Cycle 4 Soccer

The Fat Lady Sings

2011-07-10T00:32:00.000-07:00

We started the last day at 04:30, wanting to be sure to get home before sunset. Awaiting us was the mother of all challenges, and a rather strange way to end a mountain bicycle race - we had to get over the Hottentots Holland mountains, but in the spirit of the Freedom Challenge, not via a tarred road. Not many options here.

So the route follows a rather remote and splendid valley called Stetteynskloof running between Rawsonville and Paarl. There is nothing there except the remains of a Shackleton that crashed there in 1963 (more....).

But also no tracks, not even a footpath to speak of. So it's pushing, draggging and carrying the bike, no riding at all. 8 hours of it. Fortunately a recent burn cleaned out the dense vegetation and many fellow Challengers have left some footsteps and the occasional cairn to guide you along the way. It remains an ordeal of note. Dragging the bike, cursing, crossing rivers and many ks of rocky spurs ending with a mountain-goat type scramble up a near vertical face to emerge close to the start of the Hugenots Tunnel on the N1.

From there it's a hop&skip to the top, down through the Hawekwas forest and onto the finish at Diemersfontein where friends and family waited for us. And what a finish, definitely not an anti-climax. Champagne, the traditional pizza, and of course receiving the much treasured finishers blanket, a victorian english style 100% woolen blanket much treasured in the Sotho culture and traditionally given to young men upon completion of their initiation rites.

Our hosts at Diemersfontein also treated us royally: luxury accommodation, 5* meals and a very festive event to wrap up a long and hard day and journey to get there. Wine maker Brett Rightford, Pinotage supremo, also rode this year.

While it must have sounded like one non-stop punishing ordeal, and at times we did wonder if we will ever see the other side again, it's the beautiful places and people, the cameraderie, and most of all, stunning mountain biking on trails very few people have the privilege of riding that we will remember. It's been a very personal journey for each one of us, one that will live with us and enrich the rest our lives.

Technical details:

Deon - Intense Spider 2 (issues: 2 derraileur cables, one back hub rebuild, one set of brake pads, two tubeless conversion valve failures, rear derailleur badly bent by a flying rock).

Di - Scott Spark Carbon 30 (issues: 2 derraileur cables, one freewheel hub kaput requiring a replacement wheel loaned from Stephanie in Molteno, one set of brakepads, headset not lekka anymore and some disturbing play on the the read linkage or wheel towards the end).

Ricky - Avalanche GT (issues: 1 derailleur cable, seriously complaining brakes towards the end and freewheel hub(Mavic) acting up most of the way).

Some tummy troubles, dinged shins, lots of scratches, a badly sprained thumb, seriously sore mouths, and frozen toes and fingers.

All things considered not bad going.

Thank you all for your messages of support and encouragement, our families for their sacrifices, David and Meryl for making it happen and the magnificent riding machines that carried us all the way.

Many thanks to our hosts at the support stations along the way, who fed us, washed clothes and put up with our weird hours and needs.

Deon, Di & Ricky (aka. DDR)

Cape Town 8 July 2011

Home james, don't spare the horses

2011-07-09T04:23:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful day in all aspects, short-sleeves sunny, beautiful vistas over the green fields to the snow-capped cape mountains, generally easy iding ang a manageable 70 odd ks.

We were still marvelling at the good food at McGregor and Kasra. Fresh crisp salad, well-cooked veggies, stuff we'd been dreaming of for weeks.

At Kasra, well-known for it's good fare, Di & Ricky settled for perfect eggs bacon " toast, I opted for last night's left-over lamb curry on toast - at 09:30am. Not who enjoyed it the most, me or the hostess watching me skoff It all.

We arrived at Trouthaven at sunset, our last support station. We were joined by the three extreme triatholon challengers who left at 03;00am. We should be off by 4:30, chomping at the bit like farm horses turning home.

See you soon!

