Persian

Thank you to all for the nice and valuable information! Specially The Break and Big H!. Please keep in mind that although Carlo is only turning 7 years shortly and he is not on a training program at all (to become a competitive cyclists). At this stage he is only riding for the fun and love of the sport. Between myself and his grandad we make sure that he's got the right equipment and that all is functioning the way it should. Yes, he is somewhat spoilded by his grandad (for buying him a KTM Shortie), but is it not lovely to have such an "oupie"? However, cycling is not the only sport he participates in. He also play soccer once a week, does a lot of swimming and shortly (as soon as school starts) he will be doing athletics as well. His mom would also like him to start Nippers, and we will see how it goes. I think his first love will remain mtb'ing. If he however loses interest in it, it would be sad because he realy has a talent for such. That is why he is not pressured to do it! It is always his choice to go riding. Nor me or his grandad are competitive riders. His grandad started mtb'ing after he discovered that he has diabetes and the exercise is doing him wonders. Carlo decided to join him and I followed. Bottom line is that Carlo is not pressured by me, his mom or grandad and that we will always ensure the safety and wellbeing of him as our first priority as loving and caring parents.

The Sabrina Love mtb race over 25 km in Plettenberg Bay signals the beginning of a new season for Carlo. It took place on 28 Dec 2010 and again Carlo completed this race (in muddy and wet conditions). Thank you to Magnetic South for the good organisation and well planned event!

Hallo The Break, I will appreciate it very much - Thanks

Hallo DMC007 and All, below a list of Carlo's races in 2010. DATE EVENT DIST TIME 28/12/2009 Sabrina Love Challenge 2009 - Plettenberg Bay 25km 02:29 06/02/2010 Herald VW Mountain Bike Race 2010 - Addo 30km 02:15 20/02/2010 Die Oubos MTB Challenge 2010 - George 15km 02:00 10/04/2010 Tsitsikamma MTB Challenge 2010 - Stormsrivier 23km 02:55 12/04/2010 Kingfisher MTB Enduro 2010 - Hoekwil 20km 01:42 27/04/2010 Homtini MTB Challenge 2010 - Rheenendal 30km 02:54 22/05/2010 Buffelsdrfit MTB Challenge 2010 - Oudtshoorn 20km 01:48 26/06/2010 Gansbaai Sterk Trap 2010 - Gansbaai 23km 02:36 31/07/2010 Die Burger MTB Challenge 2010 - Stellenbosch 30km 02:31 07/08/2010 Kamanassie Bergspook - Oudtshoorn 40km 03:34 29/08/2010 Oude Molen MTB Challenge 2010 - Grabouw 10km 01:04 04/09/2010 Herold Agri Landbou Fees MTB 2010 - Oudtshoorn 20km 01:46 11/09/2010 Eight Bells Enduro 2010 - George 15km 01:33 18/09/2010 ODN Moedergemeente 2010 - Oudtshoorn 30km 01:55 25/09/2010 Hermanus Whale Festival MTB 2010 – Hermanus 29km 04:03 30/10/2010 Mondi Addo MTB 2010 Time Trial – Addo 10km 00:34 31/10/2010 Mondi Addo MTB Challenge 2010 – Addo 30km 02:24 As you can see - he takes it easy (km ave.). He LOVES mtb'ing

Hallo The Break, I would gladly accept your offer on the contact for the coaching curriculum. How do I go about it (still new on the "hub" thing), or will you contact me? Should I give you my details - not sure

He stated off on his (1st) Giant and (2nd) Scott by having restictive gearing, but got bored with it. He is however not restricted on his KTM, but clearly understands the gearing. Myself and his Oupie always ride with him and the majority of the time "coaches" him to his gears. He rides in 1st to 4th gear all the time, but now and then (depending on the terrain) he goes down 5th -7th.

Thanks for spotting the article re Carlo Coetzee in the news. The paper however (from which it was "copied and pasted") lost the plot with regard to the name Carlo - it seems that somewhere along the line Carlo became Chris (thats me!). None the less, he is an amazing son! All he wants to do is ride. The best of all is that he takes it so easy. He enjoys it and there is no presure from me or his oupie "pushing him". He stops at all water points (and in-between) and will tell you when he needs a rest. The past year he has completed 17 races ranging from 15 - 40 km's, of which the majority was between 20 - 30 km's. It really scares me that this little son of mine is doing such distances, but this is what he wants to do. I have however contacted several people with regard to the "pros and cons" of him doing such distances, but the majority of them says that as long as we don't push him, he will be fine. If there are any opinions on the above, please tell me as a concerned dad.

Kevin is his hero and they know each other well. My son loves riding and has completed the 10km Oude Molen mtb race yesterday 23 out of 33!

Yes - he finished the 30 km race in 2 h 30min. He turned 6 in July 2010 and the Stellenbosch mtb race was his 8th for this year (in excess of 20 km).