One week before exams start i decided to invite my best friend Carmen from hostle at my school to come and stay the weekend so that we could do some studying. I also told her to bring her bicycle because we were going to do EDCC in Durban on the Sunday. There were losts of distances to choose from but i chose the 100km because i would benefit from it and Carmen wabted to try a 100km's on a bicycle as she is an 400m sprint athlete.
This was the second friend that i have invited to do a race and my plan is slowly on working. I am inviting friends to do a race and also see what preparation goes into it before the race. They are learning a lot and slowly on getting into this wonderful sport of cycling even if they aren't racing but just going out for a nice ride. Unfortunately my other friend, Marnus, broke his thumb whilst out riding a week after he did the Amashova Cycle Race and also can write exams now.
I just started with exams and the Durban EDCC was just perfect to clear my mind from the exams.
Till next time
J. Pelser
Tuesday, 13 November 2012
Saturday, 3 November 2012
News for 2013
I'd like to share with you that I have signed a new contract for the 2013 season. I will be riding for Team VELO-Life next year on a BMC or Bergamont bicycle. I am really excited for this and really thankful for this opportunity!
I will be focussing a lot on XCO(cross country) racing next year and also doing a lot more road racing with my biggest race being World Champs in August also because it is in my home town. The national XCO races are key for the selection of World Champs.
This year(2012) didn't go as i dreamed or planned it would. I had lots of ups and downs, but learnt a lot. I was at a point where I basically quite the scene of cycling and then started again. I also didn't have the results I planned for and kept on loosing form. But in that time I thought that I had quite, I made a lot of decisions and choices about what I want to do with my life and sporting career in the future. I am fully back in cycling and really looking ahead to a bright new year!
Thank you for all the support and motivation! Also to Johann Wykerd my coach & my parents for helping me.
I will be focussing a lot on XCO(cross country) racing next year and also doing a lot more road racing with my biggest race being World Champs in August also because it is in my home town. The national XCO races are key for the selection of World Champs.
This year(2012) didn't go as i dreamed or planned it would. I had lots of ups and downs, but learnt a lot. I was at a point where I basically quite the scene of cycling and then started again. I also didn't have the results I planned for and kept on loosing form. But in that time I thought that I had quite, I made a lot of decisions and choices about what I want to do with my life and sporting career in the future. I am fully back in cycling and really looking ahead to a bright new year!
Thank you for all the support and motivation! Also to Johann Wykerd my coach & my parents for helping me.
Saturday, 20 October 2012
Amashova 106km Road race
Happy happy times. It is always a very busy weekend this one when it is the Amashova cycle race. A race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. Our friends from Johannesburg come to stay for the weekend for the race and always a great time.
This year however i decided that my friend from school needs to experience this race and do it. He is in the hostel at school so he came and stayed at my house for the weekend. On the Saturday before the race I gave him a taste of what it is like to be an Pro-Amateur cyclist and what needs to be done the day before the race. Checking the bike, going for a light ride, drinking a lot of water and also registering. Carbo loading was also something new to him and he really enjoyed that part.
After a lovely dinner the night before at Pesto's Restaurant in PMB, we all got out of bed on our own time. Some of us had to be at the start at 6 and others 7:11am. To me it wasn't different to usual races, but I felt really welcome when I met up with my fried Nico from Team Westvaal-BMC. He explained to me all the key things about road racing and what to do. That definitely gave me some confidence for the race.
The start was a lot different to what i am used to. We started of slowly just rolling down the road, where i normaly start races where we go full out from the start. I guess it has a lot to do with the distances we are doing. In 45kms you can go very hard but with 106km's to do you have to save your energy for later. I had a wonderful experience in the peleton and loved the sound of tubulars rolling over the road. In the last 2km's of our race I laughed a lot when some of us Junior riders tried braking off of a Vet men group, but just got 5 meters on them and realized we have restricted gears and were spinning like crazy. The Vet men came past us with a storm and also laughing. From there on we sat up on the bikes and just rode to the finish. My time was 2hrs & 47mins for the 106km's.
I learnt a lot in the race and also how you have to focus the whole time. Touching the wheel in front of you can be costly but at least i didn't do that.
My friend, Marnus, also had a great ride for his first Amashova and felt less tired than I did. He even said that i might have given him to much tips for the race and that's why he wasn't as tired as I was. It was a super fun weekend and really enjoyable. I will try and do the Amahova every year till i can't no more.
Jaco
This year however i decided that my friend from school needs to experience this race and do it. He is in the hostel at school so he came and stayed at my house for the weekend. On the Saturday before the race I gave him a taste of what it is like to be an Pro-Amateur cyclist and what needs to be done the day before the race. Checking the bike, going for a light ride, drinking a lot of water and also registering. Carbo loading was also something new to him and he really enjoyed that part.
After a lovely dinner the night before at Pesto's Restaurant in PMB, we all got out of bed on our own time. Some of us had to be at the start at 6 and others 7:11am. To me it wasn't different to usual races, but I felt really welcome when I met up with my fried Nico from Team Westvaal-BMC. He explained to me all the key things about road racing and what to do. That definitely gave me some confidence for the race.
The start was a lot different to what i am used to. We started of slowly just rolling down the road, where i normaly start races where we go full out from the start. I guess it has a lot to do with the distances we are doing. In 45kms you can go very hard but with 106km's to do you have to save your energy for later. I had a wonderful experience in the peleton and loved the sound of tubulars rolling over the road. In the last 2km's of our race I laughed a lot when some of us Junior riders tried braking off of a Vet men group, but just got 5 meters on them and realized we have restricted gears and were spinning like crazy. The Vet men came past us with a storm and also laughing. From there on we sat up on the bikes and just rode to the finish. My time was 2hrs & 47mins for the 106km's.
I learnt a lot in the race and also how you have to focus the whole time. Touching the wheel in front of you can be costly but at least i didn't do that.
My friend, Marnus, also had a great ride for his first Amashova and felt less tired than I did. He even said that i might have given him to much tips for the race and that's why he wasn't as tired as I was. It was a super fun weekend and really enjoyable. I will try and do the Amahova every year till i can't no more.
Jaco
Friday, 12 October 2012
A bit of news since SA XCM Championship...
The one race i was really looking forward to and wanted to perform at. Well it didn't go as i would have wanted it to go purely because of not having the best lead up to the race, being sick.
On a very positive not i enjoyed the race so much and even finished in the top 20 after i was way down in 40th at a stage during the start of the race. I didn't start fast and just kept my own pace to see how felt and if i was able to race and take my heart rate up. During the first 10km's i rode and looked at the spectacular views and how beautiful the nature around me was. At about 20km's to go a spectator kindly told me that i was laying 26th. Those few words was such a moral booster that i decided the fun and games was over! Race time and off i went in pursuit of that Top 20. I past my coach and the first lady(i never want to get beaten by a lady in a race, ever!). Over the line was all smiles and lots of heavy breathing, but definitely worth all of that. On the results i later saw i made the top 20!
The route however was one of the most spectacular ones, with not one part of the race not being surrounded by beautiful scenery! The other amazing thing was of how my team mates performed! So many SA champs and nearly half of the A batch on the start line were red...wearing BMC kit! What a great day and weekend, with great friends staying with us and also having a good race.
