Pre: Epic update

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

2010 challanges

So the most common question I get asked is “ So what have you been up to lately?”

With committing to another Cape Epic in 2011 with the Ox - Roeloff Burger this time around we will be gunning to finish in the pointy end of the field. So much time is spent on building my base and just really enjoying some real technical long rides mixed up with few races. Have completed the K2 which is dubbed as the toughest road race in the Southern Hempishere in 5:45mins top 25,a few 100km MTB races around the Transmans.

Top 15 in the world finsh in 2010 at Worlds:
The race of the year had to be the Singlespeed World champs was a blast down in Rotovegas with the most eccentric charters in the world but still a tough 40km fast paced race with a 1000 people entering managed to ride at 95% of my heart rate for 1hrs odd to get infront of the pack to finsh in the top 15 in world of one geared MTB bikes-was a wicked weekend, just bummed SA didn’t win the bid to host next years race. Check my kitty cat costume that the crowd just could help but shout out "go pussy go":


TO answer the most common question is hard to put into one or two words so made a short clip which sums it up.

Day 8 -crossed the finish line.

Of the 1172 riders who started their epic journey at Diemersfontein, 83.6% successfully completed their Absa Cape Epic adventure by crossing the final finish line at the Lourensford Wine Estate. In the remaining 16.4% figure that is not classified as official finishers, the blue board riders (riders whose partners dropped out) are included. 445 teams were ranked on the GC (General Classification), with both team riders awarded the medal as official Absa Cape Epic finishers. 90 individual cyclists successfully completed the 8 stages without their partners. So for Team Mio to cross the line together as partners is a great success story, and a race that both us will remember for ever and stories to tell for years to come.



So for the Team Mio guys to finish the race in the mid field of the pack was a great result. Given the training Kav had to endure and limited gaps in the weather that the entire Euro's had to train we finished ahead of most Pommie's teams. They are some dark moments for some riders and many tales of heartbreaks for those who invested so much into this race and unfortunately didn't finish. Some travelled two days to ride and miss the cut off times by 1 minute on day 1 many shattered hearts. Others partners blow out and would be found on IV dips at nights in the medic tents and many dehydrated from the 40 degree heat. But most common where riders found lying on the side of track not knowing what day it is nor being able to remember there name. But not for Kav and myself.



This race is not easy, and can honestly say that most people in life will not come close to pushing their bodies to the level Kavan had to endure to get through. The pain barriers and saddle sores day after day cut deeper and deeper as the race goes on. For the riders to push through these barriers mentally and physically in order to cross the line is a feeling of accomplishment second non - respect to all.



As I think back on what made this race, the most engraved memories where the spectators and side support that every little township and school that stood on the dusty road high five'ing us as we rode each stage. The crowds which gathered at the water points and vantage points where great as the commentators shout out of the loud speaker" Here comes Team Mio GPS -Kavan from the United Kingdom and Paris from New Zealand" and everyone would cheers and shout words of encouragement as we rode by. The scenery and mountain ranges that I was able to take in was simple Epic, South Africa is truly impressive at 9 am in the middle of the fynbos filled mountains but harsh at 2pm under 42 degrees of direct sunlight!



Asked if I would ride this again, my answer would obviously be " Hell yeah". However the coin spent on this event is huge and the race fees are going up even more next year to R32 000 which many just not be able to condor up. Many local South African's and international's will be forced to look at riding cheaper events i.e.: Sani 2 C, BC, Rockies as the event status is now that of caliber that only the exclusive team and rich self funded internationals can afford. As I have a confirmed entry for 2011 through Carrie's volunteer’s roles, my plan is to try obtaining a sponsor to ride under for 2011. Now that I understand what it takes to race this event and the training needed, I will be aiming for a Top 30- 50 position in 2011. So let me know if you know of anyone wanting some the best exposure through one of the world's most elite sporting event in the world.

Well till next year, thanks again to everyone who supported us from Mio GPS, Carrie, Claudia, Alistair, Rick and Lor, Temple bikes, our families and friends.

Cheersy
P

Day 7 99km and Day 6 -123km completed -7:14hrs

Well a cold rainy weather conditions greeted us this morning- stage 7 in Oak Valley. Today’s stage was beautiful, but hard.


Most riders are relieved that tomorrow will be the final stage of this year’s epic adventure and are looking forward to returning home with their finisher jerseys and medals, a treasured possession for all.


