WIN: Entries to the 2014 Trans Karoo up for grabs

I some times ride with Manbearpig..... :blush: :blush:

Haha..Getting on the 2014 Attakwas video!! Not for keeping up with Urs, or great riding skills but for my spectacular slomo endo. Cameras don't show how steep and rough terrain really is and there I lost all my descending confidence. I tell you it was rough man! Unforgettable ride it was.

Having to call a friend's mom to come and pick me up from Groenies after my chain broke- felt like a real tjop.

Did our first Argus in 2010. Got new pedals and shoes just two weeks before the big day. Was the first time riding with cleats. Did the whole Argus in the wind and finished battered and bruised in 6:25. Surviving the whole route without having an incident with the new pedals and shoes.

Got our Coke and medal and headed home. At the first traffic light we stopped at, the inevitable happened and I forgot I was wearing cleats. Spectacular slow-mo fall in front of hundreds of people.

So we're always a bunch of roadie friends hitting MTB races for a bit of fun. There was 6 of us doing the Vineyard MTB Classic at Laurensford Wine Estate, culminating the end of the ABSA Cape Epic. We're always giving each other a hard time if either of us takes a fall...usually resulting in an embarrassing picture of the 'victim' on all 4's in the mud, bushes and even rivers. During the race coming down a longish decent, I was out front and struck a tree root wrong and came down tumbling over the bars. In an attempt to avoid any further embarrassment, I jumped up as soon as I could, got on my bike and off I went before the 1st of my friends managed to see me. As I was descending, they obviously had now caught up to me because of my incident, the gradient increased quite a bit and a rocky river crossing approached us swiftly. Reaching for my brakes, I realised that my handlebar had swivelled 180 degrees and my brakes were suddenly on the inside which I had overlooked during my hasty recovery from the 1st fall...and of course I took a massive tumble hitting the boulders and losing control with all my buddies as witness. I still haven't heard the end of that 1. My pride took a hit that day and I've learnt a lesson or two in the process...rather bring up the rear

Out on a early morning winter ride about 10km from home. I was still relaxing at the back of the group when my stomach got into the rhythm of things, and gave a big turn. So as you do, I got out of the saddle and let the big morning fart rip..... immediately I was faced with a the question. Was this really just a lekke fart or did I ACTUALLY just sh%t myself. So, am I just sweating a bit more than usual this morning.... with the temperature round 2-3 degrees, it made it difficult to decide. So I put my ass back onto the saddle and very quickly realised that I needed to excuse myself from the rest of the ride. Being a newby to group made it easy never to return.......

I was 16, full of hormones and spots in equal measure and a girl had just moved into the house next door. She was beautiful enough to make me nervous. The kind of girl that makes you run through conversations in your head just to make sure you don’t stuff it up when she talks to you. Something that guarantees you’ll stuff it up when she talks to you.

 

I didn’t yet have a motorbike on which to embrace my teenage freedom so I had to make do with my bicycle, a purple Diamondback Topanga. In an ill fated attempt to look cool while riding it, I had spray painted my SABC TopSport helmet a matching purple a few years earlier. The helmet was enormous to match my awkwardly sized teenage head and TopSport hadn’t spared the cushioning in this thing either. The net result was that when I wore it I looked like a penis. I even noticed my friend’s mom blush when I arrived at their house. Being a teenager, not looking like a giant pork sword in front of girls was more important than my safety so the helmet got left in the back of the cupboard.

 

Someone who didn’t care about my image as much as my wellbeing was my mom. Maybe she just didn’t realise that I looked like a weiner on wheels when I wore it but if she was around she would insist that I ride with my helmet on. The Hub would have loved her. So as I was sneaking out the drive on my bike (sans lid) one day I heard her voice from the top of the garden, “HELMET!” (The Hub would have really loved her). I tried protesting but it was pointless, I was going to have to wear it, or pretend to at least. I reluctantly walked back up the drive, took my helmet from her and stuck it on my head. I left the straps unfastened, ready to take the replica bell end off the moment I turned the corner.

 

As I was pedalling away I felt I was nearly far enough to be able to safely remove the purple mushroom without being spotted. At exactly that moment the neighbour turned into our street in his convertible. An electric shock ran down my body as I saw who was sitting in the front passenger seat: hot-girl-next-door. And they were approaching the pedalling winky rapidly. I couldn’t afford to be seen like this. In a moment of panic I flicked my head back hoping to eject the helmet and save some face. Unfortunately the straps, despite being loose, were still over my ears and my ears were coming second only to my head in my body’s race for dimensions. The straps caught on my wingnuts and instead of flying off the back of my head the helmet flew forward and covered my entire face. I was blind, in every sense of the word.

 

If the occupants of the car hadn’t noticed the gangly kid on the bike earlier they sure as hell noticed him when he started weaving all over the road with what looked like a todger tip covering his face. And they definitely noticed it when he crossed right in front of their bonnet and rode into the ditch.

