When was the last time that you did something for the first time?

The weekend past I did something for the first time. If you asked me a year ago whether this would ever be a possibility I would have probably laughed at you and called you insane. With the new year came a few new challenges as well. Last year my wife and I attempted the Argus together. I have a 3:26 Argus time and have very little to prove in this regard, but doing the ride with my wife who have always supported me so well is something that we have been contemplating (and entered for on more than one occasion). The attempt before last year involved a gail force South Easter that saw us climb off the route just before hospital bend. Last year we made it to Misty Cliffs when my wife decided that she's had enough. This year our build-up seems to go slightly better, but I find myself constantly having to talk my wife into a ride and need to convince her every time that I don't mind being held back and that I enjoy riding with her. With time running out we need some serious saddle time. We therefor entered a few races together with me pushing her up the climbs and along some of the flats to the finish line. My shoulders and back started to take some strain in the process and our times seemed quite slow. On top of that we were both totally knackered after each such effort.
I came to the realisation that the effort is not a sustainable one and started to consider the tandem option <shock horror!>. Tandems, especially second hand ones are few and far in between and after keeping my eye on thehubsa and gumtree for a few months I ended up spotting an add in Gumtree for a used tandem.
Saturday morning we went through to Swellendam to look at the bike and after seeing the bike and talking to the previous owner we ended up buying her. After doing our setup at home we decided to do the Boekaert Soenen race on the bike the next day, all be it the short (40km) route.
Sunday saw us doing our first race on the bike. The start chute was amazingly uncluttered for us (only 2 bikes) and getting a head start on the rest of the seeded riders felt quite cool. Soon we were out of Paarl and circumventing Paarl Mountain in an anti clockwise direction on the rolling hills through the wine farms. On a particularly hot day (39deg C max) we finished the ride in 1h36m and in first place in our category (1st out of 2, which is now a standing joke with my cycling friends) and very satisfied with our effort.
Getting used to riding together like this was a particular challenge as you have to synchronize certain things, alternate other things and each have our own responsibilities on other areas as well.
I look forward to our next ride together and I am so excited to be able to share my cycling experience with the person that means the most to me in the world.
The 2012 Argus is now something that we both look forward to. With just over a months hard work ahead we are sure to have a great ride together.
I'll keep everyone posted.

Oak Valley 24 hours ride report

The weekend past saw one of the calandar highlights, namely the Oak Valley 24 hour endurance race. Set at what is arguably one of the best suited courses for such an event, the turnout was once again spectacular. The event is run in 3 formats, namely: Solo, 4 rider competition teams and 5 to 8 rider social teams. From the outset the emphasys was on enjoying the experience rather than a focus on the racers in the event. At the prize giving it gave me some satisfaction when one of the overall team winners mumbled that the social team winners got nicer prizes than them.

The start was a Le Mans style affair with riders having to do a 100m sprint and mount their bikes to start the event. At this point you could clearly see who had any racing intentions and who was there for fun. About 10% actually made a sprinting effort and the rest of us took a leisurly stroll and started off with an even more leisurely first lap. Some even opted to push their bikes to the Limebar and continue where they left off just before 12.

It was hot! Hitting 37Deg C at some places. The lap took us straight up to the Black section next to the split between the red and green routes (for those who know Oak Valley. For the rest: It meant climbing 210m in about 6km). We rode the black section next the dam in the pine forests and continued going up, with the single track (some that was cut especially for the event) to the base of Groenlandberg. From there it was a free-fall to the finish with Oak Valley's legendary sweeping singletracks that was conveniently spaced to allow enough room for the race snakes to pass.

After the first lap I wisely decided to wait for it to cool down a bit as there was another 23 hours and 10 minutes of riding time left. It is when you are off the bike that you can really take in the atmosphere and take the time to get to know some of the riders and their families. By this time the camp site was filled up nicely.

By 4pm I decided to take the course on for a few laps before suppertime. At 5:30m I came into our camp and was treated to a lovely beef wrap made by my faithful support crew. After supper I fitted my lights and got my night riding gear set up. The next lap started just before sunset and I decided to take my Canon SLR Camera with me for the next lap to try and get a few sunset shots. Sunset culminated with my arival at the dam and resulted in a few awesome shots with riders in the background as the sun was setting. With the lights on the riding was simply amazing. It is difficult to try to explain riding a mountainbike in the dark to the uninitiated that have not yet experienced this. Particularly when you are alone in places on the course. The tired legs are forgotten and your only focus is on the beam of light ahead of you. Your other senses picks up things that you would not pick up in the day. Hearing, smell and even taste seems to be enhanced when your eyes are limited to a 2m beam and less than 1second to react to any unexpected obstacle or deviation in the trail from previous laps. This is when you truly feel alive.

After some great night riding and a shower I tried to get a few hours sleep in. It was a challenge with riders coming and going throughout the night. Bike lights being switched on and off, riders and support crew maintaining their equipment for the laps to follow and a camp site that never quite settles down.

At 4am I started my early morning riding and was greeted with a lovely sunrise at about 6am while out on the trail. I decided to clock a few laps before the day started to heat up again and finished my run in time for a bacon and egg fry-up.

After breakfast I prepped my bike and gear for one final lap and we broke camp. The final lap commenced at 11:15am to ensure that I finish a few minutes after 12pm to be able to qualify for my medal.

You get all types of loonies at these events, but the whackiest of the bunch are the single speed solo riders who clock lap after lap after lap with only one gear (and some with no suspension at all). These are followed closely by the solo riders with gears. I am still undecided whether these are whackier that the riders who do one or 2 laps only and drinks for the other 22 hours straight and then take the last lap in that state. Throw in the 3 hour event riders on the last lap and it’s a total zoo on a course that's taken a beating over the 24 hours preceding this last lap.

You pass the guys and girls that’s been at it with no break where all you can see is the red eyes from the dust and the white teeth when they smile for one last time as you pass them. Well done to everyone who completed this event whether you did 2 laps or 30. We certainly need more events like these where pro's and weekend warriors mix it up throughout the weekend and where the emphasys is on the experience, rather than the results at the end.

A big shout out to Dirtopia for putting together such and awesome event. The route was tough, but well balanced and a real test of skill and endurance over the event. With coffee, the Spur stand and limebar our catering requirements were well met. We also had hot showers throughout the event and a basic bike wash for those who felt inclined to rinse the dirt off every now and again.