Weather Sunday 19 November2006

Weather: Cloudy with Showers

Minimum: 17 Deg.
Maximum: 23 Deg
Wind: Fresh South – Easterly

CLUB ROUTES

Long Route +/- 70km
Cycle Lab
Fish Hoek
Kommetjie
Ocean View
Smits
Fish Hoek
Boyes Drive
Cycle Lab 

Medium Route +/- 50km 
Cycle Lab
Fish Hoek
Chappies – It’s open
Ou Kaapse
Cycle Lab

Short Route +/- 45km 
Cycle Lab
Fish Hoek
Top of Smits
Fish Hoek
Boyes Drive
Cycle Lab

DO YOU NEED AN ARGUS ENTRY?

If any one has entered and will not be able to Cycle the event, Please contact Angela Smith at Cycle Lab Cape Town on 021 700-1060.

RACE RESULTS

Simonsvlei Fun Ride 

RACE REPORTS

Cederberg MTB Experience The weekend of the 27th-29th October saw over 300 intrepid mountain bikers make their way up the West Coast to Clanwilliam for the Cederberg MTB Experience. The field was significantly larger than last year's 100+ and included some of the real MTB stars - Shan Wilson, Hannelie Steyn-Kotze and Yolande DeVilliers. Oh and it also included Team Knight (my husband and I). My trepidation was higher than most as I have only owned a mountain bike since March and this was my first ever race! 

The first day was a tough 65km from Clanwilliam to Bushman's Cave. The temperatures were already in the high 20's at the start and soon soared to the mid 40's (one of my fellow bikers said he had clocked 49 degrees on his bike computer..!). The first 20 km or so lulled us into a sense of false security with some early tar, then a fun flattish technical section (including the first water crossing) and some beautiful farmland scenery.

However, we then were taken into the mountains and discovered that the real enemy of the day was not just the heat but the sand. Sand, sand and more sand..... I felt like Lawrence of Arabia and we all had some falls (the bushes made a soft landing). The leaders came home in just under 3 hours - we managed just under 6! But we were still speaking to each other... The camp at Bushman's Cave was a furnace by the time we arrived with stunning views, a mountain shower but limited shade. Thank goodness for the club's wonderful mechanic - Jonathan - and the delightful Bobby who provided massages to our weary legs. The non club members were very jealous. That evening Mike Horn gave a very entertaining talk.

Next day dawned equally hot and the race start was brought forward to 7am. I had not slept under canvas for 25 years so the 2 man tent was all part of the experience ... though putting sun cream on in the dark you definitely miss a few spots as I found to my cost later. Day 2 was an 80km leg from Bushman's Cave to Biedouw Valley passing through the Bushman's Kloof nature reserve.

Both days had around 1200m of climbing but generally Day 2 was a good one - less of the deep sand (except for a couple of long descents which saw some spectacular wipeouts) and a long mountainous climb on a mercifully graded road. The last 20km saw us riding through the reserve and several of the riders took the opportunity for a swim in the dam to cool off .. before a tricky steep, rocky, sandy, slidy downhill section into the camp. The camp had a natural dam which was ice cold and perfect after 6 1/4 hours in the saddle. The leaders did it in ... you guessed it .. just under 3 hours.

Finally a cooler, cloudier day for Day 3, a 62km stage. The leaders sprinted off up a sandy climb whilst the back markers started with a walk. Essentially the first 35km was uphill with the most spectacular section being a twisty rocky climb up the back of Pakhuis pass. The reward for this was a long descent into Clanwilliam on some bone shaking district road with a killer 4km loop just as you thought you were close to home. (Apparently Shan Wilson missed this loop because it was poorly marshaled, finished, was told he'd missed it, went back and did it and still won!). We finished in around 5 hours, bringing the Team Knight elapsed time to just over 17 hours!

