I feel a little like Alice in Wonderland, trying to see how far her fairyland will go, or a little like Neo in The Matrix, being asked if curious how deep the rabbit hole goes. It has been an upside down week from some script to good to be my own.
Making my way down from Natal onboard Mango at the moment, after spending the morning at Nagle Dam in the Valley of a Thousand Hills at the 3rd leg of the Jeep Msinsi Multisport series. I got to commentate all day, and really enjoyed the opportunity at something out of the ordinary. Perhaps not quite a natural, but would relish the chance of furthering the skill.
(Commentating off the dam wall at Nagle)
I’ve been meaning to share my excitement from Joburg, meeting Specialized and USN there. Both will be on board in a big way next year. Radical really. I’ll have access to three Specialized bikes, two of which are arguably their field leaders, as well as all their accessories. It’s like dreaming for a Merc, and being given a Porsche – something to that effect. Specialized is simply the best. So too on the USN front, changing from a product supplier to a full sponsor.
Incredibly excited to work with both brands, together with Jeep Apparel and Puma, and forge a Dan Hugo brand on those four as foundations. I know I said it before, but now more than ever, I have a shot at chasing my childhood fantasies.
In many ways I am not responsible for this excitement. I see it a spin-off of multisport’s growth in South Africa, its media positioning, and increasing mass participation. Perhaps just lucky in my timing, but the pot was definitely stirred by Max Cluer in my favour too. Either way, whoever is to blame for the magic, I am determined to come good on all.
One of the other excitements this week was joining the owner of USN, for a ride from the head-office to his home, and back again the following morning. The excitement was being able to call The Bosch home – being able to ride in forests, quiet farm roads, and have a ride the opposite of Joburg traffic with taxi chaos, and an all round hazardous thrilling experience. I was saying prayers out loud.
The Jeep Apparel Shoot just outside of Durban, was similar to the previous one I did, and is just for their summer range, as Point of Sale displays and print media advertising. A brilliant exposure source despite no actual link to Dan Hugo. Jeep Apparel has 42 stand alone stores through RSA, and do extensive media advertising as the leading Outdoor and Lifestyle apparel identity in
South Africa. Most grateful to be a part of it their campaign.
And capped the week’s excitement with the vibe and energy of the Jeep Msinsi, reflecting the health and coming of age of multisport in South Africa. There were young, old, mini-me’s, all enjoying the start of spring with 500 other like minded enthusiasts. Ian Don-Wauchope won the race, but was fortunate in Martin Dreyer’s broken chain misfortune. Dreyer looked convincing and was riding with Ian, with a paddling leg to come. Jeannie Bomford had a class day, and finished in a league of her own.
My training however has been inversely proportional to excitement levels this past week. On the positive though. my wrist is feeling good and strengthening daily, and my body is feeling ready to push some hard yards.
