Good week of riding...

It has been so good to be on leave the last week. I have managed to ride 5 times and averaged over 50km per ride. Greg had 8 rides and did over 400kms in total - I will be playing catch up the next few rides. Unfortunately I had a few problems with my rear tyre that messed up 2 of my rides and I even had to get a lift home from my wife the one ride - plenty of side wall cuts (5 plugs couldn't fix it). Seems like the Continental Race Kings recently put on the back, are not the greatest (time to put the Hutchinson's back on). The 2.4 Mountain Kings on the front are a bit heavy, but have plenty of grip when climbing up hills - who am I kidding we don't have real hills in the East Rand.

The weather has not been too kind, loads of rain which means water and mud. The crunch crunch of the working parts after a few hours of mud will make any mountain biker cringe. Today we did a 67km ride that was going well until my @#$%^&* rear tyre went flat again, a few bombs and visit to the garage helped me limp home. Here a a short video of parts of the ride I did with Greg and Justin.

2nd May route through the Benoni outback...

 2,530 km done over the last 4 months, hope that winter will be kind to us and let us ride at least half  of this....

Kids big race - Walkerville Country Challenge

Wow how proud am I doing this blog, my kids completed their second mountain bike race yesterday at Walkerville - Country Challenge. They did just under 10kms and it was a beautiful route in the mist. This was thier first real mountain bike ride with jeep track, dirt road and single track. There was loads of mud and puddles so this also added to the excitement. I entered the race with them (I really wanted to do the 60km route but as a parent you have to make sacrifices for your kids), unfortunately I flated 4km into the race and had no bombs or repair kit to fix my @$#$%^& back tyre. I managed to convince a bakkie to give me a lift back to the start/finish just after my beautiful children finished the race. They really enjoyed it and are eager to do another one.



Before the start of the race

 

ok some of the hills were tough for the girls...

 

Victory and medals to prove



MUD, Rain and more MUD!!!!

The last few weeks have been quite challenging, it has rained constantly for the past 2 weeks. Greg and me have managed a few short rides in the mornings (which are very dark and cold) and the weekends we have managed a few longer ones with plenty of mud.

On Saturday we joined Justin, Wynand and Garreth (pictured below), Greg and me did almost 60km and we chased a few hill's to get warm and shake off the layer of mud on our bikes. On the ride home going through Government Village (for the second time in a week) Greg rode past a few dogs and they gave him a curious look - but when I came past they barked like crazy and chased after me. Nothing like warm dog breath on your heels to get your heart rate and cadence up. Not having much luck with dogs this year.....


Wynand and Greg

 

Garreth and Justin

Monday 25th of April, Andrew joined Greg and me for a really misty, wet and muddy ride. Visibility was extremely poor and the jeep track was very muddy and slippery. Below is a short video of the fall I had - you can't see much because of the mist, but it was a goody. After dunking the bike in the river we managed to find a Wimpy for a coffee to warm us up.

I downloaded my Garmin today here are my MTB stats for the last 4 months (I got the Garmin as a Christmas present from my beautiful wife). My goal for the next 4 months is to get the average speed over 20kms per hour.
Distance: 2,370.68 km
Time: 126:33:26 h:m:s
Elevation Gain: 14,775 m
Avg Speed: 18.7 km/h
Avg HR: 137 bpm
Calories: 88,318 C

Now I just need to find out what supplements Greg is taking as he is riding like a champ....

Route42 race report

Another big milestone in my short mountain biking lifespan has been accomplished: I completed the John Deere Route42 Suikerbosrand classic race yesterday and no, not the short distance but the full 75km race (entered as the 85km but we were fortunately short changed).

I rode with Jacque and Darren the entire distance which was an awesome experience. It made the race a lot more enjoyable as we chatted and chirped the whole way and helped each other out with mechanicals (not to mention the customary stop for lunch under a tree - potatoes, eggs and minute steaks). There was no monotonous battle with yourself and this made the route much more enjoyable. I had a big fall near the beginning - similar to the one at the Epic this year on the following link: (yes you must click on the word)Except I didn't cry so much and nothing was broken besides my pride (nice roasty on the arm and bruised hip).

