Racing for Burry Stander
TotalSports Challenge Terra Firma: 50km road cycle (Caveman), 14km road run (Princess Hotstuff), 25km MTB (Caveman), 9km beach run (Princess Hotstuff)
My coach Ian Rodger wanted me to ride steady TT pace “so we can look at the watts and see how we measure up with last year (at this race)” I said, actually Liezel and I are doing this race for Burry, and instead of towing everyone from Gordons Bay to Kleinmond, I want to arrive at the hand over alone- like Burry did 3 years ago. Ian thought about it, and said, “ok, you haven’t trained for that kind of riding, but hit them hard on the rolling technical section through Gordons Bay, see who’s with you, and then attack them when you’re into the wind” He finished off with: “Kick them in the nuts till no one is left standing”
Still raw from Burry’s funeral, I rode to Gordons Bay filled with emotion. Angry Battery 9 soundtrack seemingly the only suitable companion.
Althoug it was wind-still in Stellenbosch, it was howling in Gordons Bay, so I went with a training wheel in front. I rode my UCI legal SHIV TT bike, and warmed like I would for a big TT race, and got to the start simmering and ready to kick crotches. But on the start line the mood was very somber- Songo Fipaza and a number of the Songo kids were at the start line in memory of Burry. Songo made a stirring speech celebrating Burry’s extraordinary life before Songo and the kids slowly led us through the neutral zone of Gordons Bay. Obviously I had to go to plan B and attack the guys on the open road to Rooiels- a much harder task.
Louis Bressler (Contego) and Bradley Weiss (not pictured) were with me at the finish. I tried to do Burry justice by finishing alone, but didn’t have enough wors power to do “the Kid” justice. I left it all out there none the less.
Click Training Peaks Power file above to see the fireworks- 2 attacks at over 1000W and 6 attacks at 750W+. No wonder I was too pap to TT properly.
With a kiss as “hand over”, Liezel blitzed the 13km road run- despite not being able to train nearly as much as she wanted to.
“Heavy feet, light hands” a tip I recently learnt. Of course, 2 extra Brains and Specialized FSR suspension doesnt hurt! Thanks to my Abu Dhabi Triathlon (March 3) training, (Done number of 150km rides at 300W) I recovered well after the road suffer fest and glided the knobbly tyre bike home in a fast 54’30.
After 15 years of top level Netbal, Liezel’s BMT kicked in on the 9km beach run, and ran her toes blood blisters.
The Dan Hugo vs Stuart Marais show-down was quite spectacular and closely contested. Stuart triumphed and passed us just before the finish. Togther with Brad Weiss, Theo Blignaut and Richard Murray this years’ SA XTERRA races will be hotly contested…
Camera man, Stu, Caveman and Princess Hotstuff. (l to r)
Is Syncronized Beach Run an Olympic event?
Click here for video highlights of 2013 Totalsports Challenge.
On our way home we yet again realized how fragile us road users are. From now on, we pledge to be safe, patient, friendly road users. Please join us in our campaign to make South African roads safe and friendly.
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