Ride with the Master

Ok - the blogging has slowed down -  mainly because I have been out of action with the flu and this is a MTB Blog and I have been riding road bike the past few weeks (eeck).

After a nice ride with Greg before work this week I realised how much I miss the good old mountain bike. Work had us going to the Vaal river for a few days and this was a great opportunity to ride with the MTB Master (Melt)- the man who inspired me to start riding a good year ago.

We got up at 05:30 and hit the road - not knowing where we were going but keen to find some tracks. We had an awesome little adventure finding paths and single track all over the place. Our exploring souls took us to places seldom marked by tyre but it was worth the adventure. We saw lots of mongooses on our ride and even had a buck dash in front of us.We eventually found a nice road next to the river that took us home (after jumping a fense or two).

It was really fantastice to ride with Melt and good to find new routes.

Heritage Day weekend rides

What a great way to celebrate South Africa's Heritage Day then a Mountain Bike ride in your own back yard. Greg, Justin (pictured below) and I headed off to Dunblane Equistrian estate in Kempton where the Rotary club was holding a MTB race. This route, we were all very familiar with as we do parts of it almost every weekend. We entered the 50km race and it was quite a pleasant race. The field was not too big and quickly stretched out, racing machines Greg and Justin powered off into the distance leaving me to help the novice lady riders at the back (joys of being a slower rider).

The route wasn't marked out the best and some people may have taken shorter/longer to complete the race. There was a horrible little loop just as you reached the end, they look you back up out for another 4 km stint. My load was shot at this stage and the ladies I was riding with powered away from me, leaving me defeated and deflated. Good race to finish, hopefully they will have more of them in the future. 

Greg fortunately noticed that I had a broken spoke when he was loading my bike onto his carrier before the race. We tied the offending spoke with a zip tie so that it would not get stuck in the chain etc. The next day, I dropped the wheel off at Procylces to get fixed, thus leaving me without a Mountain Bike for the Sunday ride.....

At last my new road bike that has been collecting dust over the last 2 months will see some action. I managed to get a ride with Peter and Victor (pictured below), they are really fantastic guys and it was an absolute pleasure riding with them. We did 70kms at an average speed of 25km/h, great route that we went on past East Mall, through Kempton, Pomona, Petit, Rynfield and then back via Kempton (Atlas road). 

My first experience on a road bike, I couldn't believe how fast and responsive it was (I was averaging over 40km/h along Atlas road). The cars speeding past were a bit of a worry but you seem to get used to them. I really had an awesome ride which totally justified my purchase of the road bike - come on 94.7 I am going to give you carrots this year. 

  

 

Sunday MTB ride 19th Sept

Awesome ride this Sunday, aiming for a 4 hour plus ride we set off from Lakefield, Benoni and headed out towards the Sandpan and then past Dunblane Horse Estate.

Pictured below is a tandem Africa style (taken whilst riding past him) - one rider 2 bikes....

After riding past the Barnstormers model aircraft field and over the sewage pipe, we met up with Paul from Procycles and the owner of Dunblane Equestrian estate (never quite got his name). They were plotting out the route for the Heritage Mountain Bike challenge to be held on the 24th of September starting at Dunblane. We rode most of the route with Paul (I tried my best to keep up with him and Greg), it was really great to find out about the race this Friday and also to do part of the route. 

Eish this farmer pumps sewage into his miellies - remind me not to buy from him...

Greg 'powering up the hill' - my co-ords are getting better, managed to take out my Blackberry and snap a shot without falling off...

Really looking forward to the race this Friday, 50km route that Greg and I have being doing most of in the past few weeks....

Beast of the East route - Sunday 12th Sept

Today Greg and I rode most of the route that was used for the Beast of the East MTB race that was held last year. We parked our car at Barnstomers model aircraft club, so that we did not have to touch any tar at all and could have more time to play in the dirt (the pink tickets that our wives give us, have time limits, so we must make the most of it).

