Xterra-rists

Given the lack of truculent hippos and magically appearing sandbanks down here in the Cape we have to find other ways to get our kicks - like rushing about the mountains after work on a bike. Unfortunately the long summer seems to be drawing to a close down here and while the vineyards might look great turning all red and orange, the sun is starting to go down a lot earlier. This means one of two things: leaving work earlier to go riding (not really the responsible thing to do) or getting more gear like lights (the biking thing to do - there's a piece of additional gear for EVERYTHING!) So as if cycling kit wasn't steamy enough already now we can bring on and additional element - little flashing lights! Woohoo! I'm more and more convinced that cycling kit is used and designed by people who were disappointed to miss out on the 70s disco scene but have cunningly found a way to wear tight bright clothing without getting beaten up, the same thing applies to golfers who are really just people looking for an excuse to wear sleeveless Argyle jerseys - even if it says Pringle it's still crap!!


Anyway, style issues aside, the reason for post work training? Well, some time ago I got the strange idea into my head that participating in triathlons seemed like a good idea, so Saturday sees my first foray into the world of team endurance events (I'm not quite brave enough to do it all alone yet...there's running involved). So I managed to persuade Bourquin that swimming 1.5 km in a cold dam in Grabouw would be fun, we found a runner for the 12 km trail run and I'm doing the 30 km cycle leg. I thought I had a good deal until I read the route description yesterday:

"...Grabouw offers a variety of challenging terrain from good (if somewhat loose) surfaced fire road, a choice of sandy, rocky or gravelled jeep track, single track climbing, single track descending, pine trees and fynbos to hike-a-bike (yes, you may have that thrown at you) and drop-offs, short steep power climbs to long, teeth gritting and praying it will end soon type climbs! The task I set myself each year is to produce a world class Xterra route that encompasses many if not all of the above challenges. This year sees the Xterra athlete racing along some fire road, as much single track as I can build and clear – both ascending and descending, jeep track and there is one section that most if not all Xterra athletes will have to get off and carry/push their bikes! So the mini challenge is “Can you do it without getting off your bike?” "

So now I'm not too sure... I don't need any extra "mini challenges" all the rest sounded quite enough to me! Then when I took my bike in to get a new back tire, I mentioned the Xterra to the bike-shop man who immediately said that he'd check my brakes too as I'd "definitely be needing those". Should I be more concerned? But at least it's during the day, so I won't have to worry about lights...


Anyway, it should be fun - the first outing for Team Sierra.Foxtrot.Tango - if you need an explanation, "Eeeeeeh, Sorry for that!" I'll post some results maybe some photos of Bourquin (Callsign "Tango") in his Speedo on Monday - don't say I didn't warn you!!