We rode over 99km and 2 160 of climbing. The short sharp hills early on really burnt with five minutes up and 15 seconds down making riders work hard. At this point after 12km, Kav was hurting and the words came out something like this ”shit dude, you going to have to leave me”. A dark moment, but we managed to pick up the emotions and I had a plan to break things down. We would ride water point to water point (33,68,80km) and just see how Kav felt t at each water point. After the descent past Houwhoek Inn riders passed Botriver onto some fast gravel roads through the farmland gave our legs some relief and sprits picked up.


The main obstacle of the day up to Lebanon Highlands Plantation, rocks and loose ground forced them to get off their bikes in the steep areas. This was super tough as the sand was once again boggie and energie sapping-killer



Dassenberg proved difficult due to its sandy surface as well as level of complexity. Not long in kilometers, this climb took even the most experienced participants more than half an hour to master. After crossing over to Houteq, it was singletrack heading into Lebanon for some of the most coveted trails in the Cape. More short, steep climbs stood in the way of a final stretch of swooping paths to the finish line , our momentum gained near the end and we where rolling at a decent pace to reach the finish line. Yes, this was a hard day for some after 7 days of ridding

Today we were in the saddle for 7:18 hrs,



Day 6- 123km

Hay All,

So another long hard day in the saddle, we started out feeling bit nervous knowing the route had over 2600m climbing including a 7km climb then over the “craters of the moon” with rocks and bogie sand patches which sapped your energy like no one had ever experienced before. The route had everything today with sand, single track , rockie climbs and semi desert moon like conditions. At one point we where onto the highest point overlooking so amazing terrain (not that many where taking in the surroundings).




Believe this was Kav's best day in the saddle and maintained a steady pace over the hard terrain. Kav only rode into a vineyard pole once which was pretty funny and went over the bars of the bike on the single-track within 500m of the finish line. Whenever your partner comes off the bike, your nerves twitch and that feeling of O s#*^% is he alright, is the this the end of our race? But all was good just a few minor sock hole a touch of blood, nothing major. However once off the bike Kav’s pain began. Screams of pain bellowed out from the shower as he tore off his bum plasters, to leave two raw holes on his cheeks.


Two more days to go, many teams are feeling the same pain. But am sure that we will persevere and be receiving our medals at Lourensford.

Stage 5 - finish-3days to go

Hay ALL

Yip 3 day to go, still getting through some tough track and high km's - tomorrow is 126km with over 2400m climbing.



Today's time trail super fun, as trails where nmore open and not as much traffic in the way with no roadies walking down fast techincal trails! Killing me have people slowing you down on a sweet section of the track.




Kav is hurting on the hills a bit as the high km's and tough climbs taking there toll on the legs, arms and thumbs!!Our butts are in quite a state with puss oozing out Kav's butt cheeks, mine isn't much better.



The race moves on to Oak valley for some single track and then only 2 more days in the saddle then onto the finish. Our bikes are holding up well with Kav opting for a serviced bike support as need every help he can get to make it over the line smoothly.

Day 3

Hay so hit 120km stage today with around 2000m climbing 7:42mins in the saddle, huge stage and hot. I had puncture in first 10 km s and had to stop 10 times, but managed to regain the time and pretty smooth sailing after some huge rockie 25% gradient climbs.

Still replying bum cream like no tomorrow! The cuts are opening up as the race goes on.

Many more people dropped out, and sadly a racer from Australia died over night in his sleep, pretty rude awakening for all of us racing.

So 90km tomorrow, easy compared to the past 3 days...

All good and enjoying the trails... more pics to follow tomorrow!

P and K

RACE UPDATE DAY2- 210KM COMPLETE

So we have finshed 2 days of riding under harsh sun and rough tracks.

All we can really say is the pictures tell the tale! Kav has been booking double massages and both been in the medicaltent for bum treatments!



We are currently sitting in the top middle half of the field but doubt a poduim finish is an option at this stage Kav is working at 90-100% max rate just to finish so we are happy where we are at this stage.



Heaps form people dropping out every day 68 on day 1, am sure many more to follow (just hope it is not us)

Only one tech problem thus far - me blowing side wall of tyre! So was almost race over but made a plan and finshed in 6:55mins

So many people in medical tents on drips and treat some hard core grazes/holes/damged bodies.


The next 6 days will be challanged for everyone, as for me can say I am enjoying the pain /terrain/ tracks/ riding and the most of all the overall sportmanship amongst the riders.

ps: Sa has some awesome scenery.