What a day! The ghost of 2012 Coronation Double Century has firmly been slain. The monkey is off our back. The NH team rode strong and well despite punctures and a mechanical failure. Each member was forced to dig deep. The reward was a double medal – one for completing and the other for completing together. Stunning stuff. The 202 km was completed in 7 hours 40 minutes.
Our previous attempt in 2012 was a monumental disaster with each of us carrying the proverbial millstone around our necks for two years. We completed 120km having faced every imaginable disaster that a cycling team can encounter and dismally failed to make the cut-off. This time we were better prepared – mentally and physically.
Beautiful cloudless Swellendam
Some background. Teams of no more than 12 riders must tackle the 202km route and they must ride as a group. Members dropped off can request the permission of other teams to ride at the back. The time of the 6th rider that passes the mat is taken as the team’s official time. A double medal is given to team members if all riders finish within 10 minutes of each other.
Our team had a combination of strong and intermediate riders with one or two people lacking in confidence but not ability. Since it is a team event, working as a team is of paramount interest. This is difficult for most cyclists given that all other races are based solely on individual effort. This is by far the biggest challenge, as individuality must be tamed for the team’s good. The team is only as strong as its slowest rider especially if ones objective is for all 12 members to finish the race together.
“I know you all carry scars from this race and are determined not to be beaten by it again. So I wish you all well and hope this time round the team will be the conquerors. Go well CONQUISTADORS!”
(Aneesha Mayet)
Organising the team is like herding a bunch of cats but we have matured since 2012. Learning to follow is much harder than leading. Chief organizer and coach Arshad Tayob has mastered this after organizing several major tours, which include Tour to Durban, Panorama Tour, London to Paris and many others. Bashir Abramia commented on our return journey that the “organization was top-notch”.
We decided to come in a day earlier so that we do not place pressure on ourselves the night before. We also booked accommodation in Swellendam eliminating the need to drive long distances before the race. This allowed us to have an early dinner and an early night in bed. This is a crucial element for such a long distance event.
We also chose to transport our bikes via Bike Migration removing the hassle of towing our bikes and its consequent risks. Food as usual was well organized.
Last minute carbo-loading, Bera style (thanks to his better half Faeeza)
The NH team included the following: members: Arshad Tayob (Coach), Zahid Moola (Strategist), Riaz Paruk (Captain), Owen Coetzee (Marshall), Mahmood Bera (Chef), Zunaid Tayob, Ismail (Isco) Ebrahim, Sahide Choonara, Mariam Paruk, Bashir Abramia, Mervin Scorgie and Fazel Mayet.
Nervous tense team enroute to Swellendam
Club members Melvin Margro, Zunaid Bulbulia, Arshad Mohamed, Mohamed Motala, Mohamed Bharoochi, Hoosain Karjieker and Farhad Khan joined the Mail and Guardian Team whilst Eugene Ruiters joined the Hunter team. A hearty thanks to Hoosain and Wembley for organizing and supplying us with food.
Sleep before a race especially one so charged is broken at best – tossing, turning and waking up for multiple nature calls due to high liquid intake during the day best sums it up. Nevertheless, pre-night preparation has become an art from as we checked our bikes, tyres, tyre pressure, setting out our kit, racetec chip, heart rate belt, energy bars and prepared our drinks.
Supper turned out to be a damp squib as the pasta and lasagna that we obtained from Wembley was eaten cold. The koeksisters partly compensated but they were a bit soggy after a full day of travel. The breeze became wind and the temperature dropped sending nervous signals to the 2012 veterans. The ghost was awake.
Whilst there was much banter, laughter and tomfoolery one could not but notice a degree of nervousness and tension. We trained, some more than others, so a good nights rest is all that stood before our start. What happens after that would certainly be added to the annals of the clubs history. Nevertheless, we were doggedly determined this time to succeed. We had a core of strong riders but riding at the optimal speed would be the difference between all 12 finishing or not.
