Give me Ace of Bace...

This past week I managed to take my stupidity to another level. Some might say I do that on a weekly basis…I wont argue with those some. However it became quite clear to me that I really should try to think things through more often before acting OR even opening my mouth.

I received an email from a certain Christa Koekemoer, a student doing her Masters in Biogenetics at the University of Stellenbosch. She was looking for volunteer cyclists to take part in a study she is doing regarding recovery after intense endurance rides.

To cut this story short I volunteered and ended up doing THREE 100km time trials, a 40km time trial, a VO2max test and TWO windgate tests in the space of a week. All this is done inside a room on a stationary bicycle with a complimentary fan in front of you to cool you down. Come to think of it, if that fan blew from behind I might have finished in faster times. In between all that Nico and Hein dragged my deflated body out for a long ride.

During these tests you are not allowed to eat or drink anything BUT water. During each time trial I lost more than 1kg in weight. It was quite tiring and yup…. VERY boring. However, Christa did a great job at motivating me with ACE OF BACE blaring through the lab! Anika also came through to support me on day 2. I have to admit that the results of all these tests will definitely help in preparation for the Epic. I am definitely in better shape than last year and I think it is safe to say that Nico is too.

Those who have seen the photos posted by Nico lately would have noticed that he is parading around on a flash new ride. It is called the Santa Cruz Superlight… it is also called “Jaco’s Dream Bike”. As far as Mountain bikes go this bike is a true classic. News just in is that my cousin Hein will now ALSO be getting his Superlight next week. Oh… I am just so ecstatic for these two boys to be riding these superdooper bikes. I am not…I repeat…NOT jealous at all. Who am I kidding; I can’t say that with a straight face!?!?!

On a side note, this morning I went for a ride with a number of guys from Paarl. This group of riders included Andrew Patterson and Fritz van Heerden, both ex Western Province and Springbok rugby players. To me, a sports fan, I find it incredible that I get the opportunity to meet people like this who share a common love for mountain biking.

Lastly, our group is growing at a steady rate and I find it… to be quite honest astonishing! What I mean by this is that us Cranks are by no means professional cyclists. (Sure we are now big time Adidas sponsored athletes but…. Nah, I’m just joking!!! I’ve just been waiting to use that line!) We are really just two best friends who enjoy riding their bikes! So to all out there following our posts on our blog and on Facebook we thank you. We cannot do it enough… it is fantastic to get support from all over the world.

48days…17hours to go to EPIC 2009!

Jaco

Missy Elliot, The Royal Tenenbaums & David Beckham

This weekend saw the Cranks making light work of one off the toughest one day races in the country when we traveled to Outhshoorn to do the Attakwas Extreme Mountainbike Marathon! We both managed to smash about 30min off our times from last year, making light work of the 126km and 2600m of climbing! 

We are both extremely happy considering that this years route was allot tougher and technical than last year. I also managed to cut open my back tyre and had to stop three times to plug the damn thing before it sealed properly! Jaco clocked a 7:32 and I rolled in in 6:54 and collected my silver medal (sub 7 hours) which I am extremely chuffed with. 

Congratulation to Nico Pfitzenmaier who again had an awesome race. He finished 3rd overall in 5:48 only minutes behind 2nd place Kevin Evans. Francois Theron managed to pull off a surprise win after an early breakaway with David George in a blistering 5:36. Our new traing buddy, Hein, also had a very impressive ride, finishing in 7:47. 

So the big news……………… 

What does Missy Elliot, The Royal Tenenbaums, David Beckham and now Cranks of Glory have in common? 

Easy…..we all roll in super fly adidas tracksuits! Yes the rumour is true! Bemer, our main sponsor, have given as the awesome news that adidas will be providing us with riding kit for the 2009 Epic! We are extremely exited and can not wait to get our asses into some silky smooth adidias spandex! Thank you Werner for all the effort you put in and congratulations buddy! Werner dropped the bom on all of us last week when he got enaged to his long time girlfriend Ute! 

