BARCELONA

I know the Champions league is still over a week away but I thought I would try get it off my chest before you become so bored with reading about it you glaze over it.

I don't care about Manchester United or there creepy red jackets some guys wear thinking they are part of the vibe, makes me want to puke. A shirt I can handle, sure sometimes when you want to play football. Get it. For me a random shirt from one of the African countries or even a Pirates shirt would be way better. Anyway I seem to be getting away from the topic here. Barcelona, now that's a cool shirt, not sure if those colours work on me but its such a vibe. The Catalan thing which most of us are completely oblivious too and then there is the Camp Nou or Nou Camp. Never figured that one out, probably Spanish hey.

Anyway from my earliest days of watching football when English teams were filled with fat, greasy poms who had been in the pub all night before the game. Harsh I know, it's more for effect really. So from my early days I can remember the great Barcelona teams carving it up, playing beautiful football the way most teams dream it should be played. I remember most of the players but naming them isn't going to help either of us. I'm not quiet sure where I am going  with this but I really hope they win on May 27 in Rome.  

I enjoy Sir Alex but he has won enough for now, I know his teams are so well though out and getting quality players to buy into his dream is alot harder than any of us can imagine. He is a Scotsman too which makes me think he is nearer genius than Sir Albert ( jokes. ) 

But could I handle MAN U or THE RED DEVILS and their smug bunch of twits and creeps who hardly know squat about football winning again. Not a f...k !!! Sorry, I can just see the Argus sms column, all the fans patting each other and " their team " on the back. Idiots.

So please Barca, for football around the World. Nobody likes a monopoly. Ucha cha. 

You may have read the story about how Dutch legend and ex Barca hero Johan Cruyf had a go at British football. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/may/18/johan-cruyff-barcelona-champions-league-final.

Bingo all my problems written into one easy article. Thanks Guardian. 

So there it is people, that's why we have to cheer for Barcelona even if its just a quiet fist pump under your desk at work when you realise you missed the game but hey Barca won.  

And so did football...

http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/club/club.html

Winter Swell

Winter is here or our first big cold front is here. I am so amped for it, not sure why ?

Here is why, we live in a desert that thankfully gets brushed every winter by storms off the Great Southern Ocean. Cold, clean winds driving storms from the Antarctic giving us the most precious resource we have on our planet, water. Good clean clear water which sustains us over the dry summer months when the earths axis tilts again and those storms drift past our continent.

Surfers also watch these storms as they bring the big winter swells which make our country a mecca for surfers from around the world even though we are in winter. Hardy souls from around the Cape will be donning their wetsuits to brave the conditions while the uneducated will continue with their merry existence. Blissfully unaware that out there in our freezing waters people are getting stoked. I love that word stoked.   

http://www.wavewatch.com/Surf-Forecast-Region.php?RegionID=52

So check out the storm arriving this weekend and whatever you do get out there and get stoked.

Days of our Lives. Episode 2

You gotta love Eddie Jones. Not only did he help or should I say win us the World Cup but he shoots from the hip. 

Read this classic Eddie stuff about various Aussie rugby subjects :http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-14/2410138/Eddie-Jones-labels-Waratahs-clueless

Ha ha brilliant hey. So thats why I tied it into the whole days of our lives thing. No way the Japan angle will work. Watch this space for the outcome of the big SANZAR meeting.

What do our journo's do ?

Days of our Lives

Ahhh the saga continues and this guy continues to get his mug in the press running the South African side of the SANZAR family's name through the mud.

Look I am not taking sides here but you cant help wanting to take out your frustrations on this poor irritating little man. Granted he has been trying his hardest to get us to agree with his lofty ideals which for some reason we cant seem to understand. Poor Johnny, he deserves more from us. Read the article http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/news/2401387/South-Africa-bluffing-over-move-north

Who knows how we behave behind closed when deals like this one are being thrashed out but something tells me, and this is purely I hunch that this fella is taking us by the scruff of the neck and demanding we eat humble pie. The Kiwi's have been pretty muted over the issue but they have alot of problems back home and one that they don't want is to lose their biggest rivals SA. Sure we come and go sometimes but when we're on, we can give it to them better than anyone in the world, and we never smug about it. Tsk tsk Aussie rubbish. I read an article how the Kiwi rugby old schoolers led mainly by Pinetree himself were saying to hell with John O'neill we need SA in competitions. The other reason is OZ only supply a paltry 18% of the entire tv viewers in the Super14.  Why are we listening to Johnny if this is the case. 

