Julius Malema, Kanye West and Serena Williams are my new favourite three and have just won a paid up holiday for themselves to my Infectous Island. Julius, just cos he is the definitive idiot and had another brace of bad publicity, apparently taunting and assaulting a neighbour, during a shindig he was holding at his Sandton home, and the other two for their part in the folly which was the MTV music award ceremomy and the US Open Semi Final respectively. Disgraceful.
One league race under the belt and already controvesy abounds and funnily enough it involves the same group of cyclists all of last seasons controvesy and ill tempered outbursts came from, formally Sotherby's Vets team. It's amazing how this group of individuals manage to attract so much negative exposure for themselves and through their ridiculously impetuos and child-like behaviour, have become the village idiots of vets Cycling in the Western Cape. Shame. Like attracts like as far as I'm concerned. What an unpleasant lot.
Our RBS race team had a disasterous start, with one member not starting as he had a family emergency and two of the four who started had punctures, so has effectively ruled us out of the team competition on day one. The race itself was ok, with one section of dirt of about 1.8km, where the split in the bunch came. I led Keith out at the finish and he managed to sprint and get third place. I got about 6th or 7th, but by the time I got over the timing mats, was 17th. Same time as the front guys, so no matter. The hill climb on the 24th will decide the league, so hopefully we will have a good showing as a team.
I am travelling up the Knysna today to do some riding with 2 of my team mates, which incorporates a long weekend. The weather looks good on Windguru,so hopefully we will get in some mileage. My friend and Dutch National Cricketer Mauritz van Nierop tragically passed away a year ago this week and shall spare a thought for him on Heritage day. Hopefully there will be a couple of Weddings shortly to compliment all the funerals I have been to this month, 3 in all. Not a great stat.
Graeme Smith won the toss on a wicket which looked grass-less and could only help the spinners in the second innings (only Murali and Mendis) and still chose to bowl. I knew already South Africa was in trouble. Having not had any competitive cricket since May, the area which is most vulnerable to opponents is the bowling, and the match consistancy of line and length was sadly missing. After 9 overs, with Sri Lanka on 70/1 I had seen enough rubbish to warrant a game of beach bats on Camps Bay with my old friend Derek Lloyd. We played for 90 minutes and after being 2 stroke wonders to start, not being able to get anything going, the longest rally was 88 shots, 5 short of our 14 year record of 93. Not bad for a winter recess and no bats. Such a pity that we don't get to do that often like in the days of the 90's when we had nothing else to do between bar shifts and cricket practices.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Island Of Infection
My very good friend Derek Lloyd lost his mother on Sunday after a short illness. My thoughts are with you my friend. What a year for you. What a couple of weeks for me, losing 3 people in my life whom I knew. Things happen in threes. The power of 3, lets hope it ends there. My condolences and best wishes in this time of sadness to Derek, Tammy and the immediate family.
Another South African leader in hot water over botched decision making, Leonard Cheune has become the latest fumbling fatality of ineptitude and short sightedness. Having been given the recommendation to not send Caster to the world athletics championships in Berlin, he firstly ignored the medical advice given to him by Dr. Adams, and secondly he is now trying to disassociate himself and ASA from any responsibility he had in making the decision. What a clown. Can they not send him, Malema, Winnie, Judge Motata and Shabir to the same island asylum, along with Pinky, The Brain and Brandon Huntley? They could then get Mark Bayly over there and film a reality TV sequel to Survivor South Africa part 2, with the winner getting permanent immunity from the infectious disease they all deserve, but remain on the island forever. Oh, a perfect world. To follow, a list of other island asylum candidates… there are so many.
In the most freakish event of the week, a drunken man in France fell asleep on a railway line and a high-speed train ran over him, missing him by 10cm above his body and 20cm on either side, he didn’t even wake up. When the train came to a stop some 200m down the tracks and he was awoken by the driver, he proceeded to give the driver the middle finger for waking him. He wasted his luck there for sure, missing out on a definite chance of winning the lotto.
If you steal a sim card from anyone at anytime, the lesson is clear, do not enter a “win a BMW competition”. Having sent in the region of 28000 sms’s to the competition, the man won the car, drove it across town to another dealership and instructed them to sell it on his behalf. The car was worth less than the sms’s cost, but was taken ownership by the municipality the thief worked for when they eventually cottoned on after the first bill was R72, 000. Maybe this guy should also go to Survivor Island with Mark and the gang.
