CyClE Tour(Ism) - Cape Town Cycle Tour

Transcription

The official event magazine issue ONE 2016
How to… Get faster, fitter, change flats in a flash
Know your bike A handy guide to every variety
The 13 types of cyclist Recognise anyone?
Charity checklist Cycle for good
Cycle
Tour(ism)
Go there,
see that,
drink this
Plus Cape Town Cycle Tour Expo moves • Introducing WACE 6 international races
1COVER_LATEST.indd 1
2015/12/10 1:20 PM
© 2015 GIANT BICYCLE INC. PHOTO: @CAMERONBAIRD
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Contents
10
Welcome messages
Sponsors, organisers and
city officials welcome you to the
Cape Town Cycle Tour 2016.
16
Cape Town Cycle
Tour Expo For the first
time in a long time, the Expo has
moved to a new venue.
18
Show Your Solidarity
Picture highlights from the
first ever 47km Cycle Tour.
28
The entry process
This year the Cycle Tour
entry process changed. Here’s why…
30
Charities Cycling for a
charity will guarantee you
an entry to the event.
36
Seen on a bike There
are certain types of cyclists in
the world. See if you recognise any.
40
Cycle Tour(ism) See the
best Cape Town has to offer
before, during, or after your ride.
42
44
SAFETY FIRST Look after
yourself on your bike.
Eat right, ride well
Nutrition advice from
the experts at Pick n Pay.
48
How to… From the editors of Bicycling, all the information you can handle to be the
best-prepared Cycle Tour cyclist.
58
Know your bike The
sheer variety of bike types is
mind blowing. Do you know your
fixies from your 650bs?
WIN!
with Thule.
Turn to page 57
and find out how you can win a
trip to ride the Vätternrundan
in Sweden.
06
66
The World
Association
of Cycle Events
Six top international events have
combined to form WACE.
72
Slowly down the
Danube One intrepid
cycling explorer meanders gently
down the Danube cycle path.
76
Secret stage races
Okay, not so secret stage
races, but these are some of the
lesser-known and newer multi-day
rides on the calendar.
80
Keeping it clean
The South African Institute
of Drug-Free Sport aims to keep
cycling clean.
82
Mountain Bike
League breeds
champs The Spur Schools
MTB League is a popular league
producing top young talent across
South Africa.
83
Bikes and bits All the
gear you need for your
cycling exploits.
87
Medical musts
The team at Mediclinic
has your best interests at heart –
and also want you to check
your heart.
88
Lifecycle Week
All the essential event
information.
WIN WITH CYCLE
TOUR MAGAZINE
One lucky reader will win a
pendant and set of cufflinks worth
a total of R2880 courtesy of Infacet!
To enter, email info@tenfourmedia.
co.za, subject “chainlink” and tell us
what you love about the Cape Town
Cycle Tour. PAGE 86
Ts & Cs: winners are selected via random
draw and will be notified via email.
The prize will be couriered to the winner.
If more than one family member has
entered the Cycle Tour, they may also
enter the competition.
PUBLISHED BY TENFOUR MEDIA
www.tenfourmedia.co.za
BUSINESS DIRECTOR
Grant Whitfield ([email protected])
EDITOR
David Moseley ([email protected])
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Bryony McCormick and Chris Whitfield
ART DIRECTOR
Lindsay Peddie ([email protected])
DESIGNER
James King ([email protected])
Sales & Marketing Director
Justin Lyons ([email protected])
021 424 8459 / 072 567 1654
CONTRIBUTORS
Nick Muzik, Greg Beadle, Karin Schermbrucker, Ewald Sadie,
Cindy Taylor, Gary Perkin, Bicycling Magazine SA, Adri Bootsma,
Tobi Ginsberg (Volume), Jetline Action Photo
PUBLISHED BY TENFOUR MEDIA ON BEHALF OF
THE CAPE TOWN CYCLE TOUR TRUST
CAPE TOWN CYCLE TOUR TRUST
David Bellairs – Marketing, Media & Sponsorship Director
Renée Jordaan – Operations Director
Adri Bootsma – Marketing, Media & Sponsorship Manager
Chad Scalzini – Event Operations Manager
David Clarke – IT Manager
Veemla Morar – Office Manager
Jonathan Mortlock – Financial Manager
Riaan la Cock – Cycle Events Manager
Erick Oosthuizen – RaceTec General Manager
CAPE TOWN CYCLE TOUR TRUST TRUSTEES
Pete Smith (Chairman), Lester Cameron (Vice-Chairman),
Eion Brown, Lance Burger, Paul de Groot
Stephen Hayward, Robin Hunt-Davis, Zaakier Jacobs,
Derek Kreuger, Deborah Nash, Ian Robertson, George Viljoen
Cape Town Cycle Tour magazine is published by Tenfour Media.
Copyright: Tenfour Media. No portion of this publication may be
reproduced without prior written consent from Tenfour Media
or the authors. The publishers are not responsible
for any unsolicited material. The opinions expressed are not
necessarily those of Tenfour Media, the editors or the Cape Town
Cycle Tour Trust. Editorial and advertising enquiries:
[email protected]
TENFOUR MEDIA | 1st Floor | Art & Design Centre |
72 Loop Street | Cape Town | 8001
Cover image by Karin Schermbrucker
PRINTED BY PAARL MEDIA CAPE
CAPE TOWN cycle Tour 2015 • ISSUE one
VISIT THE TRIACTION STAND AT THE
CAPE TOWN CYCLE TOUR EXPO.
CAPE TOWN CYCLE TOUR
03 - 05 MARCH 2016
EXPO STAND 183 & 185
CAPE TOWN STADIUM, GREEN POINT, CAPE TOWN
CHOOSE THE WAY YOU MOVE ONLINE AT ZA.TRIUMPH.COM
USE CTC1115 AT CHECKOUT TO RECEIVE 25% OFF SELECTED MERCHANDISE.
VOUCHER VALID UNTIL 14 DECEMBER 2015. NOT VALID ON MERCHANDISE ALREADY DISCOUNTED.
CONNECT WITH
CAPE TOWN
With the MyCiTi bus, getting there is half the fun, so climb aboard
for an adventure at Cape Town’s fabulous fun spots this summer.
Feed the squirrels in the Company’s Gardens
Shop till you drop
The city centre, V&A Waterfront and Canal Walk at Century
City are all on MyCiTi bus routes, so you can get all your festive
season shopping done. Note the extended hours of MyCiTi
services on routes serving these retail hubs.
Every day hundreds of visitors explore the sights and sounds of
the central city. The Company’s Gardens is a perfect playground
for the children, with squirrels to feed, giant trees, fish ponds,
shady paths and spacious lawns to run on. There’s free Wi-Fi
and a great restaurant for the grown-ups too.
Picnic in the park
Relax in the amazing Green Point Urban Park next to the
Cape Town Stadium. With lawns, outdoor gym equipment and
plenty of space for the children to play, it’s the ideal picnic spot
to enjoy. Then stroll along the Mouille Point beachfront, with its
play parks, mini-golf and maze.
Linger in the city
Enjoy the light evenings in the central city, view the festive lights
and enjoy a meal or a drink in one of the many bars and restaurants
in the city centre, before catching one of the later buses home.
Fish and chips in Hout Bay
Have fun in the sun
Escape from the hassles of traffic and parking with a scenic bus
ride along the coast to Hout Bay. Take the youngsters, granny and
grandpa for crispy hake and chips at the water’s edge at the harbour.
It’s time for buckets and spades! The fabulous beaches of Clifton
and Camps Bay are now only a MyCiTi bus ride away. Make a day of
it with family and friends – not forgetting your hats and sunscreen.
Take a trip up Table Mountain
Visit the Two Oceans Aquarium
Experience one of the most magnificent sights in the world with
MyCiTi. Take the bus to the Kloof Nek stop and then transfer to
the free MyCiTi Table Mountain service, which takes you to and
from the Lower Cableway.
Start your visit to the V&A Waterfront at the world-class
Two Oceans Aquarium, then take a boat ride, have lunch
and catch the variety of holiday entertainment on offer.
Get a myconnect card
Buy a myconnect card for R30 and load it
with money to travel. You can load money
as Standard or save 30% on fares with
Mover points. Children under four travel free!
Catch a wave at Blouberg
Transfer at Table View station to the Blouberg route that gives
you picture-postcard views of Table Mountain and plenty of
sand and sea to enjoy. In the off-peak and on weekends you’re
welcome to bring your surfboard (or your bike) on the bus.
Call the Transport Information Centre (toll-free 24/7)
0800 65 64 63 www.myciti.org.za dial *120*1040#
For family and friends without myconnect
cards, there are single-trip cards for R35,
for one journey anywhere on the system,
including transfers. Remember to buy
another one for your return journey. These
are available from MyCiTi station kiosks and
dispensing machines in some stations.
Visit www.myciti.org.za to plan your journey to these and many more
exciting destinations, with the comfort and convenience of MyCiTi.
Myciti Bus
Transport for CapeTown
@MyCiTiBus
messages
The official welcomes
T
he City of
Cape Town
and the Western Cape Provincial
government both
recognise the value
of the Cycle Tour
through their committed support. The
Cycle Tour does,
after all, contribute
over R450 million to the local economy
each year. On top of that, charities benefit to the tune of over R30 million annually. The Cycle Tour’s sponsors deserve a
great deal of credit for this.
The greater Cape Town Cycle Tour
Trust team together with the many
volunteers and supporting organisations
do an amazing job each year. When
everything goes well it’s because they
deal with the curve balls so seamlessly.
Like the fires of 2015 for instance, that
was a case of rescuing the ‘wors from
the braai’ and the resultant ‘short route’
proved popular with many. Some who
feared they were unfit suddenly found
themselves perfectly prepared, and there
have since been calls for the addition of
a shorter route, so who knows?
But, if you’re reading this, it’s likely
that you plan to be riding the Cape Town
Cycle Tour on Sunday the 6th of March
2016. If so, may the sun shine gently
upon you, may a soft wind keep you cool,
may your legs prove tougher than teak,
may the spectators admire your style and
may your fans shower you with all the
adulation you expect.
Pete Smith
Cape Town Cycle
Tour Trust Chairman
10
I
t gives me great
pleasure to
welcome you
to our city for the
esteemed Cape
Town Cycle Tour.
Every year we
assemble across all
divides to witness
the incredible physical performance of
some of the world’s best cycling athletes
and show support to those who simply
participate for sheer enjoyment. Participation by all in this event is testament to
hours of discipline and dedication. Congratulations on making it through all the
preparation. This is your moment.
We also welcome all the spectators and
supporters to our beautiful city. Thank you
for adorning Cape Town with your encouraging spirit every year. We appreciate your
presence, which is key to the success of the
event and we thank you for visiting the city
we are fortunate enough to call home.
I hope that you will take the time to visit
some of our world-renowned attractions
during your stay. We are grateful for another opportunity to showcase that Cape Town
has what it takes to host massive events on
this scale, as we work hard to becoming the
events capital of Africa.
Thank you to all the sponsors and organisers who work tirelessly to help us make
that vision a reality.
Each year it remains an honour for the
City of Cape Town to support this event
which helps further our goals of building an
inclusive-opportunity city
All the best.
W
elcome!
On behalf
of the
Western Cape
Government, it
is my pleasure to
welcome each of
you to this 39th
edition of the
Cape Town
Cycle Tour.
Our Province and City are privileged
to host this iconic race. We are delighted
to have thousands of visitors, whom we
Our Province and City are
privileged to host this iconic
race. We are delighted to
have thousands of visitors,
whom we hope will take full
advantage of all our province
has to offer.
hope will take full advantage of all our
province has to offer.
I would also like to acknowledge the
cyclists representing various charities or
NGOs, who will ride for these important
causes. Your efforts will go a long way
in assisting the less privileged in our
communities.
To everyone taking part, I wish you
all the best.
Enjoy the scenery, enjoy the ride.
Good luck!
Helen Zille
Premier of the Western Cape
Patricia de Lille
Executive Mayor of
Cape Town
EVENT
NOW, NO MATTER HOW YOU
MOVE, YOU’LL STILL SCORE.
By the time you cross the finish line of the Cape Town Cycle Tour,
you would have earned an Active Day.
Earn 13 Active Dayz™ in a month and you would get cash back of up to
R450 in HealthReturns.
Visit the Momentum Multiply website (www.momentum.co.za/multiply)
to find out how you can turn your Active Dayz™ into real rewards.
Earn Active Dayz™ by participating in any of these activities:
01
= 01 Event
or 01 Visit to the gym
or 300 Calories burnt in a session
or 10 000 Steps taken in a day
messages
message
T
he 2015
edition of
the Cape
Town Cycle Tour
was probably the
most memorable
in the history of
this amazing
event. The
safety of the usual
109km route was
compromised
by the fires that
swept through our beautiful peninsula
just days before the Cycle Tour.
But instead of calling off the event we
used the day, on a shortened route, to
pay tribute to the brave men and women
who fought the blaze and to remember
those affected by the fire.
At the Cape Argus we are proud to
have been part of this event since the
start. It was a privilege to be part of the
I
2
Solidarity Ride and seeing all the riders
wear red on the day was heartening. But
more importantly, the Cape Argus was
proud to be associated with an event that
put the well-being of riders first – be it
the pros, those who’ve ridden every Cycle
Tour since its inception or the first time
fun rider.
For 2016 the spirit of the Cycle Tour
will be no different. Here’s wishing you
tailwinds and fair weather for the ride of
your life.
Kind regards,
t’s with great
pleasure that
we’re able to
host the 39th
Cape Town Cycle
Tour on Sunday,
6 March 2016.
The Cape Town
Cycle Tour 2016
will be slightly different in that it will
herald two significant firsts: in very
exciting news, the Cape Town Cycle Tour
Expo, running from 3 – 5 March 2016, will
be held at the Cape Town Stadium for the
first time, making the Expo more central
and easily accessible, with ample space and
parking. Hosting it at this world-class facility
means visitors can look forward to an even
greater selection of products and services,
including the latest and greatest in cycling
gear and paraphernalia, as well as a fullyequipped Pick n Pay food hall and Flavours
of Pick n Pay where visitors can relax.
Pick n Pay would like to thank all of
you – from first-timers and tandem riders to professionals and the hundreds of
riders who cycle for charities on the day:
our sincerest, most heartfelt thanks once
again for your support. On race day we
also rely on many service-providers and
volunteers behind the scenes who work
tirelessly to make sure the cyclists get
to the start, and our sincerest thanks to
them for their ongoing support and
commitment.
As always, I’m sure you will join me
in thanking the City of Cape Town for
providing the world’s most beautiful cycle
route. Wishing you all the best for a safe,
enjoyable and wind-free ride,
Sincerely,
015 was
Momentum’s
second year
as sponsor, and
although a very
different, shortened,
race took place,
we were especially
honoured to be part
of an historic ride
to show support
and solidarity for
the many brave
fire-fighters and the residents of the city who
experienced the devastating fires.
At the time South Africans rose to the
call for help, donations flooded in and immediate needs were met. The fires made
us realise that there was a bigger problem
and we wanted to come up with a solution
that would have a lasting impact on fire
safety. We partnered with the Disaster
Management Team and the Western Cape
Government to make a Fire & Safety Toolkit
available to as many children and classrooms as possible.
The idea of the toolkit is to help children
understand the basic concepts of fire safety,
burn prevention and emergency procedures
and for them to then take the message
home to their parents and communities. We
hope to have contributed in a small way to
finding a sustainable means of preventing
fires on the peninsula and making families
and communities safer.
We are very proud of our association and
partnership with Pick n Pay, the Cape Argus
and the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust and
extend our warmest thanks to organisers,
race officials and all the emergency service
teams who work towards keeping everyone
safe on race days.
See you at the finish.
Gasant Abarder
Cape Argus Editor
Malcolm Mycroft
General Manager: Marketing, Pick n Pay
Carel Bosman
Head Momentum Sponsorships
The 2015 edition of the Cape
Town Cycle Tour was probably
the most memorable in the
history of this amazing event.
12
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messages
message
T
I
A
he City of
Cape Town
extends a
warm welcome to
those who have
done the Cape Town
Cycle Tour more
than once and who
return to experience
the beauty, camaraderie and hospitality of
our city. A word of warning to first-time
riders: you will fall in love with Cape
Town and everything it has to offer.
The City of Cape Town is extremely
proud to be associated with an event that
has become one of the highlights on the
events calendar. The City has developed
a strong track record as an events destination and continues to attract major global
events to our shores. Events are a catalyst
for providing outstanding visitor experiences in a unique and beautiful setting.
Our support of the Cape Town Cycle
Tour is part of our strategy to attract big
events to the city and to position Cape
Town as the events capital of Africa.
The Cape Town Cycle Tour remains
one of the events with the biggest
contributions to our economy and is
a major draw-card for local and
international participants.
Participants and spectators alike can
attest to the fact that the Cape Town Cycle
Tour is a fun, family-oriented day, full of fellowship and life-long memories that is set in
one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
We wish all participants the best of
luck. Enjoy the race, marvel at the beauty
of Cape Town and soak up some of the
atmosphere, colour and hospitality that
this city has to offer.
Have fun out there,
t gives me
great pleasure
to welcome all
participants, both
first time entrants
as well as seasoned
competitors, to the
2016 Cape Town
Cycle Tour.
Esteemed as the largest timed cycling
event in the world, the Cape Town Cycle
Tour offers 35 000 cyclists a 109km ride
through the Mother City’s picturesque
scenery including the iconic Table Mountain as a backdrop with a healthy dose of
competition.
The Cape Town Cycle Tour undoubtedly makes a meaningful contribution to
the Western Cape Department of Cultural
Affairs and Sport’s mission to encourage
excellence and inclusiveness in sport and
culture through the effective, efficient
and sustainable use of our resources, and
through creative partnerships with others.
In moving to excellence, we will create
the conditions for access and mass participation, talent identification and skills
development.
Cycling events such as the Cape Town
Cycle Tour enable a socially inclusive, creative, active and connected Western Cape.
It also affords visitors the opportunity to witness first-hand the beauty Cape Town has to
offer, while maintaining the Western Cape’s
status as a cycle friendly destination for all.
I encourage entrants to enjoy the race,
wish them well in their preparations for the
day and continued prosperity in being the
positive role models to the youth as they
lead their healthy lifestyles while increasing
wellness in the province.
Enjoy your day,
s one of our
world-class
events, the
Cycle Tour showcases the province
as a global cycling
destination.
I have set a target
of attracting 100 000
cycling tourists to the province within the
next 10 years.
To reach this goal, we are developing an
informed cycle tourism strategy in partnership with the private sector. This strategy
seeks to promote the Western Cape as a
must-visit destination for casual and competitive cyclists.
We plan to do this by adopting a range of
safety initiatives and by increasing the number and range of cycling events we host.
Councillor Garreth Bloor
Mayoral Committee
Member for Tourism,
Events and Economic
Development
Anroux Marais
Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs
and Sport
Alan Winde
Western Cape Minister of Economic
Opportunities
14
I have set a target of attracting
100 000 cycling tourists to
the province within the next
10 years.
With regard to increasing the cyclefriendliness of our city, we have already
started to roll out a network of dedicated
bicycle lanes to ensure cycling is a safe,
viable transport option for residents and
visitors. Our MyCiti public transport bus
service welcomes you and your bike.
I look forward to seeing you on one
of the many training routes for the Cycle
Tour, and indeed on the day.
