WP XC results
The WPMBA web site is experiencing hassles. Here’s is the XC results from last week-end.
Will get DH results up as soon as I get them.
WP%20Cross%20Country%201-2007.xls
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Online hassles
Apologies for the online silence! Telkom capped my ADSL, my 3G card is on a go slow, so now I am resorting to good ol’ dial-up.
Anyway, I have a lot to share re afternoon training rides, development MTB and PPA road rides on a mountain bike with knobblies and all.
It will have to wait till tomorrow though when I trust I will be driving in the cyber highway’s fast lane again!
Had some feedback from Meurant. ( that was very quick, thanks Meurant)
OK, I’ll try and remain secretive and shed some light at the same time.
We are setting up a Section 21 company. It will most likely have the look
and feel of an association.
Our passion is, and has always been trails. We have no dreams/ambition to
take over SA-MTB or PPA in terms of what they are doing for racing or
funrides.
I presented the program to the PPA executive at a board meeting last year
and also discussed it with Mike Bradley (SA-MTB) in detail so there
shouldn’t be any big surprises.
We want to focus on lobbying for land access, but also create a fund that
can be used to build and develop projects in deserving areas.
We see event organisers using these facilities and I see bodies like SA-MTB
really benefiting from the work of this NGO in terms of venues etc.
Everything must start somewhere so yes, a lot of our focus will be Cape
based at first although a few of our programs will immediately go much
wider.
That said, we have offered to take on WPMBA’s admin – because of our
capacity and infrastructure.
But WPMBA will always retain their regulatory function and still elect a
board etc. The NPO will be more operational.
Those who went to the AGM last year will agree that they needed serious
help.
We’ve added office space here at Delvera, the aircon came yesterday, the
desks today and telkom say they’ll be here on Tuesday!
We’ve also appointed an additional admin person who is quickly getting the
hang of mtb admin under Arina on the Dirtopia side of things at the moment.
That’s it for now.
Time for a new MTB body in SA?
Well, by now you have probably also received the Dirtopia email with the following content:
“…also gives us the opportunity to focus our energy on a new non-profit company dedicated
to the improvement of MTB opportunities countrywide. This exciting initiative is taking up a lot of energy and time at the moment but we believe that the benefits to mountain biking will easily and quickly surpass our past achievements.
This venture launches in March and we are in the process of securing sponsorship and donors.
If you or your company are keen to come onboard as founding sponsors, founding members or
strategic partners contact meurant@dirtopia.co.za asap.
The short of it? We are setting up an ‘IMBA’-style organisation for Africa! Check out www.imba.com for an idea of what’s coming your way…
Shortly we’ll ask you to join as members – and remember to visit us at the Cycle Tour expo in Cape Town from 7-10 March.”
This is certainly news to me. Does this mean it will take over from PPA / SA-MTB in terms of MTB in SA? Will it be in co-operation with these bodies? Is it an association or a business?
Too many questions for which I certainly dont yet have the answers. I will ask Meurant and Arina to comment and shed some more light on the topic.
Too old to ride?
I have often wondered when I will be too old to ride. Maybe not compete, just ride.
50, 60, 70?
Well, yesterday on my way back from my daily cycle ride, I came across an elderly gentleman on his bike, heavily laden with pannier bags, tent and even binoculars.
Seeing that he had nowhere to go, I offered him a place to stay over at my house.
It turns out that he is from New Mexico in the USA and that he will be traveling by bike in SA for the next 2 months.
Only later did I learn that he had a hearing aid and that he suffers from multiple chemical allergies from things like smoke to soap, etc. He has been traveling by cycle through Brazil, Australia, Venezuela and various other countries over the last 10 years.
Only then did I ask him how old he was: 72!
Well, that really surprised me.
To think that I have THAT many years of cycling left, really excited me.
So, to all those who think / believe that they are too old to continue cycling or that you are even too old to start, I want to say, GET REAL! If you ain’t 72 yet, you have many years of cycling left in you!
Accessorise…
Well, I am not big on bike accessories. Sure I have a cyclometer, but that’s about it. I don’t have lights, a GPS device or any other fancy tools when it comes to my bike.