One week school holiday - What to do?
Now that wasn't a hard question for me to answer. On the 27th of September i flew to Cape Town where i met my cousin's and went to Hermanus. I visited them till the Sunday and whilst there i did some crazy road rides. The one think that surprised me about the people there, is that they really do care about cyclist on the road and really make sure to go out of the way. The one cycle shop there is also typical Europe style with the bicycle shop on the bottom floor and the owner's house is on the top floor. The coffee in that little shop was absolutely delightful and easily could become a drug. Ha ha, the roads are very safe in and around Hermanus with really wide shoulders and also great views being surrounded by big high mountains. It is always so much fun to be with family and being able to ride your bicycle! I thank them for the great time and all the lekker Afrikaanse food.
I then went to Somerset West for the next six days till the Saturday when I'd fly back home. In Somerset i stayed with Malan and Rochelle Wykerd, who by the way have one of the nicest homes, full of animals and lots of hospitality! I worked at Malan's bicycle shop, called Cycle Addiction. It wasn't really a holiday from then on as I'd be in the shop, working and helping out with whatever i could. I enjoyed it so much and the amount of things i learnt is amazing.
On the Tuesday i went with Heino back to Hermanus where he had work to do. I then rode back from Hermanus to Somerset. It was the best road ride ever in my life so far and 104km's is definitely worth it if it is that beautiful.
I also went riding in Jonkershoek with Odie, an old friend from Malan and Johann. It was pouring but i still enjoyed it so much. The trails there is unbelievably fun and fast to ride, it is my new favourite place to ride in South Africa! The bicycle shop is the busiest i have ever see and been to. I thank the Cycle Addiction guys for a wonderful time and all the tips and things i learnt!
I made a lot of friends and will go back there whenever i have the chance!
Thanks to Johann my Coach for also sending me there.
Till my next adventure
On a very positive not i enjoyed the race so much and even finished in the top 20 after i was way down in 40th at a stage during the start of the race. I didn't start fast and just kept my own pace to see how felt and if i was able to race and take my heart rate up. During the first 10km's i rode and looked at the spectacular views and how beautiful the nature around me was. At about 20km's to go a spectator kindly told me that i was laying 26th. Those few words was such a moral booster that i decided the fun and games was over! Race time and off i went in pursuit of that Top 20. I past my coach and the first lady(i never want to get beaten by a lady in a race, ever!). Over the line was all smiles and lots of heavy breathing, but definitely worth all of that. On the results i later saw i made the top 20!
The route however was one of the most spectacular ones, with not one part of the race not being surrounded by beautiful scenery! The other amazing thing was of how my team mates performed! So many SA champs and nearly half of the A batch on the start line were red...wearing BMC kit! What a great day and weekend, with great friends staying with us and also having a good race.
One week school holiday - What to do?
Now that wasn't a hard question for me to answer. On the 27th of September i flew to Cape Town where i met my cousin's and went to Hermanus. I visited them till the Sunday and whilst there i did some crazy road rides. The one think that surprised me about the people there, is that they really do care about cyclist on the road and really make sure to go out of the way. The one cycle shop there is also typical Europe style with the bicycle shop on the bottom floor and the owner's house is on the top floor. The coffee in that little shop was absolutely delightful and easily could become a drug. Ha ha, the roads are very safe in and around Hermanus with really wide shoulders and also great views being surrounded by big high mountains. It is always so much fun to be with family and being able to ride your bicycle! I thank them for the great time and all the lekker Afrikaanse food.
I then went to Somerset West for the next six days till the Saturday when I'd fly back home. In Somerset i stayed with Malan and Rochelle Wykerd, who by the way have one of the nicest homes, full of animals and lots of hospitality! I worked at Malan's bicycle shop, called Cycle Addiction. It wasn't really a holiday from then on as I'd be in the shop, working and helping out with whatever i could. I enjoyed it so much and the amount of things i learnt is amazing.
On the Tuesday i went with Heino back to Hermanus where he had work to do. I then rode back from Hermanus to Somerset. It was the best road ride ever in my life so far and 104km's is definitely worth it if it is that beautiful.
I also went riding in Jonkershoek with Odie, an old friend from Malan and Johann. It was pouring but i still enjoyed it so much. The trails there is unbelievably fun and fast to ride, it is my new favourite place to ride in South Africa! The bicycle shop is the busiest i have ever see and been to. I thank the Cycle Addiction guys for a wonderful time and all the tips and things i learnt!
I made a lot of friends and will go back there whenever i have the chance!
Thanks to Johann my Coach for also sending me there.
Till my next adventure
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
Struggling to find good health before SA Champs
Wednesday morning before the Hill2Hill mountainbike race over the weekend and there i am, in bed, blocked nose and barely able to open my eyes with the huge headache resting on my forehead. After a visit to the doctor i was back into bed and there i stayed for most of the day. The sinuses had got me and this time there to stay. In the back of my mind i kept thinking about the race coming up on the weekend, but when the doctor said i might be able to do the race on Saturday but will definitely not be on race pace, i knew it was a 50/50. I kept on telling myself that i would be better and ready on saturday, however that was infact the whole opposite of what happened.
Friday evening i knew i wasn't ready to even ride a bicycle nor race on one. Saturday morning was just a great exaple of how sick i actually was. I felt worse than i did during the previous 3 days and was absolutely glad i hadn't made the choice to race as the weather was also very miserable and raining throughout the whole day.
Over the weekend i kept on taking my antibiotics and felt a tad better on Sunday afternoon and decided that i'll return to school on monday morning. At school 70% of my class is there and the rest are at home sick. Everyone is very sick at the moment making it hard to get better but with antibiotics i will hopefully be fine by the weekend.
Wednesday after being one week sick i returned home early from school abi had a migraine. Really don't like them and they are very very sore. Now in bed again i have little hopes for this weekend, but my main goal is to support my team out there. They are really behind me and always supportive!
Thanks for all the support. I hope to be racing in form again soon!
Jaco Pelser
Friday evening i knew i wasn't ready to even ride a bicycle nor race on one. Saturday morning was just a great exaple of how sick i actually was. I felt worse than i did during the previous 3 days and was absolutely glad i hadn't made the choice to race as the weather was also very miserable and raining throughout the whole day.
Over the weekend i kept on taking my antibiotics and felt a tad better on Sunday afternoon and decided that i'll return to school on monday morning. At school 70% of my class is there and the rest are at home sick. Everyone is very sick at the moment making it hard to get better but with antibiotics i will hopefully be fine by the weekend.
Wednesday after being one week sick i returned home early from school abi had a migraine. Really don't like them and they are very very sore. Now in bed again i have little hopes for this weekend, but my main goal is to support my team out there. They are really behind me and always supportive!
Thanks for all the support. I hope to be racing in form again soon!