The weather this week has played havoc with riding plans for those who haven’t done enough preparation for the Spring League, starting on Sunday in Worcester. Check out our facebook page for our racing team. Facebook pages, RBS Vets Racing Team. I will keep it updated with results, pics and reports over the next 6 months. Our team seems to be ready and keen to get going and looking forward to a hard race on Sunday. The wind may play a part and positioning when it does will be vital, as a break will probably get formed here. Daikin will be out to prove a point as to how strong they are, but the reports coming back are that most teams have put in a really fabulous effort to be strong. This improves the racing, makes it harder and sorts out the men from the boys, just how it should be.
With my chest infection easing its way outta my body slowly, and without mechanical problems, hope not to lose any time on competitors on Sunday before trying to take some back in the Hill Climb Time Trial on the 24th October.
Another South African leader in hot water over botched decision making, Leonard Cheune has become the latest fumbling fatality of ineptitude and short sightedness. Having been given the recommendation to not send Caster to the world athletics championships in Berlin, he firstly ignored the medical advice given to him by Dr. Adams, and secondly he is now trying to disassociate himself and ASA from any responsibility he had in making the decision. What a clown. Can they not send him, Malema, Winnie, Judge Motata and Shabir to the same island asylum, along with Pinky, The Brain and Brandon Huntley? They could then get Mark Bayly over there and film a reality TV sequel to Survivor South Africa part 2, with the winner getting permanent immunity from the infectious disease they all deserve, but remain on the island forever. Oh, a perfect world. To follow, a list of other island asylum candidates… there are so many.
In the most freakish event of the week, a drunken man in France fell asleep on a railway line and a high-speed train ran over him, missing him by 10cm above his body and 20cm on either side, he didn’t even wake up. When the train came to a stop some 200m down the tracks and he was awoken by the driver, he proceeded to give the driver the middle finger for waking him. He wasted his luck there for sure, missing out on a definite chance of winning the lotto.
If you steal a sim card from anyone at anytime, the lesson is clear, do not enter a “win a BMW competition”. Having sent in the region of 28000 sms’s to the competition, the man won the car, drove it across town to another dealership and instructed them to sell it on his behalf. The car was worth less than the sms’s cost, but was taken ownership by the municipality the thief worked for when they eventually cottoned on after the first bill was R72, 000. Maybe this guy should also go to Survivor Island with Mark and the gang.
The weather this week has played havoc with riding plans for those who haven’t done enough preparation for the Spring League, starting on Sunday in Worcester. Check out our facebook page for our racing team. Facebook pages, RBS Vets Racing Team. I will keep it updated with results, pics and reports over the next 6 months. Our team seems to be ready and keen to get going and looking forward to a hard race on Sunday. The wind may play a part and positioning when it does will be vital, as a break will probably get formed here. Daikin will be out to prove a point as to how strong they are, but the reports coming back are that most teams have put in a really fabulous effort to be strong. This improves the racing, makes it harder and sorts out the men from the boys, just how it should be.
With my chest infection easing its way outta my body slowly, and without mechanical problems, hope not to lose any time on competitors on Sunday before trying to take some back in the Hill Climb Time Trial on the 24th October.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Champions Of The Tri Nations...Well Done Boys.
What a beautiful day. Spring has truely arrived, but apparently more rain forcast for tomorrow. Well done the Green and Gold Boks, you made me proud today, a better performance, but nowhere near the best, still some basic errors and slightly off the pace towards the end, but enough to win the Tri Nations trophy, no mean feat.
I get slightly frustrated with South African sport, always inconsistent, except for our athletes, then it's a real mixed bag, pardon the pun.
I Had a wonderful memorial ride for my late friend, Nick Slack yesterday, may he rest in peace. He passed away last Sunday morning after a prolonged illness, he was 4 days older than me. We shared each others pockets for years and lived in each others company and I will miss him. I sat on Chapmans Peak at the time of his memorial service and gazed over the breathtaking view, hoping he would join me in form of a whale spouting or jumping or some sign to show he was there, but he never pitched, hopefully he was elsewhere exploring his new domain. He missed a wonderful half hour, filled with beauty and sadness. I will always remember Mauritz and him whenever I visit there in future.
