Finally I have a break and I have time to write my blog again. Let me take you back to my October races and everything else that has happened since.
I used the Nissan TrailSeeker #3 event to prepare for the Jozi Urban MTB Adventure (JUMA). I was really looking forward to the race, seeing that it was something new. I trained and ate well the week leading up to the race and I woke up feeling very good that day. It was a hectic start; I was pulled back from the beginning as there were quicker lanes than the one I took to get to the first single track. Then I had to fight back to make my way to the front. I knew with competitors like Guylin van der Berg, Jan Witaar, Kallen Williams and Arno du Toit, if they made a move and I was still at the back I would get left behind. I managed to catch up in time for the big breakaway. I rested a bit, then launched my attack on the first of the long climbs. As I thought, the four of them followed. But as I rode down into a storm drain, I hit the back wheel on one of the obstacles and I heard the dreaded sound of my wheel exploding and I knew it was the end of my race. I have never been more bleak. ‘Til next year.
The next weekend was the Dual Cross (DualX) event at Van Gaalen Cheese Farm in Harties. It was a new challenge which I was excited for, but I was not sure if my running would be up to scratch to compete with the likes of Theo Blignaut and Brand du Plessis. I was advised to pace myself to be at least in the top 20 of the first run. Turns out, while pacing myself, I came in the top 5. Then we transitioned onto the bikes and Theo and I were chasing Brand who was nowhere to be seen. All of a sudden, on the single track, Phillip Buys came storming past us on the side. With lots of ‘gun power’ in the legs, Theo and Phillip rode away from me on the flats. I rode alone for some time until ‘Sir’ Kevin Evans caught up to me, and we rode together until the end of the bike section. On the final run I managed to pull away from him and finished in 4th place overall. I was super stoked; I didn’t expect a podium result from my first attempt at DualX. I’m planning to do a few more next year if they don’t clash with any of my main races.
Nissan TrailSeeker #4 was another challenging race for me, as it had two of my worst nightmares: flats and wind! Long 70km story short, I managed to be in the front group for the first 30km, I dropped to the second group until 50km and then my engines ran out again and I bonked. I kept pushing for the last 20km to finish, but I really need to work on my leg power and gaining a few kg’s won’t hurt either. I was amazed by Shaun Baloyi from the Diepsloot MTB Academy (DMA). He had a strong ride and finished 3rd U23 Men. He’s going to be very competitive in the Nissan TrailSeeker series next year. Congrats also to my teammate Stuart Marais on his 3rd place finish.
That’s all for now. 947 MTB Challenge and Beyond Sport blog will be posted soon.
Thanks to my sponsors who make all of this possible and for your continuous support: Kargo, Enjoy Fitness, Nike Vision, 32Gi, Momsen, North Face, Mio, and the DMA.
And thanks to all my supporters for your belief in me and following me on this journey.
#ThisLittleLightOfMine_ImGonnaLetItShine
#smileyface J
I used the Nissan TrailSeeker #3 event to prepare for the Jozi Urban MTB Adventure (JUMA). I was really looking forward to the race, seeing that it was something new. I trained and ate well the week leading up to the race and I woke up feeling very good that day. It was a hectic start; I was pulled back from the beginning as there were quicker lanes than the one I took to get to the first single track. Then I had to fight back to make my way to the front. I knew with competitors like Guylin van der Berg, Jan Witaar, Kallen Williams and Arno du Toit, if they made a move and I was still at the back I would get left behind. I managed to catch up in time for the big breakaway. I rested a bit, then launched my attack on the first of the long climbs. As I thought, the four of them followed. But as I rode down into a storm drain, I hit the back wheel on one of the obstacles and I heard the dreaded sound of my wheel exploding and I knew it was the end of my race. I have never been more bleak. ‘Til next year.
The next weekend was the Dual Cross (DualX) event at Van Gaalen Cheese Farm in Harties. It was a new challenge which I was excited for, but I was not sure if my running would be up to scratch to compete with the likes of Theo Blignaut and Brand du Plessis. I was advised to pace myself to be at least in the top 20 of the first run. Turns out, while pacing myself, I came in the top 5. Then we transitioned onto the bikes and Theo and I were chasing Brand who was nowhere to be seen. All of a sudden, on the single track, Phillip Buys came storming past us on the side. With lots of ‘gun power’ in the legs, Theo and Phillip rode away from me on the flats. I rode alone for some time until ‘Sir’ Kevin Evans caught up to me, and we rode together until the end of the bike section. On the final run I managed to pull away from him and finished in 4th place overall. I was super stoked; I didn’t expect a podium result from my first attempt at DualX. I’m planning to do a few more next year if they don’t clash with any of my main races.
Nissan TrailSeeker #4 was another challenging race for me, as it had two of my worst nightmares: flats and wind! Long 70km story short, I managed to be in the front group for the first 30km, I dropped to the second group until 50km and then my engines ran out again and I bonked. I kept pushing for the last 20km to finish, but I really need to work on my leg power and gaining a few kg’s won’t hurt either. I was amazed by Shaun Baloyi from the Diepsloot MTB Academy (DMA). He had a strong ride and finished 3rd U23 Men. He’s going to be very competitive in the Nissan TrailSeeker series next year. Congrats also to my teammate Stuart Marais on his 3rd place finish.
That’s all for now. 947 MTB Challenge and Beyond Sport blog will be posted soon.
Thanks to my sponsors who make all of this possible and for your continuous support: Kargo, Enjoy Fitness, Nike Vision, 32Gi, Momsen, North Face, Mio, and the DMA.
And thanks to all my supporters for your belief in me and following me on this journey.
#ThisLittleLightOfMine_ImGonnaLetItShine
#smileyface J