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JOBURG TRIP TO AN ENDHi guys
Well after 10 days in Joburg its time to head home... It was a good trip but unfortunately it didn\'t really end how I would have liked it to!
On wednesday I picked up a stomach bug which gave me a bad stomach and cramps but at least I was not throwing up and I was still able to eat and keep my strength up a little! By Friday I was feeling a little better, but still was worried about the race and how it would affect my performance!! With mountain biking at the moment there is no ways you can do well unless you are in tip top condition!
The race started out well and was feeling pretty comfortable for most of the race until about 50km were I started to suffer from stomach cramps and nausea... I still managed to stay with the group until about 85km which contained 6 riders including myself... Then Kevin Evans attacked and made to racing hard and was not able to hang!! I was not able to eat from 60km all the way to the finish so your energy levels are simply spiraling downwards and there was nothing I could do about it but hope for the best... Kevin and David got away with Max chasing hard in 3rd and I fought hard to stay in 4th with Adrien and Jacques my team mate but with 12km to go I couldn\'t carry on and had to slow which left me in 6th place which was like that till 2km to go and Eric klienhans passed me. So I finished up 7th overall for the day and licking my wounds afterwards....
The team on a whole did really well as Max held onto 3rd and Jacques got 4th. Pieter Seyfertt unfortunately had too many punctures and had to call it a day! So we 3 riders on the final top 10 podium.
But tomorrow we live to fight another day and for now its home again to spend some time with the family and some good rest and recovery....
Till next time Posted by brandon on 2010.08.29 Racing updateHi Guys
I trust all has been well and you have been riding to your hearts content! All has been really good my side and fitness has been coming along really well!
When I returned home from my international escapade I had a good break from the bike and enjoyed some much deserved rest and spending quality time with the family! I started the training very steady and have been building really well over the past 6 weeks! The past couple races have gone really well with been on the podium at every race so far!
I have come to joburg for two weeks to do some racing up here and get ready for the next MTN marathon race in Cullinan which is very unfamiliar to me so don't really have an idea of what's in store!!
I raced the Sun City road race which was something different and challenging in the way of just staying alive, now I understand why the guys complain so much with the safety of the road races here, its really like putting your life on the line each time you start a race... MTB is the way forward for sure! Even the mtb race was something to be desired though as it was 2 x 25km loops and they started the 25km about 20 after us so guess what we had chaos with passing slower riders and just trying to ride rhe course as safe as possible... Its not fair on us and its not fair on the guys who are there just to enjoy it either!!! But anyway finished 3 rd in a furious sprint for the line which was all good seens I had the road race in my legs from the day before!
Till next time willl chat soon and keep them wheels rolling Posted by brandon on 2010.08.23 Settled in NicelyHi Guys
Sorry its been a while since the last post just been lazy no other excuses!
Since I got back from Canada just been getting back into the routine of been back at home and not living out of a bag and constantly on the move heading somewhere!
I have been able to get down to some good training as I felt pretty good fairly quickly after all the travel back for Canada, I was pretty much over the jetlag within a week! Now its the last half of the season that I need to focus on, the international racing is over for the season and now its a lot of local racing! There are some good races coming up with a race every weekend in August, September a little quieter and then October is 2 stage races with some other marathons! After 2 weeks of good training I am starting to feel really good and think I will have good condition for the next part of the season!
Will let you know how things pan out as the season moves forward! For now its
Cheers Posted by brandon on 2010.07.26 BC BIKE RACEIts an awesome feeling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111111
BC bike race is done and we finished 2nd overall and it was an amesome experience.. Another stage win today by the way!!! Sweetness
South Africans Max Knox and Brandon Stewart of Team DCM won Stage 4 of the BC Bike Race on Thursday. The victory moved them from third up to second place in the General Classification with two stages remaining.
Knox and Stewart outsprinted the Team Kona pair of Kris Sneddon (CAN) and Barry Wicks (USA) to claim victory on the 60km stage from Earls Cove to Sechelt in the British Columbia region of Canada. The BC Bike Race is regarded as one of the world’s premier mountain bike stage races.
“We took some big risks on the last steep downhill and it paid off. It was good to have a reason to smile because this race has been so hard,” said Knox, who is still nursing injured ribs (both front and rear) and an injured leg after a serious crash on Stage 1.
The victory makes Stewart the only South African to have won stages at the Absa Cape Epic, the Transalp and the BC Bike Race.
“It’s not something I’ve been aiming for, but it’s nice to have won stages at such prestigious events on different continents,” said Stewart. “We’ve been up against strong opposition and difficult conditions here which makes the win even more satisfying.”
The majority of the BC Bike race is raced on tight, twisty singletrack, which includes multiple sections of North Shore trails, a series of interconnected narrow wooden-plank bridges, which are elevated above the ground. Stage 4 was less technical than the preceding stages and included more climbing, which suited Knox and Stewart.
