Martin Dreyer Academy Blog

Having trained my ‘Change a Life’ Zulus to a level that they can compete with the best, I thought 2011 should also be a year of giving those that have worked so hard, opportunities to experience the extraordinary.
The year started with a bang, with John Ntuli flying down to Cape Town on the weekend to compete in the Totalsports Challenge Terra Firma ( 50km Road Bike, 13km Road Run, 25km MTB, 9km Beach Run).

JOHN NTULI – RACE READY….

Huge Thanks to Alex Van Zyl, who fetched John from the airport, accommodated him and took care of his race logistics.
John hung in on the front bunch on the first 50km Road Bike leg, to come in 12sec off eventual winner Nico Pfitzenmaier. After a speedy transition, he sped off on the 13km Road Run, holding his own to come into the MTB transition still in the top 5. With the heat almost becoming unbearable, he tackled the Mtb, his favourite discipline. “I was working very hard, staying with the big boys, but then my back wheel burst. I bombed it a few times, but it kept going flat….,” said a despondent John afterwards.
Eventually he put a tube into the tyre, in order to be able to continue riding. “When I was fixing the puncture, the guys were just flying past, I think I was then coming twentieth”. He admitted afterwards that the MTB leg was the toughest of the four. John made up a few positions on the energy sapping 9km Beach Run, saying that it was the first time he has run on the beach. “with the waves crashing next to me, it was a lekker run, but the sand makes your legs get more tired than normal”.
Nico Pfitzenmaier of Germany took gold in the individual men’s category of the Terra Firma Challenge, crossing the finish line in an impressive time of 03hours54minutes09seconds. Adrian Enthoven came in second, while Rohan Kennedy finished third.

I believe John had an outside chance of making the podium, but now we will never know. What he learned was that Adversity  lies around every corner, and its how you deal with it thats important. Sure he was super disappointed, but I was pleased to see, he took it on the chin, dealt with it and never gave up. Too many times, athletes throw in the towel in situations like this.

According to Michael Meyer, Event Organiser, the 2011 Totalsports Challenge was a huge success. “We’ve seen tremendous growth in the Terra Firma Challenge, while the competition in the team category of the Totalsports Challenge has been an endless source of excitement each year. The Totalsports Challenge will celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2012 and we’re hoping to attract over 1000 entrants on the day,” says Meyer.

CHALLENGE OF THE CAPE POINT….

‘Change a Life’ athletes, Kwanda & Richard say they have never been so tired in all their lives [that is with the exclusion of Non Stop Dusi, which is a different sort of tired – paddling 90km and running 30km with your canoe], having just completed the legendary 60km Cape Point Challenge.

Kwanda was having the race of his life, paddling with my good friend Peter Cole, they were leading the race with just 2 km to go and unfortunately got pipped on the line. However, history was made, with this being the first time a Black paddler has ever stood on the podium of this famous Race. Pete has had a long history with the Cape Point having completed it 12 times and having won it 2 times, a better partner would have been hard to find. Richard paddled with Steve Farrel, young and super fast, but lacking the ‘x-factor’ that only comes with experience.

I have always felt a close affinity with the Cape Point Challenge as it was here that I ‘cut my teeth’ or some say ‘paid my School fees’, being my first real paddling challenge. Teaming up with Pete in 1992, we ventured out in the big blue, passing around the gnarly Cape Point with big eyes, happy not to bump into the Ghost of the Flying Dutchman, that frequent those waters. Then 15 years later, in 2008, Pete and I reunited our challenge on this Classic Race, to finally emerge victorious.

Such was the ‘awesomeness’ of their trip, Richard (known to his close friends as Bho) now wants to live in Cape Town. Having already made this decision, he was doubly convinced as Pete took them out for dinner in the Glitzy Water Front to celebrate their achievement. You can only imagine the contrast – ….

The exact moment that Bho was flying back from Ct to Durbs on Sunday, I was paddling alongside his brother, Nhlanhla, down at Nagle Dam. Sitting on his wave, I gave him a run down of what transpired on the weekend – the biggest smile developed and he nodded at every sentence – swelling with pride at his brother’s endeavours.

90 % of my Change a Life boys are ‘scaredy cats’ to paddle on the Ocean, as its steeped in Myth in what lies beneath that vast expanse of Water. Having paddled with Bungi on the Ocean down in Plett in preparation for our 2008 Dusi onslaught, he says never again. The experience was just too terrifying – birds (Cormorants & Gannets) were suddenly appearing from below the surface, Dolphins cruised past in the distance and to top it off, the turn buoy we paddled around, had a Whale frolicking on top of it…. too much action  for a Valley Boy.

This adventure was an absolute success, thanks Peter for accommodating my two ‘Change a Life’ athletes and thus fulfilling one of my Medium/Long term objectives of my Academy – Promote travel in the Sports World – developing the athlete with experiences that cannot be created in the Valley of a Thousand Hills.

Please see: www.surfski.info for related articles

AND… MORE PHOTO’S TO FOLLOW SHORTLY…

RICHARD – IN FULL STRIDE, CHASING HARD….

Every second week over the last six weeks, some of  my ‘Change a Life’ Zulus have been taking part in the DUCT (Dusi/Umgeni Conservation Trust) Trail running series. The first two events were held at two of KZN’s best kept secret trail running venues. And both a stones throw away from Pietermaritzburg.

MKHONZENI – helped mark the route and manned the water station….

Cumberland Nature Reserve hosted the first run and what an incredible turnout of more than 300 runners. I arranged with Michael Mbanjwa (my 2008 Dusi winning partner) to bring the best runners of my ‘Change a life’ squad to the 6:30 early morning start. An absolute pleasure not to have to hassle with boats, bikes and everything else and to have the boys waiting under the start banner in time for race briefing.  As usual, my warriors were like whippets off the line. Cumberland- a small game reserve bordering a stretch of the Umgeni River, is home to ample breeds of game and birds and have recently become home to two giraffe. “Change a Life’ youngster, Sizwe, blitzed the 14km long course, crossing the finish line first, with no-one in sight. Having never earned a penny, the smile that beamed across his face when recieving the R400 1st prize, I thought he won the Lotto.

NHLANHLA & SIZWE – winners of the 7km & 14km

Being only a week after Triple Challenge, the other boys opted for the 7km short course, as legs were still weary from the monumental effort of the Triple Challenge. Here Nhlanhla came first, shortly followed by Kwanda.

ALL SMILES – fun day’s training….

The second race of the series was again held in ‘my back yard’. As the world knows of Table Mountain in the Cape, Table Mountain overlooking Nagle Dam (where my valley boys live and train), could well be considered for being one of the greatest Wonder’s of the World. It is a sacred place for the local tribes and has rarely had ‘mlungus’ (white people) tickling its back.