Jaco Pelser
Thursday, 13 September 2012
Notties Challenge
Another race that I decided to do just at the last minute ended very well. I managed to stay in the top 5 for most of the race and at the last possible moment Fredrick Rossouw from Coffee berry Café's Mountain bike team passed me to get second overall for him and me in third overall. It was a very fun and different race with us having to do almost cyclo cross every 2 km. jumping over logs and treas that we couldn't ride over and also having to climb a fence or two. I will definitely be back next year to see how the race grows. my BMC fourstroke was unbelieveable on that bumpy track with the suspension being perfect.
just a real short update. till next time
Jaco Pelser
just a real short update. till next time
Jaco Pelser
Monday, 13 August 2012
Illovo Eston results
As usual a tough race in Eston! My official comeback race after a long brake from the sport. The end result for me in the 45km race was 7th overall and 3rd Junior men. Really a hard race, but so much fun and great to be back!
The previous Eston post got lost in the universe... The rac took place 2 weeks ago.
Over & out
Jaco Pelser
The previous Eston post got lost in the universe... The rac took place 2 weeks ago.
Over & out
Jaco Pelser
Cowan House Classic 2012
A hometown race is always super fun! The CH Classic is host by the Cowan House School in Hilton and always such a pleasure to be there and enjoy the wonderful Cedara Forest trails.
The day started of with lots of people meeting at Wsquared Cycling and riding to the race venue. It was very cold riding there and not ideal for a nice warmup. It didn't help warming up and then waiting for almost 9minutes on the start line, because your body gets cold again. As we started the race, the wind picked up and found myself dropping back to 25th position. It was very cold, but with the absolutely amazing singletrack and nice uphill everyone was warmed up. Slowly on i pushed forward and kept my own pace with Duane Stander on my wheel. The single tracks were super smooth and hard to keep up with Duane. Out of the single tracks and there he was, the photographer Darren Goddard on his single speed bicycle with only one gear. I knew i was in trouble and had to move somewhere... I just couldn't accept the fact that i was sucking a guy on a single speed's wheel. Slowly on i crept away from him on the flats where he couldn't keep up. At about 10km's to go i suddenly found my lost power and that second wind i was hoping for and pulled away from Duane and passed 3 more riders to finish in 17th place overall. Quite far down from the leaders but still a 3rd place in Junior men.
I enjoyed the race very much even though it was so hard, but wasn't happy with my overall result. You have to learn from mistakes and move on. Eating right the day before the race is very crutual!
New week, new changes & the right choices!
Jaco Pelser
The day started of with lots of people meeting at Wsquared Cycling and riding to the race venue. It was very cold riding there and not ideal for a nice warmup. It didn't help warming up and then waiting for almost 9minutes on the start line, because your body gets cold again. As we started the race, the wind picked up and found myself dropping back to 25th position. It was very cold, but with the absolutely amazing singletrack and nice uphill everyone was warmed up. Slowly on i pushed forward and kept my own pace with Duane Stander on my wheel. The single tracks were super smooth and hard to keep up with Duane. Out of the single tracks and there he was, the photographer Darren Goddard on his single speed bicycle with only one gear. I knew i was in trouble and had to move somewhere... I just couldn't accept the fact that i was sucking a guy on a single speed's wheel. Slowly on i crept away from him on the flats where he couldn't keep up. At about 10km's to go i suddenly found my lost power and that second wind i was hoping for and pulled away from Duane and passed 3 more riders to finish in 17th place overall. Quite far down from the leaders but still a 3rd place in Junior men.
I enjoyed the race very much even though it was so hard, but wasn't happy with my overall result. You have to learn from mistakes and move on. Eating right the day before the race is very crutual!
New week, new changes & the right choices!
Jaco Pelser
Thursday, 26 July 2012
school - make the right choices
Its 3rd term at school already, wow the time flies! This term started off really well and is still going great. My school days are quite long i must say... From 7:40AM till 4PM because i have extra lessons. That's right even grade 11 students need some help. We as 17 year olds often think that we know everything, well not every-everything, but most things. I learn't that the hard way and am sitting with the consequences now with half a year gone. Nobody can just read or look through there books and think they'll remembe everything just like that.(Except if your that guy in my class that gets 92% average). Practise makes perfect. Some people have the natural cleaverness and others don't or are just too lazy. I write from my heart when i write blogs and also this post. So I have to go to extra lessons after school because of bad choices i made at school and during the first have of the year. Now my day is even more packed than it has ever been.
My weekdays consists of a gym session at 5am, school at 7:40am- 4pm. Thats excluding my bicycle training time. The riding time averages at about 1:30 to 2hours of riding time. So to pack all of this into my day - oh, and after my cycle is done i still have homework. I have no spare time to fast now. Every possible moment i have free, i try to sleep and rest! Social life doesn't exist for me, i do that at school maybe. You see, trying to be professional athlete takes its tolls and you can't really go out every weekend and watch the 8o'clock movie because the next morning you have to be on the bicycle at 6 or 7am. Social life is very limited but i am doing what i love and if its running or being on my bicycle then nothing else matters.
Conclusion - be wise and make the right choice now & also do what you love!
Proverbs 3:35 ~ The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame.
J. Pelser
My weekdays consists of a gym session at 5am, school at 7:40am- 4pm. Thats excluding my bicycle training time. The riding time averages at about 1:30 to 2hours of riding time. So to pack all of this into my day - oh, and after my cycle is done i still have homework. I have no spare time to fast now. Every possible moment i have free, i try to sleep and rest! Social life doesn't exist for me, i do that at school maybe. You see, trying to be professional athlete takes its tolls and you can't really go out every weekend and watch the 8o'clock movie because the next morning you have to be on the bicycle at 6 or 7am. Social life is very limited but i am doing what i love and if its running or being on my bicycle then nothing else matters.
Conclusion - be wise and make the right choice now & also do what you love!
Proverbs 3:35 ~ The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame.
J. Pelser
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Busy... But having fun
It's been while folks... Been so busy with school since the holidays, but that's another story. Quick result from KZN xc Championships held at Cascades: managed to get a 4th behind Max Sullivan from Hatton's Cycles. I am happy with my result since i have not been back on the bike for very long.
Thank you to everyone for support and helping me get back into it and fit again. The training carries on and two big races coming up in the end of the year. Holiday activities post to be uploaded soon.
J. Pelser
Thank you to everyone for support and helping me get back into it and fit again. The training carries on and two big races coming up in the end of the year. Holiday activities post to be uploaded soon.
J. Pelser
Sunday, 10 June 2012
getting my life back on track!
Hi all. This is from the heart!
Lots of you have probably wondered why I wasn't at races since, well after the Karkloof Classic. Well that was my last race i told myself, yes i stopped racing and riding a bicycle. It was time to stop what i didn't like and love to do, so thats what i did. It didn't make any sense to me to race a bicycle and not love it... The question came to me, "Why am i doing this, and for who was i doing it, because i wasn't doing it for myself?"
Thats where it stopped and I hanged the bicycle up in the garage, but i occasionally still went out for a pedal. I have since then started a bit of running and I'm loving it. I am hoping to achieve what i want to with running at school athletics in the 3rd term. I love long distance running and i am aiming for interschools and then further on with it from there!