Riding,Eating,Sleeping - Di

2011-07-06T15:46:00.000-07:00

Di's sms's - Wed 6th

N01 -
Safe and sound,clean and comfy in McGregor,though I did need to tow Rick the last 20km.He just has not been able to fully recover,what with the relentless pace we need to maintain to get in each day.If I cycle alongside him we are doing 7km per hour,if I tow, about 12 - 15,so it's a no brainer.Thank God I'm feeling strong!If all goes according to plan we should be home by Friday - hope the bikes hold out.They are also rather worse for wear.

No2-(20mins later)
Chomp,munch,crunch,chew,snarf,gulp,chow,gobble,suck,slurp,gulp,swallow - MAN the human mouth was not designed for this kind of abuse! Now I know why Gran said don't eat between meals - the organs of mastication need to rest and recover after working hard toprocess food, but this Freedom Challenge is hard on everything,including the lips,tongue,teeth,gums and jaws. We just eat NON STOP and are all suffering some form of oral discomfort from ulcers to sand-papered tongues to aching jaws and teeth. I think I am going to adopt a diet of vege soup and fruit puree when I get back (sounds like the kind of fare you'd get in an old aged home. I may well be checking in sooner than planned,judging by the haggard face that stares back at me from the mirror)

No3- (1hr50mins later !!! )
Oh my am I really on the Freedom Challenge? Already I can feel the hardship slipping away. I have just had the most delicious meal of the last 3 weeks - good red wine, fresh garden salad, home made tomato soup with fresh basil,crispy herb chicken,home made chips, beetroot, butternut + broccoli cooked lightly as veggies should be and all topped off with moist chocolate cake and ice cream.i am so content I could just expire and I am going to do just that.
GOOD NIGHT:)

The cape

2011-07-06T15:20:00.000-07:00

Anysberg is a very special and very remote reserve. Make a plan and get there.

Leaving Anysberg this morning, we bombed down the Ouberg pass after crossing a vast plain apparently known for its unique succulents,indeed succulent forests nogal. The weather continued to treat us well, cold and crisp, but clear. Best sunrise of the trip.

We hit Montague for lunch, it felt like NY City. Civilization! Noisy, busy disconcerting. Got the hell outta there soonest. A blissfull meander through the winelands around Robertson and the Vrolikheid nature reserve and we're safely tucked up in McGregor. Two more days if all goes well. Should be home Fri (touch wood etc).

We're unanimous in looking forward to sleeping late for the 1st time in 3 weeks.

Die Hel

2011-07-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

After a stylish breakfast at Dennehof we set off with our gourmet padkos (cheese and rocket on ciabatta rolls). We had to keep our options open as to our destination as Ricky was still not well. We would have liked to run 2 support stations - Gamkaskloof and on to Rouxpos. One too soon the other too far.

So we soldiered out and up the Swartberg Pass, at its most magnificent in the early morning light. At the top of the 1st long climb approx 15ks at Teeberg, Johan Rissik was again waiting with coffee (filter!) and rusks. Memorable.

From there the 50 odd ks into gamkaskloof aka Die Hell started with yesterday's snow still sprinkeled all over. Long grinding uphills and swooping cutbacks made for some fine riding. A quick lunch at Hell's Kitchen and the big climb out the other side, including the hour long climb up "The Ladder" or "Die LEER" (an ancient footpath to and from die hell basically straight up a near-vertical mountain side) , quite a mission with a bike slung around your back.

It had started drizzling and the temps dropped. We decided not to push for Rouxpos, our next support station, but seeked shelter from the bitter cold on a farm. The Hunluns put us up in a little cottage they rent out at the top of Seweweekspoort- turned out to be a good move as it rained all evening.

We carried on cycling in the rain the next morning, with snow falls of the prev evening visible. It cleared by mid-morning and after a farm breakfast at Rouxpos, we had a magnificent ride into Anysberg.

Back to the karoo

2011-07-05T02:38:00.000-07:00

The gamble paid off, we left Willowmore in a freezing early start for the long haul(185km) to Prince Albert. The dreaded headwinds had died down, so the long flat Karoo road was a breeze allowing us to maintain avg speeds approaching 16ks/hour and make good time.

