It was the Druiwefees festival in Modimolli this past week. To close the festival off there was a road cycle race and a mountain bike race. I did the longest road race which was 105 km. Am quite happy with myself as I raised my average speed to 24 km/h. This was done on my mountain bike with Maxxi cross mark tyres.
I also did the mountain bike race of the longest distance of 50 km. The results are not out on the internet yet. However I am very pleased as it was my second mountain bike race. This was quite a technical ride compared to my first race.
Mountain bike race was at Bosfontein caravan park. I was very pleased to find a well run little out of the way caravan park. Bosfontein is nestled next to a mountain that is covered in trees and has been stocked with game animals. They have also laid out a mountain bike route that you can ride when camping. Very nice getaway form the city. Has a central swimming pool where the children can also have a good time.
The course criss crossed rivers over small wooden bridges. Then there was endless twists between the trees. Not giving any time to fall asleep on your bike. Then there was ‘Martelbult’ which challenged your hill climbing legs. Only way out was on the granny gears. Then there was a rock decent which lead to some carefull riding. At one point I thought an antelope was charging me, as what happened to that one mountain bike rider on youtub. However it was just spooked by a rider coming across the opening.
All in all The road race was painful and the mountain bike race was very nice and enjoyable.
Last weekend I rode the Momentum 947 cycle challenge. I really enjoyed the spirit of the course. I must say there was more supporters along the road than I thought there would be. The large number of participants made it a big challenge to get to the starting point. The new venue will have to be improved to cope with the traffic .
Momentum947 cycle challenge start
The course has more hills than I thought. When I grew up in Durban Natal we all used to say it is flat in Johannesburg. Well try ride it on a bicycle. I think the hills make it more difficult than the Cape cycle tour. On the other hand it made it very interesting to ride. I found that the hills made it difficult to keep my heart rate constant. After halfway I turned the alarm off for my heart rate target zone. Just glanced at my monitor from time to time.
Sunninghill area
Coming from the Springbok flats I am not used to the down hills. Reaching speeds of over 65 km/h can be quite scary. I do not get much chance to pick up speed like that down hill were I live. Then there are other riders that do not hold their line and can crash into you. I saw a few people who had taken bad falls. There was one woman laying in the middle of the road on a steep down hill. Lucky the ambulance was not far away. Other riders behind me said they saw there was a big puddle of blood and the paramedics were stabilizing her with oxygen. Also laying her out straight so they could get her on to a stretcher. That just can take your nerve away.
Well a side from the dangers of road racing with bicycles or should I call it fun riding. If you want to see Johannesburg from a different perspective, try riding the streets on a bicycle. I think I rode through the old centre of Johannesburg faster than you could ever do with a car. Went through all the red and orange traffic lights. Roads were empty of cars, that was strange. I have never seen Johannesburg without cars in it. All the road closures for the race made it seem so different. Then there was riding down the M1 highway and M2 highway on a bicycle. If you did that normally the police would come and get you. Or you might be knocked over before they even get to you.
The road passed Johannesburg Zoo and going through Randburg and Santon was just a big street party. People playing music,clapping calling out. Then there was all the braais (barbeques) and camping chairs along the road. There was a man offering his beer to me but it smelled like he was burning his meat on the fire. Looked like he had to many distractions to watch how his meat was cooking.
Heading north out of the suburbs brought some nice long hills to test your stamina. By this time it had reached 32 degrees. Thank goodness they had placed some sprayers across the road to cool off the riders.Then passing the Lion park was a nice down hill. This tricked me into think it was down hill to the finnish. Well not so fast the organizers made sure there were two monster hills coming near the finnish. About 50 % of the people climbed off and pushed up these two hills.
There were riders that did two laps for the day, that makes about 200 km. Then there was Batman. People in Rhino suits and one rider had a Rhino around his bicycle. Others with short skirts on and super hero capes on. Other fund-raising groups helping three wheel bicycles along, dressed in cow outfits.
Took a training ride to Vaalwater this past weekend. The aim was to ride hills on tar roads to get fit for the Momentum 94.7 cycle challenge. On top of it was to do a two stage ride. To make sure I am getting fit enough for my December adventure to East London. I covered a distance of 209 km for the weekend.
Left at 09H45 on Saturday and stopped for lunch at Nylstroom (Modimolle). From my house to Nylstroom there are no hills.
