Posts Tagged ‘Conrad Stoltz’
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:
#ThrowbackThursday Conrad Stoltz 1998 ITU All African Triathlon Champion Swakopmund Namibia
Conrad Stoltz & Lieuwe Boonstra 1st & 2nd at 1998 ITU All Africa Triathlon Championships Swakopmund Namibia
Back when we were chasing ITU points to qualify for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Speedos were the rage, we sewed and ironed our sponsors logos on, and Lieuwe had the most admirable horse-like pony tail in the biz. (this photo does not do it justice)
Lieuwe and I were a formidable team: Both 2nd pack swimmers but really strong cyclists, we’d get together on the bike, ride up to the lead pack- usually lead by David Hyam, Glen Gore and sometimes Tim Don. Once in the pack, I’d sit in and send Lieuwe up the road. If they chase and catch Lieuwe, I’d attack, and Lieuwe would bridge over to me later, or we’d repeat till we got away. But usually they would let Lieuwe go and watch me – the stirrer and stronger sprinter… I’d wait till Lieuwe had about a 30″ gap then attack and ride up to him, where we would start a furious through and off. This would be the crucial time to get clear of the chasers without bringing any unwanted fleet footed runners with. (Eksteen, Don, Gore et al.)
At this particular race
Caveman Skills Clinic Groenkloof Nature Reserve, Pretoria
Surprisingly, the quest to mastering MTB skills starts in the parking lot. Even for a group of Intermediate riders with a few Cape Epics under the belt.
We spent a lot of time on the tar. Its all about mastering the basics:
Even “Stopping 101” is surprisingly hard at first. Here Deryck shows good form and brake modulation.
And he brought the right bike: Dropper post, chunkier tyres, corner friendly frame geometry and a bit more suspension than your typical XC bike. Too many folks are hell bent on riding the “lightest, fastest most responsive” XC bike – which is pretty hard to ride well on trail) and overlook the bikes made for trail riding. (Deryck is on a mid level Specialized Stumpjumper FSR (Elite, I think) for about R40k or US$3800)
Look and learn. Watching and following are powerful learning tools.
Reuben van Niekerk is an ace Para cyclist with a few Cape Epics under the belt, and as you can see, he now knows how to drop bar and rail a corner. (Also thanks in part, to the “trail bike” as described above)
Anton never stopped smiling!
The Dreaded Drop off: First in the classroom…
Then follow the example
Then DO IT! “Hesitation = Devastation!!”
Center of gravity over the BB, off the brakes, look ahead etc…
Text message from Robrecht after he got back from “Class”:
If your Afrikaans is a bit rusty:
“Conrad. Just rode down the stairs by my house for the first time ever. Was surprised how easy it was. Thanks! Robrecht”
Anton drops in on his Enduro…
Jos drops in on his hard tail…
Once we all had a good grip on the skills we hit the Groenkloof trails and put new moves to the test.
Reuben crushing the rock section
Deryck showing good balance and posture. Elbows up & hips forward!
As confidence grew, the guys kept requesting harder and harder trails…
In fact, we kept riding till we hit Single Track Nirvana
There seems to be a great demand for “Free Speed” in the Gauteng area – stay tuned for more Caveman Skills Clinics- I’ll really get into it once my racing schedule calms down a bit later this summer.
#PrincessHotstuff did a great job helping with the coaching (shredding MTB and acing Netball is not far apart!) and for keeping the aid station stocked with cold BOS Sport and snacks, taking photos, organizing the admin, printing posters and organizing goodie bags: Squirt chain lube, Barrier Balm & tyre sealant and also Enduren products.
Hats off to the Groenkloof Nature Reserve, Pretoria for its fantastic trails and wildlife- it was quite a treat, and very far removed from the last time I rode there. Northern Transvaal MTB Champs, 1997 – Fritz Pienaar and I were racing head to head when I (largely due to lack of skill, but also the “single track” was a footpath) tangled in monkey vine and broke my collar bone. And thus put an eternal end to my status as a swimming ace.
Recon of Groenkloof with Frans the evening before – Africa at its best.
There are still a few spots open for Sundays’ Caveman MTB Skills clinic,
Sunday January 25 – Groenkloof Bike Park, Pretoria
Time: 07h00 – 10h00
Intermediate – advanced riders.
Clinic includes:
– Bike set up.
– The art of stopping.
– Cornering with confidence.
– Riding obstacles.
– Bunny hopping.
– Single track riding & reading trail aka “Building Free Speed”.
plus
– Q&A
– Goodie bag. Incl Squirt lube, BOS Sport & Enduren
– ’Signed poster for your ‘laaitie’ or yourself 🙂
Snack, drinks & ice provided
For bookings and more info, contact: liezelstoltz@me.com
For info on the Caveman: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/REALCaveman
Caveman ready for XTERRA Buffelspoort, South Africa
Gearing up (read “tapering” – once over 40, tapering starts early!) for XTERRA Buffelspoort next weekend.
More info on Stillwatersport XTERRA page.
Here is a cut and paste job from Ride Magazine:
Xterra legend Conrad Stoltz will kick-start the 2015 season in Buffelspoort (North West Province) when he toes the line at the much anticipated Totalsports Xterra Full presented by Rehidrat® Sport on Saturday, 24 January 2015.
Stoltz started his Xterra career in Richmond in 2001 when searching for a way to get motivated after the 2000 Olympics. “I felt burnt out and had a hard time getting motivated for another four year slog to the next Olympic Games,” says Stoltz. “My coach at the time said that I could do anything I wanted to get my mojo back. Paging through a USA Triathlete Magazine, I saw a picture of Steve Larsen running his mountain bike through a knee deep stream. This really appealed to my sense of adventure”.
“I made a few rookie mistakes at my first event including not knowing the course, borrowing a bike, riding with road pedals and road shoes to mention just a few,” continues Stoltz. “For most new triathletes swimming is the biggest hurdle, but once you’ve learnt to swim it’s by far the easiest of the three disciplines. If you’re new to swimming, spend the time and money to get private lessons. Swimming fitness is not a big deal. It’s all about having a good stroke, being comfortable in open water and being able to swim straight without having to follow a black line on the bottom. The Xterra Buffelspoort mountain bike course is not exceptionally hilly or technical, but you need a decent level of fitness and skill to get through it in good shape. You’ll need some reserves for the run. It is a tough run that starts out fun, scenic and technical, trail running at its best. After about 5km, the trail points to the sky and you start climbing. It will probably be hot, you’ll definitely be tired and the hill is long, really long. Xterra is not easy, but I recommend it to all athletes because it is fun, it’s an adventure and you get to meet really cool people”.
Adventure enthusiasts that are not yet ready for the challenge of the Totalsports Xterra Full, can enter the less daunting Totalsports Xterra Lite.
Calling all trail runners: Forming part of the action of South Africa’s largest off road triathlon, the Puma Trail Run incorporates the Xterra trail run routes and will take place on Sunday, 25 January 2015.
Event Information
Totalsports Xterra Full
Date Saturday, 24 January 2015
Venue Buffelspoort Dam
Format 1.5km swim, 26.5km mountain bike and 12km trail run
Totalsports Xterra Lite
Date Sunday, 25 January 2015
Venue Buffelspoort Dam
Format 400m swim, 17km mountain bike and 6km trail run
Puma Trail Run
Date Sunday, 25 January 2015
Venue Buffelspoort Dam
Format 6km and 12km
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