The Subaru Kalahari Challenge, 2day stage race.
This past weekend team bizhub travelled to Botswana to participate in the
6th edition of the Subaru Kalahari Challenge.
For most of us it was our first trip to Botswana and therefore we were
all looking forward to our adventure across the border.
Our team was invited by event organiser Seamus O’neil to be part of
the event this year. He also arranged for us to be hosted by a Botswana
family, Kim and Nevelle, the night prior to the event. They say the
only way to truly experience a country is through its people. Nevelle
and Kim didn’t just open their home for us but made us feel like
family from the moment we arrived there. To say we had a good evening is quite an understatement.
.
On Saturday the first stage started at Game City Centrum in
Gaborone and finished 98km South in the bush at Vulture’s Hill.
The next day’s 96km stage took as back home to Gaborone to finish off
the 2 day event at Gaborone Yacht club.
The flat course was quite rough and tough as the terrain in Botswana is very rocky and sandy (horizontal hills as they call it in the local language).
I also realized yet again that flat doesn’t mean it is going to be
easy. It only means that you will have to pedal nonstop to get anywhere.
I was amazed by all the single track they have in Botswana. On
both days the route consisted 90 % out of single and jeep track. I
am glad I didn’t have to mark the course as each single
track splits into 2 or 3 directions at least every 500m.
Our overnight stay in between stages was outstanding. Riders slept in army tents which came equipped with mattresses, 3 blankets for each rider, a pillow and a flash light. This meant there was no need to travel with sleeping bags or pillows.
We were also served delicious, traditional South African food
which consisted of ‘braaibrootjies', 'Kerrie en rys', 'worsbroodjies' and
'slap pap' just to name a few. (sorry but English words wouldn’t do justice here)
Bizhub had two teams riding in the event, a mixed team and a ladies team.
Nicci Grobler and I made up the ladies team. This was only our 2nd
time riding together but the two of us seem to bring out the best in each
other. This helped us to win both stages and also to take the
overall victory at the end.
The mixed team consisted of youngster Liani Morkel and Reinhardt
Basson. This event was Liani’s first stage race and therefore she was
mainly there to learn. At the end she and Reinhardt had a great ride
together and managed to finish 3rd on both stages, giving them 3rd
place overall at the end.
We couldn’t have asked for a better first experienced of Botswana.
What made this event truly special for us was the passion the event
organisers showed for their race and their warm hospitality.
Thanks again for making us part of this unique event.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
ASG Walkerville MTB Classic, Sunday 17th July
The 12th edition of the Walkerville Classic was yet again hosted at
Lapeng Hotel and Conference centre in Walkerville, Gauteng.
This year’s event took off in much friendlier winter weather than last
year which was a big relief for all cyclists.
The 60km route consisted mainly of short steep climbs and fast single
track. The course was very rocky and at some places it became quite
tricky to ride over and downhill on a trail of lose rocks.
The week prior to the event I came down with a cold and on Saturday
(the day before the event) I thought I’ll be fine to race which was
unfortunately not the case.
From the beginning Teresa Ralph (Lynx) took the leading position with
Carla Rowley (Biogen) chasing in 2nd place, me in 3rd place and
Sanet Small (Team Ghost/DO IT NOW) in 4th place.
Our positions stayed unchanged throughout the race which meant all of
us crossed the finish line in the same position we start off with.
Final results:
1st Theresa Ralph
2nd Carla Rowley
3rd Yolandi du toit
4th Sanet Small
This coming weekend the team will be travelling to Botswana to take
part in the Subaru/Kalahari Challenge (2day stage race)
In the meantime I’ll be taking it really easy in order to be healthy
come this weekend.
The 12th edition of the Walkerville Classic was yet again hosted at
Lapeng Hotel and Conference centre in Walkerville, Gauteng.
This year’s event took off in much friendlier winter weather than last
year which was a big relief for all cyclists.
The 60km route consisted mainly of short steep climbs and fast single
track. The course was very rocky and at some places it became quite
tricky to ride over and downhill on a trail of lose rocks.
The week prior to the event I came down with a cold and on Saturday
(the day before the event) I thought I’ll be fine to race which was
unfortunately not the case.
From the beginning Teresa Ralph (Lynx) took the leading position with
Carla Rowley (Biogen) chasing in 2nd place, me in 3rd place and
Sanet Small (Team Ghost/DO IT NOW) in 4th place.
