MR PRICE SPORT CYCLE CLUB KZN - Behind Safe Cycling

MR PRICE SPORT CYCLE CLUB KZN

Behind Safe Cycling
Newsletter – September 2014

Website: www.westcycle.co.za
         www.mrpricesport.co.za
         www.facebook.com/mrpricecycleclubkzn

Phone : 031 – 7674448
Fax   : 0865256703
Email : dusart@iafrica.com

Office hours: 08:30 – 12:00 noon (Monday to Friday)

CLUB BBM Pin is 295CDDF8…. You are invited to join in and you will be kept updated
with all the happenings in cycling by checking the clubs STATUS

Welcome to our new members: Sheldon Brown, Garry Mann….. hope you
enjoy being a part of our cycling family

Up Coming Events.

    1. The Tsogo Sun Amashova takes place on the 12th October 2014. The club will have a gazebo at the
       event. Come and join us for some snacks and drinks…..have a safe ride and see you at the finish.
    2. The Ride for Redcap will take place on the 23 and 24 November 2014 – 640km ride from Nigel to
       Durban in 2 days…email kelvinv@iafrica.com for further details. (This is a charity event)

Normal training groups as follows:
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday – Oscars Hillcrest at 4.45 am (A & B groups)
(With back up vehicle) Fridays – coffee/social ride.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday – Westville KFC/Wild Bean at 4.15am and
Friday at 4.45a.m (intense training)
(With back up vehicle)

           Well done to Peter Hoffman on his podium for the Eston MTB Race.

                  SIEGETOWN WHEELERS CYCLE CHALLENGE
                                    7 SEPTEMBER 2014

LADYSMITH WILL ALWAYS BRING MIXED FEELINGS WHEN PREPARING TO RACE. MIXED IN A SENSE THAT IT IS PROBABLY
ONE OF THE BEST ORGANISED RACES IN KZN BUT ALSO A COUNTRY MILE FROM HOME AND MEANS SLOGGING UP DE
BEERS PASS. REPEAT AFTER ME…. I LOVE RACING!

SO THE ‘GROOT TREK’ GOT UNDER WAY WITH A NICE WARM DAY EXPECTED UP COUNTRY. THE 7 O CLOCK START WAS
PERFECT AS THE MORNING WAS A LITTLE FRESH. UNFORTUNATELY AS USUAL THE START LIST WAS RATHER SHORT BUT
LUCKILY SOME OF THE TOP NAMES IN KZN ROAD CYCLING DECIDED TO MAKE THE JOURNEY WHICH WAS GOING TO MAKE
THE RACING SPECTACULAR.

DUE TO THE COLD MOUNTAIN AIR THE START OF THE RACE WAS A LITTLE NEGATIVE AS THE 100KM BUNCH WARMED UP
IN THE FIRST COUPLE OF KMS. A FEW ATTACKS WENT AWAY EARLY BUT WERE BROUGHT BACK RATHER SMARTLY BY
VARIOUS CONTENDERS. KEVEN BENKENSTEIN WENT AWAY FOR THE FIRST REAL BREAK OF THE DAY, TAKING AN ABANTU
DEVELOPMENT RIDER WITH HIM. UNFORTUNATELY FOR KEV THE ABANTU RIDER WAS UNABLE TO HOLD A HIGH ENOUGH
TEMPO AND KEV WAS LEFT ON HIS OWN. ON ONE OF THE SMALLER BUMPS BEFOR TURNING TOWARDS THE BURG, HE
WAS BROUGHT BACK INTO THE FOLD. THE COUNTER ATTACK CAME FROM ROB DU PREEZ TAKING MARTIN HILLERMAN
WITH HIM. AS WE TOOK THE TURN KEVEN RODE ACROSS AND A NICE LOOKING BREAK FORMED. AGAIN THE CHASE WAS
ON WITH EVERYONE ACTUALLY CONTRIBUTING TO THE CHASE. THE BREAK HUNG FOR A WHILE BUT WAS BROUGHT BACK
BEFORE IT GOT DANGEROUS. AGAIN THE COUNTER CAME FROM TREVOR ROWE. KNOWING THAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR
POINTS MR PRICE SENT JUSTIN SHORT TO THE FRONT TO CHASE. GOOOD PACING BY JUSTIN SAW THE MOVE RETURN AND
THE RACE STABILISED FOR A BIT.

