News and Races 2011
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Week 3 On Monday morning I got picked up by Kevin and David giving me a lift to Innsbruck. Then another 2 hour train trip and I was in the real mountains around Saalbach. I checked into Hotel Conrad, a biker hotel that offers great packages to mountain bikers in summer and also helped out as one of the guides for the week. The sun was out and I was convinced that this time I would be spoiled with good weather for the whole week but no luck. On Tuesday and Wednesday we were still cycling in short sleeves and on Thursday and Friday I had to put on all the kit I had to survive the cold and wet.
Being a guide is not easy and if you have 15 guests that came to a hotel to ride their bikes you have to come up with something. So on the rainy day we did technical training in the parking garage. From balancing acts, cornering, braking and bunny hopping we managed all of that without getting wet. Then as the rain calmed down a bit it was rain coats on and out to the mountains. The 5 days ruched pass in no time and on Saturday I was back in the train on my way back to Germany where I planned to race the Singen Bike marathon on Sunday. Unluckily all the travelling and the weather differences got to me. I also realized again how hard it is to be at the top of your game in a sport like cycling. The commitment is just massive. |
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Marathon World Champs On Tuesday morning my journey to the south started and I would like to thank Friedemann, the manager of the Bulls team, for the lift in there team camper. For once there were just about no traffic jams all the way down to Trento and it took us just over 7 hours to get to Montebeluno. A cancelation in Hotel San Marco also sorted my accommodation problems and that again showed that it is not always necessary to book months in advance.
With the first 10km on tar leading to the first single track it was a drag race up the 6 km climb and that’s the last time I have seen the main bunch. I tried my best to get back but on the down hills but passing in the single track was just not possible and I knew I was in for a long lonely day in the saddle. Another big thanx to Friedemann for offering to supply me with water at the feed zones but that also turned out into a survival for me as he had Tim in the front of the race and not really time to wait for me. I did manage to get water at 4 of the 8 feed zones and I even stopped to pick up one of the Italians bottles just to get me to the next zone.
Now I am on my way to Saalbach, the weather looks good so hopefully I can spoil you with some great pictures next week. |
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Blackforest 115km 3150H It’s been 7 years since my last participation in this memorable race. The Black Forest Bike Marathon was the first marathon I won in Europe back in 1999 taking the title from none other than Germany’s Mike Kluge. I also won it in 2000, and placed 2nd and 3rd in 2001 and 2003.
I managed just that and was able to finish the 50km back home. Luckily it was not raining and the moral was high.
Temperatures kept dropping as we climbed up to 1200 metres and with a low of 2 degrees and an average of 5.5 degrees,this was one race for the hard core. My mind set was positive and even riding without a jacket or raincoat I kept pushing along on my own. Not only did I keep passing riders but some, shivering like mad, jumped in the car.
Luckily I make my way down to Italy on Tuesday for the marathon World Champs and hopefully the sun will be shining on us there. The week after that I am on my way to Hotel Conrad (http://www.hotel-conrad.at/) in Saalbach for some more nice trails, a couple of Weiss beers and kaiserscmarn. |
NEW NEW NEW. You dont need to look like this. Rather put your bike on a diet..... |
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First Update- Europe
It’s been six year since I last did the race in Willingen. I remember it like yesterday because I came to Europe that year with a knee injury I got from pulling my partner through the 2005 Cape Epic. I was the defending champion of the Ultra marathon but this year, due to a lack of training, I could only manage a 2nd place in the middle distance. 2011 Race For once the race here in Willingen was dry but still cold with temperatures hovering around the 10degrees, sometimes a bit more, sometimes dropping below. I was joint on the start line by Kevin Evans and David George as well as some other familiar faces like Bart Brentjens and Erik Zabel to name a few. I was not feeling too comfortable on the first climb dropping just off the pace of the leading bunch but on the first downhill made my way back to the front. I could feel that the pace was just a bit too hard for me and decided to ride at my own pace with 100km to go knowing this is a long and hard marathon.
I rode a steady pace the whole race and at the end it was good enough for 7th overall and 2nd in the master category, MASTER… So I was back on the podium again here in Willingen and with couple of Euros I won my budget for the week-end was in a plus. Hope it can stay this way. Next up is Black Forest bike Marathon in Kirchzarten, 116km 3150Hm climbing. I will also meet up with Kevin and David and let’s hope between the 3 of us we can get another one of my titles back to Africa.
