I just LOOOOOve Japan. I have raced here maybe 15 times. All ITU World Cups in the 90s and early 2000s.* (Cute results from 1996 below) I love the country, the people, the culture and especially the food. It is really refreshing coming here. So much respect, honour and pride. And now, my first XTERRA Japan!

*ITU Ishigaki 1996 results (SEE! I used to be able to swim!)

Read more ...

There once was a pet tropical tree frog called “Jupiter” at the Oakley HQ in California. Jupiter inspired these Jawbones: Limited Edition Oakley Jupiter Camo Jawbone

Recent Squirt photo shoot in Knysna, South Africa – Squirt’s HQ.

The two Cape Epic mountain bike stage races (900km in a week) I did taught me a few things:

1) Chamois cream goes with backsides like wheels goes with bicycles,

2) There is only one chain lube that lasts longer and keeps your chain clean: Squirt. If you dont rate triathletes, ask Ned and Travis and Kloser and those pros who use Squirt on the sly…

Because when the doing gets tough, the tough gets going…

Caveman takes XTERRA Knysna

“Soul riding” is what makes the Caveman tick. It is what drew me to triathlon and later XTERRA. It usually consists of fun technical riding in scenic surrounds, and when Ian’s training programme says something like:  “easy 1h30 doodle on MTB with 10×20″ sprints”  This is “winter” on the South African south coast- stunningly beautiful, nice temps and great whale watching.

Technical is fun and all, but there is something about beach riding I just cant resist… (No hills maybe)?

Of course, riding places bikes arent meant to go, results in a lot of fun, polished skills, and sometimes blood. You know its a good one when the impact makes it splatter all the way toe the tip of your toe…  Its amazing how painful those low speed crashes are. Just reiterates one of my favourite mantras: “Speed is your friend”

The real purpose of the trip was scouting wedding picture locations…

Check out my play bike: the Specialized Camber 29er. Its a fun, affordable 29er, its great on the trails and I use the Camber for fun rides and to go places I dont want to put my expensive S works bikes through. The Camber is an affordable 29er XC bike and sell for $1750 to $3000. (as opposed to $9000 for the S works bikes)

Hikers happen to walk by and snapped a snappy.

And in a nearby town we bumped into these musicians. (To protect the innocent, I wont mention the town.) The South Africans will love the Grashoppers! (Shoes from the 80s which goes great with a Safari suit)

Did a fun interview with the legendary Bob Babbitt a few months ago. Click HERE for a link to the podcast. Also look out for the Mark Plaatjies interview- classic!