There were some great results from the Club - Gary Marescia came 8th in the Open Men’s in 9hrs 46 mins and would have done better but for around 45 mins lost to mechanicals on Day 1. William Simpson was 12th in the Masters on 11hrs 35 mins. For the women Leanne Brown-Waterson came 3rd in the Open Women with 10hrs 33mins and Penni Rawstorne was 4th in the Women’s Masters on 13hrs 43 mins. Oh and Shan Wilson took a mere 8hrs 12 mins and the amazing Yolande DeVilliers (who I discovered is also a mother of 3 with a day job!) won the Mixed Team in 8hrs 25 mins with Patrick Mosterd. Hannelie of course won the Women's in 9hrs 30 mins. I have probably missed a few but when you finish at the back of the field (we were 6th ... out of 6th in the Mixed Masters) you don't always know what is going on!

Overall I would thoroughly recommend it - an amazing experience amidst beautiful scenery and great camaraderie. I have a whole new respect for mountain bikers - every hill I look at now on my road bike looks flat....! Spare a thought for the guys who took 19 hours!

Hi Juniors!! 

Well your manager is feeling rather delicate after this weekends exploits having done a 150km training ride for the DC on Saturday and then the long route at Simonsvlei on Sunday. I am not getting any younger and 230km leaves my legs rather sore!!

A poor turn out all round form the club with the senior racing team very lacking although must mention Kirsty Thompson's third place in the women’s league which was rather good. Also Stephen Cooke pulled in 14th in the Elites which is really impressive considering he rode the entire race with a rear brake binding. He wondered why Helshoogte felt so tough!! I actually enjoyed the long route after 20km and my legs started to work and the Helshoogte climb was not too bad.

Great ride along Old Paarl road wind assisted after fighting it for so long and that certainly helped the average speed. Anyway good venue and those of you who pitched I hope you enjoyed the morning.

Senior Scholars

As always well supported and hotly contested with 28 riders. The lead group were only 12 minutes slower than the winning elites so this gives some measure of the quality of the field and our own riders can only benefit in time from this competition. Trust me it won't happen overnight and Jonty and Jared's times of 2hrs 28min are highly respectable in a race like this given the climb and also windy conditions for a large part of the race on the R44 and R45. Well done lads and keep up the good work eventually you will hang on and then the fun starts.

Junior Scholars

We only had Oliver competing in this event and there is a clear split in this field with the leading 4 riders again some ten minutes up on the balance of the field. I think summer season will help when they are likely to elevate to Senior Scholars. There is a huge difference between a 12 year old [Ollie] and a 14 year old. I once again hear reports of dangerous riding from the Millenium riders and Oliver doing most of the work in his group again. Hopefully Stephan Cooke can provide some tactical help in coming weeks. I had a nice chat with Jennifer after the race Ollie really has developed into her hero [words like cute etc being used freely and she told me she even started dreaming................of all the Junior Scholars getting together for a Christmas Party!!]. Get your dance card ready Ollie!! She was also jealous when I mentioned she has competition in the Southern Suburbs!!

UPCOMING RACES IN CAPE TOWN AREA  

OTHER INFO PERTAINING TO CAPE TOWN

Xmas Party
Thank you to all who attended.  Very slowly on Thursday reports started rolling in on the event. I wonder why??  Some of the calls were actually “absent minded” people enquiring whether they had behaved themselves. They needn’t have worried, everyone had a great time & Our 1^st Xmas party was a huge success. Believe me, next year will be bigger and better.

Membership Fees:

Annual renewal Months are November & December 2006, with all membership fees being due no later than the Mid December if possible. Banking Details are as follows - Cycle Lab Super Cycling Club

First National Bank

Acc Num 62110365774

St Georges Mall – Code 201309

Please fax proof of payment through clearly indicating what payment is for.

Main Member Subs for 2007 – R400

Family member & Scholars – R200 per member

Tandem

For those of you who are new to the club and to cycling, the club offers the use of our club tandem.  The tandem is available to any club member who would like to use it, even if the person that you will be riding with is not a club member.  All you need to do is phone me (021 700 1060) and I will assist you with the rest.

Green Bean Breakfast

As most of you are now aware our new club venue is Green Bean. Nikki & Dee have prepared a Special Cycle Lab Menu especially for us. On returning, a filter coffee tower & Tea will be set-up on the table for riders to help themselves to a 'no-charge' and bottomless basis. However Cappuccinos, espresso, food can be ordered and paid for through the waiters.  

