Mountain2mountain
(25thJuly)
This road race was held in Tzaneen (Limpopo Province), a beautiful part of our country with its hills and green forests. The weather forecast for Tzaneen predicted very cold conditions over the weekend. Unfortunately it turned out to be correct!
On Saturday morning it was really freezing outside. Luckily we stayed less than 1km away from the start. This meant we could leave our warm hotel rooms fully dressed for the race, skipping the usual routine of getting race ready next to the team car in the cold.
My start group consisted of only 4 Cycle Lab girls and me starting at 6:45am.
The first 11km were the deciding factor of the event. Starting on a downhill and then reaching the bottom of the first and only major climb after just 2 km.
Agatha Mountain is a 9km climb and it was here where Ashleigh Moolman showed off her talent climbing away from the group.
I had to dig deep to stay with the other 3 Cycle Lab girls (Lynette Burger, Joanna van der Winkel and Lizanne Naude) on the climb. The cold weather conditions caused my legs to feel heavy and slow.
At the top Joanna vd Winkel, Lizanne Naude and I opened a small gap on Lynette. Lynette showed that she was determined to get a good result. She quickly caught back up as her team mates waited for her over the top of the climb. She attacked immediately after getting back on. I responded and as I reached her with the 2 Cycle lab girls on my wheel, she forced an echelon.
The next few kilometres were gradually downhill and Lynette tried several times to get away. I followed so that at times we opened a gap on the other two, but they managed to get back every time.
Next, we reached a T-junction where I was the first to turn left. Lynette attacked again with her 2 team mates sitting on her wheel. I tried to respond but I had nothing left after following all the earlier attacks.
My race was over and I continued riding on my own with only the wind and the occasional ‘funrider’ as a companion. It was a long, hard day in the saddle for a 5th place result.
The Mountain2Mountain is a very well organised event. Each rider received a big bag of oranges plus a goody ‘box’ with his/her race number filled with orange juice, nougat, cherry tomatoes, onions and some other local delicacies.
The 107km event had countdown markers every 10km, with 8 water points spread over the racing distance. At the finish venue there was plenty of food stalls and prize winners received their cash prizes, trophies and some more local treats.
This event is definitely worth adding on your race program for the future.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
The Jock Cycle Classic
(18th July)
The event was held in Barberton, in the Lowveld. In the past it was 3 stages held on one day. The first stage was from Barberton to Nelspruit going over Hilltop, a 4.5km
climb just before Nelspruit. The second stage was from Nelspuit to Kaapmuiden going over Boulders (7km climb) and the last stage from Kaapmuiden back to Barberton on a very hilly course. Now the event is one long ‘stage’, passing through Nelspruit and Kaapmuiden, finishing back in Barberton.
The woman started with the Veteran Men (40-49) leaving Barberton just past 7am.
Because the Lowveld’s temperature is normally quite pleasant this time of year, I knew the day would warm up and decided to take a few layers of clothing off before the start. As we left the start line I realized that it was the worst decision I made for the day. For the first 20km my body was frozen.
It made me smile seeing the climb coming closer, not because of my climbing abilities but knowing it will help my body temperature increase. The group went hard on the climb splitting into pieces quickly. The pace was too high for me and I decided to rather ride up and ride at my own pace. It’s still a long way home and a lot can change in between. I caught up to a few riders on the climb, reaching the top I was back in the convoy of motor vehicles and road back up to the main bunch.
Going through Nelspruit we went over a few very steep hills, reducing the peloton even more.
Boulders was the 2nd major climb for the day. My legs weren’t feeling so good and I decided to ride as hard as my threshold ability would allow without going ‘into the red’. Going over Boulders there were 6 girls up in front, while I was chasing by myself.
Going down Boulders, four other Veteran Men caught up to me and we formed a small group . I still felt comfortable going past Kaapmuiden, with the front group just in sight.
We formed an echelon, each taking a decent turn upfront and managed to get ourselves back in the main group. We were now the first chasing group as 3 girls and a few Veteran Men got away over Boulders.