The SA rugby chaps are in a tight corner too, I mean imagine coming home without the Currie Cup there will be a small revolution. Call it what you want, but its very important to us and both the ARU and NZRU are extremely jealous of our beloved Currie Cup. The Kiwi's are still smarting from the loss in value of the NPC. I used to watch those games and drool, the Ranfurly shield matches just spiced things up beyond belief. Imagine that in the Internal league, its hard enough being the Nadoes without another tag around the neck. 

Anyway just something to think about as the meeting looms. Who's going home with the Kahunies ?

  

Welcome to JZ

I was reminded this morning by my digs-mate’s flawless shower-time rendition of Nkosi Sikelel iAfrica, that South Africa is indeed a passionate place.

It evokes emotions and moral dilemmas which first-world countries cannot fully grasp and our problems are the drivers of our passion:

“It is only as one grows up that one learns that there are other things here than sun and gold and oranges. It is only then that one learns of the hates and fears of our country. It is only then that one’s love grows deep and passionate, as a man may love a woman who is true, false, cold, loving, cruel and afraid.” – Alan Paton (Cry the Beloved Country)

It’s easy as South Africans to get sucked into theoretical arguments about trias politica and the state of our justice system and whether the new JZ shower gel should be pulled from the shelves.

 

I think we imagine that winning all these little debates would set South Africa straight and we would all live in the ‘burbs, free of all forms of prejudice and that Ventersdorp Afrikaners would soon be engaging in elaborate handshakes with ex-PAC cadres.

 

The reality is that our problem is bigger than that: Some years ago, under a cloud of jealousy that she had had something as perverse as Apartheid to fight against, I asked my Reverend Grandmother what she thinks today’s fight should be. Her response was powerful in its simplicity: “It is exactly the same.”

 

Of course it is: South Africa’s story through 2009 is one which has created dire slums just 10 minutes from the wealthiest part of Bishopscourt. I believe South Africa’s passion is born from the struggle between addressing this inequality, yet at the same time trying to ensure that I am OK thanks ... Jack.

 

High levels of inequality have historically been addressed in two ways: “Through legislation redistributing wealth, or through revolution redistributing poverty” (Will Durant).

South African has thankfully attempted the legislative approach (hailed as the South African miracle for its lack of violence) utilizing ‘Black Economic Empowerment.’ Unfortunately very few have benefitted to date and the elusive black middle class, which Botha, De Klerk, Mandela and Mbeki have tried, but failed to create, suggests that ultimately – and dauntingly – our crossroads is still to come.

 

This is the huge challenge facing the new ANC government and our soon-to-be inaugurated president.

 

Let us then not be concerned with which of his wives JZ chooses to invite to his inauguration tomorrow (... although I hope for his sake he has a good excuse lined up for the residual ones) or whether Mugabe is cheered or heckled when he arrives, or even whether Julius celebrates with half a peri-peri chicken.

 

Let us keep focused on the South African issue. Let us remain passionate and let us contribute. History still has a story to tell and we need to ensure South Africa redistributes wealth and not poverty.

 

Here is wishing JZ good luck.

 

Charlie

Transkie Times

Well, from what you may have gathered I have been away for a few weeks. Times are tough when you are unemployed but there is no use getting yourself down about it. So I was lucky enough to head off back to my homelands and take the shoes off, and basically step away from modern living for awhile. Those of you who know it will understand what I mean. I did vote and never heard what happened, the pug flu was going nuts but we were happy. I think the world is too small and we now have everyone as a neighbour, hopefully you gathering my drift. 

So anyway I am back in the swing of things and moving back into society. Logging on in other words. 

From the photo's I took you can see it was very kuk, the E.Cape weather played its part and has many days in baggys were had by all. I took up the much talked about fishing fad of drop shot and its proved to be quite good. It took some time to get the ball rolling but once you know what you looking to do it can be great fun. I fished alot of estuaries in our area and was quite lucky to pick up a few decent fish. I can recommend it to anyone. Give it a bash.

I am not sure if I have mentioned it before but hopefully later this year I will be running past our spot whilst doing the Wildrun. Its a ultra trail run covering 113 km over three days. I haven't done anything like it before so it will be a long winter of getting the legs acclimatised to the beating they will no doubt take. Check out www.wildrun.co.za for more details.