We rode the route counter clockwise to what was raced last year - this was pretty hectic because the first 10kms were uphill from Barnstormers. Greg pretty much sprinted away in the beginning and was averaging 21kms up the long hills before waiting on Sir Mytummy Isbigger Thenyours to catch up. We saw about 10 other MTBs coming the other way on the route - they knew we were tougher.

Below are a few pics take during the ride:

Check out how fast the 'treated' water is flowing out the sewage pipe into the river - Stan where's your boat?

Sunday 15th August ride

What a great day for a ride - the weather has warmed up, yeah sumer is almost here. I was fortunate enough to be able to ride with Gerry today, it was great to get him back on the bike. We went for a pleasant ride out to the sandpan and then past Dunblain, into the open veld.

It is on days like this that you can really appreciate living in South Africa and be blessed with the opportunity to have mountain bike rides into the great outdoors. 

We did over 40km at a comfortable pace, there was a nasty headwind at the end of the ride that really tested the legs. Below is a photo of Gerry successfully navigating crossing the stream near Seringetti golf estate, marvelous engineering design of these rudimentary bridges used by the locals to not get their feet wet.

It must be noted that I noticed another way over that entailed only one short hope over a single tyre - sorry Gerry I should have given you more warning of the alternative (but I did enjoy watching you traverse this obstacle).

Sunday ride 08-08-2010

Awesome ride today, over 60km of tough riding but a really great route and company. I first met up with Greg and his racing snake friend (rode to Clarens just for fun) - Gary. Next we went to Justin's house (fresh from World BMX championships) - eish riding with these guys could only mean one thing - tired sore body.

We went out past Dunblain horse estate and into the farmlands. A few short hills to get the heart rate up and plenty of sandy roads, with some water crossings thrown in. Pictured below are the 3 'strong' boys after 30 odd kms - hardly worked up a sweat yet.

Really great to be in wide open spaces, we rode past a game farm that had loads of buck and antelope. The legs were starting to hurt, but fortunately the guys slowed down at times to let me catch up.

The last 10 odd kms to Justin's house were really tough but I made it - thanks boys for waiting for me.

The light at the end of the tunnel:

New road bike

No I haven't gone to the other side and I am not about to shave my legs. I got a real bargain on a road bike that I can use for the 94.7 this year. Makes a nice picture hanging in my garage whilst my first love Trek MTB gets all my attention.

The Country Challenge - Walkerville Sunday 1st August

Greg and me had a great race at Walkerville, the route was completely different to the races we had both done here previously, it was pretty fast not too technical, with a few hills thrown in for fun.

There was a small field (compared to the Nissan series at least), over 50 for the 60km and over 80 for the 37km races. Greg did really well, finishing in 22nd position in a time of 1:55 and I came in half an hour later at 2:25 (without falling once). The week before at Cullinan really made us tougher and more resilient to any mountain bilking terrain and conditions - the tougher it gets the easier it gets.

Now to get back to those morning rides - summer is around the corner, Stan you better get ready buddy cause I ain't going away.

Nissan Series - Diamond Rush MTB Race

Two words can adequately describe this race - hills and rocks. It a really awesome ride very well organised and attended. The route itself was really tough - longest 40kms I have ever done. I only fell a few times so at least this was a step in the right direction.

Greg and me before the start.

First hiccup of the race was even before the start, as you can see from the picture above, I had left my gloves in the car. I only noticed this when we were lining up for the start (as pictured below). Fortunately a good looking angel came to my rescue and lent me her spare gloves for the race. Thank you Marita, you are an absolute lifesaver.

Most of the 40km race was held in game reserves, the scenery was spectacular - I saw a few buck running in front of us and Greg also saw a herd of giraffes going for a run. The race was very eventfull with loads of falls and accidents - I think there were a few visits to the emergency ward after the race. Greg witnessed a bad one when a herd of buck ran into the girl riding in front of him knocking her off her bike (she should have listened to the race organizers and not rode with her Ipod on and maybe she would have heard them coming - but hey this is Africa), being the good Samaritan he is, he stayed with her for awhile to make sure she was ok.