The route itself was fantastic: loads of jeep and single track with a few climbs mixed with forrests, sand and mud. The water points were great with friendly people and there were marshals at every turn showing you the right way. I was impressed by the helpers that  carried our bikes across the canal crossing and had them ready for us on the other side. Congrats to the organisers.

In summary it was the best and longest race I have done. Our moving time was 4:12 and my average heart rate was 164 beats per minute for the duration of the ride - so we never took it easy.

After the ride (I was leaning on the bike as I couldn't stand properly after my fall)

Human 'Rides' Day 21st March

After a few hard rides in the early mornings last week (05:00 to 06:30) it was nice to have a few days off the bike to recover and increase the shares on the home front. Monday was a holiday in South Africa so me an Greg had an extra day to go and see what damage the recent rain had done to our weekend route.

We did a 50km ride that was very muddy, we came back a few shades darker than we left and our bikes were seriously caked in mud. Below are photos of the bidge that we usually cross that was covered in water (the pallisade fense bearing under the strain) and the road that was completely flooded - looks more like a dam then a road (no we didn't attempt it this time round).

Dunblane MTB outride

Greg and me took the opportunity to ride most of the 60km route that was done the previous weekend's MTB race. It was one of the best rides I have ever been on. I felt strong and the weather and conditions were simply fantastic (only one horse fly bite - urgh!!). We went a very fast pace, a lot faster then some of the shorter rides we have done before, in total we rode for 73km and averaged 22km per hour. We rode past a few MTB riders doing a similar route and I realise just how far I have come in the last 6 months (it must be the 7kgs I have recently lost that makes me a little faster...). This ride made me realise how lucky we are to be living in Africa and to have easy access to great outrides.

I made a short video of the ride to remember the fantastic open space of the great 'beautiful' outdoors, the lyrics of the song are to emphasise this (and my of course my beautiful wife) - there are no Broke Back Mountain connotations here.

Dunblane March Hare MTB race

The evolution of Richard was taken to a higher level when my two girls (Jenna and Erin) entered their first MTB race. As a father I was so proud to see them at the start of the race and then to see them complete the race (well up the field I may add). It is a moment I will cherish for a very long time and I know they will enter and complete many more races through the years and hopefully will love mountain biking as much as I do.

Erin at the finish

Jen giving it all till the end

Last week in Feb

Interesting week the last week of Feb - the fine balance of riding and healing. I didn't have a big week on the bike as the dog bite is still sore and healing slowly.

Tuesday I took the day off work and took the opportunity to use the present that my two friends Melt and Pierre organised for my birthday i.e. MTB skills clinic with Dylan Victor. The lesson was really an eye opener, Dylan is awesome and really knows his stuff, I definitely came away a much better rider. I learnt all about weight on the bike, posture, taking corners correctly, momentum, climbing, descending etc etc.

I also had a couple of gentle rides with my children this week, as I have entered them in a race next weekend. They got up really early (for them at least), to ride with me - below is a picture of them admiring the sun rise.  

Sunday - I went to Groenkloof in Pretoria to test out my newly acquired MTB skills. It was a fantastic ride and besides the fact I did not fall once, I achieved loads of little milestones in having more confidence in some of the technical bits and also climbing the koppie that I struggled with last year.  I saw plenty of game: 2 kudu bulls, a wildebeest, a herd of impala and I almost rode into a few zebra. I got so close to them I could have touched them.



Who put a Zebra Crossing on a MTB track?



I am ready for the next week and hope to spend more time on the bike (giving all dogs a wide berth).

Bite of a dog

Sunday the 20th of February 2011 and my first visit to the doctors emergency rooms for the year. For once it was not a result of falling off my mountain bike. We were riding  next to Serengeti Golf Estate on jeep track, when I saw an unusual  sight - slay dogs pulling carts on wheels. I stopped and chatted to the first cart (she had 8 dogs pulling her cart) and she gave me the run down of the sport (and told me she was getting used to her new disc brakes etc.). Unfortunately when I passed the second cart the lead dog decided to sink his teeth into my calve (twice). It all happened in slow motion and I couldn't actually comprehend that the dog wanted to tear my leg off my body.

I eventually caught Greg and Andrew (they are not as social as me and don't stop to talk to strangers) and they were pretty shocked. Ok, to tell a long story short - we had another 20km to go to home before I headed to the emergency room (on my wife's insistence) and they cleaned and dressed the wounds - they apparently don't stitch dog bites (pic below).



