Into Cycling - August 2017

ISSUE # 9 August 2017

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ANOTHER TDF TOP 10 FOR LOUIS MEINTJES The second Grand Tour of the season, Tour de France, concluded on 23 July 2017 with the South African Louis Meintjes, UAE Team Emirates rider in eight place in the overall General Classification (GC), 8min 20sec behind Sky’s Chris Froome, who won his fourth Tour de France title.

Meintjes ended 2min06sec behind Orica-Scott’s Simon Yates in the fight for the Young Riders Classification - the White Jersey.

Afterwards Yates had high praise for his South African rival.

Commenting on the end of Le Tour, South African rider Meintjes said: “I think it was a good Tour, we came here with the goal of a solid performance in the GC and we tried our best. I don’t think eight place is a bad result, however you always want to improve. It was a good few weeks with lots of great memories.

Now we will have a week of rest in order to recover and refocus for the remainder of the season.”

“And thats @LeTour done…Taking a lot of good memories home…And thanks again for all the support from back home,” Meintjes Tweeted after Tour de France.

Photo: Louis Meintjes, UAE Team Emirates - Photo Credit: Bettini Photo 2017

Louis Meintjes announced himself to the cycling world in September 2013, when he earned the silver medal in the World Under 23 Road Race Championships. Louis had an impressive 2014 season where he rode his first Grand Tour, the Vuelta a España. His best result at the Spanish race was fifth place on stage 14.

Louis made South African cycling history in 2016 when he became the highest South African finisher in GC in eighth place and second highest finisher in the Young Rider’s Classification at the Tour de France. Meintjes’ next race was the Men’s Road Race at the Olympic Games where he finished seventh.

He went on to finish sixteenth overall and fifth in the White Jersey Classification at the 2016 Tour Down Under.

Other highlights this year include sixth place in the 2017 Vuelta Al País Vasco and eight overall GC in the Critérium du Dauphiné.

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IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! VIVA LA TOUR!

Photo: Tour de France 2016, Stage 14, Montélimar/ Villars-les-Dombes parc des oiseaux - Photo Credit: ASO/A.Broadway

The 104th edition of the Tour de France 2017 will start in Düsseldorf through Belgium and Luxembourg to France, where the peloton will face an intriguing array of challenges, with a particular focus on a few steep ascents, across several distinct parts of France and its neighbouring countries.

Defending champion Chris Froome and challengers Nairo Quintana, Richie Porte and Alberto Contador will find themselves on a route that may favour slightly towards the climbers, but with a generally balanced feel.

The time trial mileage is limited, but so are the massive uphill slogs. Race director, Christian Prudhomme noted late last year that he would like a less predictable Tour de France - the 2017 Tour will spread its GC-defining days across all three weeks, with fewer climbs in total than in 2016, but several especially steep mountain gradients that will force riders to rely more on their own legs than the comfort of a teammate’s slipstream.

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2017/06/25 11:48:07 AM

DIGITAL

Cycle safe - For cyclists, few things come close to the sensation of cool early morning air, the world waking up, the sound of a bike’s wheels over gravel or tar. An evening ride holds its own little pleasures. But, as any rider will attest, road riding poses hazards at any time of the day, and taking your bike off road amplifies the challenge. “Mountain bikers have their own perils to take heed of too,” says Pieter Diesel-Reynolds, veteran cyclist and co-founder of the Cape Duo Challenge, a multi-stage race that challenges three hundred teams of two riders on road and off-road terrain.

Diesel Reynolds, along with co-founders Ernst Viljoen and Pieter Joubert have a few tips to offer for how to stay safe during your ride both on and off road.

Avoid busy roads - Everyone has their personal favourite route, which is all fine and dandy if the traffic isn’t too hectic. “This is true for mountain routes too,” says Viljoen. “Some off-road trails are popular not only with cyclists, but also with runners and dog-walkers. Safe to say, many of us have had the pleasure of an unleashed dog taking an interest in us. The only upside to this is that we involuntarily get the chance to dramatically improve on our speed!”

It may sound fairly obvious, but the solution is simple; work out different routes for different days and times. “As a cyclist, you actually don’t want to get accustomed to the same trail as it makes you complicit. Challenge yourself all the time, and you will start reaping the benefits sooner than you might imagine,” Viljoen adds.

Shine your light - Another obvious tip, albeit one that we don’t see in practice as often as we should,” Pieter Joubert says, “With so many options at your disposal - think visibility vests and lights - you have no excuse to be taking a chance in this regard.

Mountain cyclists would do well to invest in headlamps too. On that note, try as far as possible to avoid areas that are not well lit or too secluded; unfortunately, muggings have become an all-too-real part of life in South Africa.”

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A little help from your friends - “While nothing beats the serenity of a solo ride, buddying up really is the way to go. In the event of injury or other emergencies, it is better to have someone who can be of immediate assistance,” says Diesel-Reynolds.

Get the right tools for the job - The market is, and has always been, flooded with handy cycling gadgets and gear; take advantage of this. After all, part of the fun of being a rider is kitting yourself out with a rig that suits your desires and needs. Check out Footloose Pedals for instance. These new cycling safety pedals - a product by South African cyclist and entrepreneur Hennie Terblanche - offer all the benefits of traditional cycling pedals, but attach without the use of magnets for more comfort and quicker release.

Respect the elements - “I certainly don’t let the weather put me off, and I don’t believe that any rider should fall into that trap; otherwise there will always be an excuse not to go riding,” Viljoen says.

Stick to the rules - “Unfortunately, so many riders are guilty of not adhering to road safety rules. Take a step back from yourself and comply with basic riding etiquette and traffic regulations. It just makes the world a better place for everyone,” says Diesel-Reynolds. Cycling shouldn’t be about concerns; after all, the pleasure of riding lies in the freedom. But by taking a few basic precautions, you’ll be keeping yourself safe and fit to ride for many more days to come.

Taking you places!

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NEWS

SA RIDERS AT THE TOUR DE FRANCE Louis Meintjes was the top South African cyclist at the The 2017 Tour de France that ended in Paris on 23 July 2017 with eighth overall in the General Classification (GC) and second place in the Young Riders Classification.

Rio Olympian Daryl Impey was South Africa’s stand-out rider on the penultimate day of the Tour de France on 22 July 2017. Impey ended 47th on GC after an impressive fifth spot in the individual time trial in Marseilles.

Reinardt Janse van Rensburg (118) and his Dimension Data for Qhubeka teammate Jaco Venter (162) worked hard on the flat stages to position Edvald Boasson Hagen for possible stage wins.

Photo: Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg - Photo Credit: ASO/Digital Reporters

Team Dimension Data ended their tour with a podium finish on the final day of the Tour De France as Edvald Boasson Hagen took third in the sprint, after having won Stage 19 of the Tour de France.

MTB TAKES A TOP PLACE IN THE SA SPORTS LANDSCAPE Everyone is under the impression that mountain biking (MTB) is not a mainstream sport, we pay little to no attention to its unique opportunities, we don’t hear about it at the Olympics, and the most prestigious riders don’t break the internet, but the growing phenomenon of MTB delivers SA Champions, economic recreation, and is hosting a leg of the World Cup in 2018.

The sporting landscape in SA is so focused on well-known sports such as rugby and cricket, but the popularity of MTB; its power to deliver master trail builders, and its role as booster of commercial recreation, especially in our mountainous rural areas, all point to the worthiness of strategic investment in the sport. In line with this, arguably, the greatest investment one can make is in increasing SA youth’s access to MTB to nurture the exceptionally talented.

Over the past three decades, MTB has radically transformed from a marginal adventure activity into a bona fide mainstream sport popular with a wide range of South Africans. In the late 80’s and early 90’s when demand for off road bikes and gear emerged, MTB was commonly pegged as ‘just a fad’.

However, it didn’t take long before scores of road cyclists started trying it out with many crossing over to the more spirited, technical riding experience.

Many others were drawn to the sport of cycling for the first time by the sheer allure of being able to rather ride bikes off-road through sensational natural landscapes.

Given South Africa’s bountiful and diverse outdoor environments, as well as the excellent weather, it is probably not surprising that MTB has exploded in the country.

While for young and old, singles and families, it may just be a great healthy past time, MTB has also developed as a significant sport in the country.

South African MTB Milestones include: - The first South African MTB events took place in the late 1980’s, with the SA National MTB Cup Series taking place in 1992.

- The international Grundig/UCI Mountain bike World Cup Series was held in Stellenbosch in 1997.

- In 2003, Greg Minnaar, South Africa’s star downhill racer first won the UCI Downhill World Championship. (He would go on to achieve a hat trick by winning the title again in 2012 and 2013).

Photo Credit: Chris Hitchcock

- The inaugural Absa Cape Epic was staged in 2004 as a prominent multi-day race covering over 800km in 8 days, and this inspired the development of other annual marathon MTB events such as Sani2C, JoBerg2C and the Sabie Experience which have become very popular attractions for both local and global riders.

- In 2009, SA master MTB trail builder teamed with Spur Steak Ranches to launch the Spurs Schools Mountain Bike League enabling SA kids to enter MTB as a school sport for the first time.