ATOP TABLE MOUNTAIN

With the Dusi Canoe marathon in February being the major focus now, and the 2-day 50-miler the following weekend (biggest pre-race to the Dusi), my ‘Change a life’ A-Team were doing a long paddle session on Nagle Dam. The non-paddlers from my Academy were here to run.

SIZWE – first 1.5km near vertical start….

Sizwe, once again was here on a mission. Blasting off the line, up a near vertical hill for the first 1.5km, he made a rookie error of going too hard to early and it wasn’t long before his legs failed him and he hung in to finish 3rd overall. 

FOCUSSED – Nhlanhla soon to overtake Sizwe….

Even though he was not supposed to be running (should of been paddling), how could I not be impressed with Nhlanhla. He ran an excellent race to come 2nd overall and thats with having cycled out of the Valley to get to the start of the race, possessed with the possibility of maybe winning prize money. That hill he had to conquer on his bicycle, is the toughest hill I have ever ridden on a ride. Approaching it from the bottom, with mist at the top, it could well be the pathway to Heaven. I shake my head in amazement, that he was still able to punish the 14km course. But he was soon to find out, that everything comes at a price -  the next day was the start of a niggle in his knee. 

JEANNIE – showing  a clean pair of heals to the other girls…. (see top right of picture)

With baby-sitting duties, I took on a passenger for the short course – 7km

            CALLUM – taking a break halfway ( me too)….[Note: Nagle Dam in background, home base for my ‘Change a Life’ Academy. Thats where Nhlanhla cycled from this morning to get to this run….

3RD DUCT TRAIL RUNMUSI & SIZWE – at the start….

This past weekend, the third run of the Series was held at the majestic venue of Hilton College. The 14km route was the toughest yet. Runners were mislead by the easy going, mostly downhill first half. The incredible scenery, running upstream along the Umgeni River, guarded by spectacular cliffs either side, too distracted the runner from possible fatigue they might have felt. But there was no hiding from the murderous ascent that was required to climb back out the valley, to cross the finish line. No matter who you were, your heart rate would of maxed and your lungs gasped for air – this medal was justly earned.

MUSI & SIZWE (within black circle)- about to begin the monster ascent up Gwen’s Valley….

Sizwe ran his best race todate, pacing beautifully off the much more experienced local running legend – Muzi Madikwa (podium finisher in KZN Marathon Champs). Coming onto horizontal terra firma, after the monster climb, Muzi showed his class, as he changed gears and dropped Sizwe with minimal effort. Once again, Sizwe’s lotto smile as he went up to recieve his second place prize was priceless.

Not only did Zonele Nzuza win the Upper Umgeni Canoe Race, but two weeks later he went on to win the very technical Table Mnt Descent Canoe Race as well. This is the first time a ‘Change a life’ paddler has won a canoe race in a K1 (single) Canoe.

ZONELE NZUZA – upcoming star….

Zonele is a quiet, reserved individual, that is so shy he can’t even get out my car to talk to his ex Primary School Headmaster. Opting not to race the Triple Challenge so he could focus more on his paddling, he now is reaping the rewards of hard training and has jumped to a whole new level performance wise.
Who is this individual you might ask? Being overshadowed by Eric Zondi  and Thomas Ngidi,  Zonele has flown under the radar. However he is a boy with pedigree, having crossed the line in 14th position overall in last year’s 2009 Dusi. He too has placed 3rd overall in the Non Stop Dusi. Zonele & partner Nhlanhla Cele had a disappointing 2010 Dusi, based on poor boat choice for the race. Contrary to what all the other ‘Change a Life’ crews paddled, they were adamant to race in the very fast but unstable Venom K2, which was far too tippy for them, made worse by a full Day two. Three swims later, saw their top ten chances disappear. Buts thats racing, and now Zonele is the wiser….

ZONELE GRIMACING WITH THE EFFORT OF RUNNING UP  CABBAGE TREE

Dusi 2010 day 1

                                         TEAM ‘CHANGE A LIFE’ (clockwise from top left) ERIC, NHLANHLA, MART, IAN, LUCAS, KWANDA & JOHN                                                                  

The ‘Triple Challenge’ means just that. Three different disciplines covering almost 100km of rough terrain. A 21km Trail run/ 52km MTB/18km Paddle (including 2 portages) is not for the meek and mild, which suits a few of my ‘Change a life’ multisport warriors perfectly. I keep preaching to them, “you must enjoy it when the going gets tough, because this is when your competitors wilt, and it gives you a chance to get ahead. Its how you deal with those ‘tough’ conditions that counts”. They got a taste for this race in 2009, but this year they were armed with new ammo… lightweight racing mountain bikes.

SHOPPING AT THE SPAR THE NIGHT BEFORE – the team stayed at Umphiti Backpackers in PMB  – where Kwanda cooked a gourmet meal

Bubbling with excitement, Lucas, Kwanda, Eric, Nhlanhla and John took up prime spot on the 5:30am start line. I asked Eric how he was feeling. “Nervous Mart” was his reply. And understandably so, as this event has been a long time coming, with countless hours of hard training going into its preparation.

As usual at the briefing of these off-road adventure sports events, the athletes are warned to keep a close eye on the route markings as there is a good chance that markers might get moved/stolen, or confusion at intersecting paths.

JOHN NTULI – raced the Multi- Cross

I too was excited to have John Ntuli, (the development athlete who did the Southern Storm Duathlon a month ago) racing for the ‘Change a life’ team in the Multi-Cross event- instead of finishing with the paddle leg he would have to run a tough 5km loop. This event has become popular over the past two years and has a number of very competitive athletes coming from all over the country.

ERIC  ‘charging on run‘

My ‘Change a Lifers’ led the charge from the start in Pietermaritzburg. 800m tar took the athletes straight onto dirt tracks that were a never ending rollercoaster so there was little time to get a regular breathing pattern or a settled heart rate. After 5km Eric had slipped into the lead, with John then Nhlanhla some 50m behind. Lucas was 6th and Kwanda, struggling a bit, in 8th. With the trail going this way and that, criss-crossing numerous times under the N3 running to Durban, my nightmare of the boys losing the trail came home to roost. About halfway, to my utter dismay, my two best hopefuls for podium positions were no longer leading the pack or even in the top ten. Later I found out that they had crossed a waist-deep water section under the highway and turned back when they hadn’t seen any bunting tape for a while. Seeing Eric and the stricken look on his face, he needed to calm down. I ran along side him saying “don’t panic, work your way SLOWLY back up the positions…. To the contrary, adrenaline pumping and inexperience playing a hand, they surged and rocketed through the field, coming into the run-bike transition in 3rd & 4th position. Incredibly, Lucas led the entire field into this change-over. Nhlanhla 5th and Kwanda 9th.