AS WE GOT CLOSER TO DE BEERS TREVOR TOOK A FLYER HOPING TO GET A HEAD START GOING UP THE BRUTAL PASS BUT
WAS BROUGHT BACK AGAIN AS WE HIT THE BOTTOM. THE PASS MAX’S OUT AT 1810M OVER A RELITIVELY SHORT
STRETCH SO THE TOP GETS REALLY STEEP REALLY QUICKLY. THE BUNCH SOON SPLINTERED WITH KEV, MIKE, DENO, ROB,
SHELDON AND MARTIN KEEPING PACE WITH EACH OTHER. COMING UP TO THE KOM KEV AND SHELDON HAD A SMALL
BUT MANAGEABLE GAP ON ME AND DENO. THE REST HAD SUCCUMMED TO THE STEEPEST PART OF THE CLIMB BUT WERE
STILL WITHIN REACH. GOING OVER THE KOM, DENO TOOK OVER AND WE ROLLED ONTO KEV AND SHELDON JUST BEFORE
THE TURN AROUND POINT.

GOING BACK DOWN DE BEERS REQUIRED SOME SKILL AS SPEEDS WERE IN EXCESS OF 85KM/H. DENO AND KEV SHOWED
THE BIGGEST BALLS AND SHOT DOWN THE PASS LEAVING ME AND SHELDON TO PEDDLE A BIT AT THE BOTTOM TO GET
BACK IN TOUCH. ONCE TOGETHER WE SETTLED INTO A HIGH TEMPO PACE LINE THAT SAW THE GAP TO ROB AND MARTIN
GROW WHO UNFORTUNATELY WERE NEVER ABLE TO REACH US. WE KNEW WE HAD TO KEEP ROLLING AS THEY WERE
CHASING HARD.

WITH ABOUT 10KM TO GO SHELDON TOOK A FLYER. MYSELF AND DENO HAD TO CHASE LEAVING KEV BEHIND. HE DID
MANAGE TO ROLL BACK ONTO US JUST BEFORE THE HAIRPIN BEND AND TOOK A FLYER HIMSELF. DENO JUMPED ON HIS
WHEEL AND ME ON DENOS WHEEL AS WE SHOT THROUGH THE CORNER. DENO KICKED ON FIRST DISPATCHING KEV
TURNING THE LAST 250M INTO A DRAG RACE BETWEEN MYSELF AND DENO. DENOS SECOND KICK WAS CLASS AND THAT
WAS ENOUGH TO STAY AWAY FROM ME GOING ACROSS THE LINE FOR A WELL DESREVED WIN. I MANAGED TO HOLD ON
FOR SECOND AND KEV CAME IN THIRD.

AS ALWAYS A GREAT EVENT AND AN EXCITING RACE RIGHT TO THE END.

MIKE VILJOEN.

 Gabran 2014 – what a simply wonderful experience. . . . . from the stuffed, I
mean really jam packed goodie bags to the catering, the music, the musicians, the
daily inspirational sms’s from Kelvin and the CHOC Cow Team, the fun, the
friendship and the fabulous memories.
We had all that . . . . and, most importantly CHOC (Childhood Cancer Foundation
SA) a very worthwhile cause got to benefit from the funds raised by all the
generous cyclists and their friends.
Three chilled days of simply riding with friends taking in the scenery and enjoying
the pit stops along the way – no head down, heart racing, physically aching racing. A
special experience indeed.
Thank you to Kelvin and Corinne, two incredibly dedicated individuals who always
go above and beyond for cycling to ensure that we cyclists get to enjoy the fruits of
their labours. A thousand thank you’s are simply not enough.

Thank you too; to the CHOC COWS . . . wow. . . you guys are amazing. Such drive,
determination and dedication to your cause. Thank you also to everybody else
involved in providing this wonderful event.
Finally, who can forget “Le Grand Arrival” of Sean and Glen at Wagondrift Dam . . .
. . . after a long afternoon at the Estcourt Bowling Club! Who’d have thought
cycling jersey pockets were suitable for carrying Red Wine and Jägermeister.
Looking forward to Gabran 2015.

Cynthia Ramsey

SPUR SCHOOLS MTB SERIES RACES

Cordwalles (race #5)
The Spur school series is getting really popular with more and more schools starting to participate. In
an effort to assist in this growth we set of with four boys in our van for the 5 th trace of the series
held at Cordwalles School in PMB…….

