Well, until it is, I want to keep riding and running…..

Please share your 2012 event plan with us in order for us to compile a comprehensive list.

japie<at>mtbblog.co.za

Still looking for something to do in the Western Cape region this week-end?

I’ll be participating in the Buffet Olives events on Saturday 29 October and Sunday 30 October.

Just in case you missed it:

SATURDAY 29 OCTOBER:

Trail run: there will be a 5km, 15km and 25km event.

SUNDAY 30 OCTOBER:

MTB classic: 5km, 15km, 25km and 45km

The estate is just outside Paarl and the event is being organised by MTB legend, Geddan Ruddock of Manic Cycles.

See here for more details and entries: Buffet Olives

On Saturday, 15 October, I took part in the MATES (Mountain And Trail EnthusiastS) trail run event, held at the Blouberg Hill. This is inside the Blaauwberg Conservation Area, a protected area on the R27, near Bloubergstrand, just outside Cape Town.

There were 2 distances, a 8km and a 15km route. I know the 15k is the one I should’ve participated in, but I have an excuse: just last week, while at a conference in Atlanta, I took time out to go looking for a new pair of trail shoes. Much has been said and written about low profile, natural, minimalist shoes, what-ever you wish to name it. I decided that was the way to go and had my mind set on a pair of Inov8 shoes. So, after having Googled and found the only shop in Atlanta that sells these shoes, I proceeded on train and bus until I got to the Big Peach Running Co in Buckhead. The sales guy was very informative and gave me a good rundown of the pro’s and cons of these runflat shoes. After  making sure he has told me that it will take time to get used to these shoes, that I’ll be running very close to the ground and showing me the various models, I opted for the F-Lite 230 Mountain Racing Flat shoe. The 230 indicates its weight: 230 grams. Here’s mine, pictured after the first race ( the BCA trail run):

It is with this in mind, that I opted for the short route, not knowing exactly what the impact will be on my feet and legs when trying these for the first time in a real trail environment.

The turnout yesterday was great for a new event, hardly marketed; I estimate about 200 runners taking part in the 2 events.

We started on nice hard jeep track with a slight uphill for the first km or so. We turned off into a very sandy patch for about 1,5km before making a U-turn back into the sandy jeep track. Back on the flat road, we took a left on very compact, but very steep uphill. This took us all the way to the top of the Blouberg Hill, with a stunning view over Bloubergstrand all the way to Robben Island and Table Mountain in the distance. After the waterpoint here, we were led down a single track. This was well laid out path with a fairly even space and wider than the single tracks we experience in mountain biking.

This single track zigzagged all the way down to connect up with the jeep track we started on. A left here, and about 300 meters or so of fast downhill to the finish line.

Every finisher received an event branded glass with cold coke, a nice touch and glass to keep. The prize ceremony was an interesting one, with winners told to merely pick something from the goodies on the table. T-shirts, tog bags, wine, etc.

All-in-all a great venue and well organised event. Oh yes, they can do with a few loo’s there. Never a big problem for the guys, but not great for the ladies who have to seek out a safe spot amidst the port jackson trees in the area.

Not often that I try to sell something here, but here’s my Merida that’s no longer being used.

If you are interested, please email me on japie@mtbblog.co.za

Looking for some MTB events and trail runs between now and end of October in the Western Cape region? Well, here’s a few that are on my list:

• Citrusdal MTB: 50, 35 km:  3 September.
• Simonsberg Paarl Rotary MTB Challenge: 45, 30 km:  10 September.
• Paarl Mountain Reserve 10km trail run:  24 September.
• The Steenberg Vineyard Trail: 6,5 & 13,1 km: 24 September.
• Piket-Bo-Berg MTB challenge: 59, 37 km: 25 September.
• Karoo to Coast, MTB: 100 km. 25 September.
• Lion of Africa de Grendel MTB: 55, 30 km: 2 October.
• Engen Dynamic MTB: 2 October, Nelson wine estate: 60, 30 km: 8 October
• William Simpson Nissan MTB: Elgin, 46, 26 km: 9 October
• Fair Cape Pointbreak MTB: 60, 30Km: 22 October, Durbanville
• BCA Mates trail run:  15, 8km, Blaauwberg Conservation Area, 15 October.
• Rustenberg Farm Race Trail Run: 21, 12 km: 29 October.

Just today, a friend asked me how I was doing with my top 40 events for 2011.

