In this Issue: Burg Wheelers Cycling Club
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In this Issue:
27-2021
From the Editor .................................................................. 1
Burra500................................................................................ 2
MTB News ........................................................................... 6
Ride Reports .................................................................... 6-8
Tour Trivia ............................................................................ 8
Upcoming events .............................................................. 9
This week we pay tribute to some
of our BW members for their
awesome ride over the last few
days. Most of us will, from time to
time, push ourselves a bit harder,
go further and faster, and do
more, but these riders took that to
a whole new level. They
conquered the Burra500. A huge
WELL DONE Bex, J-P, Wynand,
Hayden and Luan – we are so
proud of your epic achievement!
To inspire us all, in Hayden’s
words answering “Why do it?”
“It’s in the adventure, to go
where you’ve never gone before,
not just geographically, but The Burra500 Conquerors…
emotionally, mentally, physically. Wynand, Bex, J-P & Hayden (missing Luan)
We all enjoy our bikes and where
they can take us, but many people may stop short
of truly seeing just how far their bicycle can take
them.”
Well done too, to the BW members who
headed out to try the new MTB hilly route
through the Worlds View plantations. With our
MTBs being a somewhat competitive bunch, I
think we will see the KOM title change in the
next few weeks.
The latest reports on Ingrid are positive
with her having had a knee op and possible
being moved from ICU to High Care. Please
keep the family in your thoughts through the
Powered By…
long weeks and months ahead, As mentioned,
a BackaBuddy campaign has been started to
to support her treatment once she is out of
hospital. More info on the website created for
her www.ingridflint.co.za
Thank you to Rich, Mark, Bobby, Bex, JP,
Hayden, Wynand, Simon and Jumbo for
contributions to this issue of the BT.
Stay safe & sane, Mustang
BURG TALK | 27-2021
bananas. Bernadette and Cathy, who came out to meet
us at Bushwillow for the night, fed us and pampered us
and listened to our boring post-mortems. A mini
‘breakfast’ break with my parents as the route went right
past their front door on Sunday morning. The company
Bex’s account…
of my brother and family who rode with us for 20km or
Before the pain fades, I wish to record that this was
so through the Seven Oaks section and provided such a
a gruelling and extreme endurance challenge that
welcome relief from the dominant thought process of
tested me physically, mentally and emotionally. I was
‘how many more hills and kilometers to go?’! Luan and
reluctant to even entertain the idea when someone (??)
Megan, who found us in a remote forest way up in the
said, hey – this looks like a good winter challenge – and
Karkloof – only possible since Luan had completed the
hence, got suckered into it. I knew it would be hard but
course solo, just two days before. They came stocked
it was way tougher than I feared.
with exactly the right kinda snacks and refreshments we
At the end of the first day, once we’d had a nice hot
needed and cheered us on to Karkloof Club, where
shower and sat reflecting on a mega hard day, Hayden
they’d gone ahead to order us (our one and only)
commented that we were nowhere near prepared for
cuppachino, which we enjoyed on the grass before
this ride. I mean, how do you train for a thirteen hour,
facing the final 35km home. A family sitting outside
188km day with 4700m ascent? And that was only day
asked Hayden where we’d been to which he replied ‘you
one. Day two was supposedly ‘easier’ but still 180km
would not believe me if I told you’ !
with 3200m ascent – on ‘not-so-fresh’ legs. Day three a
And as we were descending Old Howick road, a
mere 150km and 2900m ascent to reach the grand total
persistent silver Polo that stopped, the driver shouting
of 518km, 10200m ascent and sixty hours ‘out there’
and waving, then sat behind us down Link Road and all
between our 4h30 start on Friday morning and 16h30
the way to our official finish stop at Virgin Active,
return home on Sunday.
Cascades – Nicky Portella – thanks for the welcome and
There were some good moments… We rode in places
support at the end, you made us feel like champions in
we’d never
an otherwise very unceremonious conclusion to one
otherwise go.
beast of a ride!