- Also, in 2009, South African, Burry Stander became the Under 23 men’s cross country winner at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.

Today, the South African MTB calendar is packed with diverse events across a wide range of locations that draw elite professional riders from around the world, as well as the amateur enthusiasts. With more than 400 mountain biking trails, some of which are hailed as amongst the best in the world, it’s no wonder that South Africa has become a sought after mountain bike destination. In 2018, Stellenbosch will again proudly host of a leg of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.

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2017/05/26 10:44 AM

YOUTH

Western Province

How To Keep All Sports Fun

Our family took up mountain biking as a family sport a few years ago after friends invited me to join them for an early morning cycle in a game reserve. To be able to observe different game species close and personal on a bicycle in nature and seeing the sunrise, was magical and so different than viewing it by car and that is how our passion for mountain biking started.

I got involved with Schools Cycling in Limpopo in 2014/2015 where we were based at that time, and I could see how learners and their parents benefited from cycling as a family sport.

SA Schools Cycling, a movement from Cycling SA currently headed up by Deon Steyn who, in collaboration with Spur and Anatomic, has created the Spur School’s Cycling Series. This is both a provincial and national series, where each province holds 4 - 5 provincial Spur races. It is a school competition, so the higher the number of kids participating per school, the more points are earned. In the end, the school is the winner. This has seen to a vast increase in the number of participants at provincial and national cross country discipline, which is also the Olympic format of mountain bike racing.

A lot of kids discover mountain biking and cycling in high school only, and have missed out on being exposed to the skills learning window of basic skills. It’s through the coaching of school’s cycling coaches that this gap can be filled, ensuring that skills become a main focus of kids on bikes, at schools.

If one looks at the most successful nations in the world when it comes to mountain bike racing - Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and man more, their national federation structure ensures that kids don’t actually do any endurance racing until the age of 15 years. However, a set of skills competitions is in place for the younger (primary school age), both provincially and nationally balance, technique, pedalling, self confidence etc., which in turn ensures that by the time kids reach high school, they’re already fully equipped with a high level of skills, to cope with racing. In fact, the high school kids are seeded according to their level of skills, as well as only being legible for a national team competing at world championships, if they display a certain level of on-the-bike skills.

Schools Cycling

I am currently part of the WP Schools Cycling (WP SASC) Committee which is affiliated with SA Schools Cycling (SASC) with the current president, Deon Steyn. The WP Schools Cycling committee was formed last year and consists of Alex Kruger Chairperson, Annelize Ziehl-Owens Vice Chair, John Dalton Treasurer, Michelle du Preez Event Co-ordinator and ad-hoc members Joretha Kruger, Heidi Dalton and Henry Owens.

SA School Cycling (SASC) is a statutory body that was started by passionate people to introduce schools cycling to schools and learners. The objective is to get the sport of cycling recognized as an official school sport and to train coaches, commissaries as well as managers.

Western Province Schools Cycling is looking forward to a very successful SPUR SCHOOLS Mountain Bike League in 2017.

The 2nd Schools League will be hosted on the 5th of August at Montana High School in Worcester and the entries are open.

The first Western Province Coaches Training will be hosted on the 11-13 of August 2017.

Article by Annelize Ziehl-Owens If you would like to get your school to recognise cycling as school sport you could contact Annelize Ziehl-Owens for assistance on annelize@ah-ha.co.za

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During Primary School Years

If one looks at the Long Term Participation Development plan, which spans across all sports, one can see that children should only be exposed to certain aspects of participation in various sports, in order to ensure they stay in sport for all their lives.

An “early developing” child is naturally better at sprint and endurance sports than a “later developing” child, due to their size alone. As a result, the “early developer” becomes “spoilt” to always doing so well and parents unwittingly pushing their kids to practice and train more. There is a higher fall-out rate amongst “early developing” kids as they lose interest, once they start losing to others. This is why Daisyway Coaching Systems (DCS), owned by Erica Green believes in keeping all sports FUN during primary school years, without putting too much emphasis on winning or results.

“Better cycling skills equals safer cycling on the road and trails, as well as faster on the bike in racing! At DCS, we trust that if you can master the 5 main cycling skills, including balance, body position, braking, cornering and pedal stroke, most other technical skills come more naturally. For the DCS school’s cycling programs, we have developed exercises and games that enhance these elements, so that kids learn and can practice skills in a fun environment,” says Eric Green.

Currently, Beaumont Primary School and Parel Vallei High School have included cycling as a school sport. DCS presents 1 session on a Monday at Beaumont Primary School, and 2 - 3 sessions with the Parel Vallei scholars. Hanri Dalton, ex-teacher at Parel Vallei High School runs all DCS schools cycling programs.

Erica Green moved to Somerset West in 1982 and has represented South Africa at 2 Olympic Games in 1996 and 2000. Louise Jansen van Rensburg teamed up with her in 2005 as a Sport Physiologist from University of Stellenbosch. Today DCS have 5 UCI qualified coaches who specializes in: individual training programs, bike set up, individual and skills coaching, information talks and corporate events.

For more information visit www.daisyway.co.za

Congratulations to the Winners of the Spur Vouchers!

On 20 July the Spur MTB announced the winners of the R2 000 Spur Vouchers.

“My name is Marcel Fourie (Mom: Marli Fourie).”

“I am very proud of my school Eversdal Primary that have entered the SPUR MTB League for the first time this year and is already in 2nd position for Primary Schools entered. We have a lot of new enthusiastic riders and are very exited to challenge the other schools at the next event.

We love the SPUR MTB League because it gives schools the opportunity to compete against each other with a sport that we love!” - Facebook Supporting parents and a bunch of enthusiastic MTB children proved to be a winning recipe. The parents and children of Eversdal Primary has shown that in a few short weeks, they could gear up a winning team by achieving second place in the first event they entered.

Branding was made possible by various generous sponsorships and without them nobody would have noticed the new school on the block, Eversdal Primary. #SpurSchoolsMTB #WinWithSpur

PROPERTY

Vast sea views and endless Fynbos; own this exclusivity Most avid mountain bikers dream of a place with immediate access to world class MTB routes against a backdrop of natural beauty with mountain and sea views.

We’ve got that bit covered for you, and present you with the property jewel of the Overberg and her best kept secret: Romansbaai Beach and Fynbos Estate.

Set on the Danger Point Peninsula, the views are unobstructed, endless and breathtaking and the Estate offers extraordinarily large erf sizes. Hidden at the foot of this peninsula is a pristine north-facing beach which is exclusive and protected from the wind in summer. All this is situated on a 220 hectare estate with 24-hour access control.

A vast selection of MTB tracks are available for your exploration enjoyment, such as the 17km Hermanus Fernkloof MTB track where you can expect to hurtle through an abundance of Fynbos, alive with birds and butterflies and small wildlife galore. Or, take on the Salmonsdam Nature Reserve MTB track, where riding opportunities are plentiful on jeep tracks, offering you the off chance you’ll catch sight of small mammals such as Klipspringer, Duiker Rhebuck or Baboons. For the fitter rider, come and experience the 30 km circular Klipspringer Route which takes riders through the Lomond Vineyards and then up through magnificent fynbos on a tough, steep climb, where you’ll be rewarded with amazing views.

Mountain bike and trail running tracks between ocean and Fynbos are bountiful and with events such as the Festival of the Geese in July and the Funky Fynbos Festival in September, there’s something for the whole family. Select to play a round of golf at the Gansbaai Golf Club, the southernmost golf course in Africa, or, visit the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary, both which are adjacent to Romansbaai Beach and Fynbos Estate.

The Western Cape is experiencing unprecedented growth, and popular areas such as Hermanus, Hemel & Aarde Valley and Vermont are bursting at the seams as the Overberg enjoys newly discovered interest from those seeking the genteel offerings of small towns of the Cape.

The location of Romansbaai Beach and Fynbos Estate is perfect for a weekend breakaway as it is close enough to Cape Town

to leave after work on Friday afternoon. The two hour drive, with choices of routes through the rolling farms of Caledon and Stanford, or Hermanus, or take an awe-inspiring drive along the coast, will have you relaxing before you’ve even reached your destination.

Come Live here Families seeking a change in lifestyle will be pleasantly surprised to find superb primary and high schools in the area as well as school buses to Hermanus. The popular Curro Hermanus also offers its scholars a bus service from Gansbaai.

Safety too is paramount to us, and Romansbaai offers what no other estate can: views without walls. ClearVu fences run along the perimeter into the sea. The gate house, with power supplied by our own wind turbine, has 24-hour security and high-tech fingerprint technology for resident’s entry.

Come Explore The Overberg region offers a host of activities both for those seeking a quiet breakaway from the city rush and for those seeking an adrenaline rush.

One can choose from shark cage diving, boating between the majestic Southern Right Whales during winter, or hiking through one of the Cape Floral regions world heritage sites, where 70% of the plants are endemic to this region.

And the fun doesn’t stop there. Head out for a drive along spectacular scenery of Protea varieties and settle in for an afternoon of wine tasting at Lomond Wine Estate in Elim, where you can sit back and enjoy a tasting of their award winning wines while you delight in local cheese and charcuterie at their stylish tasting room. Indulge in wholesome and hearty food and hospitality when visiting one of the many monthly farmers markets and immerse yourself in the very popular arts and craft route and rub shoulders with well-known writers, poets and artists.

