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.