From: Christo Botha [mailto:CHRISTO@bergstan.co.za]
Sent: 02 March 2009 09:29 AM
To: Western Cape Deaf Cycling; Michael
Cc: CycleLab Club CT; Tim Osrin; Gary M -Cycle Lab; Zaheer Ortell;
Graeme Swart; astrid.mullins@talk21.com; Johan Reyneke; Trek & Stoor;
Neville Cragg; Noel@nu-style.co.za; penni@aeonmail.co.za; Robbie De
Fleuriot; Steven Hirst; rod@elitepainters.co.za; Tim Spencer; Rob Cragg;
Chris Wilkins; Pieter Swart
Subject: My Boland Tour Experiences!!
I took part the Boland Tour last week and it was a great experience for
me because I had not done tour before. I have learnt alot.
Stage 1: We had to do 2,7km climb up to Paarl Monument. It was 36
degrees and I started too fast and my throat burned like fire. Managed
to hang in there. Did 9:54. Came 141out of 147. I thought there will be
no pro team, but there were German team, British team, Neotal team,
Garmin Felt team and young MTN team.
Stage 2: We rode hard up to the Pass near Riebeeck Kastel. One rider's
crank pedal came off and Gary dropped the chain, but luckily we managed
to catch up the bunch after the Pass. On the way back to Wellington and
I ran out of liquid, so I moved back to the car, but the driver Gerald
of our club took so long to come back to me and I could not get back to
the bunch. I rode in the last 2 laps without fluids. The driver had to
follow the leaders and he did not give me enough liquids when he came
past. I was cross, but luckily some cyclists gave me some drinks. Did
124km in 3hr 14mins and came 115/133.
Stage 3: I was shocked when they told me that I did not finish the stage
2 and I spoke to the time keeper. He forgot to write down my number. If
you don't finish the stage, you cannot ride next stage. Luckily
everything was sorted out. We had to do 5 laps at Paardeberg. I got
dropped just before 2 lap because 3 guys fell and I braked hard to avoid
accident, then the bunch went hard on long climb and I could not get
back to the bunch, but kept going. I felt like a taxi driver because I
caught up lots of dropped riders along the way. My legs nearly died on
the last climb near the finish. Did 125km in 3hr 36mins and came
113/115. I can't believe that my coach, Michael's frame broke, but he
managed to do well.
Stage 4: It was so hot and I did not feel like riding because my legs
felt so sore. My team-mate, Tim did not start because he did not feel
good. Lucas and Kent did not enter first 3 stages because of work, but
they tried to start fourth stage. The organiser turned them down because
it was unfair for others. We went fast up to near Franshoek, then the
pace went too fast on the way to Wellington. I got dropped near Klapmuts
and I realised that I can't continue without liquids because the
secondary car was gone. So Chris Botha had puncture earlier and he could
not catch up the bunch, so we took short cut to Paarl and we climbed up
to Hex River Pass to watch the leaders. I managed to get liquids to
finish at the top. Armand did not complete because he did not feel good.
I did not finish race, but it was a great experience for me. Gary from
our club won in the veteran section and I am happy for him.
I need to concentrate on improving my long hill climbing and long speed
work near the future. I am feeling fine, but my legs still felt sore. I
hope, I will recover in time for the Argus.
<<tour de boland 1.jpg>> <<tour de boland 2.jpg>>
Christo Botha
Civil Engineering Technician
BERGSTAN SOUTH AFRICA
Consulting and Development Engineers (Pty) Ltd
Bergstan House
52 Loop Street
Cape Town
8001
Tel: (021) 487 4900
Fax: (021) 424 7653
Cell: 082 604 1191 (sms only)
E-mail: christo@bergstan.co.za
Website: www.bergstan.co.za
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