Category

Cycling

Cycling

Mad Men’s 2024 Double Century Tale

Through Swellendam’s early morning hue,

Eleven friends, a daring crew.

The “Mad Men” set out to conquer the race,

With grit and glory etched on each face.

 

Up Trudouw Pass, they began their flight,

A scenic path bathed in golden light.

Through Barrydale’s charm and Montagu’s grace,

The brutal climbs were no easy pace.

 

Effervescent Mitha, the surrogate guide,

Earned “Man of the Ride” with heartfelt pride.

Yet Arshad, the captain, with wisdom so fine,

Was the mastermind behind their shine.

 

Siraaj surged, besting his past,

While Ziyaad’s first effort was a standout blast.

Motor-mouth Bera, with banter on spree,

Nearly drowned the chatter of Mills with glee.

 

Zahid, so elegant, steady and grand,

Paired with Isco, the Silent Assassin’s hand.

Their power surged, their cadence flowed,

Their efforts lifted the team on the road.

 

But alas, not all saw the finish line—

Bash, Luqman, Mota, missed the climb.

Fazel pressed on, though near his brink,

While others soared, they stopped to think.

 

Six hours and fifty-one minutes flew,

202 kilometers conquered, the Mad Men crew.

A weekend etched with laughter and flair,

As plans for next year hang in the air.

 

To the climbs, the winds, the laughs, the cheers,

This race was a memory for the years.

The Mad Men’s bond, like pedals in motion,

Forever driven by endless devotion.

Continue reading
202211_dc
Cycling

Close the Gap – Double Century Cycle Race 2022

Often it takes several attempts to truly appreciate a race. Such was the impact of this year’s version of the Double Century team cycle event. After our disaster in 2012, our team enjoyed success in 2014 and each year thereafter. I was not a regular participant over the years, but this edition, my fourth, left an indelible mark. It stands, for me, as one of South Africa’s most iconic race and a race one must do, repeatedly.

Continue reading
covid-19
Cycling

“Free, Free At Last”

“Free, free at last”, my body insignificantly exclaimed as I finally braved the lockdown and the cold for an early morning cycle. My mind though kept on questioning my body, ‘Free, while millions are but free?”. I momentarily cringed as the cool morning breeze kissed my face. After 2 months isolated at home, I did feel free.

Continue reading
ride to ct 2020
Cycling

Ride to Cape Town 2020

Wake up legs. After a sumptuous breakfast we cycled into the dense Jeffrey’s Bay fog climbing up Noorseclimb. Our first 5km contained some sections at 15% gradient which woke our legs up. Jollity was in the air as we came out of Jeffrey’s Bay and within minutes the sky opened and the familiar blue teased our presence. The fog remained down below in Jeffrey’s Bay. Temperatures soared while the peloton picked up speed. We so needed this escape.

Continue reading
cycling safety
Cycling

Cycling SafetyFeatured

Crashes. Accidents. Safety. These are themes that crop up usually when one of us is involved in such incidents or we witness one. Responses range from ‘cycling is too dangerous’ to ‘it won’t happen to me’. Neither of which illustrate the nuance or depth of cycling safety.

Continue reading
nh crit
Cycling

NH Criterium my first Crit

I have been cycling for 10 years and for some reason I never participated in a Crit, short for Criterium. A Crit is usually a fast paced race multiple times around a closed loop. The NH Criterium, organised by the New Horizon Cycling Club, has different age categories so my age group 50-60 is 6 times a 3 km loop around the Nasrec Showgrounds. I once attended a Crit as a spectator at Zoo Lake and was awed by the intensity and physical demands of the race.

Continue reading
jock classic
Cycling

Jock Cycle Classic 2019 Stage Race

A cloudy morning warmly greeted us unlike the biting Joburg winter. I could easily live here. Despite our best individual organization, for various reasons, we always run against the clock when we are in a group. It’s just how it is. After devouring delicious oats delicately prepared by Arshad, drinking coffee and eating other snacks, we raced from White River to Nelspruit while the usually bustling town was waking up.

Continue reading

jock classic
Cycling, Travel

Jock Cycle Classic 2019 Day Before

This is my third Jock Cycle tour with each one significantly different. The first started and ended in Barberton over 3 stages in one day. The second started and ended in Nelspruit over 3 stages each on a different day. This edition also starts and ends in Nelspruit over 3 stages but on one day. The most common aspect is the tough mountainous route and relentless rolling hills.

Continue reading
2014_dc
Cycling

Slaying the Ghost – Double Century Cycle Race 2014

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.

Continue reading