Category: Blog Entries
Caveman tries to remember Durban Ultra Triathlon 1994 #ThrowbackThursday
The year was 1994. In a time before the internets. The year Apartheid crumbled. The year I had “Mark Allen hair” Nowadays its called a mullet.
“Ironman” was nothing but one race on a more-distant-than-the-moon volcanic island full of “Scotts” or, closer to home, “Ironman” was a Boere style triathlon: 20km K1 paddle, 120k bike, run around Harties- dominated by hard hard men with tough names like Rockley and Bester.
To us, the “Durban Ultra” was the pinnacle of endurance triathlon. 4k ocean swim with sometimes huge swell,
Momentum Health OatWell DualX powered by PeptoPro held at Hakahana, Pretoria. Quality pix by Zoon Cronje. The rest- probably mine.
The other great thing about spending my first winter in South Africa (since 1991) is now I can do the interesting local races I’ve been missing out on. Been following the DualX off road duathlon series from across the ocean via the interwebs and vicariously through Theo Blignaut. I’ve heard about the fantastic Advendurance organization, decent prize money, “real” run and bike courses… but mostly I heard of the “unbeatable Brand du Plessis.” I didn’t realize exactly how unbeatable until I learnt he hasn’t lost an off road duathlon in 6 years.
In a league of his own on the run,
How on earth did we survive our youths?! #ThrowBackThursday
“What do you mean protective gear?!”
Its about 1987, I’m 14 years old. On a bored out two stroke YZ 125, I tore through dongas, thorn bushes, streams and my home made MX course- wearing nothing but worn out Nike Pegasus, PT short, T shirt and Open helmet & goggles. And a “This is awesome!” grin.
Not sure how I made it safely to (sort of) adulthood. As I near parenthood, I’ve heard people talk about “babies bounce”, but in hind sight, if I can help it- rather safe than sorry. Or as we modern bike riders say: “Dont dress for the ride, dress for the fall…”
A life time later- my dad and I crossing rivers (but not tearing through dongas and thorn bushes) on our
Caveman to race DualX off road duathlon this Saturday
Theo Blignaut’s stories of the adrenaline (& pain!) filled DualX racing series, fascinated and inspired me to leave the goggles at home and give off road duathlon a whirl.
I was drawn to XTERRA in 2001 because of an action packed picture of Steve Larsen running his bike through a stream in Richmond USA. The Momentum Health Oatwell DualX Duathlon Series powered by PeptoPro has been running for a year in Gauteng, and I’m excited to see what its about: Technical run and bike courses, fantastic Advendurance organization, good prize money, extensive SuperSport TV coverage , and as you know, I just love racing!
See you at DualX #1 Hakahana this weekend!
PS: It’s a bit of a last minute decision, so sadly, no Caveman MTB Skills Clinic in Groenkloof this time, but “Pre Ride XTERRA Grabouw bike course with Caveman” is still on for Sunday 8 & Saturday 14 Feb.
XTERRA Grabouw MTB course pre-ride with Caveman.
The XTERRA Grabouw bike course is a hairy one. Probably the best XTERRA bike course in the world!
Prepare for this epic race with a guided pre-ride of the bike course with the #Caveman.
– Learn the A, B & C lines.
– Learn the skills required to ace this course.
– Bike set up and equipment for safe, fast shredding.
– Nutrition, pacing etc.
– You bring the Q’s I’ll have the A’s. (Hopefully) Topics can include running, swimming etc.
– Snacks, drinks, signed Caveman posters and sample products from Bos Sport, Squirt lube & Enduren.
Dates:
