Shebeen

Can we talk about the elephant north of the border? Since Wayde van Niekerk obliterated the long standing 400m world record in Rio 2016, he has managed to inspire local athletes from the other side of the fence. It's so extraordinary that this local article has swamped the little server in Gabarone as people look for answers. https://thetswanatimes.com/botswanas-rise-in-athletics-400m-sprint-events/ I don't think I've ever seen a nation come from nowhere since turtle soup in the early 90s. Before then we are cold war state sponsored programs. The only thing I can tell, is that quite a few of the athletes train in pretoria at Tuks high performance. So what's the secret? (fully aware this was not just overnight success, Tebogo did win 200m Gold in Paris2024 and Amos got silver in London2012 behind that Rudisha)

Survey. pathetic survey design, and should be sent to all Tokai MTB Central socials and member channels. but filled in nonetheless. I had to pdf print it and email the person. ****************************************************** South African National Parks (“SANParks”) would like to determine the value that recreational users derive from access to and participation in different activities offered at the TMNP. Therefore, on behalf of SANParks TMNP, BDO is seeking input from recreational users such as yourself, who participate in some of the activities at the TMNP, to determine the economic impact and value of the TMNP. Your participation will help highlight the value of TMNP not only as a natural and cultural asset but also as a driver of sustainable economic growth. Please click on the link below to complete the survey: https://www.eSurveysPro.com/Survey.aspx?id=00ba902d-d1c3-47d0-b7e5-6dacd05ca4e8 The survey is short and easy. We will greatly appreciate it if you will take a few minutes of your time to complete it. The completed surveys need to reach us by the 3rd October 2025.

no. there will be a group selection on Mt Kigali, with the pretenders losing the plot. then they will ride down together before he drops a hand grenade 5 minutes later here https://www.stickybottle.com/races-results/video-extraordinary-scenes-on-mur-de-kigali-at-tour-rwanda/

no. you will see Mt Kigali speedbump in the middle there

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOtSKKcDNGv/ kiff vellies

found the SA team announcement. https://www.cyclingsa.com/south-africa-announces-team-for-historic-road-world-championships-in-rwanda-kigali-21-28-september-2025/ Anything to get excited about? Here's the women's course profile. lumpy, 3676 cumulative alt in 164km is plenty, doubt there is a tougher single stage on the women's roster*. Go AMP * did a quick check, stage 8 at TdFemme was more of a monster, with the Madeleine summit finish.

time heals all wounds. more time needed

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOrBSmxgrwy/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOrBhsjiIAC/ pog is on his way. https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/world-championship-itt/2025/startlist

First 100miler was 2009. Your nishiki was pre classic! Dick morkel had a cx bike from somewhere far off and also suffered. That was a mtb race of note. It was supposed to be a 4x team ride but all that fell apart quickly! Great times

https://www.news24.com/life/motoring/news/mtb-and-muscle-car-community-lose-beloved-sa-titanic-duo-at-v8-pilgrimage-20250916-0513

found some photos circa 2008-2011ish. All tell a story, so many more stories to tell

I did Argus on a tandem with my 10yr old this year. was a mission finding a small as has my wife's dwarf genes and a medium didn't fit. If it's just for riding then get a half wheeler. Sold mine earlier this year and we loved it.

the old bring them close to hearing the finish doef doef and send down another cloverleaf for a bit more suffering! in the days before gps and kml you only knew you were done when you hit the finish straight!

paywalled https://www.netwerk24.com/nuus/aktueel/ikoon-en-pionier-2-bekende-fietsryers-sterf-in-motorongeluk-20250914-1073

The kids LOVE him! Why, because he is cool, sponsored, does massive airs, on youtube? Well all that, but mainly because he actually has time for them. All of them, be it selfie pics signing shirts or cracking jokes. He does drop too many FBombs on social media for this age group (maybe that is the plan!). random pic from Darkfest this year, might not be directly relevant here, but 10+yrs of being outside the top20 surely played a part in Candace Lill getting onto World Cup podiums. She could quite easily have packed it in on multiple occasions. That is a good point, but we won't move beyond that.

Watched this the other day, (if you know, then you'll know why). Theo is featured as one of the athletes here, and it has a little bit of insight into what goes on with this as a sport/job. He's found a way to make it work, living with his folks in off season and mostly in a van when in europe. Sure it looks like parties and beer, but there's plenty of hard times and sacrifice that happens in order for it to happen. It's not a lifestyle for everyone and would be so much easier to just get an office job. But oh so boring.

Is he doing road champs in Rwanda or is that me reading too much into it? He really bossed that race yesterday, clearly on form. Could see he had a canadian bottle guy so all on Giant factory team? If you're only going to win one race a year - make it the big one.

I think this one will come from many angles, but you nailed it from yours. The only thing that seemed to change at 24Hrs of Oak Valley was the size of the kid one the winner's hips (yours). I've borrowed that chirp - but the other gradual change was the increasing grey and impressiveness of Meurant's beard. I think he liked that event because he had the process nailed, and he would sit late into the night watching the laptop and people really push their limits. sometimes even do a midnight lap himself. I picked up on mtb as a maties student from the turn of the century. While money was short and Mason's/Flandria were the two shops we'd drool at the latest stuff that we couldn't afford. Dirtopia was the one leading the trails and races as an actual company - the other events were mainly kerkbazaar/charity operations. Lourensford Classic, something at Spier and of course the easter festival at Tarentaalkraal farm near Greyton sit among my distant memories as MTB must do that Dirtopia put on - there were more as the PPA calendar would fill up on the muddy side. We would ride at Pappegaaiberg, Eden/coetzenburg and jonkers when we had more time. Pretty Botmaskop DH was just too steep and rof for my Rincon with Vbrakes and 34mm of elastomer front end squish. Meurant was already the DUDE back then, a lot of what happened there to make it all possible was his effort. Both lobbying in the offices and spadework on the ground. Arina was the perfect foil though, Dirtopia the business was clearly a true partnership and their skills and passions combined to make things happen. In this time, I look forward to some great stories and memories from others. I know there are plenty out there..

full race on DSTV now

any way to watch this full race in playback? uci channel has other stuff it seems, tried VPNs.

Totally. I don't think anyone has been more influential on growing this sport locally. He will be terribly missed

cycling related movie. am guessing they should have just kept it a meme

I did one of the african X events 3days before, so as similar to this as you could find but way more than 100 entrants. We went from somerset west to botrivier. probably 30-35km a day rather than 20km(or 10!). So much sitting around. Also remember loads of fancy SUVs in the parking lot and peacocks in the race village, even more than the mtb scene. If that's your vibe, wasn't mine.

I guess this has been taken down because I don't see it? His YT vids are pretty good now, better production and less FBombs.