Thats how it stands at the moment, till something else happened in my life. I started to actually realize how much this cycling community does for me and everyone else in KZN! People and friends have asked me where i am? Why i am not at the races? Thats not the big reason why I have decided to start with cycling training again on the 19th of June, as well with running training which will be my main focus then. The big reason is because of my faith and my God! Lately He has just shown me how important everything in life is. Respect is everything! Two weeks ago i woke up and went to say good morning to my dad. As i gave him a hug i felt his heart beat like never before in my life, it was as if everything slowed down and that hug lasted for hours. His heart beat was crystal clear and loud. When i later sat down to have my quiet time i closed my eyes and i didn't even say anything to the Lord, but he said The heart beat of my father is like His love for me. It will never stop pumping into me. He. Also said that he wants me to get my heart rate up again and pumping! And doing everything i do to the fullest of my ability with the talent He has given me!
This time i will not ride or run for anyone but for myself, i will set my own goals and ride how i want to and enjoying it. I wont have all the pressure to perform like the other times because that's how i started not to love it. My heart is into it this time. My Faith in God and with him is stronger than ever and i love Him!
Currently i am busy with exams and finishing on the 19th of June. I am still riding for BMC Racing SA, because they are my family and friends! For those of you who asked about my future with them or if I'm still riding for them there it is. I never would have left them anyways.
The Result: i am racing again!
to new beginnings!
jaco pelser
God Bless
Lots of you have probably wondered why I wasn't at races since, well after the Karkloof Classic. Well that was my last race i told myself, yes i stopped racing and riding a bicycle. It was time to stop what i didn't like and love to do, so thats what i did. It didn't make any sense to me to race a bicycle and not love it... The question came to me, "Why am i doing this, and for who was i doing it, because i wasn't doing it for myself?"
Thats where it stopped and I hanged the bicycle up in the garage, but i occasionally still went out for a pedal. I have since then started a bit of running and I'm loving it. I am hoping to achieve what i want to with running at school athletics in the 3rd term. I love long distance running and i am aiming for interschools and then further on with it from there!
Thats how it stands at the moment, till something else happened in my life. I started to actually realize how much this cycling community does for me and everyone else in KZN! People and friends have asked me where i am? Why i am not at the races? Thats not the big reason why I have decided to start with cycling training again on the 19th of June, as well with running training which will be my main focus then. The big reason is because of my faith and my God! Lately He has just shown me how important everything in life is. Respect is everything! Two weeks ago i woke up and went to say good morning to my dad. As i gave him a hug i felt his heart beat like never before in my life, it was as if everything slowed down and that hug lasted for hours. His heart beat was crystal clear and loud. When i later sat down to have my quiet time i closed my eyes and i didn't even say anything to the Lord, but he said The heart beat of my father is like His love for me. It will never stop pumping into me. He. Also said that he wants me to get my heart rate up again and pumping! And doing everything i do to the fullest of my ability with the talent He has given me!
This time i will not ride or run for anyone but for myself, i will set my own goals and ride how i want to and enjoying it. I wont have all the pressure to perform like the other times because that's how i started not to love it. My heart is into it this time. My Faith in God and with him is stronger than ever and i love Him!
Currently i am busy with exams and finishing on the 19th of June. I am still riding for BMC Racing SA, because they are my family and friends! For those of you who asked about my future with them or if I'm still riding for them there it is. I never would have left them anyways.
The Result: i am racing again!
to new beginnings!
jaco pelser
God Bless
Friday, 1 June 2012
Night ride with a little difference...
Last night we had a night ride that left from the Old Main Brewery in Hilton. It wasn't just a normal outride, because we had to hunt for papers in the forests that had a question about something of cycling. It was very fun and we were in teams of 3 and even more exciting, because it was at night! There were 5 spots we had to find in the forests in and around Hilton. The fun part was chatting and seeing so many animals out there in the forests, it makes me feel that there is actually till hope for Hilton to remain a little village. The last team to arrive back at the Old Main Brewery had to buy the beers, but it didnt really happen that way because of how we just enjoyed the ride and talked about it. I'm also still to young to drink beer.
I can't wait till the next ride on the 29th of June!
Be there
#BMCkid
I can't wait till the next ride on the 29th of June!
Be there
#BMCkid
Updates
Keep checking my Twitter and Facebook profiles for the latest updates. @Jaco_Pelser and Jaco Pelser on facebook. 
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Cascades Enduro & XCE
There we go again... Cascades trails with some of the fastest bicycle riders in RSA! Almost enough said, but not exactly. Cascades MTB Park was the venue for the 2nd Enduro here in SA and boy-oh-boy was I excited to ride there again. It was all smiles before the start of the Enduro at 8:30, meeting up with fellow BMC SA rider Alan, also know as one of my best friends and sharing our ideas about what would be the best way to go up to the start of the Enduro.
It was go-time, but used to the race format we knew we would only be timed at the top of the Enduro to the bottom, so we rode our own pace with some of the good DownHill riders like Sam Bull and Tiaan Odendaal and Travis Browning. At the top of the long and steep uphill there wasn't a lot of smiles. Most of them not smiling was the downhillers because they weren't used to hills. The atmosphere was great after everyone caught there breath and got amped and excited to go down the hill. The 1st trail was very nice and lots of fun, but in the end the 2nd trail down was the better one of them all. The adrenaline kicks in nonstop when you going down and often you have to use your brakes just to make sure you stay alive! I thank Nick Floros for choosing the most amazing tracks and trails for us to go down on and KZN MTB for a good Enduro event number 2!
XCE . What is that, some of you might ask. Well folks, thats the new riding format out there replacing 4X. Its flatish track with one little hill in it where 4 guys race against each other and the last 2 gets eliminated after each lap. XC stands for Cross Country and the E stands for Eliminator. The lap is very short, about 500m to 1200m. Dont think that is nothing, the lap is so fast and hard that it almost kills you. My race went very well, completing all my laps in safe position to get into the Semi-Finale. In the end one little tree stump cost me getting into the finale... As I was just about to pass the guy in 2nd my pedal hit a stump 50m from the line when we were side-by-side.
That was all he needed to have the safe 2nd spot! I dropped out in the semi-finale but wow was it a fun race!
Thanks to everyone who raced and supported !
J. Pelser
It was go-time, but used to the race format we knew we would only be timed at the top of the Enduro to the bottom, so we rode our own pace with some of the good DownHill riders like Sam Bull and Tiaan Odendaal and Travis Browning. At the top of the long and steep uphill there wasn't a lot of smiles. Most of them not smiling was the downhillers because they weren't used to hills. The atmosphere was great after everyone caught there breath and got amped and excited to go down the hill. The 1st trail was very nice and lots of fun, but in the end the 2nd trail down was the better one of them all. The adrenaline kicks in nonstop when you going down and often you have to use your brakes just to make sure you stay alive! I thank Nick Floros for choosing the most amazing tracks and trails for us to go down on and KZN MTB for a good Enduro event number 2!
XCE . What is that, some of you might ask. Well folks, thats the new riding format out there replacing 4X. Its flatish track with one little hill in it where 4 guys race against each other and the last 2 gets eliminated after each lap. XC stands for Cross Country and the E stands for Eliminator. The lap is very short, about 500m to 1200m. Dont think that is nothing, the lap is so fast and hard that it almost kills you. My race went very well, completing all my laps in safe position to get into the Semi-Finale. In the end one little tree stump cost me getting into the finale... As I was just about to pass the guy in 2nd my pedal hit a stump 50m from the line when we were side-by-side.