Hope your Autumn is going well and you are getting out there and appreciating the freshness of the air. 

Breathe it in...

Genius

This is just a shot I took of our local lad Burry Stander racing in the MTB World Cup event I witnessed up in Maritzburg. Buggerland was great and the Capital, Maritzbugger put on a great show. 

Burry, from up the North Coast of Natal has gradually been progressing up the world ranks and this event proved to be a coming of age for the little guy. The race which involves 7 laps of a track totaling 36 km was fairly technical in areas but proved to be pretty quick.  Watching the Worlds best flying around the course was a real thrill and just made me realise again how good the best in the world are, no matter what sport you are talking about. They are truly on another level. Burry raced hard and pushed himself to a great 3rd spot behind World Champ Julian Absalon and eventual winner Spanish Champ Jose Hermida. 

Along my point about being the best and taking sport to another level I have to mention an article I read in the Sunday Crimes about Ronaldo written by a legend in the sports writing world, the very cutting and sometimes downright rude Simon Barnes:  http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/simon_barnes/article6108061.ece

Not bad hey, he sums up some good one's but is obviously biased by being a whingeing pom but it doesn't detract from the fact that the bloke can put pen to paper.

Don't miss reminding yourself how good that goal really was at the top of his article.

Well its been a quite few weeks for me since the Epic finished. There is and I may have mentioned this before a well known problem its called post epic syndrome. Basically it takes up so much of your day and your thoughts that once its over you have this empty void in your life. Bit like loosing a girlfriend really. At first its the freedom you have craved then the wheel slowly turns and you realise you're on your own. What now ?

Well in order not to blow myself up again I am off to see the MTB World Cup in Pietermaritzburg over the Easter wknd. Those doing the Two Oceans- all the best. My money is on Quayle's Ale's. Sorry Patch but I know you like being the dark horse so there is all the incentive you need. Back to the World Cup, its massive. I am sooo amped its off the charts. Watching the worlds best competing will be a real thrill. I am not sure what will blow me away more, the cross country where I am hoping Burry can smash the international filed and get off to a flyer in this years title race, or the downhill. I have never seen a real downhill race and these guys are the worlds best. I may just be a wee bit blown away by the risks these guys take. Then again I haven't seen Sauser, Absalon and Stander flying around the cross country track either. Forgive me if I am repeating myself but my brain is flying around with the thought of all these pro's doing their thing. 

So for those interested follow the event on the site:  http://www.mtbworldcupsa.co.za/Home.aspx 

Adios Amigo...

Cape Epic No.3

Well I have finally found the strength to relate the stories from my third consecutive Cape Epic.

Firstly we did it, Tasch and I managed to finish in 47hrs 54 min which placed us 40th  in our mixed category and 317 overall. Not bad, but all things considered it was a damn miracle. The miracle being my partner Tasch who with no build up hopped on my bandwagon a month before and completed this years Epic. No small miracle there, anyone who has any idea of how hard this race is will testify to my blowing her trumpet a bit.

The race itself changed drastically in that the normal route of riding from Knysna back home changed to round about route which barely left the mountains ever. So we climbed around the Western Cape. Heading out from Gordon's bay on a perfect late Cape Summers day we headed up and over the Hottentots Holland on a 115km 2800+m  absolute brute of a first stage. We never seemed to get a break and when cycling into water point 3 and finding out we still had 30kms to go and just under a 1000m to climb our minds began to wobble. Seeing guys lying on the floor with drips in arms and eyes rolled back from exhaustion and dehydration just made everyone realise this years route was not going to be a holiday. We battled home and finished Stage 1 in 8hrs 45 mins. Just think about that, try fathom sitting on a bike for that amount of time, most of it climbing up serious mountains. Your butt feels like its going to split from pain and your back went numb way back when. I am not trying to scare you, this was honestly one of the hardest days I have ever had, now imagine coming into the race without adequate training and your mind will play all sorts of games with you. The thing with the Epic is just when you think you cant go any further, you remember that tomorrow brings its own set of uphills and downhills both mentally and physically, which somehow snaps you out of your self pity and focus' you on getting today done. Focusing on the present, not the future gets you through this race.

So Stage 1 slipped by and the mental side of things kicked in at the start of Day 2, both Tasch and I were pretty spent. It was about getting through it, set your pace and don't worry about the rest of the "race". This strategy is pretty much what gets you through if you are not adequately prepared to race it.  We decided early on that we were going to try enjoy ourselves, take it slow and watch the sun rise over our beautiful country, stop at the top of mountains and have a look around. Will we ever be in the position to do it again ? 