Our sincere thanks go out to all the
Cycle Tour’s sponsors who continue to
make this event so successful.
I would like to wish you all the best for
your 2016 race.
Here’s to success,
in cycling and life.
As a dedicated sponsor of the Cape Town Cycle Tour, we have
always been right beside you. In every winding twist and turn.
And every uphill struggle. But for some, our support will continue
long after the race is done. In partnering with the Velokhaya Life
Cycle Academy in Khayelitsha, we are helping youngsters to escape
the hardships of township life by taking up cycling. Giving them what
they need to take on any challenge. And ensuring that we are all
winners in this amazing race.
As always, for race and travel info, training tips and nutritional advice,
visit picknpay.co.za/cycle-tour.
shop till you drop
Cape Town Cycle Tour
Expo moves to the
Cape Town Stadium
The Cape Town Cycle Tour Expo will take place at the Cape Town Stadium
for the first time in 2016. The event runs from Thursday 3 March to Saturday
5 March in the lead-up to the annual Cape Town Cycle Tour.
T
he organising team behind the Cape Town Cycle
Tour Expo has been hard at work at the iconic Cape
Town Stadium, measuring every nook and cranny
in order to develop a floor plan that incorporates all
that the Expo is expected to deliver.
Now in its 26th year, the Expo started in the parking garage
of a then partly constructed Victoria Wharf shopping centre.
It then moved to various locations in the V&A Waterfront and
Cape Town Harbour, before making its home at the Good Hope
Centre, where it remained for eighteen years.
Having outgrown the Good Hope Centre, the move to the Cape
16
Town Stadium now brings the Expo closer to the official finish of
the Cycle Tour and to its hospitality hub. It opens many opportunities for future developments, making the Green Point area of Cape
Town the focal point of the Cape Town Cycle Tour activities.
The new Expo location is spoilt for numerous safe parking
options, has the V&A Waterfront 500 metres away and has
postcard vistas of Table Mountain, Signal Hill, the Noon Gun,
Robben Island and Table Bay.
The Expo is primarily the only point of registration for
participants of the Cape Town Cycle Tour. Hence, it delivers an
immensely focused audience to the South African cycling industry.
The Cycle Tour Expo has over the years become a cycling
megastore and is the largest of its kind in Africa. Roughly 70 000
visitors make their way through the doors over the three day
period to witness the latest and greatest in cycling gear
and paraphernalia.
The design and the flow of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Expo
ensures that every single exhibitor enjoys the total visitor foot
fall, culminating with a Pick n Pay leisure and food area alongside
the field in the Stadium serving wine, oysters and great live
music. This area is aptly officially termed the “Flavours of
Pick n Pay”. The exhibition is designed for visitor and retail
comfort. Everyone who is anyone in the cycling, health and
fitness industry is represented.
From top road and mountain bikes to a fully-equipped Pick n
Pay food hall and tea garden, the refreshed event is a must-see
for all sport enthusiasts and spectators.
All Cape Town Cycle Tour entrants must visit the Cycle Tour Expo
to collect their race packs. Once-off Expo entry for participants will
be free-of-charge by means of their RaceTec chip. General admission
tickets for the public are also available at R40 per person.
For more information on the 2016 Cape Town Cycle Tour
Expo, please visit www.capetowncycletour.com.
2016 exhibitors so far
2WheelsAfrica
32Gi
Adidas Eyewear
Alii Lifestyle
Amped
Anatomic Winner Wear
Angel Hands
Private Game Reserve and
Saving Private Rhino
Aromatic Apothecary
ASG Sport Solutions
At Life Products (Pty) Ltd
At Out France
ATKV Goudini Spa
Badger
Bicycle Accessories
Bicycle Power
Bicyclegear.co.za
Bicycling Magazine
BidAir Cargo
Biogen
Bondiblu
Booth Bikes
Boston Breweries
Brunox
Buff & Osprey
Cancer Association of South
Africa
Cape Argus
Cape Union Mart
Cape Winelands
Capestorm
Chain Gang Events
Chris Willemse Cycles
Coimbra Cycle House
Coolheat – Shimano
Craft
CrampEase
Cycling J&J
Dahon Folding Bikes
Dark Horse Wheels
Dirty Hippo
East Cape Mountain Biking
Enervit
Enjoy Fitness
Evobikes
Extreme Lights
Eyelights Sunglasses
Falke
First Ascent
Fit Sports
Funky Pants
Global Extreme
GNC
Gu Energy
Guava Bandannas
Hammer Nutrition
Haute Route
HOCATT
Holdfast
Indola
International Academy – massaging
ION
iSmart
Italy Bike Hotels
ITU World Traithlon Series
Jetline Action Photo
Jockey
Knysna Oyster Festival
Le Coq Sportif
Lucky Star
Maillot Jaune Trading
Mediclinic
Momentum
Nampak
National Sea Rescue Institute
Nature’s Delicacies
New Kings Hotel
nuun – electrolyte enhanced
drink tabs
Oakley
Ocean Eyewear
Olympic Cycles
OSMO Nutrition
Pesto Princess Foods
TylerOptix
Pick n Pay
PinkDrive
POC & ICEdot
pOcpac
Polar
Powerade
Powerbar
PVM
Rapid Sport
Ride Magazine
Rockets
Ron Jones
SA Medal Hangers
SA Guide-Dogs Association
for the Blind
Safari Biltong
Santa Cruz & Juliana Bicycles
SilverChem
SKINS – Compression Garments
Slick
Slow-Mag
SolRxsa
SOS Eyewear
Sportsmans Warehouse
SRAM/Camelbak
St. Lukes Hospice
Standard Chartered Rify Valley
Odyssey
SwiftCarbon
Tech Zone
The Bike Pick Up
Thule
Trap vir Bybels/Cycle for
Bibles
Trek
Triumph
Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban
Classic
Two Wheels Trading/Momsen
Bikes
U-Turn Ministries
Veleau Bicycle Hydration
V-Tech
Wattbike
Zinplex
Cape Town Cycle
Tour Expo
Stand bookings
and enquiries
Eddy Cassar Public
Relations
021 438 2595
www.cycletourexpo.co.za
GOODIE BAG
enquiries
Monica Childs
Marketing
www.monicachildsmarketing.co.za
17
Blazing saddles
After devastating fires around Cape Town ahead of the 2015 Cape Town Cycle Tour,
IMAGE GARY PERKIN AND KARIN Schermbrucker
the route was shortened and the event dubbed the “Show You Care Solidarity Ride”.
Cyclists salute the weary firefighters. Herman, a 2015 participant, said he got tearful when
he rode past the entrance to Newlands Forest and witnessed the group of dancing and
clapping members of the Volunteer Wildfire Services. “They were thanking us for riding in
support of them – after the triple shifts and the danger they faced fighting fires, they came
out to thank us… I couldn’t believe it. It was a very special moment.”
Cycle
Tour
The Blue Route (M3) can be tough
if the wind’s blowing. The best
place to hide is in the bunch.
In a rare Cycle Tour moment, cyclists
make their way down and up the M3.
IMAGEs GARY PERKIN/CINDY tAYLOR/Karin Schermbrucker/Ewald Sadie/Cindy Taylor
Fancy dress and fun was the
order of the day for many who
embraced the shortened route.
From start to finish, the atmosphere at
the Show You Care Solidarity Ride was
magical, with riders exchanging smiles,
hugs and high fives at the end.
Many of the close on 34 000
riders dressed in red, and at times
large stretches of the Blue Route
resembled a red sea of cyclists.
Riders make their way back into Cape
Town along Nelson Mandela Boulevard.
MTB
Challenge
The Blue Route (M3) can be tough
if the wind’s blowing. The best
place to hide is in the bunch.
The route offered some challenges,
spectacular scenery and rows upon
rows of vineyards
The Cape Town Cycle Tour MTB Challenge
was once again held in the Greater
Simonsberg Conservancy, Stellenbosch.
IMAGEs GARY PERKIN/Greg Beadle
The sun beats down every
year at the MTB Challenge.
With five distances, the MTB Challenge
really does offer something for everyone.
Supercyclist.
Singletrack heaven!
IMAGEs GARY PERKIN/NICK MUZIK/Karin Schermbrucker
The MTB Challenge usually
requires a post-race cool down.
Cycle Tour Junior
The wheels are still on,
but the cyclist has come off.
Race face!
IMAGEs GARY PERKIN/Karin Schermbrucker
The Cape Town Cycle Tour Junior
is the perfect opportunity to
introduce the tikes to trikes.
entries
The new entry process
In line with international best practice, entry to the Cape Town Cycle Tour now takes
the form of an online application system to eliminate the quick sell-out of entries.
I
n August 2015, the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust (CTCTT),
organisers of the Cycle Tour, announced a new online entry
application process for 2016 and the forseeable future. This
change has been introduced to eliminate the quick sell-out of
entries and to improve cyclists’ overall experience.
David Bellairs, a CTCTT director, says: “This is the first time
Cycle Tour has moved away from the first-come-first-serve
entry mechanism, and we believe this new system will ensure a
more equitable and inclusive process for all prospective riders.
In previous years, many prospective riders were disavowed an
opportunity to enter because of infrastructural challenges (like
slow or no internet access), or lack of availability (they were on
a plane, in a meeting). That played a role in the CTCTT committing to a more equitable and fair entry process which allows a
larger window of opportunity to secure an entry for the event.”
Applicants will now no longer need to rush to be the first in line
as soon as the entry portal opens. Instead, potential participants
are able to apply for an entry at their convenience during the
allocated “Entry Application” period. “This gives all eager riders
a fair chance to access the online portal to register their interest
and to update their details at the same time.”
Bellairs adds that online application entry portals have proven
successful at top European and American sporting events. “Such
systems have become standard practice at key sporting events
around the world, including the New York Marathon and Boston
Marathon. The Trust, along with its three co-naming rights
sponsors – Cape Argus, Pick n Pay and Momentum – carefully
researched and considered all options, and we are confident that
our new process will serve riders well and further entrench the
global appeal of the Cape Town Cycle Tour.”
All entry applicants must now follow the clear three-step process
to apply for a Cycle Tour entry.
How to apply for a public entry
• Entry application
For a designated time, prospective local and international riders can
apply, free of charge, for an entry at www.capetowncycletour.com.
Entry applications
An entry application amounts to an indication of interest only
and does not ensure entry. Cycle Tour entries will be awarded at
random, regardless of whether interest is registered on the first
or the last day of the application period.
• Entry confirmation
After applying, successful applicants will receive an email
notification from the Cycle Tour Events Office, advising them
that their application has been successful.
• Securing an entry
Successful applicants will have a window period to make payment
which will secure their entry. Payment not received by the
determined date, or should the applicant opt to decline the
entry awarded to them, will result in that entry being made
available to a previously unsuccessful rider.
Corporate Group entries will no longer be available, so those
who have made use of these in the past will need to follow the
public entry application process.
Charities
A certain number of the entries will be made available via charity
groups at varying costs and unsuccessful applicants or corporate
group riders are encouraged to support a worthy cause by
entering via one of the successfully listed charities. (See page 30).
Follow @CTCycleTour on Twitter or like the official Cape Town Cycle Tour page
on Facebook (www.facebook.com/CTCycleTour) for regular updates.
28
Used does
not mean
useless.
1501957_FP_E
While its contents
keep you hydrated,
your plastic bottle’s
life doesn’t end once
it’s empty. In South
Africa, PET bottles are
collected and recycled
into polyester fibre,
packaging and even
new PET bottles
—thus closing the
loop. Sending them
to landfill is a waste.
Be responsible.
Recycle them.
Plastic bottles are not trash.
Visit www.petco.co.za for more information.
1is PET
0860 147 738
www.petco.co.za
charities
GO TO OUR WEBSITE
capetowncycletour.com
FOR ALL CHARITY INFO AND
CONTACT DETAILS
Be a cycling good Samaritan
Riding for a charity is one of the easiest ways to guarantee your entry into the
Cape Town Cycle Tour and do some good at the same time.
There are over 90 charities involved with
the Cape Town Cycle Tour. To secure an
entry into future events, why not consider
riding for a good cause.
Badisa Wynberg
As a child protection agency,
Badisa Wynberg believes
that it is important to invest
in the education and care of our youngest and most vulnerable children and their
families.
Orbis Africa
Orbis Africa is committed to
seeing a world where no one
is needlessly blind. Millions of lives changed,
thousands of eye care professionals trained,
countless stories of possibility – this is the
work of Orbis.
Bright Start
We have been providing
access to quality education for children from the communities of
Imizamo Yethu and Hangberg in Hout Bay
since 2008.
30
HeadsUP!
HeadsUP! is a programme of
the non-profit ComaCARE
Trust that aims to raise public awareness around traumatic brain injuries
(TBIs), one of South Africa’s most devastating epidemics.
Sunfield Home
Wellington
Sunfield is a protected
workshop and care centre for intellectually
impeded adults and renders social services
within a widely spread geographical area of
the Western Cape.
Boland Hospice
You matter because you are
you. You matter at the end of
your life. And we will do all
we can. Not only to help you die peacefully,
but also to live until you die.
Ari’s Cancer
Foundation
Ari’s Cancer Foundation is
a Cape Town based charity
that was founded in 2012. The foundation
is the first non-profit organisation in South
Africa to focus on Adolescents and Young
Adults (AYA’s) suffering from cancer.
Langebaan
Animal Care
Volunteers serving the
greater Langebaan area,
funding sterilisations and
inoculations. We help prevent neglect
and abuse of animals, collect strays and
educate the public. At Langebaan Animal
Care we have weekly clinics for fostering
and adopting.
Cart Horse
Protection
Association
Cart Horse Protection Association (CHPA)
is committed to the welfare of the working cart horse and will continue to be
involved with the carting community at
grassroots level, maintain a strong and
dedicated leadership, encourage participation of our beneficiaries in protecting
the welfare of the working horse and
localcharities
events
their source of income, provide education
and training and ensure sound financial
management of donor funds.
GOLD Peer
Education
Development
Agency
GOLD is a dynamic non-profit organisation that was established in 2004. It uses
the methodology of peer education, which
harnesses the influence that young leaders
have with their peers to encourage youth to
make informed choices and develop healthenhancing and purpose driven social norms.
Sabrina Love
Foundation
Initiative
The Foundation provides
holistic care for children with special needs
including professional and medical assistance, daily caregivers in the home or in
schools, parental education and support
groups, financial assistance to parents,
transport to medical facilities around the
country and networking with relevant
medical and educational facilities.
Project Dignity
We are passionate about
helping as many girls as
possible to complete their
education by removing one of their huge
obstacles – not having access to sanitary
products and thus missing one week of
school each month.
Free Of TB
Free Of TB is a new,
non-profit NGO which aims
to play an active role in the fight against
drug-resistant tuberculosis
Cape Leopard
Trust
The Cape Leopard Trust uses research as a
tool for conservation, finding solutions to
human-wildlife conflict and inspiring interest in the environment through an interactive and dynamic education programme.
Matla A Bana
– A voice against
child abuse
Matla A Bana, A voice
against Child Abuse, helps 20 000
children who have been raped every year.
Most of these are little girls between four
and 12 years old. Founded by ex-hostage
Monique Strydom, we work very closely
with SAPS Child Protection Units across
South Africa. If you cycle with us, you
will join our Xtreme for Kids Tour Group,
who will be cycling from Johannesburg
to Cape Town 10 days before the Cape
Town Cycle Tour and will be able to join
them for the last day (or kilometres) of
the tour on Saturday 5 March as a warm
up session.
Bumble Bee Fund
The Bumble Bee Fund
strives to better the quality
of life of disabled children
by enhancing their personal
mobility and independence, in particular
by providing or assisting in the provision
of mobility aids. Join our team and make a
difference in the lives of our beneficiaries.
SA Guide-Dogs
Association
for the Blind
The South African Guide Dogs Association (or GDA for short) was founded in
1953 by Gladys Evans and her guide
dog, Sheena. From those early days, the
organisation has grown from strength to
strength, including the establishment of
a purpose built training centre, to which
any person who is visually impaired and
capable of working with a guide dog may
apply. Since 1993, with the assistance of
Canine Companions for Independence in
California USA, we have also been able
to offer service and social dogs to people
with disabilities or those who have special
needs. The SA Guide-Dogs Association is
funded entirely by way of donations – a
remarkable achievement on the part of
donors considering that it costs well over
R80 000 to produce one trained ‘unit’ of
owner and dog, with ongoing aftercare.
Home of Hope
Home of Hope is a nonprofit organisation that
cares for abused and abandoned children in South Africa. Our work
has a special focus on those affected by
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD),
which is permanent brain damage caused
by pre-natal exposure to alcohol.
Bible Society
– Cycle for
Bibles
Since 1820, the Bible
Society of South Africa has been providing
affordable Bibles for all South Africans in
their own language and in suitable formats
so that all may experience the life-giving
message of the Word.
St Luke’s Hospice
Cycling to bring dignity!
St Luke’s Hospice is not a
place; it’s a philosophy of
care. As one of the oldest Hospices in South
Africa we pride ourselves on our invaluable
services, which we offer to patients with lifethreatening illnesses in the communities of
the Greater Cape Town area, free of charge.
Badisa
Tygerberg
Based in Parow,
BADISA Tygerberg
renders services to children and families
in need. The office delivers awareness,
early intervention, statutory and
re-integrations services.
Jwalang
Ministries
The focus of the ministry
is to empower vulnerable
children in the community to be useful citizens of the Kingdom and consequently also
for their community and for South Africa.
SmilingOne
We educate
and job activate
change agents who play an instrumental
role in shifting criminal behaviour in our
Society and shaping a better and safer future
for our youth, families and communities.
Ikhaya Le
Themba
– Community of Hope
Ikhaya Le Themba is a faith-based,
non-profit organisation (046-634 NPO)
providing services over the past 12 years
to the community of Khayelitsha, and now
reaching as far as Namibia.
31
charities
Kheth’Impilo
Innovation in
Public Health
Be part of a winning team!
Did you know Kheth’Impilo
means “Choose Health or Choose Life”
... it encourages our communities and
patients to make decisions which promote
positive health-seeking behaviour.
MES: Celebrating
30 years of
changing the
heart of the city!
In 2016, MES will be celebrating 30 years
of “Changing the heart of the city!” MES
empowers people holistically (addressing their spiritual, physical, emotional and
developmental needs) to lead sustainable
and meaningful lives. We invite you to
cycle for change and partner with MES to
restore dignity and bring hope to inner city
communities.
Centre for
Early Childhood
Development
The focus of our work
is on improving the education and
care for our country’s most vulnerable
citizens; young children from
disadvantaged communities.
Afrika Tikkun
Afrika Tikkun works toward
a future where today’s children and youth are tomorrow’s productive citizens. We do this by
adopting a cradle-to-career model which
invests in the development of disadvantaged children from early infancy through
young adulthood and into the world
of work.
Distance
For Difference
(D4D)
Distance For Difference
(D4D) has been making a difference in
the lives of children in need since 2005.
We use sport to raise money for charities
working with children – as well as individual children – who need financial assistance. 2016 is our 11th year of making
a difference!
32
ORT SA CAPE
ORT SA CAPE focuses on
Education Development
for children, teachers and organisations in
disadvantaged communities.
Vuselela School
Makeover
Vuselela’s aim is to improve the circumstances under which our children are
being educated.