3 nice puncture wounds



I also had my headcam on and made a short video of the ride (including the bite) - excuse the swearing it was pretty painful...

Mitsubishi Valentines MTB Dirt Ride





At 04:30 on Saturday the 12th of Feb 2011 the alarm buzzed and I sprang into action ready for my next challenge - the 67km Mitsubishi Valentines MTB Dirt Ride. Greg and me were joined by Gerry to experience this race in a game reserve outside Pretoria.   We met at my place at 05:00 and Gerry followed Greg and me to the Blue Moonlight Lodge 30 clicks outside of Pretoria. Greg and me were doing the 67km (our longest MTB race yet) and Gerry the 30km.



Greg and Gerry before the race

The race itself was pretty neat, not too hilly, plenty of jeep track with a sprinkle of mud and water thrown in. I had a few falls - once after hitting a hole in a water crossing (complete dunk and messing up yet another BlackBerry) and other times after tredging through muddy patches and not being able to uncleat in time.  There was a nasty little hill right at the end (about 150m in altitude) that punished the legs (I was fortunate to see the profile n the Hub before the race and was prepared for it).  Greg kicked my arse again and was relaxing in a camping chair under a tree when I trundled in (#competitive).

After returning back to the start/finish we found that (Dr) Gerry had already left (we thought because he was doing the shorter distance and had to leave to go back to the hospital etc as he is an Intensive Care Specialist). I only found out later in the day that he had actually had a very bad fall and had broken his scapula and fractured 2 ribs - so his visit to hospital was as a patient this time. He had managed to push his bike to the nearest help and then after seeing the medics, to push his shoulder back in place, he got in his car and drove home - my phone was now water logged so he could not contact me. Gerry we have a new respect for you and wish you all the best in your recovery. 

Cleaner version of yours truly before the layer of mud was applied in the race



Bikes have seen cleaner days....

Weekend rides

Saturday 05-02-2011

Greg and me joined the Procycles bunch on Saturday morning 05:30. Paul or Ian did not make it today so the 9 of us were at the mercy of Cliff to take through the mine dumps. I must admit it was not one of my best rides, there was plenty of fine mine dump sand which was pretty hard getting through and I had loads of falls (5), resulting in a few bruises and cuts. Ok I won't be mocking Greg again for his fall in the last week as karma came back and gave me a fat smack.
Horror - my saddle also fell off at the end of the ride and had to zipped tied back onto the seat post. The ride home was pretty interesting as the zip ties came undone and I had to ride without a saddle for awhile #roughride.

Sunday 06-02-2011

Having done the Emperor Palace MTB race once before you realise that is better to do the route without the 1000 or so people competing for the single track. The day after in fact is ideal as the grass has been cut and the route is pristine. Greg and me had a great time doing the route next to the airport (which is an easy 10km ride from home). There was a bit of mud in places but otherwise the single track and forest ride were awesome.  Below is Greg riding through the septic factory water before going through the tunnel going under the road.

I had my head camera on and made a short video of our ride below:

Greg takes a dunk

Its not often that I have the glee of blogging about another person falling off their mountain bike as I am usually the main culprit. My riding partner Greg had a real cracker this morning - we were riding up the side of the road as it was flooded and all of a sudden this branch attacked Greg and made him fall a good metre into the water below (submersing him and his bike).

Thanks Greg for trying to make me feel better after all my falls this last year....

Greg standing next to his bike after emerging from the water

To Heildelberg and back

Saturday 29th Jan 2011 - I had a great ride with the Procyles group on Saturday morning early (a good 50km dash to the plots and back). Ok with the exception of a puncture that had to be plugged near the end and the overflowing sewer that only the brave rode through (me not being one of them).

Sunday 30th Jan 2011 was another turning point in my short mountain biking experience. I got to do 2 decent rides in a row, my longest MTB ride and first trip up decent hill (without stopping that is).