My sinusitis has now moved into my chest and hope it will have removed itself by next weekend in time for our Spring racing League. I am about as excited as a jck in a box and can't wait to get amoungst it, lets hope it's a good challenge, which I have no doubt about actually. Our boys are looking strong. Lets hope we have fun doing it and the sportsmanship reigns supreme within our category. No reason not to, the Poison Dwarf is no longer present, no one should miss him.
I get slightly frustrated with South African sport, always inconsistent, except for our athletes, then it's a real mixed bag, pardon the pun.
I Had a wonderful memorial ride for my late friend, Nick Slack yesterday, may he rest in peace. He passed away last Sunday morning after a prolonged illness, he was 4 days older than me. We shared each others pockets for years and lived in each others company and I will miss him. I sat on Chapmans Peak at the time of his memorial service and gazed over the breathtaking view, hoping he would join me in form of a whale spouting or jumping or some sign to show he was there, but he never pitched, hopefully he was elsewhere exploring his new domain. He missed a wonderful half hour, filled with beauty and sadness. I will always remember Mauritz and him whenever I visit there in future.
My sinusitis has now moved into my chest and hope it will have removed itself by next weekend in time for our Spring racing League. I am about as excited as a jck in a box and can't wait to get amoungst it, lets hope it's a good challenge, which I have no doubt about actually. Our boys are looking strong. Lets hope we have fun doing it and the sportsmanship reigns supreme within our category. No reason not to, the Poison Dwarf is no longer present, no one should miss him.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The Attack of the Romany Creams
A recent survey in the Uk has revealed that about 50% of the British population, the number being close to 25 million people have been injured in a tea break. Tea break constitutes, eating biscuits, dunking biscuits, and generally participating in the time honoured tradition of 4pm cuppa chai indulgence.
Apparently 500 people had been hospitalised, and the most dangerous of all the biscuits was without doubt, the "man eating" Custard Cream, with the "least likely to cause damage" award going hands down to the Jaffa Cake.
Injuries caused by sticking biscuits into ones eye, a pet biting a hand with a biscuit in it, burning ones finger tips on the beverage. Give me a break...it's tea!
Its a good thing that we in South Africa have not, as yet, been exposed to the unpredictably savage antics of the Marie Biscuit, or the cruel intentions of the Ouma Rusk (especially the Muesli flavour), as there would be far more people like Brandon Huntley fleeing the fair weather of the Cape Penninsula for fear of losing a limb to a gang of rampant rusks or malevolent Chocolate Romany Creams.
We are, as cyclists, always moaning about bad driving, but I'm so glad that these are the least of the world's worries and that there are far more sinister forces at work. Can you imagine if Julius Malema got onto this, it would be carnage. There would be racist remarks about the fact that the gang of Chocolate Eclairs, were really run by the white stuff in the centre and that all the brown chocolate on the outside did, was take the first impact of an attack.
The rediculousness of the Poms knows no bounds, and only a "verlep" bunch of total under achievers would come up with a stat on injuries done by biscuit eating and the much raucous sipping of tea in the late afternoon. Sad bastards..
Apparently 500 people had been hospitalised, and the most dangerous of all the biscuits was without doubt, the "man eating" Custard Cream, with the "least likely to cause damage" award going hands down to the Jaffa Cake.
Injuries caused by sticking biscuits into ones eye, a pet biting a hand with a biscuit in it, burning ones finger tips on the beverage. Give me a break...it's tea!
Its a good thing that we in South Africa have not, as yet, been exposed to the unpredictably savage antics of the Marie Biscuit, or the cruel intentions of the Ouma Rusk (especially the Muesli flavour), as there would be far more people like Brandon Huntley fleeing the fair weather of the Cape Penninsula for fear of losing a limb to a gang of rampant rusks or malevolent Chocolate Romany Creams.
We are, as cyclists, always moaning about bad driving, but I'm so glad that these are the least of the world's worries and that there are far more sinister forces at work. Can you imagine if Julius Malema got onto this, it would be carnage. There would be racist remarks about the fact that the gang of Chocolate Eclairs, were really run by the white stuff in the centre and that all the brown chocolate on the outside did, was take the first impact of an attack.
