Perfect cycling weather and an early start saw 11 paracyclisst on the startline - great to have our ranks swelled by some trike riders and some cyclists -- please keep coming guys, we can only go from strength to strength. Dylan was going like a rocket! Andries will have to watch out as there's nothing stopping this young man. Phillemon got lost at the turn around point and got in some major hill-climbing training. I'm sure he wont make that mistake again! It was good to see Anton Viljoen joining us and I am sure Anton will be hitting the training so that he is fitter for the next TT in January 2012.
Gerhard, Andries and Dylan as they started out on the TT course...more pics as they become available.
The
demo day was well supported for a word-of-mouth event with 5 interested
people come out and try handcycling. Adri Knoetze really had a ball -
we almost had to prize her off Ina's Stealth handcycle. The venue was a
bit tricky for test rdies as it is built on a slope, so we will have to
hold another demo day early in the new year.
We
had some paracyclists join us for the first time for the Rustenburg TT
with George Rex, still on his recumbent as he waits for his racing
tricycle, as well as Johnny Faure and his Pilot. So our field has
started to grow with the addition of paracyclists. A small handcycle
field, seems everyone is feeling tired as the yea-end looms. 
Hilary started out well, but got a puncture about half way, Andries and Allan were flying as usual. Phillemon went to the Olympia stadium and arrived when the whole thing was over, but he and Allan went out and did a lap just for the sake of it!
One lone handcyclist was brave enough to enter this race. The start is in the hills of Krugersdorp, Allan Large reports there was a big field of cyclists tackling this challenging route. The last 6km or so is a brutal climb up the Sterkfontein hill, with an average gradient of at least 6%.Allan says he would ride it again, but would keep something "in the tank" for that last wicked climb next year. Definitely a good event for anyone planning on riding the TDK.
A field of 7 handcyclists hit the road spot on 8:30am for some blistering times. It seems the winter training has paid of in most cases with PBs for Andries, Allan, Hilary, Gideon and Pieter Jonck. A welcome appearance by Phillemon Lesibana as well! Keep it up guys! Pictures to be added when available.
Andries and Allan held the handcycle flag high at the Carousel race, the course was fast and fairly flat, a "must do" for 2012
Allan crossing the finishing mats and Andries powering to the finish line.
Photos: Elsa Scheepers
It was a really early start, with quite a big field of both road and MTB cyclists for the EPR event. The lone handcyclist representing GHRC was Andries Scheepers who rode the 58km distance. Great weather with hardly any wind on the course.
Thats a really early highveld start! Andreis puts the hammer down and passes a cyclist on the finishing straight, down the Tarlton drag strip.
Photos: Elsa Scheepers
Andries, Allan and Hilary braved the freezing weather for a good winter'
s
morning ride. The route is deceptive - looks quite flat on paper, but
there's a good 400m of climbing on the short route and an icy headwind
to contend with for the middle section of the ride. Definitely do-able
and probably a ride to mark for the calendar next year.Th event is well marshalled and the traffic well-behaved as the roads are not closed.
It is advisable to have a flag though for extra visibility.
Looking forward to riding with a few more para-cyclists next year! Its much more fun when theres a whole bunch of guys.
Some pictures taken by Elsa Scheepers:
Andries crossing the finish line Allan at the finish (literally!)
Hilary just over the timing mats.
Bela Bela 63km ride 21st May 2011
Andries, Gideon and Hilary braved the cold highveld morning to participate in the Bela Bela Century 21 Cycle Race. We all rode the 63km route, with Andries shooting off out of sight in no time. Gideon and Hilary rode together for the first 20-odd km. The weather was perfect - cool, no wind,and we got a good start as the race organisers allowed all paracyclists to start with the tandems in the first group at 6:30am.
So here is Gideon toughing it out on his way to the finish, and Hilary crossing the finish line. Andries was evidently too fast for the camera:-) This is quite a flat route, however the first third is deceptively fast, being ever so slightly downhill, so its wise to save a bit of energy for the last 2/3 of the race as you gradually climb back up to the finish, and the wind can often be in your face for the last 20km or so. Hope to see more handcyclists there next year! And congratulations to Gideon for his first "long race"!