If you remember reading my April posting, you would’ve taken note of my challenge to participate in 40 events this year. I admire every runner, cyclist, mountain biker, adventurer who can set a goal to compete in and complete a major event. Be it the Cape Epic, Two Oceans, Comrades, Argus Cycle Tour, Otter Trail Run, etc. For myself this year however, I decided to take on a different challenge: participate in 40 events in 2011. That comes with its own set of challenges, of course. The biggest of these being:

1. Not enough events: I have had a number week-ends during in which I did not participate in any events, purely because there were none to participate in, in my area.
2. Travel: I have in fact entered online and paid for 2 events for a Saturday morning, thinking that arriving home late from a business trip on the Friday night before, I’ll be able to make it the next morning. WRONG! Being out of town at least every second week also messes with regular training, especially when you loathe spinning classes and treadmill running, like I do.
3. Family commitments: When you are 40-something, you can only miss so many kids parties, ballet lessons and ice-skating sessions before you get into trouble with her majesty, the Queen of the household. That has its own set of disadvantages and de-merits! I also like being in church on a Sunday morning and therefore loose out on some events.
4. Health: well, some days you are just not up to the task, especially over winter. Due to the pressure of having to make up the tally, one off week-end is considered a disaster!

So, as it stands today, 5 June 2011, I have raked up 15 events, or 37,5% of my goal. That is a huge 25 events still to go.

To be honest, I plan my events as I go and never more than two months in advance. So for now, I have my June & July plans sorted and some events for August 2011. Below find the list with web links. If you plan to participate in any of these events, please let me know in order for us to hook up. Alternatively, why don’t you send me some suggestions of events that you think will work for me.

• 12 June: Itheko 10km road run, Grand Parade, Cape Town: Modern Athlete
• 16 June: Dirtopia 9 to 5 mtb event, Stellenbosch: Dirtopia
• 18 June: Mamre, 15km run: Top Events
• 25 June: Eerste Rivier, 10 Km road run: Modern Athlete
• 2 July: 50km Knysna Oyster Festival MTB : Knysna Cycle
• 3 July: 100km Knysna Oyster Road ride: Knysna Cycle.co.za
• 5 July: Salomon Featherbed Trail  Run , 11 km, Knysna: Magnetic South
• 10 July: Cape Winter Trail Series #1, 10 km trail run: Trail Series
• 17 July: Cape Winter Trail Series #2, 10 km trail run: Trail Series
• 24 July: Cape Winter Trail Series #3, 10 km trail run: Trail Series
• 30 July: Burger MTB challenge: 75km, 60km, 42km (my event), 30km & 15km, Stellenbosch: Dirtopia
• 13 August: Cape Winter Trail Series # 4, 10 km trail run, Kleinmond: Trail Series
• 14 August: Gravity Festival MTB, Kleinmond: details TBA.

So, there is is. If all works out according to plan I would’ve participated in 28 events at the end of August 2011 and be only slightly over the half-way mark.

Any suggestions and ideas wrt to this challenge are MOST welcome.

It is that time of the year again: SeaOtter Classic time!

This 14-17 April in Monterey, California. According to their website, the inaugural Sea Otter Classic, originally called the Laguna Seca Challenge, was held on April 6 and 7, 1991. The event totaled 350 athletes and 150 spectators.

Fast forward, and the 21^st Annual Sea Otter Classic is a four-day “Celebration of Cycling” that welcomes over 8,000 athletes and 50,000 race fans and other bicycle enthusiasts.

Over a 4 day period there will be circuit , criterium and pro stage as well as general road racing, downhill, 4-cross, cross country, short-track, dual slalom, mtb and road tours.

I attended for one event on one day last year as was hooked. This year I’ll be there for 3 days and will participate in one road and one mtb event.

Of course, doing these 2 events fit in very well with my most recent, self-imposed challenge: to participate in 40 events during the remainder of 2011. The biggest challenge to fit in that number of events relates very much to the fact that I only decided on this half-way through March. That said, having to account for family time, traveling, health, etc makes it quite tight!

It is now 7 April and I’m standing on 6 events. I have 4 planned for April and then will have to consistently participate in 3,3 events every month from May until the end of the year.

Events I enter include road and MTB events, road running and trail running.

Will I make it…?

Starting at the beginning, I have to say how impressed I was with the super speedy registration process on Thursday at the Cyclelab in the  North Gate Island centre near Milnerton. It took less than 3 minutes to pick up my number at one counter and then my T-shirt at another.

Due to the incredible heat in 2010 and the fact that the long ride was actually stopped last year, I decided to participate in the short, 32km race this year.