Sneddon and Wicks won all the preceding stages and have built up a 27-minute lead over Stewart and Knox, the only riders to have challenged their supremacy so far. The seven-stage race finishes on Saturday and Knox is conservative in his prediction of how the final two stages will turn out.
“The Kona team are very skilled in this technical stuff and have built up a big lead which we are unlikely to close. But our goal is to try and hold onto our second place overall. I believe the last two stages are a lot more hilly, which suits us. It would be good to try and get another stage win, but my range of movement is still limited and I’m quite sore, so just staying upright will also be nice!” said Knox. Posted by brandon on 2010.07.3 Bundesliga - Gonso Albstadt Mountain Bike ClassicHi Guys
The race this weekend took place in Albstadt Germany. We arrived on Saturday afternoon to register and pre-ride the course, the first lap was a bit of a shock, with a 1km climb at 26% at the start with some really technical drops through a snake like style section. Then into another 1km climb at 20% and then just technical descending all the way to the finish, with a 1km section on grass thought the finish and feed zone. When we woke on Sunday morning the rain was pouring down and seemed like it had been doing so all night. We were only starting at 2 in the afternoon, but the way the weather was looking it was going to be a mud bath no matter what.
We did a quick tyre change on maxs front wheel... Used a Schwalbe Dirty Dan for the front... Unfortunately just before our start it got really cold and the rain was pouring and there was no were to warm up. This would be vital as the course would start and head straight into the first climb. Max and I both had a good seeding as we were about 4rows back but with it been so open it would be easy to overtake. The gun fired and the pace was furious from the first meters, I managed to work my way up nicely. By the top of the first climb I was up into the top 5 positions but the legs were could and seem to turn into blocks of lead. I was passed by a couple riders and then just tried to settle down recover and let the body warm up. Max was also in a good position and managed to hold his own in the first technical descent and hold a good top 20 position. I pushed on the long technical downhill to try and make up some valuable positions. On the descent I had a small crash but unknowingly twisted a link in my chain which would later cause all sorts of problems. I could not put pressure on the pedals without the gears slipping and in the middle ring, I would continuously get chain suck. I was not going to pull out so I thought I would just fight through and do my best. On my 3rd lap trying to push too hard on the technical sections crashed into some riders cutting my knee and flatting the back wheel, in the end finished a frustrating 36th position. Max maintained a good solid pace to keep the bike and body in order and managed to keep most of the riders in check and managed a good 20th position. After the event we noticed that Max had broken his derailleur hanger but luckily just held together to the finish line. We both took a lot of experience out of the event and will really help for the next races coming up and further races in Europe.
So this weekend we head to Engelberght for the next round of the Swiss Cup (racer bike series) which will be another really good event, hopefully not as wet, but the competition will surely be fierce once again.
Till next time Posted by brandon on 2010.06.14 ALBSTADT BUNDELIGA RACETomorrow morning we head to Germany to race there over the weekend its about a 3 hour drive from where we are based in Switzerland... We having be staying with such good people and Daniela has been cooking food for us that is amazing think gonna come home with an Extra couple kgs but its been amazing so far..
We will ride the course tomorrow and check it out? from what we hear it should be pretty good and suit both Max and I but only a couple laps will tell, then we race on Sunday...
Most of the central European guys will be racing so the competion will be out the top draw I am sure, this is a very popular race so i am sure that there will be a lot of riders so lets wait and see...
Today we relaxed, after yesterdays ride and hike in the mountains my legs were killing me.. so sore from walking down so hope they are a little better for Sunday!!! Today we went on a roller coaster Bobsleigh ride which was so cool you catch the Ski lift up and go on the ride down but its like 2km down with big turns and gos so fast... Was really cool..
For now its off to bed and will give a report of the race on Monday
Chow Posted by brandon on 2010.06.11 SWISS MARATHON CHAMPSHi Guys
just wantd to send an update of the Swiss marathon champs.. the course was crazy and alot harder than we could have even imagined, you quickly forget how hard the mountains here are..
We started at 7.30am on Sunday morning and the startlist was full of the best marathon riders in the world who were all very nervous as it was their national championships. The pace was really high right from the gun with 5km through town we were able to get right to the front and start the first climb in a really good postion. The first climb was 15km and by the top it was a group of 5 including Max and i was 20sec back with Worlds Bronze meadlist 2008 Uys Huber. I was feeling really good and was happy to ride with him as i had been told he knew the course so well and was possibly the man to watch and he had won the event the past 2 years on the same course.
we wlaked a really steep portage section of about 500m which felt like trying to walk up a wall.. Uys flatted leading up to the portage and would have to stop at the top. I was now in a good position only 30sec behind the leaders.. the next 15km were really tuff with short super steep climbs with rough fast decesnts... it was on one of these descesnts were my rear wheel started to lose air.. I had to stop and bomb the wheel and then had to stop a second time.. by this stage i had lost 2 positions and loads of time.. The next downhill was a really technical 10km decents to the first tech zone.. my rear wheel had such a little air that its was sliding all over the place and i was been passed by more riders all the time.. Trying to push hard my Garmin flew off and i stopped to go back and find it... But no luck.. My motivation had gone from an absolute high to rock bottom..
