Nissan World Cup 2009 PMB

World Cup – 11th April 09
On Thursday I went down to register and then go and collect my South African kit from Maverick. The kit was so cool. My team-mate James came to stay for the weekend at my place. We had to meet with Johan at 7am on Saturday morning so that he can tell us about the rules, etc. Our race starts, promptlyat 8.30am. We were the first race of the day and I knew that the rain we had during the night would have made the track muddy. I had a bad start and was lying quite far back in the field. When I got to the first piece of single track, a lot of the riders found themselves no longer on their bikes. I managed to stay on my bike and was now in 3rd place. When I went onto my second lap I let some air out of my tyres to get more traction , unfortunately air was now escaping from where the tyres seats on the rim. I eventually got a co2 canister and managed to re-inflate my tyre. I was now in about 10th place and boarding on the 80% rule to be pulled off when I came around to start my 3rd lap. I had lots of catching up to do and had to put a lot more effort in. The track was also drying out because it was hot and “heart break hill’ was now fully ride-able. By the time I reached the bottom of “heart break hill” on the last lap I was lying in 7th place. I put in maximum effort during the climb and managed to pass 3 riders. I was very happy about crossing the finishing line in 4th place. Then after lunch it was the Elites. My word it was something else to watch a start like that hey. There was even a crash with riders trying desperately to get past and catch up to the front guys. All the riders are at such a high level of riding and very fast. Burry being the main RSA rider which, everyone was cheering on, did really well finishing off 3rd overall and also 1st u23. It was really awesome standing at the finish cheering loudly with everyone as Burry came across the finishing line. The crowd was just so so loud, it was incredible really. The whole world cup was such an amazing experience for us riders here in SA who haven't had the oppotunity yet to go overseas and ride against some of the best riders in the world. I'm just really grateful that i was luckly enough to have been given that fantastic opportunity to race. Wow.

Cascades National #4 - 4th April 09

I have been quite excited about riding the National because a few of the overseas riders are here already for the World Cup and they would also be riding the National, which is quite cool because it makes it like a mini World Cup.
When I got down to the track on the Saturday there were quite a lot of people there already.
Everything was set up as it would be for the next weekend.
I could feel the excitement.

At the start I was feeling good and was ready to race. My race went very well and I finished in 3rd place, this has been my best finish in a National this season which was really so awesome.
Now next weekend i can't wait for as it is going to be amazing to be a part of the World Cup.

Provincial cup series #4

Provincial #4, Cascades.

It’s been a while since I’ve had the opportunity to update my blog. There has been so much going on; national, world cup, school and now I’m stuck at home with a sore knee.

So to start off where I left off, the provincial here at Cascades on the 29th of March. I was testing out a bike (maverick full suspension) which Johann had let me borrow so to see how it was going to help with my back. I’ve also been doing core muscle exercises to help with my back which I’m starting to see is actually working really well. I found that the Maverick was heavier than my Kona which meant that I had to work just that much harder. I liked the way the full suspension handles going through the single track and it is more comfortable when one is riding on a bumpy track.

The actual race was lots of fun, weather good and the general vibe was typical. During the race my back did get a little bit sore but not agony sore which meant that there was progress in the healing process of trying to fix this issue. Some people were complaining about their backs as well because there was lots of steep climbing involved. Was chuffed that I got a 2nd placing even though I was not on my Kona racing bike.

Provincial cup series #4

Provincial #4, Cascades.

It’s been a while since I’ve had the opportunity to update my blog. There has been so much going on; national, world cup, school and now I’m stuck at home with a sore knee.

So to start off where I left off, the provincial here at Cascades on the 29th of March. I was testing out a bike (maverick full suspension) which Johann had let me borrow so to see how it was going to help with my back. I’ve also been doing core muscle exercises to help with my back which I’m starting to see is actually working really well. I found that the Maverick was heavier than my Kona which meant that I had to work just that much harder. I liked the way the full suspension handles going through the single track and it is more comfortable when one is riding on a bumpy track.

The actual race was lots of fun, weather good and the general vibe was typical. During the race my back did get a little bit sore but not agony sore which meant that there was progress in the healing process of trying to fix this issue. Some people were complaining about their backs as well because there was lots of steep climbing involved. Was chuffed that I got a 2nd placing even though I was not on my Kona racing bike.

Saasveld, George, MTB National #3 SA Champs

Life in Motion is on the road again. Down we go to George for the third national this year.

We went to Johann's house on Wednesday evening so that we will be all ready for early thursday morning when it was time to leave. This time in the car it was James Reid, Melanie, Sbu, Johann and myself. It was a long journey so was happy to eventually arrive at Saasveld.

We were very fortunate to be staying at Alegra's sister's house where she took good care of us. Had so much amazingly good tasting food.

On Friday we went down to register and to practice on the track. The track was alright in that it had two big drops, but the track was also very bumpy.

On Saturday it was the day of the race. I was feeling very confident and ready to race. The track was slighty shorter so we therefore had to do an extra lap. On the start line there was many new faces and everyone else who normally races in Juniors. Everyone is ready to give it their all. There race started, with everyone racing to hit the first bit of the single track ahead. I worked my way up the field so that i was in 3rd place then on my 3rd lap i started getting pains in my lower back and in my hands. Then my lap time soon became slower and slower allowing 3 people to pass which put me in 6th place in the end. James managed to finish in 5th.

After the race we went down to the beach where we all were having fun in waves. Johann and myself were having a competition on who could body surf better... Johann won.

Then on Sunday morning we made the long journey back home.

The next National is on the 4th of April here in PMB, Cascades. Hoping to do a lot better this time round.

Port Shepstone, Uvongo, Provincial #3

Another weekend of good racing has gone on by for the Life In Motion team.

Saturday I rode the track and found it to be fast and quite bumpy. I was looking forward to having a dice with my team mate, James. It rained on Saturday night so I thought that the course would be muddy and more technical.

It was clear on race day morning. I was feeling a little tired as I didn't have a good night sleep. When it was near starting time, James and I went for a good warm up ride which was very cool. On the start line I was feeling very confident. The commentator was egging me on. The junior, u23 and elite all started together. The start was a sprint with myself, James, Jedson and Rowan leading. Unfortunately Rowan punctured on his first lap. The dice which i was hoping for with James didn't materialise. I had a fantastic ride today, I'm just really satisfied with my performance. James came in 2nd, S'bo finishing top five, Jedson won the u23 and Johann rode vetran class and also came in the top five.

Thursday the Life In Motion Team will be leaving for the George National/ SA Champs.

The Life In Motion Team (left to right): Johann, travis, S'bo, James, Jedson.

Cascades Provincial Cup #2

I woke up today feeling confident because i feel that i am fit and strong at the moment. I decided to ride down to the track because its close to my house. I was hoping for rain today which would have made the track a lot more technical but the weather held out. I got a very good start and when i got to the first part of the singletrack i had already pulled a gap from the others. Once i had gone through the feed zone for the first time i could just go out there and race my own race. The Elite started when i came through for my third lap and i decided to work my way up through their field. I was very pleased that i managed to pass quite a few riders who got podium finishes. The course has a lot of steep uphills which are challenging, the singletrack was slippery in places but in all i really enjoyed my race. Well done to Sbu, my team-mate, who had a very good ride and he had a podium finish.

The next Cup Race is in Uvongo on the 8th of March.