The local
PS: I must also thank my fellow Saffas… Hayden & JP,
ladies at the
for pushing my broken body up so many hills (especially
Spaza shops
the last day) and for your encouragement and positive
we
attitudes. Wynand, for always looking out for me and
supported on
keeping me company ‘at the back’ and for your empathy
the first day
in those many dark and despairing moments ! And Kevin
were
Benkenstein (aka Benky Tours), the route designer. Not
delightful.
sure I can say ‘thank-you’ but still – well done for
We saw
creating a seriously challenging route through the
some spectacular scenery – one moment that stands out
backroads of the Midlands. You took us
is the striking reflection of Hodgson’s Peaks in a farm
places I never knew existed, even in
dam as we bumbled past… Sadly, no time to stop and
my own backyard (Seven Oaks).
absorb it as the temperature was not favourable and we
PPS: Mention must be made
were desperately trying to reach our cosy B&B in
of our mad Munga friend, Luan
Himeville for the night. Kevin at Karmichaels (the
Nieuwoudt. Most of you
place we stayed) supplied a most nourishing supper
probably don’t know him but if
and refuelled us for day two.
he wasn’t a doctor, he could
Stunning scenery leaving Himeville and heading
have been a Tour de France
towards Loteni – Nottingham Road, albeit the
rider! Seriously. He completed
temperature was around -5deg to start! Seeing
this course solo, in under 36
familiar faces along the way – Gavin who very kindly
hours – to qualify as a ‘high
came to Wynand’s rescue at Glengarry with a
roleur’ (another crazy challenge
replacement wheel for his broken spokes. Alberto, who
to complete 10000m ascent in
found us in the evening dusk as we hit the corrugated
under 36hrs). And nobody but his
Curry’s Post road – full of his usual cheer and
closest friends know about it as he’s the most humble
encouragement and a bag of sarmies, apples and
guy who just quietly snuck out his house in the early
BURG TALK | 27-2021
hours of Thursday morning, klapped this incredibly And so on 2 July, four of us set out from Cascades at
challenging course (with a little support from his wife) 4.30am, hoping to be home by Sunday before sunset.
and was back home by mid-afternoon on Friday, eating Day 1: This was by far the hardest day of the ride,
ice-cream. Huge respect and kudos to you Luan, you are with its 188km and 4450m ascent. Towards the end of
phenomenal ! that first day, which took all of 14 hours, I was regretting
the fact that we hadn’t done more
long days in the saddle to prepare for
this. We all hit low points on that day,
where you cannot even swallow your
food, which you know you have to eat
to continue riding. I can honestly say
that if it wasn’t for a good old sachet
of Vooma Gel, I think my body would
have shut down, but that little bit of
liquid energy perked me again and
shortly after I was able to eat and
swallow again.
Day 2: Day 1 tried to destroy us
but a good night rest and a full belly
got us back on the road for day 2.
Hayden’s account… Amazingly the body adapts extremely quickly, and I felt
“The danger of adventure is worth a thousand days surprisingly good on day 2. My appetite was good all
of ease and comfort.” – Paulo Coelho. day, which is a must for ultra-endurance events of this
I am still a member of a WhatsApp group started in
nature. My Garmin shows that our lowest recorded
May 2019 for an ‘Everesting’ attempt. The successful
temperature on day 2 was -8 degrees. Thankfully my
Everesting took place in September, after months of
wardrobe strategy was a bit better than my training
meticulous planning, plenty of scouting for the best hill
plan, and honestly I never felt the cold. We had believed
to climb, and even twelve hour training days on the bike.
that day 2 would go much easier than day 1, it didn’t. It
Then in January 2021 JP posted the question on the very
was a tough route and the bodies were feeling it. By now
same group, “What’s 2021 challenge going to be?”.
