Corporate MTB League - Nitida

A friend of mine, who you can see in the photo below asked me to partner her in a Corporate MTB race which was held at Nitida Wine Estate on the Durbanville wine route. Its an event geared towards getting Corporate Company's involved in MTBiking as well interacting with each other to create business opportunities, much like Corporate Golf Days.

It was loads of fun which was the main thing. SABC Sport was also on hand to film the whole event and there will be a Television broadcast this coming Sunday @ 13:30 on SABC 2.

Gravel Travel In Wellington

Wellington Gravel Travel was very cold a the start but warmed up nicely heading in to what turned out to be one of the most awesome courses I have ever raced. Not taking away from the surrounding beauty it was still a very challenging race but one that I enjoyed thoroughly. I finished in a respectable time of 4hrs:10min:00 and in 70th overall which I wasn't too displeased with considering where I am at in my training. Photo's are on there way so watch this space.

MTN Gravel Travel MTB series - Wellington

My next race is on the 27th August at Diemersfontein Wine Estate in Wellington, So watch this space for more details.

Recovery Ride around the coast

So little did I know what lay ahead of me the day after Die Burger MTB Challenge 2011. A friend of mine, who also rode the race the previous day took my on a slow by some what long recovery ride around our most beautiful coast line.

I started off from my home in Pinelands met my Friend at The Old Biscuit Mill and made our way around Camps Bay, over Chappies into Noordhoek then left towards Kommetjie past Cape Point, through Simons Town. We decided that the M4 Main road would be too dangerous so we decided to take the more scenic route past Steenberg, through Wynberg and home Back into Pinelands.

All in all, 130km's covered in a riding time, just on 5hours.

Die Burger MTB Challenge 2011

A 5am wake-up to get ready to drive through to Stellenbosch for Die Burger MTB Challenge 2011 which saw almost 500 riders get ready for the challenging 60km route. I received the new Cycle4Smiles shirts at the 11th hour but Dianie from LR Gear, who made the shirts for me, really did a great job. Thanks Dianie.

The weather was perfect for racing and we set off at 08:15 sharp. The ride was challenging but the new bike, that I had aquired on Wednesday last week, handled the terrain like a dream. Even though I rode within myself for the majority of the race I managed to beat my time by 6 min's from last year in a time of 3hrs19min and some seconds, so next year I'm almost positive that I will be able to improve on this years time.

I am still waiting for the official photo's but here are a few taken from one of my adoring fans, My Mum.

Training on Table Mountain - Sat 9th July 2011

Apologies for for being so quiet the last couple of weeks, but here is some latest photo's from another great training on Table Mountain with my mate Murray.

The Burger MTB Challenge

Next Race Peeps: The Burger MTB Challange taking place in Stellenbosch on the 30th of July. Please tell all you know to support. Thanks guys. Will keep you guys updated with the goings on of my training for this race.

60km

This route will traverse several local mountains and is not for the faint hearted. Riders can look forward to some serious climbing, technical descents and lots of single track. While the winner is expected to finish in approximately three hours, the average participant will take between four and five hours to complete the demanding course.

Results for the PnP Knysna Oyster Festival MTB Marathon: 145 overall - 130 men, number 100 Elite C, Time: 04:59:50, Dixon Tim Male.

In the Elite Catagory 190 participated.

PnP Knysna Oyster Festival MTB marathon 2011

2011 proved to be a tough race at the PnP Knysna Oyster Festival, with weather conditions not being too favorable to those who hadn't prepared well. Speaking of me, mainly!! felt really good up to the 35 km mark but the wheels, as it were, or should I say legs really did come off after that and literally went backwards for the remaining 45 Km with unbelievably painful cramping. Needless to say I was just all to happy to finish the race. With rain, wind, mud and the very cold conditions being part of the contributing factors to an already tough day. But I finished and was so happy to see my lovely wife at the end. Big up to my mate Murray who rode a great race.

Lastly, I would just like to thank everyone who was involved with getting me to Knysna with all your contributions and to all who gave me great support. With out you guys, I wouldn't have been there. So thank you. Watch out for my next race which will be at the end of the Month in Stellenbosch.