Come and see There are too many wonderful things to write about, so why don’t you pop into our offices, on-site at Oystercatcher Road, Romansbaai Beach and Fynbos Estate, and come enjoy a taste of the Overberg hospitality for yourself.

We’re able to assist you in the design of your home to suit your budget and we’ll put you in touch with a selection of contractors and service providers and, before you know it, you’ll be finding any reason to lose yourself in the sights, smells and sounds of nature in Romansbaai Beach and Fynbos Estate.

Mobile: +27 (0) 72 610 1416 Website: www.cjwproperty.co.za Email: claudine@cjwproperty.co.za

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2017/07/19 12:10 PM

DEVELOPMENT

BIG GOALS FOR NICHOLAS DLAMINI - THE CAPRICORN CHAMP “You have to want it so much more than anyone else,” says Nicholas Dlamini (22), who has earned a place as a professional cyclist for Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka Continental, competing in the under-23 (U23) category.

Acting as the feeder team to Team Dimension Data’s World Tour outfit, the 2017 continental squad features 11 young cyclists, of whom Nicholas Dlamini, Stefan de Bod, Louis Visser, Kent Main are South African. Hand-picked based on consistent results and promise, these riders are considered Africa’s best young cycling talent.

Dlamini has big goals: success at the 2020 Olympic Games and the iconic Tour de France. His next step is to make Team Dimension Data’s professional World Tour squad. In June, the ambitious young rider made headlines when he triumphed at the U23 Giro d’Italia, earning himself the King of the Mountains (KOM) title. Last February, he placed second behind Stefan de Bod in the U23 category at the SA National Road Championships in Wellington.

programme where finally he was given the opportunity to compete in formal races.

In 2015, he joined Team Dimension Data as a continental U23 rider (the team was then known as Team MTN Qhubeka).

“Happiness to me is cycling. It’s brought me to where I am now,” says the pedaling prodigy from Cape Town’s Capricorn Park near Muizenberg, an area rife with “I’m incredibly proud to be part of Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka. We’re a unemployment, violence, drugs and gangsterism. He lives with his mother (for a band of brothers, but what we are doing isn’t just our story.” long time the family’s sole breadwinner), his twin sister and two other siblings.

“We’re competing and evolving and finessing our skills but that’s just one part of That’s when he’s not in Lucca, Italy, where the continental team is based during the it.We’re also racing for a cause.” cycling season, mainly following the European seasonal calendar.

Team Dimension Data is Africa’s first World Tour cycling team. The squad rides to Nicholas was introduced to cycling at the age of 12, by a friend, Vuyisa Mgolomraise awareness and funds for Qhubeka, a non-profit organisation that mobilises for bane. Soon after getting his first bicycle, a Peugeot, he linked up with a local socio-economic upliftment by distributing purpose-built bicycles to deserving South community cycling club. After a year of training, he joined the Velokhaya Life Africans.

Qhubeka is an Nguni word that means “to progress”. With a bicycle, a Cycling Academy where he was selected for the HotChillee Development Rider person can travel faster and further, and carry more.

YOUTH FESTIVAL DEVELOPING OUR FUTURE RIDERS The annual Cycling Youth Festival took place in Oudtshoorn from 3-5 July 2017 and showcased the talent of young cyclists under the age of 19 competing against riders from different regions in South Africa. The majority riders came from the Western Cape with some from the Free State and a few from the Eastern Cape.

The Youth Festival was shortened by one day this year to assist regions to cut back on accommodation costs in support of more riders to participate in the Cycling Festival. The format was also slightly changed to enable the riders to have maximum exposure to racing.

Various codes of cycling were showcased for the riders to obtain greater exposure to the variety of cycling disciplines, such as road racing, criterium racing, and mountain biking. The road race on day one produced a high level of racing on the Highgate circuit of 30km. Circuit racing is always a safe option as it is easier to control the traffic and at the same time spectators can follow the race. The Team Time Trial took place in the afternoon and gave the riders the opportunity to compete as a team, something to which young riders are seldom exposed.

The riders participated in a criterium race (a closed circuit of approximately 1 km in length) on day two. Depending on the age category, riders raced for 10-30 minutes, where-after the bell would ring to indicate the last lap. This discipline produced plenty of action without predictions being possible. Although the racing was short - it was fast and intense.

“I can definitely say Qhubeka moves people forward,” says Dlamini. “My own story clearly is an example. Now I’m giving back and that gives so much more meaning to my riding.”

Nederburg Wines in Paarl is the exclusive premium wine partner of Team Dimension Data, riding for Qhubeka. The winery is also home to Qhubeka’s first bicycle assembly facility in the Western Cape where bicycles are built for distribution to various Qhubeka-affiliated learn-to-earn, work-to-earn and disaster relief community programmes. The facility is run by master bicycle mechanics Beverley Roode and Janine Johnson of Bicycles & Beyond (BAB) on behalf of Qhubeka. It employs four women from the local Paarl East communities.

FIRST WIN FOR DEVIN SHORTT IN EUROPE Devin Shortt, junior cyclist from Cape Town and a rider for Team Leadout Aspire, currently racing in Spain, Italy, Belgium and Portugal had his first win in Europe, since he left South African in May. Devin has been racing for ‘Disgarsa’, a junior team in Spain, with other nationalities including 3 Colombians, a Mexican, and a Spanish rider, where they stay together in an apartment near Bilbao. Some of his results include 4th place in the ‘Saint Jose Luis junco’ - the national race of Spain.

“I impressed myself at the ‘Vuelta al Besaya’ which is the biggest junior tour in Spain where I got 4th on GC, 3rd on stage 4 and 2nd in the most consistent rider jersey by one point,” said Devin.

On the final day of the festival all races took place on mountain bikes, with the individual time Trial as the first item over a 2.5km distance. The fastest time of the day was recorded by a U/17 rider with only a very few juniors taking part in the event. The 3 oval track events included a scratch race, short bunch race and an elimination race. The same rules applied for all 3 events, the only difference being it is undertaken on a gravel track with mountain bikes.

The events were highly entertaining and in all age categories racing was highly contested. The riders soon realized that this kind of racing is not all about the fittest and strongest, but also about tactical riding. The Youth Festival is an important part of the development of future cyclists. Skills development and exposure to racing with other riders of the same age is not only important, but essential in their development. The Youth Festival is structured in such a manner to enable younger riders to watch and learn from older riders.

The event was successfully organized by Eden Cycling, under the leadership of Corné Bence.

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Most recently he picked up his very first win in Europe at ‘Trofeo Santiago’, where he went solo in the final kilometres after a brutal course.

Photo Credit: Alberto Brevers González

In the past two years some of Devin’s most memorable achievements included racing at the World Road Championships last year in Doha, winning the SA National Road Championship as a first year junior defending his title from 2014, 16th place in his first UCI race in France, as well as taking 4 top 10 positions the previous year in Belgium.

Devin had two wins in one week, earlier this year, taking the best young rider jersey at the Tour of Good Hope, as well as winning the junior men’s category in the Prologue at the Cape Rouleur the previous day.

This year Devin will be based in Europe for much longer than before. The past 3 years he was able to stay in Europe for up to 6 weeks, while still attending school.

During July Devin will be participating in 3 tours, 2 in Spain and one in Portugal.

ROAD

PPA announces vida League for Cape Town racing cyclists Great news for Cape Town racing cyclists is that vida e caffè has come onboard as sponsor of the PPA 2017 Spring League. The vida League will consist of eight events that will test riders’ ability to the full. These include five road races, two criteriums, a hill climb and a time trial.

Off the bike, league riders will be treated to some great specials from vida, including special offers and discounts. And of course vida will be present at all league events to offer amazing coffee for sale. A dedicated leagues photographer will capture all the action.

“The sponsorship of the League, presents vida with a fantastic opportunity to further entrench ourselves with the cycling community in Cape Town,” said Darren Levy, CEO for vida e caffè. Our massive store base of over 200 sites across the country, presents convenient points for cyclists to start and end their rides, to enjoy a shot of caffeine or a delicious snack during or post a ride. As a business born and bred in Cape Town, this venture allows us to give back to the sport and participate in its ongoing development with the PPA.” Category 1 will draw from male cyclists 18 and older with a seeding of A or B. Category 2 will include male cyclists with a seeding of B or C, with D-seeded riders included should the maximum of 100 riders per category not have been reached, as well as racing female cyclists 18 and over. Category 3 will comprise of u/17 male riders as well as junior girls, while Category 4 will be for u/15 and u/13 riders (previously the ‘junior scholars’).

Prize money will be on offer for the top 3 riders in Category 1 and the top 3 female riders in Category 2, while the top 3 riders in Categories 3 and 4 will win vouchers.

Points will be accumulated during the series, with the top 3 riders in each category receiving podium medals and more at the end of the season.