every 20km we were stopping to eat, reapply the
Within one minute the suggestion came through, “the
chamois cream, and stretch the back, legs, etc. Although
Burra 500km, 10000m climbing”. Bex, quickly posted a
it was a long day we made it to Karkloof in good spirits,
few emoji’s on the group indicating her apprehension,
and enjoyed a good home cooked meal.
which was quickly followed with a message from JP,
Day 3: By now the body has had two big “shocks to
“Ladies are free. You’ll be fine”. It would appear that this
the system”. The mood was a little more somber on day
“you’ll be fine” motto has gotten Bex, and others, into
3, and careful management of the bodies, emotions, and
deep water on more than one occasion. Finally in
refuelling stops was required.
around April the commitment was made that we would
At this point I should say that JP, truly does make
be doing this ride. But perhaps due to all the Covid crazy
sure that, “you’ll be fine”. He is an excellent team
stuff going around and uncertainty over which events
manager and was instrumental in ensuring that our little
would and wouldn’t happen, I just felt that we hadn’t
team made it all the way to the end.
quite planned and prepared for this event as well as we
So, why do we put ourselves through this? I think the
had for the Everesting.
answer is that it’s in the adventure, to go where you’ve
Nevertheless we steamed ahead with arranging all
never gone before, not just geographically, but
the requisite equipment, tracking devices, bike bags,
emotionally, mentally, physically. We all enjoy our bikes
etc. Then on 27 June the president announced a
and where they can take us, but many people may stop
lockdown, which was quickly followed by a message
short of truly seeing just how far their bicycle can take
from the Burra 500 organizer to say that the event was
them. “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the
to be postponed to a date in August. Unfortunately the
intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved
date in August clashes with another event and so the
body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of
decision was made that a few of us would just do the
smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly
ride, unofficially, as planned.
proclaiming ‘Wow! What a Ride!’” - Hunter S. Thompson
Wow, what a ride!
BURG TALK | 27-2021
Wynand’s account…
What an experience to see the countryside in such a
manner ! A countryside with unique contrasting colours
at this time of the year. You come to realize how small
you are in such a beautiful creation.
To be brutally honest with myself, I don’t believe I
was quite one hundred percent prepared for this epic
race but leading up to the event, I was told a dozen or
so times “YOU’LL BE FINE” (thanks JP for those inspiring
words).
Day one did not start too great with a back wheel
spoke that broke within the first ten kilometres. JP
managed to tape it up and off we went to conquer the
famous Hanbury Hill. All went well until a front spoke
also decided to break on a rather fast descent JP’s account…
(±60km/h). Must have been the extra weight on the bike
It’s hard to put into words to describe a ride, race,
with all the bags!
challenge or event. One goes through so many
For the rest of the second day up to Glengarry it was
emotions of highs and lows during the event that only
matter of nursing the bike over all the corrugations. A
a sports person can understand. But what I have learnt
million thanks to Gavin who brought me is front wheel
over the years, is that taking on a challenge with of
so I could finish the experience. Unfortunately, the back
group of friends will go a long way getting you to the
wheel did not fit so I had to push on with a taped up
finish.
spoke.
Most of us know of have heard of Kevin Benkenstein.
With such a physical tiring event the emotional frame
He has an absolute passion for a bicycle and exploring
of mind is what eventually gets you through the day.
the countryside. All he wants is to get cyclists out into
You question yourself, talk to yourself but don’t often
the back roads and see where the road takes you. When
come up with the answers. However, getting to the
the Burra500 was first advertised, there was no
destination you experience a sense of relief and
hesitation to enter. Hayden is always up for a challenge.
achievement. This was by far the most physical thing I
My wife took a bit of convincing, and Wynand suffers
have ever done and would like to just thank JP, Hayden
from a little FOMO when he hears about something
& Bex for the support and advice though the three days
different. So off we started on Friday morning. In true
of bike packing. Also, not to forget all the support from
Benky fashion, Kevin had set demanding route that
the Burg Wheelers!
would test us from the very start with a warm-up on Old
Howick road followed by an adventure into some
amazing countryside that our province has to offer.