Still, many do and I was wondering about all the add-ons, one can get.
A friend recently sent me a link to a company that sells fancy tires. Tires aren’t exactly an accessory, I know, but fancy tires aren’t really a must have.
These tires all have coloured snake skin designs and what’s more, they glow in the dark!
I dunno how big the market for this type of tire will be in SA as it costs R 370 ( $40) without the shipping and import duties.
See Sweetskinz for more.
About that Epic training….
Okay, by now we know about the hefty entry fee, the hidden costs such as several pairs of cycling kit, bike parts ( if not a new bike ) travel to Knysna, etc that all adds up to the cost of the famous Epic.
Having not yet done it myself, I can at least understand that I need to save some money, win the lottery or sponge off others ( family ) to pay for the whole experience. What I mean to say is that it is not that a great concern to me when compared with the brutal training regime I am told to follow if I even want to consider finishing!
How brutal is this training? Sure I would not want to suffer every night while others are chatting about their day and planning for the next, but I wouldn’t intend in being in the top 10 of my class either.
So, the question I want answered: how much do I really need to train to make it a pleasant experience should I ever consider doing it?
I will get some opinions on this matter and post it shortly.
What about cross-training?
Okay, so I like to ride. Actually let’s clarify that: I love to mountain bike. Riding on the road is so-so for me.
Sure I am not planning any podium positions this year but all the same I would like to be fit. Every now and then I get the urge to enter a short triathlon or those short adventure races. Then of course I am required to run, scramble and even swim.
So, does that mean I need a cross-training programme? How exactly will it benefit me and what should I do?
Will running, swimming or weight training in the gym help my riding fitness?
I just don’t know enough about this to actually comment on it.
Still, I try to run 5km at least once (sometimes twice) a week.
Then when I travel to Joburg (once or twice a month) I visit the closest gym for a bit of circuit training.
Maybe it’s just to get some variety…being the spice of live and all!
yes Andrew it’s a dream list!
Okay, I can commit to the following:
- Sabie: entered, paid , booked and paid flight and accommodation with my friend Mark.
- Knysna: yes, yes, yes
- Cederberg: have to
- Karoo to Coast: missed last year but HAVE to do it again this year.
Andrew, by the way, is the guy who commented on my post about the must do events. See his comment ( and leave your own, if you so wish )
I will however commit to 2 events per month for Feb – Nov 2007. That’s at least 20 events this year.
Besides those events listed in my must do list, there are of course plenty of others within 1 or 2 hours drive from all the major centres countrywide.
For Capetonians there are many well established events within a few hours drive from the city. The most popular ones are in:
- Grabouw
- Stellenbosch
- Montagu
- Ceres
- Citrusdal
- Bonnievale
- Robertson
- Franschhoek,etc
These are the ones that will make up the bulk of my 20 events this year.
By the way, Andrew wins a subscription to Mountain Biker for his contribution to the must do events for 2007. Well done Andrew!n
I have one more subscription to give away.
The first person to post their list of recommended events will get the Mountain Biker in their mailbox for the remainder of 2007.
Cape Epic 2007
Well, not to be outdone by all my macho buddies who will be participating in the Cape Epic this year, I finally got notice that I am now a participant too!
Great news! I am really excited about it. Am I fit enough you ask? Well how fit do I have to be to hand out water and help with the bags? Oh, sorry, did I not mention that I will be a volunteer?
Sorry, meant to say that. So, there it is, I am paying to help others. Can I claim this from my tax as a donation? Any accountants out there?
According to the Cape Epic web site, this is what I will be getting for my eight days of time and toils and R 2500:
Each volunteer receives:
- Accommodation in the Absa Cape Epic Race Village (Saturday night to Friday night)
- Breakfast and dinner in the Race Village (Saturday dinner to Saturday breakfast)
- Race Finisher’s Dinner and Party at Moyo (Saturday night)
- Crew T-shirt
- Crew Cap
- Transport between stages
- Reserved start place for following year’s race (reserved entry will be forfeited if the official registration deadlines are not being adhered to)
Now you have it, I will be at the 2007 Cape Epic. Lemme know you if you are riding and maybe I can “smuggle” something in for you….