Greg and me were fortunate enough to join the seasoned professional Ian from Procyles to take us out to Heidelberg and back. It was very misty on the way there so my bearings were totally whacked but we made it there in no time. Ian put the challenge out to go up the hill at Heidelberg where the TV masts and water reserves are. Hesitantly I took up the challenge and found it wasn't too bad spinning up to the top in granny gear. We raced back down for a well deserved coffee and muffin at the Wimpy at Heidelberg before making our way back to where we parked our cars in Boksburg - 72km distance, ascent 541m, 3hour 33min, ave speed 20.6km/h.

Awesome ride thanks Ian it was incredible.

The route we took from Boksburg to Heilderburg and back

 

Naah! Ian the machine doesn't need to rest

 

Picture is diceptive it was pretty steep

 

The view would have been better if there was no mist



I am trying out my new head camera and managed to edit a few shots of the ride in the video below - excuse the quality (its my first one ok).



Sunday Ride 16th Jan

Wet ride on Sunday. Andrew, Greg and me were joined by Steven - a roadie for the last 17 years and taking his first try out on a mountain bike. We did a similar route to last Sunday except with a bit more mud, water and uneven ground. Except for Greg we all took a few falls (this is not unusual for me) and rode the last 20 kms in a light refreshing drizzle. I am sure this was a different experience for Steve and hopefully we will get him out there again on a mountain bike....

Steve grinding through the mud

 

Greg showing Steve how it should be done



Andrew not impressed with the mud and water that I led them through



Mud was so thick there was no way of riding through




Andrew as if the plants really need watering after all this rain....



In the Dumps - Saturday 15th Jan

I had an incredible ride with the Procycle guys on Saturday morning. We met outside the shop at 05:30 and headed to the mine dumps between Benoni and Brakpan. Paul took us on a great route (besides the bundu bashing near the end), lots of single track, a few drop offs and of course loads of water. It was fantastic to ride through the mine dumps - mostly deserted (except for a few 'illegal' miners panning for gold). Great bunch of guys (9 of us in total) and the riding was slow enough to take in the beautiful surroundings.



There were a few obstacles in the way



Beginning when the legs were still fresh



Big machines...

  

Paul a real man would have bunny hopped that ditch....



Alistair still smiling near the end

 



Ian passing on some of his wisdom



Yours truly

Sunday MTB ride - 9th Jan 2011

Last ride on leave for Greg and myself, Andrew also joined us and now really looks like a seasoned mountain biker with his new bike, gloves, Camel Bak etc.

We did the same 60km route that Greg and me did on Friday. The weather was overcast almost threatening to rain at any minute. It was really awesome to be out in the open space and this new route is really incredible, challenging at times but as always in the East Rand not too difficult because of the lack of hills (only 300m ascent over 60km's).

This was supposed to be Andrew's first (slow) long ride, but he was stronger then he let on and we ended up averaging 20km per hour which is pretty quick for  us old timers.  

Half way snack

Greg and Andrew tackling urban single track

Ride of numbers - Friday 7th Jan 2011

First ride of the new year with Greg after his annual sabbatical to the beach.

This 3 hour ride turned into a 4 hour ride because of 3 punctures (only on my bike), which needed 3 bombs and 1 visit to a petrol station, 5 plugs to fix the punctures, 2 horse fly bites whilst fixing the puncture no 3.

Also on this ride we saw some "wildlife' - 1 running hare, 1 angry crab and 1 lazy rat.

Andrew's new ride

I think every mountain biker can relate to the pure adulation of when you finally get the bike of your dreams. After weeks of deliberation Andrew took the plunge and brought a new mountain bike. Andrew finally settled on a KTM Score Master -  really awesome bike. Now both Andrew and Greg ride carbon bikes - guess I will have to shed some kgs' to keep up with them.

We took Andrew's virgin out for her first taste of the Benoni outback, we did a quick 43km's past Dunblane and Andrew's new bike was put through its paces with a fair amount of single track mixed with water and mud.

Single track heaven

Andrew putting his foot down

Ask no questions tell now lies

Pig in the mud 4th Jan 2011

Second ride of the new year, 43 kms by myself tackling the mud and puddles after days of rain. It was a lekker ride except hearing the grinding of the components on my new 29er as the mud got dispersed. I came across some of our fearless protectors the South African Police force having a merry time trying to get their police van out of the mud. It was quite amusing to watch but they seemed to have it under control. We had our bikes clog up here before from the black clay like mud - wasn't pretty.