As soon as I have the results I will post them, but for now here are a few photo's of before and after:

Cheers for now

Its Official, here is my confirmation for the race in Knysna. No backing out now :)

Training Ride in Tokai Forrest

A cold day in Cape Town and the last long distance training ride before the Knysna race with my mate Murray. Another 3hr's and 60km's in the legs.

Just 5 days to go to the Knysna race and I would just like to take this time to thank all of you amazing people who have donated so generously towards my first race and giving me the opportunity to do so. There are no words to describe how special you guys are. For the Knysna race I have managed to cover all my costs with your donations, so a big thank you again.

Just 1 week to go till Knysna. The weather definitely has not been on my side and training has been difficult but thank god for home trainers. Will be out in Oak Valley this weekend doing the last of the miles before the 2nd & 3rd of July.

I am trying to sell my bike to buy a new one. Unfortunately to get the new one I need to sell the old one. If anyone is looking to buy a MTB this is a really great dual suspension. Its a Rocky Mountain Element 19 inch. Its kitted out with full SRAM XO groupset, XX front Fork, ZTR Olympic tubeless ready wheels.

Here is the bike I'm trying to sell:

This is the bike I would like to buy:

Just an update to keep every one in the loop. I have designed some new Cycle shirts. Unfortunately they will not be ready for the Knysna Race but will be for the next race.

First MTB ride back from Flu. Saturday 11th - My Berg & Bush partner (Murray Mitchell) and I on a training ride in Tokai Forrest. We Did 60km's and managed to do about 800m of Climbing.

below: Bikes having a rest and View from Silvermine gate.

Hi Guys my first race is about 3 weeks away so thought I would just give you some info on the race itself. The race is all part of the Knysna Oyster Festival which happens annually. I will be

participating in the 85 km Mountain Bike race on Saturday the 2nd of July and then 100km Road race on Sunday the 3rd. Although this event is not a Multi-Day MTB stage race it is a good test of my endurance doing the MTB race on the Sat and then doing 100km's on the road bike on Sunday and thought i would start off my campaign with these events. I have attach a profile of each of the events below. Chat to you guys soon.

"There is a particular task that i would like to undertake and tell you about and that is to start and finish all the multi-day stage and as many single day races as possible that this beautiful country of ours has to offer. You may wonder why I would want to take on this outrageous fete, well I have joined an amazing charity called Operation Smile whom I will be raising funds for by doing these races, but without your help however, I will not be able to achieve this goal.

Our Mission: Operation Smile South Africa is dedicated to transforming the lives of children born with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities.

In as little as 45 minutes, a single surgery can change a child’s life forever. The cost of this surgery plus follow up care is R5 500.

In Africa, approximately one in 750 children are born every year with cleft lip and/or cleft palate.

These facial abnormalities are usually corrected shortly after birth in areas with sufficient access to health care. However, for many children living in more rural or poorer areas, medical treatment is not available. Often children suffering from cleft lips and cleft palates cannot eat, speak, breathe or hear properly. Many are barred from attending school. Most live a life of isolation. All this can be changed in 45 minutes with a simple cleft lip surgery that ultimately alters a person’s entire life.

About Us:

Officially registered in March 2006, Operation Smile South Africa (OSSA) is the regional base for conducting medical and educational missions in rural areas across South Africa and throughout southern and central Africa. Operation Smile volunteers provide free life-changing surgery and related healthcare as well as hands-on training, lectures, and symposiums that help uplift rural healthcare and build capacity within our partner countries. Since inception, OSSA has provided over 2000 patients with new smiles.

I am just asking for a small donation towards my first race which will be in July for the Knysna Oyster Festival. I will be doing both the MTB and Road races. 2 days of hard intense racing. My aim is to do as well as I can so I can raise as much money for Op Smile as I can. the donations from you guys are specifically for me to enter the the race, travel and accommodation, however if you wish to find out how you can make a contribution towards operation as well as mine please visit their websitehttp://southafrica.operationsmile.org or contact their Regional Director for Southern Africa:anel@operationsmile.org

should you need to contact me, here is my mobile 082 8211131 or you can email me on tim@outlinedimension.co.za should you guys wish to make a donation.”