Breadline
Africa
This non-profit organisation is one of the biggest suppliers of converted shipping containers to support early
childhood development and literacy projects
in poor communities in South Africa.
Learn to Earn
Through our programmes
we have impacted over
11 500 unemployed people
in turning their circumstances around
– come and join our team and help us
impact many more.
Project Cat-Eye
Our Mission is to create a
fund which will continue
to be used in assisting people in need with a
variety of eye care needs.
The
Kidzpositive
Family Fund
The Kidzpositive Family Fund is a Non-Profit
Organisation dedicated to improving the
lives of children and families affected by
HIV/AIDS and other chronic diseases.
Iris House
Children’s
Hospice
Iris House Children’s Hospice, formed in
June 2011 and situated in the Northern
Suburbs of Cape Town, is South Africa’s first
and only special needs children’s hospice
that provides free quality community and
hospice base care to children and families
with life-limited and life-threatening conditions in the Northern and Southern suburbs
of Cape Town, Mfuleni, Khayelitsha, Vredenburg and Saldanha Bay.
DeafNET
Centre
of Knowledge
Help deaf children
in Africa reach their academic potential.
Feed A Child
Feed a Child’s mission is
to provide a nourishing
meal to children from any culture or ethical
group, who through circumstances beyond
their control, are placed on or below the
poverty line.
LEAP Science and
Maths School
LEAP Science and Maths
School is a dynamic organisation offering high-quality high school
education to some of the most impoverished communities in South Africa on a
no-fee basis.
Endangered
Wildlife Trust
The Endangered Wildlife
Trust (EWT) is dedicated
to conserving threatened species and
ecosystems in southern Africa to the
benefit of all people. Our vision is a
healthy planet and an equitable world that
values and sustains diversity of all life.
SNAP
SNAP is a unique,
child-specific,
one-on-one, integrated programme
for children with special needs. It also
endeavours to assist and support parents
and other persons entrusted to their care.
SA Riding For The
Disabled Association Cape Town
SA Riding For The Disabled
Association provides free therapeutic riding
to about 180 children and adults living with
mental and physical disabilities in greater
Cape Town.
SA
Children’s
Home
The South African Children’s Home was
the first welfare institution established in
charities
South Africa. More than 200 years later,
the Children’s Home continues its care of
vulnerable children.
Rhenish Girls
High School
Not only do we often seek
sponsorship for girls from
previously disadvantaged schools to attend
our school, but the girls are also involved in
a host of projects that are focused on giving
back to the community.
South Africans
Against Drunk
Driving (SADD)
South Africans Against Drunk Driving
(SADD) is a charity working throughout SA
to ensure that all road users are safe.
The Vuleka
Trust
The RBPS Vuleka Trust
assists in opening doors to equal-educational
opportunities for pupil’s from previously
disadvantaged backgrounds to Rondebosch
Boys Preparatory School in order to uphold
and enhance the dignity of these pupils.
Sisanda
FunDaytion
Sisanda FunDaytion is a
non-profit organisation working with
volunteers to influence the lives of
disadvantaged and vulnerable children in
Cape Town, through recreation and fun.
Qhubeka
Qhubeka helps people
move forward and
progress by giving bicycles in return for work
done to improve communities, the environment or academic results.
Hi Hopes
Hi Hopes is the only programme
in South Africa that supports
families and their deaf infants
in the natural environment of the home
– in the home language.
Pedalling4Pompe/Riding
4 Rare Diseases
Pedalling4Pompe is the official cycling
division for Rare Diseases South Africa,
a registered NPO and PBO, which aims
to ensure all rare disease patients in SA
receive access to life-saving treatment and
supportive care for improved quality of life.
Make A
Difference
Leadership
Foundation (MAD)
MAD Leadership Foundation focuses on
leadership development through education
with an aim to identify academically talented
scholars, who do not have the necessary
financial resources, and offer them support
in the areas of education, leadership and lifeskills development.
Badisa TRIO
Badisa Trio is a child protection organisation that renders
services in the Bellville, Brackenfell, Durbanville, Kraaifontein, Scottsdene
& Fisantekraal area. Child protection services
require that social workers investigate alleged child neglect, abuse and exploitation
of children. Our mission is to empower individuals, families and the broader community
and create a safe space for children.
Boland School
for Autism
The Boland School for Autism aims to
be an autism specific school that offers
education based on the needs and special
abilities of the individual learner.
WWF Panda
Peloton
WWF’s “For Nature” campaigns
invites nature-loving cyclists,
to combine their twin passion
of cycling and nature by raising funds and
awareness for conservation through participating in key events year round and raising
funds for WWF to continue its conservation work and by raising awareness around
important conservation issues.
Reach For
A Dream
Join The Dream Team
and help fulfill the
dreams of children fighting life threatening
illnesses. This is your opportunity to ride
with purpose and help spread the love and
joy to our beautiful dreamers.
Race4Rhino
Race4Rhino is
a Race4Conservation initiative with the
mission to raise awareness and funds for
conservation by promoting a healthier
lifestyle through sport.
Inner
Strength
Charity
The Inner Strength Trust provides financial
support to patients who are injured and require the rehabilitation facilities of Vincent
Pallotti Life Centre, but who do not have
the financial back up to afford it. Cape Kidney
Association
The Cape Kidney Association
is a grassroots Non-Profit Organisation
that raises funds to assist indigent kidney
patients suffering with chronic kidney
disease at the various provincial hospitals
in and around the greater Western Cape.
All funds raised are through fundraising
events and donations.
SAFE
SAFE is an education
NPO with the interests
of university students at
its core. SAFE provides bursaries to
students and ensures that their well being
is maintained by an ongoing programme
of support for their living requirements as
well as educational mentorship.
Guardians of
the Children’s
Hospital Trust
This entry is exclusively
for Guardians of the Trust. Guardians are
committed donors who already donate
R5000 or more per year and so receive the
added benefit of accessing a charity entry
at cost without the added expectation to
raise more funds.
Pebbles Project
We’re a non-profit organisation
passionate about supporting children and their families in farming
33
charities
communities in South Africa. The work and
mission of The Pebbles Project consists of
five main pillars: education, health, nutrition, community and protection.
Carel du Toit
Trust
The Carel du Toit Trust
raises funds to financially support the Carel du Toit Centre in
Parow, Cape Town, where children with
hearing impairments from all over the
province acquire natural spoken-language
– an outcome that may have seemed
unlikely for families after the diagnosis of
their child’s deafness.
Langerugskool
Langerugskool is ’n spesiale skool in
Worcester vir kinders met spesifieke leerhindernisse. Ons glo dat elke kind hier sy
of haar volle potensiaal kan bereik.
Children’s
Hospital
Trust
/Red Cross
Children’s
Hospital
The Children’s Hospital Trust was
established in 1994 to fundraise for
the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s
Hospital – the largest stand-alone
tertiary hospital in sub-Saharan Africa,
dedicated entirely to children. The Trust
is an independent, non-profit organisation that relies on the benevolence of
donors to realise its aims. In 2011 the
Trust expanded its fundraising reach
beyond the Hospital’s doors to impact
more broadly on the quality of healthcare provided to children at other levels
of the health services.
Go for Gold
Tackling South Africa’s
youth unemployment
problem while simultaneously
addressing the shortage of young
graduate professionals from disadvantaged communities entering the built
environment, has been the driving force
behind the award-winning non-profit
organisation, Go for Gold for the
past 16 years.
34
SA-Yes Youth
Mentoring
SA-YES was founded in
2008 to improve the outcomes for young people when they have to
leave children’s homes at the age of 18.
Alliance
Française
du Cap-Le Cap
sportif
Le Cap Sportif is a South African and French
charity organisation gathering SA and
French people around sport activities such
as cycling and running. We raise funds to
grow the practice of sport in the townships
around Cape Town. TEAM MARSH
Marsh Memorial Homes
is a residential care facility
based in Rondebosch, Cape
Town, providing a safe haven for children.
Imibala CTCT
The main focus of the
Imibala Trust is to help provide a primary
education to the most needy children in
South Africa through our Sponsor A Child
programme. The Imibala Trust is committed
to facilitating the education process from selected schools through various curricular and
extra-curricular enrichment programmes.
Bottomup
Bottomup believes that
every child deserves the best
education possible; one that
nurtures their sense of pride, belonging
and identity and offers them the skills to
create a better future.
PinkDrive
PinkDrive is South
Africa’s best-loved Cancer Community
Carer, powering the country’s first mobile
PinkDrive Mammography Unit and Educational Units. The focus is on breast cancer
and prostate-testicular cancer awareness,
which are all initiatives of the Non Profit
Company, Cause Marketing Fundraisers,
established in 2009. The More Balls than
Most initiative is dedicated to promoting
awareness about the importance of early
detection of prostate and testicular cancer.
Hands With
Words
Ride with us to help put a visual South
African Sign Language Bible into the
hands of hundreds of thousands of Deaf
in South Africa.
Hatzolah
Medical Rescue
Hatzolah Medical
Rescue is a volunteer community based
ambulance service offering 24/7/365
world-class emergency
medical response.
Cape of Good
Hope SPCA
Established in 1872, the
Cape of Good Hope SPCA
in Cape Town is the founding society of
the SPCA movement in South Africa and
is the oldest animal welfare organisation in the country. We don’t turn any
animal away. No matter what the breed,
condition, age or reason for animals being brought to the SPCA, we’re here for
them, day and night. And we’re on
call 24/7 to respond to rescues and
emergencies involving animals.
Mamelani
Projects
Mamelani works with
young people and women from marginalised
communities in the Western Cape, supporting them to improve their lives.
Helderberg
Stroke
Support Group
The Helderberg Stroke
Support Group (HSSG) was founded
in 1993 and offers assistance to stroke
survivors in the Helderberg Basin and the
families that support them.
Watershed
Animal Rescue
& Rehabilitation
Fund
Watershed Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Fund is a small organisastion functioning in the Boland area, focusing on
sterilisation and providing of basic medical
care to township animals.
charities
The Chaeli
Campaign
#domore to mobilise the minds
and bodies of children with
disabilities.
Reddam
Scholarships
As a leading educational
institution, Reddam House is in
a powerful position to nurture the unique
individuality, talent and self-assurance of
each student. Disadvantaged students
are awarded scholarships for academic,
cultural, and sports excellence.
Kanabo
Conservation
Link
Kanabo Conservation Link (KCL) is a registered non-profit organisation that aims to
establish a link between conservation, the
general public and business.
Solidariteit
Helpende
Hand
Solidarity Helping Hand is dedicated to
tackling poverty among Afrikaners. We
believe in poverty alleviation, prevention
and eradication.
U-turn Homeless
Ministries
Join Team U-turn and
bring wholeness to the homeless! With
over 7400 homeless living in Cape Town,
U-turn offers a unique programme that
aims to restore the self-worth and selfesteem of the adult street person by
addressing their spiritual, physical and
emotional needs.
Kidz2Kidz
Trust
Kidz2Kidz Trust is the
custodian to both Kidz2Kidz Projects and
Santa Shoebox Project. With our vision
of connecting people through the “Joy
of Giving” not only of your material or
financial capacity but of your time, skills,
knowledge, patience and love, we make
an impact on the children that receive from
our projects but also on the caregivers, the
volunteers, the donors and the sponsors.
Singakwenza
Early
Childhood
Education
Our goal is to teach as many caregivers throughout South Africa about the
importance of learning through play, and
to show them how easy it is to provide fun
activities for their children so that they can
develop vital educational foundations.
Heart Kids
South Africa
Heart Kids SA provides support to
babies and families affected by congenital
heart defects.
Heartlands
Baby
Sanctuary
Heartlands Baby Sanctuary is a registered
Child and Youth Care Centre and a Paediatric
Hospice that provides much needed residential care for vulnerable and ill children from
birth to six years of age.
Atlantic Hope
Help us bring more
babies into safety by
riding for Atlantic Hope! We are a Place
of Safety for abandoned and vulnerable
babies in the Western Cape.
The CHOC Cows
The Cows are all about
FUNdraising for CHOC
Childhood Cancer
Foundation SA and supporting children
with cancer! The energy of the herd is
infectious and with and with the motto
‘Love Living Life’, The Cows guarantee
plenty of FUN in this fundraising
challenge!
Charity
Cycling
Club
We are an
extremely
proud Cycling
Club based in South Africa with members from across the world. Every year in
March the Charity Cycling Club embarks
on a fundraising initiative with the aim of
raising funds for various charitable causes
in the geographical areas where we cycle
through. To date we have raised more
than R7 million and have donated more
than 200 bicycles to numerous charity organisations and individuals across
Southern Africa.
IMAGINE
Charity
Understanding that people
who suffer from Cerebral
Palsy face many challenges in life, over
and above the physical disabilities,
Robert and Karenin hope that through
this foundation some of these challenges
will be overcome.
Secure your Cycle Tour entry
The one way to guarantee your entry in the Cape Town Cycle Tour in the
years to come is to ride for a charity. There are over 90 worthy causes to
choose from. Not only will you be able to take part in one of the world’s
most scenic events, but you’ll also be able to give back and make a
difference in someone’s life. From animal shelters to children’s homes,
learning institutions to specialist care facilities, the charities involved
with the Cycle Tour are all wonderful and necessary initiatives that
speak to the very ethos of the event.
35
cyclists
Beings of the bike
Everyone who cycles can be regarded as a cyclist, but not all cyclists are alike.
By Chris Whitfield
1
The competitive guy
Normally a CEO, senior manager or some such. A relaxed
ride with him or her (although it normally is a him) is an
alien concept. Prefers to ride in front of the group and will halfwheel you the moment you push the pace a bit. And if you dare
to try a sprint you will be passed the moment you ease off.
Description: Wears road gear branded with his company’s
logo while on a mountain bike, and has the most expensive bike.
Wears a buff too.
Environment: Found on the road and increasingly the
mountain (particularly in the VIP tent at stage races, where he
struts about in front of the other CEOs he has beaten).
2
The other CEO
(also known as The Equipment Guy)
Doesn’t have the athletic ability to compete, but sure has
the equipment. Absolutely everything is top end, from the R5000
helmet to the R150 000 bike. Unfortunately it doesn’t all go very
fast, but he or she (again, normally a he) talks a good game, and
thinks he looks good doing it.
Description: Top brand equipment head-to-toe and rides the
latest top-end bike. Fashionable enough to not wear a buff.
Shaves legs.
Environment: Mainly road, but occasionally mountain. Coffee shops.
3
The single-speeder
or fixie fiend
Immensely cool. Generally male and bearded and wouldn’t
be seen dead in Lycra: “I only wear baggies, dude.” Is so busy
being cool that he rarely cracks a smile through that facial hair.
Except when he’s taking another selfie of himself in his beautifully
matched set of clothing. Off the bike he is instantly recognisable
by his skinny jeans, lumberjack shirt and Peaky Blinder haircut.
Description: Non-conformist, just like all the other non-conformists
Environment: Instagram and Facebook, mainly.
4
The trail dude
Also super cool. Bright baggies, long-sleeved cycling top
that is studiously baggy, huge hydration pack (what do they
fill them with? Toilet paper?), trail-style helmet, doesn’t shave his
legs on principle, non-competitive except when it comes to the
downhill bits. Hangs around in a similarly clad crew, being determinedly different from everybody else.
36
Description: As above. Has burnt all his Lycra. First to embrace
the plus-size tyre trend.
Environment: On the mountain, doesn’t take the uphill
seriously but pins the trails, bru. Does the odd enduro race and
drinks craft beer.
5
The trail dud
Roars ahead on the uphills and gets to the singletrack first.
Then he or she clings to the brakes and crawls down the
trail, giving rise to lengthy traffic jams and frustrated shouts of
“traaaaack!!”. Jumps off and pushes when he or she sees a stone
on the trail. Oblivious to the pain and frustration they are causing
to the loooong string of riders behind them.
Description: A roadie at heart in full Lycra gear.
Environment: Mountain, but loves those long gravel roads.
6
IMAGEs SHUTTERSTOCK
The mechanic
Thank goodness for this guy. Often found with a bulging
hydration pack, but that’s mostly his tools. He’ll be by your
side the moment you get a flat/your chain breaks/your derailleur starts ghost shifting, unpacks his tools and gets to it. Can
sometimes be on the slow side (thanks to lugging all those tools
around), which is quite handy: he will be behind you when your
equipment fails.
Description: Likes beer. Doesn’t care about fashion.
Environment: Mountain mostly (road bikes don’t break down
enough for him).
7
The almost professional
Rides a lot and well. Irritatingly, matches you effortlessly as you do your 110 percent effort sprint and
then pulls away as your legs fade. Slender and looks good
on a bike. Always modest. In short, a hateful creature.
Description: Athletic and elegantly dressed for whatever
environment. Wears sunglasses the right way (over the straps)
and socks that are the perfect height.
Environment: Mountain and road.
8
The dilly-dallier
Chronically unprepared. Arrives late for a ride in
mismatched socks. If it’s dark his light will be pointed at the
skies, or at his feet. His bike hasn’t been cleaned in weeks. His clothing doesn’t fit properly, often giving you unwanted glimpses of his
butt cleavage. Don’t do a stage race with him – he’ll end up with half
your clothes in his bag. And he’ll take 10 minutes at each water table
deciding whether to have the Marmite sarmies or the boiled potatoes, before settling on the koeksisters. Will have koeksister syrup all
over clothes for rest of ride.
Description: Clashing clothing. Helmet with loose bits of strap
flapping about. One sock up, the other down. Generally though,
among the nicest people you’ll find on a bike
Environment: Road and mountain.
37
cyclists
9
The guy who won’t be
passed by a woman
Normally found in Camps Bay at one of the coffee
shops, regaling friends about his VO2 max and power output.
On the bike though, has one serious phobia: will not be
passed by a woman. This obviously does happen on occasion,
at which point he develops a mechanical and stops. Or his
cellphone rings and he has to answer it. Or something.
Description: Lycra and blingy shoes. Loud voice, often heard
saying: “Another cappuccino…”
Environment: Mostly road.
10
The coach that
nobody wants
This is inevitably a man and his victim inevitably a
woman. He gives her unsolicited advice all the time: “you’ll find it
better if you take this line”; “your saddle could be a bit higher”; “your
cadence is a bit slow”, and so forth. Often to be found on stage races,
which begs the question from the frustrated victim: “Why are you
riding back here if you know so much more than me?”
Description: Male. Large. Lycra-clad. Florid.
Environment: Road and mountain.
11
The yapper
“And then I pushed and he hung on, so I tried
again but by then we were on the downhill and
I couldn’t get away. So at the next rise I gave it another go
but, jirre, he could vasbyt, and he was still there when I looked
around. I realised I had only five kilometres to go so I decided
to rest for a bit and then nail him on the last climb. But he was
wise to me and attacked on the next hill …”. And so on for every
38
second of the ride. Conversation ends with: “And I just managed
to pip him to 345th… it was a matter of seconds.” Don’t ask him
about a stage race: every stage turns into a three-hour monologue (that’s 24 hours for the Cape Epic).
Description: Male or female. Normally, for some reason, has a
high-pitched voice.
Environment: Road or mountain.
12
The excuse-maker
You can set your clock by this guy: as you are about
to gather in the cold dawn for a ride the group
WhatsApp will bleep: “Sorry guys, not feeling well”, “Can’t
make it today – hangover”, “Left bike in town”, “Bad sleep last
night” or plain “I’m out”.