Only problem was a bit of stomach bug troubles going around. Ricky was worst hit and left with no strength. Two bike tubes made a bungee hitch and Di was helping him maintain a bit of speed.

The road is also very sandy and badly corrugated in places, but the absence of the dreaded prevailing headwind made up and more for all this. As is traditional, local supporter Johan Rissik was waiting 30kms outside Prince Albert with flasks of coffee and rusks.

Tonight is one of the highlights of the race from an accommodation point of view. Ria from Dennehof is putting us up in 5* Karoo style incl gourmet food and luxury facilities. The same Johan is also a capable bike mechanic and our bikes got a good clean, technical once over and minor niggles sorted. What a treat!

Johann had gleefully pointed out the fresh sprinkling of snow covering the tops of the Swartberg in the distance on our approach and tomorrow we tackle the famously beautiful Swartberg pass en route to Gamkaskloof and Die Hell, with the notorious scramble up the Ladder to get out the other side. Johan has promised to drive up the pass to bring more coffee & rusks. Sigh, this adventure racing is tough stuff.

Beginning of the end

2011-07-05T02:00:00.000-07:00

Foolish to even think Iike that. This has been a theme of this race - the moment you start patting yourself on the back you get floored by some unforseen event. Twice in the last couple of days we thought we were home and errr.. dry, only to face another raging river to cross. Before Cambria we had to strip and go head under water to get through - that now with a bicycle in your arms - no fun.

The Baviaanskloof is a mess. Debris and trees have covered the tracks and river crossings and the water is still flowing strong. Endless crossings, we lost count but it's many dozens. At least the water is not quite as freezing as the stuff we had to deal with in the Karoo. Still it was a magnificent ride. Views from the top all the way down to the sea, 15k descent into the floodplains down the original oxwagon trail, now almost non-existent. Endless wilderness, huge folded mountains, not a human is sight.

Today we left the Bkloof and back into the Karoo en route to Willlowmore & Prince Albert. Hah! Freezing blustery headwinds made the going slow and decidedly unpleasant. When we got to Willowmore, 80 of the 160ks planned for the day, we had enough. Big plates of food and pudding, *real* coffee and watching rugby/tour de france/wimbledon by the fire and our stoic commitment crumbled. According to yr.no the wind will abate tomorrow, so we'll leave at 04:00 to make up loast time - it's going to be a loooong day. 180ks but reasonably flat and uncomplicated, so just the weather wild-card.

We can smell the cape, and can count the days. The compass has moved from south-west to due west and there is renewed determination to give a big push. The bikes are starting to show strain, hubs and suspension linkages are creaking, brakes are patchy and tyres need regular topping up.

The little Griqua kids stand by the side of the road chanting "Hou bene hou".

Getting there, one k at a time

"....floods that caught us by surprise........."

2011-06-28T04:36:00.000-07:00

The floods that caught us by surprised yesterday, required icy pre-dawn river crossings and left behind some grim mud to contend with. Black & sticky, it quickly clogged up the wheels and shoes and we wasted a lot of time scraping it off with a stick. We were exhausted after the long slog up the skurweberg. The view was glorious and once over the neck we were treated to 7ks of single track dropping over 400m.
Now we're in big-tine hunting country (near Pearston) staying at a lodge tonight. We're also over the halfway mark and getting into a rythm - rise at 4.45, 45 mins to dress, pack and eat, target is to be pedaling as the 1st blue tinge appears on the eastern horizon' about an hour before sunrise. We mostly get home inthe dark. So we try to ride into the light and do our best not to have to cover tricky routes late afternoons when one navigation error can leave us bunbling around the dark for a long time, even forcing one to sleep out in the rough.

Tomorrow 28th the scratchy portage over the Swaershoek mountains, and if no mishaps to try and cover 2 support stations to claw back some of the 2 days lost with all the challenges.