It was really great to be riding out there with like minded people, the spirit of everybody around me was incredible during our collective suffering. Pictured below was one of the hardest hills I have yet to climb (thank god me Greg and me did Rooiberg so this did not phase us too much). It was not only very steep but there was loose gravel so your footing was very tricky.

All and all it was an incredible journey that I am really glad I completed, the tougher they get the tougher you get.....

Sunday 27th June - onwards

Good to be back on the bike again this Sunday, legs are getting stronger, managed to to alomost 50km (with a cappucino break in between).

Sewer is still over running (4 months later) - Greg being oh so carefull crossing the cesspit.

So what's a ride without a few falls, could hardly stand up after this one - front wheel got stuck in a hole deceptively filled with mud.

Polar bear rides

I did a polar bear ride on Wednesday morning and managed to convince Stan the man (no Ratty did not weasel out of this challenge) to ride with me on Thursday morning. 

I left home at 05:15 and the temperature was well below 0 degrees, I was fully equiped for the weather - 2 pairs of gloves, leg warmers, T Shirt, riding jacket, wind breaker, socks covered by thermal socks and a riding balaclava. 

Stan the Man came out of his house to great me with grunt and much to my surprise he only had his rding shorts on, a thin long sleeve T Shirt and fingeless gloves. Needless to say he is a real man as I was frozen even with all my gear on, I didn't have a chance to ask him if he was cold as I spent the whole time trying to catch up with him (either he was trying to get home as fast as posible or he has been secretly training). 

Anyway it was really good to get out in the morning and too have Stan join me once again - Woza weekend. Below is a picture of the sunrise over Korsman Pan taken with frozen fingure tips. 

 

Back in the saddle - Sunday 20th June

After 2 months of not riding the legs are heavy and weak, Greg the racing snake is stronger than ever and has to have a lot of patience waiting for me when we ride. We had a short ride out to the forest at the airport on Sunday, it was really great (slow and hard). Here are some photos of Greg after finishing the winding single track in the forest (notice the Rooiberg shirt).

The long frustrating road

It has been a really frustrating time in my life over the last few months after injuring my left foot. Months of treatment, ice baths and acupuncture. The good docters baned me from riding for 2 months (that is why the block has not been updated), the foot is still not better but manageble, so I will slowly be getting back into it.

Sunday 2nd May 2010

Loads of rain the past week led to really muddy ride. Greg and myself went for a +50km ride to test Greg's new saddle, chain, chain ring and cluster could with stain the Benoni mud (Stan was taking a much deserved rest).

Went went out past Dunblain horse estate and tried to find a way around the back of it to no avail. We met up with another rider - think his name was Craig? (photo below) and we rode with him for awhile (ok Greg did and I puffed and panted behind).

Fortunately Craig left us and we could ride at a more moderate pace. After Serengeti we went over Pomona road and past the Telkom tower we once again encountered the sewage works. This sewer has been overflowing into the small dam for the past month. It was a really kak job crossing over this sess pit of a stream, plenty of stinking mud to take home with us.

Rooiberg Eco Ride 2010

Rooiberg Eco Ride 2010, wow what an experience (learning experience that is). The excitement and anticipation of the last few months finally came to fruition, as Greg and  me embarked on a memorable '3' day stage ride. Unfortunately the weather did not come to the party as it had rained for days and carried on raining most of the time we were there, needless to say the roads were extremly muddy and snotty. Below is the camp that we stayed at - room with 4 beds, shower and communual kitchen etc.

Plenty of rain, we had driven some of the route to the start and saw the condition of the road and hence below is a photo of the 'wet' Day 1 (maybe that is why Day 2 was so tough).

Day 2 - we did not really know what we were getting into, this was the toughest day in my brief mountain biking life. The route was really really tough, loads of hills (more like mountains) and difficult technical single track, loose rock and of course mud. 