The events in the Vida League are as follows: 20 August 2017 (Cape Point Time Trial), 10 September (West Coast Express), 17 September (PPA Cyclosportif #3), 24 September (Individual Hill Climb), 1 October (PPA Cyclosportif #4), 28 October (Durbie Dash), 5 November 2017 (Killarney Criterium) and 19 November 2017 (PPA Cyclosportif #5).

Iconic link for Tour of Good Hope The Bestmed Tour of Good Hope will have a direct link to one of the world’s most iconic figures when the stage race is hosted by the Drakenstein Correctional Centre situated between Paarl and Franschhoek next year.

The facility, previously known as the Victor Verster Prison, made international headlines on February 11, 1990, when Nelson Mandela took his first steps to freedom through its gates after 27 years of incarceration. It will act as the Tour of Good Hope’s race village from 5-9 March 2018 with an international field of cyclists starting and finishing under the famous Madiba statue at the entrance to the prison.

The correctional centre’s communications manager Manfred Jacobs, who has worked there for over two decades, said the staging of the Tour of Good Hope, presented by the City of Drakenstein, would tie in with the 100 years’ celebration for Mandela.

Jacobs said they had been involved with the Bestmed Tour of Good Hope previously and they had the facilities and space to act as the race venue. An indication of their organisational capabilities, he added, was the 27 For Freedom road running race they held annually in February to celebrate Mandela’s release. ASG Events’ operational manager Darren Herbst said they were delighted with the new option and felt it would work really well for the five-day event. The Tour of Good Hope will cover a total distance of 490km in the Cape Winelands.

For more information visit www.tourofgoodhope.co.za

Photo Credit: Capcha Photography

Surval Stof En Teer The race starts with the 2 road cyclists at Smitswinkel with the route taking them through the beautifull village of Schoemanshoek towards the iconic route to the Cango Caves where they turn into the direction of the Swartberg Pass. Just before the pass they will turn left, in the direction of Calitzdorp at Swartberg Manor, where the road cycling team will handover to the mountain bike team mates.

Families, supporters and cyclists can enjoy the hospitality at Patat, the in-house restaurant at Swartberg Manor.

The mountain bikers will be riding through a private nature resort at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains, turn left into the Latgansvlei valley and ride through working farms with ostriches, tobacco fields and onion seed production areas. After returning to the outskirts of Oudtshoorn, they will travel on the gravel road on the way to Schoemanshoek with the finish-line in a Olive orchard at the Surval Boutique Olive Estate.

At the estate families, supporters and cyclists can enjoy good food and wine at the famous restaurant at Surval. Surval Boutique Olive Estate is the main sponsor of the event with R 30 000 prize money up for grabs in total!

The 3rd year of the Surval Stof En Teer event will take place on 28 October 2017 in Oudtshoorn. This unique race unites the road and mountain bike disciplines with 4 members in a team – 2 road cyclists and 2 mountain bikers - each covering a distance of 75 km - therefore called “Stof en Teer”.

Surval Stof En Teer will be a good preparation for the Double Century taking place at the end of November. Last year’s winning team Alpha Bodyworks have already confirmed that they will be back to defend their title this year.

For more information contact Corne Botha on 074 260 2871 or visit www.cycleevents.co.za

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GENERAL

MICHELLE OTTO SURVIVES

A WINTER CYCLING ADVENTURE!

HORRIFIC HIT AND RUN

Michelle Otto or Cycle Puppet as she’s affectionately known in the Twittersphere, needs no introduction to the local cycling fraternity here in the Western Cape. A keen photographer, you’ll always find her track-side at the races – the Killarney criterium series more specifically – working tirelessly behind the scenes in an effort to capture the magic, pain and suffering of local racers, many of which she knows by name.

It’s become the norm to see her scurrying around and smiling in search of the perfect shot. In fact, if you’re racing, you’re almost 100% guaranteed of at least one photo – that’s how thorough she is at her job. And it’s often when shooting incognito that she delivers some amazing shots – her portraits, offbeat and candid photography is often her best work.

Earlier this month (Sunday evening 2 July) Michelle and her scooter were involved in a horrific hit and run accident that saw a bakkie collide with her head-on. She was knocked out cold and when she regained consciousness she realised the bakkie had fled the scene rendering her scared and helpless.

“When I woke up I was alone and the bakkie was gone. I thought I was paralysed as I could not move, yet I felt every bit of pain,” exclaims Michelle.

“I called for help and after what felt like hours a man came running down the street. I gave him details and he called my family and an ambulance before I was rushed to Durbanville MediClinic where they stabilised me and transported me to Tygerberg,” she added.

Michelle spent two days in the trauma unit before she underwent a series of operations to repair her two broken femurs and tibia, as well as stabilising her broken pelvis. According to the paramedics on the scene, she’s lucky to have escaped with her life.

Since I can remember, I’ve always wanted to go cycling in snow. Living in South Africa that is a rare probability! Recently after a substantial snow dump, I decided it’s better to put the mountaineering gear away, and get the trusty old steed out of the garage! Of course a fatbike would have been ideal, but we make use of what we have, so I took my KTM Tazer2 with a 26 inch wheel setup.

My destination was Matroosberg Private Nature reserve in the heart of the Hexrivier mountain range. From previous endeavors I knew the terrain is rough, rock gardens that will swallow you and your bike! Having taken this into account, I justified it - what is the worst that can happen? If I fall its only on “soft” snow, and besides, the 1km vertical gain over 7km’s is great training!

The climb up the 4x4 jeeptrack was incredibly steep, so steep that some parts are renowned for cars flipping over! Hike a bike scenario, calves burning, lungs screaming for air! After the initial climb, the road leveled out and it’s a fun and easy cycle to the nek of Groothoekkloof. Due to some pesky 4x4’s the “road” was covered with compressed snow, creating a layer of the most slippery stuff imaginable! By choosing your line carefully, you can still keep your ego intact, luckily!

Cycling on the white stuff is weird, your tires compress the snow and it sounds as if someone is eating a bowl of cereal almost! CRUNCH. CRUNCH. CRUNCH. Reaching the top in a complete whiteout, the fun was about to start! The top section was rough, even more with all the obstacles covered with snow. Everything flew by, it took almost 2 hours to reach the top at 2245m, but it only took a couple of minutes to wind my way down! Better trust your brakes as there are some big drops next to the road!

In all it was a great adventure, not taking things to seriously, laughing it off and pushing myself physically. I don’t know what was more exhausting, the actual climb or comments from 4x4 enthusiasts.

A partial number plate and headlight was recovered on the scene and while the ordeal was captured by CCTV, the footage is distorted and does not show number plate but identifies the vehicle as a white bakkie of an unknown make or model.

Gear Used: Other than the normal bib and shorts, I covered up with some Capestorm Tights, wore extra warm socks, used my waterproof gloves almost the whole way as the air is nippy, and you want to be able to use your brakes. A proper windproof outer shell and buff. One thing, the snow reflects the suns UV rays, so pack your sun cream lotion even if it is cloudy.

Those with any information about the accident are urged to contact Sgt. Mtikitiki at Durbanville Police station 021 970 3800.

Access: Matroosberg is convenient in the sense you can drive there with any care, access is easy. The cost is R50 for a day permit or you can overnight in the reserve for an earlier start.

We wish Michelle a speedy recovery and hope to have her back at the races soon.

Article by Henko Roukema

So watch the weather, and next time go try something different!

CELEBRATE WOMEN'S MONTH WITH 3-DAY LADIES MTB TOUR The 3-day Ladies MTB Tour mountain bike event takes place from 1-3 September 2017 at the Little France Farm Resort located in the picturesque wine-producing valley of Robertson, only two hour’s drive from Cape Town and will be the start and finish-line for all the stages. The 3-day Ladies MTB Tour is a perfect way to conclude Woman’s Month celebrations during August.

On Friday, 1 September Stage 1 will cover a distance of 80km with a climb of 650m taking riders in a south easterly direction with lunch at Van Loveren Wine Estate, before returning to Little France. During the second stage cyclists will endure the challenge in and around the Rooiberg area with lunch at Roma - covering a distance 70km with a 1000m gradient. The final stage on Sunday, 3 September will include a shorter distance of 65km, with a 500m climb taking riders into an easterly direction, and returning for lunch to Little France to conclude the Tour.

Two Ride Captains will accompany the single group of riders throughout the different routes over the 3-day cycling experience. Cyclists will experience limited single track challenges during the 3-day Ladies MTB Tour.

The cost for the 3-day Ladies MTB Tour is R3 250 and includes a goodiebag, back-up vehicle support, a cycling shirt, 3 breakfasts, 3 lunch packs, 3 suppers, and a 3 night Guest House Accommodation.

This is the first year that Williams Hunt will join the Ladies MTB, with Racepace as the official sponsor of this magnificent event bringing the cyclist closer to the various biospheres and the beauty of nature.

The 3-day Ladies MTB Tour gives back to the community with the Herberg Children’s Home in Robertson as beneficiary, caring for 122 abandoned children from baby to 18 years old.

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The amount of R668 000.00 has been raised over the past four years and has been used for the education of these children.