Eventually I got to the tech zone were i could get a spare wheel but it was not a tech zone were our official race wheels were so Silvio wife kindly gave the wheel from her rear wheel to me.. The wheel had a different rotor on the wheel so the brakes were dragging so badly but it was not possible to do anything else... I carried on racing trying to fight back but with low motivation and a bad rear brake it was not getting any better.. I eventually at 80km decided to call it a day.. I had taken such a beating and was so worn out... It had been a long day..
Max started the last climb in 5th place but it proved to be really tuff for him as well and was passed by Uys Huber at the top of the final climb while Max had stopped to get some coke.. the final decent was a rough 10km down to the finish... max finished 6th overall for a really good performance.
so motivation is back and looking forward to the Bundesliga XC race this weekend..
Till than chat soon Posted by brandon on 2010.06.8 SWITZERLAND 2010Hi Guys
Sorry have not updated the site for a long time but just been really busy and now have some free time on my hands to type an update!
We landed in Switzerland to be met by Silvivo Bundi and he had organised awesome house for us to stay and the peolpe who are hosting us are so cool and friendly and go out of their way to make us really comfortable! Our bikes arrived all good and well so there was no stress what so ever a very big difference to what i am used to... Really got to thank DCM for making this oppurtunity possible and making it so good as well.. Lets hope that over the next three weeks the racing goes well!!
I am feeling pretty good and feel like the power is really on the way up so very chuffed about that.. Racing in Chur tonight which is a hill climb race its 5.5 km up and you climb 450meters which is not to bad but still gonna be really tuff for sure will let you know how the race goes!!! The flash is at 7.1kgs with the front brake , rotor and some other odds and ends completely off so its ready to rock...
gonna try and upload a video clip for you guys to see... will chat soon Posted by brandon on 2010.06.3 SEA OTTER CLASSIC UPDATEHi Guys
Well tomorrow will be our first international race for the season! Did registration today and walked the bike show area and got some really cool stuff that will be pimped on my bike when i get home for sure!!!
Short track is tomorrow at 3 in the afternoon which is a 800m techincal track with 75 riders which is gonna hurt its 20min of flat out! Last year I started 105 and finished 30th so I thought i would have a better seeding this year but no such luck seems we all starting at the back again so frustrating!! By the time we leave the start line the guys at the front have like 150m lead already!!! But still some good fighting for every spot!!!
Had a good evening last night as well and fun was had by the whole crew!! Doug held the side and flew the flag! We also did some laps today on the track and its improved alot and looking good!!
Chat soon Posted by brandon on 2010.04.16 Travel to Sea OtterHi Guys
all bee good my side! We all arrived in Sea Otter safe and sound the travel was really long but heaps of fun! It took us door to door like 48 hours of travel time! We are staying at the intercontinental in Monterey which is right on the sea! Really good to be back but this time we staying in the city which is pretty lively!! Its really similar to Knysna just a bit bigger!
We flew Joburg-Dubai then Dubai-San Francisco which was a 16hours flight then we had a short 30min flight to Monterey! Our bikes where flown here by Cargo like a week ealier so they were at the hotel to meet us (so much easier).
Had such a good night sleep and the way we slept on the flights the time change has not been to bad and feel in the swing of it already>>> Now just to build the bikes and head to Laguna for a spin on the track!!
Will update everyday Posted by brandon on 2010.04.14 2010 ABSA CAPE EPIC WRAPHi Guys
Another Cape Epic has come and gone, for me it was my 7th Epic and certainly not the easiest the racing at the head of the race was furious and every team that participated in the event came there for a purpose and to achieve more than a weeks good training in the African sun.
Right from day 1 the race was filled with excitment, trials and tribulations. We had a dissapointing day one, Max had some stomach problems which would later play havoc for a lot of other top professional teams! Which once again put us a little on the back foot for the rest of the event! The epic always has its ups and downs so now it was just to take what we had been dealt and move on! the race over the next couple days got a lot better for us, having to fight our way back into the leader jersey, by day 3 we were back in the African leader Jersey and once again seemed to racing for a purpose!
By day 5 the day of the TT my wife had arrived to be there to support me which was like a breath of fresh air and someone to make my bed nicley in the camper and give it that homely touch!!! We finished 10th in the TT which was fine!