The rediculousness of the Poms knows no bounds, and only a "verlep" bunch of total under achievers would come up with a stat on injuries done by biscuit eating and the much raucous sipping of tea in the late afternoon. Sad bastards..
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
R.I.P Nicholas
My old friend and brother Nick Slack passed away on Sunday at the young age of 40, he was 4 days older than me. I will miss him and remember with fondness all the great moments we shared at Michaelhouse and then almost every day throughout our 2 years in the SADF, including a wild 2 weeks leave to Cape Town, where we got into too much trouble I think we just kept it a secret. Travel well my old mukka and keep a seat for me next to you, wherever you may go, so we can continue our friendship in the future. My thoughts are with your Mom and your two boys. I'm sure brother Matthew is happy to see you, but down here, we will all miss your enthusiasm, energetic demeanour and rediculous chin. I will miss you and not having you around is a deep loss to me personally and this planet in general.
Brandon Huntley's Colourful Past
A quick note on Brandon Huntley: it was revealed today than our refugee friend in Canada, comes from a long line of inter-racial relationships, dating back to his great grandmother who was a "lady of colour". Irony certainly comes thick and fast for some people who stick their necks out too far. A self fulfilling prophecy is much better than "they lived happily ever after..."
Monday, September 7, 2009
Seeking Asylum From The Asylum
The issue with Brandon Huntley in Canada has to make you wonder about many aspects of various systems in place all over the world. Aside from him there are over 600 registered refugees from South Africa worldwide. Germany has the most. How they got their asylum isn't really important, what is important is what happens if Brandon Huntley is deported back to south Africa?
I agree with common sentiment, that he probably over exaggerrated and compounded his experience of violence in South Africa when he was still here in order to get a favourable judgement, not thinking that his statements would be made so globally public and open up a mighty can of worms for all and sundry. The Canadian authorities, now trying to spare their blushes, probably also didn't research the claims thoroughly enough either, and this has now created an international incident.
So what happens to Huntley when he returns. My belief is two fold: he will either be dead within weeks of getting home, killed by some vigilante angry ethnic person or he will become such a household name that harming him would become so unthinkable, even for the intrinsically stupid violence lovers our country has so readily available. If he gets killed, the world's eyes may be opened to the very violent crimes which happen here on a day to day basis and many more asylum seekers will be granted swift refugee status, or if he doesn't get killed he will become the equivilent of a non rugby playing Luke Watson. Loved by some for his candid outspoken truthes, and hated by more for his dragging South Africa through a puddle of mud, and "dissing" his homeland, ala Kevin Pietersen. Either way, one can quietly say that he has made a name for himself. All that talk about bad publicity being better than no publicity will be tested to the full here.
I agree with common sentiment, that he probably over exaggerrated and compounded his experience of violence in South Africa when he was still here in order to get a favourable judgement, not thinking that his statements would be made so globally public and open up a mighty can of worms for all and sundry. The Canadian authorities, now trying to spare their blushes, probably also didn't research the claims thoroughly enough either, and this has now created an international incident.
So what happens to Huntley when he returns. My belief is two fold: he will either be dead within weeks of getting home, killed by some vigilante angry ethnic person or he will become such a household name that harming him would become so unthinkable, even for the intrinsically stupid violence lovers our country has so readily available. If he gets killed, the world's eyes may be opened to the very violent crimes which happen here on a day to day basis and many more asylum seekers will be granted swift refugee status, or if he doesn't get killed he will become the equivilent of a non rugby playing Luke Watson. Loved by some for his candid outspoken truthes, and hated by more for his dragging South Africa through a puddle of mud, and "dissing" his homeland, ala Kevin Pietersen. Either way, one can quietly say that he has made a name for himself. All that talk about bad publicity being better than no publicity will be tested to the full here.
New Bicycling Blog
My new Bicycling Blog will be published today. The Vuelta Espana http://www.bicycling.co.za/articles/blog/29
Thursday, September 3, 2009
New Bicycling Blog
My newest blog is up, follow link http://www.bicycling.co.za/articles/blog/29/4546/
More here tomorrow.
More here tomorrow.
