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