Its tough being philosophical and soulful when you are being pushed to the edge of your physical, finding the energy to take a deep breath and enjoy vineyards tucked away in the folds of our beautiful mountains was not your easiest task but I think we did quite well. I couldn't find half those places again if I tried, which is part of the Epic's magic.

Over the last three years I have been lucky enough to experience the backwaters of our beautiful country, not in a car, but on my bike. The tops of mountain ranges the bottom of our deepest kloofs " waar die kranse antwoord gee " Sorry just getting a bit carried away here, it was not as romantic as it sounds but it truely is very special to traverse our amazing country like we have done.

Back to this years race. it was far more technical than previous years due to the route change we never had any free km's. This made it shorter in distance but added so many more taxing metres which strains the brain but adds to the fun for the real mountain biker. Technical means harder climbing on all sorts of terrain as well as single track and the best for the true mountain biker, hair raising descents down slippery and rocky trails which quickly separated the men from the boys. Watching Tasch descend was a privilege, coming from a fearless Wind surfing background and having learnt to ride with the boys of Table Mountain she has no fear which is what it takes to descend the gnarliest tracks. Its funny but faster is easier. Some of the pro's were clocking 80kph, my fastest was just over 60kph. The chances of braking at that speed and actually stopping in the next ten metres are pretty much nothing so there is alot of trust involved. In your ability, your equipment and your fellow racer.

Over the next five days we went up and down the most scenic spots in the Western Cape. Unfortunately our legs couldn't carry on forever and thank heavens for our bums the finish at Lourensford was give or take a day or two away. The Epic proved once again that every km deserves your respect, riding past guys stricken from dehydration, broken collar bones and wrists really shows you how lucky you are to be able to get through this race. A guy was heard saying that " to make it through the Epic your guardian angel had better be able to fly faster than you can ride " Having done 3 now I can honestly say its true, its heartbreaking watching people have to give up their dream of finishing. I have seen partners not finish and its not easy watching it, living it is far worse.

I am glad its over. I loved the experience, the adventure, the focus. Its brutal while it lasts, like being held under a heavy wave you question whether you will ever get out from under it but when you do it's the sweetest breath you ever took.

www.cape-epic.com  I dare you too enter the lottery and see where the Epic takes you...

 

SA All Blacks- Watson style !!!

This an article I came across the other day. I was so dumbfounded by what I read it has to be sent to the rest of the world.

Where and when will the Watsons stop ?

Is Cheeky's job to cause shit like Julius Malema, they clearly from the same test tube.

His comments at the end are too precious...

http://www.rugbyheaven.co.nz/4862393a22363.html

Training Hard vs Training Smart

I have recently been the guilty party of a bout of over training. Over training is a syndrome which can happen in any sport I suppose but I will stick with what I know and that's cycling.

Basically the syndrome is pretty self explanatory, you just train to much without giving your body time to recover and grow with the training. You run your system down instead of letting it recover and get stronger whilst doing so. It all came about due to my obsession with trying to get faster on the bike, thinking that smashing myself at high intensities week in and week out would eventually bring about a breakthrough in fitness. You know the old saying what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. Baloney !!!

The results of all this training became evident when I started getting sick and battling to recover after the sickness. The other telltale signs were constantly sore muscles which are easily masked as just plain sore legs from a hard workout. But the biggest sign for me was on race days was that I just haven't felt the zing in my legs, the freshness of spirit and the old one raring to go. I was amped but the body wasn't willing. The Attakwas was an example of this, I felt good but the rerun from the race was poor and I know I am better than the result achieved.

So I went to see a Dr at the Sports Science Institute in Newlands. He specialises in cycling so he was my man. He did a full batch of bloods which is the best way of detecting something wrong with the old system.  So the bloods told him exactly what he already knew. 

Here for me and hopefully for you came the interesting part, I was to take two or three weeks off and let my system recover. Whhaaat ? Yip and then start working on a program which was about specifics not amounts of training. Lots of recovery rides which entail keeping my heart rate at around 130-140 bpm but in between that there are some seriously intensive rides. Try riding for 90 mins with your cadence below 50 and heart rate above 150 bpm.  That's not easy, a really intensive leg workout which left me wobbling home after the 45 minute warm down.