Reception stll spotty so battling to get blog ent

Muddy mountain & cold river

2011-06-28T01:41:00.000-07:00

Diectly from Di's sms - "Made it in daylight today,thank goodness,but, boy was it a muddy, slippery, treacherous track!Poor bikes are wrecked.they got a little much needed TLC this evening.The day began just 1.5 km down the road with a bitterly cold river crossing.I had to inch my way bare foot over jagged rocks that felt like shards of glass,with my bike on my shoulder,desperately wanting to move faster,but afraid tolose my footing and get swept down the rapids - man it was so cold and painful! It took 15 mins to rub my feet vaguely warm before I could put my shoes and socks on and pedal int the pre-dawn freeze - Brrrrrrrrrrrr

Hello Karoo

2011-06-26T15:50:00.000-07:00

26June 2011
The last couple of days have been a bit of a blur. The Stormberg continued to bedevil us. After a meander through the historic battlefields of the Boer war, ala Vegkoppies, Moordenaarspoort and so on, we ended up stumbling around in the worse mud imaginable trying to find our way to Molteno. To add insult to injury it started snowing and Di's freewheel hub packed up again.

But some angels were looking out for us. Our hosts Will&Stephanie were worried and sent the teenagers in the bakkie to come look for us. Not long after that we were warming up at the Aga stove waiting for dinner. And they feed us well.

The next morning we got dropped off where we were pic0ked to complete the 3 hour home stretch of the previous night. Getting across the Aasvoelberg was touch and go with the snow, but things cleared and after another monster muddy hike a bike, we descended down 15 ks of verrry technical tracks down into the Karoo at last.Waiting in Hofmeyer were of course their legendary pies and a whole lot more comforts.

The weather improved dramatically, and today (my birthday) was the best day riding of the race so far. A big drop down the Elandsberg, and we're again well fed by Margaret,before riding over the Great Fish river to near the Mt Zebra Nat Pk outside Cradock.. The day did have sting in the tail when with only 20 ks left we ran into and had to cross two rivers that were flooding.Some locals helped us by showing us the best line which still didn't prevent me falling in but at least we were not washed down the raging waters.Let's hope the weather holds a bit longer.

Spluttering through the Eastern Cape

2011-06-25T02:38:00.000-07:00

Thurs 23rd June
There was a cold wind blowing and we got going early as our eye was on Moordenaarspoort 118km away - by 12 we were over Kapokkraal and down into the Bamboeshoek and Slaapkranz the support station.Here we briefly missed the turning to first portage and from then on the clock started running away from us.These portages are just never simple - the directions have you following fence lines, crossing watersheds, hopping over fences, 'bundubashing' etc. Just before cresting the second watershed the light faded and we were in the dark which made it really difficult finding the track running off the mountain. Sean W. apparently also slept rough on the Bonthoek some days ago and we were next in line.As we bumbled down into the valley we came upon a disused shed and sheltered here for the night.This was the same shed that Bruce used in 09 the shelter from similar weather.I use the term 'sheltered' quite loosely here as it was freezing as all hell and not very comfortable at all.Fumbling in the dark i hit the SOS button - sorry. Fortunately we woke to find ourselves on the right track and headed through Rossouw just down the road before swinging off to Moordenaarspoort where we got a hot drink and some food. The weather stayed bad - cold ,rain, wind and we only made it as far as Kranzkop and stayed put for the night.
(images archival,07,08-real ones to follow)

Into the Stormberg

2011-06-22T00:12:00.001-07:00

Fab day. After a full nights rest, the whole morning spent cleaning bikes and clothes, we left Rhodes at 11am nicely energised. Near perfect weather, chilly but sunny & no wind.

The plan was a gentle half day 70k ride to chesneywold where christo and minki botha awaited us with good farm food and cosy conversation around the Aga stove in the kitchen.

Magnificent countryside of green pastures, crystal clear rivers (trout country) glowing mountains and endless passes - every serious climb rewarded with swooping drops into the valleys, gentle cruise along the streams and repeat.

