In this Issue: From the Editor ...... 1

MTB News ...... 2 2021 - Ride Reports ...... 3 & 4

04 Development Academy update ...... 5

Ride Roundup ...... 6

As mentioned in last week’s BT, the monthly Hilton time trial challenge is open again for January. Sadly the 10 fastest times do not belong to BWs so we need to get out there and ride the routes. Don’t forget to send your times in to Richard. Thank you to Supa Quick and CoffeeBox who have generously donated prizes. We have uploaded the routes to the Club’s Strava page as well. Please send through #HappyRiding stories and photos, and from next month, we are looking forward to lots of submissions for our Club Hoping your days are virus-free, and your rides Photo Competition. are happy! It was good to see familiar (if masked) A special thanks to Bex, Mark, Bobby, Jordyn, faces back at the group rides this week. Let’s help Rich & Dave S for this issue’s articles. keep everyone safe by wearing masks before and Stay safe and sane, Mustang after the rides and maintaining social distancing. Sadly, it would seem that big race evens are still a long way off with a number of events such as Cape CLUB MEMBERSHIP 2021 Town Cycle Tour, Drak Descent and others being Please remember to renew your Club postponed. In line with this, your Committee has membership before end of March 2021. taken the decision to postpone our own Club Membership forms can be downloaded from Road Race from February to 19 September. the club website. Similarly we feel holding our usual club awards evening would not be wise. We will be making Remember to use a meaningful reference awards for 2020 a little differently. Recipients will when making payments by EFT or into the Club be notified and invited to attend a small evening account (NAME and WHAT YOU ARE PAYING

event to receive their award from our Chairman, y… FOR, e.g. UPFOLD SUBS, or WILSON KIT, etc), and we will take photos and share these on our B media platforms. Email proof of payment to club secretary, A reminder to renew your membership using Moira Sherwood ([email protected]). the application form and banking details on our website please.

owered P

BURG TALK | 04-20210 The 3rd lucky draw winner is Clive Deacon. Congratulations Clive, get down to COFFEEBOX and Richard Krusekopf claim your prize. Ride Reports: Great weather on Saturday saw the A/B and C/D groups out and about. The A/B’s did a tour of the midlands while the C/D’s remained closer to home in the local Hilton and Cedara trails (see independent NB: None of the top reports). Benefits of joining our club include regular 10 places on the organised MTB group rides usually on Wednesday Strava TT leader afternoons and Saturday mornings, trying to cater for board are BWs! all-comers. We need to get out there and ride!

Hilton Time Trial:

January TT Results: Week 3

The Supa Quick time trial has resumed after the

December break. Give the 8km or 18km a go and stand a chance to win the Supa Quick car cooler and warmer or even the weekly lucky draw prizes.

SUPA QUICK BURG WHEELER JANUARY 2021 TIME TRIAL R

1 - 11 Jan 12 - 18 Jan 19 - 25 Jan Name Time Name Time Name Time 18km 18km 18km Brett Fourie 01:08:27 Alan Martin 00:59:15 Grant Markham 01:04:24 Timber Harvesting: Iain Ambler 01:10:41 Ross van der Merwe 01:03:19 Mark Rowland 01:18:37 Harvesting of timber continues in Willem de Wet 01:40:49 Mike Eglington 01:05:14 Mike Green 01:21:05 the Cedara plantations (Tekwani Justin Henderson* 0 Dave Bure 01:05:27 Clive Deacon 01:21:49 Timbers) in November through to Dean Roydon-Turner* 0 Richard Krusekopf 01:23:18 Dawie de Wet* 0 Dave Bure* 0 February. A number of our regular Brett Fourie* 0 trails have been closed. Harvesting Gavin Green* 0 operations are also taking place in Karkloof. Please respect their trail and 8km 8km 8km road closures during this period. Keep Andy Gray* 0 Dale Southern* 0 Gert Roos* 0 a safe distance from these operations. Andre Booysen* 0 Liz Booysen* 0 Club Rides: Tammy Lotter* 0 The Wednesday rides leave from Paula van Wyk* 0 X-Ways at 15:30. This Saturday the C Lara Jordan* 0 and D groups will be riding from Katie Elmar-English* 0 Hilton Quarry Centre at 6:30. The A/B * no BW TT segment provided group rides are communicated on Whatsapp. These trails are bedding in really well now so this is the time to make the most of them. Thank you to Con Malherbe and COFFEEBOX who have donated 4 vouchers of a week’s worth of coffee as lucky draw prizes for our Time Trial entrants.