From Nylstroom to Vaalwater is in the Waterburg hills. Must admit they are big for me but will be small for those of you that are riding in Europe or in Natal. Must be getting fit as the hills did not seem as big as I remember from the previous time I did this route.
The road climbs up out of Nylstroom in steps leaving the Springbok flats behind in the distance. The hills are fenced with game fencing. From time to time you can catch a glimpse of Impala, Kudu, Nyala, Vervet monkey, Baboon,Wildebeest or a cow. The scenery then opens out to grasslands and crop lands. As you start to descend again into the next valley the peach orchards begin. Peaches are now in season and can be bought along the road at small stalls. Not to mention all the Sekelbos wood been sold for camp fires or braai (barbecue). After this there is a goat farm that has a restaurant and makes goat cheese. This would be a nice little outing for the family.
To climb out of this valley is the steepest part of the ride. After passing some game farms comes the monster climb. On the way back home I had to make some noises to chase the Baboons off the road, as I was freewheeling and reached a speed of 65 km/h. It would have caused a terrible accident if I had hit one of them. My heart rate monitor started to beep as I was not peddling down the hill. To the mother baboons in the trees this was terrifying. They just dropped out of the trees baby and all. Their feet were running in the air, so when they hit the ground they hit it running. Fortunately the up hill is not to long in the direction of Vaalwater and then you are rewarded with a nice long down hill to Vaalwater.
First time I went to Vaalwater I had all these romantic ideas of a town surrounded by game farms and pumping with tourists. Well it has some game farms around it. It has a grain silo and a rundown town centre. This town centre could have come out of some middle African town. The buildings are in need of paint the roads are very fill of potholes. There are street vendors selling vegetables. Must say some of the nicest tomatoes I have seen in a long time. Signs everywhere to sell biltong (beef jerky). There are any type of biltong, starting at beef all the way to Eland.
I camped at a small lodge come camp site tucked away behind the sports bar. The sports bar is a nice neat restaurant come bar that serves very nice pizzas or steaks. Their salads are nice and crisp. They say there are two other places to eat in town. I have not tried them. The local farmers sometime come with their wives and children to eat out. Open people if you start to talk to them. They will enjoy a chat with you. Note big topics are the weather, rugby, crop farming and game farming.
Word of warning there is a night club where the local blacks like to hang out. This place has the music up loud and goes all night. Almost until the sun comes up on Sunday. Then there is the busy road that runs through the centre of town. This is one of the main routes to the mining and game farming towns to the west of Vaalwater. So any place you choose to stay at in town will have the back ground noise of the road and night club. The town’s name is also Vaalwater which means unclear water. This means the water source is caring a high particle load and the local municipality can not clean it up so good. Do not think it will harm you but bottled water tastes much better.
Left Sunday at 7H00 and was home by 11H30. Much more down hills on the way back. Early riding is best as it is cooler. For example on Saturday it went to 35 degrees on my cycle computer just before getting into Vaalwater.
Not many sons can say that their Dad is their best friend. When I was a teenager we used to do training runs together. In those years he and I built a house from scratch. We stood shoulder by shoulder and laid bricks. This gave us time to talk about all sorts of things.
At the age of 40 he started running to keep fit. He went on to complete three Comrades marathons. This is a world renowned ultra marathon. He got three medals: one silver and two bronze. He kept running to keep himself fit until the age of 70. Where upon his circulation prohibited him from running. This forcing him to start walking. Last November (7 months back) I gave him my bicycle that I rode in Zimbabwe and Mozambique with. Then he could just ride 2.5 km. This week he came to visit and rode a 21 km gravel road with an average of 13 km/h at the age of 75. So nice to be sharing a sport with my Dad again.
Took a ride up to Nylsvlei Nature reserve this weekend. I left my bicycle at the restaurant and my stepson left his motor bike there also. We took a walk in the reserve to do some birding.
Had a good ride in some nice hills of the Waterberg. Did 220 km all together. That is counting 105 km from the Nylstroom side down a fair amount of dirt road. Some stony stretchers and other sandy patches.
Then there was about 18 km riding around the farm.
Came back home past Naboomspruit and Cresy.