That was all he needed to have the safe 2nd spot! I dropped out in the semi-finale but wow was it a fun race!
Thanks to everyone who raced and supported !
J. Pelser
Monday, 23 April 2012
Karkloof MTB Festival weekend
Saturday morning... Wake up at 8, oh boy I better hear at what time the Enduro race starts at Karkloof. At least it only started at 1ish.
I spent the morning with my cousins at my house and also getting my stuff ready and washing my bicycle for the race. It was my first ride back from Europe in SA, so I could see all my friends again and also my team mate Alan Hatherly. I had lots of people asking how my trip was and experiences. It was another great time to share all of my memories with the people! We drove to the start of the Enduro, which is a new racing format from the UCI and also the first Enduro in RSA. There was a big turnout and lots of familiar DownHill riders such as Tiaan Odendaal who would end up winning the race! Enduro includes the following: you start at the bottom of a hill that goes up to the top of the downhill section. Riders aren't timed from the bottom of the hill, but only from the top if the downhill section to the bottom. So you get to ride up at your own pace and also get to ride with the other people who normally race. In these events you have two downhill runs and get your time for those two is then your official time combined.
It is a great new racing format and I enjoy it a lot. In the end of the day I got 3rd in my age group. These events are taking off big time over seas and it will also hopefully in RSA!
The next day it was the Karkloof Classic, 60km's of just fun and beautiful tracks in the amazing forests of Karkloof! I camped at the race venue with two of my friends from the Freestate, Willie and Jaun. It was so much fun just being around Afrikaans people and having a proper Braai again!
During my race I helped team mate Candice Neethling a bit on one of the open jeep track sections to block the wind from her and helping her get a bigger gap over the field and taking the win in the Female's race, but before i could get up the last climb of the day my legs started cramping at 29km's to go. I kept pushing and thought that I can ride through them. Unfortunately I couldn't and told Candice to go. "Im done for the day": were my words to her, she thanked me and off she went. I kept on riding up at my own pace, but soon was getting dropped quite badly, with C batch riders passing m, and I started in A batch.
As I crossed the line, a guy gave me a water which was live saving! Surprisingly at prize giving they called my name out and said that I was 3rd! So in the end I had two 3rd places in two days.
It was a great day weekend and I enjoyed every minute of it!
Thanks
J. Pelser
I spent the morning with my cousins at my house and also getting my stuff ready and washing my bicycle for the race. It was my first ride back from Europe in SA, so I could see all my friends again and also my team mate Alan Hatherly. I had lots of people asking how my trip was and experiences. It was another great time to share all of my memories with the people! We drove to the start of the Enduro, which is a new racing format from the UCI and also the first Enduro in RSA. There was a big turnout and lots of familiar DownHill riders such as Tiaan Odendaal who would end up winning the race! Enduro includes the following: you start at the bottom of a hill that goes up to the top of the downhill section. Riders aren't timed from the bottom of the hill, but only from the top if the downhill section to the bottom. So you get to ride up at your own pace and also get to ride with the other people who normally race. In these events you have two downhill runs and get your time for those two is then your official time combined.
It is a great new racing format and I enjoy it a lot. In the end of the day I got 3rd in my age group. These events are taking off big time over seas and it will also hopefully in RSA!
The next day it was the Karkloof Classic, 60km's of just fun and beautiful tracks in the amazing forests of Karkloof! I camped at the race venue with two of my friends from the Freestate, Willie and Jaun. It was so much fun just being around Afrikaans people and having a proper Braai again!
During my race I helped team mate Candice Neethling a bit on one of the open jeep track sections to block the wind from her and helping her get a bigger gap over the field and taking the win in the Female's race, but before i could get up the last climb of the day my legs started cramping at 29km's to go. I kept pushing and thought that I can ride through them. Unfortunately I couldn't and told Candice to go. "Im done for the day": were my words to her, she thanked me and off she went. I kept on riding up at my own pace, but soon was getting dropped quite badly, with C batch riders passing m, and I started in A batch.
As I crossed the line, a guy gave me a water which was live saving! Surprisingly at prize giving they called my name out and said that I was 3rd! So in the end I had two 3rd places in two days.
It was a great day weekend and I enjoyed every minute of it!
Thanks
J. Pelser
Back to the normal life
Our plane touched down back in RSA at about 9am, then we flew to Durban and drove back home... It was the 9th of April and school started on the 10th, I was so tired but had to make the best of it. I couldn't stop answering questions at school, with all my friends asking how it went. The question i was asked most of the time was: "Hoe was dit daar in Switzerland?" It was nice to share all my stories and experiences!
As usually it was catch-up time with the work and full concentration was required. It has been a wonderful few weeks back at school an also very very busy. Positivity is all it takes to get through!
Karkloof mtb festival weekend lies ahead, keep looking for the updates on that ride.
J. Pelser
As usually it was catch-up time with the work and full concentration was required. It has been a wonderful few weeks back at school an also very very busy. Positivity is all it takes to get through!
Karkloof mtb festival weekend lies ahead, keep looking for the updates on that ride.
J. Pelser
Saturday, 31 March 2012
BMC Swiss racer cup #1
9 o'clock, 3 degrees celsius and race time... I pretty much didn't expect it to be this cold or different to normal winter riding. My warm up went well, but on the day I had made lots of rookie errors. Short a finger gloves, no under vest, leg warmers or arm warmers. I am also glad I made these mistakes early in my Junior year and overseas, now i know what to do at my next winter races in RSA.
However the experience was great in the race. I was seeded far back and as the gun goes I waited about 3 seconds before I could actually start moving and clip in. Off we went, 5 laps in the cold. Up the first climb I was about last in the big field of about 67 guys. As I heard Kyle Dorkin's voice shouting at me to go I knew it was time, kicked into a harder gear and started making my way through the pack. Into the first single track we went, I couldn't feel my toes or fingers, but on I went and kept on trying to pas the guys. The riding js a lot different to back at home, when you are on that track you ride like you own it and you make sure everyone knows that by pushing and elbowing the other guys trying to come past. I dodged quite a few of those at this race going up the first climb.
I had no idea where I was laying going into my 3rd lap but kept on battling it up with 2 other guys. The one dropped on the 3rd lap but the other one held on for the whole lap. Lap 4 was the time to get rid of him, after a little cat and mouse game he fell back.
Last lap of the race was very lonely, except for the Vets whose race started and they all passed and made me confused. I thought I was getting lapped and tried to keep with some of the vets, but when I finished I realized that they were vets(30+).
I finished the race in 42nd..
I thank Guy (Mechanic) from BMC MTB Team for the service before the race and for support!
However the experience was great in the race. I was seeded far back and as the gun goes I waited about 3 seconds before I could actually start moving and clip in. Off we went, 5 laps in the cold. Up the first climb I was about last in the big field of about 67 guys. As I heard Kyle Dorkin's voice shouting at me to go I knew it was time, kicked into a harder gear and started making my way through the pack. Into the first single track we went, I couldn't feel my toes or fingers, but on I went and kept on trying to pas the guys. The riding js a lot different to back at home, when you are on that track you ride like you own it and you make sure everyone knows that by pushing and elbowing the other guys trying to come past. I dodged quite a few of those at this race going up the first climb.