And then there are the days you can’t set your clock by him:
“My alarm never went off.”
Quite often sets up his excuse the night before: “Seem to be going down with some lurgy.”
Description: Rarely seen, so difficult to describe
Environment: Road and mountain, but not often on either.
13
The wild child
His or her infectious cheerfulness can be a boon. But
quite often it is tempered by: “Whoa! That third bottle
of red wine is kicking in right now.” Can ride well but is often pale,
red-eyed and struggling. The residual effects of the previous night’s
partying can give rise to recklessness on difficult, technical sections
or big downhills. Crashes have been known to occur.
Description: Tends towards extravagant clothing: very bright
baggies, socks and helmets.
Environment: At home on the mountain but not averse to
a road ride.
What’s
on in
Cape Town
Cycle Tour(ism)
gardens provide the backdrop for these
open-air concerts – the perfect place to
spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.
www.webtickets.co.za
Come for the cycle,
stay for the run
AfricanX Trailrun
March 11, 2016
Why not kill two birds, okay, events with
one stone? Teams of two (male/female/
mixed) will battle it out on a route varying
in distance between 22 to 34km each
day. The three days of running have been
planned in such a way that the participants
will have the opportunity to tackle a different
breath-taking scenic route, allowing them to
enjoy the full beauty of the Overberg.
www.stillwatersports.com
Sip ’n sing
Kirstenbosch
Summer Sunset
Concert
28 February The
Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
6 March Shortstraw/The Plastics
13 March Al Bairre/Bye Beneco
The annual Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset
Concert season will be kicking off in late
November. As usual, the magnificent
40
Sunsational
Friday Summer Sundowners
@ Taste at Laborie
Friday, 6 November 2015 to 25 March 2016
Every Friday, you can enjoy live music
at the family-friendly Taste at Laborie.
This venue now offers the opportunity
to marvel at the incredible view of Paarl
Rock while enjoying a selection of mouthwatering tapas and charcuterie platters,
paired with Laborie’s award-winning wines
at cellar door prices. This backdrop also
allows you to enjoy an interesting selection
of wine and food pairings, from olives and
charcuterie to macarons and chocolate.
This relaxed dining offering is totally suited
to the kids too, with a unique grape juice
and sweetie pairing as well as the most
picturesque jungle gym in Paarl.
Smooth
Saturday
Sunset
Saturdays @
Tribakery V&A
Waterfront
November 2015 to
26 March 2016
Relax on the outside terrace and enjoy
Sundowners and music from JP Silver
(DJ) & guests with a view of the harbour
as the sun slowly sets behind Table
Mountain and the lights start going on
all around the V&A Waterfront.
Music starts from 2pm, but the venue is
open from early. There is no cover charge,
various specials during the month, and is
family friendly during the day.
Tribakery is located at The Clock Tower,
next to the Robben Island ferry terminal
and the Cape Town Fish Market.
First Thursdays
3 March 2016
On the first Thursday of every month,
explore art galleries and cultural attractions in Cape Town (and Johannesburg)
until late. You’re in luck, because the
tourism
Cycle Tour go slow
The Cape Town Cycle Tour is a race, but if you have no intention
of setting a PB, why not take the slow cruise around the
peninsula and visit some of Cape Town’s most iconic venues
(or, at the very least, scout them out for a Monday visit).
Surfer’s Corner
From Newlands the route gets slightly taxing. You climb up
Wynberg Hill and then hit the open M3 – also known as the
Blue Route – towards Muizenberg. If the south easter is up,
the Blue Route can take the wind from your sails. But pop in
at Surfer’s Corner to find your mojo. Previously just a spot
for groms and long boarders, Surfer’s Corner now features
restaurants with stunning views and surf schools to get you
in the water.
Kalk Bay
Just down from Muizenberg and straddling Main Road, Kalk Bay’s
many bric-a-brac stores, galleries and eateries have become tourist
sensations in the last few years. Perennial favourite The Brass Bell
lives on, as does the Kalk Bay Harbour, along with a number of
coffee shops and bistros.
Jubilee Square
Usually the most vibrant part of the Cycle Tour for middle to back
markers, Jubilee Square and Simon’s Town seem like a village stuck
in time. Once you’ve passed through on your bike, it’s well worth
your time making the effort to come back and try the best fish and
chips in town, at the Salty Sea Dog.
Café Roux
Another vibrant, noisy part of the route is Noordhoek Farm Village,
where spectators fill Café Roux and the Toad and merrily cheer on
riders. It’s tempting to stop here for a breather, but just remember
that as soon as you get back on your bike you’ll have Chapman’s
Peak to deal with. We advise a return trip the day after, or a route
recce the day before.
Chapman’s Peak Hotel
As you descend the world famous Chapman’s Peak into Hout Bay
you pass the Chapman’s Peak Hotel. With only Suikerbossie to
come, you could stop here for a thirst quencher and enjoy the view
of Hout Bay beach and the imposing Sentinel in the distance.
Camps Bay
Well done! You’ve conquered Smitswinkel, Chapman’s Peak and
Suikerbossie, now you’re heading home through Camps Bay, Cape
Town’s hottest hot spot (except the actual water at the beach,
that’s never hot). Stop for a celebratory drink or speed to the finish.
Either way, with it’s numerous bars and cafes you’ll definitely find
something to suit your taste.
For more Cape Town hotspots visit www.capetown.travel
Cape Town Cycle Tour has been moved a week forward in 2016
you should be in Cape Town to enjoy a First Thursday. The Cape
Town CBD comes to life in the early evening as art galleries, coffee
shops, bars and restaurants fill up with curious art lovers and fine
food and beverage aficionados. Bree, Long and Loop Streets are
abuzz with activity and a festive mood prevails.
first-thursdays.co.za
Markets
V&A Food Market
At the V&A Food Market you can
feed your soul, meander through
stalls and taste delicious treats.
Why not sip a craft beer or sample
a cappuccino, and if the little ones
ask for a Bubble Tea or ice-cream...
well, you’ll find that too.
Summer hours, open seven days a week, from 10am to 7pm.
waterfrontfoodmarket.com
Bay Harbour Market
Located at the edge of the sea
overlooking Chapman’s Peak at
the foot of the famous Hangberg
Mountain; this once-abandoned
factory is now the legendary
Bay Harbour Market, home to
over 100 entrepreneurial traders,
who attract over 24 000 visitors
a month, locally and from across the globe. Breakfast, lunch and
dinner is served. Live music is played and good times are had. Food
ranges from pizza to fresh seafood (obviously).
Fridays: 5pm to 9pm
Saturdays: 9:30am to 4pm
Sundays: 9:30am to 4pm
bayharbour.co.za
Earth Fair Market
Tokai/St George’s Mall
If you’re looking for a
delicious bite to eat ahead of
the Cape Town Cycle Tour,
make sure you are in Cape
Town on the Thursday, Friday
or Saturday before the event.
From delicious, moist biltong
to creamy ice-creams, bacon
and egg rolls sent from heaven and tremendous cheeses, everything
your stomach desires (and a few things it doesn’t know
about) can be found at the Earth Fair Market.
Tokai
Open every Saturday 9am to 2pm
Open every Wednesday 3pm to 8:30pm
St George’s Mall
Open every Thursday 11am to 3pm
earthfairmarket.co.za
41
safety first
Safe cycling
With summer here and an events calendar overflowing,
cyclists all over the country will soon be on their bikes.
Stay safe while riding with these handy products, and
cycling tips from the Pedal Power Association.
F
irst and foremost, do not get
onto your bicycle without
putting on a decent helmet.
It became law in 2004 that
you have to wear a helmet
whenever you cycle in South Africa.
Secondly, always wear gloves. In the
unhappy instance of a fall, your hands are
usually the first to hit the ground. Palms
without skin takes a long time to heal.
Always wear bright, reflective clothing.
Bright, luminous sleeveless wind jackets
(gilets) or rain jackets are highly visible and
well worth wearing.
Fit lights to your bicycle. A red flashing
light for the rear and a steady, white light
for the front.
General safety advice
• Always check your blind spots
• Cycle predictably so that vehicle drivers
around you can guess (correctly) what
you are doing
• Give appropriate hand signals when you
intend to stop or turn
• Watch out for the draft from a passing
bus or truck
• Using a cell phone while cycling can
distract your attention. Rather pull off to
take the call
• Using an iPod or radio could restrict your
hearing – make sure you can hear the
road users around you
• Be polite.
Watch out for the
following on the road
• Drain covers that run in the same
direction as your direction of travel
• Glass, sand, water or oil spills
• Wet paint
• Any road debris
42
• Vehicles that have just parked, as the
driver/passenger may open a door
without first checking to see if there is
a cyclist approaching
• Vehicles that are turning left and who
may not have seen you approaching in
their blind spots
• Watch out for other cyclists on the road
• Keep your eyes open for children or
novices, as their bicycle handling skills
may not yet be up to scratch and they
may get a fright should you pass them
too closely. Also keep your eyes open
for other cyclists when approaching
intersections.
In memoriam
The Cape Town Cycle
Tour Trust, organisers
of the Cape Town
Cycle Tour, fondly
remember Roy Smith,
who was killed while
cycling in February
2015. Roy was the HR
manager at Engen and was incredibly
passionate about cycling. His other great
love was theatre, he loved to sing and
perform. He completed 17 Cycle Tours
before his untimely death. Wherever Roy
went, he always encouraged people to
ride. “The Cycle Tour was devastated to
hear of the passing of Mr Smith,” says
David Bellairs, a director of the Cape Town
Cycle Tour Trust. “It’s always a tragedy
when someone loses their life in such a
manner, more so when incidents of this
kind can be avoided. As always, we urge
motorists and cyclists alike to show respect
and caution on the roads.”
Ice ID Pro
The ICE (In Case of Emergency)
ID PRO comes in 11 different
colours and with your personal
details engraved on a tag. Perfect
for runners, cyclists and lovers of
the outdoors, the ICE ID PRO is
ideal for adventures and daily wear.
The silicone strap is soft and waterproof, the curved tag wraps around
the wrist offering the ultimate
comfort, while the strap can be cut
to size, to achieve the ultimate fit.
The double catch clasp (tag) also
ensures the bracelet will never
open or fall off.
eeziFone
eeziFone offers a fully customisable
GSM handset that features buttons
that are pre-assigned to dial only
selected numbers. You can select
from a 2, 4, 8 or even 12 button
layout. EeziFone is very light (42g),
extremely robust and doesn’t cost
an arm and a leg.
This is the handset
that can go where
no other phone
can go – running,
school, clubbing or
cycling.
To purchase your eeziFone and ICE ID
bracelet, visit capetowncycletour.com
43
Maintain
your energy levels
To complete the Cape Town Cycle Tour and achieve maximum returns when
tackling the 109km route, you must meet your nutritional needs.
L
eanne Tee, Pick n Pay’s resident dietitian, says that no
one menu is a perfect fit for all athletes and that you
should ensure that your diet is the best possible fuelling
strategy for your individual requirements.
“Before you start a race, it is important to remember
your breakfast. The best options for a pre-ride meal or snack
are carbohydrate foods that are low in fat and fibre as these are
most easily digested and less likely to cause stomach problems.
Remember that the food you have eaten is only available to your
muscles once it has been digested.” Tee advises that a general
guide is to allow about 3-4 hours for a big meal or 1-2 hours for
a small meal/snack before your ride.
Tee adds, “It is also important to start a ride well hydrated,
especially if the conditions are warm and humid. Include 300600ml water with your pre-ride meal. Make sure you leave
enough time for a toilet stop prior to the ride.”
Tips from the top
Three top South African cyclists who have participated in many
Cape Town Cycle Tours in the past, share their secret ‘recipes’
for race day success.
Anriette Schoeman >>>
Anriette is a South African professional cyclist and multiple Cape
Town Cycle Tour winner, claiming the coveted title four years in a
row from 2000–2003 (she last won in 2013).
“Not being a big breakfast person, I prefer to enjoy a smoothie
after my race instead. With summer in full swing, I find a recovery
smoothie extremely refreshing when I’m done with a long,
hot ride like the Cape Town Cycle Tour. It not only helps with
recovery, but also cools me down.” Remember, though,
Anriette is a pro, and will almost certainly be on the course for
less time than beginner-to-intermediate cyclists, so a breakfast
snack shouldn’t be avoided.
Anriette’s smoothie recipe is very simple and you should have
most ingredients in your kitchen.
44
Ingredients
1 serving vanilla whey protein (“I prefer the USN LEAN-8
protein because it contains fast and slow protein and
tastes incredible!”)
1x cup of ice
1x medium banana
1x teaspoon of instant coffee (you can add
another spoon if you enjoy coffee flavour)
1x 125ml tub of natural fat free yoghurt
1x teaspoon of stevia or brown sugar (optional)
Preparation
“Blend everything together for a minute and voila,
you have a heavenly refreshing recovery smoothie!”
nutrition
Racing snacks
Take these quick bites on your ride
to avoid the 80km bonk.
“For races lasting longer than 90 minutes it is important to
consume additional carbohydrate to help maintain blood
glucose levels and avoid depleting glycogen store before
the end of the race,” says Pick n Pay consulting dietitian,
Pippa Mullin. “Aim to ingest 30 to 60g carbohydrates
each hour to provide your exercising muscles with
sufficient fuel. Start consuming small amounts early on
in the race to avoid the onset of fatigue and then having
to play ‘catch up’.”
The following options provide 20-25g carbohydrate:
1 One Marmite sandwich
(two slices bread)
2 30g nougat
3 45g dried fruit
4 One banana
1
Ariane Kleinhans
Mountain biker Ariane Kleinhans is a multiple winner of the ABSA
Cape Epic and is a master at climbing and stage racing.
“Before an early morning race which obviously starts quite hard
and fast, I need a breakfast that is rich in carbohydrates and that
digests easily, but that will still give me sustainable energy to do
my best in the race.”
Ariane’s winning race day recipe is a bowl of cooked oats.
“This works really well for me and helps me do my best to get
through any gruelling course.”
Simply boil about 60g of oats in a 300ml mix of milk and water
for approximately 10-12 minutes for a quick-and-easy, energy
boosting breakfast.
“To make things more tasty and rich in nutrients, I add a
number of extra ingredients so that I change things up and don’t
get bored of eating the same meal every time.”
Additional ingredients
Half a teaspoon of salt
A handful of raisins or a banana
A teaspoon of honey
Half a teaspoon of cinnamon
Half a teaspoon of cocoa powder
A hint of grounded cloves
A few nuts or a spoon of peanut butter
2
3
4
45
nutrition
<<< Zanele TshokO
Zanele is part of Pick n Pay’s development riding team, Velokhaya,
and is being monitored by German pro team Liv-Plantur. She started
cycling in 2005 with her school’s safe cycling programme – and she
hasn’t stopped since! (and yes, her legs are very tired).
“For breakfast on a big race day I like to make oats because it is
a quick dish to whip together, and gives me enough energy to get
through any challenge – especially one like the Cycle Tour route.”
Ingredients
3x cups of water
1/2 teaspoon of salt
2x cups of instant oats
Preparation
Boil the water with salt using a medium saucepan.
Once the water has come to the boil, add the two cups of oats
and stir it constantly for about 5-7 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low so that it doesn’t burn, and let simmer
for another five minutes while stirring it occasionally.
Once the oats are cooked, place it in a serving bowl and it’s
ready to eat.
“I prefer my oats slightly sweeter, so I always add some extra
sugar or golden syrup to give it some delicious flavour. I often
add some full cream long-life milk to cool the oats down
before eating.”
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How to… get Cycle Tour ready
Shake It Up
Try these simple training hacks to go faster, ride longer,
and pour on the power By Selene Yeager
1
Take a Stand
Cyclists typically try to build
endurance by practising long,
seated climbs. But standing to pedal can
lead to a dramatic spike in performance.
TWEAK IT Find a straight stretch of road
with a moderate incline – about a 4 to
6 percent grade. Start in a comfortable
cadence, then click into a harder gear.
Without changing your speed or cadence,
stand and pedal for 30 seconds, then
sit and recover with an easy spin for 30
seconds. Repeat five times.
2
Go Halfsies
As cyclists we love being
outdoors and exploring on
our bikes when training. But research
suggests that training indoors, no matter
how boring, offers better, faster benefits.
How do you get the best of the drab
without giving up real cycling?
TWEAK IT Set up your trainer, then head
outside for an hour or two at a mellow
pace, concentrating on enjoying the ride.
Then come inside and hop onto the trainer
for a short, focused workout. Time will
fly, you’ll have your fun outside, and you’ll
make better fitness gains.
3
48
4
Work Your Flip Side
When you hunch over your
handlebar, you don’t engage
the back of your body, and over
time your butt, back, and hamstring
muscles can weaken. Yet when most of
us work our core, we often focus only
on our abs. That’s just one piece of the
puzzle. TWEAK IT Build stronger glute,
hamstring, and back muscles with ‘the
woodpecker’, an exercise devised by
Eric Goodman, a chiropractor and the
author of The Foundation. Take a giant
step forward with your right leg so that
you’re in a split stance. With your knees
slightly bent, lift your left heel off the
floor and reach your arms out in front of
you. Press your butt back until you feel
a stretch in your right hamstring. Reach
your arms further forward and slowly
stretch them overhead. Hold for 20 to
30 seconds, then repeat with the other
leg. This will help any time, but try to
do it daily.
Fat burner
James Herrera is
the founder of Performance
Driven Coaching.
One of the best ways to incinerate fat is to increase aerobic fitness. Your aerobic and anaerobic energy
systems metabolise both fat and glycogen for energy. But as you get fitter, your body uses more fat than
glycogen, as an improved aerobic engine is better at transporting fat to your muscles for energy. So instead
of going slow to be in the ‘fat-burning zone’, focus on improving your fitness, and reap the benefits.
A training programme with small doses of hard intervals and more lower-intensity riding (70%-80% heart
rate) will up your threshold, making you faster and increasing your capacity to use more energy and fat.
IMAGE ZOON CRONJE
PERSONAL TRAINER
Change the Spin
Many cyclists strive to maintain
a fast, steady cadence, but
you’ll be able to ride longer and stronger
by turning the cranks at different speeds.
TWEAK IT To improve your strength
while pedalling slower, come to a rolling
stop on a flat road or gradual climb,
then jump at near maximum effort in a
big gear for 10 to 15 seconds at 70rpm
or less. Pedal normally for five minutes.
Repeat three to five times. To boost
your performance at faster cadences,
begin spinning at 90 to 100 rpm on a
flat road, then accelerate with a burst
at max effort for 10 to 15 seconds,
spinning as fast as you can. Pedal
normally for five minutes. Repeat
three to five times.
Tips and tricks from SA’s leading cycling magazine | www.bicycling.co.za
The
guide
How to Re-Evaluate your Weight-Loss Goals
“Often, people set goals, and then tend to find them difficult to achieve,” says Andrea Kellerman, an
educational and sport psychologist, neuro-feedback practitioner, hypnotherapist, mental peak performance
coach and emotional intelligence specialist. For a few years now, I’ve questioned whether my goals are in fact
realistic – is setting out to get back to my high-school weight even remotely achievable?
According to Kellerman, it is. “It obviously depends on your age, fitness level, and how light or heavy you
were when you left school; but it is achievable.”
So how do I achieve it? “Follow the SMART guidelines,” says Kellerman, “to set and achieve realistic goals.”