JOHN – powering uphill

With the boys dancing on their new bikes, it was game on. My hopes of Kwanda making the top 5 were still high, as he was my strongest cyclist (Big miles in Malawi took him to a whole new level). Although a flattish and fast route to begin with, the short, steep climbs that need to be tackled later on are worth saving a little ‘Vooma’ for. Three quarters into the ride is an exhilarating stretch of single track and steep descents with a leg-burning hike-a-bike. Not even 10 km into the bike, Eric started cramping from the over-exertion of the run.

ERIC suffering,  RICHARD encouraging

Nhlanhla passed him quick quick. Lucas up in front too was suffering the same fate as Eric and started dropping a few positions. Usn Crampblock became their best friend and magically eased the cramps to get them back to race pace. Kwanda was living up to my old adage of “Steady wins the game” and began powering through the field. Before the end of the cycle, Eric dug into his inner reserves and passed Nhlanhla, getting a 40sec head start on the canoeing leg. This transition wasn’t without drama, till now Richard (Nhlanhla’s brother) and my seconding was smooth as ever, but then Eric gets into his boat – no paddle.

RICH & I quite relieved – all the guys are on the water….
Richard made a quick scurry to the bus and back and with minimal time lost, a frustrated Eric was on his way. The 18km Inanda Dam paddle is quite a task after already 3hr30 of intense racing. The mirror flat water to the dam wall was a relief for any Triple Challenge competitor, making things a little easier. But this usually doesn’t last very long and soon the wind was stirring up waves that made tired bodies grimace at the extra effort it required to balance the boat, let alone keep it gliding forward. Many competitors halfway through the paddle called it a day, as conditions got the better of them. For the ‘Change a Life’ athletes, these were perfect condition. Not because it was any easier for them but because they had programmed their minds to “deal with it better” and this enabled them to get “ahead of the curve” Lucas put in just ahead of Kwanda. The two portages were a welcome sight, enabling stiff legs to be stretched.

LUCAS – almost there….

Not being part of the action, waiting at the finish line is something I have yet to get used to. Normally the guys would work (draft as in cycling) together on the paddle, but with podium status and prize money on offer, friendships would resume after the race.
The finish line was like a ‘Change a life’ wave. My Zulus exceeded my wildest expectations – Eric – 2nd, Nhlanhla – 3rd, Kwanda – 4th and Lucas 6th.
Lucas came to the finish line with 5th position, but could not make the mad dash, as he was dragging his canoe, his legs said ‘Howzit’ and he was reduced to a hobble.

LUCAS -90km done, 20 meters to go - taking a moment, summing all his will-power to finish

John Ntuli, in the Multi-Cross, came into the last bike-run transition a mere 20sec behind eventual winner Justin Porteous. Hitting the wall, halfway in this 5km run leg, third place Raol de Jong caught up to him. However nearing the finish line, John managed to surge ahead, securing his second position overall.

JOHN – deservedly claiming 2nd in the Multi-Cross- amazing effort for his debut Triple

PODIUM: MULTI-CROSS – Raoll de Jong (3rd), Justin Porteos 1st), John Ntuli (2nd)

You can only be a ‘Dark Horse’ once, and from now on Nhlanhla Cele is a marked man. Flying under the radar, Nhlanhla raced like a machine, dealing with cramps on the bike as if it was a midday picnic. Not sure who was more proud, Nhlanhla or his brother Richard.

PODIUM: MULTISPORT – Dan Hugo (1st), Eric Zondi (2nd), Nhlanhla Cele (3rd)

All I can say – excellently done, what a magnificent performance.
Before heading back, to drop my boys at home in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, we stopped for a huge feed – and rightly so.

Down in the Valley, unlucky for my SUPERSTARS, they had one more discipline left - walk 5oom home up a steep hill. A hill too steep for my bus. What a day….

WITH THE SPOILS OF ‘VICTORY’ ITS HOME GEROME….

GOLD MEDALIST – “CHANGE A LIFE” PADDLER, PAULOS SHOZI

African Junior Sprint Championship 2010,Tunisia

Canoeing South Africa selected a development team to take part in the African Junior Championship held in Tunisia a few weeks ago. The team consisted of two girls and 3 boys, namely She Earl De Wee (Western Province), Tiiesetso Machate, Siseko Ntondini, Sifiso Cebekhulu (Gauteng) and “Change a Life” – Paulos Shozie.

Upon arriving in Tunisia, the team went for light training for an hour, getting used to the competition boats and the lake. The following day the team again did some light training, joined by the Moroccans’, Egyptians  and the Algerians.  

The 1^st day of racing  was a bit windy in the morning causing waves on the lake, which  was not good especially for the girls, some even capsizing. Paulos made it through  the heats to the final for the 1000m sprint, and raced brilliantly to claim GOLD.

The  2^nd  day of the competition started with the athletes racing the new Olympic distance – 200m.   Paulos  was 3^rd  (bronze) and Sifiso was 6^th. In the Girls K1 200m Final, She-Earl paddled superbly to come 1^st and Tiiesetso was 7^th.
  
In the Boys 4000m, Paulos powered his way across the line in 1^st position, claiming his second Gold medal of the Championship. Siseko was 2nd, winning silver (both were taken for Anti Doping tests for their performance). The Girls 4000m was raced in the afternoon, wherein She Earl came 3rd, earning a Bronze medal. 
Arriving back in SA, late at night, Paulos couldn’t wait till morning to phone me. Upon answering he  immediately ranted I won two Gold medals, two Gold Medals. Half asleep, I responded “what do you mean two Gold Medals?” African Champs Mart! I’m the fastest in Africa. – What an experience for a Zulu boy from the Valley of a Thousand Hills who has to walk 9km to training every day. Paulos so deserved to stand on top of the African podium.

Overall, South Africa was 2^nd and Tunisia was 1^st.                                                                                                                                      Well done Paulos….      

It was really great to manage the young team that showed a lot of commitment and respect. Even some other Team leaders from other countries were so happy to see the young South African showing the smile and unity in working together and doing so well on the water” – Artwell Mhlophe - Team Manager, African Junior Sprint Championship 2010    ——————————————————————————

FIRST CANOE RACE OF THE SEASON…. “CHANGE A LIFE” WARRIORS PODIUM 

ERIC & LUCAS in the TEETH OF THE MOTO X WEIR

The Ngwenya canoe race was a qualifier and development team selection race for the Fish River canoe marathon (taking place on the 1^st and 2^nd October), so my boys were out in full force to try and come in the first 9 Development doubles, in order to secure their seat on the bus to Cradock in the Eastern Cape – because apart from being one of the best rivers to paddle in the country, all-round it is one of the most fun sporting weekends away – concluding with a real ‘Rock and Roll’ festive party.