I had no idea where I was laying going into my 3rd lap but kept on battling it up with 2 other guys. The one dropped on the 3rd lap but the other one held on for the whole lap. Lap 4 was the time to get rid of him, after a little cat and mouse game he fell back.
Last lap of the race was very lonely, except for the Vets whose race started and they all passed and made me confused. I thought I was getting lapped and tried to keep with some of the vets, but when I finished I realized that they were vets(30+).
I finished the race in 42nd..
I thank Guy (Mechanic) from BMC MTB Team for the service before the race and for support!
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Kamptal-Klassik Uci Cat. 1 race
It was different on the start line, because they had to repeat everything in English, otherwise Kyle and i would have probably not started the race. As the gun went a rider next to me snapped his chain and swerved right into my derailleur and bent it a little. Off i still went and kept on catching time on the guys. After my 2nd lap i was laying in 30th.
In the end i had a sprint for the finish line, but couldn't get that 21st position! After i saw that i had finished in 22nd i was so happy, it's a great moral boost for this next weekends race in Switzerland. BMC Swiss Racer cup is my next race.
Monday, 26 March 2012
Europe trip so far..
First night was in Germany in a little hotel. The next morning I saw how people used their bikes for everything, going to school/work, kids doing shopping and just being so young and able to be out there on there bicycles. It really is very beautiful here. One thing I, as a bike rider noted immediately is how much respect cars have for cyclists. From the coaches mouth I have heard so many tips and learnt a lot.
The next day we went for some "shopping on the bicycle" and also went and checked out the xco track we would race on... That was about a week in Austria and racing report will follow after my race.
On Friday I had a litlle bit of a fall on my head on the track, but nothing was to serious. I just had a megraine, but on Saturday I was ready and went for a nice ride.
See you after the race
On Friday I had a litlle bit of a fall on my head on the track, but nothing was to serious. I just had a megraine, but on Saturday I was ready and went for a nice ride.
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
UCI Mountain Bike World Cup experience
The time has come, I have wanted to race in a mountain bike world cup since I started with my cycling career. To top it off I was also asked by Cycling SA to represent SA in the Junior race at the world cup. I knew that it was going to be a very hard and World class event. After injury at a Karkloof race I decided not to ride in the Uci cat2 internationals race at Cascades MTB Park the weekend before the World cup. It gave me a chance to take some pictures and see who my competition would be for the race the next weekend.
The world cup weekend arrived and so did most of the internationals. The week leading up to the weekend was very busy, I rode the track for the first time on the Wednesday and must say, it was and is a really hard course but also very fun at the same time. On Saturday I watched the Elite women and u23 men's race before I went home and rested(well tried)... As the afternoon came closer and closer the weather also turn a lot and fast. By the time I had my dinner and head to bed it was pouring with rain. I knew only one thing...MUD tires.
Race day was here, the day I have been dreaming for for so long! Warm up was a very professional one with Richart, Kyle and me, all on our trainers loosening our legs and warming up for the race. Onto the Start line with 28 other keen mtbers! To be honest I felt strong, but during the race my body and mind disappointed me. I gave my best! Next thing I knew I was lapped and pulled off of the track. It was a tough day out there for me. I finished in 22nd, not really what I had hoped for. But lessons were learnt and I will take all the experiences into my next few races overseas in Europe.
Thanks again BMC SA for a good weekend, sorry I couldn't repay in position..
I also thank BMC Mountain Bike team from Suisse for all their supported tips!
The world cup weekend arrived and so did most of the internationals. The week leading up to the weekend was very busy, I rode the track for the first time on the Wednesday and must say, it was and is a really hard course but also very fun at the same time. On Saturday I watched the Elite women and u23 men's race before I went home and rested(well tried)... As the afternoon came closer and closer the weather also turn a lot and fast. By the time I had my dinner and head to bed it was pouring with rain. I knew only one thing...MUD tires.
Race day was here, the day I have been dreaming for for so long! Warm up was a very professional one with Richart, Kyle and me, all on our trainers loosening our legs and warming up for the race. Onto the Start line with 28 other keen mtbers! To be honest I felt strong, but during the race my body and mind disappointed me. I gave my best! Next thing I knew I was lapped and pulled off of the track. It was a tough day out there for me. I finished in 22nd, not really what I had hoped for. But lessons were learnt and I will take all the experiences into my next few races overseas in Europe.
Thanks again BMC SA for a good weekend, sorry I couldn't repay in position..
I also thank BMC Mountain Bike team from Suisse for all their supported tips!
Sunday, 4 March 2012
Momentum Health XCO International #2 - Karkloof
When I woke up without my alarm having gone off, I was quite surprised that it was the exact time for me to get up. I prepared my race drinks and ate a wholesome breakfast. It was the second time this year that I had a race close to home which meant that it was easier to prepare breakfast and I enjoyed taking my time to do it. What is also nice about racing in my valley is that my body is used to the temperature and that I know the forests in the area.
We headed off to Karkloof Falls, the venue of the race. By the time we got there, I immediately had to get onto my bike to warm up. The road was perfect and I could do all my little sprints. I saw Alex Baker-(Team OMC) and Kyle Dorkin-(Ellsworth-SA Team) and knew it was going to be a tough race out on the fantastic track set out by Nick Floros!
I got a second row start and was really happy with that. The whistle went and off we went! I caught up with Kyle, Alex and Richardt up the first hill. Going into the first section of single track I was lying 3rd with Richardt just behind me. I managed to stay there for half a lap before Richardt overtook me. Down the single track before the feed zone I passed Richardt. I went underneath the start finish banner in 2nd place, surprised that Kyle had stopped for a mechanical. However, it wasn't long before Kyle was ahead of us all again. Richardt, Patrick and I formed a chasing group on the 2nd lap, but halfway through things went bad. I went over the handlebar and Patrick and Richart passed me. Not long after this I had a massive crash about 700 metres further in some single track.
Unfortunately the race was over for me... If it wasn't for other riders, such as Evan van der Spuy, telling the medics that I had wiped out, I would probably not be writing this post. After some x-rays and bandages the results came, nothing broken! I was so happy and knew that it was by the grace of God that there were no broken bones- only some bruised ribs, a forearm with some deep cuts and a physically drained body.
It felt as if I had done a Cape Epic in one day (well, what I think it would feel like after 9 days), but in reality I had only done 1,5laps of a XC race.
A big thank you to the paramedics and my team for their support and helping me!
Till next time.
BMCkid
We headed off to Karkloof Falls, the venue of the race. By the time we got there, I immediately had to get onto my bike to warm up. The road was perfect and I could do all my little sprints. I saw Alex Baker-(Team OMC) and Kyle Dorkin-(Ellsworth-SA Team) and knew it was going to be a tough race out on the fantastic track set out by Nick Floros!
Video of the day's racing.(click)
Unfortunately the race was over for me... If it wasn't for other riders, such as Evan van der Spuy, telling the medics that I had wiped out, I would probably not be writing this post. After some x-rays and bandages the results came, nothing broken! I was so happy and knew that it was by the grace of God that there were no broken bones- only some bruised ribs, a forearm with some deep cuts and a physically drained body.
