So just a quick update: As you know I am off to SA in March to race and surf for a while, with a little O/S race plans in between, then to Hawaii for the season then States. So it is farewell to New Zealand for now after + 6 yrs of cut-throat times in the CE industry with Navman GPS in Oz and NZ, which has been a hard choice to make as honestly for the few people who have got to experience our little haven on the West coast beaches will know just how Epic life has been for the past 3-4yrs for Carrie and myself in NZ.
So that said I am super excited for the year ahead as it brings some challenging events and takes me out of my current comfort zone which will lead me pushing new boundaries in the areas I pursue. For now I have putting the hours in on end on the bike with the encouragement of knowing my partner for the Epic Roeloff “Vonkie” the OX Burger is firing on all cylinders “ see below training km’s”. The plan is currently :13 March - Argus 110km (road race) gentle breeze around the Kaapse two oceans starting in the 3rd group of the day in :VA at 6:24am – yes the sharp ones noticed my starting group VA that means I am Veterans Racing +30yrs, O the pleasures of getting mature. Also Carrie qualified off her 2010 race results to get a quick start in group D -6:45am start so will be with the front pack of girls! Then on the 27 March the start of the Cape Epic, which the first Prologue (short 27km time trail to grade the riders starting times, we want a good starting position so will be going pretty hard to get to the pointy end of the field) will be head at Tokai forest this year, so will be Epic to see all my mates on the top of a spikey hill cheering the OX burger and P man on: Note to all: make sure you bring the braai and hand us a bite size boerie roll on the way! We going to need it! But this will be a cool opportunity to watch all the world’s top MTB riders hammering it out on some local Cape trails. Then the Epic moves to Saronsberg – Worcester –Oak Valley and 8 days later the finish at Lourensford on 3rd April, for anyone wanting to ride a short MTB race, trail run race or sipping some fine wine this is all incorporate to festivities. Then will be chilling in CT till mid May then off to Sani2C MTB a 3 day stage race in Natal, rated as the most magical race crossing private national game farms and winding our way down to Scottbrough coastline. This will also allow us to pack the Landy and head North, relishing in some Transkei waves and maybe even onto Mozambique for some reeling point break bazzels. Then hunt for big waves for the duration of SA’s winter mixed with some MTB & road racing, O the excitement is rushing! Post the Sani plan to head to Europe for Transalps stage race across Italian/German borders (funds permitting) and then on to US of A for some quality solid waves in Maui and Oahu, Ironman could be option, Transrockies and Leaderville 100 mile allowing me to connect with old mates around the globe. But more about that down the line, folks!!!! As you can tell lots of hard yards have been done getting to this point allowing me to do these the things in life that I am passionate about and life is just too short. Never should one say “I wish I would have done …”
Brief snipe of P's training in Jan 2011:
Brief snipe of The Ox's training in Jan 2011:
Preview vid of Epic Adventures Around NZ sth island Dec/Jan 2011