During the three days we found ourselves loving
sections, battling up climbs, freezing in the mornings,
but at all times we had to rely on our team and
comradery to get us to the finish before the cut-off.
There were moments when we laughed, cried,
encouraged and times of silence as we plodded along
or as Wynand put it - ‘one pedal stroke at a time’ - to
make it home before the cut-off at sunset on Sunday
afternoon. We were treated to some amazing scenery,
sunrises over Midmar, sunsets over the berg, the
friendliest people along the route and hospitable spaza
shop owners. There is so much on our doorstep, that we
just need to get out and search for it.
Lastly, I’d just like to thank everyone for their
encouragement with all the messages on the groups
and those that came out on route to see us.
BURG TALK | 27-2021
Richard Krusekopf
Ride Reports
Another good turnout all round on Saturday
morning, and a good response to the call for the Worlds
View Challenge on Sunday.
Huge congratulations to the following who rode the
Burra 500 route after the inaugural event was
postponed. Luan Nieuwoudt who did it solo and the
team effort of Bex, J-P, Hayden and Wynand. A huge
ride whichever way you look at it.
ICE
Reminder to make sure you have yours in place and on
you when riding.
Lights
For safety, whenever on public roads. This request goes
hand in hand with the above ICE message.
Timber Harvesting:
The harvesting of timber in the Cedara, Cascades and
Karkloof is ongoing. Please respect their trail and road
closures during this period.
Club Rides:
The Wednesday rides leave from X-ways at the
winter start time of 15:00. This Saturday the C, D and F
groups will be riding from Hilton Quarry Centre at the
winter start time of 7:00. Further details are on relevant
WhatsApp chats. Contact me if you would like to be
added to the MTB groups.
Club Hill Climb
The Worlds View Hill Climb Challenge is running for
the month of July. The trail is
marked from
intersection of
Roberts and
Taunton, as you
head up
Roberts into the
Worlds View
Conservancy
and back down
again. 19.3km and
670m ascent.
A number of our
members were seen out
on the route…
BURG TALK | 27-2021
Past the back of the nursery, and up to the top of the
hill, where we did Leap’s Leap [no idea who comes up
Mark Rowland with these Strava names, but they need more tequila],
What a difference a week makes. Last weekend, my and then Gavin’s Underpants section. Still sticky. No
biggest worry was an unruly nose, and a day later Uncle one fell off. This set us up nicely for Tessie’s at the
Squirrel took away our beer, our breakfasts, our gym bottom of the hill. I gave everyone permission to say
and our Aloe Festival. On the bright side, he didn’t take how nice Tessie’s was looking. They did. I did a PB here
our bikes or our recently cleaned trails. Before he to celebrate. On the way across to the new Brett’s Law,
changed his mind, we set up a Saturday singletrack we saw a small group of cyclists attending to a
blowout. Joining us for it were stalwarts Pierre, the mechanical, one of whom was wearing a BWCC
Kruppenfuhrer, Sneaky Deaky, Angus, the Colourful jacket. We offered help, but they seemed to have it
Chris’s [Greene & Brown], and Backflip. Guest riders this under control. The new Brett’s Law will settle in with
week were Hans, Pauline, and Lloyd & Gareth. There time. I’ll also find my way around it, having taken
was an equally impressive turnout for both the D’s several wrong turnings this time, as the Kruppenfuhrer
[André] and F’s [Jumbo]. pointed out afterwards. In the Hippo Pools section, we
The C’s followed the D’s into the forest via the saw a couple of guys with hunting dogs, tirelessly
Mallory Rd gate, starting with the new Bunny Ears. Still focused on removing the last remaining wildlife. Nice
very soft and sandy, but nothing that a little rain and a to see people at one with nature, working to conserve
lot of riding can't fix. Well done team. There was frost the local fauna for future generations. We clearly didn’t
on the bottom bridge, but the bridge itself is still there look or smell sufficiently appetizing, which has sadly
– testament to the bridge-building skills of the been my problem with women for many years.