Specific
Create a specific plan
for achieving your goal.
“I want to perform
better” is too vague.
Create a detailed plan
of exactly how you’ll
achieve this. The goal
must be clear and
unambiguous. A specific
goal will usually answer
the five ‘W’ questions:
1. What – what do I
want to accomplish?
2. Why – specific
reasons or purpose
for or benefits of
accomplishing the goal.
3. Who – who is
involved?
4. Where – identify
a location.
5. Which – identify
requirements and
constraints.
Meaningful The goal must be
meaningful to you,
and you must really
want it. It doesn’t
help to train for
something simply
because your
coaches tell you
that you have the
talent to win the
competition, or to
race when you don’t
really enjoy the
sport.
Attainable
You must be able
to reach your goal.
Start with small
steps, and consider
all the negatives and
positives. Ask yourself
what obstacles could
be in your way, and
try to find a way
around them. When
training, think of
your next training
session, and try to
better yourself in
the now, instead of
thinking of the entire
path you still have to
tread to get to your
goal. Looking only at
the end result can be
overwhelming, and
might make you feel
like giving up. Realistic
Your goals must be
achievable. Many
people set unrealistic
goals – “I’m going
to lose 20kg in the
next three weeks.”
Unrealistic goals
cannot be achieved;
they serve only to
discourage you, by
making you feel
you have no will
power, and that you
have failed. And
be realistic with
your training
programme;
for example,
training too
much can
make you feel
exhausted, and
weaken your immune
system.
Time limit
You must set time
limits for your goals.
If you don’t know
by when they must
be achieved, you
may be tempted to
forget about them,
and not feel the
necessity to work
on them every day.
conclusion Now that you know how to set smart goals, it’s important to write them down.
Goals that are written down have more meaning.
15
Percentage your resting metabolism increases
when you sip an espresso an hour before you ride.
Translation: You’ll burn more kilojoules postpedalling than you will if you skip the java.
Source : International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
49
The
guide
A
Please
Your
Knees
This joint operates so
efficiently that we barely
notice it – until something
goes wrong. Here’s how to
keep yours working smoothly
on and off the bike.
Keep ’Em warm
The synovial fluid
that helps lubricate
your knees is less
effective when it’s
cold out. Even if
they don’t feel frigid – they
have few nerve endings – get
out the warmers.
F
C
D
(A) femur (B) IT band
(C) patella (D) bursa
(E) tibia (F) quadriceps
(G) hamstring
by Lindsay Westley
G
Pain in the front of the
knee caused by overuse or when the undersurface of
the kneecap rubs against the femur, grinding away
the smooth cartilage between them. It can also occur
when the kneecap doesn’t track in a straight line
because your leg muscles are out of balance.
patellofemoral syndrome
Percent
of cyclists
experience
knee pain.
The leading
causes are
overuse and
improper
bike fit.
“Sit up and enjoy
the scenery, look at
the birds and trees.
Vary your pace and
Enjoy the ride, ” says
orthopaedic surgeon
Doug Campbell. “It’s
the cyclists who do
nothing but hammer
away who end up
in my office.”
60/40
patellofemoral syndrome
E
The ideal split of power between your
quadriceps and hamstring. If your quads
get too large, common among cyclists,
they can disrupt the way your knee tracks,
says Dr Gloria Cohen, who specialises in
sports medicine and is a former physician
for Canada’s Olympic cycling team.
is also called chondromalacia patella, which means...
evil cartilage
50
If you have pain
you can’t pinpoint,
it’s probably bursitis.
The fluid-filled bursa
sacs beneath your
kneecap that help your
knee move smoothly
can become painfully
irritated from trauma
or overuse. Rest and ice
are effective remedies.
IMAGE JAMES GARAGHTY
42
B
The
guide
Ice Ice Baby
These frozen treats will fire
up your taste buds and cool
you down after a steamy ride.
By Jessica Cassity
2 Real deal
For an icy treat
that’s close to the
real thing, look
no further than
the Fruit Sherbert
Granadilla. It’s an
infusion of real
granadilla fruit pulp
CHILL
AT
HOME
52
3 Creamy
With a chocolate
exterior and icecream centre, Big
Deal Mint is the
ultimate best of
both worlds. This
one will satisfy your
sweet tooth and
cool you off, while
the milk provides
calcium and whey
powder adds the
protein needed
to rebuild your
working muscles.
Tasters’ choice:
The mint flavour
freshens you right
up, and scientific
research has proven
that mint boosts
endurance. R7
4 Smooooth
For an ice-cream
with a twist, the
Paddle Pop Tornado
ticks all the summer
bike-ride pickme-up boxes. It’s
cold, tasty and
comes in a mixedfruit flavour with
enough energy
(357kJ) to kickstart your glycogen
levels, and sodium
(13mg) too, for
replacing lost salt.
Tasters’ choice: The
juicy, all-in-one
flavour and smooth,
digestable texture
makes this one easy
to down. R10
5 Dessert Dream
Want a reward for
you hard effort,
kind of like the
one you got on
Christmas after
finishing that epic
plate of food?
Italian Wafer is
exactly what you’re
looking for. Ice
cream laid between
two Italian wafer
sheets creates an
ice-cream sandwich
that will cool you
down, top up your
glycogen stores,
and provide you
with all the benefits
of milk: calcium to
keep your bones
strong and whey to
repair and rebuild
muscles. Tasters’
choice: The vanilla
ice-cream and
wafer mix reminds
you of the waffle/
ice-cream dessert
combo. Yummy and
refreshing at the
same time. R8
The right ice-cream sucker can replenish the carbs, proteins, electrolytes, and H2O levels that become depleted by a
hard ride, says Paul Arciero, PhD, professor of health and exercise sciences at Skidmore College in the US. If you want
to craft your own, Arciero suggests including ingredients to replace those lost nutrients: such as bananas and coconut
water for potassium, antioxidants in the form of berries and fruit juice, and add-ons such as sea salt and honey.
IMAGE MITCH MANDEL
1 Refreshing
The Fruttare has a
cooling and thirst
quenching effect
while packing just
enough kilojoules
(263kJ per serving)
to get you on your
way to topping
up your glycogen
stores, while 15mg
of sodium will help
to rehydrate you
after sweating
yourself out. Tasters’
choice: All three
flavours (Mango,
Passion Fruit, Litchi)
contain real fruit
pulp, giving them
an authentic, fruity
quality. R11
and even has the
pips included for
extra authenticity.
It also brings all
the benefits of
granadilla, including
vitamin C, iron
and and calcium
to make sure that
the benefits match
the taste. T
asters’
choice: The sharp
flavour and endless
juiciness make
this one a treat; it
quenches your thirst
and provides you
with one of your five
daily fruits. The pips
may be a hindrance
to some, but add to
overall granadillaishness. R7
S
IE W
R O
T N
N N
E PE
O
3 stages. 3 days. 207 km.
2 stages. 2 days. 60 km.
Date: 06 – 08 May 2016
Race Village: ATKV Goudini Spa,
Breedekloof Wine Valley
Date: 07 – 08 May 2016
Race Village: ATKV Goudini Spa,
Breedekloof Wine Valley
Race Info: The race itself takes place in a
clover leaf format, with each day starting and
ending at ATKV Goudini Spa. Although the
race is aimed at all riders, each day’s route
has a good variety of single track and climbs
to make this race a challenge for the
experienced riders as well.
Race Info: Aimed at younger riders, this race
also takes place in a clover leaf format, with
each day starting and ending at ATKV Goudini
Spa. Cyclists will have the opportunity of
enjoying a good variety of single track,
climbs and jeep track.
Entry fee: R4 600 per team
(team entries only)
Entry fee: Open - R2 600 per team
(team entries only)
Junior: R2 200 per team
(team entries only)
* Suggested Retail Price
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
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The
guide
What you’ll need
Quick-change artist
A new tube
2 tyre levers
A floor pump,
hand pump, or
CO2 cartridge
and inflator
If you do even a moderate amount of riding, you are going to get a flat tyre at some
point. The good news? You can become a skilled flat-repair expert in no time.
REMOVE
THE INNER
TUBE
1. Open the
quick-release
or unbolt the
axle and remove
the wheel
from the bike.
Remove as
much air as
possible from
the tyre by
compressing
the valve stem.
FIND
THE
PUNCTURE
2. Working at the
area opposite the
valve stem, use
the rounded end
of a tyre lever to
pop one bead
(the hard edge of
the tyre) off the
rim, and hook
the other end of
the lever onto
the spoke below.
This will keep
the bead from
jumping back
into the rim. Now
1. To avoid getting
another flat quickly,
find the cause of this
one. Inflate the tube
to locate the leak.
work the second
lever under the
bead to the right
of the first, until
there’s enough
slack to move
it freely.
1
2
3. Slide the
second lever
around the rim
clockwise until
one bead is
entirely off.
Pull the tube
out of the tyre.
1
3
2. Run a gloved hand or a piece of cloth along
the inside of the tyre to feel for any debris
penetrating the tread. Now check the outside
of the tyre for objects that haven’t worked
through the tread yet. Remove all debris.
3
1
2
INSTALL THE
NEW TUBE
4
1. Align the label
on your tyre with
the rim’s valve hole
(this will make
future punctures
easier to locate).
Inflate your new
tube just enough
to hold its shape,
insert the valve
into the rim, and
tuck the tube into
the tyre.
2. Beginning at
the valve stem,
work around the
circumference of
the tyre, using
the heels of your
hands to push the
bead back onto
the rim. Make
sure the tube isn’t
getting pinched
between the rim
and tyre as you
continue on.
3. When you
reach the area
opposite the valve
stem, you may
need to put a little
muscle into getting
that last part over
the edge of the
2
rim. Tip: Push
the valve stem
up into the tyre
so the bead
can pop more
easily over the
rim wall.
4. Reinflate the
tube to around 20
psi/1.4 bar, then
check the tyre is
properly seated on
both sides of the
rim. If so, inflate
fully to the level
recommended on
the tyre sidewall,
or to your desired
pressure.
55
The
guide
NO SWEAT
Four smart, cramp-preventing
tricks from cyclist and nutritionist
Lindsay Langford
1
Ease into the heat. Whether you’re
training for longer because of the
endless summer days, or about to do a
serious-distance event, allow your body to
acclimate to the high temps for a few days
before launching into intense efforts.
2
Hydrate early and often. Consume at
least 600ml of fluid per hour of riding;
double that if it’s hot outside. If you have
trouble remembering to drink, set a timer
on your watch or phone.
3
Recognise symptoms early. If you feel
fatigued or light-headed, down 700ml
of sports drink over 20 to 30 minutes, or
eat a gel with sodium. You might not avoid
cramps, but you can reduce their severity.
4
Stamp Out Cramps
Prevent muscles from seizing by ordering up a custom
hydration plan. It’s easier than it sounds.
By Robert Annis
W
ill Sherman was 10 minutes
from his best result as an
amateur mountain-bike
racer when his quads seized,
causing him to crash hard on a flat section
of singletrack. As his muscles cramped into
what felt like knots the size of golf balls,
Sherman watched competitors pass him on
their way to the finish line.
Nearly every athlete is familiar with the
telltale signs of cramping – fatigue, and a
searing twinge that’s a precursor to painful
muscle contractions. They can be triggered
by overstressing muscles; or, the theory
goes, during intense activity, when your
body sweats out too many electrolytes
like sodium and potassium. Riders can lose
as much as 3000 milligrams of sodium in
56
as little as two hours. Considering many
sports drinks and supplements contain 200
milligrams or less, it’s easy to see how you
could sweat yourself into a nutrient deficit.
The bad news: it’s nearly impossible to
predict how much sodium you can lose
before cramps begin, and they can strike
any time – during hot and humid summer
rides, or indoor training sessions when
you’re cranking out intervals. So keeping
your muscles in top shape requires more
than simply guzzling greater quantities of
nutritional supplements – plus, drinking
too much on a ride can leave you
overhydrated, which has its own risks,
says Becca Stearns, PhD. “With hydration,
it’s easy to go the wrong way in either
direction,” Stearns says.
Drinking too little fluid might lead
to cramps and dehydration, but too
much – say, the equivalent of two
per cent of your body mass – can lead to
a potentially life-threatening condition
called hyponatremia. Getting the right
amount of fluid is critical.
And it gets worse. According to
Dr Jeroen Swart, cycling coach and
biokineticist at the Sports Science Institute
of South Africa, a lack of electrolytes may
not be the main cause of cramp. “Research
into sodium depletion as a cause of cramp
is still ongoing, but at the moment there’s
no evidence to support or refute these
claims,” he says.
That theory was put to the sword after
a team of researchers tested participants
at ultra-distance events to see if a lack of
electrolytes would cause cramps. They
found no difference in electrolyte or
hydration levels between crampers and
non-crampers. What they did discover was
that unique factors in the athlete’s history
could predict whether they would cramp
or not. “The most practical of these is the
relationship between cramp and a history
IMAGE Jeff Clark
Eat pretzels. Load up on electrolytes and
carbs with this sodium-heavy snack 30
to 60 minutes before heading out. – R.A.
Stock up on Sodium
depletion theory, though;
it’s a good idea to top up
10 top energy boosters ranked by sodium content
your electrolytes regularly,
and you can do this
Hammer Gel Montana Huckleberry . . . . . . . . . 20mg
without overhydrating
GU Energy Gel Vanilla Bean . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60mg
by taking the correct
32gi Chews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62mg
cocktail of supplements.
Hammer Gel Peanut Butter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65mg
Sherman liaised with
nutritionist Lindsay
GU Energy Chomps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100mg
Langford, who specialises
GU Energy Gel Salted Caramel . . . . . . . . . . . . 125mg
in treating cramp-inducing
Osmo Active Hydration for Women . . . . . . . . . 180mg
electrolyte depletion,
PowerBar PowerGel Berry Blast . . . . . . . . . . . 200mg
and she recommended
that he triple his sodium
PowerBar Performance Energy Blend Gel Apple . . . 205mg
intake by adding sodiumNuun Active . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360mg
enriched powder to his
water bottles, consuming
sodium-heavy gels, and popping sodium
of limited stretching time, or sporadic
capsules. But what can you do if – despite
stretching,” says Swart, who observes
your optimal electrolyte levels – you
that going longer or further than you’re
succumb to cramp in the middle of a race
comfortable with can also cause you to
the way Sherman did?
cramp up. Age and body mass also play a
“Research shows that the best remedy
role; but they aren’t immediately modifiable,
for cramping is to reduce your intensity
so they’re not major factors.
for the remaining race distance,” says
We can’t simply discard the electrolyte
Swart. “If you’re brought to a stop by
cramps, sustained stretching of the muscle
involved is the most effective treatment,
followed by massage.”
You may also want to reduce your
cadence while reducing the exercise
intensity. Slow down, but don’t gear
down. “This may put a greater stretch
on the golgi tendon organ (an inhibitor
of cramping), reducing the severity of or
aborting the cramping altogether.”
To give you a better chance of beating
cramp altogether, Swart has devised a
four-point strategy:
1. Stretch the leg muscles regularly – three
stretches of one minute each, a few times
each week.
2. Do intervals regularly as part of your
race preparation, and make sure you’ve
done the race distance in training at least
a few times before.
3. Start slow and finish fast (yes, it’s difficult
when you’re trying to stay with your group,
but effective against cramping).
4. Drink a sodium-rich energy drink.
The
guide
No-Training Speed Tricks
Go faster – without doing more training sessions
Your training’s all but done, you’re
about as fast as your present
conditioning will allow – but
there are a few non-fitness-related
techniques you can employ to up
your speed and performance on
race day.
Get Aero With Kit
Done that already, have you? You’ve got the
aero frame, the deep-section carbon wheels,
even aero-textured clothing that fits you
snugly. If you haven’t, then sure, these are
three potentially expensive ways to buy some
speed. But here’s a cheap way: extra safety
pins. Most people use just the four pins they
get with their race number, and spend the
entire race pulling a small, flapping kite around.
Use more pins, and secure that number better
– it’ll make a difference to your speed.
Get Aero With Your Body
On a flat road, 80 percent of your power is used
to overcome air resistance, so bend your elbows
and tuck your arms in to reduce your frontal
area and make your body as small as possible.
To illustrate the effect of getting aero,
riding a flat road for 40km at 200 watts with
your hands on the hoods will take about 76
minutes. Ride the same course at the same
power with your hands on the drops, and
the time reduces to 70 minutes. Add tubular
tyres and (although they’re not allowed
for road races) TT aero bars, and the same
40km course at 200 watts will be completed
in… 64 minutes. That’s a big difference.
Drafting
Many cyclists underestimate this skill. At
every race I see cyclists sitting in the wind,
or tearing down the side of the bunch to get
to the front, or leaving a big gap between
themselves and the rider in front. And much
of this is due to lack of concentration.
Getting near the front is always best –
you don’t want to be caught right at the
back. But pay attention to the bunch, and
be patient; there will always be somebody
impatient coming down the outside – and
taking in all the wind – to try to get closer to
the front. Watch for them coming by, and
hop on their wheel for a free ride.
To freshen up your drafting skills, get
yourself into a few last-minute group rides,
read the bunch, read the wind, always place
yourself near the front as the hills approach,
and spend the entire time developing your
skill at using as little energy as possible.
Brake Less
This takes skill, practice, and acute awareness
of your surroundings. Many cyclists hit the
brakes more than they need to, and then
waste a match trying to get their bike speed
up again. Going into a corner, don’t sit tight
behind the wheel in front; rather, find a gap
that allows you to maintain the bike’s speed
into the corner without using your brakes,
while allowing for a gentle pedal to keep up
with the bunch.
When reaching the base of a descent –
and especially when that descent leads into
a climb – the last thing you want to have
to do is brake to avoid hitting the wheel in
front of you. Again, position yourself so you
can keep all the bike speed and momentum
without braking, and while still keeping
perfect contact with the bunch. Practice
makes perfect.
the coach
Climbing smart
58
Mark Carroll owns Cadence
Cycling Performance & chairs
the CSA Coaching Commission
While power to weight is an important factor in climbing, most riders underperform on hills because
they try to climb using too big a gear, which reduces their cadence to a grind. You can improve your
hill climbing by choosing a lighter gear and increasing your cadence. The lower torque per pedal stroke
reduces muscle force and delays time to fatigue – allowing you to sustain the intensity for longer, stay in
touch with the group, and not blow before the summit. If you’re a bigger guy, this gives you the chance
to attack on the descent and show the stronger climbers a thing or two.
– Quick and easy installation
– Robust, watertight housing
– Weight: 6 g
SIGMA
BRAKELIGHT
TINY LIGHT – HUGE SAFETY
For more information visit:
www.sigmasport.com
48
bikes
Know your bike
Spot the difference between the following bicycles and impress your cycling
buddies the next time you stroll past an odd looking bike by pointing out it’s
defining features! By BRYONY McCORMICK
Tear up the tar… on a road bike
A road bike is easily characterised by its lightweight frame,
skinny, smooth tyres and drop bars, a design combination built to
marry a roadie and his bike to the long scenic passes and endless
tar roads that he lives for. Roadies, the term used to describe
people who ride road bikes, only love one thing more than their
bikes: Lycra. You will seldom catch someone riding a road bike,
drafting behind a peloton, in loose fitting clothing. Roadies centre
rides around coffee stops and strava segments, and have been
recognised as the origins of the term ‘coffee snob’.
