That's it for 2017

Only a few hours left of 2017! It was a quick year, but also not...

On the cycling front I can at least say I am still cycling. I must admit there were a few times where I thought about not doing this any longer. Having said that, I am making progress.

I did miss my distance goal for the year. So for 2018 my goal is 6500 km again.

I am reasonably happy with the year's cycling, but I will be the first to admit there are many frustrations that face me with the transition from running to cycling. I will do a post about that so lets just say I was an old school, conservative type runner that now find myself in the world of cycling and tight fit and lycra... where's my lose fitting one size too large cotton t-shirt?

On the racing side I have not much loot to show for 2017.

I had incredible bad luck with punctures this year. Four races were not finished due to multiple punctures. I even had my bike serviced prematurely and wheels checked multiple times, but in the end it all seems to have been bad luck.

I felt a bit better about the puncture situation when I saw this post by Louis Meintjies yesterday:

Anyway, that's it for 2017! Have a great New Year everyone. See you in 2018! I will start the year with a post about my thoughts and goals for the year. Happy New Year!!!

The Power of the Dark Side

I'm not sure if it is only here by us or everywhere that cycling is referred to by runners as the dark side. There has always been some friendly and some not so friendly banter between runners and cyclists. To put it short... I have gone over to the dark side after being on the light side for 34 years!

Now I will feel the power of the dark side. Well, that is the truth, as I experienced yesterday. I visited a local cycling shop and fell straight into the trap of the dark side.

This is my new SPCA cycling jersey.

I walked into the cycling shop and straight to these cycling shorts... on special as well!

I was overpowered and immediately had to have them. It is a perfect match!

In my 34 years on the light side I never bothered about something like that. The power of the dark side is strong indeed...

The Cycling Tan

One thing that cycling gives you is the cycling tan. I've always had a sock tan from running and some running shorts type tan. A bit of a running vest tan as well but I must say my cycling tan beats that.

The fore arm... note the watch outline and then the nice tan between the watch and the glove. White hand with tanned fingers. Beautiful!

The upper arm... this gives any farmer a run for his money.

And of course the legs... lovely, especially when wearing shorts.

I'm told all of this means I'm having a great summer. Yes, I can go with that. I'm having a great summer!

Please take care in the sun everyone. Have fun!

It's a mindset

Wow! A year since my last post... give or take a few days! I think the fact that I am still cycling and know I will not run again played a huge part in my lack of interest to blog during the past year. I always ran with my heart and I must still get to that with cycling. I'm not sure how or if I will ever get there. It's a mindset and I'm still a work in progress. But hey, I'm now a cyclist!

I've accepted the fact that I will not run again. My back won't allow this and I'm now fine with it. That is a huge step for me! The passion and love I had for running is not the same yet for cycling and I think this is my main battle currently. I have to accept that I am now officially on the dark side...

I've set myself new goals and I am working towards them in the same way I did with running. It's working and I am definitely more keen to get out there and train than I was some months ago. Again, a mindset, and working towards goals has always worked well for me.

We're in summer and riding is lovely.

Sharing my running life through this blog has always been fun and motivational. I think it's time I start doing that with the cycling now. The stories are getting bigger and better. I might throw in some vlogging between the blogging. I'm still thinking about that, but making videos might be a good addition to the blog. I have some ideas for a vlog. Let's see where it takes me.

For now, take care and be safe out there. Cheers from the bike!

Powerade Christmas Challenge, A Late Report

We did the 60km Powerade Christmas Challenge on 11 December and it was great! With the year coming to an end and all that happens... including me becoming lazy... I am only doing the report now.

The race was at Stonehaven, Vanderbijlpark and it was an out & back course. We did another race on this same route last year.

We arrived quite early and had time to be relaxed before the start. This is not a big event and that is perfect for me. Support was still good for this time of the year.

There were a few disabled competitors with handcycles also taking part. This drew quite a bit of interest as one of these athletes was Mathys Roets, a local Afikaans singer and celebrity. Mathys was paralysed in a motorbike accident some years ago.

Mathys Roets

The route is fairly easy and takes you out into the typical country scenery of this part of South Africa. It is summer and rainfall time now, so the field is green and really beautiful.

Anette on her way.

The route crosses the Vaal river and this takes you from Gauteng province into the Free State. The river is full at this point although the dams in the country are actually very low and a severe drought is still having a terrible effect in some areas.

Crossing the Vaal River.

We arrived at the turn around, which is also a water point. I was feeling good although it was warm and quite windy. A quick stop and we were on our way back...

Anette at the waterpoint.

Some riders taking a breather.

I felt good although I definitely think there are more hills on the way back than on the way out. The profile doesn't really support this.

Race profile.

Approaching the river again.

I'm slowly getting used to the road bike.

On our way back we caught up with Mathys in his handcycle. He was doing the 40km race. I have a ton of respect for these guys.

Anette with Mathys Roets

The last few kilometers were without incident although Anette got some pain in her left leg/hip about 3km from the finish. We are not sure what caused it and will investigate and look into some bike settings going forward.

We finished strong and received this really cool medal...

That was our last race for 2016. We are planning some nice races for 2017, but before that we have some serious training to do. This will include our first 100km ride. I will definitely post some feedback on that.

Enjoy December everyone!

Missed Race

Hi Everyone!

We had to skip our race last weekend because our one dog got really sick and had to be taken to the vet on Sunday morning. When I woke on Sunday morning I thought he was dead already, but luckily we still got him to the vet in time to be saved. It looks like he ate something poisonous or got poison into his system in some way...?

Very sick doggy...

Chewy is about 99% himself again now and luckily there is another race this weekend. Anette and I will both line up for the 60km Powerade Christmas Challenge. Report to follow next week.

Almost 100% and my alarm clock again in the morning!

Have a super weekend everyone!

Quick Update

Hi Everyone!

I've been a bit MIA but life just caught up with me and here we are at the end of November already! I can't believe how the year has flown by...

I don't have much to report on which is probably another reason for not blogging that much.

Anette and I did a race at the beginning of the month. I forgot to take the camera! It was a very hard and very windy race but we did it and got this medal to show for it...

Anette had a little crash during one of our training rides a few weeks back. Luckily nothing serious but some scrapes and bruises to show for it. She says her ego is bruised more than her body.

I pulled my right calf muscle a month or two ago and it was really painful. Walking was almost impossible at some stage. I could cycle without much pain though. Last week was the first time I felt that it healed well. That was until Monday when I stepped funny going down some stairs and I pulled the muscle again. The injury is back just as it was originally. Bummer!

It is not torn but badly bruised in the same way and place a tear would occur.

Exactly like this...

That's it from me! We have a race this weekend and I will do my best to remember the camera...

Happy training everyone and be safe out there!