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WINDHOEK LAGER NAMIB QUEST 12-06-2011 It’s taken a long time but at last there is also a multi stage event in Namibia, the Windhoek Lager Namib Quest. And believe me, the inaugural event was just a special as my first Trans Alp challenge back in 1998 and the 1st Cape Epic in 2004. The high volume of rain Namibia had over the last couple of months was a tester not only for the participants but also for the organizers and crew. Although there were some hick ups along the way and 10% not making it to the end, the rest enjoyed the beautiful Khomas Hochland and the Namib (mud) desert. The Namibquest took place on the same time as Joburg2C, but I was fully committed to ride this true Namibian event, even giving up the chance to win R100 000,00 at Joburg2C. The race started on Sunday morning on the outskirts of Windhoek and after a controlled start through the streets we headed straight to the Kupferberg Pass. We climbed to an altitude of 2060m before starting with some of the descents to the Friendehau dam for the second water point. Francois and I kept a close eye on each other and got to the first overnight stop on Farm Neu Heusis together. Another heavy rainstorm that afternoon had everybody close together in the Windhoek lager chill zone. Deacon from Radio wave kept the music in the ears and after a bit of a delay, supper and what a supper was served. With Windhoek Lager the main sponsor, keeping it real was not a problem as it was all for free. Imagine... Days two, three and four were just unreal. Mountain biking you can’t believe, hundreds of river crossing, all full of water. Climbs that had me and Francois on the ropes and descents that tested even my XTR brakes. It was still a ding dong battle between me and Francois and then on day 4, a rock popped up clipping my rear derailleur damaging it big time. With some time in hand we stopped together to see how best we can fix the problem. First we used some tape to try and get some “spring” back in the derailleur, but that did not work. Then I ripped a piece of my slime tube of, attached it top the lower end and off we went. It lasted all but the last kilometre to Walvisbay. Days five and six we crossed the Namib. With some flashbacks of the Desert Dash as the gravel roads just goes on and on. Only difference, this time it was wet, no dust but mud. Another big thunderstorm had as all back in the Chill zone again but this time like true Namibian fashion the sun came out again and we all sat around the fire waiting for our last special meal in the bush. Francois came out tops at the end as I did not want to take any risks sprinting with my 'new XTR version' rear derailleur, and at the finish, waiting for prize giving, the riders and their supporters were enjoying some more free Windhoek Lagers. Thanx to AEP, Russel and Tinus, for giving this a go. Thanx to all the sponsors especially Windhoek Lager and thanx also to all the riders that came and see why Mr African loves Namibia so much. See you all again next year. |
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SABIE MTN ULTRA MARATHON #4 26-02-2011 The 4th leg of the MTN Ultra marathon series took place in Sabie, one of my favourite places to go ride my bike no matter on or off road. Back in the old days this was the 2nd race of the season now it was my 5th and we’re not even done with the month of February. Another first for me was receiving the MTN leader’s jersey 5 min before the start and I felt a little privileged to receive the jersey in Sabie my home away from home. I think sometimes the spectators don’t know if they must cheer for me or their local boy Max Knox. On the cards was 110km with 3000Hm of climbing and this time no rain. The first 2 climbs we were like “gorillas in the mist” but by the time we started the last 40km Sabie showed its nice side, the sun burning down on us, and I even took some time to watch the magnificent views. The pace was fierce on our way to the King of the mountain with team mate Phil and Adrian setting the pace. Phil took it with ease building his lead in the king of the mountain category. Marc and I was riding at about 15 sec off the pace but soon caught up after the climb forming a leading bunch of 7 riders. It was then on the downhill that German rider Karl Platt showed his downhill skills, riding with his Bulls 29er, putting some distance between him and the others. Phil was the only rider that could manage his speed while I was happy to go a little bit slower and not risking a crash. On the start of the second climb was the first feed/technical zone where we could refuel and prepare our self to suffer again. Boy and did I suffer. Just like last week from feeling comfortable a sudden lost in power also saw me loose 7 min and 2 places. I was confident, like last week, that my legs will came back and they did not disappoint. The second downhill I was not thinking about crashing anymore only racing like crazy to see if I could make up some of the lost time. Like Karl would say I was going fullgass but on the same time I was also running low on water and the advertised 2nd feed/techzone came nearly 10km later than scheduled. Now not knowing where it will be I had to come down from fullgass to halfgass. Once the bottles were filled it was back to fullgass and with a time split of 5 min to the bunch and 2 and a half to Marc that was not to difficult. I caught up with Marc as we started the last 36km loop and now I was riding in 6th place on the road. With no more mist but just the sun burning down on us hydration was of the utmost importance but again the tech/feed zone was 10km further as advertised and even my old diesel motor was starting to take strain. I could only manage to catch up with Paul Cordes still to finish in 5th position. Up front Karl took the win in style followed by team mate Phil, who I must say rode a brilliant race and 3rd was Adrian N. Local boy Max finished a disappointing 4th after suffering 2 flat tires. Marc held on to 7th place with Francois making the podium in 12th position. Well done laaities. Next up is the Grape Escape and Argus Mountain bike Challenge in Cape Town followed by the South African cross country championships. |