ERIC & LUCAS TACKLING THE NEW IMPROVED COMMERCIAL RD WEIR

‘Change a life’s first doubles crew of Lucas and Eric kept the pressure on the second place finishers all the way down river, from the start at Campsdrift, to the finish 16km downstream at the Motocross Track. This section includes the notorious Earnie Pearce Weir, Commercial Rd weir (a lot easier since they lessens the gradient of the weir), Mussons rapid (the left and right lines were equally popular), Highway rapid, Low Level Bridge, Taxi rapid and the monster Motocross Weir to finish.

COLIN BURDEN ANCHORING THE K3 (3 PADDLERS) IN THE MOTO X WEIR

I felt terrible for top twenty K1 Dusi finisher Kwanda and his partner Moses when they had an unfortunate swim at Earnie Pearce. In such a short race, any mistake has dire consequences- (as they say, kicked out the the back door), as there is not enough time to recover and catch up.

 ERIC & LUCAS HAPPYCHAPPIES….

Overall positions and making the KZN Dev Team to the Fish

3 – Lucas Mthalane & Eric Zondi

5 – Skhumbuso Ngidi & Thobane Mzolo

6 – Mmeli Cele & Paulos Shozi

12 – Mzamo Zondi & Scelo Mzolo

                     and

Richard Cele & Nhlanhla Cele (didn’t compete as their Father passed away,   however were also included as a wild card entry in the KZN Dev Team).

‘ONE ARM’ JAN IS AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL – DOESN’T MISS A RACE

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CAPITAL CLIMB – Maritzburg’s most popular run

I thought it would be a lekker opportunity for my ‘Change a life’ boys to see the real road runners of Pietermaritzburg- the guys that run a sub-70min ½ marathon. Also, it would be a great chance for me to show them how to pace themselves on a run that starts with a challenging 8km climb and ‘ends’ with a (7km) downhill – 15km total.  Starting the Capital Climb in Maritzburg, under the infamous Comrades banner of the City Hall, my boys were overly excited to be lined up with thousands of other runners at the crack of dawn. Waiting for the start gun, I explained to Eric & Sizwe (my fastetst), “if the winner today only starts running when you get to the 3km marker,  he will  still beat you.” They responded in unison, “No way, impossible.” The bet was on.  

Four minutes after the start, running within the multitude of masses, Mkhonzeni was still so excited  that he could not contain himself and was  loudly ‘whoohooing’ to the world. Clever or not, Zonele and Kwanda tagged onto my pace, thinking that I would have the ‘know’, how to get them to the end respectably. Wearing our ‘Change a Life’ branded tops created such positive encouragement from the thousands of onlookers lining the route - they recognised the logo from their incredible Dusi  results.

Eric and Sizwe ate humble pie at the end, astounded that there are runners in this world that can run so fast…. It was a great experience all round but if anything, it redefined their limits in how fast a person can actually run – illustrating that although Eric is the fastest man in the Valley of a Thousand hills, he is definitely not the fastest man alive.

 FISH CANOE MARATHON

No Swims…. 

I joined my ‘Change a Life’ paddlers in a Fish River Training camp 4 days before the race itself. Other Canoe Club’s Development paddlers participated as well. We all camped at Marlow High School just outside Cradock, with breakfast and supper catered for by the School, and a visit to the Spar dealt with the lunches.

Michael Mbanjwa joined our camp, and we each paddled with two incredibly talented youngsters (14 years old), Colin Letwaba and Katiso Hlahatsi,  from the Victoria Lake Canoe Club in Jhb.

“Change a life” paddler Nkosi, paddling in a Bethlehem Canoe as he was partnering with novice paddler Jabulani from the Dihlabeng Slalom Club - Free State. 

Two of my “Change a life”‘ paddlers teamed up with novice Fish paddlers from the Dihlabeng Slalom Club in Bethlehem. Nkosi is now living in Bethlehem and is the Development coach there, earning a small salary. It was good to see the tripping was taken seriously and no negative incidents occurred on the River. The much talked about “double trouble” was successfully negotiated by everyone, except to the amusement of all, on Michael and Colin’s second attempt – Michael fell out half way and Colin shot the big hole perfectly by himself in the K2 with no driver.

The bar has been raised with regard to the Development Assault on the Fish – take a look at these results:

8 Development K2’s came in the top 100

14 Development K2’s came in the top 150

17 Development Boats came in the top 170

 TRAINING FOR THE MIGHTY TRIPLE CHALLENGE (20km Run, 52km Mtb,20km Paddle)

ERIC, LUCAS & KWANDA  loving their new Mountain Bikes….

On the weekend, we grabbed the opportunity to ride the Mtb route by joining the race organisers ‘official’ tripping ride. With the varying ability of the riders, I encouraged my boys to do extra loops while we periodically waited for everyone to regroup. The slow ride gave them a chance to memorise the course and was such good Q-time for me with them. I gave advice where I thought it best to push hard, ease up, eat (before long downhills) etc…. Having a few flat tyres, the guys saw the need to stay on the paths at all times and not cut corners to save a few meters. Before the race I will make Eric and Kwanda’s bikes  tubeless. Lucas is superstitious with this no tubes ideology and would rather take his chances with tyre liners.

Not sure if it’s the long, steady base miles  gained in Malawi or his brand spanking new GT Zaskar Pro XT, but whatever it is, Kwanda is riding like a machine. He is by far the strongest of the ‘Change a Lifers’ on the bike and would love to enter him in a ‘plain jane’ road bike race and see what comes of it (maybe the 94.7km race). He displays such raw power, emitating Jan Ulrich’s habit of pushing big gears come flat or climb.

It took a little persuading (Pizza on the way home was part of the bribe deal) to get them to join me on the water and complete the 20km paddle leg after the cycle.

                                                                       ERIC & LUCAS – session complete….

I am very excited to have John Ntuli join the “Change a Life” Academy. Not being a paddler, I have entered him in the popular Multi-X section (20km trail run, 52km Mtb, 5km run) of the Triple Challenge.  He has incredible talent (machine biker and runner) and think he will take alot of the ‘big boys’ by surprise. I watched him take part in the Team category in the Multisport races we have been doing, so when a sponsored entry from Hi-Tec, for the mighty 6 day Southern Storm fell into my hands, I thought he would be the best person for the job. The long Otter Trail Run caught him offguard, but thereafter he was mixing it up near front.

The Triple Challenge is just around the corner – 7^th of November.

SURPRISE, CONTAINER…. 