Our resident cycling expert, Zahid Moola and his motley crew of avid followers, confidently devoured pre-race drinks – foul tasting but rich in nutrients. If pros like Contador and Froome hydrate themselves then who are we to complain. Others drank rehydrate to increase electrolyte levels. After further banter on the cold stoep of our chalet, we all headed to bed at 9:30pm left to our own ghostly thoughts. One could swear that the sharp drop in temperature corresponded with the wakening of the beast of Barrydale, one of the towns that would be passed.
M&G Team
Breakfast was like clockwork, not great but acceptable. Bera narrated a ‘stunning’ dream where he was flying in a helicopter with Riaz as the pilot. They were swerving and double turning like fighter planes leaving Bera in utter awe. He had a very good feeling about the race.
We put on our racing attire and collected our not so frozen drinks. We left our luggage in one room and cycled to the starting point a few kilometers away. As usual, a few guys were late, arriving at the starting line with minutes to spare. The ghostly memories reared its ugly head in the mist filled morning.
Team NH at the start with the ghostly mist in the background
The announcer introduced the New Horizon Club from Johannesburg whilst the early morning crowd cheered and we screamed in delight. The morning was heavily misty raising a few concerns about rain. There was an eerie feel as we started riding. Ghosts lurk in misty, damp places and in cold weather. Brrrrrrr.
We started slowly, two by two, taking turns every two minutes. We passed some of the slower groups and had a fantastic rhythm. Zahid Moola commented after the ride that the first stage stood out for him – “it was neat and tidy”. Climbing Tradouws Pass and Op de Tradouw was a lot easier than expected, as we all felt comfortable and confident. The hours of training certainly came in handy. We remembered and pointed out places that we stopped at in 2012 especially some of the “watering holes”.
At the first stop, 65km into the ride, we partook of some banana loaf and coke. We spent 10 minutes, 5 more than our captain wanted so raced out to continue. Unbeknown to us, Isco’s bike that clattered during the last few kilometers, had a mechanical failure. Some of us rode on whilst the pre-designated riders went back to assess the situation. We rode slower than normal and when the others returned to inform us that his race was over, we were all deeply disappointed. We really wanted the second medal. The ghost, eish.
Team NH at the start with the ghostly mist in the background
We continued riding, some stronger than others, racing to the 120km mark feeding zone. We were in a good peloton and belted our way passing team after team. Our group broke up as the peloton size increased together with its speed. This was not how it supposed to be but there must have been more than 100 cyclists in one strong group making it difficult for us to stick together as one. Bash and Mervin were feeling particularly strong and raced on waiting before the mat for the rest of us, sans Isco. At the lunch point, Wembley whoppers – cold, stodgy but filling, was waiting for us. We had 30 minutes, which we used to replenish our drinks, stretch and banter. The stops are just as much fun if, sometimes, not more so than cycling. It is the stops that deepen the friendships and embellish the war stories. The day turned out to be sunny and stunningly beautiful. The ghost was not present but not too far away either.
Lunch Stop in Drew
Onward and forward we continued as tiredness crept in. The quaint towns of the majestic Cape Winelands flew past as we grouped with other stronger teams into fast pelotons. Climbs became flats as our confidence increased and our heart rates stabilized. A puncture saw us lose time but that’s “all part of the race”, Zahid chided the others when they reflected on our final time. The next feeding point was at the 160km mark.
Arshad called Isco to see how he was doing and learnt that he had sorted his bike and was about 6km away. Arshad very firmly stated to the ready-to-depart team that we would wait for him. There was no objection. Time was important but not more so than a fallen comrade. Isco rode like a demon possessed, a “fighter” – alone and unsupported for 100 kilometers. The ghost was flayed, shriveled and left for dead by his Herculean effort. When he arrived, he looked knackered but inspired. Twelve sets of hands, including that of our trusted driver Vincent, were ready to offer him support. Before long he had a drink in his hand and cold water, with his permission, poured over him to cool down. Real excitement infused with evermore confidence engulfed the team. We were one again.