This took place yesterday,  6 March 2011. The weather was absolutely perfect for riding with no sun in sight as it was totally overcast when I arrived there and stayed that way until the end ( of my ride at least).

The parking at Boschendal was moved to a different area, making access to the start very easy. The start area itself was different from that of 2010 too. I guess the organizers regroup after every event in order to learn what worked well and what didn’t in order to make the event even better the following year.

Our start was delayed by 8 minutes due to slower riders at the end of the 55km route. I did not really have an issue with that.

A neutral zone was set-up until we crossed the tarred road onto the dirt. The dust was a very fine powder and this together with medium sized loose stones made the riding difficult in sections where the riders were grouped closely together. This happened on many flat areas and uphills as well. In general the course was very relaxed with no uphills to talk about, no serious down hills and no major obstacles of any kind.

My one major gripe: a bottleneck of note, about 10km into the ride. At the bottom of a downhill, coming down through the vineyards, we could see a whole bunch of riders all waiting….for something.

Once there, I realized everybody was waiting to get into a piece of forest to ride a section of single track. Let’s face it, there is very little terrain as exciting as single track for a mountain biker. Having to wait 15 minutes however to get into the forest and to then do a mere 200m or so, at the cost of 15 minutes is just not worth it.

The bunch became bigger and bigger and whether the guys behind me waited longer or eventually found another way around it, I dunno. Suffice to say I had a chat with Meurant Botha once I finished my ride in order to share my frustrations. This is not the type of thing you expect from an experienced course builder at a well known event that aint cheap to enter either. What’s worse was the the 54km riders as well as the Grape Escape riders had to go through the very same bottle neck.

The finish area was well set-up with bedouin tents, a picnic area, decent seating, food and drinks and portable showers.

All-in-all I had a good day out, though I know now that I should’ve done the long route. Oh well, there’s always 2012…

5 km Stanford Oesfees Bosloop
10 km  Stanford Trail Run.
5 & 25 km Stanford Oesfees Mtb Challenges

‘n Uitdaging soos min!  Sir Robert Stanford Estate maak nie net uitstekende wyn nie, die plaas beskik ook oor van die mooiste bos, berghange en lopende spruite.  ‘n Ware lushof vir enige buitelug sport entoesias.

The Mtb rides will take riders on vineyard paths, great jeep track challenges, cliff paths, fynbos paths and awesome forest single tracks.  For the little ones, family outings and novices the 5 km is a gentle introduction to this great sport and easy enough for mom or dad to jog along to give junior the much needed support. The 25 km ride will take riders to some of the most beautiful but challenging farm and mountain terrain.  Some technical stretches, great mountain single tracks, Dam wall crossings, nifty forest tracks and mind boggling views of the Stanford Mountain and valley.  Both rides will finish with great funfair at the Hospice Music Pavilion.

25 km starts at 08:00 Entry fee R70.00
5 km to follow at 08:05. Entry fee R20.00

The Bosloop and Trail Run take athletes and novices into the bliss of this great farm.  Dam crossings, fynbos bundu, cliff paths, several spring crossings and some of the best blue gum forest paths.  Whether you run or walk the 5 km, it will tax body and soul and raise the spirit. The 10 km will add some awesome mountain trails, great water features [no wet feet!] and will join the 5 km at the end to finish a great run at the Hospice Music Pavilion.

10 km Trail Run starts at 08:15 Entry fee R50.00
5 km Bosloop starts at 08:20 Entry fee R20.00

Prize Giving at 10:00 at the Hospice Music Pavilion.
Cash Prizes Galore! Prizes for oldest, youngest, slowest and those who can show battle scars! Great prizes in the Lucky Draw.  Something for everyone!

Hermanus Adventures will donate 20% of profits to the Overstrand Hospice for the great work they do!

The Stanford Oesfees Challenges & Overstrand Hospice Summer Concert will also include the very famous Stanford Canoe Race and Stanford Pumpkin Challenge. Festival organizers promise a great day with fun outdoor activities, Tractor Rides, Kiddies Corner, Beer Tent, Arts & Craft Market, and much much more!  The famous Sir Robert Stanford Grappa & Witblitz will join all the surrounding wineries for a vino-phenomenal experience. You are invited to join us later that afternoon to the spectacular Overstrand Hospice Summer Concert.

For more information go to : HermanusAdventures

Looking for something to do on Saturday 5 February in the Cape Winelands?

How about a 47km, 24km or 8km ( for the kids) in Franschhoek? Make it an easy one if you are not quite ready yet. I plan to be there.

See www.pedalpower.org.za for more.