The last 3 days of the Epic were terrible for me, I had nothing left i was weak with no power and battling with the whole situation! Normally toward the end of a stage race I have good legs but this time I could go only at one speed which was not to fast, all i could do is give my and hurt as much as i could and that would be it!! We just relaxed and took it km at a time>>>> The most irratating part of the race had to be on stage 6 when we went on a break and we realised we were going to get caught by a small group close to the MTN hotspot and fought hard to take the hotspot as we thought it was a R3000 cash bonus only to get told after that it was a 30sec time bonus... stupid mistake but nevertheless disappointing.
At the end of the event we walked away with 10th place overall and 1st African team and a pat on the back!
Could not believe that there was no prize money for the leader jersey... who works so hard for 8 days and gets nothing for it. So tired of the athletes been exploited to the benefit of event organisers making their pockets fatter... After that slap in the face this will more than likely be my final Absa Cape Epic. I have really enjoyed all 7 that i have raced but for now thats a wrap..
Next we head to Sea Otter in America for US Pro XCT race!
Will chat soon and keep it up to date Posted by brandon on 2010.03.29 Cape Epic stage 2Hey guys
All going ok this side have some some bad luck the past two days.. bike and body for both of us!!! cycling has got to be by far the hardest sport in the world by far mentally and physically.. But all in a days work!
The trick is that you just have to suffer more than the rest... Finished 18th yesterday lost 12 min on the African leader Jersey.. Finshed 8th today and made back 8 min so just 4min behind now.. feeling really recovered and good.. Starting to get into the race now!!
Wil try update as soon as possible again
Later Posted by brandon on 2010.03.22 IN CAPE TOWN FOR THE EPICHi Guys
Just landed in Cape Town and got some internet at the hotel where we are staying its a really good spot in Durbanville! We just gonna relax here for a couple days with some good riding before the start of the Epic..
Really looking forward to the event this year as its all different again and there seems to be alot of strong competition which will make things really hard... Saturday we will head to registration to collect all race info and our campers for the event!! We spent a couple days in Joburg riding the new bikes and testing everything, making sure all is perfect. we also now officially have our 2010 race kit and will load some pics as soon as i have some available, its awesome to say the least sure people are gonna love it....
Will chat soon and keep up to date Posted by brandon on 2010.03.17 SUBARU SANI 2 CHI Guys
Last week was the 4th Subaru Sani 2 C and what a succsess once again. Its was really an impressive event and one of the big goals on my calendar for 2010.
The race started in Underberg in slightly wet and cool conditions which made for a good days racing, all went to plan until the first single track where i tried to change lanes on the downhill section and just mis judged my speed and hit a tree really hard. the way i went down i was worried that my Sani was over right there but it was not to bad all that was damaged on the bikes was a shattered corbon seat rail. Me on the other hand had a cut arm streaming blood and a bad dead leg. There was no time to worry about the pain as the race was still on.. Climbed back on the bike and chased to get back to the front. By the time I was back the race was split and only left myself, Max, Kevin and Alban and thats how the racing would stay to the finish at Mckensie club. We would finish day1 second overall with 1sec the deficeit!
Day 2 was a little more interesting as the rain had played havoc in the Umkomaas valley which meant we had to be rerouted on the district road as the single tracks known as Yankee Doo and Murrys meander were to dangerous. This was a good call by Famer Glen and the team. The first 20km on the district road was kayos as the watery mud was everywhere and you could hardly see a thing and had to practically ride with your eyes closed. But soon after some climbing it was once again the smae two teams at the front of the race, but 2km from the compulsary stop Kevin and Alban put in an impressive effort to ride away from us and gain a 1.30min advantage which would mean we would not see them again for the rest of the day. As we left the stop the legs were like jelly and was difficult to get going but once over the top we were able to get into a good rythum to the finish, by the end we had lost 5 min and that was the overall race pretty much wrapped up unless anything unforseen happened.
Day 3 was once again gonna be fast and furious as always. We were keen to make the race fast and hard hoping to split it quickly as a stage win was still aluding us. As planned itwas once again just the 2 teams at the front of the race and Max and I kept the pace steady and fast for the whole day into the wind. As we approach the final climb we saw a group of two teams chasing us and knew we had to make or move, we surged ahead and with Kevin and Alban knowing the race was wrapped up there was no need for them to panic and do anything silly. Which meant Max and I got the final stage win which was really nice and all in all a very succsessful race
Stage 1- 2H42
Stage 2- 3H13
Stage 3- 2H30
Now its time to relax and recover for the Absa Cape Epic which is going to be a lot longer and a lot harder..
Will try keep up to date at the race ect Posted by brandon on 2010.03.8 Ploding AlongWell this week has been really cool just been putting some final touches on the training and enjoying the time with the family! I was suppose to head to SA road champs for the weekend but the team wanted me to focus on SA marathon champs and the risk of crashing or something like that was too great and not worth the chance!