 

When I pulled the willy cap off my face I found that they had pulled up next to me. It was clear that they wanted to see if I was okay, and I sensed that her dad was trying especially hard to ask but just couldn’t get a word out between laughing, apologising for laughing and laughing even harder. And she could barely look at me she was laughing so uncontrollably.

 

I mumbled something and rode off. The helmet stayed in the ditch along with my dignity and any shred of a chance I’d ever had of kissing that girl (or any of her friends as it turned out).

I had tears streaming down my face reading this. Well you didn't get the kiss, but she will remember you for the rest of her life.

This guys has GOT to get an entry

 

I had tears streaming down my face reading this. Well you didn't get the kiss, but she will remember you for the rest of her life.

This guys has GOT to get an entry

Couldn't agree more, I read it twice and couldn't stop laughing!

Well, I was not on the bicycle when it happened. There I was doing the biathlon at Clanwilliam dam. I forget the events name. I was there for the weekend more as a camping trip for the family and watch my buddy do the triathlon.

Anyway, after I had completed the cycling leg there was about 150 run to the finish line. I guy with a TV camera came running next to me for an interview whilst I was running to the end. I still remember his question, "I guess this beats a day in the office?" I replied, office work is certainly a lot easier and then it happened, lost my footing and fell face first into loose gravel. All I could think of was, pleeeease do not show this on TV if you ever broadcast the event. Thankfully my prayers were answered.

The two families still laugh about the incident regularly especially when at camp. Funny how the wife always brings up the incident around the camp fire a few years on.

 

Well you didn't get the kiss, but she will remember you for the rest of her life.

Yeah, I'm in my mid thirties and I still cringe when I remember it. I do have to laugh when I imagine how it must have looked from their angle, though.

Yeah, I'm in my mid thirties and I still cringe when I remember it. I do have to laugh when I imagine how it must have looked from their angle, though.

No man I have just read it again, and I am still laughing, if you don't win a spot in this MTB race, I will eat my socks.

My first MTB competition was in Greyton, and I did not know how the whole starting procedure worked with everybody cramming up for the startline. (this was in fact the elite bunch) Nonchalantly decided I'll join the front group and rode round the front without realising I picked up the danger tape whilst trying to get to the front!! The stuff started bundling up on my casette and I grinded to a cleated wipe out in front of everybody!! red faced I had to clear the mess and see the whole start leave without the newbe. ai.

We were a bunch of guys who rode the Cape Argus last year. We decided to ride for a charity which means we had to wear their clothes. So the evening before the race we all went out to "carbo load". So the next morning just before the race I developed this huge pee which took me about 5 minutes to unload. Our pants were bright green, and as you all know Newton's 5th law states "The last 3 drops will always end up in your pants". So there I was with this big dark patch on this bright green pants between thousands of people and everyone knew exactly what happened!

Sani2c, day 2 Trail... we have whooped our way down into the valley, and suckered all the way back up... got to the end and found the pub (as one does).

By 8pm have been fed, masseused, and into or luxury tent. Not 30 minutes later, do I hear many profanities and banging of tents for the guy next to us to to STOP SNORING. So it continues... and (as a snorer after some vino)... I shout out in sympathy, "leave the poor guy alone! He cannot help it"

When 3 replies of ''Shut up... YOU are snoring!"

And my darling husband gently touches my arm and says... "just sleep on your tummy, love"

2 years ago I decide to do the Kenton ON Sea race near Port Alfred.So I load bike ride the 150k there early in the morning from PE.

After finding the start I begin to wonder wheres all the riders???

Go onto internet on the phone to find out its the

next weekend.DAHHHHH

Something I would never live down... I rode my first Berg and Bush back in 2012. I was racing for a team back then (Not naming them) for obviuos reasons....

It was day 1, I had changed wheels with a fellow racer who was aimimg to win the Mixed Cat. So after fixing the puncture my tream mate and I paced to regain our place in the race.

At the 50km (or so) mark decending Bezuidenhouds Pass at 65km/h, thinking im "THE MAN" I hit a rock... Needless to say I do not remember anything after that. I woke up 15mins later in serious agony. I had broken 3 fingers, fractured my wrist and whiplashed my head so hard my helmet was trashed.....So it goes to prove, even if your a sponsored athlete, rocks will still ambush you when you least expect it. Team mate never lets me forget it.

I bought a new bike rack for my car and was very excited to use it, so the next Saturday morning my buddy got to my house ( I was running very late) and I was busy putting the bike on the bike rack for the first time.

I thought I knew what I was doing and was satisfied that I had secured my bike to the rack, so we set off for our ride at Groenkloof. Normally on a Saturday morning outside my estate there are a lot of guys and girls standing outside hoping to get a days work.

As I pulled away from the booms I hit the first traffic circle my bike disappear from view and I heard some scrapping sounds. I pulled over trying not to disrupt the morning traffic to find my bike hanging from the rack from its wheels. Feeling like a complete idiot I quickly secured the bike properly to the bike rack and rode off.