For more information Contact Johan on 082 938 9886 or visit www.mountainbikeadventuretours.co.za

GENERAL

RICHARD MURRAY FLOURISHING UNDER NEW SUPER LEAGUE FORMAT Fifty of the world’s leading male and female triathletes, including 25 Olympians from around the world, will compete in Jersey, UK, for the Super League Triathlon crown in September 2017.

The men’s line-up will include Richard Murray from South Africa, the Brownlee brothers from the UK, their rivals Javier Gomez Noya and Mario Mola Diaz from Spain, as well as 20 other leading male triathletes.

The Super League Triathlon event in Jersey is offering equal prize money of $130,000 for both the men and women triathletes. As Japan 2020 approaches, national Olympic federations will be keeping a close eye on how their athletes perform in Super League Triathlon in Jersey because the 2020 Olympic Games will be introducing triathlon mixed relay events, which are very similar to the fast and furious Super League Triathlon format.

Commenting on the men’s rivalries, two-time Ironman world champion and Super League Triathlon co-founder Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack said: “The Brownlee brothers have been the gold standard, and they respect long-term rival Javier Gomez Noya from Spain. The new wave of rivalry is coming from Richard Murray and Mario Mola Diaz. The new athletes to look for are Jake Birtwhistle and Ben Dijkstra.”

Heir apparent to the male triathlon throne, South African Richard Murray, flourished under the new Super League Triathlon format, winning the title in Australia.

Richard is looking forward to Jersey in September in order to try and strengthen his claim for the number one spot on the triathlon circuit, halting the dominance British

athletes have enjoyed over the sport in recent years. Murray commented: “Super League Hamilton Island changed triathlon racing and showed fans how exciting it can be when showcased properly. I can’t wait for round two at Super League Jersey.”

“Athletes and fans should expect wild, exciting and full speed racing from the fastest triathletes in the world. It’s big gear, no fear! I’m planning for this event already. My competitors will need to turn up in peak condition. I’m ready for them!”

PREPARATIONS FULL-STEAM AHEAD FOR PARA-CYCLING WORLD CHAMPS The preparations are coming along smoothly, and race organisers are beyond excited to host the Championships – a first for the South African Para-cycling scene.

This is the first time that South Africa will be hosting the Para-cycling World Championships, but the country has hosted legs of the UCI Para-cycling Road World Cups in 2015 and 2016. The Championships take place on non-Olympic years, making this year’s Champions the first crowned since 2015.

World Champions are crowned in each category over four days of racing in Africa’s Bike City. The first two days of the competition consist of Time Trial racing (31 August – 1 September at Midmar Dam) and then there are two days of Road Racing (2-3 September at Alexandra Park.)

South Africa has the pleasure of hosting the 2017 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Pietermaritzburg from 31 August - 3 September.

Federations around the world have already begun selecting teams headed for the Championships, with teams like Belgium, United States, France and New Zealand already well-secured. Spectators are encouraged to come and support these phenomenal athletes as they battle it out with the best in the world to be crowned 2017 World Champions.

NEW 3-DAY STAGE RACE IN THE OVERBERG

A new addition to the list of sanctioned MTB Stage races in the Western Cape is the 3-day Langeberg Link MTB scheduled to take place in the Swellendam area from 23-25 September 2017.

The Langeberg Link MTB will be based at Oudewerf Farm 10Km east of Swellendam on Route 60. The route has never before been cycled on any stage race, and is situated mostly on private land, not open to public - thus ensuring the uniqueness of the event. The track, where access is limited, is purposely designed that cyclists can enjoy the overwhelming beauty of fauna and flora in the area and experience some breathtaking views of waterfalls.

Stage 1: The 52km, 900m ascent takes the riders mainly on undulating gravel roads, with some off-road sections alongside the ripening wheat. Stage 2: The 28km, 520m ascent will be quite challenging with stunning scenery. It is the day of testing your legs along the side of the mountain and across more farm land with scenery that will reward your effort. Stage 3: The 52Km, 900m ascent will be the reverse of the first day with a few ‘twists’.

Riders can choose between a long route, or a short route. The event also offers Solo and Team entries in all three stages, or single days.

Medals and T-shirts will be provided to all riders that finish the 3-day race, and there will be daily lucky-draws.

This is an excellent opportunity to bring the family and enjoy the hospitality of the farming community and explore the foothills of the majestic Langeberg range in the countryside near Swellendam on the Garden Route, whilst also experiencing the beauty of the growing wheat lands just before the harvest.

Entry fees for the three-day event is R1 050 per cyclist, and single stages sell at R350 per person per day, and for the kids, rides have been provided. Accommodation is excluded from the entry fees and can be done via www.swellendam-info. co.za.

For more information call 074 457 6777 or visit www.langeberglinkmtb.com Online entries can be submitted via www.entrytime.com

Event Format - Men, Women & Solo Riders - Ride All 3 Stages - Ride Single Stages

23 - 25 September 2017 On-line Entries: www.entrytime.com T: 074 457 6777 | W: www.langeberglinkmtb.com // Based at Oudewerf, 10km from Swellendam on the R60 \\ // meals & t-shirts for all 3-day rider finishers \\ // accommodation: www.swellendam-info.co.za \\

Stages - Stage 1, 52km - 900m ascent - Stage 2, 28km - 520m ascent - Stage 3, 52km - 900m ascent

Event Cost - 3 Day, R1050pp - Single Stage, R350pp - Kids u/10 - R 50, Free if

riding with accompanying adult.

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MTB

MTB Novices Takes on W2W for Charity “It’s well organized with well built and maintained tracks and lots of single track.

Russell and I make a great partnership. We can laugh together and cry together.

We’re also sure to have a weight advantage on the downhills. The FNB W2W Crèche Educational Initiative lies close to our hearts as we both have young children. The FNB W2W Crèche Educational Initiative ticked all the boxes.”

Looms proudly professes that up until this year, he had not ridden further than 1 meter on a mountain bike. “Francois and I will proudly be riding in the Whale Category,” laughs Looms. “We are both passionate about our families, our business and giving back to the less fortunate. Our team goal is to ‘ride for the children’.”

Photo L-R: Francois Retief, Chris Norton, Hans De Ridder and Russell Looms.

Photo Credit: Bougin Bieldt / Wines2Whales

Business partners and mountain biking novices, Francois Retief and Russell Looms have taken up an impressive challenge that will see them donning lycra, learning to mountain bike and taking on the three day stage FNB Wines2Whales (W2W) Mountain Bike (MTB) Ride, all in the same year, in support of the FNB W2W Crèche Educational Initiative.

Co-owners and founders of EPT, a South African based company specialising in health wellness, Francois and Russell are both qualified Biokineticists and advanced sports massage therapists that are usually on the other side of the fence at events fulfilling the role of official Sport Massage Service Provider. According to Retief, he entered W2W for two reasons. “I wanted to experience what the riders experience. More importantly I also wanted to give back to society and the community, what better way than by supporting the event’s charity.”

“W2W is the best three day stage race in the Western Cape,” says Chris Norton, Owner of BMT Bike Shop in Stellenbosch. “It supports the local communities along the route, a concept that BMT strongly supports.”

Francois and Russell have chosen to ride for a great cause. BMT strongly supports this kind of community spirit. We will definitely help where possible to ensure that they get to the end comfortably.” The FNB W2W Crèche Educational Initiative was launched in 2016 as part of the event’s continued drive to make a sustainable difference to the communities that feature along the event’s route.

Four crèches in Bot River and one crèche in Lebanon are currently the beneficiaries of this initiative. The organizers of the FNB W2W MTB Events have also enlisted the services of Francois and Russell, who together with students from the Department of Sport Science at the Stellenbosch University, will make weekly visits to these crèches. The goal is to improve each child’s physical wellbeing and quality of life.

Dates for FNB Wines2Whales: Adventure: 27 – 29 October 2017, Ride: 30 October – 1 November 2017 and the Race: 3 November - 5 November 2017.

Varsity MTB race venue fit for connoisseurs Participants in the second Varsity MTB Challenge can expect a connoisseur experience when Nederburg Wines host the two-day race at their estate in Paarl from 30 September - 1 October 2017. ASG Events’ operations manager Darren Herbst said Nederburg’s continued involvement added much value to what they were promoting as the ultimate alumni challenge.

Herbst said that apart from the existing infrastructure they would set up a “premium tented race village” to cater for the alumni, student and public teams of two riders each. Riders in both categories will earn points for their institutions. The Varsity MTB Challenge, sponsored by First National Bank, incorporated the Varsity Sports race in which teams from six universities competed in official varsity colours, he explained. The challenge will take place on trails in the Drakenstein mountains near Paarl and out towards Wellington.

Nederburg is not only one of the premier wine farms in the world, they also have a strong link to cycling through a number of projects. Robyn Bradshaw, Nederburg global brand development manager said that they appreciated the growing popularity of mountain biking and saw this interaction as another opportunity to engage with the cycling community.

“Like winemaking, cycling demands high levels of talent, connoisseurship, resilience and discipline. At Nederburg, we can identify with that, having built a reputation of excellence through impeccable quality credentials and a team that continually explore ways to better their best efforts.”