The finish line was on a slight uphill and I decided to make the first move going for a long sprint. It actually worked very well. The other riders in my group reacted too late and I managed to open a small gap on the rest taking 4th place. I am satisfied with my result. I didn’t feel at my best, but riding steady and saving strength wherever I could helped me to still finish strong at the end.
Results for the day
1st Ashley Moolman (Cycle Lab)
2nd Andriette Schoeman (Nashua)
3rd Jenny Stenerhag (Alpha Pharm)
4th Yolandi du Toit (Konica Minolta)
5th Isabel Moolman (Cycle Lab)
6th An-Li Pretorius (Nashua)
7th Joanna van der Winkel (Cycle Lab)
8th Robyn de Groot (Nashua)
9th Lylanie Lauwrence
10th Lizanne Naude (Cycle lab)
(18th July)
The event was held in Barberton, in the Lowveld. In the past it was 3 stages held on one day. The first stage was from Barberton to Nelspruit going over Hilltop, a 4.5km
climb just before Nelspruit. The second stage was from Nelspuit to Kaapmuiden going over Boulders (7km climb) and the last stage from Kaapmuiden back to Barberton on a very hilly course. Now the event is one long ‘stage’, passing through Nelspruit and Kaapmuiden, finishing back in Barberton.
The woman started with the Veteran Men (40-49) leaving Barberton just past 7am.
Because the Lowveld’s temperature is normally quite pleasant this time of year, I knew the day would warm up and decided to take a few layers of clothing off before the start. As we left the start line I realized that it was the worst decision I made for the day. For the first 20km my body was frozen.
It made me smile seeing the climb coming closer, not because of my climbing abilities but knowing it will help my body temperature increase. The group went hard on the climb splitting into pieces quickly. The pace was too high for me and I decided to rather ride up and ride at my own pace. It’s still a long way home and a lot can change in between. I caught up to a few riders on the climb, reaching the top I was back in the convoy of motor vehicles and road back up to the main bunch.
Going through Nelspruit we went over a few very steep hills, reducing the peloton even more.
Boulders was the 2nd major climb for the day. My legs weren’t feeling so good and I decided to ride as hard as my threshold ability would allow without going ‘into the red’. Going over Boulders there were 6 girls up in front, while I was chasing by myself.
Going down Boulders, four other Veteran Men caught up to me and we formed a small group . I still felt comfortable going past Kaapmuiden, with the front group just in sight.
We formed an echelon, each taking a decent turn upfront and managed to get ourselves back in the main group. We were now the first chasing group as 3 girls and a few Veteran Men got away over Boulders.
The finish line was on a slight uphill and I decided to make the first move going for a long sprint. It actually worked very well. The other riders in my group reacted too late and I managed to open a small gap on the rest taking 4th place. I am satisfied with my result. I didn’t feel at my best, but riding steady and saving strength wherever I could helped me to still finish strong at the end.
Results for the day
1st Ashley Moolman (Cycle Lab)
2nd Andriette Schoeman (Nashua)
3rd Jenny Stenerhag (Alpha Pharm)
4th Yolandi du Toit (Konica Minolta)
5th Isabel Moolman (Cycle Lab)
6th An-Li Pretorius (Nashua)
7th Joanna van der Winkel (Cycle Lab)
8th Robyn de Groot (Nashua)
9th Lylanie Lauwrence
10th Lizanne Naude (Cycle lab)
Monday, July 13, 2009
Walkerville MTB Classic
The Walkerville Classic is held at Lapeng Hotel and Conference Centre to the South of Johannesburg. Race distances were 60km and 35km.
Normally the race is a very cold race in the middle of winter, but this year we were lucky with the temperature reaching 16 degrees. The wind definately made up for the cold, blowing strongly and bringing with it the cold front from the Cape.
The 60km started at 8:45am. There was a large field due to more road riders taking up MTB during the cold winter months.
The first 10km with single and jeep track on a slight ascent caused the group to break up soon after we left the start. I managed to place first lady going into the open single track. Next we reached the bottom of Platberg, the first Climb of the day.
At the top the riders had a beautiful view of the Witwatersrand and looking down I couldn’t spot any girls chasing. The route down the mountain is on a slippery jeep track with two short rocky sections. I got into a comfortable pace hoping to keep my lead to the finish.