This was before the pain started.

 

First serious hill 5km into the ride - aptly named Fat Bastard

I am supposed to ride this?

 

The Donga 3km of riding/walking on an enclosed walled ravine, plenty of water, what an experience.

Welcomed tea stop

Yes we rode/walked from one side of the valley to the other.

Self portrait after whilst resting up another steep walk up a hill.

Brunch in the bush, phew I needed the rest.

I finally caught up with racing snake Greg (by taking a few alternative short cuts), this was taken whilst walking up one of the infamous steep hills with loose stones so there was not much grip.

Till next year - where we will be better prepared and hopefully tame the beast this time.   

Sunday 18th April

Stan the man could not be woken out of his slumber this morning - wisdom comes with age they say. Needless to say Greg and myself set off from home at 06:15 to meet at the gym by 06:30.

Rich - "how far should we go?",
Greg - "don't mind how long is your pink ticket for?"

Rich - "no time limit, but I know you have a plan to catch to Nigeria"

Greg - "not fussed, if I had my way I would do the normal (50km) route twice" 

Eeeeeek Rich thought to himself - where was Stan his anchor man when he needed him?

Greg - rode hard (plane to catch....) and Rich spent the all the time trying to catch up.  Out through Marister/Petit towards Serengeti and through the mud, past the mielies to Barnhoppers model airplane flying club (past Bapsfontein road). Short rest, rearranged clothing, hydropack etc - there were no takers from the model aircraft owners for my kind offer "you can ride my bike, if I can fly your plane". On leaving the flying club, we saw a group of mongoose (if you look really close you may spot them in the photo below). 

Shortly after leaving the flying club, going through a dip I dislodged the side wall on my back tyre and had to bomb it quick, before carrying on. Rode through a really muddy part at one stage and had to really give it horns or else you would be stuck (spent the next hour or so to recover from this burst of energy). Back home via our normal pasage past Serengeti golf estate (Rich still walking over the bridge). Rich did his normal over the handle bars dismount when going through the small dip after the 'model speed boat' dam (eish I am getting good at falling). 

Back home in almost one piece 68kms of hard but great riding - come on Rooiberg I am not so scared anymore.... 

 

Back in the saddle - weekend rides 10 & 11 April

How awesome was it to be back in the saddle this weekend after 3 weeks off with the foot injury. Greg and me did 2 nice +50km rides (Greg and Stan have also been man down with the flu the last 2 weeks).  With Rooiberg Eco challenge in less then 2 weeks we really had to put in some time in the saddle. 

The weather was on ourside - the Saturday was bright and sunny and the Sunday was cold but dry. Couple of obsticles on the Saturday ride - overflowing sewage manhole that created a stinking stream that had to be portaged - Greg was first and showed me what not to do (wetting one foot), he kindly took my bike over cesspit (in the process wetting his other foot). We continued our ride with the dry footed Richard passing a few undeserved jokes towards the ripe smelling Greg. Below are photos of the traffic jam that we had to work around a few kms later near Serengeti.

The traffic on the Sunday ride was more about how many mountain bikers we saw on the route that we thought was ours, at least 20 other bikers were leaving their tracks on portions of devine route. I was really doing well with not falling on the Sunday ride, going through all the 'technical' bits wth ease until 5kms from home I had my first fall - cutting my tyre side wall in the process. 4 bombs later, there was no other way but to walk to the nearest garage about 1.5kms away. Greg being the nice guy that he is, let me ride his bike while he pushed mine (so that my foot injury did not take any further strain). That at least deserves another photo of the super hero Greg in this blog post (in his new SuperSport kit - courtesy of Melt and Pierre).

 

After the fixing the tyre at the garage, we continued our ride home and believe it or not someone moved hole that took me out a few weeks ago (by the Homestead dam wall). A nice over the handle bars dismount and a landing that must of measured on the Richter scale took pay to my temporary confidence in MTB technical skills :).