After a few minutes we headed out for the last 40km. We had less than 1 hour and 30 minutes for a sub-7. The ghost, not to be deterred, reared its ugly head as another puncture was announced. This time we all stopped and painfully watched team after team pass us by.
Puncture stop
We now entered the toughest part of the race but by then we were confident of flaying the ghost. However, first Owen complained of cramps and he was struggling badly. He gave his heart, as our official marshall, in the first part of the race. He was spent. The team took turns pushing him and at times one team member pushed another who pushed a third who pushed Owen. The camaraderie was inspiring and the ghost had no chance. We were going to die before we were going to be defeated. We carried the load of 24 unsuccessful 2012 comrades so defeat was never an option.
At this point, Isco’s legs abandoned him and it was real pain getting to the end. Bera was on hand to push, cajole and encourage him. Bera later related that Isco “just stopped pedaling”. He had nothing in the tank. After climbing some of the hills so strongly, many of us were feeling weak but undeterred. If spinning would get us to the finish line then spin we shall. I took Choonara’s wheel and spinned the next few hills. Zunaid joined us later whilst Bera lagged behind with Isco and the others with Owen.
Captain Riaz and some of the stronger riders stopped to relieve Bera. A few of us continued riding slowly towards the end and waited a km out for the others. Captain Riaz noted that Sahide was quiet compared to his normal chatty self but a “great team player – he motivated members when they truly needed it”.
When Owen saw the last hill, he literally refused to ride. He jumped off the bike and was ready to walk. Pain was etched on his face and those who know him will know that this was no ordinary pain. The team encouraged him and it was a joy to behold as all twelve of us crossed the line. We cried in unison as the ghost of 2012 was banished for good.
Ride captain Riaz Paruk commented, “that although being captain was a big responsibility, it was a perfect day with a perfect team. The heat, the wind and other challenges were mere sideshows”. He’s leadership, strong drive, brute strength and dogged determination was a key ingredient in the team’s success.
Man of the “Match” Ismail (Isco) Ebrahim
Bashir Abramia, whose 94.7 race was all but over when he selflessly stopped to assist Ismail Mitha, noted that it was a blessing in disguise as he was able to peak for DC. He rode strongly including attacking hills with much gusto. He noted that the DC is “a very challenging race and that one needs to be well prepared”. He felt good about his performance as he rode well. During one break he rode with Ben Swift from the Sky team, which he felt was one of his highlights. He will definitely do it again and strongly recommends it.
Team NH
Mahmood Bera lamented, which in Gujarati loosely translated meant, “Whatever will be, will be” for his description of the race. The good, the bad and everything else are part and parcel of the event. He particularly enjoyed captain Paruk’s flowery language. He mused about carrying the banner of 24 people from the failed 2012 event. Arshad piped that “some – Eddie, Shahad, Rishaad, Mitha and Hassan must still do it”.
Battered, bruised but victorious NH Team after the finish line
Mervin Scogie was a late replacement as Mitha’s accident prevented him from racing. Mervin fitted in like he was always part of the team – reliable, solid and ready with the odd chirp. He particularly played a strong role in encouraging and supporting Isco and Owen in the last part of the race.
Mariam Paruk, the only women, in the team was simply inspirational – silent, unobtrusive, encouraging, positive and a flag bearer for all cyclists including women. She demonstrated by her action that women could do anything they put their minds to especially in a male dominated and patriarchal society. No sermonizing, she just got on and did it.
Motor mouth Bera pipped the unusually quiet Sahide Choonara in the verbal stakes. Sahide’s riding since he signed up with a new coach is simply breathtaking. His phenomenal Amashova and 94.7 results bear testament to his prowess. He was a solid rock in the team’s arsenal.
Double Medal
Zunaid Tayob, the youngest in mind and spirit, was a stoic team member with nary a weak moment. Methinks his “secret training” in Polokwane needs some investigation and possible replication in Johannesburg. The coach and chief organizer, Arshad had for months set the teams training rides, was in his element. To slay a ghost of old could not have been a better present for the Club’s well-respected Treasurer.
