2nd Overall
Hi guys, my season got off to a respectable start. Terrible weather greeted us on the start line at Gariep Dam in the freestate. Orgainisers were forced to postpone the event when all of the branding and course markings were "moved" or destroyed by the worst hailstorm in the area since 1988.
The swim leg was only 1km long so not too much damage was incurred and I came out the water a few minutes off the leader, Liewe Boonstra. Today's bike course was flat and untechnical with a couple of portages, no singletrack to speak of either but it was tough enough for me to catch up to within 5 seconds of Liewe.
A 2 - lap rocky run challenged everyone's tired legs - unfortunately Boonstra was too fast today but he had better watch out!
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Xterra World Champs - Maui, Hawaii
ALOHA !
This island rocks!
I came 23rd out of about 500 athletes, here are the official results.
It was epic. Went surfing on Hookipa beach after the race and got MUNCHED by some f for big waves, you know you had fun when salt water is still coming out your nose hours later! Cameron, the chap who took me surfing snapped his leash so he decided to bodysurf... catching barrels off the 8 footers. MMM, eez nice!
Maui has beautiful beaches... check it ouwit.
It was great seeing other Saffers venturing out to the World Champs, Pieta Swanepoel and Russel White came over to test the waters. Dit was maar lekker om saam kak te praat. We are having an Xterra series starting in RSA soon so watch the press for details. Evidently there will be 4 events spead over the country with the final in Grabrouw in the Cape in late March.
I have some friends selling bikes here, check out http://www.racemachines.blogspot.com/ or click here. Please feel free to contact me for details on exelby@gmail.com with questions.
This island rocks!
I came 23rd out of about 500 athletes, here are the official results.
It was epic. Went surfing on Hookipa beach after the race and got MUNCHED by some f for big waves, you know you had fun when salt water is still coming out your nose hours later! Cameron, the chap who took me surfing snapped his leash so he decided to bodysurf... catching barrels off the 8 footers. MMM, eez nice!
Maui has beautiful beaches... check it ouwit.
It was great seeing other Saffers venturing out to the World Champs, Pieta Swanepoel and Russel White came over to test the waters. Dit was maar lekker om saam kak te praat. We are having an Xterra series starting in RSA soon so watch the press for details. Evidently there will be 4 events spead over the country with the final in Grabrouw in the Cape in late March.
I have some friends selling bikes here, check out http://www.racemachines.blogspot.com/ or click here. Please feel free to contact me for details on exelby@gmail.com with questions.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Xterra National Champs
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Yes, Xterra is a contact sport!!
For full race results, check here
Water condition: 13 degrees celcius and choppy!
Mtb course: Climbing and fun singletrack
Run course: Weaving trail with lots of stream crossings
That's Lake Tahoe in the background - the water visibility was amazing - during the swim you could see the anchors for the course marking buoys way down below below on the sand. I even collected 4 golf balls off the sand floor a couple of days before the race - clearly there are some frustrating holes on the nearby golf course!!
I am currently in Bend,OR getting ready for the Xterra World Champs (Maui,Hawaii). The snow has started to fall here but the training has gone pretty well. Conrad and i have been renovating his Condo and doing some quality training, Bend is an awesome training ground - there is a bit of everything for the outdoor enthusiast... including whitewater kayaking. Now i feel ready for showdown, bring on the warm water of Hawaii !
Cheers, R
Yes, Xterra is a contact sport!!
For full race results, check here
Water condition: 13 degrees celcius and choppy!
Mtb course: Climbing and fun singletrack
Run course: Weaving trail with lots of stream crossings
That's Lake Tahoe in the background - the water visibility was amazing - during the swim you could see the anchors for the course marking buoys way down below below on the sand. I even collected 4 golf balls off the sand floor a couple of days before the race - clearly there are some frustrating holes on the nearby golf course!!
I am currently in Bend,OR getting ready for the Xterra World Champs (Maui,Hawaii). The snow has started to fall here but the training has gone pretty well. Conrad and i have been renovating his Condo and doing some quality training, Bend is an awesome training ground - there is a bit of everything for the outdoor enthusiast... including whitewater kayaking. Now i feel ready for showdown, bring on the warm water of Hawaii !
Cheers, R
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Papa Smurf
Today we rode a sick trail up in Telluride called "Papa Smurf". Can you name any of the celebrities in this group?? Hint : one is american champ and another is a world champ... good luck - you might win a noddy badge if you get them correct. Maybe!
The Aspens are starting to turn... bring it on!
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Tour de Fat
Yes folks, this is what i call a "dik wiel" for non-south africans, that is afrikaans for a "fat tyre", slang for a mtb.
Everyone gets involved in the celebrations here in Durango - the "Tour De Fat" is sponsored by the New Belgium Brewing company Locals and tourists alike dress up in crazy costumes and celebrate the bicycle. Its an awesome carnival atmosphere, there are lots of activities for everyone to join in the fun.
You can test loads of crazy rides, check these ones out...
"SCORPION" is her name, yes, all the wheels turn!
The easy way to "wear-in" your running shoes!
Ever ridden a TRIPLE DECKER bike !? Come to Durango!
Beer + Band + Bikers dressed as hippies = ...
Friday, September 09, 2005
Base Training...
Hi Guys,
I am in a base period in preparation for World Xterra Champs which are to be held in Maui, Hawaii on the 23rd October. So the Mtb season is over and the bike is hanging up. I am learning to swim and trying to wear holes in my running shoes. Its only a short time to prepare for Xterra but i am going to give it a good go. Last weekend i was in Moab... it really is awesome and is just a 3 hour drive from Durango - photo's just don't do this place justice, it is phenomenal!
This is a view from the "porcupine rim trail" which is really technical - definitely a course for a full suspension bike. The views are amazing and you had better have your wits about you doing this one!!
This is the famous "SLICKROCK TRAIL" its about 10km long and you ride on the rock for 98% of the time, its Killer. Its marked with white dashed lines, you can see them in the pics if you look closely. You ride INSANE gradients, its like riding on sandpaper... just don't overcook the decents or you will turn the white lines into red blotches!
This image was taken on the day of the world champs in Italy. I wore my kit and sent the guys energy! Congrats to all the RSA riders, you did us proud. Wish i could have been there too but it was just not to be. I will save my energy for Xterra!
Here's a high country image taken in the mountains above Durango ... you can check the singletrack in the centre of the image
I am in a base period in preparation for World Xterra Champs which are to be held in Maui, Hawaii on the 23rd October. So the Mtb season is over and the bike is hanging up. I am learning to swim and trying to wear holes in my running shoes. Its only a short time to prepare for Xterra but i am going to give it a good go. Last weekend i was in Moab... it really is awesome and is just a 3 hour drive from Durango - photo's just don't do this place justice, it is phenomenal!
This is a view from the "porcupine rim trail" which is really technical - definitely a course for a full suspension bike. The views are amazing and you had better have your wits about you doing this one!!
This is the famous "SLICKROCK TRAIL" its about 10km long and you ride on the rock for 98% of the time, its Killer. Its marked with white dashed lines, you can see them in the pics if you look closely. You ride INSANE gradients, its like riding on sandpaper... just don't overcook the decents or you will turn the white lines into red blotches!
This image was taken on the day of the world champs in Italy. I wore my kit and sent the guys energy! Congrats to all the RSA riders, you did us proud. Wish i could have been there too but it was just not to be. I will save my energy for Xterra!
Here's a high country image taken in the mountains above Durango ... you can check the singletrack in the centre of the image
Friday, August 19, 2005
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