She said their link with the varsity race tied in with their commitment to the sport in a number of other areas and most notably their involvement with Africa’s only World Tour team, Dimension Data for Qhubeka. The latter compete in events such as the Tour de France to raise awareness and funds for the non-profit organisation Qhubeka, who contribute to socio-economic upliftment through the distribution of bicycles to needy South Africans. Bradshaw added that Nederburg housed one of only two Qhubeka bicycle assembly facilities in the country.

Off the bike attractions such as the Red Table restaurant and a cellar in the historic manor house are perfectly blended with pure country hospitality and a tranquil yet uplifting atmosphere.

For more information www.varsitymtbchallenge.co.za

Diarise 36ONE MTB Challenge 20 - 22 April 2018 South Africa’s longest single-stage mountain bike race, The 36ONE MTB Challenge, has grown steadily in popularity over the last few years as the ultra-endurance racing bug has taken hold of the South African mountain biking community. But despite its 361km distance and 5 200m of climbing The 36ONE is infinitely achievable for all mountain bikers; with a bit of training, intelligent management of pace and a solid nutritional plan.

In 2017 just under 1 000 riders rolled across the start line, with over half the field taking on the full 361km distance as solo competitors. Starting at 18h00, as the sun sets on the Klein Karoo, The 36ONE is unique among ultra-endurance events in that the entire full distance field spends the night on their bikes.

The eerie glow of headlights and the red flicker of taillights is one of the lasting images of the event; along with Check Point Two, at Volmoed, where hearty home cooked meals and the support crews await to warm tired and cold riders after 180km on the bike. Thereafter the imposing Rooiberg Pass awaits, then Calitzdorp and the most beautiful section of the route, along the Nels River, back to Oudtshoorn. With water points every 30km or so and with Dryland Event Management’s superb medical support on hand throughout the race never has an ultra-endurance event been so readily completeable.

Just as long as you follow 36ONE double lapper, Martin Dreyer’s advice: “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

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Photo Credit: Oakpics.com | The 36ONE MTB Challenge

REALTY

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HEALTH & FITNESS

Laboratory Suspension

Be your personal best

The fight against doping in sport will continue to be robust in spite of full accreditation again being withheld from the local laboratory which does testing, says the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS).

Formally launched a ground-breaking merger between the Sports Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA) and the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine (ESSM). The historical partnership, now formalised, heralds a new era in health, wellness, performance science and medicine, in which the two respected organisations will work together to create and roll-out highly advanced programmes, and ensure that results of their combined research are translated to reach the greater South Africa, and beyond.

Thought leaders, game-changers, and innovators with compassion are but a few of the descriptors attached to SSISA, some 21 years on from when Professor Tim Noakes and former Springbok Rugby Captain, Morné du Plessis, first had the inspiration and vision to create it.

In 2017, in its age of majority, SSISA continues to stay true to its founders’ mission to improve the health and sporting performance of all South Africans. Now, with access to the academic expertise of UCT’s Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, both entities will have the unprecedented opportunity of combining their skillsets and resources to develop and deploy next generation services and products in the field of exercise science and sports medicine.

Unveiling the new look and positioning created to celebrate the joint venture, SSISA’s CEO, Dr Phathokuhle Zondi, explained: “Be Your Personal Best captures the brand essence of SSISA and speaks not only to personal wellness, but to our social responsiveness as a community of South Africans.”

Will Not Compromise Testing - SAIDS

For the past year SAIDS has already been sending drug test samples from local athletes to world anti-doping agency (WADA)-accredited laboratories in various countries, including qatar, belgium, italy and the USA. This has been done since WADA initially withdrew accreditation from the sa doping control laboratory at the University of the Free State for 12 months in may last year. The 12-month suspension period is now over and – in spite of a temporary and partial relaxing of the suspension by WADA in August 2016 that allowed blood analyses – the full accreditation has again been withheld.

The laboratory will continue to do testing of blood samples but not urine.

The laboratory is run independently of SAIDS and reports to the University of the Free State.

SSISA & UCT Corporate Identity Launch

SAIDS is its primary customer for the analysis of doping control samples. SAIDS remains committed to supporting the ongoing efforts of the University of Free State to regain the full accreditation of the doping control laboratory. “SAIDS is disappointed to learn of WADA's decision not to restore the laboratory’s full accreditation, clearly the steps taken to ensure compliance have still fallen short of WADA's standards,” said SAIDS CEO KhalidGalant.

“Drug testing in sport in South Africa has not been significantly affected but the cost of testing has increased substantially, mainly due to overseas courier costs,” said Galant. “SAIDS would like to reassure national sports federations and athletes that protecting clean sport is our priority and that drug testing will continue along the robust lines that have become expected of us,” said Galant.

Strenuous Exercise May Cause Hair Loss

Excessive exercise places enormous energy demands on the body which may result in hair loss, says leading global hair expert, Dr Adolf Klenk. Klenk, who discovered 16 years ago that caffeine protects against hair loss, said hair may come under intense stress during physical exertion.

“During high intensity exercise or sport, muscles consume a huge amount of energy, draining the rest of the body of energy, including the hair. Given that hair is a high-performance organ requiring lots of energy, this causes hair to suffer and may result in hair loss. There is also an increased release of the male hormone testosterone which impacts on hair loss,” said Klenk.

To combat this, Klenk, head of German-based Dr Wolff Research, has developed a special caffeine-based shampoo, Alpecin Sport Caffeine Shampoo CTX.

“This shampoo contains caffeine, taurine and special micronutrients including biotin, zinc, magnesium and calcium which stimulates the hair while supporting the metabolic processes needed for strong hair growth,” Klenk said. “Alpecin Sport Caffeine Shampoo CTX has been specially developed for active men who have an increased energy demand,” he added.

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“Our new strategy reaches far beyond the constraints of this building. We are striving for a global presence, but with an emphasis on Africa first. Technological advancements, interactive, inviting and engaging digital platforms, and formal online learning qualifications are all in the pipeline. That said, our Newlands home will remain a living laboratory for our innovations and the hub of our research activities. Our sports performance pillar will focus largely on cycling, running and swimming, whilst we continue contributing to the global body of research related to Rugby Science.”

Professor Vicki Lambert, head of UCT’s Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, says: “UCT’s Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, has improved the quality of lives and contributed to the changes in sports’ rules, strategies and policies both nationally and globally. It has advised such world bodies as the World Health Organisation, the International Olympic Committee, and other institutions on a plethora of matters relating to the benefits of physical activity for health and human performance. The division is also the first academic institution to offer sports and exercise medicine to economically disadvantaged South Africans through partnerships with not-for-profit organisations.

“We look forward to this merger, to ensure the broader translation of our science, so that we can make a difference in the day-to-day lives of all South Africans, for sport, for health, and for quality of life, to be their personal best.”

For more information visit www.ssisa.com

THROWBACK

#SylvesterMTBChallenge The Sylvester MTB Challenge took place on 24 June 2017 in the Grantham camp in the Karoo National Park in Beaufort West. Riders as far as Pretoria, Cape Town, Knysna, and Oudtshoorn entered the 1-day event to ride where Sylvester once roamed. The winner of the long distance hailed from the town of Richmond.

The race started at Grantham Camp and took riders en route where Sylvester the lion once roamed freely, before he escaped from the park.

During Sylvester’s 3-week walkabout in the Karoo he covered over 370km.

The vision for next year’s addition is to expand to a 3-day Stage race where riders can choose to either ride one, two, or all 3 stages. The race took riders through beautiful Karoo landscapes on the way to Fraserburg and back to Grantham.

On the Friday night before Sylester MTB Challenge riders, media and water point members were treated to a braai organized by the Sanparks Honorary Rangers and Jakhals Events where new friendships were formed and many stories about Sylvester shared.

At the prize giving the main attraction was the informational talk by Gerhard De Lange from Kuzuko Lodge, the new home of Sylvester. The Sylvester MTB Challenge is a unique event and is a must on every mountain biker’s calendar.

#Big5Challenge

Greg Minnaar

holds overall UCI WC downhill lead South African veteran Greg Minnaar wins the men’s fifth round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup downhill in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. In the men’s race there were four different winners at four different rounds with Minnaar the most consistent of the protagonists.

Great Britain’s Philip Atwill shocked many when he claimed the early lead with compatriot Laurie Greenland dislodging him after a sensational run.

Reigning UCI World Champion Danny Hart was on the hunt for his first win of 2017. He pipped his fellow Britons, nevertheless in-form Minnaar rolled back the years again superbly to capture the Photo: Greg Minnaar - Photo Credit: lead with Australian Troy Brosnan falling Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool just short. American Aaron Gwin had a puncture and deflated his chances and handed Minnaar an astonishing 21st UCI World Cup downhill triumph.

Lenzerheide 2017 was also to be Minaar’s 75th career podium, yet another milestone for a rider already crowned the greatest of all time. The series moves next to Mont-Sainte-Anne in Canada on August 5-6.

“The funny thing is after 75 podiums, I am still having a fun time and I honestly feel like I am 18 or 19, ”Minnaar said.

Overall men’s standings: Greg Minnaar RSA (902), Troy Brosnan AUS (742), and Aaron Gwin USA (649) points.