So this is just a small reminder about getting caught up chasing something, we seem to believe that putting our heads down and grinding away will achieve results in cycling and I suppose in life. Well it wont, there is no substitute for hard work but think about what you doing. Be smart about your time whatever it is you doing. Learn all the time. I have, its empowering.

Listening to my Dr talk about certain guys training regimes I was amazed, Christof Sauser a legend and World Marathon Champ never rides more than 4 hours a session. The new training way is all about specifics not bulk. I have adopted this  and have been working towards my 3rd Epic. I am amped for the race again after feeling very confused about things this year. Its another long story for another time.

So whatever you doing out there, do it smart. Go see a coach or some one you know for some training directions. It will help you and your mind focus knowing that you are doing the right thing in training. Its a good feeling, pursue it, trust me.   

TED ideas worth spreading...

Every now and then we sit with time on our hands and nothing to do with it, why, because we are mostly behind the desk at work. So if your are tired of reading crap on the net, do yourself a massive favour and go check out this site. Its basically a launch pad for some of today's finest minds in all sorts of fields. These are people doing amazing things and trying to make a difference in our world-now.

I have only just discovered it, but, I have watched a few things and if you are looking for inspiration and a change of mentality in these tough times, Change your mindset = changing times not tough, then check it out. Its far better than most of the mindless celebrity orientated crap we browse most days on the net.

www.ted.com

So do yourself a favour, it's worth it. Next time you don't have anything to add at a dinner table or party you can relive some of the stuff you saw on TED.

We can talk about it...

Joost another Hansie

What have we done now, caught with my pants down some witpoier in my nose and now my wyfie is screaming at me too. Oooh Schucks it's a fok up.

So another one of our sporting greats has fallen onto a bit of hard times. Mr Beckham aka Van der Westhuizen has never been far from the spotlight and now he finds himself really in it. He has been caught on a video tape with an unknown woman ( a stripper or erotic dancer ) using a bit of Charlie whilst copulating with her.

This presents him with a serious predicament, imagine if it's him. By the way he has already denied it and said it's all a load of shit to quote him. His numerous sources of income would be seriously considering empolying him after his name has been so severely tarnished. Joost was a good rugby player but like old Hansie from my armchair he seems to think of himself as more important than the next bloke. Hell we all back ourselves but these guys are bullets waiting to go off. The card they play when things like this go wrong is usually the "I've been wronged" and "this is a personal attack" and the hordes of hopeless folk in the cupboard come out in support of these crooks. Ok Joost is'nt half as bad as Hansie but the way the volk in Pretoria rally is pityful. Sure support the bloke if you feel like he has been falsely accused but coming out chirping all sorts about God this and to hell with them is your usual over the top blue bull supporting zealot. He probably still has AWB posters in his bar and wears pink underwear to church on Sundays.

Some special comments :

FIRST THE PIH STORY NOW THIS....WHEN IS ENOUGH ACTUALLY ENOUGH....people messing around with other peoples life is not on and i dont think that what is happening is at all right.i know Joost as a person and i can tell you now that he is not the one in that video. he has dedicated his life to God and lives his life for his family so something like this can only be false.

What Joost do's is his problem. It's amazing how many people get a kick out of watching others go through problems. There are allot of people that are ready to point their finger at Joost worry about your own life, check your life out before you judge him. I believe the Lord will bring the truth out

I can remember the smug look on Amor's face when she was flashing her engagement ring on TV two week after Joost got his divorce. They insisted that they were only friends. The weel has turned Amor.

To all the people telling "the press" to butt out of "famous people's lives"; to all those who think "private lives" shouldn't affect public reputations, I have a test for you. Substitute "Jacob Zuma" for "Joost van der Westhuizen" in this story and then see if your response is still the same. If it changes, then you're confused.

If he says it's not him then it's not him !!!! Technology is so advanced today that one can change images on video to suite your self ....come on we live in the 21 first Century !!!!!!! @$$%@#$%^&.... THE MAN !!!!!!

Amazing, some truly beautiful folk in good old SA. Lets wait and see what happens.

R20 says it's him any takers ?

Cape Town 10's

Well what a weekend it proved to be, some blokes are still trying to get over it. Three day hangovers are not good for productivity throw in a dash of pain from two days of rugby and you get what I mean. I feel for guys like the Donk, they really did produce the goods but they certainly have paid for it this week. It's in your head...