I’m not sure how to end the update so I’ll do it in the words of Missy…………… 

“Is it worth it, let me work it
I put my thing down, flip it and reverse it” 

Later 

Nico

Racing Snakes and Crazy Countdowns!

Congratulation to Nico Pfitzenmaier for winning the Terra Firma at this weekends Total Sports challenge! The Cranks was part of his support team for the day and it was awesome to see him and all the other competitors in action. 

We met up with the German Multi-Sport legend at last years Epic were he won the Mixed category with Ivonne Craft. Since his move to Stellenbosch we have had the opportunity to get to know him allot better and have even dragged him along on some Cranks training rides just to ensure that he gets some higher intensity rides in every now and then………….just kidding! There is some big news regarding who Nico will pair up with to defend his Mixed title this year! Be sure that you will be the first to get the breaking news as soon it is made official! All I can say is that the other mixed teams thinking of taking the title is: be afraid, be very afraid!  Go check out Nico's website at www.epix-sports-tours.com.

Although we got to see “The Sauserwind” race at the Total Sports challenge it ment we missed seeing Burry Stander blow they local XC racing field apart at the first National in Jonkershoek, winning by over 7 minutes!. It was his first race on his new Specialized Epic sporting his all new, all red, all Specialzed kit! I think the “Specialized” combinations of local boy Burry Stander and legendary Christoph Sauser is going be a very marked team at this year Epic!

On Sunday Somerset West hometown hero Andrew Neetling, racing for the international Trek DH team this year, took top honours in the Downhill racing. He was on his all new Trek Session 88 (It was only released from customs on Wednesday!). Best of all he won it by 5 minutes on his “feeler” run as he made a bit of a hash of his final run.

Don’t worry the Cranks did managed to get in some riding this weekend. After the Total Sport challenge Jaco, Hein and myself went out and battled with the legendary south easter wind for just over three hours, great fun!. Sunday morning we drove out to Grabouw to tackle Groenlandberg. I love this ride! I don’t think there is a more scenic ride in the Western Cape.

This weekend we tackle the Attakwas (www.dryland.co.za), a 126km race from Outshoorn to Klein Brak. With 2616m of climbing its sure going to be a tough one and a good way to gauge how our Epic preparation is going!

So with less that 5 days to Attakwas, less than 70 days to the Epic and less than 100 days before I get married I think I have a couple of crazy months ahead............wish me luck!

One more thing I want to mention…………..

For the last few years I have been trying to find a way to fit my prescription into sunglasses for riding. About two months ago I was up in Pretoria and was strolling through Menlyn Shopping Mall when I saw some Rudy Project banners outside an optometrist. Trying my luck, I started to chat to the representative about prescription sunglasses, after some consultation between him and the optometrist they had come up with a solution! I couldn’t believe it!

Less than two weeks later I received my pair of awesome Rudy Project Rydon’s with Photochromic lenses and RX insert with my prescription! Even more incredible if you think I live 1600km from them. What a difference to finally be able to ride with sunglasses! The Photochromic lenses are awesome, they transition from clear to dark according to the light intensity within a few seconds, I am even able to do night rides with them!

A big thanks to Simon Edmons (simon@rudyproject.co.za) of Rudy Project and Bernadine Flynn from Melins I-Style in Menlyn. If you need prescription sports eyewear give these guys a call! 

Stay jolly...

This is the season to be jolly….ehhhr… or it was! We sincerely hope that each of you gained at least 5kg’s over the festive season, were spoilt for Xmas and that 2009 greeted you with a bang! If you are still on holiday… keep it to yourself! Ha! We have been slack in updating you with how things are progressing with the Cranks. We apologise as this was a bit of a silly season for both of us regarding work etc.

