Talk about serious FOMO! Taking a back seat and watching everyone race and letting all the points that I had built up from last year slip through my fingers.
This year has really had a slow start for me. But I’m still a strong believer that everything happens for a reason.
My first race after my recovering from my injury was the 2nd DualX race at Hakahana in Pretoria, where I finished 5th overall. I was just happy to be back on my bike.
But with this recovery time, I also had time to focus on some of my other projects that I’m passionate about. The Diepsloot Fashion Show was held last week on Freedom Day, with theme of the show being Freedom of Expression and expressing yourself through what you wear. The show was all about giving exposure to local designers, models and artists.
We had 4 designers showcasing their amazing collections- they were really world class- combining modern trends with African culture. The performers included a singer/songwriter, hip-hop dance crew, and 2 hip-hop performing crews.
I’m proud to say that the first ever Diepsloot Fashion Show was a great success. Thanks to the sponsors who contributed – Le Coq Sportif, Clere Active, Playmakers, Tiffany Taylor Hair & Make-Up Artist, and everyone else who worked behind the scenes to make the show happen. Special thanks to my friend Hlubi Mboya for coming through with your advice and planning skills, and also helping me to co-host the show for one of my biggest MC gigs so far.
Back to the bike. I’ve now been injury-free for two weeks and I jumped into racing the UCI HC PMB MTB Festival at Cascades last weekend. The day before was really hot, I felt like I was in Dubai or somewhere in the Middle East. Then on race day, it was like a winter’s day in London with all that rain. It took me back to when I was young and we used to play in the Diepsloot streets in the mud and then get sick the next day. Well, the race in Pietermaritzburg was no different, it was more like playing in the mud than riding my bike. Elite Men usually do 6 laps, but it was cut down to 4 because of the conditions.
It took me almost an hour to finish the first lap, I mean that’s just punishment on its own. At the tech zone I was able to change wheels for the 2nd lap. If only I could dig deep and get angry so that I could turn green and jump from point to point, but luckily my spirits were high on the day.
It was more a mind game than physical fitness and more of pulling through to the end. Clearly the European’s felt at home as they came 1st and 2nd. It was great to be with the team again, getting my head back into racing. I also got to spend some time at the GO! Durban Cycle Academy where I got schooled on the pump track; those kids can ride a bike! It reminded me of where it all started for me and why I’m doing this.
Now the plan is to take a bit of a break to tweak my biomechanics to prevent recurring or future injuries and to improve my performance.
I feel like I need to emphasize again the great team that I’m working with at the HPC, especially for getting me back on the bike and keeping me motivated. Thanks also to the Kargo team for the patience and amazing support.
Skinny Hulk out! Drops mic. See you on the trails soon.
This year has really had a slow start for me. But I’m still a strong believer that everything happens for a reason.
My first race after my recovering from my injury was the 2nd DualX race at Hakahana in Pretoria, where I finished 5th overall. I was just happy to be back on my bike.
But with this recovery time, I also had time to focus on some of my other projects that I’m passionate about. The Diepsloot Fashion Show was held last week on Freedom Day, with theme of the show being Freedom of Expression and expressing yourself through what you wear. The show was all about giving exposure to local designers, models and artists.
We had 4 designers showcasing their amazing collections- they were really world class- combining modern trends with African culture. The performers included a singer/songwriter, hip-hop dance crew, and 2 hip-hop performing crews.
I’m proud to say that the first ever Diepsloot Fashion Show was a great success. Thanks to the sponsors who contributed – Le Coq Sportif, Clere Active, Playmakers, Tiffany Taylor Hair & Make-Up Artist, and everyone else who worked behind the scenes to make the show happen. Special thanks to my friend Hlubi Mboya for coming through with your advice and planning skills, and also helping me to co-host the show for one of my biggest MC gigs so far.
Back to the bike. I’ve now been injury-free for two weeks and I jumped into racing the UCI HC PMB MTB Festival at Cascades last weekend. The day before was really hot, I felt like I was in Dubai or somewhere in the Middle East. Then on race day, it was like a winter’s day in London with all that rain. It took me back to when I was young and we used to play in the Diepsloot streets in the mud and then get sick the next day. Well, the race in Pietermaritzburg was no different, it was more like playing in the mud than riding my bike. Elite Men usually do 6 laps, but it was cut down to 4 because of the conditions.
It took me almost an hour to finish the first lap, I mean that’s just punishment on its own. At the tech zone I was able to change wheels for the 2nd lap. If only I could dig deep and get angry so that I could turn green and jump from point to point, but luckily my spirits were high on the day.
It was more a mind game than physical fitness and more of pulling through to the end. Clearly the European’s felt at home as they came 1st and 2nd. It was great to be with the team again, getting my head back into racing. I also got to spend some time at the GO! Durban Cycle Academy where I got schooled on the pump track; those kids can ride a bike! It reminded me of where it all started for me and why I’m doing this.
Now the plan is to take a bit of a break to tweak my biomechanics to prevent recurring or future injuries and to improve my performance.
I feel like I need to emphasize again the great team that I’m working with at the HPC, especially for getting me back on the bike and keeping me motivated. Thanks also to the Kargo team for the patience and amazing support.
Skinny Hulk out! Drops mic. See you on the trails soon.