BOAT STORAGE

It was great news when Carol Church from ACSA  phoned me last week and said my ‘Change a life” container was ready for delivery. With the increase of our Canoe fleet, storage has become an issue of late.

PRE -”CHANGE A LIFE”             

CURRENT “CHANGE A LIFE” SETUP

What a Treat….

 OZZIE GLADWIN….

KWANDA – top five hopeful in the Triple Challenge in a few days

Regarded as the season opener for the Dusi Canoe Marathon, this race gives one an excellent idea of where your fitness is at in terms of running & paddling.

There’s no holding back at the start as paddlers jostle for a good placing amongst the mass of paddlers, especially so, because the first 8km paddle is on the flat waters of Albert Falls Dam. As in Cycling, the group goes faster than the individual because of the drafting effect of hiding behind someone. Now in paddling, this same effect is created if you sit alongside another canoe and its called ‘riding the slip’.

 After 30 min, there is a lung burning 2km portage, up and over the Dam wall, down to the Umgeni River. From there it’s a beautiful 21km paddle down a technically easy stretch of River. For the last two months, most of my ‘Change a Life’ big hitters have been focussing on the Triple Challenge (21km trail run, 52km Mtb, 20km paddle) which is this coming weekend – training their weakest discipline – cycling. So for my Academy, I had already accepted that this race would not be about results, just good honest training.

RICHARD – making a recovery from being ill….

It was awesome to see Mmeli Cele (2009 Dusi u/16 winner) charging up the portage in the top ten. Then on the river he pulled up a few more positions to finish an impressive 7^th overall. He has developed into a powerful  paddling machine and will be vying for top honours in the highly competitive u/18 category at Dusi next year. He is one of those unassuming guys that just gets on with it and is a pleasure to have around.

A few kilometers paddling down the river, a lapse in concentration saw Eric (coming 4th) make a rookie mistake, taking an incorrect channel which resulted in a 6min grovel trying to get back to the river proper. A few others, including Zonele Nzuza,  ‘followed my leader’. They never really recovered from this mistake – but hey, thats all part of the learning process.

Results:

7 – Mmeli Cele

14 – Zonele Nzuza (1^st u/21)

15 – Kwanda Mhlophe (2^nd u/21)

18 – Eric Zondi (3^rd u/21)

24 – Nhlanhla Cele

30 – Paulos Shozi

39 – Bheka Mzolo

42 – Mkhonzeni Gumede

48 – Mthobisi Cele/Ndumiso Ngcobo (u/14)

100 – Siboniseni Gcabashe

122 – Richard Cele

129 – Emmanuel Kirk

139 – Scelo Mzolo

                                                  KWANDA , MART & LUCAS – day 1Not often you get to do something that is just phenomenal and yet by your mere taking part in that something, you are having a positive impact on Society in SA. This ‘something’ that I am referring to, is the recent ‘Change a life’ Cycle tour in Malawi.

To make the cut onto the short list, you have to bypass the steel gates, guarded vidulently by Tour Director (TD), Ursula du Plooy. A license to ride is only on offer to the cream of the SA Corporate World and even then you are not an assured stakeholder. However, the TD is human and when her guard dropped, some ‘rats & mice’ slipped through the cracks in the form of myself, Malcolm Lange, Owen Hannie & Gerald de Kock

The Route Master, Jonathan Scott would never allow the ride to be a ‘chip & a putt’ and if he did, I think all would be highly disappointed. Yes, riding along the Lake is horizontal but the sting in the tail came in the last 7km of the 500km’s cycled. For those who did not know what their max heart rate was, soon found out, as we ascended skywards to the top of Zomba Plateau –  700m vertical gain over 7km – lovely.

                                FAREWELL PARTY AT OR TAMBO INT AIRPORT 

The ‘Change a life’ Cycle Tour is where the ‘bread & butter’ funding is generated to fund my  ‘Change a life’ Academy in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, along with generous contributions from USN and Hi-Tec.  Five of my ‘Change a life’ athletes were invited to come along as support crew. Forget Malawi, hanging out with Miss SA, what else could be important….  Flying for the first time scared the hell out of them. Before we took off, not thinking I said to Tom, “If the plane goes down, you won’t feel a thing….”

And to their utter disbelief, Kwanda (sponsored by Tracker – CEO Alan Hutchinson) and Lucas (thanks to Peter Koopman) actually participated, experiencing the ‘Red Carpet’ treatment firsthand. During the ride, at one of the rural food stops in the middle of nowhere, support crew Eric (3^rd in Dusi) says to me, “Mart, the kids, they fight for the water bottles here.” He continues, “the crazy thing is, there is nothing in the water bottles and they still fight for it.”

BICYCLES WERE THE MAIN FORM OF TRANSPORT IN THE RURAL AREAS

And so their eyes were opened to a whole new world, where hardship doubled and opportunity halved. They realised the majority of this super friendly nation’s focus, is spent surviving. Four days later, upon our return to the Valley of a Thousand Hills, Lucas says to me, “Mart, we have it good here.” This coming from a person who lives in an area where there is no electricity and water needs to be collected a kilometer away.

ANYTHING GOES….

The legs were now nicely warmed up, having cycled the 120km Computershare Day 1 and then The Kelly Group 190km Day 2. A momentary lapse in concentration and lack of communication from the ‘herd’, saw my front wheel disappear into a crater, resulting in a spectacularme cart wheel over the handle bars – buying myself a proper piece of Malawi.

                                                                                 GRIN or GRIMACE…                                                                                                        

That night, celebrating The TD’s birthday, we got the race briefing for the much anticipated ‘Sun International Amazing Race’ for the following day. Run a 100m, dig and find your personal drum buried in the sand, time trial cycle 18km out and 18km back, collect an ambulance bike and proceed on a 5km marked course, stopping to deliver 20 packets of goodies to a School teacher enroute, paddle 200m in a local Dug-out Canoe, run up the beach through the ‘Change a life’ Arch, to stop the clock.

‘CHANGE A LIFE’ FINISHER’S ARCH FOR THE “AMAZING RACE”

Then it was partnership selections, where the so-called bottom half (Hares and Tortoises) chose out a hat, a partner from the top half (Racing Snakes and Jackals). Phillip Shapiro drew my name, sealing the partnership with a handshake I instinctively knew that we wouldn’t go down without a fight – ‘all guns blazing’ was the plan of attack and deal with the consequences later….

The concept of the Ambulance bike seemed so foreign to us, the novelty experience of riding them would be fun & games, yet the brutal reality of this simplistic machine, was that it is the life-line of a means of getting the needy to hospital. The value placed on the local communities receiving these ambulance bicycles was illustrated in the arrival of the Minister of Tourism for dinner that night, who thanked the ‘Change of Life’ Cyclists for their incredible contribution to the community by the upliftment of the transport to get the pregnant Mothers, elderly and the sickly  to the local Clinics or hospitals – thus saving lives.