BURG TALK | 04-20210 Mark Rowland It was bound to happen at some point. Solo C Group Ride Report. Sometime during the week, I suspect one of the many occasions that the lights were off, the upper, younger and better looking half of Team Rowland was bitten on the ankle by a spider. We think. I've read enough comic books to secretly hope that the spider was radioactive, which will then be very cool for me and the kids. Ali already has an unerring sixth sense, and a lot of what I do at home sends her up the walls anyway, so all we’re really missing is the ability to shoot webbing from her wrists at will. I’ll be sure to let you know. While we wait, she can't ride, leaving Team Rowland 50% below strength this week. Well. I have long suspected that Alison is the only reason that some people ride with the C’s, and this week confirmed Dave Stewart that. Despite the perfect weather, and a strong Saturday dawned fine and fair, a one layer day for me, turnout for the D’s, I was the only C. Cue laughter. I and there was a fine turnout of D’s at the Quarry. To watched alone, bemused, as the gaggle of D’s ensure that we could achieve a reasonable level of separated themselves into three groups. social distancing, on the ride, we split the group up into Mike Green had agreed to meet me at the N3 tunnel, smaller parties, with Liz Botha and Andy G’s assistance. so I tagged along with Liz B’s group, who were going my Liz taking Dee, newbies Lara and Paula with Andy way. We went via the rainbow bridge, where I got to taking Bev, Katie and dad Craig (Katie’s dad not meet Dee, New Paula, and Lara. I led the group Andy’s!) I took along 10 year old Jason, 14 year old Ben through the N3 tunnel puddle, shouting over my and Ben’s Grandad, of indeterminate age, Jumbo. This shoulder that we should take care to stay in the middle left a lonely Mutt Mauled Mark, sans his very much of the puddle. This warning was a fraction too late for younger wife. Mark looking a bit like a pole sitter of old, Lara, who came flying past on my right, having selected except on a bike, and without another C in sight. Mark speed as her strategy. She made it about halfway attached himself to Liz’s group, but was later seen in across before friction overcame momentum, requiring the forest with a mystery guest in tow. her to put feet down in the murk. To her credit, she Liz’s report didn’t complain – not to me, anyway. Mike was on the Headed off through the Rainbow bridge to the Grace other side as promised, and he and I then did the 18km College side and did a mixture of the 8 and 18km time trail route in 1h18:37. That’s 1h18:37, Richard. routes, coming back through the N3 tunnel towards the The route was excellent, mostly firm and dry and dust Rotunda, where Dee turned for home. The three girls free. And filled with other people – walkers, runners, carried on across into Cedara, past the housing. Up the cyclists, and families of all kinds. Busy, busy. The e- hill toward the pylon, then via the vlei and out at Hillary Pope was out and about, as were the MTB group that Road. 31km and approx. 600m climbing. Paula was very dares not speak its name. We also saw Rhys and strong while Lara had a few chain-related mechanical Megan, and rode with them for a spell. There were a issues. few very racy people out as well. Mike is no slouch, but Andy’s report we were passed on the singletrack by serious hotshots We entered Cedara from Mallory gate and did most at least three times. I tried to follow one guy, but didn’t of the lower single tracks, then Hippo Rocks, Dead Tree have the ProNutro. Gave him a good go though. descent, down Blackjack Alley and Adrenaline. Via Mike and I had a fine ride, and a great chat. There’s Donkey Road to Grace, up Castle Rocks and via the always a silver lining with cycling. Garmin Stats: small gums back to the Quarry. Katie had a few spills, 38,2km, 2h25 riding time, 15,7km/h, 540m ascent, 18- without injuries, but would get up and go again. 28kms 28 degrees. 2hrs 32m. Av 11km/hr.