I must say its been really cool staying with the girls for such a long time!! Took abby horse riding today and she loved it>>>># she is hooked so now we are official its once a week to the horses which is really cool for all of us as Jasmin loves them as well.... Must admit I am not that fond of horses but its very relzxing nevertheless!!!
Anyway will chat soon and keep in touch!!! Posted by brandon on 2010.02.19 BIG RACING COMING UPHI GUYS
All been going super my side and with the family the girls are getting so big.. cant believe Abby its like having a teenager in the house already but its awesome and wouldnt change it for the world...
Got some really big races over the next month or so, leaving tomorrow for Joburg for SA raod champs which takes place in Klerksdrop this Friday our raod race starts at 1 in the afternoon and lets hope the heat is not as bad as it has been here in PMB.. then after road champs coming home for two nights and straight to Sabie to stay with Max for a couple nights doing some final preperations for SA marathon champs which takes place that weekend.. After that we head straight to Underberg for a small training camp just before Sani to sea, should be a blast!!!! really looking forward to the next couple weeks and the power is on song so lets hope it brings some succsess...
till next time will keep you updated here and on Twitter.. Posted by brandon on 2010.02.16 BARBERTON XCM #2Hi Guys
This past weekend was the 2nd leg of the MTN marathon series which took place in Barberton as always the race was alwats gonna have some mud and rain somewhere.... Feeling alot more rested than the initial race, i was confident it was gonna be a good day but there was a slight element of doubt as I was on Antibiotics for a stomach bug I picked up in Cape Town while on holiday with the girls!
Once again DCM was the team that made the racing! max had good legs and a good result at the first one and been his home town it was always one of the events that he wanted to excel in! On the first climb Jacques and I set the pace and it split the field apart, leaving just Max, Rene, Kevin, Burry And Adrien from MTN... that was the split of the day!
Now it was my responsibilty to make sure the break stayed away and that if Max had any problems we would have a buffer to sort it out! I was unsure how long I would last but as the race went on I just felt stronger and stronger. My rear tyre started to lose some air and it was getting to soft, I needed to wait till the tech zone to bomb it.. But through the last river bed I cut the reay tyre and tried all I could to fix it and eventually had to put in a spare tube which cost me 10min and 3km from the tech zone the rear tube flatted and that left me 15min behind in the tech zone and I felt my day was done after that.... really dissappoint I rolled to the finish and had to hold thumbs for max and see if he could finish it off..... Which he did in perfect fashion and by a massive 10min... biggest winning margin ever I think..
I am feeling good and looking forward to the next couple weeks racing
till next time Posted by brandon on 2010.02.1 UPDATEHI GUYS
Well things have been pretty busy but really good! After a really tuff ride at Attakwas were I suffered like a dog after about halfway into the race! I had so much milage in the legs with all the december training and the team training camp that I pretty much arrived on the start line exhausted, with a TSB of -85.... it was just a test to see how the training had been working out. I was happy with the ride despite the poor result!
I drove back to Joburg to sort out some team stuff and then headed home for a week of scheduled rest, on the Thursday pack up the family and headed to Cape Town for a small break as last year i was too good to early!!! We flew in on the Friday morning early, just me, Bridge and Abby decided to leave Jasmin with Granparents so we could focus on Abby for the weekend and do all the exciting this with her! We spent Friday and saturday doing the beach, cable car ect and one or two easy rides with Shan which were cool. We then went to watch a super league road race were there was huge crashes think the Paarl medi clinic saw 30 cyclist in one morning! lucky I didnt race or I could have been one of the numbers! Shan went down heavily cutting his elbow bad enough for 6 stiches and loads of road rash, needless to say we spent a long time in the casaulty waiting for him and then headed for some lunch at Fairveiw with some wine!
Monday Abby went to ride horses with Tusha and Tatiayana... Great Abby now wants a pony, so will have to see what i can do when i am back home??? Will sort one out for her birthday. I had to catch an ealier flight than them so I have a 3 hour wait for them in the airport.. all good though
Tomorrow its back to serious training in getting ready for SA marathon champs and the Epic and loads of travelling now till the middle of May....
Till next time will chat soon Posted by brandon on 2010.01.25 MTN ATTAKWAS MARATHONHi Guys
all been good this side just been away from home for a long time now and really missing the family but home sunday so thats a good thing!
We drove here on Thursday from Joburg which was not as bad as I thought it would be, took us 10hours with not much stopping! We jumped out the car with about 80kms to go and rode the balance all through the swartberg which was beautiful! After arriving here we were very shattered but went for a awesome dinner and had the best salad I have ever had!
We woke this morning after a 11hour sleep had an amazing breakfast and headed out for an easy 2 hr spin on the SA road champs route that was held here last year! Now just been relaxing with the feet up getting ready for tomorrow, should be awesome route, very rocky and hard I am sure.. think the one who plays the waiting game will prevail?
Once we finish racing gotta head straight away for the drive home, which will be a long one....