The Nadoes did fairly well, I think they performed best in the beer tent and showed true class at our beloved fines meetings. Throwing drinks at anybody who even resembled a celebrity. On the field they lost out in a quarter final clash to False Bay 1st's so it was'nt all bad.  I honestly thought we played the most attractive rugby on show and the game was alot different to what the squad expected. Stats were something like Played 5 Won 3 Lost 2. The moment for me was Meerkat Elley's pass into touch. Too good to be true. Players missed= The Jedi, no one would have loved it more than him. This is his bread and butter. Rugby, beers some ladies. Most of all it would have been about his beloved Nadoes.

Picked up this classic from www.overtohugh.co.za really funny bloke. Pretty sharp. You get a good feel of the vibe. Enjoy. Go check it out rather, these computers are killing me.

Marvellous stuff !!!

Something to Cheer about ?

Its almost Super14 time. Hectic how much rugby the players are playing these days. Oh well we'll worry about that argument at the end of year tour when half the guys are dead.

This weekend the Stormers kick off against the Sharks, is this going to be the season when everything clicks for us. Could we see a return to the glory years of the late 80's. The Stormers certainly have the players, the coach and the support to make a serious challenge. My only negative and this probably goes for most teams but I am looking at us now is our depth in the backs. If we lose any of our flyhalf or centres we could be looking at a serious headache. Back up has always been hard to hold onto granted and when quality like Dollie gets snapped up by the Brumbies academy B squad what can you do. What will the poor little ball Ashfak Mohammed write about now. Anyway hope are indeed high and rightly so, I came across this penned in Rugbyheaven and its nice to see others have taken note of what we achieved last year.

STORMERS:

In Rassie Erasmus the Stormers have one of the finest coaches in the Super 14 and the squad he has assembled for this year's competition is a pretty fine one.

Last year the Stormers missed out on a place in the semifinals to the Hurricanes on points difference. They should, if things go to plan, be able to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

The Stormers have a sprinkling of world-class players in their ranks, including Schalk Burger, Bolla Conradie, Conrad Jantjes, Jean de Villiers, AJ Venter and the ever-youthful Percy Montgomery.

With that kind of line-up it's no surprise they're being tipped in the Republic as the South African team with the best chance of taking the title.

The Stormers all seem to have overcome the perennial problem of being unable to win matches in Australasia, picking up three victories in this part of the world last season.

The team to watch this year.

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

Nick Koster had an impressive Currie Cup and the No 8 was called into the Barbarians side for the game against Australia last year. While he's an exceptional backrower he's spent time playing on the wing during pre-season.

IN

Wicus Blaauw, Willem de Waal (Narbonne, France), Dewaldt Duvenage (Boland), Nick Koster, JC Kritzinger, Hilton Lobberts (Bulls), Percy Montgomery (Perpignan, France), AJ Venter (Sharks), Duane Vermeulen (Cheetahs).

OUT

Tony Brown (Sanyo, Japan), Isma-eel Dollie (Brumbies), Tiaan Liebenberg (Toulon, France), Ross Skeate (Toulon, France).

TAB odds: $14

Predicted finish: runners-up.

Thats right folks runners up, what ? Ya well lets not get over board yet, its a long Super14 but its nice to see. I will be in the stands come Saturday. 

The other classic I came across on my browsing was this pearler out of France, God they do things well. The cheerleaders for our teams are pretty good. The Sharks lead the way and the Bulls are'nt bad. The Stormers girls look like the just got out of a Bellville nightclub, aggg sies man !!! Seriously take a peek at these, you wont be let down. Its truly amazing.

 http://multimedia.stuff.co.nz/rugby/Slideshows/latestphotos/index.html

What did I tell you, no wonder Carter did his Achilles... get it ?

45 DAYS and Counting

Well its almost that time of year again, while the rest of you have been having a summer holiday and hopefully relaxing on some beautiful beach somewhere remote I have been training for another Epic. Which is now 45 days away.

This year has started rather oddly for me, I have been hammering myself constantly with some long hard rides,  swimming, surfing along with the odd morning run and circuit. Eventually my body said stop, sickness set in and I have had to take a two week enforced break to recover. We live and we learn. In other words I have over trained quite badly and just need to step back, relax and let the Epic come to me. No use chasing it down like a rabid dog.

This weekend I will start a program where I slowly fine tune my system for the rigours of the Epic, allowing plenty of recovery time and allowing the body to grab all the goodness it needs. Its like going hungry for weeks and then allowing yourself to eat and eat well. The body is just appreciating the goodness and loving the rest. I can feel the strength flowing back into my system. 