Kruppenfuhrer. We climbed up the hill past the nursery At the bottom of Hippo pools, seeing that no one
to intersect with the ‘Brand New Track’ where Pierre and had fallen off, we did a quick regroup and headcount,
I gapped the rest of the group a bit. Surprising that, but before heading up to the New Non-Stop Nurses. Angus
we’ll take what we get given. We followed the powered past the youngsters up this and, it must be
singletrack from compartment to compartment all the said, most of the other hills. It’s the haggis,
way down to Faceplant Valley, where no one fell off. apparently. Non-stop Nurses singletrack pops out at
The hills were alive, as the old song should go, with Justin’s favourite place – Nurses Dam. And guess who
other cyclists. After slogging up ‘On and On’ hill, as it is was there? The man himself, cheerful as always,
now named, past the dead trees and the entrance to regaling the Absolutely Motionless group with his
Tessie’s – more of that later – we bumped into the MTB colourful stories of both requited and unrequited
Group that Dare Not Say its Name. They were their nursery. The affable Willi Pelser asked me sotto voce if
usual jovial selves, and as is our custom, we swapped anyone had fallen off yet, looking meaningfully at Chris
crumpet recipes and crypto-currency trading tips, while G. I shook my head, and we both looked
removing surplus clothing. Right behind the MTB-ers apprehensive. As the groups moved off, the Famous
was the bottom half of Team McGrath, out walking the Forest Fossils [Dave S and Simon F] came around the
dogs, and contemplating pottery creations. Still no one corner. Both are some distance down the vaccination
fell off, but you could feel it in the air. path, and hopefully will ride with the Seedies again in
the not too distant future.
Hans, who had places to
go and people to see, made
his excuses and left us
here. The balance of the
group, if it can be called that,
followed me towards
Naartjie. I’m always mildly
relieved when that
happens. Sharp right at the
top of Naartjie, and the long
slog up to the start of the
Wizard / Pack of Dogs
sequence. Pauline and
Blackjack Ali went first,
BURG TALK | 27-2021
intending to do the whole sequence in one. I sense a
Strava segment. Angus announced his intention to do
the Wizard drop-off today, and requested Christine’s
wheel to follow. I followed them, just in case. Both went
through without incident, Angus letting out a whoop of
pleasure as he rolled out the bottom. Grant and Lloyd
elected to walk it, postponing their whooping for
another day. but Pierre’s slow puncture wasn’t sealing
itself, so we plugged it and pumped it. Angus,
unsurprisingly, has a very efficient pump with him. A
blast through Omar’s brought us out on the Nurses Dam
road. Still, no one had fallen off. I decided that it was a
sign, and we set course for home. The route home took The worst was still to come. Just before Richmond we
us through the Dead Tree Descent singletrack, currently encountered our second go/stop but we were able to
nice and compact, if a little sticky. I took the lead, and ride through on the half-completed section of road to
halfway down, I heard a familiar noise behind the end. At the Eston turn there was a moment of
me. Blackjack Ali had lost the front on a turn, and used indecision – to remove our jackets or not? We didn’t,
a nearby tree to convert her momentum into decibels – thank goodness! The temperatures dropped to -1°C.