Try hard on a tri bike
A triathlon (tri) bike is a sleek, aerodynamic speed machine
designed to propel triathletes along straight, flat triathlon courses
at a rate of knots, and literally nowhere else. To the non-cyclist,
a tri bike and a road bike may look similar. Alas, they are not.
A tri bike’s geometry is different to that of a road bike in that
its sole purpose is to position the rider in the most aerodynamic
position possible. The raised saddle and tri bars add to the equation,
ensuring the rider is positioned as close as he can be to going
over the handle bars, without actually going over the handle
bars. Plus, the aerodynamic design and positioning puts less
strain on the rider’s quadriceps muscles, making it easier to
transition into the running leg of the triathlon. Clever, hey.
Ride to work on your commuter bike
Commuter bikes are a bit of a mixed bag, literally, and are made
up by a combination of all the best parts of a road bike, a mountain bike and a touring bike – making it what is also commonly
referred to as a hybrid. Because a commuter bike is designed as
a mode of transportation, as opposed to a sporting machine,
comfort and practicality feature highly on the design motivation
list. The tyres are borrowed from road bikes, making it easy to
glide along tar roads, but the upright seating and flat, straight
handlebar are borrowed from a mountain bike, making it a
comfier ride. Commuters often have clever little features like
chain guards, mounting points for racks and baskets, mud guards
and front and rear lights – that all aid in turning the bike into a
practical transportation steed, that won’t dirty your suit or work
frock on your morning commute.
61
bikes
Snap your shins on a fixie
Don’t get confused between a fixie and a single speed, as while
they both only operate on one speed and a single gear ratio, there
is a fundamental difference. A fixie, or fixed-gear bike, has no free
wheel mechanism, which means there is no coasting function.
Should you not be aware of the difference and jump on a fixie
and – say go down the steepest road in your neighbourhood – it is
likely that the spinning pedals will snap both your legs off at the
shin. But it’s tough to let momentum get the better of you, as
you can control the speed by using your own resistance. At the
beginning of time, when free wheel mechanisms were invented,
the only people to ignore the technology were hipsters and track
cyclists – both still advocates of the fixie design today.
Make some cash on an ice-cream bike
The best way to explain an ice-cream bike, is to imagine a
tricycle either pulling or pushing a treasure chest of frozen loot.
Fondly referred to as ice trikes by people in the biz, they are not
commonly found at your regular bike shop. In fact, if you’re
after one you may have to head over to Italy and look for an
aged, white-haired Italian man tinkering away at one. That or
Durban beachfront. Like the tri bike, the ice-cream bike really is
only suited to flat, straight, smooth roads – preferably without
anything resembling a corner. Unlike the tri bike, it is a lumbering, rattling, heavy ride and if put in a wind tunnel test, it would
require a fully juiced Lance Armstrong to operate.
Never ride up steep hills again,
with a single-speed
Any bike can be a single speed bike, regardless of frame, handle
bars or seat positioning. This is because the defining feature of
a single speed is its single gear ratio. So to spot a single speed
quickly, the first thing to look for is the distinct lack of a derailleur and a single rear cog. Because a single speed has only one
gear ratio, there is far less that can go wrong, making it efficient
to pedal and simple to maintain. But it’s not all butterflies and
roses; the major challenge with one gear ratio is that it limits
your options when the going gets steep or technical. To ride a
single speed, especially in competitive spaces, you need to be of
a special breed, or a child on a BMX. Single speedsters consider
themselves purists, while most people with multiple gear ratios
just consider them insane.
50
The difference between a 29er and 650b
Most mountain bikes come with standard MTB features, front
fork, back suspension (if it’s a dual sus), disc brakes, wide,
flat handlebars and obviously a set of wheels. The difference
between a 29er and a 650b is the size of the set of wheels. 29er
stands for 29 inches (in diameter) and is the bigger of the two.
650b (27 inch) is the smaller of the two. The larger the wheel
size, the more efficient the bike is, but the smaller the wheel
size, the easier it is to handle. Different bike manufacturers tend
to favour specific sizes, ultimately you need to make a decision
based on how and what you ride. Whichever way you decide to
go, avoid buying a 26er (26 inch) as those are very nineties and
you will be shunned on the trails and mocked mercilessly.
To conquer
The Cape Town
Cycle Tour, you
need to be
driven.
At Avis, we’re proud to be the Official Car Rental Supplier to The Cape Town Cycle Tour.
We support the riders taking up the challenge of South Africa’s biggest cycling event.
You can book an Avis vehicle directly at avis.co.za/cycletour, freeing you up to focus
on the ride ahead. Because at Avis, We Try Harder.
bikes
Contact Fat Bike Tours at
www.fatbiketours.co.za for a
unique Fat Bike experience.
Cross a desert on a fat bike
Fat bikes get their name from the enormously fat tyres they are
fitted with. The fat, wide tyre offers a combination of a wider
surface area and the option to ride with a lower tyre pressure,
which makes it easier to ride over soft terrain like snow and sand,
as opposed to riding through it. Right now, fat bikes are trending
harder than revolutionary hashtags, and are often seen being used
for 100 percent the wrong reason they were created for, but that’s
what happens when the cool kids get hold of things – practicality is thrown out the window. They’re heavy bikes, with oversized
forks to fit the giant tyres and rims, and will have minimal or zero
suspension, as the chunky tyres also work as a form of suspension.
You’ll pick one up at most bike shops, but because they’re like, so
hot right now, you’ll probably have to order it first.
Go fast on a DH bike
DH (downhill) bikes should never be referred to as a downhill
bike, always as a DH bike. The reason for this is that the people
riding them are considered to be at the very top of the ‘coolness’
pyramid, and they don’t say stupid things like downhill… na-ah,
they say DH. And they’re cool, so copy them. DH bikes are a
sight to behold, in the most positive way imaginable. Imagine a
dual suspension mountain bike, then jiggle with the geometry a
bit, triple up on the suspension, widen the handle bars, beef up
the tread and drop the saddle. You’re looking at one sweet DH
machine designed to absorb monster drops, gap jumps and chow
gravity like it’s a vegan kid eating cake at a fat kid’s birthday
party. Best paired with a full-face helmet and a trendy, yet ethical
(and sugar-free) sports drink.
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Clown around on a unicycle
A unicycle is really difficult to confuse with other bicycles, largely due
to the obvious fact that it only has one wheel. Here is something you
might not have known though, or thought about – like a fixie, there
is no freewheel mechanism on a unicycle. So that means if you take
on something like the Cycle Tour for example, and finish in six
hours, that’s a full six hours of sitting up straight, maintaining
your balance and pedalling. To ride a unicycle you’ll need a
super strong core and an affiliation to a circus. Available online
to hire, oh no wait, that one comes with a clown and looks like
it’s advertised for kids’ birthday parties…
It takes two to tandem
Like the unicycle, it is difficult to confuse a tandem with a
regular bike, as it’s obviously designed to fit two people. The
guy in front, known as the captain, handles steering, changing
gears, breaking and… well, what else is there to handle really?
The person at the back, the stoker, has one job – and that is to
pedal (and endure endless, “hey, that oke at the back isn’t doing
anything” jokes). The cranks are linked by something called a
timing chain, which ensures that the two riders pedal in sync with
one another. Tandems are most commonly seen on the road,
although more recently there has been an interest in tandem
mountain biking too. For those not interested in racing, tandems
can mean a far more social experience.
WORLD ASSOCIATION OF CYCLING EVENTS
The World Association
of Cycling Events
The world’s top six cycling events have combined to form the
World Association of Cycling Events (WACE).
wace
A
nnounced in Rome last October,
WACE comprises six of the most
prestigious and largest mass
participation events in the world.
This new association is made up of the Cape
Town Cycle Tour, TD Five Boro Bike Tour,
Vätternrundan, L’Etape du Tour, RideLondon
and Granfondo Campagnolo Roma.
WACE has been formed to promote and
increase cycling worldwide. With more than
200 000 participants from 90 countries
riding in WACE events each year, the new
organisation is ideally placed to inspire new
riders to take up the challenge of cycling and
to encourage riders to travel to participate in
other world class cycling events.
“It is a very exciting time for cycling with
such rapid growth in interest and participation,” says Hugh Brasher, President of WACE
and Event Director for RideLondon. “We
expect a number of other major international
cycling events to join us to promote the
many health and lifestyle benefits of cycling
and to work together to promote the opportunity to ride in great cities around the world.
WACE events are working with city leaders
to get more people cycling to help address
the global issues of pollution, overcrowding
on public transport, and public health.”
Matteo Gerevini, Executive Director of
WACE, adds, “We want everybody to participate in our events, not just elite riders. Our
events cover every aspect of cycling, from a
ride in a city like New York to an incredibly
tough experience in the French Alps.”
More major international cycling events
are set to join WACE and the association is
planning the creation of the ‘WACE CHALLENGE’ with awards to riders who take part
in multiple WACE events around the world.
“The Cape Town Cycle Tour is
extremely excited and proud to be
associated with the founding of WACE,“
says David Bellairs, a Director of the Cape
Town Cycle Tour. ”It is indeed an honour
to be associated with this grouping of the
world’s most prestigious mass participation
cycling events. The Cape Town Cycle Tour
has at its core the promotion of cycling
and the raising of money for charity as key
drivers while at the same time promoting
Cape Town as a destination for cyclists
across the globe. Working with this amazing
group of events will certainly assist us in
achieving our aims. Being able to share
ideas and knowledge with best in class
event organisers globally can only lead to
better experiences for those participating.
It is wonderful that as a result of the international reach of WACE, more cyclists from
all over the world will now get to learn
about and discover other events in countries
from as far afield as South Africa”
The events
Cape Town Cycle Tour (South Africa)
The world’s largest timed cycling event.
The Cape Town Cycle Tour is owned and staged by the Cape Town
Cycle Tour Trust (CTCTT). It celebrates its 39th year in 2016 when,
on the morning of Sunday, 6 March, 35 000 cyclists will line up to
ride the 109km route through some of the world’s most spectacular
scenery that includes the iconic Table Mountain as a backdrop.
The main beneficiaries of the Cape Town Cycle Tour are the Pedal
Power Association (PPA) and Rotary Club of Claremont, which are
equal stakeholders in the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust.
“The Cape Town Cycle Tour is Africa’s premier cycling event,”
says the PPA’s Stephen Hayward. “It has grown from humble beginnings, attracting only a few hundred cyclists who participated in the
first tour as a protest ride, to the world’s largest timed cycle race.”
Distance 109km
Next event 6 March 2016
Entries closed
Website www.capetowncycletour.com
67
wace
TD Five Boro Bike Tour (USA)
The only closed road mass participation cycling event in New York City.
The Five Boro Bike Tour all started with an audacious plan to take
a group of high schoolers on a ride across New York City. About
50 high school students from five schools and 200 members of bicycle clubs participated in the original ride. The very next year the
Tour was up to 3000 entrants, growing by 1000 percent. By the
1980s the Tour ballooned, and was capped, at 32 000 entrants.
Today, each year on the first Sunday in May, the Five Boro Bike
Tour welcomes 32 000 riders from every state in the nation and
65 countries around the world for an experience of the Big Apple
unlike any other. It’s a chance for the global cycling community to
come together to grab life by the handlebars and ride for a reason.
Distance 40 miles (64.4km)
Next event 1 May 2016
Entries for the 2016 Tour will open on January 12th,
2016 at 10:00am.
VÄtternrundan (Sweden)
One of the longest and oldest mass participation cycling
events in the world.
Vätternrundan (pronounced vet-turn-rund-an) is the longest
recreational bicycle ride in the world. The 300km course follows the
shoreline of the beautiful Lake Vättern and early starters can see
the sun set and rise over the lake during the ride.
Vätternrundan starts and finishes in Motala, Sweden, whose
population swells to three times its usual size during the cycling
events. The cyclists, their friends and relatives and the thousands
of bicycles, create a festival atmosphere, making the bike ride extra
special. Many cyclists return year after year to be a part of this
large and welcoming cycling community.
68
The course appeals to all sorts of bicycle enthusiasts and the level
of service along the course is very high. Word of this well-organised
event has spread far beyond the borders of Sweden. Last year 47
different nations were represented.
Because Vätternrundan is a recreational ride, no winners
are listed. Instead cyclists wear a timing chip that registers their
individual times. There is also a Half Vättern, Tjej Vättern (women
only) and Mini Vättern.
Vätternrundan Distance 300km
Next event 17-18th of June 2016
Half Vättern Distance 150km, 12th June 2016
Tjej Vättern Distance 100km, 11th June 2016
wace
L’Etape du Tour, (France)
One of the most beautiful and toughest sportives in the world,
ridden over a stage of the Tour de France.
With 23 editions under its belt and a peleton of 15 000 participants, L’Étape du Tour is now Europe’s benchmark cyclosportive
event. L’Étape du Tour is an immense sporting challenge. But it is
also a tourist adventure which will enable you to discover some
of the most beautiful parts of France. From Alpine valleys to
the Tourmalet, the giant of the Pyrenees, every year the regions
which host the event offer breathtaking scenery.
During the announcing of the 2016 Tour de France, L’Étape du
Tour was also revealed to the general public.
Cyclists from all over the world are expected on 10 July
between Megève and Morzine on a demanding 146km route
boasting no less than four mountain passes. Just 13 days before
the professional peloton of the Tour de France passes by, mountain lovers and enthusiasts will be able to display their climbing
qualities on the 2016 Tour de France’s 20th stage.
L’Etape du Tour Distance 146km
Next event 10 July 2016
Entries are open.
RideLondon (UK)
through central London passing some of the capital’s most
iconic landmarks.
The Prudential RideLondon Grand Prix is a series of criterium
races taking place in St James’s Park in central London in the
early evening of Saturday 1 August.
The Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 follows a route made
famous by the world’s best cyclists at the London 2012 Olympics.
The Prudential RideLondon Handcycle Classic features a field of
around 30 top handcyclists.
The Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic features 150 of the
world’s top cyclists racing at full tilt.
Next event weekend 30-31 July 2016
Registration for the RideLondon-Surrey 100 ballot is open.
The world’s largest festival of cycling with 95 000+ riders on
traffic-free roads in London and Surrey over two days.
With five events on offer, RideLondon is a world-class festival
of cycling that has already made waves in its short three-year
history. Held for the first time in 2013, Prudential RideLondon
immediately set new records as it became the largest inaugural
mass-participation cycling event in the world with 66 000+
participants and raised more than £7 million for charity, making
it the largest charity cycling event in the UK. An unprecedented
99 percent of participants rated the event good or excellent.
More records were set in the second year of the event as the
total number of riders participating in the five events exceeded
80 000 and more than £10 million was raised for charity.
Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle offers the chance for the entire
family to enjoy 10 miles of traffic-free cycling on closed roads
69
wace
Granfondo Campagnolo Roma (Italy)
A unique cycling experience in the historic Eternal City
starting in front of the Colosseum.
For its inaugural edition in October 2012, Granfondo
Campagnolo Roma drew a soldout field of 5000 riders.
Never before had an amateur bike race been routed through
the heart of ancient Rome. The course features an initial
three mile sightseeing loop at a controlled pace past Rome’s
architectural treasures. After that, racers are let free to shoot
down Via Appia Antica, a cobblestone road that paves the
way towards the beautiful hills outside the city. The temperatures are mild and perfect for racing and riding alike, just
what you would want from this instant fall cycling classic.
The Granfondo Distance 123km
The In Bici ai Castelli Romani fun cycle Distance 62km
Next event October 2016
To find out more about WACE, please visit the WACE website at www.wacebike.com
70
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VARIA • EDGE • VECTOR
cruisers
Slowly, slowly,
down the Danube
While South Africa boasts a wide variety of cycling events, the one thing it can’t
lay claim to just yet is a gentle biking meander through its vast countryside.
Europe, on the other hand, is a leisure cyclist’s dream, with a number of gentle
rides to soothe the soul. By David Moseley
Germany
Slovakia
Austria
Hungary
Romania
France
Croatia
Serbia
72
Bulgaria
A
s we handed over the toll to the ferryman he squinted
and stroked a thin grey beard while giving our group
the once over. Expertly summing up his captives, he
disappeared beneath the ferry’s control panel only
to resurface with a roguish grin and two bottles that
clinked together ominously. Reversing the ferry with one hand and
laying out six worryingly large shot glasses with the other, he offered
a one word explanation, “schnapps”.
It wasn’t a question. It wasn’t an order. It wasn’t even an
invitation. It was just the way it was in the tiny Upper Austrian
town of Engelhartszel on a cool, misty June morning on the banks
of Danube. “Schnapps,” I said in the same unequivocal manner as
the ferryman. And so, as the bike-laden ferry bounced across one of
Europe’s great rivers, my wife and I began our seven day cycling trip
down the Danube with bulging eyeballs and fire in the belly courtesy
of the potent Austrian marillenschnaps (apricot brandy).
The Danube has its source in Germany’s Black Forest and stretches
for 2800km before emptying into the Black Sea via the Danube Delta
in Romania and Ukraine. The river passes through or touches the
borders of 10 countries and calls in at four European capitals; Vienna,
Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade. In its lifetime the river has been
everything from a Roman Empire frontier to an important trade and
transport route to being wrongfully linked as the sole inspiration for
Johann Strauss’ famous Blue Danube waltz.
Strauss was commissioned to write a choral piece in 1865, but
never got round to it. After Austria’s defeat to Prussia in the Seven
Weeks War a year later, he was persuaded to return to the work, this
time encouraged to write an upbeat waltz to help lift the gloomy
mood of the Austrian nation. The actual inspiration for the Blue
Danube waltz is said to come from a poem by Karl Isidor Beck,
where each stanza ends with the line: ‘By the Danube, beautiful blue
Danube’. Over the years the Blue Danube has become associated
with the colour of river, though it’s unlikely that the river has been
blue at all in recent times, if at any stage in its existence. (That being
said, there is a small section off Vienna’s Danube Island called the
New Danube that boasts clean, clear water used for swimming and
other recreational activities. It could be blue there).
The gang’s all here! Robyn, Stephanie, Pete, Irene, John and I.
Blue or brown, there’s no denying the might of the Danube,
especially when you have the chance to get up close to its waters.
Thanks to Europe’s love of the bicycle and central Europeans’ desire
to spend as much time outdoors as they can in their short summer
months, you’re able to cycle the entire length of the river. A cycle
route called the Danube Bike Path – part of a larger route called
EuroVelo 6 – runs all the way from Donaueschingen in Germany
to Romania, with many sections fully dedicated to cycling (on
some parts you do veer off the dedicated route, but it’s apparently
signposted from start to finish). Cyclists can actually ride all the way
from Nantes in France to the city of Constanța in Romania on the
3600km-long EuroVelo 6.
Our short tour was slightly less ambitious – with just 200km on the
cards – but it was pedal perfection nonetheless. My wife and I had
travelled to Munich with her parents, Pete and Irene. Once there we
met my brother-in-law John and his wife Stephanie. The idea to cycle
a section of the Danube was that of my in-laws. Both had turned 60
during the year and wanted to do something special with the family;
somehow, from their stoep in Grahamstown, they stumbled across
the Danube Bike Path.
After three days of pretzel eating and biergartens in Munich,
we made our way to Passau, a small town in Lower Bavaria with a
thousand-year-old history and known as the “City of Three Rivers”.