Minutes before the race; CEO of Computershare, Stan Lorge says, “David, we need these guys to race for something, how about a weekend away at your Livingstone Hotel in Zambia?” CEO Sun International, David Coutts-Trotter didn’t hesitate, “no problem, great idea.” Such was the no-fuss make a plan atmosphere of the entire Tour.

Lining up on the start line, I was excited for these top Execs to be experiencing something out of the ordinary -  I couldn’t help thinking “Welcome to my World”. A world where ‘curve balls’ were the norm, uncertainty around every corner and adversity the breakfast of Champions. Actually come to think of it, that applies to their world too. To rephrase:  “Welcome to my World” – grovelly soft sand, Ambulance bikes that weren’t racing machines, that went faster when you pushed them. 

GO! – Mad dash to the drum den – a good strategy was not to dig at all but to observe, then check all drums found, to see if it was yours. In that way you weren’t limiting your chances of success. Phillip found our drum just in time to make the 8 strong breakaway group on the bike. Having turned at the 18km mark, I could feel the peloton, lead by Malcolm Lange, hunting us down. 5km’s before the Ambulance Bike transition, our pack split, leaving just one other team alongside us – Racing Snake Brett and Jackal Nigel. Phillip charged down the runway on the Ambulance Bike like there was no tomorrow, with me running alongside him.

PARTNERS PHILLIP & MART – game on….

Then we turned into the Village to locate a ‘School’ and there awaited the soft sand – perfect – making it impossible to ride. I was jolted back to reality, upon reaching the ‘School’, where we must hand out packets of stationary/sweets to a teacher with twenty kids. Suddenly before us were 34 teachers, each with twenty kids, eagerly waiting in a perfect circle, hoping to receive our treats. Which group to go to….? The utter joy in their faces at this once in a life-time present was priceless. Although a mere ‘drop in the ocean’, I thought what we doing here today is good. I wish I had stayed a little longer to witness the next group of kid’s faces upon receiving the treats from the team behind us. But this was a race and the clock was ticking. Afterwards I thought, isn’t life always a race….

THANK YOU….

With the chain repeatedly coming off and Phillip’s calves misbehaving, it was best for me to push and Phillip to assume the position of a pregnant Mother on the stretcher part of the Ambulance Bike. With the temperature gauge soaring, admittedly this was the toughest part of the Amazing Race. But before one could lose ones sense of humour, we arrived alongside the lake, to a paddling experience extradinaire. I was excited to finally get to perform my speciality discipline, but these were no ordinary canoes. As a precaution, I chose the fattest, biggest Dugout for stability. And soon we were all aboard, paddling delicately along this Mauritius-like shoreline. Looking back, there were two teams also on the water. David Bellairs (Cycling SA CEO) & Mthunzi were making good progress, whilst behind them, Malcolm and Enzo were like a comedy act, finding the point of equilibrium impossible. And so, ‘thinking out the box’, Malcolm pushed their ship along waist deep, with Enzo getting a free ride. This sneaky manoeuvre saw them overtaking 2^nd place only to find out later that they were disqualified for bending the rules. Crossing the finish line first with Phillip was a relief. I think the verbal abuse I would’ve had to endure if that had not been the case would have been endless – like ‘drip torture’. Thanks Phillip for an unforgettable experience. Never before have I paddled at 3km/hr and won a race.  Thanks too David for a lekker prize.

VICTORY SALUTE

Lazing around later that day, recently retired CEO of Nedbank, Tom Boardman invited a few of us to join him on a boat cruise out to Bird Island to do some snorkelling and feed the 200 plus Fish Eagle colony….

An incredible spin-off from this ‘Change a life’ tour is the company Rentworks building two fully equipped computer labs at the Schools in the Valley where my Dusi Zulus attend. CEO Mike Chapman promises there will be more…. Thanks too Mike for kindly sponsoring my entry.

BEFORE….

AFTER….

The JSE Day 3 Zomba plateau climb was a perfect Finish setting to a phenomenal Cycle Tour. For most, mental barriers were broken and physical limits were redefined.

SUNRISE CRUISE….

RACING SNAKES – Atop Zomba Plateau – Black dress ‘After Party’

A big thanks must go to Susan Dreyer and her incredible support team.

                   FARMER GLENN, LOYLD, MART & FARMER STEVE – at finish at Umngazi

Traversing along the Wild Coast on bicycles is a privilege. That rugged coastline is no friend to car or bakkie due to lack of roads and bridges, however tackle it via Mountain Bike and suddenly ‘its poetry in motion’. Sure you might swim the odd river crossing and ‘hike a bike’ up unrideable hills, but hey “if it was too easy, then everybody would be doing it.

                                 FRITZ & PARTNER CLIMBING UP MOTHER 2

I got an invite when Loyld (Popes riding partner) asked me to partner him on the Imana Wildride, filling in for my good friend, the legendary Graeme Pope-Ellis, who recently passed away in a tragic Tractor accident. Our Team was appropiately named ‘Pope’s Partners’. Pope and I had done a couple of amazing trips, with friends, on bicycles along this same magnificent piece of Coast-line. In true Dusi style we applied our same technique to sniff out sneaks enroute, ‘where pope would go this way and I would go that way’. We would meet up, compare times, and discuss which would be faster. At the race briefing, Loyld and I were honoured with being given the ‘King of the Beach’ Polka Dot jerseys to race in for Day 1.

                                            TOWARDS THE END OF DAY 1….

 After finishing Day 1 at Kob Inn, I got a heli flip to Mazeppa Hotel (6km back along Day 1) to join Jeannie, Sue and Wendy Pope-Ellis for afternoon tea and Dinner.

                                               HELI FLIP TO MAZEPPA

Thereafter on the low tide at 11pm, I hopped on Jeannie’s bike to cycle back to Kob Inn with headlamp and all…. felt like I was in an adventure race. My heart skipped a beat, wading across the river just before Kob Inn, when something quite firm brushed over my leg midway. Instinctively I thought – Shark, but it turned out to be a Jelly Fish.

After Day 2 at the Haven Hotel, riders got down and dirty, digging holes, mixing concrete and assembling a granite/marble bench and table top (curtesy of the Imana Wild Ride) in memory of the Pope. Pope used to frequent the Haven during December, hammering hardcore Dusi trainings sessions day in, day out. The Table is positioned in a lovely spot, great seaview, where one can sit and relax, enjoying a sundowner.          