BURG TALK | 04-20210 Dave’s report. cars at Piggly Wiggly – which proved quite an easy task! After a briefing, re road and forest etiquette and a Ride stats: 71km, 1337 ascent, 3h55 riding time. reminder about social distancing, we headed off through the village to Grace. We meandered, while assessing fitness and skills levels, and I felt fine, so we set off via Bumpin Root Grind, The Avenues, Gandalf’s Grove, through the Castle View gum plantation and Gravel Grind to the N3 tunnel. Up Somerset Hill through Cedara College and into the forest via Leftie Meander. We were all looking good at this stage. Jason kept us entertained, with non-stop running commentary. Ben, after we did some saddle height adjustments, rode well. Jumbo tried to remember why he hasn’t done more of this stuff. Jason is already a very good rider and Ben has the potential to become one. We headed back via the Nursery and Mallory gate to the Quarry. Approx. 28km, 480m climbing @ 12km/hr. My special thanks to Liz and Andy for their assistance. Bobby Nefdt Bex van der Linde With a little help Burg Wheelers are spoilt for choice! There were a from my number of road, MTB and (a) gravel options on offer friends! this weekend. Eleven arrived at Piggly Wiggly for the Just four of us 5h40 curfew compliant start time (to allow for travel (Doug T, Craig time from Pmb). Leaving the foggy Maritzburg basin as M, TT and BN) we drove up Townhill to clear skies told us we were in left Woodburn for the predicted scorcher. The first 15km or so of the garage and route was out on the Dargle tar road until we turned headed out off right towards Fort Nottingham. A beautiful section around the of dirt road followed with stunning views across the Hammarsdale Nhlosane mountain and the rolling green hills looking Circuit via the pristine in green. Some legs were starting to feel the Lion Park. Doug altitude gain as we rolled into Notties and had a quick discovered along the Lion Park road water refill before tacking the railway line service road that road bikes don’t compete well with potholes and through to Michaelhouse. The next five kays justified we spent time a little time changing his rear tube. riding fat takkies with several muddy puddles resulting Riding through misty patches cooled us off until the sun in a few moans of yet another bike wash this week! A broke through after Umlaas Rd where we caught up to quick on and off the tar as we turned onto the gravel another group of PMB riders who joined us around the again towards Caversham Mill and … ‘just another Hammarsdale loop but opted for a short-cut home. We bump’ to climb. Route champion JP van der Linde headed up to Inchanga, stopping off at the garage near nursed the troops into a new ‘coffee shop’ at the top Cato Ridge to top up our bottles. By now the of ‘Happy Hill’ (Lidgetton) which he had identified on temperature was touching 30°C and climbing. The Google maps. N2 Bakery proved a delightful new spot remainder of the ride was rather uneventful, passing where we all enjoyed a ‘Slo Jo’ (chocolate milkshake) Willem, Marcel and Kole on their ride from The on the shady deck. Essentially a bakery, there was a Windmills down to Durban (±160 km) and catching up scrumptious selection of pastries, pies and breads on to a few other riders just before Polly’s, our final climb. offer as well. The host (Nova, I think ?) was so happy to The Hammarsdale Circuit is always a decent ride with have us there and said we’re welcome to park there its share of flats and climbs - a good ride to round off next time and ride from her place – plenty of parking the week. space available. The final challenge was to see if we Ride specs: Distance: 109km, Ave Speed: 26,0 km/h, could freewheel the last 4km all the way back to our Elev Gain: 1 485 m, Time: 4:12:04