i.e. screams and thuds. Fortunately, no major damage Something sparked in Marcel and Spha’s minds and the
was done, and we were soon back on our way. Thankful pace picked up. I was left stranded as I slowed too much
that we finally had the fall out of the way, the rest of the over the speed bumps near Eston and they had to wait
journey home was uneventful. for me to catch up. At the turn onto the Umbumbulu
A few of us got takeaways from Nino’s and Road Marcel asked a very friendly truck driver to take a
commiserated a little with the Khaya and group photo. The ride back from there was not without
Janet. Hopefully it’s only a few weeks. incident – we were being motor paced by Spha this time
Garmin Stats: 2h40 riding time, 39km in total, when suddenly Marcel looked around and noticed
14,7km/h average, 750m ascent, 2℃-21℃. Willem was missing. We stopped and turned around to
look for him. After riding back about 2km we saw him in
the distance coming towards us – he had punctured his
back tube riding over a cat’s eye on the road and we
Jumbo hadn’t heard his frantic shouting. On the return trip near
The mighty F group had a very pleasant 26.4km ride the Lion Park road Marcel and Spha decided to put us
today with 7 riders in total being Jumbo, Ben, Victoria, through our paces and Willem and I ended up chasing
Elizabeth, Depesh & 2 new riders - Rene & Nicola. hard, eventually regrouping on Polly’s. My tired legs
reminded me of how challenging a ride can be when the
pace is kept constant – uphill, downhill and on the flats.
Bobby Nefdt
Ride specs: Distance: 112,2 km; Ave Speed: 27,1
km/h; Elev Gain: 1 689 m; Time: 4:08:06
The Eston Circuit offers a little of everything and with Simon Joubert and friends…
the improved road surface along much on the route, it Saturday’s ride saw a number of nocturnal cyclists
is a welcome change to be able to enjoy your surrounds (Cornel, Simon, Jeff and Tony) leave the Athlone circle at
without having to constantly be on the lookout for 05h30 for the long slog up to Crossways in Hilton. With
potholes. Four of us, Marcel, Spha, Willem and BN, all the winter riding we are well accustomed to the dark
started off fresh and early from The Eye Hospital. The and chilly mornings and the “Old Howick Road” is
temperature normally rises quite quickly as one heads guaranteed to wake one up.
up Fox Hill where the group normally strips down. This At Crossways we joined Sally, Jordyn, Geoff, Mark
wasn’t to be as we anticipated temperatures close to 0°C and Nicola who had sensibly chosen to avoid the hill and
in the Baynesfield valley. drive up.
Our predictions were correct and as we dropped into After some discussion it was agreed that we would
the valley we encountered our first go/stop. Everyone head into the Karkloof via Howick West and the Midmar
started complaining about numb fingers and toes. dam wall.
BURG TALK | 27-2021
It was great to a be a group of four, as we got
to do some pace-lining – thank you Geoff, Mark
and Jordyn for the company, along with a few
“pulls” and “pushes”.
Being a Polar Bear is FUN!
Vive le Tour: Amazing Tales of the
Tour de France.
The morning was brisk however nothing like we had Stories by Nick Brownlee
experienced on previous rides, and very soon we found Snippet #26
ourselves at the Tweedie shop for a bottle filling session. 1951 - A break to remember
Here the group split with Sally, Mark, Jordyn and Geoff 4-29 Jul 1951, 24 Stages,, Distance: 4 690 km
heading through town and out on the Karkloof road and The Tour is littered with legendary breaks, when one
the rest of us doing a little of Curries Post hill before rider goes clear of the peleton and, for dozens of lonely
heading to Karkloof. kilometres, fights a lonely battle to win the stage. Great
The trip up Curries Post was interesting with me escapes go hand in hand with great riders: Bartali,
rounding a corner only to find Jeff sitting in the grass Coppi, Charlie Gaul, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and
pulling kit off with his beloved Bianchi lying in the grass. Miguel Indurain have all produced moments of glory
Apparently he was hot and wanted to remove some kit etched into Tour history. But one of the greatest came
however the sight of his beloved blue beauty on her side in 1951 by a rider who was virtually unknown outside his
in the grass was astonishing. Cornel arrived and decided native Switzerland but would win the Tour that year with
that a beauty contest would be held between his five stages including an epic 140 kilometers stage
