This is my last year racing as a professional. I’ve known it for a few months, but somehow avoided putting it on paper or ether. It all started with sponsorships imploding, but that is a story for another day.

Our next chapter is very exciting: A baby girl – any day now!

Also, a unique new online coaching business, a unique racing series, Caveman Racing & Adventure training camps, Caveman Skills Clinics, an autobiography, building pump tracks, single tracks, riding motorcycles, less travel, more family time, more home time, (even) less swimming,  slower lifestyle, training for fun. And my first winter home.  More about that later.

Missing XTERRA Grabouw due to a lung infection was a great disappointment. Watching my last “home” XTERRA from the sidelines was really really hard.  If you’re not in the know, XTERRA in South Africa has really taken off in a big way. The Grabouw race has become a significant global event, with a legion of foreign athletes, big prize money, big media, and for a home boy, big King of the Hill points.

My most memorable experience at XTERRA Grabouw was during course practice. Watching a rare Berg Adder eating a mouse. (easily confused with the more lethal and much more common Puff Adder)

In the weeks after Grabouw,

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