The Danube is joined here by the Inn – much bluer than the Danube
– from the south and the Ilz from the north. Centuries ago it was
noted that the Inn had a greater volume coming into Passau, was
broader and deeper at the town, as well as having a longer course
behind it at that point, but it’s regarded as a tributary of Danube
because the Danube drains a larger area than the Inn and has a more
consistent flow.
Passau itself is a fairy tale town of ancient buildings and river
Cruise boats, I realised after banging
my knees into the shower door when
sitting down on the loo, are a lot like
Cape Town apartments.
This is (literally) My Story.
73
cruisers
SA Ambassadors before beer.
banks. Looking at the spires and gothic towers you half expect
Rapunzel to throw down her hair at any moment. Cobbled streets
and narrow alleys take you from the old town to the older town,
and you’re never far away from the rush of water. It’s sleepy and
on the move at the same time. We went for a run around town
and crossed all three rivers in our short 5km trundle. In the bright
sunshine of the German summer tourists cycled up and down the
river banks, stopping off for cold beers in shady biergartens. Passau
is a popular stop for cyclists on the EuroVelo 6, and also for the
cruise ships that roam the Danube. Ours was here too, a slightly
melancholic-looking Dutch boat called My Story.
Cruise boats, I realised after banging my knees into the shower
door when sitting down on the loo, are a lot like Cape Town
apartments; the pictures look great when you get the email from
the estate agent, but once you actually see the property it quickly
becomes apparent that it’s in need of more than a lick of paint, and
that the agent has gone to some extreme lengths just to get the
words “mountain view” in the brochure. Still, we’d be spending most
days on the bike, and the My Story did have an excellent upper deck,
which is where we enjoyed our first sunset on the Danube as the
boat chugged slowly out of Passau and on towards Upper Austria.
The getaway
After departing the ferry, and braced for adventure thanks to the
fiery schnapps, we cycled merrily along the river towards the market
town of Aschach. It was the height of summer, so the locals were
out in full force. We passed makeshift campsites where fishing rods
peeked out from tents, their lines dangling passively in the water. At
another location we saw a couple and their dog lying peacefully in
the back of a Passat station wagon, the car’s boot facing the river so
that all three campers were positioned for the best morning view.
On this section of the river you ride along the Donauschlinge
– the Great Loop – where the Danube loops back on itself before
somehow finding its way again. You don’t notice the loop from the
riverside, but the aerial photos of the ‘Loop’ are quite dramatic (there
is a viewpoint you can hike up too, but by now we were thirsty and
in desperate need of a lager). Some drama was soon to come our
way anyway.
Moments after our first beer stop – the beer in Austria is superb;
you can simply ask for “bier” at any biergarten and safely assume
74
SA ambassadors after beer.
that you will be served something crisp and refreshing – Irene
decided she had a flat tyre. I stopped to inspect the old relic, and
then had a look at the bike too, which had clearly done this trip many
times in its long-suffering life. The tyre was slightly flat, so I took off
the valve cap to pump it up and in doing so ripped out the whole,
rusty valve. Armed with a solitary spare tube and an old bicycle
pump – the kind you extended for swordfights as a kid – I toiled
away under the Austrian sun; in the meantime Irene, not wanting to
slow us down but not telling us either, made off with Steph’s bike.
Half-an-hour later Steph, Robyn and myself came across the rest of
the family sitting happily in the shade of an umbrella at the Aschach
Radlercamp eating the local delicacy, steckerlfisch (fish on a stick),
and sipping cool Zipfer bier. “What took you so long,” they asked.
From steckerl to schnitzel
Overnight the My Story took us to the next starting point, Devin,
a suburb of Slovakia’s capital city, Bratislava. The ride started under
the ruins of Devin Castle, believed to have been built in 864 and in
an area that sat just inside the Iron Curtain during the days of the
Cold War. Overnight we had developed a strategy for the remainder
of the tour – stop at the very first biergarten, and then at every
biergarten thereafter. Everyone agreed that this was a fine tactic.
The route took us from Slovakia back into Austria and past the
immaculate palace of Schloss Hof. Later on the tour, in Vienna, a
tour guide told us that Empress Maria Theresa once lived in the
palace. This I was stunned to hear because I’d never heard of a time
when Mother Teresa was an Austrian royal. Of course, the famous
missionary was never an Empress. It was just a combination of the
guide’s thick Austrian accent and my half-hearted listening that
caused the confusion. The palace was open to visitors, but it was a
warm day and our crew was getting thirsty. We stopped briefly to
admire a tiny Austrian horse, silently considered the manicured lawns
The border post was a concrete and
crumbling relic of Slovakia’s communist
past, like something a Roger Moore
James Bond might sneak past in the dead
of night while wearing a clown suit.
of the palace gardens and then moved out.
Still in Austria and just before crossing the most wonderful
cycling bridge we found our first biergartern of the day, one that
also happened to be famous for its Wiener Schnitzel. Naturally,
we had some bier, this time a golden Puntigamer, and scoffed
down four helpings of Austria’s national dish – one with potato,
one with salad, one with chips, and one with extra schnitzel, all
in the name of discovery.
From there we cycled towards Bratislava, riding away from
the Danube and slightly inland through lush, green fields. The
next “recovery” stop was at an old Slovakian border post inside
a sports club. Two young girls looked on bewildered as we
whooped for joy at the price of beer – down from 4 euros in
Austria and Germany to one euro in Slovakia. The border post
was a concrete and crumbling relic of Slovakia’s communist past,
like something a Roger Moore James Bond might sneak past in
the dead of night while wearing a clown suit. It looked like it had
been abandoned in a hurry; weeds grew through cracks in the
old buildings and large concrete blocks decorated with colourful
graffiti sat in a parking lot waiting forlornly to bring a capitalist
intruder to a grinding halt. We could see Bratislava in the
distance so we gulped back the beers and headed for to the river.
Hammering through Hungary
We left Bratislava, a charming city indeed, with a full moon rising
over the river. As the city lights faded into the distance and the
moon grew more impressive we finally caught a glimpse of a
blue Danube of sorts, even if the scene was slightly aided by the
lunar special effects. The My Story travelled through the night
and docked in Budapest the next morning. It was a rest day, so
we explored the city and learned many things, chiefly that the
Hungarian capital has always been somewhat in a state of flux.
As it’s not pertinent to the cycle side of the story, I’ll omit our
Budapest adventure. Suffice to say, it’s a city worth visiting.
Still in Hungary, our next day on the bike was a short ride from a
The real Austrian highlight was the
Wachau Valley, Austria’s wine growing
region; think Franschhoek, but without
the pretentious Capetonians.
Wachau – home of the most golden apricot marillenschnaps.
town called Vác to Esztergom, the capital city of Hungary between
the 10th and 13th century. As with most days, the riding was serene,
except for the last 10km when Robyn’s old man decided that he
quite liked going fast on a bike and put the hammer down.
Our mission was always to be last off the boat, that way we could
spend more time at breakfast eating chocolate croissants. We’d
stuck to our guns on this morning too, but Pete’s enthusiasm to
see Esztergom in a fine morning light meant we started reeling in
everyone who had left before us. We arrived in Esztergom ahead
of the My Story and all the other passengers, so went looking for
the local attractions. Someone had mentioned something about a
prominent basilica in the town, but we found nothing of the sort.
Instead, we happened across a quaint riverside waterfront – that is,
a moored barge with a bar on it – and whiled away the morning
listening to two American cyclists who were experts on Hungary,
the Danube, cycling, central Europe, teaching, law, the bar we were
at, clouds, fish and numerous other topics. Eventually our boat
appeared and once back on board we were shocked to learn that
the Esztergom Basilica is the largest church in Hungary, the biggest
building in Hungary with a rich and varied history that dates back
1000 years, that the building of the Basilica includes interventions
from Italian masters, the Ottoman Empire, and houses the most
precious remaining example of Renaissance art in Hungary. If we’d
taken two steps past the bar barge we would have learned all that
and more. Instead, we learned to love Hungarian beer.
The most amazing ride
From Hungary we moved back upstream to Austria. We stopped
just outside Vienna and took our bikes into the city. With 1200km of
bike lane the Austrian capital easily lays claim to the cycling capital
of central Europe. We cycled along the Danube Bike Path for 6km
and entered a mad, bustling, biking paradise. Pedestrians, motorists
and cyclists all adhered to the traffic lights, while a manic harmony
seemed to be at play between all three groups. We’d arranged a
guided tour by bike, but after the tour guide insisted that everything
in Vienna was the “most wonderful”, “most beautiful”, “most
pure”, “most original”, and “most Austrian”, we started to drown
her out and dream of a possible German invasion just to remind her
that Austria was also the “most surrendered” country too.
Gorgeous as Vienna was, the real Austrian highlight was the
Wachau Valley, Austria’s wine growing region; think Franschhoek,
but without the pretentious Capetonians. We left Krems – the
home of that most Austrian of schnapps, the marillenschnaps –
and set out for Melk. The ride was 40km of sightseeing perfection.
Everything you can ever imagine about tiny Austrian villages filled
the scenery of the ride: Castles, cobblestone paths, ancient abbeys,
quaint gingerbread houses with bright flower boxes filling the
windowsills and signs imploring you to try the marillenschnaps
dotted the way to Melk.
Of course, the vineyards were equally impressive, rising up from
the banks of the Danube and high into the hills. We stopped for
a wine tasting – good whites, average reds – and then promptly
decided it was time for a dip in the river. We cycled the last few
kilometres to Melk, our final destination, with the Danube dripping
from our shorts.
75
9
lekker
local events
With no shortage of MTB stage races in South Africa, the difficulty lies not in finishing
one, but rather picking the right one! Have a look at this selection of the lesser-known
stage race events in South Africa and find one that suits you. By BRYONY McCORMICK
2
1
Seabreeze Build It Bitter-Sweet
MTB Challenge
Perfect for: Beginners and high school students
What to expect: The trails and sugarcane farm roads that
make up the Bitter-Sweet route are smooth, fast and uncomplicated. Elevation gain is testing, but not treacherous, downhills are
fast and fun and the race distances don’t exceed 60km per day
– making the event open to juniors who are looking to compete
in a stage event but are usually barred due to age limitations (in
accordance with CSA ruling).
In October the KZN coast is warm and sunny without being
too hot and humid, and the Indian Ocean provides the perfect
post-race cool off. Trails and farm roads are splayed across a
number of sugarcane farms, so you can expect rolling hills,
coastal forests and a view of the sea at most given times. The
60km and 40km distances over the two days respectively, as well
as the easy trails, make the event suited to riders of all ages and
ability, from pros to first timers. So if your wife has been asking
to do a stage race (or complaining you don’t spend enough time
with her), enter a family team, or sign up with your kid and hand
down your valuable MTB wisdom…
When: October 2016
Where: Rocky Bay Resorts, Park Rynie, KZN
Contact: roag.co.za
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Gravel and Grape
Perfect for: The whole family
What to expect: The Gravel and Grape is in its second
year and offers both a three-day and two-day event (the Lite),
perfect for both beginners and seasoned multi-day riders. The
route, which starts and finishes daily at the ATKV Goudini Spa, is
made up of a variety of singletrack, challenging climbs and distractingly beautiful scenery as riders negotiate their way through
the Breedekloof Wine Valley. Gravel and Grape try to differentiate themselves from similar multi-stage events by offering
spectators and kids a host of entertainment options throughout
the course of the event, making it perfect for the whole family
to join in the fun! From nature hikes, fun spectator points, cellar
tours and of course, the natural hot springs – there is plenty to
do while the riders tackle the route.
When: May 2016
Region: Breedekloof Wine Valley, WC
Contact: gravelandgrape.com
stage races
3
Lesotho Sky Ride
Perfect for: People who LIKE the pain cave
What to expect: This is a six-day, 350km race with
around 9000m of climbing set in Lesotho. Take a second to
digest that! With space for only 100 riders, the Sky Ride is not for
the faint hearted, but more for those looking to push their limits
while taking on the mountain biking adventure of a lifetime.
Trails are technical, climbs are severe and long, but the singletrack
is sublime. Enter this event if you’re looking for an authentic
experience, have a lust for riding at altitude in big mountains, are
happy to portage sketchy sections and have a desire to improve
your Maluti mountain goat riding skills on some gnarly, off-thebeaten-track kind of trails! Expect generous hospitality from local
Basothos, a challenging route and a life-changing experience.
When: September 2016
Region: Lesotho
Contact: lesothosky.com
4
Tour of Ara
Perfect for: For hipsters and vintage bike owners
What to expect: The Tour of Ara is a completely unique
concept in South Africa. With space for just 35 riders and a strict
set of rules, this six-day multi-stage race, covering 650km, is
all about paying homage to the proud tradition of early Italian multi-day races. The 2015 event started in the small town
of Die-Dorp-Op-Die-Berg and finished in the historic town of
Matjiesfontein (as did the inaugural event), and has riders covering the distances mostly on hard gravel roads, with some soft
sand, corrugation, loose stones and sharp tyre shredding rocks
thrown in for good measure. The guys behind the Tour of Ara are
adamant in their dedication to replicate early Italian stage races,
and thus the rules and guidelines must be adhered to at all costs.
So in short, you cannot enter unless you partake on an original,
South African built, steel frame bicycle. The idea behind this is
to celebrate South Africa’s forgotten frame building movement
that dissolved in the 1980s when technology took over. It’s self
supported and organisers have requested that entrants “do not
wear loud logos and busy Lycra, do not wear a Camelbak or ugly
Oakleys, and no GoPros please. This is not a race for energy gels
and blueberry flavoured sports drinks. In the spirit of how the
great Italians did it, lets drink water and red wine, and eat bread
and beautiful cheese.” Read the rules before entering.
When: September/October 2016
Region: Die-Dorp-Op-Die-Berg, WC
Contact: tourofara.co.za
77
stage races
sible. Final routes have not yet been launched, but entrants can
expect between 55-60km a day, with fun, flowing singletrack
and contouring farm roads. The climbs around the Simonsberg
mountain are notoriously steep, but relatively short, and riders
will probably tackle around 1500m elevation gain per day. February is also harvest time on the estates, so the vineyards will be
brimming with grapes and activity. This is a great MTB season
opener, through a really beautiful part of South Africa.
When: February 2016
Region: Stellenbosch
Contact: dirtopia.co.za
5
Tour de Ghaap
Perfect for: People from Kimberley
What to expect: The organisers are clear about two
things… you get potjie and there are dangerous kudus on the
trails. Look, the two-day TDG is in its 11th year, so it’s not exactly
a new race, but it certainly ticks the ‘lesser-known’ or ‘never
heard of’ box. That’s more than likely because the start is situated
in a town called Ulco, some 75km outside of Kimberley. There’s
not a lot other than kudu, farmers and a very big hole in the
ground an hour away, so once a year when a motley bunch of
mountain bikers make their way to the town, Ulco comes alive.
The ride itself is pretty tame, and involves a lot of district road
and some singletrack over the two days, so it’s fast. The relentless
heat is the real challenge, but the beers are cold and worth riding
for. The campsite sounds like the real reason you enter though,
with authentic, Northern Cape potjie, koeksusters and roosterbrood on the menu 24/7.
Region: Northern Cape
Contact: tourdeghaap.com
6
Fairtree CAPITAL
Simonsberg Contour
Perfect for: Suckas for
singletrack
What to expect: The Simonsberg Contour is a brand new twoday stage race in the Stellenbosch
region, and the first to link all the
neighbouring wine estates’ pristine
network of singletrack into one
multi-stage offering. Well known
trail developers and race organisers, Dirtopia, have come on board
to handle the race management
and additional trail building to
ensure that riders get as much
singletrack in each stage as pos-
78
7
SA Cyclocross Champs (unofficial)
& CX Sundays - presented by Hunter Cycles
Perfect for: People bored of regular MTB
What to expect: Cyclocross involves racing around a short
multi-lap circuit, loaded with random obstacles, on what one
could describe as a tinkered-with road bike. The guys from
Hunter Cycling, who are behind most underground Cyclocross
(CX) events in South Africa, gave this as a description of the
(unofficial) South African Champs circuit. “There may be bridges,
there may be foam, there may be a pumptrack and there may
be a beer stop.” If you’re keen to give it a bash, you’re going to
need the right bike. To see if you have the correct steed, here are
Hunter Cycling’s guidelines: “A cyclocross bike will work if you
have one, MTBs are accepted, a steel frame road bike gets you a
free beer and carbon time-trial bikes… well that’s silly”. Originating in Europe, CX is a combination of fun, speed, obstacles and
old-school hooliganism. This year Hunter Cycling presented the
unofficial SA Champs at the Africa Cycle Fair, and are adamant to
host it again next year. In the interim, the guys who have recently
taken over the Jozi store are keen to get CX Sunday sessions back
on track!
When: Keep a look out on Hunter Cycling for CX Sunday’s info,
or hold out until next October’s Africa Cycle Fair, where the
unofficial SA CX Champs will take place.
Region: Gauteng
Contact: huntercycling.co.za
facebook.com/HunterCycling
8
Mitsubishi Motors Sani Dragon
Perfect for: The views and a spot of altitude training
What to expect: This two day stage race starts at the
annual Underberg Farmer’s Association (UFA) Agricultural Show,
and is purposefully timed to take place on the same weekend.
The first day involves jeep track and singletrack, nothing to difficult, but takes riders through stunning southern Drakensberg
scenery. The second day takes cyclists up to the finish at the top
of Sani Pass, where they can crack open a cold beer at the highest pub in Africa. It’s a long haul up the pass, and the altitude
doesn’t do any favours, but the views from the top are spectacular. Cyclists are expected to make their way back down at their
own time. Even though the descent won’t involve pedalling, we
recommended you don’t overdo the beers at the top… it’s a long
fall if you take a spill. No other stage race in the country incorporates the Sani Pass climb.
Region: Sani Pass, KZN & Lesotho
Contact: sanidragon.co.za
9
iSimangaliso MTB 4 Day
– powered by Nashua
Perfect for: Game viewing
What to expect: In its third year now, the four-day, 260km
iSimangaliso is a unique experience, as the route takes riders
through privately owned game reserves (Phinda), a UNESCO
World Heritage site and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park
(including Mkuze Game Reserve) in the St Lucia region.
The iSimangaliso is among the most diverse parks in the world,
with eight interlinking ecosystems. The trails are made up by
existing tracks, animal paths, hippo trails, jeep tracks and gravel
roads, and while there are several sneaky climbs, the overall
route is fairly gentle – making it a fast race for those upfront.
For those more interested in game viewing, the pace is relaxed,
the water tables are feast fests, and the opportunity to stop and
relax at (animal) watering holes is available (so carry a compact
set of binoculars if you have). At any given moment you could
bump into one of the big five, one of the large variety of bird
species and more common game. Riders cycle with trackers,
so that rangers can keep tabs on everyone, in case any large
animals decide to wander on course and kick up a fuss. There
are rangers on the course every day ensuring the safety of the
riders too.
When: August 2016
Region: St Lucia, Northern KZN
Contact: isimangaliso-mtb.co.za
79
drug-free
Passport control
The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) is leading the way with
a range of initiatives to refine the “biological passport” for athletes.
by CHRIS WHITFIELD
A
t the time of its introduction in 2009 the Athlete
Biological Passport (ABP) was touted as the weapon
that would finally give anti-doping authorities
the upper hand in the on-going battle against
cheating sportsmen and women. Lance Armstrong
admitted that it would have prevented him from using the doping
techniques that took him to seven successive Tour de France titles
from 1999 to 2005.
