![\"ccs-62657-0-56130700-1456993431.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-56130700-1456993431.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>KZN XCO Champion, Warren Price (Jowetts Cycles) is ready to head to Mazarat Farm for the second round of the 2016 KZNMTB XCO Provincial on Saturday 5 March. Photo credit: Paul Botma<\/span><\/p>\nAfter a few years of Adventure Racing, getting married, and starting a family, Price took up cycling. He has many accolades under his belt for cycling, including winning the Imana Wild Ride from 2012-2015, and is the current SA Masters Marathon Champion, as well as the 2015 KZN MTB XCO Veteran Champion, to name only a few.<\/p>\n
Cross-country hasn\u2019t been his only discipline, however, as he also enjoys longer distances and endurance-like stage races.<\/p>\n
The KwaZulu-Natal community seem to always highlight the importance of family at these events, and Price could not agree more. The family man of four puts family above everything. When asked about how he balances work, family time and training, Price said: \u201cWe are fortunate enough to self-educate our children, well my wife does 99.9% of the work. But it\u2019s great because I get up and ride from 04:30 to 06:30 in the morning and the children only start waking up. They then only start learning at around 9:30 so I get to spend time with them in the morning and in the evening after work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Price loves cycling for the balance that he is able to put into it. \u201cThere are so many things I wished I had known back in my days of competitive canoeing that I have learned from cycling. I wish there were people to lead me in the right direction. This is why I have begun to slowly coach a few people and assist them in terms of training and nutrition suggestions and the science of cycling, not to just go all out and tire yourself out. I feel like it\u2019s my contribution to giving back to the sport,\u201d said Price.<\/p>\n
Price took the win at the first provincial XCO last month, and looks carefully at his decision to ride on the weekend. \u201cI don\u2019t want to go all out and cause injury as I hurt my ribs a few weeks ago. I don\u2019t want to do something silly so close to the Epic. I also, however know that I need to do this to keep my points up to get a chance at winning the series. A lot of thought is going into this decision,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Price then heads to the Western Cape to take on the ever-anticipated Absa Cape Epic with his partner, Andrew Davies. \u201cHe called me up, I didn\u2019t know him before, but he had seen my stats from last year and asked if I wanted to ride with him. Epic is totally my thing; I am more of an endurance rider and do a lot of these cross-country races to also work on my speed. But I have wanted to do it for so many years, and this year Safire has come on board to sponsor my Epic dream. It\u2019s truly a dream come true.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not a pro cyclist, I\u2019m not anything special, I\u2019m just a common guy living the dream,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n
Warm sunny weather is headed for the province this weekend and a large crowd is once again expected to take advantage of the sunshine by either racing or supporting friends and family at the stunning Mazarat Farm.<\/p>\n
Pre-entries have closed, but late entries will be taken at registration on race day \u2013 Saturday 5 March \u2013 from 06:00 to 11:00.<\/p>\n