Will ley you know how the race goes Posted by brandon on 2010.01.15 DCM TRAINING CAMPHi Guys
All has been going really good, been training hard and getting ready to start racing the first couple of the races for the season..
I am in Graskop at the moment training with the whole team and for those who dont know there is a Pro DCM road team for the 2010 season and going forward which is really cool for us to have good guys to train with and have good laughs...
Gotta say the training has been no joke though as the boys get ready for the season we have been 6hrs plus a day which is really tuff in this area.. Today was 200km in 7hrs with 4000meters of climbing, really suprised i still have the energy to update. Then from the training camp its to Joburg for a while for some team meetings ect then travelling down to Oudsthoorn for the first MTN marathon series race which is Attakwas.. always a risky race as the chances of flatting are really good.. gotta ride super carefully there, have not held out much hope for this one.....
the following weekend just going to Cape town for the weekend with the family for a little holiday Abby been begging me to go in the aeroplane, so its gotta be done then its back home and heading off to Barberton which should be awesome.. looking forward to having a good one there this year!!
Anyway will keep you up to date as we move forward!!! Posted by brandon on 2010.01.9 ALL GOING GOODHi Guys
Sorry its been a while since my last update but just been really hectic and now with my new Black Berry I hardly seem to use a pc gotta say its really cool>>>
With facebook and Twitter on hand all the time I really forget to update site!
Training has been going so well, today was my official last day of Base now I have a rest week and then its time to lower the time and increase intensity>> The last 3 days were crazy I rode 500km in 3 days>>> in this hilly terrain it was many hours in the saddle>
Sabie Experience went really well Max and I won two stages and our team mates won the other 2< Max and I won overall by 20min so it was a comfortable victory which is always good! Its was super muddy the 2 middle days and the last day was sweet>> Anyway so all good this side!
Lots of people have been asking me about DCM not continuing in the sport of Mountain Biking but they are for sure there is no doubt about it... there is a pro road team starting for next year which should be awesome..
Anyway will chat soon Posted by brandon on 2009.12.20 REST WEEK OVERHi Guys
Had a really good rest week this week with the hours down alot and stillsome good gym work and running..
Last night was the KZN MTB awards evening and it was awesome..MTB in natal is really going to go places and the race organisers seem to have the same vision which makes life alot easier for us guys.. Thanks guys..
Had too much red wine for sure.. Greg Minn was able to move a bit again so it was top form for all of us..Bridge had an awesome evening as well.. Today was long though thank godness I didnt have to ride.. Was awesome though..
So the next three weeks holds some big training and many hours in the saddle.
Will keep you in the loop as to how all is progressing Posted by brandon on 2009.11.29 TRAININGHI GUYS
Training has been going really well these past 3 weeks.. Just this week ahs been so bad with the weather and all but it has yet to defeat me..Even if I say so myself was nearly defeated today with wind rain and cold like I have never seen.. But I hung tuff!
Tomorrow I am off to Cape Town for Double Centuary road race..For those who dont know its 200km 12 man team time trail and its hard.. So for sure going to suffer like a dog but it will be fun nevertheless..We are riding for Anderson Transport and last year we finished 2nd and are looking to go one better this year so hold thumbs..
Nexst week will then be a little rest week for me just to soak up all the hard training and relax a bit..
So will let you know how it goes
Chat soon Posted by brandon on 2009.11.19 UPDATEHI GUYS
Well training is in full swing now and going really well.. The whole program and routine that I have structured for the new year is amazing and keeps the motivation high..
Greg had a crash while racing a hair scramble and broke his collar bone as well as compact syndrome in his left leg which he had to have emergency surgery on to remove blood clots and release the pressure build up... Looks pretty nasty! he had to go into surgery today to plate collar bone and stich leg up.. not so cool but I suppose it happens when you are extreme for a living.. He will soak it up though and is in high spirits..
Going to be heading to Cape Town next week to race double centuary which should be awesome..Really looking forward to it..
My website is been remade now as well and will launch the new site in the new year.. its gonna be really awesome and a lot more interactive.. So be sure to check that out..
Till next time Posted by brandon on 2009.11.9 Berg and BushHi Guys
Well this last weekend was awesome..Drank beers with the boys loved the riding and had so much fun in genral..All those guys who rode I trust you had as much fun..If you doing the 3 day event I will see you there again and I am sure its going to be just as much fun as the last one..
I will start with some really good riding this week and solid structure..
I have loaded some really cool pics of the girls... getting so big
Caht later Posted by GM on 2009.11.2 Back on the bikeHi Guys
Well its been 4 weeks that I have been off the bike now and its been fantasic but got to get going again sometime soon..
The reason for the early rest was to accomodate for a very different training structure for next season and a big strength element which takes a lot of time and has to be done at a very specific time. This last season was my first full season as a complete professional which feels really wierd to think after all the years of riding..I have learnt so much this year as the approach to training and the whole lifestyle is so different..
