01 December 2011 No better way to finish the season
Team bizhub finished their season on a successful note winning the overall ladies elite category in the Omnicane Southern Tropical MTB Challenge ...
This month has flown by, can’t believe I’m on my last month out here and there is
still snow at home. If is hasn’t gone by April I’m staying put!!
February started with the long drive down to Port Elizabeth for the EP Herald. We
arrived early in order to ride the course and relax which we did in a lovely B &
B: friendly staff, big breakfasts and a pool- very necessary for a Brit abroad!!
The day before the race we joined in with the kids races and played 5 aside football
in which I think Jade scored the only goal. After we rode the ‘family ride’, a serious
affair for the front few with attacks going all over the place. The race the next
day was an odd one. We had the biggest team and therefore were expected to make
the race. We all attacked from the start but the other riders brought every move
back and didn’t try anything themselves. The race did split on the main climb but
soon came back. We got mixed up with a guy’s group a few kms from the finish which
made it pretty hectic. Luckily I was near the front and ended up 3rd, a few hundthredths
off winning but pleased with a podium all the same. Jennifer was 4th, Jade 5th.
The next day was an epic journey back to Johannesburg to meet the Konica Minolta
Bizhub boss. It was worth the journey for the delicious food laid on and a good
chance to mingle with our sponsors. Back to Bloem that afternoon and, after jumping
in the pool we headed out on the bike in the heat. I had the bright idea of doing
some intervals and nearly had a heart attack….4 days at sea level and my lungs turned
lazy!!
Three days later we flew to Cape Town for the Cape 99er. Expecting another bunch
finish I’d been doing a lot of sprint work…only to be dropped on the hill before
the finish!! I was in-between the front group with 3 girls in and the next bunch
and so chased all the way down to the finish. With the cars in the way I didn’t
see the group behind until we turned up to the last climb together. In hindsight
I should waited for the next group and helped chase. Yolandi and Lisa finished 4th
and 5th. After a quick change and flight back we were cooling off 1000km away back
in Bloem by 1pm!! Have to say that’s one perk to these crazy 6am starts!! The next
day Arien and her mam took me and Jennifer to the ‘Cheetah experience’ which was
amazing…. Never thought I’d stroke a full sized cheetah or be ‘playfully’ (apparently)
swiped at by a lion!!
Feb 17th was the National Champs. The race was tough, fast on the flat, attacks
on the hill for 9 laps. By the 4th I’d gone through 2 FIT gels at least! Us foreigners
had the job of closing down moves unless one of team was there which I did enjoy
doing. There was a nasty crash half way which I managed to get tangled up in, nothing
damaged just a bit of skin missing. By the end there was a fairly small group left
but with Yolandi and Jade failing to get away in solo breaks the title was left
to the sprinters.
Watching the men that afternoon was a good chance to chat to some of the other girls
as well as supporting Melt, Yolandi's boyfriend. Post race food- ribs and chips
from Spurs!! The next day we managed an average 20kmh to good old Mug and Bean and
back! On Sunday was the Discham Ride For Sight. After half way the attacks started
but MTN seemed keen on bringing everything back. The finish was a bit twisty and
I got stuck behind a fun rider taking ‘my (!!)’ line. Luckily Jennifer timed it
better and got 3rd, I was 4th and Michelle 8th.
Last week we raced again in Johannesburg for the Carnival City Classic. The day
before we did a ‘girly’ photo shoot. Not my cup of tea and I made a mental note
that if in my next life I’m blessed with big boobs and better looks I’ll not take
up modeling! The race wasn’t so good. Again the moves started in the 2nd half. I
got in what looked like a good break of 3 with an NTN and Toyota girl. Having just
had a FIT gel I put everything in ignoring the NTN girl who was sitting on. The
break was brought back at the same time 3 NTN riders disappeared up the road. We
all tried to bring it back but could only manage a 4th and 5th at the end.
2 weeks left to the Argus and some hard training to be done back in Bloem!
This month has flown by, can’t believe I’m on my last month out here and there is
still snow at home. If is hasn’t gone by April I’m staying put!!