Should you require any assistance please do not hesitate contacting Angela Smith during club office hours 10am – 2pm or via email on clubct@cyclelab.com

Camping 12-15th December

Guys this is YOUR party but there has been no response. Jonty's parents need an answer by latest close of business Wed 15th November so establish if we have enough of you to make this work. I know that verbally two or three of you have indicated yes but you need to let Jonty's parents know formally. Their email address is below so please advise them by Wednesday this week. Copy Auntie Angela for safety's sake.

whattodo@mweb.co.za

Kit Update

Good news it is now in production according to Angela and we could have it very soon. It will be great if you can get this to ride in the last couple of events although use in the final league event next week might be too late. Suffice to say you will all be lining up on the start line in your new kit for the summer league and this will be great. We will let you know once it has arrived.
Club Seniors Party

We had this last week in Hout Bay and it was fun. It is great to see club people outside of their kit and once a few glasses of wine consumed some of our ladies certainly get into some serious dancing and partying!! What I really enjoyed however was numerous people in the club who came up to me and commented how much they enjoyed seeing the junior club scene develop. I had not realised how much this was noticed but the support from your senior club mates is great they really enjoy seeing this development. In particular Mark Leach Lewis our Chairman is very positive and excited by the development and so you all know the club and committee is 100pct behind you our future ride leaders!!
Klein Joostenberg [Sunday 19th November]

Very important one this as [a] it is my birthday 47 aagghhhhhh and [b] it is the last league event of the Spring Calendar so I hope you can all make it force and put on a great show for the club. Following this event there are two more races in December [after we have all suffered the Double Century] which is the Tour d'Winelands on 3rd Dec and Tour de Westlander on the 16th December. Obviously the Winelands is an important one for you if you are doing the Argus and a good time can give you a better starting group. Once I have all your seedings post this event I will let you all know your comparative seeding indexes so we can look at starting you all in the same group on Argus Day. As for the Westlander this is a nice event as it’s through the West Coast national park and chances to see some nice wildlife. On our ride Saturday through Atlantis we had to dodge a small tortoise [I learn the Afrikaans name is Skilpad!!] so the wildlife is everywhere up on the West Coast.

NELSPRUIT CLUB:
CLUB ROUTES & TIMES
Sunday leaving Dezi Deli at 7h00 George Bell   is ride captain
Tuesday and Thursday morning from Halls Gateway 6h00 short ride
Tuesday and Thursday at 8h00 leaving Anton Cycle Worx – All are welcome
Tuesday and Thursday at 16h45 from Belldonna Spar.  All welcome

RACE RESULTS

5 November last league ride

Frankie Franken 1^st Elite
Ruan Prinsloo – 1^st Junior Men
Brian Soderlund – 1^st Vets 30-39
Jonathan Swart – 1^st Vets 40-49
Tobie Kloppers -1^st Master Men
Heidi De Bruin – 1^st lady

Shorter ride of 2 laps

Gelhar Slabbert – 1^st Men open
Delia Smith – 1^st lady open

OTHER INFORMATION PERTAINING TO NELSPRUIT

• 20 November – AGM at Keg
• 24 November – Year End Function at Bingelela

PE CLUB: 

CLUB ROUTES & TIMES

Every Sunday, 06h00, Glenroy Shopping Centre, Sherwood
for more info on Club PE call Kevin Dorfling on 083 459 1631

RACE RESULTS

Sat 11 Nov, Masters and Ladies League, Buffalo De-Tour Circuit
Kevin Dorfling, 2^nd
Cindy-Lee Augustyne, 1^st Ladies 40 -44

Sun 12 Nov, VW Cycle Tour, Uitenhage
Wesley Augustyn, 3rd  - 1^st Jun
Stephen Pugh, 4^th –  2^nd Vet 30-39
Emile Steenkamp, 7^th – 2^nd Elite
Kevin Dorfling, 8^th – 3^rd Vet 30-39

UP AND COMING RACES IN PE

Sat 18 Nov, Masters and Ladies League, Jack Allen Circuit, 57km
Sat 25 Nov, Masters and Ladies League,Dolphin Circuit x 3, 78km

FUNNY

Aaaaah please help the puuuudy tat to find his bike!

Have a Superb Pick n Pay 94.7!!!!!

Regards,

Ali Mclean
National Club PR