It felt as if I had done a Cape Epic in one day (well, what I think it would feel like after 9 days), but in reality I had only done 1,5laps of a XC race.
A big thank you to the paramedics and my team for their support and helping me!
Till next time.
BMCkid
Monday, 27 February 2012
No luck at Sabie
Friday morning my dad, Carlo and I loaded the car and set of with our journey to Sabie. We travelled down with 2 of the BMC Racing SA cars and Candice Neethling, Ashleigh P-M and Eszter was in the other one. We met up with the Vosloo's in Nelspruit and followed them to our lodge where we were going to stay. The house was big and had enough sleeping space for 14+ people! There was a squash court inside the house. The whole team except for Alan Hatherly was there and also lots of friends and family. At dinner that night we all had lots of laughs and discussed the planes for the next days racing.
Saturday morning came and it was time for the marathon riders to get ready and race prepped. From our team we had Candice, Ashleigh and Simone that took part in the World Cup Marathon #1 - Sabie. Candice finished the race in 5th place also coming in 2nd place at the KOM(King Of the Mountain). She is only 20 years old and said that she was very happy with her result! Ashleigh also had a great race and team mate Simone also.
On Sunday morning i woke up with a very sore and burning throat... It only meant one thing, I wasn't going to race that day for sure. I decided it be best if i rested my body for the next weekend coming up as it was a more important race. Carlo finished 6th overall and won his age group on the day. It was nice watching a bit of the racing for once instead of being the one on the track. However i still had an amazing weekend with the team and family. My team really is one big family!
Thank you all for a fun time.
Later
Saturday morning came and it was time for the marathon riders to get ready and race prepped. From our team we had Candice, Ashleigh and Simone that took part in the World Cup Marathon #1 - Sabie. Candice finished the race in 5th place also coming in 2nd place at the KOM(King Of the Mountain). She is only 20 years old and said that she was very happy with her result! Ashleigh also had a great race and team mate Simone also.
On Sunday morning i woke up with a very sore and burning throat... It only meant one thing, I wasn't going to race that day for sure. I decided it be best if i rested my body for the next weekend coming up as it was a more important race. Carlo finished 6th overall and won his age group on the day. It was nice watching a bit of the racing for once instead of being the one on the track. However i still had an amazing weekend with the team and family. My team really is one big family!
Thank you all for a fun time.
Later
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Momentum Health XCO International #1 - Giba Gorge
I woke up to the sound of water drops falling on leaves outside the window. I call that nature's alarm. I stayed at team mate Alan Hatherly's house the night before the race. Alan has been racing for a long time and every time I stay with him or train with him I learn something new. A big thank you to him and his family for having me again and helping me.
As usual it was breakfast time and then off to the race venue. I met up with Kyle Dorkin(Ellsworth-SA) who would prove that he was the strongest of us all on the day for a warm-up session. The warm-up was quite funny with Kyle trying to take me on some of the other Giba Gorge tracks, but having to stop the whole time because he got spiderwebs stuck to his face. After the warm-up, I lined up on the start line next to Buck Norris (Evan van der Spuy) and about 13 other Junior riders.
The horn went and off we went. It was my best start ever and going up the first little hill I was lying in 5th place. Everybody was just trying to keep up with the pace of Kyle Dorkin. Lap 2 was a big tussle between Gareth Andrews and I, but on the 3rd lap he put in a little attack and managed to open a small gap. I gave it all, but my body started cramping and let me down on the hills. Meanwhile Kyle was setting a blistering pace and took the win ahead of Patrick Belton(Jeep). I finished in 6th place, 10 minutes behind Kyle.
I have decided that I need to take a different approach to what I am eating during the days and leading up to an event... I learnt that carbo-loading can't be done the night or two before a race.
This week-end I will be racing in Sabie.
Till next time.
As usual it was breakfast time and then off to the race venue. I met up with Kyle Dorkin(Ellsworth-SA) who would prove that he was the strongest of us all on the day for a warm-up session. The warm-up was quite funny with Kyle trying to take me on some of the other Giba Gorge tracks, but having to stop the whole time because he got spiderwebs stuck to his face. After the warm-up, I lined up on the start line next to Buck Norris (Evan van der Spuy) and about 13 other Junior riders.
I have decided that I need to take a different approach to what I am eating during the days and leading up to an event... I learnt that carbo-loading can't be done the night or two before a race.
This week-end I will be racing in Sabie.
Till next time.
Monday, 13 February 2012
Cape Town Trip
The trip all started on Thursday morning at about 3o'clock in the morning with my friend Corbin Mann and his dad. Our flight was at 6:30 and the drive to the airport about a hour and a half, our bicycles were checked in and all was ready for a relaxed breakfast at Wimpy. It was my first time flying with bicycles and I didn't know what to expect, but when we arrived in Cape Town the bikes were fine and didn't have a problem at all. At our guess house, Corbin and I built up the bikes and went to the track for our first practise day on the track with our coach Johann Wykerd and some teammates.
The coarse was different to what I am used to. It had no trees for shade and would make up for a hard days racing in the sun, secondly it was very dusty and dry, which isn't unusual for the Cape. It had some really technical loose rock sections that you couldn't practise, because it changed every time someone rode over it. I did about 3laps and felt good about the track. I had also just got my new BMC Fourstroke 01 with full SRAM X0 groupset and had to check it out, because it was the first time I rode it. It was the best bike for the track and especially over the loose rock sections. The full suspension helps a lot over the rocks, because you can still pedal without bouncing of the bike and loosing traction. First day in Cape Town came to an end. The next day we drove to the Airport again to pick up Christan Kirsten one of our racing friends. We then went to the track and did some more laps just for final assurance and to feel comfortable. The track also changes sometimes, because of tape being put up so riders can't take other lines or shortcuts on the track. After 3 laps I was ready and headed back home to our guest house for some lunch and a little nap before we would all have dinner together.
I also celebrated my birthday and Corbin's with some of the Life In Motion athletes and friends!
The coarse was different to what I am used to. It had no trees for shade and would make up for a hard days racing in the sun, secondly it was very dusty and dry, which isn't unusual for the Cape. It had some really technical loose rock sections that you couldn't practise, because it changed every time someone rode over it. I did about 3laps and felt good about the track. I had also just got my new BMC Fourstroke 01 with full SRAM X0 groupset and had to check it out, because it was the first time I rode it. It was the best bike for the track and especially over the loose rock sections. The full suspension helps a lot over the rocks, because you can still pedal without bouncing of the bike and loosing traction. First day in Cape Town came to an end. The next day we drove to the Airport again to pick up Christan Kirsten one of our racing friends. We then went to the track and did some more laps just for final assurance and to feel comfortable. The track also changes sometimes, because of tape being put up so riders can't take other lines or shortcuts on the track. After 3 laps I was ready and headed back home to our guest house for some lunch and a little nap before we would all have dinner together.
Corbin and I- feet up.