Loss Of a Great Cricketing Icon And Mentor
My former Coach and cricket mentor, Hylton Ackerman passed away yesterday after prolonged illness, he was 62 years young and still had a lot to offer the game. He was a passionate motivator and often brought the best out of players he coached, I think I was one of those and I certainly wanted to do well for him. He inspired me and was easy to talk to and relate to. He had a mischevious side to him and I related to that and his methods of coaching. He will be sorely missed by cricket on a National level as well as locally. He was a great batsman in his time and the second youngest player in South African history top score a first class hundred, even though it was against the Poms. He occassionally tried to bowl to us in the nets, but I think his skills were with the bat in hand. Condolences to Dawn and his two children. May Dutchman rest in peace and tell his legendary stories to the Angels above.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Only A Few Hills To Go Up
This past weeknd saw our RBS Racing team go away for a training weekend to Wellington. The plan was to watch the Boks thrash the Ozzies, then do a tempo ride for the afternoon, over du Toits Kloof pass, down towards Rawsonville, back past the back of Goudini Spa and over Slanghoek, join the R43, then finally go over Bain's kloof back to Wellington. The problem is, that when you put 5 cyclists together who are of a decent level, it's very difficult to keep the pace down to a bare minimum, hence the result. 115km at 31.5km/h average with 1450 metres of ascent thrown in for good measure. My ave HR was 147 for the ride, which is high for a training ride. It was great though, albeit hard, and it wasn't so much that the climbs were tough, it was harder on the undulations into a block headwind, all the boys putting some power into the cranks.
The ride the following day was meant to be the front side of Bain's kloof, to Worcester, via Villiers Dorp, over Franschoek pass, lunch in Franschoek and back to Wellington, for about 165KM. Unfortunately, the braai we had, got out of hand and we ended up only riding from about 11.30 out of Franschoek, over the pass, down the other side and back to Franschoek. The boys were a bit tender, but the climbs were good and the whole weekend was highly beneficial for all concerned and the team as a whole. We are looking on track for a good racing season, Keith is riding very well and expect him to really have a good showing on the over all General Classification in Spring League.
Personally, I am in decent shape, but will do what I can to ensure a good team result in the Spring League, as this is our main objective with R3000 prize money at the end of it and support Keith, Russell or Andrew if they manage to get into the leaders jersey at any point. Craig will ride himself back into form and is doing really well considering his heart operation in June.
The rugby was fabulous, but watching it in a smokey bar in Wellington was an eductaion, given the typical clientel which frequent these small conservative Afrikaans towns. Lots of Brandy, Coke, rugby shorts and shouting at the television. All par for the course. We all drank Coke as we had to ride, also a new experience. The post ride lunch at Col Cacchios was a good relaxing occassion to celebrate Paul Kaye's coming of old age and we welcomed him into the ranks of the decrepit successfully. Lots of awesome people, good chow and a few beers to crown off a memorable weekend. Thanks to the team and especially donnay and mike for the supporting jobs they did and to Darren (and his Laboradoodles) for the good video footage.
I have to say at this junction that I think Julius Malema is an absolute clown (not that this is a magnificently astute observation). He is a total disgrace and the ANC should shut him down before he undoes all Zuma's good work 'til now. Our President certainly gets around and, is doing a better job than I ever expected, he certainly didn't get my vote, the criminal that he is. Not that I like to talk politics or religion, but credit must be given where credit is due. The Shabir Sheik thing however has been an absolute debacle and a complete hoot, pardon the pun. What was he doing, just taking a last drive around his beloved home town, looking for a deal on a fake gold ring from one of his childhood tjoms? Or maybe he had run out of mango Atjar to go with his mom's curry and all.
After Trotty's brilliant start for England, it went quickly downhill, as the first ODI for his adopted country started with a duck against Ireland. What a leveller the game can be. More of those to come towards the end of the year against your old country.
The Vuelta Espana has started too and after the prologue and first stage, predictably Fabian Cancellara was in the leaders jersey. I didn't see Contador in the start line which is a bit of a surprise given that he is the defending champion and a spaniard. I think Cadel Evans has a lot to prove, as does Carlos Sastre, so look out for these two come the mountains. Another rider who has made his return is Alexandre Vinokourov, and I expect him to be very competitive and has a massive amount to show on his comeback after a drugs ban.
The weather is grim in Cape Town and so have decided to take some days off the bike and will remount, both the bike and this Blog on Friday again.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)