We dropped down the last pass as the sun set and temps dropping instantly from chilly to freezing. This is seriously cold country. Tomorrowks 6am departure will see us wearing almost every piece of clothing we have. Tomorrow we will try and catch up the half a day lost in Rhodes. Tall order _ 150k with 2 serious portages. We will join brothers Leon & Anton, who know the route potentiall saving us from getting lost. With a serious cold front expected Thu, we need to movE while the going is good.

The ride to Rhodes

2011-06-20T23:19:00.000-07:00

Sundays disaster day had left us dejected, exhausted and doubtful of our ability to navigate. Deon's achilles heel and Di's thumb were very painful - 1st time we tucked into the stash of miprodols and oxyflams.

Surprisingly we woke up relatively fresh and re-energised after a fitful 2 hours sleep. The riders to Rhodes ( a supported 550k event Deon & Di did in 2009 - see www.savetheworld.co.za) had left so we had the usual hearty breakfast of porridge, steam bread, boiled eggs, sausages, tomatoes. Tea made with diluted hot milk and we were ready to leave at the planned 9am.

Tim James had finally arrived and we were to ride together - a shortish and very beautiful ride with no navigational challenges. Hoorah! We were very chirpy, full tummies and rations replenished.

But it was not to be, as bad luck comes in threes. We were 10mins out when Di's freewheel gave in, leaving us sitting by the side of the road - we just didnt have the tools or knowhow for this. The prospect of sitting around for a couple of days waiting for a replacement wheel left us gloomy and dejected. The makeshift solution of cable- tying the cluster to the spokes so we can limp along so long didn't hold past the 1st bend.

I called my bike engineer (Shane from Bowmans Cycles back in Cpt) who told me that type of hub had a known problem that could be repaired without specialiased tools. Great, except there were only huts as far as the eye can see, the closest town many hours away.

But we managed to find a bucket of rusty old tools at a spaza shop and got to work (a hammer and pliers rusted solid were invovled, as well as a huge 19" crescent wrench and two vice grips. True African style.

Much grunting, head scratching and swearing later (boosted by tennis biscuits and fanta from the shop) we had it sorted. With Shane talking us through the finicky job of tweaking the spring to force the pawls to engage properly. 3 hours lost but elated to be mobile again, we charged off.

A 2 hour climb up to the 1st Drakensberg plateau with the bikes uncomfortably balanced on our packs, up very steep and scratchy sheep tracks. Then the most beautifull ride down to the next valley followed by the hectic Naude' neck pass, at 2500m the highest road in SA. Frozen waterfalls and iced over roads etc

By then the sun had set and temps plummeted to -2. Donning full snow gear, we set off down the treatcherous 35 ks to Rhodes. Icy hairpin bends and pitch darkness and we had some close calls. It took forever with Deon having to push up every hill bdue to the moggy achilles heel. Our hands were frozen and teeth chatering when we finally arrived at 9 to cosy fires, hearty stews and a glass of red wine! CivilizAtion!

We have decided to lie low today. Wash and dry all our cllothes, stock up and give the broken bodies some rest. So a 10am dept and an easy 5-6 hour ride to Chesneywold, an interim station en route to Slaapkrans our next compulsory stop. Apparently the mother of cold fronts will be hitting us Wed/Thu, oh dear. Watch this space.

HELL

2011-06-19T23:06:00.000-07:00

21:27 sunday, sitting by the side of the road outside Mtabelanga waiting for someone who knows the rough route up the vuvu river valley. With our track record of navigation disasters and bumbling around in the dark we decided to play it safe. Eating evrything left - biiltong, wasabi peas, chutney corn, tenniS biscuits & prunes. A picnic complete with a smoky fire with wood scavenged from a derelict building.

The day started so well, we were ready at 1st light and august carstens, a racing contender sitting out a bad knee, showing us the tricky route out and up to black fountain- where he disappeared on his mission with our encouragemnent. Then all hell broke loose- a terrible gale force wind made it impossible to ride, blowing us off our bikes. Di took a bad tumble with bike even loosing a wheel in the process.