Race day arrived. We went to the track a little bit earlier so that I could support our teammates and I caught up with my very good friend Catherine Colyn. Our team had some great results and it was only the start of the day. My race was at 12:15 and it was in the middle of the days heat. All the Juniors lined up, I was surprised to get a second row start. As the race started my chain came off and my feet unclipped, it was horrible start and not what I had imagined. We caught all the back markers of the Elites which made it harder to pass, I soon found myself in 17th place with fellow KZN mtbiker, Max Sullivan just behind me. I had to use my head in the race and up some places to get into my top 10 that I was aiming for. It was such an awesome spectator friendly coarse, but with there being 100+ riders on the track it was difficult to stay on the bike up the short little kicker climbs on the 4.7km long track. I had the best feeder also and that helped me a lot to stay hydrated with my Biogen Race Mix. I was surprised to cross the line in 9th place, 11minutes behind the winner. I can now go back to the drawing board and improve on that!
Friday, 3 February 2012
Subaru Classic
On Sunday it was the first classic race of Kwa-Zulu Natal, which include a 40km, 20km and a 10km race. Carlo Marzoppi did the MTN Barberton race in Mpumalanga on the Saturday were he won the Youth age Category and 6th overall in the 45km, he then stayed at my house for the night after a long drive back. In the morning I got up checked my weight and had some breakfast with Carlo. As we got to the race venue at Cedara College it was filling up fast and a lot of top class riders was there, including Luke Roberts(RE:CM), Brandon Stewart and Jacques Rossouw(both Fed Group) and also some other juniors like Kyle Dorkin(Ellsworth-SA) and Patrick Belton(Jeep). It was going to be a super hard race from the start. This year i have moved up from the Youth age group into Juniors and in cycling it is a big difference when your at the bottom of the age group.
On the start line I was in the middle of the A Batch and off we went, I was caught up in the traffic up the first little hill where a rider crashed. Next to was Eszter Erdelyi(Ellsworth-SA) and that's when I realised I'll have to make a sprint and catch up to the brake away group of 6 riders who already had a big gap. I knew I had a team mate, Alan Hatherly,in the brake and made it my aim to catch up to him.. In the end I never made it to there and finished in 12th place overall. The form wasn't there on that day and I knew I would need to go back to the drawing board... However I ended in 3rd place in the Junior age category, but far behind Kyle Dorkin(2nd) and Patrick Belton(1st). Well done guys!
I now have something to aim at and to improve on, and hope to keep on pushing for that Top 10!! Thanks to my team for all their support and my sponsors. BMC was design for pure mountain biking and handled the very bumpy race superbly!!
On the start line I was in the middle of the A Batch and off we went, I was caught up in the traffic up the first little hill where a rider crashed. Next to was Eszter Erdelyi(Ellsworth-SA) and that's when I realised I'll have to make a sprint and catch up to the brake away group of 6 riders who already had a big gap. I knew I had a team mate, Alan Hatherly,in the brake and made it my aim to catch up to him.. In the end I never made it to there and finished in 12th place overall. The form wasn't there on that day and I knew I would need to go back to the drawing board... However I ended in 3rd place in the Junior age category, but far behind Kyle Dorkin(2nd) and Patrick Belton(1st). Well done guys!
Thank you Gavin Ryan for the picture
I now have something to aim at and to improve on, and hope to keep on pushing for that Top 10!! Thanks to my team for all their support and my sponsors. BMC was design for pure mountain biking and handled the very bumpy race superbly!!
Sunday, 22 January 2012
KZN MTB Fun 8 hour enduro ride
This past Sunday was the 8 hour enduro held at Cascades MTB Park in Pietermaritzburg. It was one of the biggest team events and longest events I have ever been too, with about 52 teams comprising 3 (some 2) riders. I teamed up with Alan Hatherly and Carlo Marzoppi. The plan was plain and simple, just have fun and enjoy it. The track was super fantastic and flowing. It was one of the better cross country tracks I have ridden in a long time, but when I heard that Nick Floros was track builder, i knew it was an event to enter! The track suited everyone and had little hills and lots of flat sections where you could pass and have a lekker sip of water or a cup of tea as it was an fun event... The vibe at the "pit zone" was so relaxed and fun, everyone sat and watched or talked to racing buddies who they haven't seen for about two months or just enjoyed they day with the family. It really was awesome riding out there in the forests with 52 other guys at the same time, each from a different team. In the end it was such an awesome, well organised event that everybody enjoy. Our team ended 2nd in the '3 men' race and we didn't really expect it. This is what put KZN MTB on the cycling map.
It is such a good way of starting the season with a fun event like this and to see who still rides and races bicycles. I would recommend it to any cyclist to put on their 2013 calendar! Thanks to my team mates and sponsors for getting me ready for the 2012 season.
Rock on!!
Thank you Gavin for the photo!
It is such a good way of starting the season with a fun event like this and to see who still rides and races bicycles. I would recommend it to any cyclist to put on their 2013 calendar! Thanks to my team mates and sponsors for getting me ready for the 2012 season.
Rock on!!
Saturday, 7 January 2012
December Holidays...
On the 21st of December my family and I left for the Drakensberg. It was so exciting, because we haven't camped in our caravan for almost two years and we had to do all the packing all over again. We went to Mountain Splendour Eco-Resort and camped there till the 6th of January 2012. In our time there I met some really awesome people and kept on telling myself that camping is the best way to get really down to earth again. The riding spots there are absolutely awesome and the views are stunning! I did my base training there two years ago and it is one of the best places to do it in South Africa. Not only for mountain bikers, but also for road cyclists who I always meet on the roads there. I would go out in the morning and do a 3hour+ ride and then get back and chill with my friends. Most afternoons at 4o'clock there was a soccer game and everyone from the camp came and joined in...even the older dads.
This year I had the privilege of riding with some Canadian folks who also camped there.. I learnt a lot from them, especially as far as racing overseas is concerned and they told me more about a pro-cyclist's life once you have finished professional cycling. Adventure racing is what most Canadian cyclists do. They explained it to me and it really caught my attention and made me think about where I'm going with my cycling career and life. Adventure racing is really big overseas, how they explained it to me is really hard to put onto a computer in a digital way. Imagine being on a bicycle for 2 days and you haven't slept yet, you're all alone and all you have with you is a bicycle, a map and water. Now you have to make your way through the forest at day and night playing a guessing game. I get such an adrenaline rush when I just think of that type of racing!!
I learnt a lot at Mountain Splendour and can't wait to go back at the end of this year. The sad thing about camping is saying goodbye to you old and new friends. I really miss my mates. On to some more base training for now...
Cheers
This year I had the privilege of riding with some Canadian folks who also camped there.. I learnt a lot from them, especially as far as racing overseas is concerned and they told me more about a pro-cyclist's life once you have finished professional cycling. Adventure racing is what most Canadian cyclists do. They explained it to me and it really caught my attention and made me think about where I'm going with my cycling career and life. Adventure racing is really big overseas, how they explained it to me is really hard to put onto a computer in a digital way. Imagine being on a bicycle for 2 days and you haven't slept yet, you're all alone and all you have with you is a bicycle, a map and water. Now you have to make your way through the forest at day and night playing a guessing game. I get such an adrenaline rush when I just think of that type of racing!!
I learnt a lot at Mountain Splendour and can't wait to go back at the end of this year. The sad thing about camping is saying goodbye to you old and new friends. I really miss my mates. On to some more base training for now...
Cheers
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