What have we been up to? Well, in between gathering with friends and family we have been training believe it or not. In two weeks time we are doing a race called the Attakwas. It starts in Oudtshoorn and ends in Greatbrak. The distance of 126km has 2612m of vertical ascent and features rolling gravel roads, rough jeep track, many river crossing and washed out rocky descents. Oh did I mention that they threw in the Outiniqua Mountain range for good measure? It is arguably the toughest one day mountain biking event in South Africa…ok enough of that, I get nervous and sweaty thinking about it. It is going to be a good 7 to 8 hours in the saddle.

This past weekend we went riding with our friend Nico Pfitzenmaier, 2008 Cape Epic Mixed winner. By the way, this prestigious pro athlete has joined Cranks of Glory recently. Anyways… in our attempt to keep up with mr. Pfitzenmaier, Nico van Zyl managed to break his saddle post. Obviously this would be a quite an awkward moment for any guy, but it was a clean break and luckily he escaped serious injury to his… well, you know what I am getting at. In the end Nico did 3hours with a shortened saddle post putting his knees and quadriceps through some serious hard work!

Lastly it has to be said that we officially welcomed Nico to the 30’s on the 27th December. His party was on the 26th, but the less I say about that the better. Shaggy says it best…”it wasn’t me!” Anyhoo… it has been said before, we have known each other all our lives. We share a special bond. Not as special as some would believe though. However you are my best friend… and the best one could ask for. 2009 will be a great year for you my friend… enjoy it all the way! (Ps…can you please stop with the fat jokes???)

Later everybody!

Jaco

Whoop Whoop!

Every now and then you just have to slap that eject button on the big old toaster that’s life and get away from the heat! Even if its just for a short while until some idiot grabs hold of you, covers you in peanut butter and eats you alive……………I think I might have lost myself in that analogy!

Anyway what I’m trying to get to is taking time to reflect on your life, were you came from, your current situation, and in some peoples case the precious few years you have left in life. My oldest friend ,excuse the pun!, turns 30 today, which means I have known him for 30 years! Well actually 29 years, 10 months and 8 days. I hope you have an awesome birthday buddy, and many more joyful Zimmer frame walks.

One of my great mentors in life once told me that to have a well-balanced life you should visualize the different aspects of your life as water tanks lined up next to each other. Each tank representing a different part of your life, for example: work, relationships, sport, friends, etc. The key is to keep these tanks at the same level, trying to divide your time equally between all of them. The problem is we have a 500 000 litre reservoir as our “Epic Tank” and my “Work Tank” is giving the Steenbras dam a go! Bottom line is I am spending all my time at work and watching the other tanks slowly drain from a distance!

Last night I decided to give my “Epic Tank” some much needed attention and joined Paul and the guys from Helderberg Cycling World for their weekly night ride. My last night ride was about 10months ago at the 24hrs of Wiesenhof so I was a bit apprehensive as to what I was getting myself into. I one word AWESOME! We did loads of singletrack, allot of it that I have not even seen in daylight. On most sections I was desperately trying to hang onto their wheels as they were just ripping down the trails. It was loads of fun and I will be back next week!

To all our Comrades in training, good luck for the big double this weekend! As it’s Jaco’s birthday party on Saturday we will be hitting the beers relentlessly and doing tequila intervals untill the sun comes up!

So to end of this post I thought we could all join in song to once again congratulate my “old” friend Jaco! The last 30 years have been a blast and I’m sure the next 30 will be nothing but spectacular (as long as you keep riding, I can pretty much guarantee it!)!

So here we go 1, 2, 3…………”Geluk liewe maatjie omdat jy verjaar!……………………..”

Later

Nico

What we are up against!

We don’t have much to report on this week. Unlike last year we have had no wildlife attacks, muggings or run ins with the law….yet! We are also struggling a bit with the work and training balancing act. However, this was always to be expected and its safe to asume we arent the only ones.

I did want to share next years Cape Epic route with you. The following race description is taken directly from the ABSA CAPE EPIC website (http://www.cape-epic.com/content.php?page_id=36&title=/The_Route/ ). This will give you a much better understanding of why we are training so hard and what we are training for.