So I am very excited for kick off on March 20 on the slopes of Table Mountain. Its going to be a small adrenalin rush racing in my backyard with family and friends spurring us on. I am really sad about the race not starting in Knysna but hopefully it will be back there soon. But from now on its Gordons Bay or bust.

Climb every Mountain---

Rugby Fever

Morning All,

Well can you feel it ?  Rugby season has almost started again. In fact it has well it does. Tonight up at the Green Mile of UCT its a repeat of last years Varsity Cup Finals. Could be a cracker, here's hoping the Tigers can slip one past the Dutchmen. 

Along with the Varsity cup we see the arrival of the Cape Town Tens. It seems like its going to be a hit with some big names rolling into town to watch, play and be Ambassadors ( Dan Carter )

Fleckie and Bob have gone all out and hopefully Cape town come to the party too. The Nadoes have got a crack team in the Beer League and are looking like hot favourites to take the title. Lets get down there and support the lads. All the best okes.

Last but never least is the Super 14 which kicks off next weekend, there is the small matter of the Sharks coming to Newlands to play the Stormers who are looking better every year. I am still concerned about backline cover in certain positions with the nature of this tournament who knows how it will go. I will delve into more detail about things nearer the time. 

For anyone who hasn't heard about Dan Carter and his injury over in France here is a little article about the costs of his sabbatical on his club Perpignan. Shame, its an unlucky investment in a horrible financial time http://www.rugbyheaven.co.nz/4835767a22363.html

Read it and you can throw some numbers at DC when he is here this weekend.

Go IKEYS...

Shark in Breede River

I have taken this article from SEALINE.co.za 

Dear all,

I write to give you the details of our research expedition to the Breede River during the week January 19-25.

The purpose of the expedition was to determine whether reports of Zambezi (bull) sharks in the Breede River could be confirmed.  Scientifically, confirmed reports would be extremely relevant on a global scale as this would represent the most south-westerly distribution of bull sharks in Africa.

Joining us on the expedition was Dr. Steve Lamberth and his team from MCM, Hennie Papenfuss from Big Fish Safari and a team of four from SASC.  We fished for 3 days with no luck & were rewarded on the 4th day when Hennie caught a bull shark on his line.  After an hour and a half struggle with the fish (during which it towed him 2.5km further upstream), Hennie managed to tire her enough to bring her close to shore for landing.  Our team then brought her carefully to the shore, where we were able to collect all the required data.  

We measured her, tagged her with two acoustic continuous tags and one spaghetti tag, and gathered genetic samples in order to determine whether bull sharks in the Breede River represent a distinct population from those found elsewhere in South Africa.  

She is a world-record breaking shark measuring 4 metres total length, weighing in the vicinity of 550-600kg.  This is the largest bull shark known to science - the previous maximum size was thought to be 3.5 metres TL.  We also suspect she was heavily pregnant and may very well be using the Breede as a pupping ground.  Scientifically speaking, this discovery is huge and groundbreaking.

Following the tagging, we proceeded to track her for 43 continuous hours.  She spent the majority of the time in the estuary, with only a few hours in the surf zone just outside the river mouth.

To speak quite frankly, it was the most incredible experience of my life and I am so excited about the research we will continue to do.  One of the major problems is acquiring the funding to continue the research, as it is vitally important we return to the Breede within the next 2 weeks to continue tracking her.

PLEASE NOTE THERE IS WILL BE AN IMMEDIATE BAN ON SHARK FISHING IN THE BREEDE RIVER IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE CONSERVATION OF THIS MAGNIFICENT ANIMAL!!!  I BEG YOU TO ADHERE TO THIS BAN & BE PART OF AN AMAZING SCIENTIFIC AND CONSERVATION INITIATIVE.

My most sincere apologies: in my very exhausted and excited state I neglected to mention that Stiaan Conradie and Nick Scholtz from the Lower Breede River Conservancy (LBRC) were a crucial part of our sampling and tracking teams.  The LBRC donated all their time to us during the course of the expedition & were unwavering in their support.

Many thanks to all those who truly made the expedtition possible!
-- 

The Swee...test Thing !!!