A big thanks to DCM for an awesome year and all my team mates who made it really fun!
A special mention must be made to Linda who has been helping us for almost a year and half and she goes to so much effort to make things as smooth as possible.
Thanks so much to Ian for all he has done for me and I really look forward to an even better 2010 with DCM.. Posted by brandon on 2009.10.30 Family HolidayHi Guys
Just a super quick one..At the beach with my family and its awesome..Abby and I went fishing but caught nothing all she wants to do is reel in the whole time gets tired of waiting.. Jasmin cruzes around shouting at everyone.. And only likes the warm sand the cold sea is not her thing..
Still got 10 more days here and its going to quickly..but anyway will update again.. Will post a pic of Jazz Posted by brandon on 2009.10.16 Crater Cruise & Season EndHi Guys
Well we off to Crater Cruise this weekend to take part in the dust and bush of the vaal area should be great!!! Very different to the riding that we have been doing over the past couple weeks.. Have no great expectations about the weekend as since hill to hill have been widing down for the year and been resting in the weeks and racing on the weekends.. Have done one or two short rides this week just to keep the legs turning..Very hard to motivate hard training when you know the season is coming to an end.. But will for sure give it my best go..
Will be back on Sunday and then Monday morning first thing I am heading the the beach with the family for two weeks.. To just relax and enjoy some special time as a whole family somethng that we hardly ever get to do.. So really looking forward to that and then will get back on the bike 1st November to begin training for the 2010 season which I hope will be the best of my career to date????
Anyway will chat soon and let you know how the race goes..
Later Posted by brandon on 2009.10.8 ISUZU 3 TOWERS STAGE RACEHi Guys
Well we managed to pull it off today.. Max and I won by 5 min, we left nothing to chance today and did not wait around.. Good hard positive racing.
We started at 7 this morning and it was a beautiful day in Africa..The sun got hot toward the end of the ride but it was all good.. We made the pace really hard on the first climb and got a gap.. From there it was push as hard as we could and take all the risks on the desents.. Before half way we had 3min and it was a good feeling.. now it was time for taking less chances and just holding it to the finish.. By the time we arrived at the final 10km to go board we had 4 min..
Barring any problems we knew we had it in the bag.. But still rode hard to the finish to extend the lead to 5 min which was awesome..
The garmin Adidas guys Philip & Frans really rode well and hard, surely making there sponsors very proud.. In the end there can only be one winner.
Anyway its an awesome way to end the season.. Our season for now is done and we will be in action next weekend at the hilton Stage race.. But it will for sure just be for enjoyment..
Till next time will chat soon.. got a long trip home Posted by brandon on 2009.09.26 ISUZU 3 TOWERS STAGE RACEWell stage 2 is over with only 1 more left tomorrow. Today was a very unlucky for us, on a long fast decent about 15km from the finish, I got such a small litttle nic in the sidewall of my Schwalbe tyres that just wouldnt seal.. Gotta say we were going to fast though.. Garmin were making it fast on the desent and taking alot of risks..
Bombed the tyre but been on the side wall always difficult to seal. Eventually had to stop and put a tube in.. We ended up 5min back putting us after two days of racing only 0.18 sec ahead of team garmin.. Pretty crazy but thats how it was.. So whoever wins the stage tomorrow will take it..
Now really motivated to make it happen tomorrow.. Posted by brandon on 2009.09.25 ISUZU 3 TOWERS STAGE RACEHi guys
Well yesterday max and I headed to sabie for the 3 day stage race! We nearly arrived a day late as we thought the race started on Friday. We were training in Joburg just to get a phone call to say that the race started on Thursday so we had to leave Joburg at 6 last night and eventually got to Sabie at 11pm.. No way to start the race.. Even after a hard 8hr training ride.
Well the race started at 7 this morning in Mankele Bike park, these guys really put in alot of effort to doing good events! The first climb was about 15km long with 1000meters of elevation pretty tuff to start the morning! we managed to get a 2 min gap ahead of Garmin/Adidas and were content to hold it there! In the middle of the course we rode harder and then the gap had gone to five minutes! We just cruised the final 10km to the finish for a 1st stage win. Mike the Mechanic grabbed the bikes and started sorting them out! he is a machine..
Will chat soon and keep you updated on how the race goes..
Gotta say really tired now been a long season with so much racing.. looking forward to relaxing.. Soon Soon Posted by brandon on 2009.09.24 Hill 2 Hill Victoryhi Guys
Well what a day it was yesterday.. Everything went according to plan..the race unfolded excatly how i pictured it..
Just a big thanks to all for the awesome support out on course.. Been wanting this one for a long time and its such a good feeling when it comes together on the day..