More than 20 sub-nipper boys (under 9’s) lined up for the start of their 2 lap race which saw them
ride some very steep climbs and negotiating some single track and switch backs. Evan is starting to
make out how important the start is and was quick of the gun to make it up the steep little climb
near the start in 2nd spot. Positioning is very important up this climb because once you get stuck
behind someone chances are you might just have to get off and push.

Evan was soon away with the 2 Wright brothers and the 3 of them had quite a gap on the rest of the
field. The one Wright brother was very strong and left Evan and his brother to fight for the remaining
podium spots. Evan dug deep and eventually got rid of his opponent to take the 2nd place.

The sprogs (ages 11-12) line up was also big with some strong riders in there. Warren had his work
cut out for him if he wanted to ride a podium.

He also had a nice start and was lying 3rd or so going up the very steep climb. A lot of changes
happened in their first few laps and it was very exciting to watch. One of the riders really stood out
and won by a big margin which left Warren fighting it out with Dreyer Botma and Campbell van
Rooyen. Warren unfortunately couldn’t hang onto the relentless pace and had to settle for 4th place.

He was really relieved when he crossed the finish line saying he had suffered big time today……

Race Report World Champs Slovenia 2014
Well world champs has come and gone and after a build-up that took a few months it’s all
overlooking back one always thinks what I could have done more or maybe better to have got better
results.

The whole event in Slovenia was really embraced by the local people and felt very special from the
start. My main event being the Time Trial on Thursday the 28th of August, I arrived a few days early
so I could ride and check the route out, the route was a very safe and fast route with a few turns in
it, my feeling was it was a fair and fast route, I had followed the weather forecast a number of weeks
before arriving in Slovenia so when riding the route I knew what to expect and after checking the
weather forecast and win prediction I felt good about my race.

Well race day had arrived and with a late start I went for a morning spine just to settle the nerves
and then breakfast and relax for a while, made my way to the start to start my warm up and race
was on .felt good on the TT and felt I had a good ride with a good ave Hr and ave speed ,once the
results came in I was 4th by 12 seconds I was totally disappointed and felt I should have at least been
on the podium ,A few things on looking back, My age group had 51 riders of which only one rider
was from SA ,I did not know any other rider on the list, so it was just a question of giving your best
which I did ,don’t change something that works ,felt I should have left my gearing ,my preparation
was good and build up to the event was also good. So I ask myself after taking part for the 1 st time in
Europe would I go again and do I feel I have a chance and on both a definite YES.

The Road Race Sunday 31 August

I did not really go for this event but wanted to take part to experience the event, there were a
number of other SA riders in the Road Race one being Paul Krause who had trained hard for this
event, we had 157 riders on the start list of which 137 started. The Race rout was 157km with 2
climbs 1st one after 25km and the 2nd after 85km,the race from the start was fast with a few small
crashes in the 1st 50km ,on the 1st climb a few attacks cane but nothing stayed away the bunch
stayed pretty much together till the 2nd climb at 85km where the climbers took over as the 2nd climb
was 7.8km long with an ave gradient of 10% and up to 16% in places, up to this point we had
averaged over 43kmh so very quick, Paul Managed to go over the climb with a select group and I was
just positioned wrong on the climb it was very narrow and tricky at the base of the climb. I ended up
with group of about 15 rider who worked a little together but it was difficult to communicate with
most of the other riders .Paul had a good race finishing 8th in the group of 12 that went to the line,

he also said it was so different racing in Europe and he went to early on the sprint but was happy
with his result, I finished 52 nd 15min behind the winning group but I was happy with my result.

One other event on the Friday night which was a Team relay race this was really fun and we put a SA
team together at the last minute which had to have one lady and 3 other riders from different age
groups, there were 21 Teams and we came 6th but this was fun in the city centre with lots of local
support.

World Champs was an experience that is an unbelievable experience and one that is a must to do ,I
know without the support of so many friends ,cycling friends and my family this would not have
been possible as the cost is huge ,but well worth it.

So thanks to all the very special people who made it possible for me to take part I appreciate you all
so much.

Gwyn Pine

Shongweni (race #6)
Here we go again……..

With about 1 minute to go before the start of the sub-nipper race Evan called me and told me that
he needed to “wee”. One of the organizers heard it and said he can go do his business behind a bush
near the start – obviously the child was nervous with big plans in that little head.

