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