ABSA CAPE EPIC 2009

Total Distance: 743km

Total Climbing: 16 650m

"One of the most famous natural landmarks in Africa, Table Mountain, marks the beginning of the pioneering, tough and beautiful mountain bike race. The race then heads into the Overberg region in search of the most exciting, beautiful and challenging routes. Always innovating, the 2009 Absa Cape Epic visits stage locations in which riders will be staying for 2 consecutive nights, allowing them more time to experience single-track and technical routes that make this race legendary.

Prologue

Date: 21 March 2009

Start/Finish: Cape Town

Distance: 24km

Climbing: 740m

Table Mountain will host the prologue, which was introduced at this year’s race, on the first day of the event. The 24km ride against the clock will take riders from the edge of the City Bowl towards Tafelberg Road. The Cobra is a steep switchback climb averaging 15%. Once they crossed Kloof Nek, riders will climb Signal Hill and head along the spine. If they have a moment to look to their left they’ll see the Atlantic Seaboard and to the right, the city and the harbour. The prologue will give riders a chance at a good seeding position in the start chute of the first stage the next morning.

Stage 1

Date: 22 March 2009

Start/Finish: Gordon's Bay - Villiersdorp

Distance: 110km

Climbing: 2770m

Gordon’s Bay, the small, idyllic seaside town on the Eastern edge of False Bay will see the start of Stage 1, taking riders over 110km and 2770m of climbing to Villiersdorp. The first stage of the Absa Cape Epic has never been easy and will be no exception next year. The early steep ascents will stretch out the field, just in time for some rocky single-track. Participants will visit a familiar highlight of the Absa Cape Epic, Groenlandberg. The 10km climb will start off at over 10%, but will level out near the top. Riders will need to save their energy for the last 15km, which will take them into Villiersdorp, where they will settle in for 2 nights.

Stage 2

Date: 23 March 2009

Start/Finish: Villiersdorp

Distance: 120km

Climbing: 2108m

Villiersdorp, the "The Pearl of the Overberg", is graced by oak trees and surrounded by tranquil fruit and wine orchards. Sixteen degree slopes are perfect for crafting fine wine but will make for tired legs early in the stage. This kind of climbing will require expert balance and poise just to avoid having to climb off and walk. In a loop that circumnavigates the valley visiting the Brandvlei Cellar, there will be several more steep climbs. The ruts and loose shale that characterises the Karoo region could end a rider’s race on a single corner.

Stage 3

Date: 24 March 2009

Start/Finish: Villiersdorp - Greyton

Distance: 85km

Climbing: 1950m

The third stage will take riders from Villiersdorp to Greyton, an 85km route with 1950m of climbing. Their legs will remember stages 1 and 2 all too clearly as they tackle a long ascent up a rugged 4x4 trail. It will be another day of tough ups and downs, breaking the riders’ rhythm. A portage section with 180-degree mountain vistas will ensure that their spirits stay intact as they head to the next town, Greyton, another gem in the Overberg.

Stage 4

Date: 25 March 2009

Start/Finish: Greyton

Distance: 101km

Climbing: 2303m

The fourth day of 101km and 2303m of climbing will begin on the open roads with a steady climb followed by a tricky section on fast rocky tracks, testing the reactions early in the morning. After crossing the causeway, a windy trip through the farmlands will take the field back towards Greyton. Much of it is rideable but with some 20 degree slopes, testing their technical skills. This devastating series of hills will deliver a knockout combination to ill-prepared legs. Riders will have earned their second night’s rest in Greyton.

Stage 5

Date: 26 March 2009

Start/Finish: Greyton - Oak Valley

Distance: 113km

Climbing: 2405m

Stage 5 will take riders from Greyton to Oak Valley, a 113km ride with 2405m of climbing. Early on, some jagged climbs will strike a cruel blow to the morale, but riders will be rewarded with the beautiful flowing dual tracks alongside the railway line. This will offer a temporary respite as Elgin / Grabouw appears on the horizon. When riders see orchards they will see more steep climbs on the way, but not before passing through another Cape Nature Conservation area. With several kilometers of swooping forest single-track, even the most tired competitor will be smiling and as they leave the forest, they will arrive home for the night in Oak Valley, Elgin/Grabouw.