But soon athletes began attempting to manipulate it by using
so-called “micro-dosing”. Recently a BBC journalist and keen
amateur cyclist from Scotland did a three-month controlled
experiment in which he micro-dosed in an attempt to show it
could be used to circumvent the system.
But can it?
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) responded in a
statement to the journalist’s revelations: “While the (BBC)
SAIDS – at the forefront of testing.
Play fair – say no to doping.
80
drug-free
Dr Jeroen Swart.
Khalid Galant.
programme suggests that the journalist, through his experiment,
was able to enhance his performance without recording an adverse
analytical finding, we haven’t been provided any information that
would validate this allegation nor is there anything in the programme
which would indicate that his profile would have ‘beaten’ the ABP
programme,” said WADA.
“We acknowledge that the programme… raises questions
regarding the ability of athletes to dope by taking minimal amounts
of performance enhancing substances without testing positive,
otherwise known as ‘micro-dosing’,” WADA added. “It is an issue
that we are exploring in great detail with experts from across the
anti-doping community, and indeed it was highlighted in the recent
Cycling Independent Reform Commission (CIRC) Report.”
The CIRC report contends that the current rule against testing
riders between the hours of 11pm and 6am allows micro-dosing of
products, such as EPO, without being caught, providing a window
long enough for doping products, taken in small quantities, to leave
the system by morning.
As a consequence UCI president Brian Cookson said doping
investigators may stage night-time raids to test Tour de France riders.
WADA has explained the ABP as follows: “The fundamental
principle of the ABP is to monitor selected biological variables
over time that indirectly reveal the effects of doping rather than
attempting to detect the doping substance or method itself.” In other
words, a variety of tests are done over time to establish an individual
athlete’s biological parameters.
SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) CEO Khalid Galant
compares the ABP to average speed measurement – where the speed
of a car is calculated by the time it takes between two points – and
normal testing to a fixed speed trap where a car’s speed is measured
at a single point on the road.
Dr Jeroen Swart, a world-recognised sports scientist, cycling coach
and former elite cyclist, says: “ABP has been touted as very effective,
but it does have its limitations.”
Athletes have figured out that by taking small doses of EPO or
testosterone they can possibly get around the ABP, he explains.
What the ABP can do is to “keep their values within the normal
range, but can’t eliminate doping… it puts a clamp on the severity
of doping and allows a clean athlete to compete on a relatively
level playing field”, says Swart. It allows athletes to “have a
Increased suspensions for
blood doping, EPO and anabolic
steroids will also give rise to a
situation where athletes will be
more inclined to plea bargain,
which might include providing
information about doping methods
and, as Swart puts it, “squealing on
their colleagues”.
professional career without doping”.
Wada chief executive David Howman said recently: “We certainly
know that people try to get to the margins of beating systems and
the passport will be no exception to that. (But the passport) has
made a big difference. It’s substantially reduced, I would say, overabuse of some of the blood doping that we knew in the past.
“It’s not a panacea. It’s another tool in the toolkit, so to speak, and
it’s used not only to find somebody breaking the rules, (but) also to
say: ‘This guy’s got a profile which is a bit wonky. Go and target-test
that guy’.”
“At SAIDS they are ahead of the curve in the approach to the
biological passport,” says Swart. He points to work being done to
gather information on individual athletes by including ancillary data
such as their measures at altitude, during tapering and during or after
ultra-endurance events. He explains that the biological parameters of
individuals fluctuate in circumstances such as those and you can get
false positives or negatives.
“This work will increase the chances of catching micro-dosers,”
says Swart.
Galant adds: “SAIDS, together with the world’s anti-doping
community, is involved in a process designed to constantly improve
all of our techniques, and the ABP is no exception.”
As Howman suggests, the ABP can be used to identify possible
dopers who can be targeted for specific testing. This has already been
used to catch drug cheats in this country.
Increased suspensions for blood doping, EPO and anabolic
steroids will also give rise to a situation where athletes will be more
inclined to plea bargain, which might include providing information
about doping methods and, as Swart puts it, “squealing on their
colleagues”.
Recent allegations about, among others, 1994 Comrades
Marathon winner and world-renowned coach Alberto Salazar, have
again cast a shadow over sport generally and put the focus on the
methods used by anti-doping authorities.
“The ABP will remain a key component in the fight against
drugs in sport,” says Galant. “It has eliminated the sort of blood
doping that was prevalent around the turn of the century and the
refinements being made to it will ensure it remains a powerful
deterrent. It has also been very helpful in alerting us to athletes’
profiles which may need further investigation.”
81
Spur mtb
School MTB League
breeds champions
Seven years ago the first Spur Schools MTB League consisted of 21 events with
about 900 participants. Today, it’s a hugely popular league producing top
talent across South Africa.
I
n 2015, with the national final held at the Bekker High School
in Magaliesburg, more than 60 events had already been
staged attracting over 10 000 entries. The first league in 2009
was staged in five provinces and now it takes place in all nine.
There are also events in Namibia, Zimbabwe and Lesotho. At the
national final in 2015 a team from Zambia competed.
Several of the league’s graduates have gone on to become professional riders, including the likes of Dylan Rebello and Sipho Madolo.
Worcester’s Montana High School can point to Stefan De Bod as
a successful graduate of the league: he’s been snapped up by the
MTN Qhubeka professional feeder team. Madolo represented South
Africa at the recent World Championships in Andorra.
By all these measures the league has been a great success,
but league co-ordinator Meurant Botha insists that it “is not
about the numbers”.
Botha, well-known in mountain biking for developing trails
and fostering the growth of the sport through his AMA Rider
initiative, believes the real measure of success will be the league’s
ability to bring new communities into the sport.
Songo Fipaza, who founded the Songo.info charity with mountain biking legend Christoph Sauser and has dedicated himself to
developing the sport in Stellenbosch’s Khayamandi township, is a
fan of the league.
He took several riders to a league event at the Paul Roos High
School and says it “is helping get the kids off the streets and on
to bikes”. He pointed to several of his young protégés as potential stars of the future.
Although the number of black children taking part has grown
sharply over the years, the league’s goals go beyond the traditional
82
development objectives.
It is also about reaching into areas which might not have the
same infrastructure as the bigger cities: “The growth areas we
are looking at now are rural centres like Kimberley, Upington and
Richards Bay,” says Botha.
“This year we’ve seen up to 50 percent of events being held
on school grounds, which brings the sport to the people instead
of it taking place on exclusive private properties,” says Botha.
He depends heavily on the commitment of regional coordinators to foster the league in their areas and has learnt that
each region has unique challenges. Logistical issues – the size and
relatively sparse population of the Northern Cape, for example –
are also factors that have to be taken into account.
The league is structured to pit schools against one another
rather than individuals, thus encouraging broader participation
through a squad system.
Andrew Cronje, Market Development manager for the Spur
Group, says the organisation is delighted by the success of the
league. “We see it as a way of encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle
as well as providing a safe, structured environment for youngsters
to get onto their bikes to race and explore various MTB trails,”
he explains. “Mountain biking is a natural fit for
South Africans and the growth into new schools
and communities is particularly exciting for us.”
It is a formula that is obviously working
and helping foster mountain biking in the
country – but also introducing many children
to a lifestyle that they might otherwise not
have experienced.
product spotlight
Get ride ready
Enjoy your best ride yet with this selection of cycling essentials.
GIANT Anthem X Advanced 29er SRAM X1
This XC race machine offers incredible traction on climbs
and added confidence on descents. A great combination
of speed and 29er handling, it’s designed to roll through
technical terrain with added stability and control. Ideal for
endurance races or marathon XC, the frame features 100mm
of Maestro Suspension and a handcrafted Advanced-grade
composite mainframe. The OverDrive steerer tube bolsters
the front end for unflinching control on rough trails.
From R57 000.
Giro Strade Dure Supergel
Giro’s exceptional Super Fit ergonomic
design and high-quality construction
enhance the fit and feel, eliminating the
bulky feel of other ultra plush gloves.
TYLER OPTIX BIFOCAL SPORT SUNGLASSES
TRIUMPH CHOOSE THE WAY YOU MOVE
Triumph’s latest collection of high performance sports
and crop tops continue to provide unobstructed freedom
of movement while protecting and supporting the bust,
and reducing bounce and motion at all impact levels.
The ‘triaction actiometer’ continues to make it easy
for women to select garments to suit their shape, size
and activity level best, with colour-coded labels that
clearly identify the level of support required.
New silhouettes, shades and fabrications provide
fresh workout motivation.
Tyler Optix Bifocal Sport Sunglasses with Impact and UV400 protection
are specifically designed for cyclists who need reading glasses. The
bifocals are moulded to the inside bottom of the lens so as not to
interfere with distance viewing but allow for easy focusing of GPS, heart
rate monitors and watches. These sunglasses have been tested on the
joBerg2c, 9 days, 900km cycle using GPS,
no markers and performed
perfectly while riding
singletrack.
83
product spotlight
D’arcs
D’arcs have been engineered to provide a curved
aerodynamic profile that hugs the face
at the temples; combined with
lightweight and cushioned rubber nose
grip they remain
stable and secure
during any active sports.
Bell Traverse
MIPS-equipped
BIOGEN ‘Perform-X’ range
2016 sees the introduction of the latest
endurance offering from Biogen. In addition
to having an existing selection of Informed
Sport certified energy and recovery
solutions, the new improved formulas will
also offer healthier products, with selected
products now free of artificial colourants
and an exciting ready-to-drink electrolyte
product to the range as well. Look out for
these at the Cape Town Cycle Tour Expo
and Dis-Chem Pharmacies nationwide.
This Bell model offers the addition
of MIPS (Multi-Directional
Impact Protection System),
which can provide an
additional measure of
protection in certain
impacts. The one-sizefits-all ErgoDial Fit
System also allows
for one-handed
adjustment.
Kenda Kwest MTB slick
Red-E PowerBank
Designed for everything from city
streets to country roads. The Kwest is
your ticket to fun for recreational riding.
Durable tread patterns provide ample
traction and braking control. Ideal for
mountain bikers who need slicks for a
road race or commuters.
RED-E are known for our innovative
and quality products. The product
range is custom designed to meet
the needs of today’s mobile user,
like the Red-E RW 40 PowerBank,
which is able to charge two devices
simultaneously.
Biogen Custom Fitmark Bags
Holiday season is on its way – be sure to keep your diet
on track during the festivities! Biogen now offers a
custom Fitmark bag to help you store and plan your
meals for the day. The ultimate in food storage – only a
limited number available in SA, and these will sell out fast.
Cadence bar
CarboFuel Energy Bar is a great
tasting, easily chewable energy
bar for endurance training and
racing. The scientifically proven
formulation contains multiple
transportable carbohydrates
for maximum energy delivery.
84
Fabric Line
Amped Stealth
6.1 – 6000mAh
Never run out of power with your
Amped portable charger. The cyclist
on the go needs to stay connected,
and that’s exactly what the Amped
Stealth provides; keeping your phone
or GPS unit fully charged.
The Line uses a split,
single piece, full-length
pad with a central relief
channel to decrease
pressure on the
pudendal artery.
The Line is
supremely
comfortable
for those
longer days
in the
saddle.
FEVAFOAM FEVA STAR SEAT
Take your kid along for the ride! Invented and
manufactured in South Africa, the Feva Star Seat
is a training seat for kids aged two to five years,
up to 25kg. The seat is specifically designed
for use off-road on mountain bikes.
Contact Ritchie on 073 878 9507 or email
[email protected]. www.fevafoam.com
herbal iceman cooling gel
Mavic Cosmic Ultimate shoe
Herbal Iceman Cooling Gel with Arnica provides relief for sore
and stiff muscles, aching joints,
sunburn and insect bites without
leaving a sticky mess. Herbal Iceman
contains menthol known for its
cooling properties which combined
with the unique Herbal Iceman
formula includes extracts of arnica
and echinacea. Iceman offers a
cooling sensation which may provide
temporary relief from localised joint
and muscle discomfort.
The ultimate combination of power transfer, lightweight
and comfort. Put
yourself in yellow!
From R 5499.
Oakley Jawbreaker™
Oakley innovation has reached the pinnacle
of performance with the ultimate in sport
design, Jawbreaker™ – offering everything from
surge ports for cooling airflow to Unobtainium®
components on the earsocks and nosepads for a
comfortably secure fit. Switchlock™ interchangeable
lens technology makes lens changing fast and
hassle-free. Lenses come enhanced with PRIZM™, a
revolutionary lens technology that fine-tunes vision for
specific sports and environments and extended field of
view in the upper peripheral region to optimise for cycling.
From R2500.
85
product spotlight
QUAD LOCK MOUNTING SYSTEM
Twist, lock and go – the patent-pending
Quad Lock mounting system allows
you to quickly and securely attach
your smartphone to your bike, car
or arm with just a simple twist. With
a wide range of cases and mounts,
Quad Lock positions itself as the
lightest, strongest and most
secure mounting system
available. Email [email protected]
for more information.
Giro Apeckx
The Apeckx II
combines a supple
bonded and welded
mesh upper with
an impressively stiff
DuPont Zytel sole. The
welded and bonded upper
results in fewer seams for
reduced hot spots and improved
comfort.
Ryder Bora
Cannondale CAAD8 105
Ideal for MTB newbies, the Bora boasts a rigid
glass fibre sole, three-strap fastening, lightweight
upper construction, breathable
mesh upper and a new
non-slip heel lining.
If you’re looking for a first serious road bike, Cannondale’s CAAD 8 is worth
your attention. It’s fast and comfortable, while the carbon fork, oversize
steerer, stem and
bar create very
confident handling.
INFACET
CHAINLINK JEWELLERY
Family of cycling fans? Prove it with these
fabulous custom-made cycling pendants.
Sterling silver Motion collection set
with black diamonds –
Small pendant (14mm) R490 incl. chain
Medium pendant (24mm) R890 incl. chain
Cuff Links R1490.
For more information visit
www.infacet.co.za/motion-pendants/
or contact [email protected]/082 878 4949.
WIN WITH CYCLE TOUR MAGAZINE
One lucky reader will win a medium pendant and set of cufflinks worth a total of R2380 courtesy of Infacet!
To enter, email [email protected], subject “chainlink” and tell us what you love about the Cape Town Cycle Tour.
Ts & Cs: winners are selected via random draw and will be notified via email. The prize will be couriered to the winner. If more than one family member has
entered the Cycle Tour, they may also enter the competition.
86
medical
4 pills to swallow
Take special note of this medical advice from MEDICLINIC, the Cape Town
Cycle Tour’s official medical services sponsor.
ONE
Always get a health clearance from
your GP before doing any extreme
event – even if it is only extreme
because it’s out of your normal routine
or behaviour. Don’t attempt to exercise
if you are unwell in any way. Flu is a serious illness and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
It can be fatal. If you’ve been sick in the
weeks leading up to the race, make sure
you have recovered before you go riding
again. Visit the Momentum stall to be
screened at the Expo if you’re not sure if
you’re well enough to ride. You might be
disappointed if you can’t compete, but –
there’s always next year.
TWO
Ensure that you remain hydrated
throughout the race. Drink when
you are thirsty, and drink more than
you normally would if it is a very hot day.
If you develop a headache, you could well
be dehydrated, and should take in more
fluids and food. Don’t try new supplements in your drinks on the day, as they
may cause diarrhoea and vomiting. There
is no substitute for food. Some examples
of snacks that are easy to carry and will
sustain you are bananas, baby potatoes,
nuts and raisins, cucumber pieces (yes,
really). Be careful of food or drink containing
stimulants that spike your sugar, mood
and energy, which could cause you to
feel worse later on. Basics are best.
THREE
Ensure that your bike set-up is
correct. Correct saddle height and
adjustments to the pedals and handle
bars can save you from discomfort and
serious injuries. Make sure you are very
familiar with your bike and other equipment, and don’t try out anything new on
race day – not even your outfit.
FOUR
Follow the rules of the road. Keep
left, pass right, and indicate your
intentions to fellow cyclists.
Be especially careful at water points,
which are notorious for accidents.
Cramps (at) Bay
To avoid cramping, train properly for
the Cape Town Cycle Tour. By putting
in the hours and intensity, you’ll go a
long way to preventing the problem.
On the day, you can avoid cramping
by not going out too hard and fast.
Rather start off slowly by stretching
and warming up your muscles. Pace
yourself at the beginning, especially
on the hills, and increase the cadence
so that the workload on your legs is
less. When you stop for hydration or
nutrition, do some stretches and keep
the legs active. If you feel a cramp
start, immediately slow down the
activity, switch to an easier gear and
keep to an easy, rhythmic pace.
Most importantly, ensure that
you take in enough water and
electrolytes based on the amount of
time spent in the saddle. Also listen
to your body, don’t fall into the trap
of overhydrating because you can.
Did you know On race day, MEDICLINIC provides 11 advanced medical care centres – including a full emergency
facility at the finish, four medical posts at refreshment stations, staff on standby at nearby hospitals, 80 nurses, 25 doctors,
250 physiotherapists, 120 first aiders, 120 disaster management volunteers and 106 emergency vehicles such as ambulances,
bikes, helicopters and response vehicles.
87
lifecycle week
2016 Cape Town Cycle Tour
Lifecycle Week
1 Go off (road)
There’s more to the Cape Town Cycle Tour than
a breezy jaunt around the peninsula; there’s an
entire week of cycling fun to be had when you
come to Cape Town in March.
1
MTB Challenge
Date 27, 28 February 2016
Venue Le Bonheur Wine Estate
Entry Fees (entries are open, age limits apply)
Saturday
• 14km – R100 (PPA members R80)
Sunday
2 Experience Expo
2
Cape Town Cycle Tour Expo
Registration
Date 3 – 5 March 2016
Venue Cape Town Stadium
Entry Fees Cycle Tour participants
(must present RaceTec chip) – free single entry
• Non-riders – R40 per person
• Children under 12 years – free
Hours
• Thursday 3 March 9.30am – 7pm
• Friday 4 March 9am – 7pm
• Saturday 5 March 9am – 4pm
3 Start them young
3
Cape Town Cycle Tour Junior
Date 5 March 2016
Venue Youngsfield Military Base, Wynberg
Fees
• 1.7km – 0-2 years R80
• 1.7km – 3-4 years R80
• 1.7km – 5-6 years R80
Co-pilot fee 1 included in entry fee,
R20 for every extra co-pilot.
Fees
• 2.5km – 6-12 years R100
• 5km – 6-12 years R100
• 7.5km – 6-12 years R100
• 10km – 6-12 years R100
Co-pilot fee R50 Must be on a bike & wear a helmet.
Entries open 20 January 2016
Limited entries and Registration
Centre Court, Canal Walk Shopping Centre
26 February – 4 March (9am-9pm)
WEBSITE www.capetowncycletour.com • TWITTER @CTCycleTour • FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/cycletour
88
17
INDEPENDENT
REVIEWS
CAN’T
BE
WRONG
Scoop
“Best in Test”
– Bike Radar Magazine
It’s not just us that are confident in our range of Fabric Saddles,
17 independent international reviews agree as well. Voted as the
“best in test” and “peoples favorite” across all 17 reviews it would
seem that Fabric really are creating the world’s most advanced saddles.
Available in three profiles and three specifications.
Visit www.fabric.cc to find your Fabric saddle.
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CyClE Tour(Ism) - Cape Town Cycle Tour

Transcription

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