BURG TALK | 04-20210 Dam wall, Tweedie offramp to end of tar on the Karkloof road and back through Merrivale, for a total of 74km at 1118 M Elevation, at an average of 19.3 Jordyn km/hr. It was challenging ride especially towards the Grenfell end, being an extremely hot day and having a later start A stunning thanks to the curfew, but was enjoyed by all in the sunrise, with the group. Safe to say we were exhausted for the rest of promise of a hot the weekend! day in the saddle, greeted the C and D groups as we rolled out Jordyn Grenfell from the We are delighted as a club to start our Development Rotunda together, with Frankie offering much needed Academy 2021 for our aspiring "super stars" of the support closely behind. future. Those of you who remember the late Burry Mustang, Captain DS and our other regular C roadies Stander should know that he started his cycling career were sorely missed as they gave this week a miss, as a "SPROG" in our club, and went on to represent giving Prodigal much needed opportunity to catch up South Africa in the Olympics. You too can aspire to the on some lost mileage over the festive season. We same level and we encourage you to join our club and look forward to having them back in the bunch soon. Academy to reach your cycling goals. Excited banter in the group had us in Merrivale in no The Academy is open to "Roadies" (Road), "Trackies" time as the C group pulled away while the D group (Track) and "Dusties" (Mountain Bikers). waited for Chris who had to return to his vehicle. Here are the guidelines: Frankie ensured Chris's safe return to his group as all 3.1 The disciplines of Mountain, Road, and Track much needed and appreciated support teams do. cyclists shall be developed. Charles and Ingrid blew out the festive cobwebs (for 3.2 The programme shall include the sponsorship of me anyway!) as we blitzed up the red carpet to the membership fees and entry to races. Tweedie turn, and on towards the Karkloof stretch. 3.3 A maximum of ten cyclists per year shall be on the Much appreciated support at the Karkloof turn around, development programme. had us quickly back on our return home. The rides on 3.4 A maximum of ten race entrance fees shall be paid both accounts were thoroughly enjoyed, despite the by BWCC per annum. heat, and breakfast was a welcome end to a long ride, 3.5 Each new cyclist on the development programme as stories were shared in the usual manner with will be provided with BWCC riding kit. Riders re-invited milkshakes replacing coffee this time. Social distancing to the programme in consecutive years will obtain observed of course. Until next time, be safe, stay well replacement kit at committee discretion. and always wear your mask. 3.6 Each cyclist to compete in at least 6 races per Garmin Stats: 86km; 22.5 ave; 1101m elevation gain annum. 3.7 Burg Wheelers kit must be worn at all races, particularly if called up for podium prizes. 3.8 Any cyclist disobeying any of the clauses in the Chris de Witt development programme may be eliminated from the 9 of us in D group left programme, at the discretion of the BWCC from Rotunda on committee. Saturday @ 5h30 a 3.9 BWCC committee shall have the discretion to few minutes behind review all of the above. the C-group, doing a Please renew your club membership if you haven’t similar route. The C- already done so and consider apply to join our Group were kind Development Academy. We would love to see you enough to share their secure a sponsorship one day and see you represent back-up vehicle with South Africa in the sport we love. Please contact me if us, thank you Frankie. you require further information We rode via Midmar Jordyn Grenfell (a.k.a "Prodigal") 083 265 9359

BURG TALK | 04-20210 For winning the 1905 Tour, Louis Trousselier was awarded the princely sum of 6 950 francs. He promptly lost the lot in a card game.

Bergamont 58cm 1906 Tour de : Pottier Soars; 4-29 July Road Bike No. stages: 13; Dist: 4 637 km; Winner’s ave speed: R10 000.00 24.4 kph Contact Clyde “In 1906 four competitors were disqualified for taking Verwey trains as a shortcut and spectators threw nails in the 083 4548036 road. However, this did not stop René Pottier from taking a big lead in the first stages. Free of tendinitis that plagued his 1905 chances, he dominated the entire race. In 1905 Pottier amazed everyone by climbing the murderous ascent of the Ballon d’Alsace (ave gradient of 5,2% up to 10%) without once dismounting and at an average speed of 20 kph. The following year, he destroyed the field by winning five of the 13 stages and with it the race. Desgrange was Stories from ‘Viva le Tour’ by Nick Brownlee delighted. After two years of scandal, here at last was Snippet #5 a worthy winner of the tour. Unfortunately, Pottier, 1905 : The Cheating Continues. wracked with depressive illness, killed himself just six Dates: 9-30 July, No of stages: 11, Dist: 2 994 km months later at the age of 29. He was found hanging “Despite the punitive steps taken by the Tour from the hook on which he kept his bicycle.” organisers in the wake of the 1904 race, cheating was still up and running in 1905. Several changes were introduced to the Tour this year: the stages were shortened so that no night riding took place; the number of stages increased and the winner on General Classification was declared on points rather than on time. For the first time mountain stages were introduced. On stage one an estimated 125 kg of nails were scattered across the road to Nancy, resulting in only 15 finishers out of a field of 60. Initially, race organiser wanted to cancel the race, but eventually relented and allowed any rider who had finished the stage by car or train Louis Trousselier: Winner of 1905 Tour de France to rejoin the Tour for the next stage.”

BURG TALK | 04-20210