We spent the whole day criss crossing endless valleys and spurs after a bad call by deon took us down too early. We finally got to Tinana mission stn at 17h00 instead of the planned 11am.

Another bad call had us deciding to press on when we should have bunkered down. The 1st time we left the road we got lost in a little village Mjikelweni in pitch darkness. Fortunately a rare english speaker Spha (with dozens of squealing kids in tow) showed us the way down and thru the Tina river and out to the road to Vuvu. His mission for which he energetically tried to canvas our support, is get support to build an acceSs road and start an agricultural cooperative for the 23 families. We exchanged cell numbers and promised to stay in touch.

So here we are, staring at the fire hoping to tag along with an experienced racer, skoffing all our rations and watching the stars. The prospect of finding our way to cape town like this is a daunting thought.

Part 2
So after waiting for Tim for 2 hours huddled close to our hobo fire by the side of the road, we got mesg he was holed up "High up on the little berg, overlooking Tinana. Hiding from the wind and cooking up some soup. Biltong and chocolate" - tim at 21h38
Arrved at vuvu 4:20 Took the road after stmbling around looking for vuvu valley 4 2hrs. *#@+" terrible experience. Want to pushon to rhodes, leaving 8.30. 2.30 hrs fitful sleep - very noisy iin the village (we eat, slept at the school.

At least no wind today, hoping to make good time 2 rhodes - cheers

Heaven

2011-06-19T03:50:00.000-07:00

Today made all the paın worthwhıle. After yesterday's hell on earth and 4 hours sleep, thıngs could only ımprove - and they dıd ın buckets.

-4deg start before sunrıse meant we were wearıng all 5 layers of clothıng we had. Glorıous dawn colours wıth the snowy malutıs as a backdrop, wheels crunchıng through ıced peuddles. The awful wınd dıued down overnıght and by lunch we were dow to shorts & e layers, stıll chılly but no wınd makes a bıg dıff.

And then the rıdıng. Thıs ıs what mountaın bıKıng ıs all about - endless sıngle track swoopıng down, swept smooth by years of anımal traffıc.

And to crown ıt all - a "short" rıde, only 65ks, 10 hours, arrıvıng at Malekholonyane, the most beautıful place one can ımagıne wıth the sun shınıng. Beautıful local people welcomıng you wıth vetkoek, honey and peanut butter - no better recovery fOod on earth. Clothes and bıkes gettıng washed whıle we sıt on the lawn wıth cold beers starıng at snow-capped peaks.

Sun settıng now, warm shower, food, whole nıghts sleep ahead - ıt doesnt get better.

Thıs aınt no party, thıs aınt dısco thıs aınt no foolıng around.

2011-06-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

The day started out pretty grim with early morning cold winds howling into our faces as we left Ntsikeni's May Lodge and then my gear cable started playing up so we spent some time replacing that which put us behind schedule somewhat. Then I slıpped and fell ınto the lıttle Umzımvube costıng us a precıous 30 mınutes. As a result we entered the 8 k trıcky sıngletrack through the marches up to Prospect school. Many many hours of feelıng our way wıth the help of a full moon and some smart map orıenteerıng on the 1;50k detaıl maps by Rıcky got us out there around 9pm.

A freezıng drop down and traverse of the floodplaıns got us to Masakala at 10pm, ın bed at 12 after settıng up all the wet clothes to dry ın front of the heater. Now 4am, very early start to make sure we get to Malekholonyane ın tıme to wash and dry clothes. More marches today. Cheers

Calm before the Storm?- Ntsikeni

2011-06-16T15:01:00.000-07:00

What a balmy day.24c with a tail wind and lots of cover in the forests.Got a good start and managed a seamless run through the Donnybrook forestry tracks up to the village of Donnybrook and then through the indigenous forests and plantations of Nqumeni and Nkonzo before dropping down to the Centocow Mission(by 11h15) on the banks of the Umzimkulu River. Ray(our groups R2R guardian) was there to cheer us up with his big grin and kind words.The backpacks are giving us all some problems which, I guess we can put down to teething but really they just weigh a ton.This is what makes this race a real challenge - carrying all your gear. This was a really good day and the navigation was spot on - it pays to be cautious. What a relief to get in before dark.
Di,Deon,Ricky

LET THE GAMES BEGIN...