Its been a hell of a long time, I have, along with alot of people and friends here have suffered bleary eyes and hangovers watching cricket in Australia at the ungodly hours it is shown. Its been pure pain for years and years. Our first tour was back in 1993-94. Fresh from finishing Std.8 we could'nt wait to have a chance. Realistically we should have lost that series 2-0 but thank god Vinnige Fanie bowled his ass off on the final day at Sydney and we won the final test by 18 runs or so. Very memorable times.

I dont know what it is about our Aussie mates but we f'ing hate them. Its basically cause they very good and usually beat us. Fair and square. But its not just the teams it's the place, who could forget losing the 1992 World Cup Semi final. Watching the team on the balcony in tears as they realised the dream was over, maybe it was also the dream was over for the whole country, remember the referendum just after that or was it during the World Cup. Who cares, this place was sitting on a knife edge and us usual sport was our escape from the realities of life. Thank heavens I was probably too young to appreciate the full pressures of life, mine were far worse. Teenage years were a living hell, dont tell me they were the best years ever. Crap.

Anyway back to my old friend sport and that B E A U...TIFUL tour of Australia. Lets put it down in history, put up a monument to Smithers, with the words " Drive Smithers , Drive ! "

Who cares lets celebrate it, its a massive achievement. Right alongside winning a series in New Zealand ( rugby you plonkers )

The Australian series started just before my holidays and now that the one dayers are finished too, I can finally go back and focus on work. For me and every over eager purist out there who will tell you in the members at Newlands ( I'll never call it what they call it now ) Test Cricket is the shit, the series was truly amazing. I have watched a few days of the old game in my life but this was different. Every time we seemed to wobble and look to hit the floor like an old boxer we somehow managed to find our legs again and come out fighting. The 1st Test, I can honestly say that I thought we were out of it, not a chance in hell. Dont even bother getting your hopes up ( I was'nt the only one ) but the 2nd with that deficit and the batting we had left. I was almost crying in my pillow saying how could they do this to us again. I never set my alarm the next morning and when Jamie phoned me screaming something along the lines of..." Duminy, that little mutha f@%&* is still batting, we cleaning them !!! " I was down the stairs and had the TV on in seconds my mind or my eyes could not comprehend what was happening. After years, again I'll say it, I mean years of them doing this stuff to us we finally were doing it to them. The Sweetest thing I ever did see, well until now that is. Watching the stress build on every Aussie player, fan and most definitely their beloved Commentators has been true bliss. I could go on and on but I wont.

For those of you out of the loop and not quite getting it here dont worry its just something has been bothering a few of us for a while. Its over for awhile now we can sit back relax enjoy it and look forward to the return tour in a months time.

First team to win a series in AUS for 16 years.

First SA team ever to win a Series.

2nd Highest run chase in 1st Test ever. 414 Highest 418 but who cares this was so sic.

I could go on, please send me stats if you have them.

Well talk about that another time.

Attakwaaskloof MTB

For anyone out there thinking about doing a tough race, pencil this one in. Its one of the hardest days I have had on the saddle. I like to compare myself to a cowboy riding over terrain on some mission, not sure why maybe its the kid thing or it just helps the mind whittle away them miles, but this way definitely some cowboy terrain. 126 km from Oudsthoorn to Groot Brak which took me 7 hrs and 21 minutes landing me in 62 posi overall. I wanted to get a silver under seven hours and was on track but sometimes we write cheques our body just cant cash. It's a very painful and harrowing reminder that we are all human and no matter how much you do we all have a point where the body says, no sir !

The last 50 kms are a massive ball ache of constant rolling hills as we wound our way to the coast. Down a valley then back up again was enough to send me very close to suicide. Seriously, when someone says save some energy for the last 40kms you should listen, but hey whats life without a lesson learnt. Overall I would say the first three quarters were rad but they could find some tracks to help ease the boredom of rolling hills. My mind by that stage was thinking of the Spur burger I had passed up at water point 3 or 4. 

But riding through the Attakwaaskloof was awesome, tough jeep track with some rocky descents and stunning scenery to make it a proper ride. The miles are now under the belt and its not far from Epic time for me and my partner Anton. Its serious now, you dont want to go through that day after day. 

Until next year and my quest for the Sub Seven Silver...

CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN

Hello there,

Sorry for going AWOL for awhile there, no excuses needed so welcome to our first New year.

I heard this quote over the holidays and think it will fit very nicely into my life.

So get yourself out there ---CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN---

All the best for your New Years, I hope I can bring you some joy and perhaps add something to your day or life via my ramblings.

Take care out there