A friend of mine handed me these images yesterday. From early January at the Totalsports Challenge. Already feels like a lifetime ago. Nice to reminisce. Thanks Jonine.

All images thanks to Oakpics. They tell the story plenty better than my report…

Grabouw, 20 February 2010
1st
2h22′ish

Midway through the bike course I glanced down at my legs, goose flesh shriveled pistons willed on by heart and mind, heat treated to total dehydrated. As was everything else. I still could not get a sweat droplet onto my sunnies, my Enduren was nearly all out. “Kid, you’re going to blow”. [...]

I can only imagine New Zealand and Brazil being able to match the Xterra turnout this weekend. Stillwater Sports - management responsible for Xterra South Africa - closed entries on Monday at 1300 entrants! I am so blown and proud to be a part of the Xterra community here. I think slightly more in the [...]

So I prepared thinking of apples, and I should have been thinking pears. What a steep learning expense.

Quite a few emails today asking about the Xterra Grabouw bike route this year. Have been out and about, dialed in some lines, and feel I have the terrain on my side. The course is similar to a reverse of last year, starting with a long climb, before a great yo-yo from climb to fun [...]

At Puma’s request and direction, I greeted 200 ladies at an all woman’s 2Oceans workshop yesterday morning in a fresh blue running vest and smelly trainers. And shorts. It did not take my long to get totally flustered and lost amongst the spontaneous rounds of laughter, a shout to get shirtless, and a slideshow that [...]

All images compliments of Hannes Oosthuizen @ Oakpics Photography.

Got beaten to this line last year. Stillwater Sports do an excellent setup. The kind that makes you want to get to the post-race hospitality area first; while all the cookies are still neatly stacked.

All images thanks to Oakpics. Find your own memories there… Cheers Hannes.

I guess the photo that really counts. Pretty festive ending. Dipping under 5h on a shortened day.

Have a read: My interview with Jeff is on the page, just scroll down… Big thanks Jeff. Will see you in Truckee.

(During one of today’s snacks - discovered dried pomegranate arils - so delicious. Ever had?)

Great mention on the newsletter sent out by Xterra Planet this morning:

Trusting it wont be the last for the season…

The racks ( 2 x ProRide 591’s and 1 x OutRide 561) on the Kelfords Fiesta I’ve been collecting speeding fines in have been the biggest luxury. If you’ve never used one, you couldnt know what convenience you’re missing out on.

(Illustration and Graphic by my cousin - Alexander Melck)

Xterra Buffelspoort, - Johannesburg, South Africa
30 January 2010
1st

(They were white when starting)

Am off to Johannesburg on Friday first thing, 615am flight from the grand new departure terminal nearing completion for 2010. Means I have the choice of more fine coffee than in the past, but also means I’ll need to pack the bike in the bike box as opposed to the lazy boy notion of just [...]

Just received a complimentary invite to breakfast with Armstrong from the JAG Foundation Team! Far out. That gets me going. Perhaps you should be joining me there?

Lance Armstrong - South Africa - JAG Foundation

Had the privilege of doing some time with Gary Perkin last week - during a Specialized training camp… Sensational stuff by Gary. So mellow - yet captures too much.

I wont be racing the Ironman 70.3 in East London on Sunday morning - I am really gutted.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Designed kit by Dutch visual artist Rafael Rozendaal - and manufactured by Luma.

All photos by Oakpics.

TSC 2010
1st
4h58′ - (shortened course)
Great start to the 2010 racing schedule with a solid tale told by the body over a bike, run, paddle, bike and run. Surfski and swim stages were canned due to unplayable gusts of wind. Again loved the event, the atmosphere and mixed bunch it pulls together. I was one of [...]