Just before the third section, where everyone had to dismount, the 60km joined the 35km making it impossible to move past on the single track. At the portage section, I managed to pass a few riders. Unfortunately a few more sections followed where one couldn’t go past. Making it quite stressful cause I didn’t know where the other girls where lying.
The last 13km we rode straight into a head wind, where I had to use up the little energy I had left at that point!
As I crossed the finish line I believed I made it home in first place. The organizers and time keepers seemed a bit confused and I actually had to tell/ask them if I was the first lady in…..
At prize giving I was happy to find out I did indeed finish in 1st place.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Parys Island Dirtmax
After the busy first half of the year, I took a few days off at the end of June . I am sure I will be thankful for the break during the coming months. From now on until the end of November my race program is full with at least one race per weekend.
On Monday (29th June) it was time to face the freezing cold air again. It wasn’t only the Tour de France that added motivation but also my new Focus hardtail mountain bike. It feels great to have a MTB that feels like its only been built for me personally.
With only a week of training in my legs, I didn’t have any plans to race over the past weekend. At the last moment I changed my plans when I heard about a small race in Parys. With Walkerville on this coming weekend it was the perfect opportunity to get used to my new bike and do a bit of off road riding.
It was a lap race situated next to the Vaalriver, just outside Parys. The circuit was over a distance of 10km. Riders could choose between the 10km (1x10km), 30km (3x10km) or 60km (6x10km) events.
One can truly see all the effort that’s gone into building and designing the course. It was one of the most enjoyable MTB races I ever participated in. The circuit included some technical singletrack, rocky sections, across bridges, through streams; up and down bumps- I really had fun! And my bike was handling excellent over the terrain.
The race organisers were very welcoming, with their small 2year old boerbull (Sasha ) running around greeting everyone with her delightful 'smile' and friendly eyes. Making sure she gets max attention, she is really cute. If she was up for grabs, I would've raced EXTRA hard!!!!
I completed the 60km event in 3:32 finishing in first position.
On our way home we drove through the main street of Parys which was packed with small stores, coffee shops and restaurants.Every so often there would be a parked car with a bike rack and a few drty mtb's hanging off the back. My only thought was if you’re not a professional rider that would be a nice way to spend your Sunday afternoon. Do a short 10/ 30km race then go into town and enjoy spending time with your family in Parys!
After the busy first half of the year, I took a few days off at the end of June . I am sure I will be thankful for the break during the coming months. From now on until the end of November my race program is full with at least one race per weekend.
On Monday (29th June) it was time to face the freezing cold air again. It wasn’t only the Tour de France that added motivation but also my new Focus hardtail mountain bike. It feels great to have a MTB that feels like its only been built for me personally.
With only a week of training in my legs, I didn’t have any plans to race over the past weekend. At the last moment I changed my plans when I heard about a small race in Parys. With Walkerville on this coming weekend it was the perfect opportunity to get used to my new bike and do a bit of off road riding.
It was a lap race situated next to the Vaalriver, just outside Parys. The circuit was over a distance of 10km. Riders could choose between the 10km (1x10km), 30km (3x10km) or 60km (6x10km) events.
One can truly see all the effort that’s gone into building and designing the course. It was one of the most enjoyable MTB races I ever participated in. The circuit included some technical singletrack, rocky sections, across bridges, through streams; up and down bumps- I really had fun! And my bike was handling excellent over the terrain.
The race organisers were very welcoming, with their small 2year old boerbull (Sasha ) running around greeting everyone with her delightful 'smile' and friendly eyes. Making sure she gets max attention, she is really cute. If she was up for grabs, I would've raced EXTRA hard!!!!
I completed the 60km event in 3:32 finishing in first position.
On our way home we drove through the main street of Parys which was packed with small stores, coffee shops and restaurants.Every so often there would be a parked car with a bike rack and a few drty mtb's hanging off the back. My only thought was if you’re not a professional rider that would be a nice way to spend your Sunday afternoon. Do a short 10/ 30km race then go into town and enjoy spending time with your family in Parys!
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