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CLARENS MTN ULTRA MARATHON #3 19-02-2011 When race organizer, Wessel van der Walt tweeted that this is a tough course, bring your 29er dual, he wasn’t making a joke but I think not even he knew how tuff it could get out there with the amount of rain we had the previous night. But thank goodness we were out there in the Golden Gate reserve and not in Sandton with the chaos of the Tour of South Africa. And I gave up a party in Clarens to come and watch some live racing... Back to the real cycling... Some times it helps knowing the route ahead like I showed in the ultra marathon, fighting back from 12th place finishing 2nd or like Brandon said, 'If I knew what was coming my way I would have stayed at home', maybe not. The race reminded me of the 4th stage of the first Cape Epic to Swellendam back in 2004 that were supposed to be an easy day, but rain the previous night also turned the easy rolling roads into 'clay fields'. As if the grass climbs in the Golden Gate reserve wasn't enough the normal fast rolling district roads was a never ending battle for man and machine and the riders were tested as much as their equipment. Brake failure was the biggest problem and there must have been only a handful of riders that managed to finish with two working brakes. Just after the first technical section of riding a group of 12 riders got away passing the first technical zone after 23km. By this time I realized that this is gonna turn out to be a real Ultra marathon. I still felt comfortable taking my turn at the front and being joined by team mates Marc Bass and Philip Buys. After about 40km Max picked up the pace, Marc comfortably on his wheel but then out of no where I could not follow any wheels anymore. As if someone had pulled my plug. I even struggled to pass the women we caught and I thought this is gonna turn out to be a hard day at the office. I did not panic and kept going at my now “survival pace” hoping the legs will come back. After the next downhill section I started feeling better again and was able to push some bigger gears, making up ground on the riders just in front of me. By the time we came to the 2nd technical zone I worked my way back into 6th place with Brandon on my wheel. Out in front Marc, Phil and Adrian N. was sharing the lead with Phil out sprinting them for “King of the Mountain”. With the toughest half still to come that’s probably not what Brandon wanted to hear from me and he let me ride alone in pursuit of the leaders. Next up I caught Thomas Zhand from Switzerland riding for DCM. Then I caught Nico Bell enjoying a good day out on his 29er. The next 10km I passed the women again as they did a shorter loop, this time much much faster than back in the reserve. Sorry if there were some close calls but my brakes were also not working 100% anymore. With 23km to go I came to the 3rd technical zone and for the first time got a time gap on the leader. Not knowing who was in front, I kept pushing believing I could still make up a position or two. I first caught team mate Phil, then 2km later I was riding with Marc. He encouraged me to keep pushing hoping that I could catch up to a strong riding Adrian. But that was not to be and an emotional Adrian won his first, and I believe one of many to come, MTN ultra marathons. I came in 2nd just over 3 min behind, Marc held on to 3rd, Phil 4th and Swiss rider Thomas Zhand 5th. The winning time for the 113km of 5 hours 45 min is proof of one very tough outing and congratulations to every one finishing. This is just a taste of what a tough European marathon can be like. See you all in Sabie. |
| African Cross Country Champs 13-02-2011 All I can say- Well done to my team mates, Marc Bass and Philip Buys for a consistent race at the African Champs finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively behind u/23 world champ Burry Stander. You guys made me proud, are on the right track, and with more hard work you will achieve those goals.
Also well done to all the other Namibian riders that finished their races and to Herbert Peters and Vera Adrian for finishing 2nd in their categories.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/67985898
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Barberton Ultra 120km 31-01-2011
Now it's back home for a week before leaving for the African Championships in Cape Town. |
Misty valley day 2 23-01-2011 A rain storm 4 o clock in the morning had me worried that this is gonna be a wet day but by the time breakfast was served all was well and we all looked forward if 2day’s route could be better than yesterday. And we were not disappointed.
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Misty Valley Lodge
22-01-2011 After some good training in and around Pretoria, I decided to leave the hustle and bustle and made my way to Misty Valley Lodge just 2 and a half hours drive from Pretoria. Will do this more often.....Friday morning it was clear to me why it is called Misty Valley Lodge. Luckily I could take the day off and enjoyed some well deserved rest.
Back at the lodge the bikes went to the bike wash, some were lucky enough too got booked for a massage while I just enjoyed the sun as well as a 061. Jip, a Windhoek, but only one. |
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Attakwas 15-01-2011 The 2011 MTN ultra marathon series started with the Attakwas Ultra Marathon. It’s a first time for me as it is difficult to keep myself focussed during the December holidays and be prepared for 121km through the Attakwas mountains. But with a lot of races in the first 4 months and the fact that I decided to do the dash again last year I tried to keep some of the form and don’t try and consume all the 061’s the Namibia Breweries brew.
The race was won by David George racing for their new Team 360life somehow outfoxing Stephan Sahm and Karl Platt (BULLS) into 2nd and 3rd respectively. Still don’t know how he did it but I can just imagine. 4th and 5th went to Max Knox (DCM) and Adrian N(MTN). |
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Desert Dash 19-12-2010 My 2011 season started already in December as I decided to do the Desert Dash, a 340km race from Windhoek to Swakopmund. It was the 6th time the race took place and it’s becoming one of the “must do “ events on the mountain biker’s calendar. But the same problem here is that entries are limited and sold out in no time.
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