This was obvious when he flew out the blocks like a bat out of hell. They had to do 2 laps of the
almost 3km loop and he was right up there marking the series leader. He looked really determined
and I got all excited for him. We eventually saw the little peeps again as they excited the single track

to approach their 2nd and last lap but no Evan. Just as I was getting worried I saw him lying about 6th
or so. Apparently his chain came off in the single track and he had to get off and fix it himself. What I
really loved was that sheer determination in which he road that last lap. He crossed the line in 4th
place after making up some impressive ground. The Wright brothers took the first 2 spots followed
by Logan Stander (nephew of the late legend Burry Stander).

Evan was really upset when he crossed the line but lucky he could blame the bike and his mechanic –
dad!

In the sprogs race the results came out different than expected. Warren had to compete and fight it
out with usual favourites Robbie Jessop, Campbell van Rooyen, Matthew Millard, and Dreyer Botma
etc. The start was fast as expected and soon Warren found himself in 4th place behind all the above
favourites except for Matthew who had some problems at the start.

                                       They had to do 5 laps and for the first two or three laps
                                       Warren would yo-yo on and off the pace. As he started his 2nd
                                       last lap he was all of the sudden in second place behind Robbie
Jessop. He obviously started feeling better and had a good ride in the single track section just before
starting the second last lap. With one lap to go I waited with some water at the feeding station when
a very tired boy asked me if he was on his last lap looking back to see where the 3rd rider was. I could

see that he was really digging deep and was very proud when he kept his spot to come home in
second place. Dreyer Botma rounded of the podium.

The kids really love doing this school series and great friendships are being formed amongst the kids
and the parents. The next race will be on the 6th of September and people can find more details on
www.amarider.co.za

Report by Isabel Moolman

OOM ADRIAN SCHOEMAN

AT 73, the Bluff’s Adrian Schoeman (Mr Price Sport Cycle Club Member) is
showing no signs of slowing down, with 46 competitions under his belt so far in 2014,
winning his 10th victor ludorum for KZN swimming and placing 11th in
international skydiving competition, Leap fest.

Leap fest is an annual international static line parachute competition that attracted
about 400 competitors to Rhode Island in America this year. Teams of five (four
jumpers and one alternate) jump from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at about 457
metres in the air and steer their parachutes to land on, or as close as possible to a mark
on the ground.

The ex-military colonel and eldest competitor placed 11th overall in the 4 August
competition. “It was really exciting, but nerve-wracking because I haven’t jumped for
about 12 years. I was part of the force for 40 years and spent many hours jumping out
of aircraft, so thankfully, it all came back to me and everything went well,” said
Schoeman.

The retired Bluffite spends much of his time competing in swimming and cycling
competitions and has won five first place and six second place titles in KZN
swimming competitions and three first place KZN titles for cycling this year. He was
also awarded his 10th victor ludorum for swimming in the KZN masters category.

During the SA cycling champs he fell and cracked a rib, but still managed to claim
third place.

“I enjoy these competitions, its gives me a sense of achievement.” And with nearly
500 medals to his name, Schoeman certainly has achieved a tremendous amount

Savoury mince eggplant bake

Ingredients (serves 4)

      2 tablespoons olive oil
      1 large eggplant, thickly sliced
      ½ quantity (3 cups) Savoury mince (see related recipe)
      200g mozzarella cheese, grated
      mixed salad leaves, to serve

Method

Heat oil in large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add eggplant. Cook for 5 minutes each
side or until tender and golden.
Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease a 10cm deep, 9cm x 27cm (base) ovenproof dish.
Place half the eggplant over the base of prepared dish. Spoon over half the mince. Repeat
with remaining eggplant and mince. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 40 minutes or until
heated through and cheese golden and melted (cover during cooking if top is browning too
quickly). Serve with salad leaves.

Savoury mince
Ingredients

      2 tablespoons olive oil
      1 brown onion, finely chopped
      2 garlic cloves, crushed
      600g beef mince
      1 large carrot, peeled, finely chopped
      2 tablespoons tomato paste
      3 x 400g cans crushed tomatoes

Method

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring
occasionally, for 5 minutes or until onion is soft. Add mince. Cook, stirring with a wooden
spoon to break up mince, for 15 minutes or until browned.

Add carrot. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes. Add tomato paste. Cook, stirring, for 2 to 4
minutes. Add crushed tomatoes. Increase heat to high. Bring to the boil.

Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes or until sauce
thickens. Season with salt and pepper.