ride, but now won't be there.
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
...
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
- W H Auden
It is such sad news - so unnecessary. 4 families whose lives will be changed forever, 4 people who just stopped dreaming.
Raising awareness for bicycles - that's the reason for the Argus' existence - a protest ride against exactly this.
Will be sourcing a black armband to wear for these riders, who were training for this ride, but now won't be there.
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
...
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
- W H Auden
Still the best R18.50 you can spend
didn't want to get off the bike after the second lap in groenkloof today ... but needed some run-time too.
the running trails are superb!
For R18.50 you can get:
- a vida coffee
OR
- friendly cyclists with big grins
- free therapy from what-ever work-stresses of the past week, and clear your head for the week ahead
- have 4 zebras divide the cycling group
- train your river-cycling skills (where does all that water on my favourite piece of singletrack come from?)
- watch 9 giraffes not minding the cyclists
- bridges, technical climbs, one boring climb to keep the roadie-friends happy
- verry nice hiking trails for trailrunning
- and get to call it 'training'
- AND moyos just next door for after-ride munchies.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Argus fever
The World Funride Champ is upon us.
It will be my 20th.
Here's some of the reasons i keep going back - apart from it being an excellent excuse to visit friends and family:
- One night in 3 susters when we queued for fuel - together with LOTS of other cars with bikes on
- Or if you fly down, the vibe at the airport - the millions of bikes, the passengers with helmets sticking out of their hand luggage - you know where they're off to :)
- the expo
- Or when you drive from George or Vredenburg on a Friday afternoon, the convoy of cars all going to the same place. You're one with the world. You belong.
- Getting up early on sunday morning, and the drive into town with millions (ok, maybe only 1000's) of cars with bikes on, on their way to the same place
- the vibe at the start ... the count-down, the music, everybody say whoplaaaa - this is the same, whether you're racing for a pb or dressed up on a borrowed nountain bike
- The people and cycle-tour-specific billboards on that first few kays
- seeing the top of that fist climb just before the blue route
- Flying down the blue route
- Coming over the top of smitswinkel, and then flying towards kommetjie
- misty cliffs. this must be the most beautiful part of the route.
- Chappies. even the climb is pretty.
- Flying down chappies. that's why we cycle!
- Suikerbossie. it's a horrible climb but WHAT a vibe! you feel like a champ, cant get off the bike here, there's too many people wanting you up
- Reaching the top of suikerbossie
- Sprinting, and then that horrible short climbie at bakoven
- The finish :)
- The one year that you did two laps - the incredible feeling of aliveness as you become part of the festivities ans suffering on the second lap.
- Waiting a whole year for another one.
Here's to 2010: Everybody say whop-la!
It will be my 20th.
Here's some of the reasons i keep going back - apart from it being an excellent excuse to visit friends and family:
- One night in 3 susters when we queued for fuel - together with LOTS of other cars with bikes on
- Or if you fly down, the vibe at the airport - the millions of bikes, the passengers with helmets sticking out of their hand luggage - you know where they're off to :)
- the expo
- Or when you drive from George or Vredenburg on a Friday afternoon, the convoy of cars all going to the same place. You're one with the world. You belong.
- Getting up early on sunday morning, and the drive into town with millions (ok, maybe only 1000's) of cars with bikes on, on their way to the same place
- the vibe at the start ... the count-down, the music, everybody say whoplaaaa - this is the same, whether you're racing for a pb or dressed up on a borrowed nountain bike
- The people and cycle-tour-specific billboards on that first few kays
- seeing the top of that fist climb just before the blue route
- Flying down the blue route
- Coming over the top of smitswinkel, and then flying towards kommetjie
- misty cliffs. this must be the most beautiful part of the route.
- Chappies. even the climb is pretty.
- Flying down chappies. that's why we cycle!
- Suikerbossie. it's a horrible climb but WHAT a vibe! you feel like a champ, cant get off the bike here, there's too many people wanting you up
- Reaching the top of suikerbossie
- Sprinting, and then that horrible short climbie at bakoven
- The finish :)
- The one year that you did two laps - the incredible feeling of aliveness as you become part of the festivities ans suffering on the second lap.
- Waiting a whole year for another one.
Here's to 2010: Everybody say whop-la!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Tree: 1. Cat-i: 0.
So there i was merrily cycling down the juicy piece of singletrack between the botanical gardens and Barry Hertzog. Flying passed a guy to come around a corner to a fallen tree. Quickly evaluate, yes, I'll have to sit very low, but I'll make it underneath. Oooh, it's very rutted under the tree, pick a nice line to clear that .... and completely totally FORGOT about the tree.
BANG!
Hitting the tree with my helmet at about 20 kays per hour. Dude that i passed just now, must have thought 'what an idiot'.
Tree didn't move an inch. My head went from 20 - 0 in a splitsecond.
Headache.
Sore neck & shoulders and lower back.
No other scratches, so get on bike, continue (now much slower)
Woke up this morning without the headache, but with a very sore neck & shoulders. Realised that Dark & Dirty-ing tonight in this condition (not being able to look around) might not be a very bright idea :(
That's how it came that I'm sitting in front of a PC at 18:07 on a Thursday evening, with clear blue skies and an almost-full moon later tonight ... in stead of on my way to the moo mall.
have fun, you okes!
BANG!
Hitting the tree with my helmet at about 20 kays per hour. Dude that i passed just now, must have thought 'what an idiot'.
Tree didn't move an inch. My head went from 20 - 0 in a splitsecond.
Headache.
Sore neck & shoulders and lower back.
No other scratches, so get on bike, continue (now much slower)
Woke up this morning without the headache, but with a very sore neck & shoulders. Realised that Dark & Dirty-ing tonight in this condition (not being able to look around) might not be a very bright idea :(
That's how it came that I'm sitting in front of a PC at 18:07 on a Thursday evening, with clear blue skies and an almost-full moon later tonight ... in stead of on my way to the moo mall.
have fun, you okes!
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