#CA2CX On 2 July 2017, a group of 35 keen mountain bikers departed from Meerendal to conquer a distance of 695km to Knysna to arrive in time for the Knysna Oyster Festival where several of these participants had entered the Knysna Cycle Tour MTB and the Knysna Cycle Tour Road Race. Every year CA2CX Tour returns favour by giving back to the community, and Herberg Children’s Home in Robertson is their preferred beneficiary, caring for 122 abandoned children from the age of a baby to 18 years old.

The Maserati BIG5 Challenge kicked off in earnest with the Momentum Knysna Cycle Tour mountain bike races the focal point of the first weekend of the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival on 8 July 2017. This year the organising committee also introduced a 30km e-bike Route. The mountain bike race was the first of five events participants had to complete in ten days.

The Knysna Cycle Tour MTB top cyclists battled it out on the forest and singletrack trails before Matthys Beukes took overall victory, followed closely by Gert Heyns and Matt Beers. In the Women’s category Robyn de Groot arrived first on the finish line in sweeping style with Candice Lill and Yolandi de Villiers finishing second and third respectively.

10 Days, 5 Events and 1 Race came to a nail-biting finish on 16 July as competitors in the Maserati BIG5 Challenge raced each other and the clock in the final event of the Challenge, the Momentum Knysna Forest Half Marathon. After completing a mountain biking, open-water swimming, trail running and an MTB X course over the past 10 days competitors were relieved to only have a 21km run between them and the title of Maserati BIG5 Challenge Finisher. In the Men’s race Bradley Weiss took the overall title and Vicky van der Merwe won the Women’s Category.

The Gala evening held in George on the eve of the last stage commenced with their traditional auction to raise funds for the Herberg Children home. The host and auctioneer Shaun Peters was once again ready to assist with the evenings proceedings.

This year with the help of the CA2CX riders and sponsors they managed to raise R210 000 for the Herberg Children home. Once again, these supportive mountain bikers pull together in contributing funds for those less fortunate. It was an enjoyable evening, a moment not to forget, and a moment which sets the tone for next year’s tour. Entries are now open for the CA2CX 2108 event.

For more information Contact Johan on 082 938 9886 or visit www.mountainbikeadventuretours.co.za

#KnysnaCycleTour Brendon Davids from Team Road Cover, clinched his first Momentum Knysna Cycle Tour road race title on 9 July 2017 by beating Reynard Butler and Thando Zothe by more than a minute.

Carmen Buchacher also took her first ever win in the event, beating Candice Lill with defending ladies champion Anriette Schoeman in third place.

Young hand cyclist Zach Rauch Legward managed to fulfil his goal to be the youngest differently-abled competitor to complete the 50km road race. He finished the race looking fresh, just as the rain started to fall.

Zach has been cycling for the last three years on a custom-built hand cycle and is the youngest hand cyclist in South Africa. He has won Gold in the Outeniqua Wheel Chair Challenge three times, has ridden Cape Town Cycle Tour Junior twice, and recently did the The Gun Run. Zach and his support team, headed up by dad Geoff Legward, started training for the Knysna Cycle Tour four months ago, riding a distance of 13 km every second day, which Zach completes in about 60 min at an average speed of 15 km.

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CYCLING EVENTS

Improve Seeding for Wines2Whales Entries have opened for PPA’s iconic Tiletoria Elgin Valley MTB event which will take place on 27 August 2017 at the Paul Cluver Estate near Grabouw.

Four routes are on offer: 70km, 45km, 30km and 15km. This will be the third time that riders in the 70km route will be challenged to pedal over the tough Groenlandberg, before returning to the flatter side of the valley. The 45km and 30km will both primarily follow routes on Oak Valley and Paul Cluver, while the 15km is a flat, non-technical route aimed at beginners and youngsters.

The Lions Karoo To Coast Takes Community Consciousness To The Next Level

The positive energy surrounding the Lions Karoo to Coast Mountain Bike Challenge celebrating its 18th year, is gaining momentum at a rapid pace. The event takes place on 24 September 2017 and is owned by the Lions of Uniondale and Knysna, with all proceeds from the event go to charity.

Helen Keller challenged the Lions to become Knights of the Blind, and the participants over the years - have helped Knysna and Uniondale to achieve this status.

3564 cataract operations in the Southern Cape have been paid for by funds raised by the event. The recipients of the operations come from the entire Southern Cape area: Riversdale to Plett and as far as Oudtshoorn and Uniondale.

Sixty guide dogs (puppies) have been donated through the South African Guide Dog Association. In the last 2 years, the Lions have sponsored the training of Two guide dogs from inception. The event also uses charities to manage their water and marshalling points. These charities receive donations in order to benefit their own chosen projects.

Camargue Specialized Liability Chairman - Mitch Marescia - and his team have started an incredible project whereby they have raised funds to build classrooms for the Avontuur LB School. As a result of the excellent progress being made from contributions, the school has been asked to take on additional children from a neighboring district! The Regional Authorities have been impressed by the Camargue initiative and are pledging more support for the efforts of Principal Baxter and Team in the uplifting of this rural community school.

The 70 km and 45 km routes offer both a “Race” and “Ride” category, with the topseeded entrants going into the Race categories, where prize-money will be up for grabs for the top three male and female cyclists. These two routes will again count for Wines2Whales seeding.

Several food trucks and vendors will ensure that cyclists and spectators can refuel on the day, with coffee, craft beer, wine and cider also on sale at the race village.

Entries are limited to 1000 riders, with the event being fully subscribed in the last two years. Late entries (at a premium) will be taken only if the entry capacity was not reached prior to the event.

For more information visit www.pedalpower.org.za

Come And Experience How To Ride2nowhere The race where Racing Snakes and Weekend Warriors meet to compete for fun, yes you guessed right, it’s the Ride2Nowhere presented by WeChat!

This 3-Day mountain bike stage race takes place annually 8-10 September 2017 in the beautiful and charming town of McGregor in the Western Cape. The event is well known for its unique and festive atmosphere and the amazing mountain bike routes!

The route master aka ‘Generaal Con Viljoen’, carefully selects and marks the trails so riders can experience only the best of the McGregor mountain biking landscape. Riders can expect some fun and flowing single track, very little jeep track and one or two challenging climbs.

In May 2017 the Lions also donated two 5000 litre tanks, gutters and a pump to the Knysna High School finish venue. The motivation behind this was to help alleviate the drought in the area by capturing water from the ablution facility roof and also to allow riders to shower after the event.

The event has taken another positive and conscious step this year in order to give back to local communities. The Knysna based Hands Design Collective will be making the finisher and winners medals for the first time this year. They are a local female owned co-operative empowering women through craft and skills training.

For more information visit www.karootocoast.com

Rider Friendly Paarl Rotary Backsberg MTB The rider friendly Paarl Rotary Backsberg MTB races take place at the Backsberg wine estate on 20 August. This annual event aims to provide a scenic route to enthusiastic cyclists of all levels, in one of the most picturesque parts, and features a stop for some bubbly 5km before the finish.

The route includes virgin single track on private land which has been opened up exclusively for the event. The 45km, 30km and 15km routes contain some of the best scenery in the area, with great views of the winelands and Table Mountain in the background. The kiddie’s 4km ride is an undulating route of two circuits of 2km on the estate. The roads are 80% Jeep track with some single track and open roads in between.

Photo: Ride2Nowhere presented by WeChat - Photo Credit: Johan Theron

Eighty percent of the route is on private land which is not open to public and this ensures the event remains unique and there is always something new to offer.

September is also flower season so riders can expect a colourful backdrop all three days. Riders can choose between a long route, 60km per day or short route option of 40km per day. The event also offers Solo and Team entries in both distances, with a new addition for the 2017 event - the TREAD Buffalo categories!

The event distance and timing is at the perfect time of year to encourage you to keep active during the winter season, tackle your first stage race, or use it to kick off your racing season.

But why is it called the Ride2Nowhere? The race adopted its name from the main road of McGregor, called the ‘Road to Nowhere’, which literally leads into the mountains to a dead-end and basically to nowhere… The first day riders start the race on the road to nowhere and then head out into the mountains for some off-road fun!

It’s an inclusive event where the whole town joins in to welcome the mountain bikers and their families in the village and everyone enjoys the weekend together.

There are lots of supporter activities to do over the weekend in town including a 2 Day Trail Run as well as spectator points en route.

PAGE 14

For more information visit www.ride2nowhere.co.za

There are some solid climbs, from meandering S-bend climbs to vicious little bumps with fast-forward downhills to recover.

The 45km, in particular, includes a long continuous steep climb and is only for fit and experienced riders, but is easier than last year’s gruelling course.

It requires more technical riding skills than the average PPA fun ride and should be seen as a challenge for the fit rider, definitely not for the inexperienced.

The 30km is geared for fit riders and includes one long climb. The 15km is just right for novices and beginners.

Organised and managed by members of the Paarl Rotary Cub under the auspices of the Pedal Power Association (PPA), the proceeds from this event go towards early childhood development projects supported by Paarl Rotary such as Path out of Poverty educare centre on a farm at Nuwedrif outside Paarl, and the organizations Valcare and Learn to Live, which mentor educare teachers.