My family were there supporting the whole way which inspired me increadibly.. Love you guys
Chat soon Posted by brandon on 2009.09.21 NELSON CREEK STAGE RACEHI GUYS
This past weekend was really awesome as Max and I made our way down to the Boland (that would be Wellington) for the 3 day stage race the race organisers invited us to the event saying they would like some professional at there event. It was fantastic riding and one that you should think of doing sometime.
The first day was pretty flat and fast which meant it would be tactical, We attacked until Max got away in a break with Jac Russouw,, He was able to sit in while the bunch chased and all I had to do was sit in. Max took the stage in a sprint and I won the sprint of our bunch to finish 3rd.
Day 2: Was a little tuffer with some good climbs. I splint the race on one of the long climbs which left Max and I on our own upfront.. On the technical descent I flatted which slowed us a bit and enable Jac to catch back to us and Max stayed with Jac and rode with him to the finish, giving him the win for all his efforts. I rolled in 5min later to end the day in 3rd again.
Day 3
Max started the day 2sec behind Jac so it was going to be a tuff day to see who would eventually win. Luckly for us there was a big climb in the middle with 30km flat to the finish. I attacked on the long climb and got a gap ang just held it so that Max could ride across to me which he did and we stayed away to win the day by 5min which was enough for Max to win but just not enough for me to take second but was happy with 3rd.
Good to be home now and realxing and really looking forward to a break soon been racing since August last year..
Till next time
Chat later Posted by brandon on 2009.09.15 Blockhouse MTN Ultra MarathonHi Guys
Well this past weekend was another round of the MTN ultra Marathon series the days distance was going to be a fast 115km with not much climbing and a lot of dust.. The dust was not as bad as I thought it was going to be, but the air was dry and hot. The race kicked off at 8.30 and the air was nice a warm a sure sign that spring was upon us. As we arrived at the race venue I was wondering where on earth they planned to have a mountain bike race here but it was there and it was as bad as I thought it was going to be.. But in saying that the event organisers really did an awesome job on the route considering what they had to work with and it was fun nevertheless..
The pace was on from the beginning but felt the whole race that I could only go at half speed always feeling like I wanted to go harder and faster but as I would attack the oxygen debut would hit me on the back of the head so hard...
Kevin went away on the only climb of the course and tried to go with him but didnt last long and would have to let him go. Then there was nothing left to do but sit in the bunch which consisted of 5 riders.. As guys didnt really want to work we just heard Kevin gap grow and grow.. By the 100km mark I went through a bad patch and Melt and Andrew rode away but then came right and managed to catch Andrew and stayed with him to the finish.
In the end I finished up with Andrew in 4th place and he was 3rd. Kevin won with Melt in 2nd place.. Pretty tuff course as you had to really keep pedaling the whole time.
But glad that one is behind us and now can focus on the races that lie ahead for the rest of the season..
Till next time
Keep the rubber to the ground Posted by brandon on 2009.08.31 BLOCKHOUSE MTN MARATHONHi Guys
This weekend we head to Meyerton Just outside Joburg towards the south for the next round of the Ultra Marathon series. It should be really cool to race here, but they say its pretty flat and fast so clever riding will be the call of the day.
Not to sure when we flying there or what the story is but sure we will find out the day before..
The training has been going super but must say that I am really dissapointed to not be going to WOrlds in Australia but when you dont have the support from the relevant people its not really that possible.. Nevertheless.. Kevin really proved to be world class when he placed 8th overall at the World Marathon champs.. He not that fast in technical..imagine if he was fast in technical could have been top 5... even poduim.. Just shows the the SA guys are shining internationally and still nobody to support. The sa MTB people even forgot to enter Kevin into the race... Awesome ha
Anyway look forward to the upcoming races and will chat soon
Later Posted by brandon on 2009.08.24 COWAN HOUSE SUPER CLASSICHi Guys
Well all has been going well sorry its been a while since my last update but with Facebook and Twitter and all the other gadgets that are now avaliable I sometimes forget to post info on my site.. But still think its a little more personal to communicate on my personal page...
Cowan House was really cool felt strong even though had a good week catching up with friends and enjoying life a bit but only for a week then things had to go back to normal.. Have to relax once in a while just to keep you sane.. Managed to finish 3rd about 2 min behind Max and Burry.. Burry and Max had a sprint finish and Max just made a slight mistke into the final drop off and that cost him the race.. He said he felt so good and the pace felt pretty easy... Imagine he was going to wORLDS for u/23... I think he could finish top 10... And I really feel I could have got the top 30 I was looking for but its always easy to say what could have been... Just really dissapointing to be let down by the federation again... Always the case..
But we are looking good and going to enjoy some of the local racing in SA and I am sure we will have a blast..
Catch Up soon
Chow for Now Posted by brandon on 2009.08.19 TWITTERyou can now follow me on TWITTER been there quite a while but update pretty often.. Its really cool join if you need to..
Later Posted by brandon on 2009.06.11
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