In this Issue: From the Editor .................................................................. 1 MTB News ........................................................................... 2 2021 - Ride Reports ........................................................................ 3 21 Winter Training Tips ......................................................... 4 Tour Trivia ............................................................................ 6 How many of us are struggling with getting out to ride on the colder and darker mornings? And finding ourselves starting conversations with “I was planning to ride but….”? For those of us who are not retired with the added advantage of riding later in the mornings or afternoons, it’s definitely easier to hit the snooze button and roll over when faced with less than ideal riding conditions! Early morning riders get to enjoy beautiful sunrises with good friends… This week we have included two articles to help A request to all members who ride at Midmar. those of you who are finding winter riding a We have been asked to ONLY use the main gate challenge – enjoy reading these and maybe they to enter Midmar, irrespective of which area of the inspire you not to stop riding just yet. dam you are planning to ride in. Please ensure you In addition, rumor amongst the Polar Bear comply; we are very lucky to have such a fraternity, suggests an epic Spring Day Ride is wonderful area to ride in, and don’t want to being planned for 12 week’s time – so hang in compromise this going forward. there and keep training. Along with the Polar Please remember that it is compulsory for Bears, our D road group is still riding at 4.50 from members to wear club kit on club rides. This is our Cascades and we are trying to revive a C group if commitment to our sponsor, Compendium, so if y… there is enough interest. Our hardy MTB riders are you haven’t bought kit, please contact Sharon B all still active and ride on Wednesdays (15.00) and Potgieter 082 451 9624. Saturdays (07.00). Thank you to Rich, Bobby, Kole and Cornel for Unfortunately, with all the uncertainty around contributions to this issue of the BT. races and COVID, the Committee has decide to Stay safe & sane cancel both our club races for this year, the road Mustang owered race and the MTB event. This is in agreement with P Compendium. BURG TALK | 21-2021 Richard Krusekopf Ride Reports: The weather forecast indicated cold and wet for Saturday. At 05:30 baby bear squeaked that Hilton was cold but NO RAIN. No rain was posted on the C, D and F group chat, but seemingly not everyone reads or maybe they decided cold was enough of a reason to stay in bed. As it turned out the weather held out for the duration of the rides, providing perfect riding conditions. The C and D groups amalgamated, with 9 of us enjoying a good 35km route taking in a bit of Grace, Cedara, Birnam Wood, Cedara and back to Hilton. Dale may have mentioned there were too many hills, Rod Timber Harvesting: protested about the descents but held his ground when The harvesting of timber in the Cedara, Cascades and dropping out of the Gavin’s Underpants section. Karkloof is ongoing. Please respect their trail and road Fortunately, no visible injuries. At some point, Justin let closures during this period. slip that he was soon having a birthday and in a year’s time would need eight fingers just to count his age in Trail Clearing: tens. And so after 760m of climbing and 2:45 riding time Gavin will be setting up a work party as soon as he we were back for a warm cup of coffee before the drizzle can see. He has undergone some eye surgery and we set in wish him well. Thank you to all Club Rides: the MTB The Wednesday rides from Crossways at 15:00 groups/riders who This Saturday the C, D and F group rides leave from responded the Quarry at 07:00. enthusiastically and Group rides are also communicated on WhatsApp. are now suitably Contact Richard if you would like to be added to the clothed in BW kit. MTB groups. Our sponsors, Compendium, appreciate this gesture and it may be the make or break as to whether they renew our club sponsorship at the end of the year. A special mention and vote of thanks to Gordon Borain who leads our F group. This is a safe and nurturing ground for wannabe MTBs riders to learn the Remember to use lights whenever riding on basics and improve their technical skills and knowledge. public roads. Give motorists every chance to avoid you. This week, Jumbo, Ben, Thomas and Gordon did 23km in the Cedara area. The threatened rain only really arrived on the drive home so we all enjoyed a cool ride. BURG TALK | 21-2021 Kole Smith Race Date: 24 October This past Saturday, 22 May we planned to ride Entries are open @ https://www.shova.co.za/ 130kms. The 4 man group headed up Foxhill, Dards route to Vans Hotel and straight through Eston. The pace was controlled and steady. Just after passing the Eston garage and onto the rolling hills, we rode into a head-wind which was very strong. We did a good climb before stopping for morning breakfast. The downhill was done at a comfortable pace but into terrible conditions, with 30km of rain and wind. At Winklespruit we called the ride off - safety first! Thank you to Marcel for backup, and well done to the team - Spha, Marcel, Willem and Kole. Ave speed: 32.1km/hr, Elev gain: 1056m, Distance: 93km, Time on seat: 2H54. Race Date: 10 October 2021. Information on upcoming races can also be found Race Date: 28 November 2021 on the KZN Cycling website. Entries open 2 August 2021 https://kzncycling.co.za/ Entries limited to 4000 Please note that these dates are change frequently. BURG TALK | 21-2021 because you will be returning in the dark and the temperatures will still be quite low. By Bobby Nefdt Wintering through with the Polar Bears. How to prepare for the journey The Polar Bears have made a brave decision to ride Before the ride: through the winter. Having said that, they will be ever • Put your clothing out the night before, along grateful when they get to the end of winter with a good with your bike (preferably in another room). fitness base. Having such a good base will enable them • Get up before your alarm goes off (your spouse to prepare better for the races that are scheduled for the will thank you for that). latter half of the year. It is an opportunity to put in low- • Don’t use the snooze button. intensity base rides, thus enabling those who wish try- • When you wake up, get up immediately without out in a higher group where they would be greater debating the issue of whether you should ride extended. or not. (I don’t believe I have ever returned from What to expect: a ride wishing I hadn’t gone out, no matter what Rides will start in the dark and finish in the dark. the conditions.) Good lights are essential. Front lights come in two Dress in layers: categories: TS = to see Don’t dress for the and TBS = to be seen. For ‘starting out’ temperature. As obvious reasons one you warm up your body needs a strong TS light to temperature will rise very see where you are going. quickly so don’t be afraid to This can be changed to leave home, or start your ride flashing mode (TBS) as it feeling a little cold. gets lighter and you no • Dress in such a way longer need your light to that you can remove clothing see where you are going. (outer layers) without having Ensure you charge to get off your bike. Happy cycling Polar Bears – stay warm and stay safe! your lights the night • At temperatures of 5°C before you ride. or less, I would start off with a bib (one that breathes and covers just my chest with Riding in the dark a velcro clasp behind my neck – easy to remove Avoid riding directly behind someone unless you are whilst riding), arm warmers, leg warmers, bib a length or more off their back wheel. If you are any shorts, cycling jersey, a decent rain jacket closer, you should ride slightly to the left of right of their (acting as a wind breaker), buff under my back wheel, but don’t overlap. helmet that covers my ears, a decent pair of If you are in the front of the group, you should always winter gloves and toe caps over my shoes. look several metres ahead of you for any obstacles in • Almost every piece of clothing can be removed the road. Should you see any, you should indicate without having to stop, making others wait for timeously, either by shouting “hole”, “rock”, “wheels” or you. whatever. Keep your alert to a single word, and shout • When removing your rain jacket/wind breaker, clearly and loudly, indicating, if possible, the side of the don’t try to stuff it into your pocket, which will obstacle. cause your pockets to tear, rather fold it flat and If you are further behind in the group and the person stuff it up the back of your cycling jersey around in front of you indicates an obstacle you should repeat your kidneys, to keep them warm. Removing a that warning for those behind you. That warning should jacket whilst riding requires some practise. be repeated by those behind you. Riding through winter is a commitment, a commitment to yourself and to others.