2011-06-15T15:09:00.000-07:00

It is always nervewracking leading up to a huge undertaking like this and it is a mixture of relief and panic that whirls around your head for the beginning of the first day on the road.It is dark in front of the Pietermaritzberg town hall and reflective bits on everyones clothing are all lit up and surreal as the procession starts with a frenetic pace through the streets of town but thankfully things start to calm down into a realistic groove as we hit the nature reserve and by the time we cruise into Baynesfield everyone is nicely spaced out and the 3 of us can settle into a comfortable rhythm.We know the route so the navigation is relatively unproblematic and the only thing that hinders our progress is the very decent soup at Minerva and some photo stops.It is never easy.Long long day, backs achıng, hungry, tıred, elated. Dreadıng tomorrow, a beeg day.

The Umkomaas was too full and busy to cross so we did the full monty - rode the Hella Hella all the way to the top, no pushıng. Maybe that ıs why our backs are all achıng.

Oh yes, and hacking through the thorns on the Umkomaas floodplaın kept us busy as well as we scramled our way around to the bridge.

Well nothıng a beer a hot meal and a good nıghts sleep cant cure. Plus a bıg bad moon rısıng and an eclıpse to cheer us.

New Train Driver

2011-06-10T09:53:00.000-07:00

This is another blog post. hello hello I am Steve and I will be in charge of keeping you up to date with what is going on with the Lunatics on their insane mission. Here is me acting out what they are going to be living on in order to survive - Dried Mopani Worms and 1.25Litre of Coke. I will mostly be posting from under my duvet while snacking on smoked Norwegian Salmon and cream cheese bagels slurped down with a mug of superior columbian coffeeeeee.

Beginnings

2011-06-10T09:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Guys this is Steve and I am taking over this blog from now on.
Heavy weather practice.Deon getting ready to take Pelham123

2011-06-07T01:56:00.000-07:00

Well at this stage it looks like we'll at least be starting with some nice weather. Hope it holds. This is Pietermaritzburg and we depart 0600 Wednesday 15 June 2011.

2011-06-06T13:42:00.000-07:00

oh dear, here comes trouble...the cold fronts are rolling in

2011-06-06T13:31:00.000-07:00

3 intrepid cyclists – Di Thomas, her son Ricky Thomas and friend Deon Botha, leave Pietermaritzburg for Cape Town on 15 June on the Freedom Challenge Race across South Africa : 2300km : unsupported : dead of winter.

We would like to make every pedal stroke count by gathering sponsorship per km, with all funds raised going towards the purchase of soccer boots & equipment for the kids of GCU.

GCU Academy is a youth focused organization based in Heideveld, a poor Cape Flats suburb. It is run by Mario Van Niekerk, a reformed ex-gangster, who knows firsthand the pitfalls that await these disadvantaged Youth and understands on a deep personal level their need for love & acceptance.

GCU uses soccer to entice boys, and increasingly girls, to the ‘club’ and away from gang and drug related activities. This is particularly important since none of the schools in the area offer any sporting activities. There are currently in excess of 150 GCU members ranging in age from 8 to 21. We could never relate to these kids like Mario does, but we can help in our own small way and we appeal to you to help us make every pedal stroke count for good in our Freedom Challenge - Cycle 4 Soccer.

For auditing purposes, all funds will be managed by the Tourism Community Development Trust www.tcdtrust.org.za , an NPO which focuses on bringing the benefits of tourism to needy beneficiaries.

All donations are tax deductible.

Place your pledge on the Cycle 4 Soccer Facebook page (10c will contribute R230 etc) and if you LIKE, please tell your friends.

Thanks! Di, Deon & Ricky...