                               BUILDING BENCH & TABLE AT THE HAVEN HOTEL

                                                          POPE TRIBUTE

We ducked and dived amongst the top 5 positions throughout our magical 4 Days of racing. The weather was superb except for a little cold spell on Day 3, but that unpleasantness was complimented with a lekker tail wind. Popes sneaks did their magic afterall, because somehow when we banged the finisher’s Gong at Umngazi we found ourselves in a surprising 3rd position overall.

 Nagle Dam Canoe Race – 4km paddle, 700m portage, 2.5km paddle, 700m portage, 3km paddle, 700m portage, 4km paddle.

                                            GOING INTO THE FIRST PORTAGE….

Who would of thought my week could of gotten better after MTBing for 4 days along the spectacular Transkei Wild Coast. Somehow it did, when I arrived, on Sunday, down at Nagle Dam to witness my boys in action in the Nagle Dam Canoe race. The Electrical Buzz of the excitement of  my ‘Change a Life’ Zulus before the start of this Canoe race, could of  generated enough power to light up the entire Valley of a Thousand Hills.

When the Start Gun blasted, there was flurry of paddles, as canoes jostled to get ahead. Coming into the first portage, it was a delight to see the first 6 boats were ‘Change a life’ crews. The first “Mlungus” were local Farmers, Ant Edmonds and Gary Benn.

                                         INSPIRATIONAL….  FATHER & SON   

                     ONE ARMED JAN PADDLES ALL THE MAJOR CANOE RACES AROUND SA.

The second portage enters a proper Game Reserve, where athletes run upstream, parallel to the Umgeni River, now in Rhino country. Upon launching themselves on the River, there is a challenging Weir and gnarly rapid where all mayhem ensued.

                                      SHOOTING THE WEIR SUCCESSFULLY….

                                                       GNARLY RAPID….

I had a great vantage point to witness the breakaway two leading boats (Lucas & Skhumbuso and brothers Richard & Nhlanhla) capsizing in the later half of this rapid. After a mad scramble to climb back in their canoes, they were able to dash off without having been caught. The next few ‘Change a Life’ boats shot this obstacle like pros.

           NHLANHLA SWIMMING BEHIND RICHARD & LUCAS & SKHUMBUSO SCRAMBLING ….

    THEREAFTER IT WAS A 50/50 SUCCESS RATE – GREAT ENTERTAINMENT SPECTATORS

Coming to the finish, it was a nail biting full out sprint which Lucas & Skhumbuso won.

                                                         LUCAS & SKHUMBUSO

Sure the heavy hitters weren’t present, but incredibly the first 8 boats were all ‘Change a Life’. With the local youngsters watching in awe, what great role models these Valley Boys are for them. Showing that clean cut living is the way to go, and hard work and discipline go hand in hand with achieving results.

                                               ERIC – focused, determined, hungry to achieve….

Yesterday’s Time Freight Multisport race (5km Trail Run, 20km Mtb and 5km Paddle) at Albert Falls was a great test of my ‘Change a life’ boys’ mountain biking skills. After the last months race in Port Edward, which saw my guys lose some top positions because of the very technical mountain bike leg, we went home to the valley to scout a route that after a couple of runs would sort this out, chop-chop. 

Apart from the biking their running is coming on nicely too. Their Wednesday time trial run is a highlight for me as we circumnavigate Nagle Dam and I am pushed hard as I challenge each one of them to beat me – I am getting used to eating ‘Humble Pie’…. Only a pleasure to shake a congratulatory hand to those that do.

           Driving out the Valley of a Thousand Hills -checking if boats are coming loose.

Winters not my favourite when the Sun rises two hours later, stalling the day’s activities. The cold making one wear layer upon layer of clothing. If the Winter is to be cold, let there be snow so we can play in it. In the Valley of a Thousand Hills there’s no such luck, its just bastard cold. Where my Zulus live there is no electricity, so heaters are non existent and thus there is no incentive to be out and about before sunrise. However, yesterday morning they had to make the 30min walk in the dark from their homes to our meeting point, where cleverly they had tied their bikes and boats on the trailer the day before. There was not one complaint of any kind, this is Life – deal with it….                                                                                Moments like these make the sniggly frustrations in my life seem insignificant.

The scene was set – most perfect Winter’s day for perfect racing, well almost….

                ”Change a Life’ machines Nhlanhla, Richard and Eric leading the pack….

The ‘Change a Life’ boys catapulted out the start blocks like there was no tomorrow. Knowing Mkhonzeni‘s ability, it was concerning that he was leading the charge. The initial out and back along the edge of the Dam made for a spectator friendly start, where supporters could view their favourites in all their glory as some thundered and some glided effortlessly past, disappearing into the long yellow winter grass as they snaked their way on the single track. Brothers Richard & Nhlanhla ran exceptionally to keep Eric within a stones throw, who had powered his way to the front. Coming into the run/bike transition, it was a sea of ‘Change a Life’ as 7 of my Zulus were amongst the first 10 athletes.

Then onto the two lap Mtb course which has always been their nemesis in the past, losing heaps of positions to the real cyclists. The anticipation was too much for me to take just waiting around in the transition, so I made my way somewhere midway on the course. I was overwhelmed with relief, when Eric shot past in second position looking strong – but professional Multisport athlete Justin Porteous was hot on his heals. Kwanda too surprised me, coming by next.

                                                        Kwanda – ‘working hard’

Then there were some other athletes, and then suddenly Lucas and Zonele cycled past, huffing and puffing, just hovering out of the Top Ten. 

                                                                   Lucas

But where were Nhlanhla, Richard and Mkhonzeni? They should have been in front of the other two. A few minutes later, in the opposite direction I see them making their way slowly. I call to them and they reply “We lost”. What had happened is that they suddenly saw another cyclist in front and followed them. However this cyclist was doing the Multi-X (no paddle) which started 15min after and was on a different part of the course. They weren’t the only ones, further back some others too got confused and went off course. To add further to his woes, late in the cycle, Mkhonzeni broke his chain and having lost huge time, limped into the transition, calling it a day. A quick word of encouragement “Never give up” and “it will be good training”, he continued with the paddle – seeing the bigger picture.

I bolted back to the bike/paddle transition, just in time to see race leader Andrew Birkett take to the water in his canoe. He was followed by Justin and then Eric, with the most  determined, focussed look on his face.  Now onto his strongest discipline, the question was, “has he left enough fuel in the tank to close the gap on second”.  Cut a long story short, to my absolute joy, Eric – grimacing a smile, jumped out his canoe  and charged across the finish line in second position overall – a real Herculean effort.

                                                  Eric – ‘Chip & a Putt’ to go

                                              Eric – all smiles, 2nd overall

                                        Warren & Kwanda zoning in on the finish

Kwanda had a solid paddle, digging deep in an all out sprint to the line to secure 5^th position.