Our positions stayed unchanged throughout the race which meant all of
us crossed the finish line in the same position we start off with.
Final results:
1st Theresa Ralph
2nd Carla Rowley
3rd Yolandi du toit
4th Sanet Small
This coming weekend the team will be travelling to Botswana to take
part in the Subaru/Kalahari Challenge (2day stage race)
In the meantime I’ll be taking it really easy in order to be healthy
come this weekend.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Tour de Plett Cycling Festival
After the Knysna Oyster festival MTB and road races last weekend, team bizhub stayed on in Plettenberg Bay to take part in the inaugural Tour de Plett Cycling Festival.
Event Organiser, Danie Erasmus invited the team (bizhub) to participate in his
event and also provided us with lovely accommodation at his
guesthouse, O’Hannas in Plettenbergbay.
Most of the time I only see my teammates at races and therefore I
really enjoyed spending the week with them down in Plett and getting to know them better.
On Saturday we took part in the Tour de Plett mountain bike race which
took place just outside of town at Wittedrift.
All the rain from the previous weeks made the course quite muddy with
big water puddles turning the 75km route into even more of a challenge.
The route consisted of long rocky climbs and descents, beautiful jeep track in the Knysna/Plett forests and also spectacular
views as we cycled through the Buffalo Hills Game Reserve.
Candice Neethling (bizhub) used her strong cross country start and took the
lead from the off with me chasing in 2nd place. It was a lonely ride
for both of us as we didn’t see anyone in front or behind us
throughout the event. At the end Candice took the victory in the inaugural Tour de
Plett MTB with me in 2nd place and Heidi Koen in 3rd place overall. My
other two team mates also rode very well as Nicci Grobler managed to finish
4th in the 75km event despite being ill and Liani Morkel finished 2nd in the 50km event.
The following day the team took part in the Tour de Plett road race.
Despite our exertions at the MTB event the previous day, we all set out
to give our best and get another good result for team bizhub.
This time we had two pairs of fresh legs joining us in the form of Lindi Erasmus
and youngster Monique Gerber.
The 110km route took us out and back on the N2 in the direction of PE.
On our way back the route veered off into Nature’s Valley which eventually led us onto
Nature’s Valley pass. This made the route very scenic but also extremely
challenging. Anriette Schoeman (Nashua/
Toyota) used the pass to break away and win the race with Lindi Erasmus (bizhub) in 2nd place and Candice Neethling (bizhub) rounding of a fine week in 3rd place.
I truly enjoyed the hospitality and great organisation at the Tour de
Plett and would love to return again next year.
This is definitely an event to add to your race calendar for 2012!
After the Knysna Oyster festival MTB and road races last weekend, team bizhub stayed on in Plettenberg Bay to take part in the inaugural Tour de Plett Cycling Festival.
Event Organiser, Danie Erasmus invited the team (bizhub) to participate in his
event and also provided us with lovely accommodation at his
guesthouse, O’Hannas in Plettenbergbay.
Most of the time I only see my teammates at races and therefore I
really enjoyed spending the week with them down in Plett and getting to know them better.
On Saturday we took part in the Tour de Plett mountain bike race which
took place just outside of town at Wittedrift.
All the rain from the previous weeks made the course quite muddy with
big water puddles turning the 75km route into even more of a challenge.
The route consisted of long rocky climbs and descents, beautiful jeep track in the Knysna/Plett forests and also spectacular
views as we cycled through the Buffalo Hills Game Reserve.
Candice Neethling (bizhub) used her strong cross country start and took the
lead from the off with me chasing in 2nd place. It was a lonely ride
for both of us as we didn’t see anyone in front or behind us
throughout the event. At the end Candice took the victory in the inaugural Tour de
Plett MTB with me in 2nd place and Heidi Koen in 3rd place overall. My
other two team mates also rode very well as Nicci Grobler managed to finish
4th in the 75km event despite being ill and Liani Morkel finished 2nd in the 50km event.
The following day the team took part in the Tour de Plett road race.
Despite our exertions at the MTB event the previous day, we all set out
to give our best and get another good result for team bizhub.
This time we had two pairs of fresh legs joining us in the form of Lindi Erasmus
and youngster Monique Gerber.
The 110km route took us out and back on the N2 in the direction of PE.