“mature” Scott and Jeff’s “centrefold”. While Cornel escape on the stage between Brive and Agen. His name
disagrees the prize went to someone else. was Hugo Koblet, and when he got away from the pack
The ride out into the Karkloof was lovely, out through after just 30 kilometers, nobody raised an eyebrow. It
the forested area, past St Marks, the polo club and open was one of those classic moments when the peloton’s
dairy farms, over the Karkloof river, past the returning collective superiority is undermined by the
“Team Mustang”, “Puff Adder Hill” and on to the end of determination of a solo rider - but mostly by its own
the tar where we were fortunate enough to see a lumbering inability to react to danger before it is too
number of Grey Crowned Cranes. late. By the time Koblet was 70 kilometers from the
The ride back to Howick was uneventful and on finish line, he was already 5 minutes ahead of the pack
reaching the town the four of us decided to take the who were still stuck in the mountains. By the time he
short route home and before long found ourselves at crossed the line, he had won the stage by more than two
Upper Millstone in Hilton for pastries and coffees and a half minutes after a grueling 4 hours of solo riding
outside, in the winter sun. and was observed idly combing his hair as he waited for
All in all a wonderful mornings ride. the rest of the field to arrive. “In the ten years I've raced
[Addition from Team Mustang: At the Tweedie turn, I have never seen such a feat,” said Fiorenzo Magni. “If
the “other” PB bunch opted for a spin through Howick there were two Koblets in the sport,” said Raphael
before heading out onto the Karkloof road, and also Geminiani, “I would retire from cycling tomorrow.”
enjoyed a great ride. Despite the magnanimous words, few of the riders
Karkloof has both positives and negatives as a expected Koblet to survive to Paris after such a long
route…the positives (which outweigh the bad) are the bursting effort. And he certainly wasn't a threat for the
beautiful scenery, undulating terrain, relatively good overall classification, being a full 8 minutes behind the
road surface quality, and low traffic volumes. The leader Wim van Est. But Koblet proved them all wrong.
negatives are the sneaky fluctuating temperatures. En When van Est - the first Dutchman to wear yellow -
route you ride in and out of little pockets of warmth crashed on the Aubisque, the race was suddenly wide
mixed up with some icy dips, where the frost was still open. Dutchman Wim van Est was leading the Tour and
very thick on the ground. Then you crest rises to feel the determined to remain in yellow as he began a helter-
chilly wind coming of the berg. skelter descent of the Col d’Aubisque. The mountain has
BURG TALK | 27-2021
a deserved reputation as one of the most dangerous of
the Tour, and on that day van Est proved why. Having
already lost control on one tight hairpin, he continued
on his way for a couple of hundred yards before slewing
out of control and over the edge of the ravine. Race Date:
Fortunately, he was able to scramble back up and onto 10 October 2021.
his bike. Anyone else perhaps would have thought twice
about descending so recklessly - but not van Est. And it
wasn't long before the Dutchman lost control again.
Race Date: 28 November 2021
This time both he and his bike plunged 33 metres into
Entries open 2 August 2021, Entries limited to 4000
the ravine, and to everyone watching it was clear he
wouldn't be getting up from this one. Miraculously, van
Est was still alive. Even more remarkably, he was able to
climb back out of the routine using a rope made of inner Race Date: 24 October
tubes from the Dutch support vehicle. To everyone's Entries are open @ https://www.shova.co.za/
relief, the damaged state of van Est’s bike and the fact
that the supply of inner tubes was now ruined meant he
was forced to continue his journey to the bottom of the
mountain in the back of an ambulance. The next day,
Koblet produced a blistering ride over the Tourmalet
before outgunning the great Fausto Coppi in a sprint for
yellow. He would not lose the jersey again and was
crowned Tour champion after one of the most amazing
performances in the history of the event.
Information on upcoming races can also be found
on the KZN Cycling website.
https://kzncycling.co.za/
Please note that these dates are change frequently.
T
BURG TALK | 27-2021
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