Posts Tagged ‘thule’
The Greyton Classic weekend.
The Oaks Estate. The setting for the Greyton Classic MTB race is quite idyllic, when it comes to scenery and ambiance. Central to the race is the Ehlers family, who owns and runs the wedding venue and working farm, which is centered around their beautifully restored Cape Dutch farmstead. Gert’s Nguni cattle roam the hills and Liezel and I picked Pink Lady apples till our pockets (and cheeks) bulged.
The Greyton Classic event has been running for 8 years now, and is Greyton’s largest event of any kind of the year. Riders, runners and duathletes could choose from a number of distances and routes. Racing
Gearing up for XTERRA New Zealand
Newsflash: New Zealand is stunningly beautiful! After a few long flights from CPT, JHB, Sydney to Auckland, we stayed right on the water (above) for a few days with Princess Hotstuff’s friends. During high tide I swam in the estuary and channel amoungst the boats. Water was surprisingly warm.
Unpacking some cool new toys. The Specialized Compak AirTool travel pump for tyre and suspension is not only long overdue for traveling, but also beautifully engineered from all aluminium. LOOK S-track pedals & since we’re in the “worlds best fly fishing country” travel fly rod.
Brand new bike: I chose the Specialized Sworks “Epic” over the “Epic World Cup” model. This bike has a bit more suspension, the handling a bit more stable, and if I need to, I can put a double chainring on there.
First things first, I pre rode this legendary course a number of times. The Billy T single track is incredibly fun, and I wish the whole 25km bike course could be this much fun…
Grippy soil, flowing, well built trails,
Some interesting sections- VERY different from South Africa’s jerky, rocky trails.
Dont trip over the scenery. Green Lake.
Images straight out of childrens books…
Race venue.
Not called “Blue Lake” for no reason. The run is 2 laps around the lakes under a canopy of huge fern trees.
Cool new goodies- Hoka One One shoes, Thule bacpack and iPad cover & Columbia rain jacket– for the infamous NZ weather.
Leana (Vlooi) de Bruin, Princess Hotstuff (Liezel Wium in her Netball days) and Irene van Dyk.
After a few days training on the course in Rotorua, we went to Hamilton. The highlight was watching Princess Hotstuffs’ old teams (Magic vs Pulse) and her “old” teammates playing a super exciting Netball game- live on TV in front of a packed stadium. The game is huge in NZ!
The lowlight is a costly trip to the eye doctor. I had the pterygium sliced off my eye excatly 6 weeks ago and since then my eyes has been super sensitive to light. Like REALLY sensitive- not being able to drive or be in the sunshine for even short periods. Fortunately its been rainy and cloudy and this course is 99% shaded by tall fern trees.
Race day tomorrow.
a Caveman car for a Caveman situation…
Caveman’s Stellenbosch Kelfords Ford Fietsta Ambiente 1.4
[Open letter to friend and owner of Kelfords Ford and Mazda in Somerset West, South Africa]
Dear Tristan,
Thank you very much for the use of your wonderful little Ford Fiesta. We love the fuel economy, (5.9L per 100km) the nippy handling, the voice activated, hands free phone and radio system and the fact that it can take 4 bikes (size XL Specialized) plus gear. (2 bikes on the Thule Roof racks, 2 inside the hatch back- padded with the food and equipment needed for a long weekend training camp.)
BUT during our home-stay here in Las Vegas with Saffers Nic and Jodie Sacco, we got slightly spoiled with Nic’s everyday run around bakkie. “Spoilt” to say the least.
We would like to put in a request for your consideration for next years Caveman mobile:
The Ford Raptor F-150 SVT:
Yes, the one with the 6,2L V8 engine (420 Hp) and Fox racing suspension. To name but a few items.
18 races, 1 World Title (ITU Cross Tri), my 10th XTERRA USA Series title, 10 victories, 16 podiums and many many special memories.
My sporting highlight was winning my 2nd ITU Cross Triathlon World Title in Pelham Alabama, USA.
a Personal highlight was sharing the entire year and all the remarkable experiences with my gorgeous wife.
2012 also marked the comeback of the Caveman the roadie. More bike course records to fall this year…
Finally we found the cause my injuries, after more than 3 years of struggling with calf and Achilles injuries due to the cut foot. I used to run a painful 0 to 30km a week, and now I can finally start proper running again.
Hats off to my rocket scientist coach- Ian Rodger, who custom makes my training program every day-
Caveman’s Ford Fiesta for sale at Kelfords
The good folks at Kelfords Ford & Mazda are selling the Demo Model Ford Fiesta I have been test driving for you:
2010 Ford Fiesta 1.4i Trend. (Thule bike racks and Specialized bikes not included)
35 000 Km
Price R135 000
This is a great little car. Liezel and I fell in love with it right away. The Fiesta handles great, feels nippy in traffic and city driving, she turns on a dime, and if you wind her up tightly, goes fast enough to widen the smile already on my dial.
The interior is a lot more spacious than you may think, considering its a smaller car. With the split rear seats down, we could fit huge amounts of sporting and camping goodies for adventurous weekends away. With the bikes and/or surfboard on the Thule Roof racks we once even packed the double bed (mattress) on top of all the other gear… Plenty of leg room, head room (I’m 6ft2) and in terms of ergonomics, I cannot think of anything I could improve on.
This car is modern. VERY modern, considering my previous ride. The small things I like: (things I dislike about some other cars who try to think FOR me as opposed to OF me)
– No unnecessary stupid beeping. This car only beeps when your (or passengers’) seat belt is not on, and when you are about to leave the lights on, and if you have less than 80km in the petrol tank. (it beeps once to notify you when on the road, and if you start the car with less than 80km left, it beeps once softly upon starting up.)
The dash shows all kinds of data, including fuel economy, distance left on fuel in tank and avs fuel economy. (rated at 5.9l/100km, but I got more like 6.7- we often had two XL bikes on the roof, and with a slight;y heavy foot, I did get a few love letters from the traffic dept.)
The technology I enjoyed the most was the Bluetooth connectivity- I could use my iPhone hands free via the cars’ impressive sounds system. Calling was so easy and the sound quality so good, I saved phone calls for drives. It also boasts Voice Activation and other fancy technology beyond the grasp of a mere Caveman.
If you’re interested, please contact Tristan at Kelfords Ford & Mazda in Somerset West.
| Tel: +21 851 3333 Fax: +21 851 3834 info@kelfords.co.za |
Kelford’s Ford & Mazda 11 Victoria Street Somerset West 7130 |
|
Tristan, (currently getting ready for Ironman) and his crew are kind, warm hearted and offer exceptional service. They’re very active in the Multisport community, sponsoring Team Kelfords and Dan Hugo. And the Caveman. Thanks so much, Tristan for your support & kindness, and also “H”-ie for all the drop-offs and pick-ups at the airport.
The Fiesta is great for an active lifestyle- like motor pacing from Pringlebay to Hermanus…
Getting ready for XTERRA Grabouw course pre ride:
My previous ride: The Family Heirloom: I gave up the prized Grand Luxury Express to drive the Fiesta. My dad bought this Toyota Cressida GLE new in 1988- also the year I did my 1st triathlon- lots of sentimental value. Also great for cross training- like push starting, pumping tyres by hand etc
I know a hot stuff mobile when I see one. Check out this blog as further proof: Red Rocket and other cool cars blog.