Down hill to Naboomspruit. With Springbok flats stretching out in the distance
Was very disappointed to see the tar road that was ripped up by a contractor who ran out of money or was it ran away with the money. Ripped the tar road up in about 2011 has not even been taken to court or the government has not got another contractor to retar the road. There is about 5 km of dirt road now. It used to be one of the main roads to transport grain, fertilizer and other goods out and in of the Springbok flats. Now transport company’s have to use other longer routes.
Can see what road looked like before it was ripped up. This piece of road was left untouched
Road after been ripped up.
Cannot say too much about the fishing. Did not even get a bite. We tried all different baits, worms and lures.
As can be seen from the pictures it was in a lovely setting. The winter temperatures are on their way in. Night was a little cool (6 degrees celsius) and day time temperature going up to 30 degrees celsius.
Well there are lots of nice off-road places in the Waterberg. Game farming is reclaiming the bush and cultivated lands are returning to bush.
Africa is at Gautengs door step. Malaria free and close to the big cities.
I did not post a post this weekend as I took a long weekend to visit my sister. I did 332 km by bicycle for the weekend.I will post a few photos.
Had to cross a few mud puddles. I landed up been covered in mud. Some were a foot deep.
I will not try my luck going through this fence, if there are lions in this game farm.
Stopped to take photos
No doubt they are serious. Just wonder how this sign will help in court if they did shoot a person
Highveld of South Africa. My view at lunch time.
Highveld. My lunch time view.
Bicycle also had to take a rest at lunch time.
The weather was good and the wind favored me. On the way there I managed to cut an hour off my best time and did 166 km in 9 hours 10 minutes. The way back is more down hill and managed to cut 1 and half hours off best time, came in at 8 hours 40 minutes for the 166 km.
What a nice weekend I had. Rode my first ever cycle race. The Cape Argus cycle tour is the biggest timed race in the world. There was over 36000 entrance. 31046 finished within the cut off time. It takes place on the Southern tip of Africa. Starting and finishing in Cape town. Route is 109 km passing through some of the most scenic parts on the cape peninsular. Having lots of hills and sometimes strong winds. Locals line the streets and encourage you on your way.
Cyclists waiting in check in holding area
Adriaan and I at the check in holding area
Behind me at start
In front of me at start. This is the OA starting group
My boss Kobus and the vets from CS vet have been pushing me to do the Cape Argus race. I tried to wriggle out of it as I have not ridden a cycle race yet. Well they got it right and I received an email from the organizers that said the following.
You are now entered for the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour taking place on 9 March 2014.
Website: http://www.cycletour.co.za
The Cycle Tour forms part of the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Lifecycle Week and is organised by the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust.\
Now all I must do is ride, as there are sponsors that covered the entry fee, hotel and cycle clothing. There are some others from our farm that will be ridding also. I am looking for a 6 hour time over the 109 km distance. However some say I should be able to do it under 5 hours. I will be ridding my mountain bike so do not expect such a good time as the people who ride road bikes. Follow this blog to see how this goes down.
I rode 240 km this weekend on my bicycle. I had heard lots about the town Alma. However did discover it is just a T junction with a bottle store, grain silo, primary school and a squatter’s camp. The road to get there is not recommended to cycle best done with a bakkie (pick up) or a 4X4 vehicle. This is the end of sand road to Alma. Only the T junction was tar.
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On to Vaalwater. Nice new tar road with some monster hills. At the camp site I was told that cyclists come to train on these hills for the Cape Augus race.
Feels like Africa begins here. Take note of the following signs just before town.
It is a sandy town that wants to grow but with the lack of employment opportunities. Thus many houses standing empty. All along the main road biltong shops advertise. Looks like biltong and game animals are the main export of this area.
I tested out some weight saving strategies on this trip. Cut tent pegs by half. Crocs (light Chines ones) for time off of bicycle. Cut unnecessary tools. Cut down on traveling with food, ate at restaurant and stopped at shops for food. Mounted solar panel on Velcro (to charge cell phone and camera) for places where there is no electricity. Pouch to hold cell and camera.
On the way I passed Modimolle and dropped in at the bicycle shop to see what needs to be done to my bicycle for the trip to Malawi. Also looked at camping shop to see if there are lighter tents.
All in all think it was a very good trip. For those of you, light is much better. Lighter load made the ride much more pleasurable. Well there is room for more weight saving for me.
They have also laid out a mountain bike route that you can ride when camping. Very nice getaway form the city. Has a central swimming pool where the children can also have a good time.
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Long day safaris 