For more information visit www.paarlrotary.co.za

CYCLING EVENTS

Dr Evil Classic - New Style of MTB There’s a reason Plettenberg Bay is called the Riviera of South Africa. It’s where the well-heeled choose to head to when there’s break in their busy schedules or where they choose to relax during the annual summer holiday. ‘Plett’ has some of the country’s finest beaches, indigenous forests, a picturesque coastline and has developed a growing food and wine culture and more recently, it’s become a great place to ride a mountain bike.

Yes, just a short hop away is Knysna, a town that’s well known for its historic role in the early days of mountain biking. But in terms of modern mountain bike trail progression, Plett is a shining example of what’s possible when you want to develop trails that are fun to ride, and which take in the full spectrum of terrain and points of interest in the area.

Introducing the new-style of mountain bike stage race – an event that’s designed to complement and fully explore its location, and deliver participants an unforgettable experience both on and off the bike.

The BUCO Dr Evil Classic, which takes place on the long weekend 21–23 September, is a race, of course, but it’s not all about finishing positions. It’s also about times. Fast times and good times. The former for the speedy and competitive types and the latter for, well, pretty much everyone.

Grind your gears

at Baleia Wines MTB Challenge & Trail Run The second annual Baleia Wines Mountain Bike Challenge along with a Trail Run is scheduled to take place on, 9 September, from the Baleia Wines winery next to the N2, just outside Riversdale in the Western Cape.

Baleia Wines graft exceptional wines and extra virgin olive oil from their vineyards and olive groves on the farm Dassieklip in the Vermaaklikheid area near Riversdale. The winemaker and general manager, Abraham de Klerk, is not only an enthusiastic winemaker and surfer, but also an avid mountain biker who will join the Baleia Wines MTB Challenge. The Baleia Wines team is looking forward to host the mountain bike event from their winery and cellars to show off the green pastures, yellow canola fields, orange aloes and flowing dirt roads, all under the watchful eye of the famous ‘Sleeping Beauty’ mountain.

There are three races to choose from: 88km, 40km and 19km race with prizes for the winners and medals for all finishers while spot prizes will be up for grabs. The La Bella Deli & Restaurant will offer lots to eat and drink with entertainment for children.

Darran Colquhoun, a quadriplegic (paralyzed from midrib downwards) for the last 17 years, will raise funds with a bike wash station at the Baleia Wines MTB Challenge, to buy a Mountain Trike to do his day-to-day tasks on his farm and to take part in MTB races.

The Baleia Wines MTB & Trail Run will be the perfect way to welcome spring, riders and runners, along with their families and friends and can expect a great day out in the Hessequa area.

For more information visit www.baleiawines.com

There are three different start/finish venues – one for each stage. Yes, it’s logistically more challenging for the organisers, but it’s allowed the route designer, the legendary Dr Evil (Leon Evans), to avoid repetition of trail use and keep riders stimulated for the entire duration of the event. It’s another Dr Evil Classic innovation aimed at eliminating the familiar ‘Groundhog Day’ effect at the start and finish of most three-day stage races.

“It’s widely known that South Africa is the mountain bike stage race capital of the world. But with this high number of stage races (there are at least 70 a year), especially the three-day duration events, there’s a risk of stagnation. With the Dr Evil Classic, we have purposefully changed our format to ensure our participants feel, hear, see, taste or smell something new every day,” said Zandile Meneses, Event Director.

“Because the 2017 Dr Evil Classic finishes the day before the popular Karoo to Coast, which is on Sunday, 24 September; and because Monday, 25 September is a public holiday, we are expecting a growth in entrant numbers this year,” added Meneses.

Piket-bo-berg Trails The trails are unique because Piket-bo-berg is very diverse and unique in itself.

“We merely circumnavigate the mountain and this is one factor that contributes to the unique and diverse feel of the trails.” The Piket-bo-berg Trails include 3 farms building trails simultaneously with each farm building the type of trails that they prefer. The total distance and elevation of single track in the trail park is ±101km and 2900m elevation.

Piket-bo-berg Trails are home to the Piket-Bo-Berg Challenge and the U Stage Race. These trails are closed to the public as both farms are working farms and with certain dangers and challenges for riders and farmworkers and managing access and safety of small amounts of riders to the private farms would be costly and unpractical. The first event took place in September 2009 – completely organised by the members of the NPO (Landowners & Farmworkers).

For more information visit www.drevilclassic.co.za

Tip Trans Cederberg MTB “On 2 September 2017 we will play host to the 5th edition of the Tip Trans Cederberg MTB. This years long ride – which totals 115km, will be the down ride. The winning times are slower than the up ride.”

Prize Money for the King/Queen of The Mountian would be much tougher this year as the summit is reached at a much greater distance than the year before with the best scenery the Cederberg has to offer including, river crossings and flowers in bloom.

Tip Trans Cederberg MTB have added a 65km for the riders that enjoy a bit more of a challenge and who prefer a race with a bit of a technical spin with an extra hour on the bike. The popular 45km is available for those who just want a great morning of riding and get to the finish and reward themselves with an Ice Cold Cederberg Draught Beer or Wine. For the athletes that like to get around on their feet, there will be an energising 15km trail run for runners only, and going through the most beautiful spots! The kiddies race will be available again this year.

The 8th edition of the Piket-Bo-Berg Challenge will take place on 9 September 2017. The Distances include: 63km, (1600m ascent,62% Single Track, 7/10 Tech Score - for experienced MTB’ers), 37km (700m ascent, 62% Single Track, 6/10 Tech Score - for riders looking to build technical skills and fitness), 27km (594m ascent, 44 % Single Track, 4/10 Tech Score - a great introduction to the trails in terms of fitness and skill), and lastly the 10km (for the kiddies complete with a kiddies pump track and bits of introductory single track).

At the end of a great day there will be food stalls, craft beers, a kids play area and much more - surrounded by true Citrusdal hospitality.

The whole community will be involved with local foodstalls, marshals, with farmworkers singing and entertaining riders at the waterpoints.

For more information visit www.cedara.co.za

Photo Credit: Chris Hitchcock

Piket-bo-berg Trails sponsor about 40 farmworkers and kids to take part in the various events to give them the opportunity to take part in a professional MTB/Trail Run Event. “We celebrate them by giving prizes and announcing the podium positions in each category for the development team.”

For more information visit www.piketbobergtrails.com

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August 2017

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12-YEAR OLD FROM CPT UNDERTAKES MTB TOUR

It is a chilly Sunday morning in the beginning of July - almost 06h30 and just on 4-degree Celcius at Meerendal Wine Estate, when riders line-up for their first day’s challenge in the annual CA2CX MTB Tour.

Amongst the group of 35 riders is 12-year old Emily accompanied by her father Bryan Rodgers, ready to embark on a MTB journey from Cape Town to Knysna.

The 6-day CA2CX MTB Tour took Emily and the other riders from Meerendal via Worcester, Montagu, through the Klein Karoo towns of Ladismith, Van Wyksdorp, over the Rooiberg Pass near Calitzdorp to Oudtshoorn, down the Montagu Pass to George, and then travelling over 8 passes to finish in Knysna in time for the Oyster Festival.

Every stage of this tour was challenging in different ways, especially for group 3 in which Emily and Bryan were cycling.

Most of the riders have not done such a touch MTB challenge like the CA2CX before. This challenge requires a great deal of mental and physical toughness that usually develops over time as people get older, and Emily had to put that degree of toughness to the test.

A normal day in this group of cyclists varied between 7 to 10 hours on the road averaging a speed of between 14-18km/h. Anybody that has spent that much time in the saddle will tell you that it is taxing on your body.

In today’s high-tech environment, it is difficult to find a teenager that would rather endure the hardship of riding a mountain bike for 8 – 10 hours a day with her father, than to sit in front of the TV or engage on social media the entire day.

Emily has completed most extreme rides around the Western Cape and her target before the CA2CX MTB Tour was to ride 70Km per day. During the tour she completed 122km in a single day.

With her positive attitude and infectious smile, it did not take long for this young lady to creep into the hearts of each and every team member.

What an accomplishment for a 12-year old to successfully complete 625km in six days. Emily never moaned and only smiled and enjoyed the time on her bike.

“When looking back Emily did not only exhibit the required toughness, she could not wait to get back on her bike in the mornings. Despite the suffering, I cannot recall ever seeing her without a smile on her face.”

“Notwithstanding having one of the heaviest bikes in the group, Emily was always towards the front of the group, following her father’s wheel. On a tour like this, every person goes through ups and downs.

Even when she was struggling, Emily had a smile on her face and just slogged through the tough times,” says Marius du Preez, Team Captain of Group 3.

“I look forward to riding with her again next year. She is an exceptional person and a pleasure to be around,” Marius concludes.

“When Emily was about four she started cycling on her push bike around the dam at Contermanskloof. She never had training wheels and enjoyed riding around with her older sister. After many bike upgrades as she grew older she has now finally got her 29er.”

“What makes Emily different is how humble she is, yet totally focused on her goals. As a father, I have never pushed her at all.

She makes up her own mind whether she enjoys something or not. Luckily for me she loves cycling!” says Bryan.

Emily, you are a champion, well done!