Cycling Whole Life Coaching for @Risk African Kids

Since our last news update, we’ve had a number of events and even some that were cancelled. We also have a new volunteer named Marinus, who truly loves riding with the kids and teaching them important things about life and cycling.

We’ve upgraded our container a little by welding hooks to the sides. Now we can utilize the space much better and we are able to finally use the very small bicycles for the kids who have just gotten introduced to the sport of cycling and started riding with us for the first time.

The Skynamo Cross Challenge (Triathlon) at the Grabouw Country Club was such fun. With the various volunteers filling our teams, mostly for the swimming leg, it was really great to compete together and get to know them well in the process. Two of our teams for the Sprint event also took the podium in first and second position.

Next was the Cape Town Cycle Tour. The event got a bit rainy and it was said the event has not seen as much rain since 1987. It was fun to experience the tour in a different way due to the rain, which is part of the adventure of cycling. We are always very glad to finish the event without any injuries. Since riding that far with so many participants, there’s a relatively good chance of getting involved in a crash. Our one rider did have bicycle problems and had to be transported to the finish of the 109km event.

On the 2^nd of April we would have done the XCO SA Champs event at Coetzenburg, Stellenbosch, but the event was cancelled due to extremely windy conditions. The night before the event, the wind started blowing in gale force, measuring over 50 km/h. The race village was a complete mess with gazebos and bunting all over the place the morning when the race had to start. Trees were also blown over and blocked the track, so the organizers had no choice but to cancel it.

Later in April, we had a very enjoyable and long training ride in the Winelands Trails with the new Winelands Trail Annual Permits we received that same morning. After doing an easy warm-up loop next to Somerbosch Wine Cellar, we headed for the slopes of the Helderberg, where the well-maintained trails winding through vineyards, orchards and fynbos lead us to the wonderful flowing single track. It’s incredible to have local clubs supporting our team with complimentary access to their trails. We’re so grateful. Thanks, Winelands