                                              Kwanda just beating Warren Nicol

Lucas and Zonele worked together on the paddle to tactfully pass a few unsuspecting cyclists come paddlers, finishing 9^th and 10^th respectively. Nhlanhla and Richard made it into the Top Twenty.

                                              Mighty fine Team Effort….

Most likely, the success story of the day was Sizwe….

                                                                 Sizwe – training in the Valley….                           

Close to where I live, I often saw this young black kid running along the road. Eventually my curiosity got the better of me and I asked him ‘why are you running’. He didn’t hesitate in his reply ‘I love it’.

Next time I saw him, I gave him a pair of Hi-Tecs and a 450g container of USN Cytopower  and a ‘Change a Life ‘ vest. He was super grateful. Two days before yesterday’s race, I gave him a bicycle for the first time to use and asked if he would like to do this Multi-X race (5km Run, 20km Mtb, 2.5km Run). He was all smiles. To cut another long story short – Sizwe was the first u/19 athlete (junior) across the line, winning himself a lekker Thule Bike Rack for a car (which of course he doesn’t have).

                        Sizwe – giving his absolute all in the first 5km Trail Run….

When I dropped him at home, I noticed he was sort of limping – I asked “did you injure yourself?” He answered sheepishly, “my legs are so sore”. Never in all his life had he raced so hard. I drove off with the biggest smile on my face, knowing he loved it and will be back.

Ps- any offers for the Thule bike rack?

Switzerland visit….

While most of the country was being hit by a freezing front this last week, I zipped over to Switzerland to enjoy 4 days of Northern Hemisphere summer. Although a work related trip, I was in heaven. HI-TEC International are launching a new trail shoe towards the end of the year, so needed action shots and video clips for advertising. What a pleasure to play in the Swiss Alps. Having done some sport related shoots before, I knew the drill- do the same shot 20times over and do this all day long. At times the professionals running  the shoot  were apologetic for this, not realising how I enjoy running hills, repeatedly and how I was enjoying the beauty of the mountains. It was such a treat being there.

                                                 Team ‘Change a Life’ all smiles…. 

The ‘Change a Life’ boys had been looking forward to this first Multisport race of 2010, since they completed the mighty Triple Challenge in Nov 2009. The nature of these races excites them as they are so different to the regular races they do involving only paddling and running.

We were up before the Sparrows to drive the 250km down the South Coast to the Umtanvuma River near Port Edward, for the Time Freight Multisport Race – 5km Trail Run, 20km Mtb, 5km Paddle.

Arriving down at Nagle Dam in the dark, I was pleasantly surprised that all my “Change a Life’ Zulus were ready and waiting to load the trailer with boats and bikes.

Leaving Nagle Dam, driving along the Valley floor, I looked up at the Cliffs of Table Mountain. The sun turning the dark cliffs a dull Orange, made for the most spectacular scene.

                             The Great Dusi King Graeme Pope-Ellis sadly passed away

Driving over the Dusi was just too much and the tears rolled down my cheeks – Graeme’s presence was everywhere. He makes me want to race again.

Having wasted 20 min whilst a cop wrote out a traffic fine enroute for not having a red flag on the back of the canoes, was just enough to make it organised chaos upon arrival at the race venue.

                                                   Blasting out the Blocks….

A 2km tar road hill climb to start with is one certain way of getting the human engine heaving. But the motivating factor of running up is knowing that there is a fine downhill to follow. The competitors bolted out of the blocks, with Nhlanhla leading my team of valley boys, Richard and Kwanda hot on his heels. Lucas was huffing and puffing a little further back, having been focusing the last while on SA Marathon Champs.

                                                                                  Nhlanhla setting the pace….                                     

First race of the multisport season and the ‘Change a life’ boys were a little rusty. Nhlanhla had to sprint to the car during both transitions, the first time to retrieve his bike helmet and then his life jacket for the paddle, so that set him back a few positions.

                                                       Rich on the bike

Kwanda, having to fix a puncture during the bike leg was then caught by Richard, but on leaving the transition after the bike and knowing they had a paddle to follow, then followed the marshals directions which sent them out onto the final run-leg of the Multicross event (run/bike/run). I found them a kilometre or so away from transition and sent them scuttling back in haste.

The 20km bike course has been like a pair of jump-start leads as my guys realised the necessity to regularly train technical bike routes. The single-track was laced with many sections of rocks, some fallen logs, a narrow concrete bridge, rickety stream crossings, cambered burms and steep ascents and descents.

                                                    Lucas  negotiating a rocky drop….

Once onto the two-lap (5km) paddle, my boys felt ‘at home’. Lucas’s turbo kicked in as he reeled in and passed a number of competitors to finish in 5^th position.

Richard and Kwanda kept each other company, finishing 10^th and 11^th respectively and Kwanda made podium  for U/21. Mkhonzei crossed the line in 11^th, while Nhlanhla, with all his ‘extra’ running, placed 12^th.

                                                Kwanda giving it all to the end….

Lessons indeed can be taken from Saturday’s racing. I need to do less spoon feeding, as I always check that bike/helmet, boat/paddle/lifejacket are in place, I explain the route again to them…. and now that I couldn’t due to time constraints, things went pear-shaped. Also the boys don’t train technical riding too much as the single track in the Valley is riddled with thorns. We will not make sure these mistakes don’t happen next time.

I thought the results were still satisfactory, considering the rookie errors made. Remembering too that my ‘No 1 thoroughbred’ Eric was unable to race due to attending a funeral of a close family member.

                                               ‘CHANGE A LIFE’ RUNNING LEAGUE prizes

                      Winning School – Nhlanhlayabebhuze (Lucas and I, left & right of pic)

“What a great experience for the kids, you know they have never experienced such a thing before” said Mr Mbeje, sports teacher for Phangindawo Junior School.

He was referring to the ‘eat as much as you can’ Spur lunch and movie for his School’s first prize for their ten best performers.

Many of my ‘Change a Life’ boys were amongst the winners of the Senior School – Nhlanhlayabhebuze High, who too went to the Spur for a treat and then a movie. Richard Cele (13^th on Dusi) ‘couldn’t believe how big the TV screen was!’

                            They chose the most action packed movie and loved it….

Thanks to the Spur for accommodating all these boys and girls.

                                                                    VALLEY GYM….

All the gym equipment is in place and it’s rather cosy, not a bad thing with winter tightening the screws on the weather. Fortunately there is a garage door to open, to let the Polar Bears in when it gets a little stuffy. At the moment the heavy machines are out of bounds for fear of injury, until I get someone qualified to give them tuition. Its so lekker to have this gym to add value and variation to their training routine. Thanks again to Virgin Active for this generous donation.