Stage 6

Date: 27 March 2009

Start/Finish: Oak Valley

Distance: 120km

Climbing: 2604m

The second last stage of the Absa Cape Epic, will take riders on a 120km journey with 2604m of climbing. This stage is the most technical in the Absa Cape Epic’s history. No sooner than leaving Oak Valley, riders will encounter more hills heading towards the N2. Riders will be traversing through Kogelberg - a world-famous biosphere featuring some radical descents and narrow tracks with unique Fynbos grabbing at the handlebars. After a river crossing and more steep climbs, riders once again find themselves in the single-track heaven of Lebanon. They will then return to Oak Valley to cap off a very demanding day in the saddle.

Stage 7

Date: 28 March 2009

Start/Finish: Oak Valley - Lourensford

Distance: 70km

Ascent: 1770m

Finally the last day of the taxing Absa Cape Epic has arrived and riders will end their adventure at Lourensford. Traditionally the last stage is always the shortest, but never easy and will take riders over 70km and 1770 m climbing. Again, they will see short, sharp climbs and then some longer and even steeper ones though Nuweberg. Soon the riders will begin to smell home as they near the bottom of Gamtoe Pass. As any Absa Cape Epic veteran will tell you, it is a compulsory portage section through this National Heritage site. A close look at the path will reveal Voortrekkers’ wagons tracks, heading down to the railway line. Through wine country, riders will head home to Lourensford to collect their finisher’s medal and a well earned rest."

So…that’s it. All in a weeks work…ehhhr… and 8months training! : )

Jaco

Getting on with it...

It has been nearly two weeks since our last update. We have been training and getting on with things…well mostly.

Nico went to race the Cederberg Escape two weekends ago. That same weekend did not work out as well for me. That Friday at 10:00pm I got a frantic call from Grant, a good friend. It turned out Grant was stuck on the N1 with no petrol. Naturally, also trying to be a good friend, I rushed to his rescue. It soon became clear that petrol was not the problem. Apparently you should not try to jumpstart another car when your own battery is on its last legs.

What was supposed to be a routine rescue mission ended up with both of us stuck on the national highway up until 1am. It was cold, windy and not the place to be on a Friday night. Plus I was really longing for the bottle of red wine that I had left all by its lonesome at home. Björn Geiger ended up being our saviour. Thanks Björn! I ended up being without a car until the Monday and somehow training took the backseat over that weekend.

Personally I am still waiting on Nico’s Cederberg Escape race report. I only know the “short of the long” and it includes two flat tyres (on his car on the way there) and a long list of mechanical problems with his bike. The result was him not being able to finish the 3rd and last day of the race. While obviously disappointed he still managed to enjoy the weekend of racing. Not only is this race running through a spectacular and beautiful part of our country, but also the race itself was also superbly organised and enjoyed by all whom I have talked to. It is interesting to note that this race is organised by the very same organisation that is responsible for the Cape Epic.

This last weekend we managed some good training including the Four Passes route. It is a 130km loop by road that includes Sir Lowries Pass, Viljoens Pass, Franschoek Pass and lastly the Helshoogte Pass. The pace was fairly intense upfront as we did it with a bunch of roadies training for the Double Century (a 200km race). Well done to Zayne who pitched up with knobblies and kept up with everybody!

Big news is that the ABSA Cape Epic 09 route was announced last week! I still need to go study the press release more closely before I can comment on it fairly. But from what I have seen it looks to be an extremely exciting route. Feel free to go have a look at it yourself in the meantime at http://www.bicycling.co.za/articles/racing_news/3796/ .

Thank you for the feedback and messages of encouragement we have been getting. It is really appreciated! Enjoy your week everybody!

Jaco