On our way back the route veered off into Nature’s Valley which eventually led us onto
Nature’s Valley pass. This made the route very scenic but also extremely
challenging. Anriette Schoeman (Nashua/
Toyota) used the pass to break away and win the race with Lindi Erasmus (bizhub) in 2nd place and Candice Neethling (bizhub) rounding of a fine week in 3rd place.
I truly enjoyed the hospitality and great organisation at the Tour de
Plett and would love to return again next year.
This is definitely an event to add to your race calendar for 2012!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster festival
The team travelled down to Knysna on Friday the 1st of July to
participate in the Knysna Oyster Festival.
The festival consists of various events which included a mountain bike
and road event on the Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Four bizhub girls (Nicci Grobler, Candice Neetling, Ischen Stopforth
and myself) lined up for the start of the 75km mountain bike event on
Saturday morning. We set off in
cold weather and drizzling rain which worsened as the kilometres
slowly ticked by.
Eszter Elderly (Team MTN/Qhubeka) took the leading position from the
beginning with Ischen Stopforth chasing in 2nd place, Candice Neetling
in 3rd place and myself in 4th place (all bizhub).
The 75km course consisted of long steady climbs followed by some short
steep climbs and slippery downhill single track all in the beautiful
Knysna forest.
The mud made the course extra challenging as it took longer to
complete the course and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who struggled
with chain suck which forced me to dismount several times and undo my chain.
The ladies race positions changed inside the last 15km as Candice managed
to pass Ischen to move into 2nd place and Hanlie Booyens (Team Jeep)
passed me to move into 4th place.
As Candice approached the finish line her tyre popped of her rim with
about 1km to go. She stopped to bomb it but realised that it wasn’t
possible as her tyre had a deep side wall cut. She then decided to
make a run for it.
Candice came across the finish line with her bike beside her instead
of being on it and still managed to finish in 2nd place.
The overall victory went to Ezter Elderlyi with Ischen Stopforth
rounding off the podium in 3rd.
The following day Team bizhub lined up for the
Knysna Oyster festival road race. Lindi Erasmus (bizhub) joined us for the
road race which meant that we had at least one pair of fresh legs for
the event.
Even though we all were very tired from the previous day’s effort we
weren’t going to give up easily and road as hard as our legs allowed
us to. Lindi managed to make the break going to the finish line and
finished in 5th position at the end.
This week the team is staying in Plettenbergbay to participate in the
Plett Challenge road and mountain bike events taking place this coming
weekend.
The team travelled down to Knysna on Friday the 1st of July to
participate in the Knysna Oyster Festival.
The festival consists of various events which included a mountain bike
and road event on the Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Four bizhub girls (Nicci Grobler, Candice Neetling, Ischen Stopforth
and myself) lined up for the start of the 75km mountain bike event on
Saturday morning. We set off in
cold weather and drizzling rain which worsened as the kilometres
slowly ticked by.
Eszter Elderly (Team MTN/Qhubeka) took the leading position from the
beginning with Ischen Stopforth chasing in 2nd place, Candice Neetling
in 3rd place and myself in 4th place (all bizhub).
The 75km course consisted of long steady climbs followed by some short
steep climbs and slippery downhill single track all in the beautiful
Knysna forest.
The mud made the course extra challenging as it took longer to
complete the course and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who struggled
with chain suck which forced me to dismount several times and undo my chain.
The ladies race positions changed inside the last 15km as Candice managed
to pass Ischen to move into 2nd place and Hanlie Booyens (Team Jeep)
passed me to move into 4th place.
As Candice approached the finish line her tyre popped of her rim with
about 1km to go. She stopped to bomb it but realised that it wasn’t
possible as her tyre had a deep side wall cut. She then decided to
make a run for it.
Candice came across the finish line with her bike beside her instead
of being on it and still managed to finish in 2nd place.
The overall victory went to Ezter Elderlyi with Ischen Stopforth
rounding off the podium in 3rd.
The following day Team bizhub lined up for the
Knysna Oyster festival road race. Lindi Erasmus (bizhub) joined us for the
road race which meant that we had at least one pair of fresh legs for
the event.
Even though we all were very tired from the previous day’s effort we
weren’t going to give up easily and road as hard as our legs allowed
us to. Lindi managed to make the break going to the finish line and
finished in 5th position at the end.
This week the team is staying in Plettenbergbay to participate in the
Plett Challenge road and mountain bike events taking place this coming
weekend.
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