Cape Epic 2007

Brandon and Kevin seem to be doing very well in this years Cape Epic. I'm been following their progress closely. They are lying in 8th place overall (as of the 28 March). Brandon has said that he hopes they get a top 10 by the end.

I would love to ride the Epic again next year but it's not that cheap - R 5700 each (that's nearly £600 per rider). Plus, you have to get yourself to South Africa - another £500. It all adds up. Having said that the experience is priceless. I'll see how things go...

Take a look at some of the pics from the race.

Report: from the website
Stage 5 – Barrydale to Montagu

Team Dolphin Mountainbike – Bart Brentjens (NL)/ Rudi van Houts (NL) secure first stage win at 2007 Absa Cape Epic (winning time 3:41.32,8)

Team Bulls – Karl Platt (D)/ Stefan Sahm (D) reclaim yellow leader jersey with a 1 ½ minute gap to second placed team Cannondale-Vredestein 1

Also in this years Cape Epic is Roger Hogg (my brother-in-law). He is doing really well for a first time attempt. Rog has only just started mountain biking so he's doing reall well. Roger and Mike are lying in 162 position. Good luck guys.

Training: First week on the road (19-25 March)

I've had a good start to my training. Feeling pretty tired by the end of it, but chuffed that I'm back on the road. The best part was the weekend - the weather was awesome and as I left early in the morning the traffic was quite too.

Monday
am: 01:30 hrs
pm: 01:38 hrs

Tuesday
Stretching and strength training

Wednesday
Commute: 03:10 (77km)

Thursday
Commute: 03:00 (76km)

Friday
Rest day

Saturday
Easy - 02 :15 on mt bike (46km)

Sunday
Hilly Ride - 03:42 (81km)

Total time in saddle: 15 hours

Next week I'm picking up the tempo. I might do blocks of training - 3/4 days incremental and then a day off (stretching). Let see how it goes - need to get ready for the Girvin. I don't expect to do too well, but my aim is to complete the race.

My new road bike

I love it. This is an example of why I just love carbon. Its not too light but it has the ride quality Jan expected when he raced. I'm still getting used to the blue colour but the white is pimp. I'll need some wicked white over-shoes to go. Anyway, here is my bike disected - enjoy.

Frame: T800 carbon composite
Bars: Easton EC70 composite
Stem: Easton EC70 composite
Levers: Shimano Dura-Ace 20 speed STI
Wheels: Mavic Ksyrium ES
Cranks: Shimano Dura-Ace 20 speed STI
Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace SPD-SL
Mechs: Shimano Dura-Ace 20 speed STI
Seat Post: Easton EC70 composite
Seat: Fizi:k Arione Ti rails
Bottle cages: Elite carbon look

Link to the Giant website with all the manufacturer details: www.giant-bicycles.com/mybike

Buy it from AW Cycles here.

Finally...on the road

After 10 weeks off the bike I finally made it on the road. Wow!

I woke up early this morning and headed out on my new road bike. I'd planned to do just an hour at an easy pace - just spinning my legs.

The ride was special - I'd just gone to heaven and was enjoying the trip.

Although it wasn't sunny, it was dry and reasonably warm (12 deg). I had my full gear on as I expected to rev my engine at no more than 140 beats per minute max. So I wasn't going to generate too much heat.

I rode around my neck of the woods - Beare Green-Capel-Rusper-Faygate-Beare Green. I did an hour and 20 mins (01:20) which was more than I expected to do. And, what's more my knee felt fine. There were the occasional twinges, but on the whole it felt good. Once out the saddle I felt a little vulnerable with my left leg. But the more I got out the saddle the better it felt. After an hour my left leg felt tired. I guess this is expected. I now need to build on this and aim for two hours.

Nearly there...

In this photo: training in the garden - easy spinning at 100watts.

Time is marching on and so is the race season. My injury seems to be under control. Since my leg cast was removed I've spent one week indoors on my turbo - following a ramp-like rehab/training programme. My first session consisted of a mere 10 minutes at 50 watts. Even though it may seem insignificant to some for me it was a milestone. I've been ramping this up daily and this morning was able to ride for 45 minutes at 100 watts.

Couple of things that have helped me stay focussed, including: constant contact with my team mates, daily race alerts (websites, magazines and blog entries) - keeping up with news as it happens - including the local UK scene, my new race bike and kit and reading the Lance Armstrong book - Tour de Force - on my train journeys in the morning.

Where next?

My plan is to continue training on my turbo for this week (until 18th). Then next week commute a couple of times to work. After that ride each day to work and begin my first race on the 7th April (Girvin Stage Race).