The race slogan should have been ample warning, only its hard to believe 2200m of predicted altitude gain when flying down Nick’s Pass into the Umkomas Valley midway on 20km of sublime single track. But one goes down, must by law, come back up.

Cresting a grassy hillside after another mint single track,  I could see the finish arch of what was an excellent day of social riding enjoyment on the first stage of the 2008 Subaru Sani2c Adventure - South Africa’s favourite mountain bike race.

(A race start thats not a race - the Sani2c Adventure gets launched)

A photo selection from the Xterra triathlon at Shongweni on the  10th of February 2008.
 

“Once you’ve found the life you want to live, you need to find the courage to live it” - Unkown - A quote I heard in the USA last year, and has stuck with me since.
Off on Tuesday to ride the Sani2c Adventure from Wednesday till Friday. Very much excited for my ride with Dylan [...]

I’ve been struggling with some severe pain in my left foot, from the ankle to the bridge and as consequence I did my first run in more than a week this evening. Felt relieved that my alignment is somewhat better. I say alignment, as the inflammation in my foot is not the major concern, thats just the [...]

Such an enjoyed two days at the Gwahumbe Reserve with the most brilliant crew and models in every way. A valid excuse to miss two days of training, sponge off an open bar, lounge around, and shoot the breeze like never before.

(Rhino in Gwahumbe Nature Reserve near Mid-Ilovo in Natal)

 
I’ve witnessed first hand, and been an insignificant part of something beautiful being birthed between a few people, to the future benefit of many. Its songo.info – buy kilometers build bmx track. Its building a future in many forms for the kids of Kayamandi, a Stellenbosch Township. Through the bmx track, and all that accompanies [...]

I’m sitting on a BA flight. Fancy that. I sure didn’t pay to be here, merely upgraded from my Kulula booking. The only difference could be as small as getting a glass of juice, a small glass at that, for free, as opposed to paying, yet my perceived experience will be a much better one, [...]

A big deal for USN (Ulitmate Sports Nutrition) and a big step forward to securing a foothold on the global market front for a company started in a garage in South Africa. I’m proudly a part of their campaign.

(Robbie Hunter of Team Barloworld)

Have a look at this innovate-or-die.com site of Specialized’s, and watch this clip of the winning pedal powered innovation. I have seen water being carried for kilometers at end, in buckets balanced on an elderly ladies heads. How this would change the lives of millions…

It all starts with a dream. A goal. You should have one. Whether an Olympic gold, or to complete your first Xterra Lite event, you need to be working towards something. Setting a goal gives training purpose and makes the entire drive make sense. If you’re not committed to something, anything, figure one right now!
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I discovered  an excellent means to speedy post race recovery- Moyo’s Buffet spread at the Spier Wine Estate. There were tempting veggies, scrumptious salads, and out of the ordinary starches, but their appeal could not alter my meat pursuit. Ostrich skewers, oxtail potjie, venison fillets, and so forth and so forth. My legs felt recovered, [...]

A video clip showing some of the pre and post race laughs with Dylan and Fraser, which is the true chaos, as well as some race footage. Enjoy.

Filmed by Shy, and edited by my Sweetlove.

Hi Dan, I seconded for Jeannie at the Coast to Coast and she introduced me to your website so I thought I’d share my account of the race with you.
As you said in one of your earlier articles, Jeannie is so calm during a race and this was no exception, it certainly makes it easy [...]

I got race number 369 scribbled on my arm and leg at registration this morning, and seems that must be my lucky one. I had a cracker second outing at Shongweni, to win my third local DueSouth Xterra, with Kent Horner in second, and Fraser Cartmell rounding out the podium of a picture perfect venue capped by stunning weather.   

(Running [...]

I have not been able to find much information, and will keep feeding you all as much I can. Jeannie was in second off the run, which is half way through the race. That in itself is worth celebrating. She lost some time on the paddle, but hung on for 5th at he 2008 World Multisport [...]

I am, believe it or not, to be found in Wikipedia. If you can hold a straight face at hearing that, then perhaps you could add some content to the entry… Or just grin and bare.
Plenty procrastination today. Too much in fact. Of which the best procrastination was waiting for a warthog and her baby [...]

Crazy thinking back a year, to where Jeannie Bomford, South Africa’s best multisport export, is readying herself, I cant help but relive some of the emotions. I get half nostalgic and half excited for her, wishing her to have a good day at the incredible events 26th running.

(Richard Ussher winning in 2006)

The third and final Duesouth Xterra before the South African Xterra finals at Grabouw, will be held at the Shongweni Reserve just outside of Durban on Sunday. Its the second Xterra at this venue that moulds nature and sport into one as none other. Fraser Cartmell, the Scotsman I’ve been training with, is my pick for [...]