To this day I still take that traffic circle slowly even if I don't have the bikes on the back

First time I rode with clip in pedals I forget to clip out and fell over. Down a hill, while still clipped in, ended up on my back with my bike in the air above me next to a group of passers by.

And I still didn't know how to unclip.

Who would have known you pull to the side ? they should have put that on the side of the box ! seriously !

Thanks for all the amusing and entertaining entries so far. The Trans Karoo team from Fluency had a tough time narrowing it down to just two.

Here are their picks for the first week's winners....

Solo Entry Winner: 69ER

Years ago, I went on a mtb weekend with the GF and some buddies. Unpacked the car and loosely put the front wheel back in my bike (Outeniqua steel bike - who remember those?) with the intention to tighten up later (axle nuts -no QR). Being all mtb bedonnerd we could not wait to go for a sunset ride. A kilometre down the tar road I hauled the bike up for a spectacular hi speed wheelie. Only to be cruelly reminded that I never tightened that damn front wheel....it fell out of the fork and for a considerable time actually ran next to me. One huge face-plant – on tar – and a bent front fork later, my weekend was over before it began…

Team Entry Winner: BIG Mac

So we're always a bunch of roadie friends hitting MTB races for a bit of fun. There was 6 of us doing the Vineyard MTB Classic at Laurensford Wine Estate, culminating the end of the ABSA Cape Epic. We're always giving each other a hard time if either of us takes a fall...usually resulting in an embarrassing picture of the 'victim' on all 4's in the mud, bushes and even rivers. During the race coming down a longish decent, I was out front and struck a tree root wrong and came down tumbling over the bars. In an attempt to avoid any further embarrassment, I jumped up as soon as I could, got on my bike and off I went before the 1st of my friends managed to see me. As I was descending, they obviously had now caught up to me because of my incident, the gradient increased quite a bit and a rocky river crossing approached us swiftly. Reaching for my brakes, I realised that my handlebar had swivelled 180 degrees and my brakes were suddenly on the inside which I had overlooked during my hasty recovery from the 1st fall...and of course I took a massive tumble hitting the boulders and losing control with all my buddies as witness. I still haven't heard the end of that 1. My pride took a hit that day and I've learnt a lesson or two in the process...rather bring up the rear

Congrats!

(Now to start training if you haven't already)

The final draw takes place next week:

Draw #2: 1 x Solo Entry, 1 x Team Entry

Closes Wednesday, 26 February 2014 @ 17h00

Winners will be announced on Thursday, 27 February 2014

Congratulations to 69ER and BIG MAC - looking forward to seeing you on the start line in Ceres.

I was in the second line of riders in the start chute telling a friend how much better cycling is with cleats. As the race briefing starts I shift my weight to the other foot that is still clipped in. I took four other rider on the line with me to ground as I fell flailing like a fish out of water . Luckily no one was hurt (Ego) excluded , but the mc made sure that every one knew what happend. And told everyone to beware of race number xxx. If you pass, Pass wide. The whole ride riders were sure to rmind me to unclipp at the water points.

oops, my bad

At the last Hakahana I had broken away from the guys I had been riding with from almost the start to go for a strong finish alone and try make up a few places in the last 5km or so. Well, the break away was good and I started hauling in quite a large group which meant better SASeeding for 2014 (yay) if I could pull in a few more places. So I pulled all the pace I could managed, passed the group reasonably easy and kept on my crazy pace on a flat, straight single track, note flat ......... a simple round flat rock that lay in my path that a 16" wouldn't struggle to roll over with ease, ended my reckless pace with a gentle twist to my handle bars with a laps of concentration. I ended up doing a half pirouette to bum slide tuck and finished the move off with a whip lash to the rear of my thinking side back flip into the dirt a few meters off to the right and the bike off to the left like a bucking bronco pony. Needless to say I got all the "Are you alright?" through more laugh than concern and all my hard effort and ego lay on that single track and part of my helmet. Note to self ....... rubber side down, thinking side up ........... Safe riding

Trying again: this didn't happen to me but a friend (team entry would be great)

Start of the Argus a few years ago, we have parked in Greenpoint, getting kit on in the dark and discovered she had not packed her road gloves. No problem put on a pair of full finger gloves and heads off to the start.

In the start chute feels helmet doesn't quite feel right - takes it off to readjust, guy next to her asks if she always keeps a set of gloves on her head!

Dont buy China ripp off kits, or check your bib and check it again before going on a ride!!!

the stitching on bib started to come loose while on a training ride, needles to say I felt the air coming in from the front, looked down and saw the gaping hole. I had to quickly tuck "it" to the left and leave the group and rode in aero position all the way home, bad thing is I had to ride across town to get to my home, every time we get together now, someone will ask hows it hanging,

very thankful that it didn't happen in a race as I did the Karoo2Coast with the same kit