14 Check Challenge Update
1st October 2010
Challenge no. 5 , The Cradle Quest 220km 3-Day stage race.
We have officially become members of the stage race finishers. What a Weekend!
I don’t think any of us quite knew what to expect and had no idea of the challenge that lay ahead last weekend . While everyone was still fast asleep on Friday morning, Heritage Day / Braai Day, the 14 Check Challenge guys were out at the start line in Hartebeespoort preparing for what would be 3 days of a hard, long slog on their mountain bikes.
Day 1
From the start of the first 75km stage to Warthogs, the guys soon realized this was not going to be a walk in the park. The initial 25 km was basically all uphill. Hill after hill after hill with some very daunting downhills thrown in for good measure. The route was nothing short of amazing. We rode through a game farm and for about 6km we were surrounded by Giraffe, Springbok, Eland and Zebra (or as Hilton called them, Volstruise ☺.
Letshego once again proved that she was superwoman with no less than 4 very hard falls; the one in particular was at a speed of about 40km/h, but she just got up, dusted off and carried on. Tough woman! Ryno, Gary, Werner and Henre all made good ground and had a great day. Hilton and Darren spent the day with Dean and Letshego just ticking over the kilometers and hoping for the end. All finished within cut-off time, and although stiff and tired, spent the evening relaxing in the pool to cool the legs off.
Day 2
Day 2 was full of surprises. Again we faced a very tough 70km stage. Henre and Werner were the first to experience problems. A sharp rock slashed the side of Henre’s tyre but a bit of innovative maintenance saved the day. With a wrapper made from gel, a R10 note and a torn tube they covered the tear and wrapped the tube around the tyre to get Henre on his way again. GO MACGIVER!
This was probably the toughest day for the guys, as cramps, tired legs and very bruised butts were things we had to deal with. Sitting on your butt for 7 hours a day over very rough terrain is no small feat. Gugu had a rough day trying to deal with the terrain but the guys made it with minutes to spare.
In a stage race, bike maintenance and repairs are always a major issue, and I can safely say not one of the challengers are mechanics or DIY guys, but thanks to Sean and the people from West Rand Cycles, we didn’t have to be. They took the time to drive out to the event each day in order to service, repair and clean the bikes after each stage. Thanks, guys, we would not have finished if it were not for you. THANK YOU!
Day 3
The last day!. Besides the first 20km of relatively tough hills and river sand, the route was spectacular; the guys were all in good spirits with the bruises, cuts and very painful bodies somehow managing to take a back seat on the day. All the guys decided to ride together and experience the day as a team. The last 15 km were completed on the cheese farm and through some great single track. Each challenger finished the Cradle Quest in time and what an achievement it was…
OUR HEARTHELT THANKS TO:
We would like to say a special Thank You to our support team: Johan and Cary from Ecclesiate, Sean from West Rand Cycles and Andrew and his team from Cradle Quest for making the weekend so special, to Dylan and Gary for supporting us and all the fellow riders who gave us the support and encouragement we needed.
Pennyville Kids
We received a call from Blue Planet this week, confirming that the soccer kits sponsored by Roman Pizza will shortly be ready; thanks guys, the teams are going to love the surprise.
We also have a follow-up meeting with the City Parks people on their progress to upgrade the park area in Pennyville.
Next week the challenge moves on to the following phase with the start of the first Triathlon, the BSG Energade Tri series in Pretoria. Thanks to Corné and her team for the support! We look forward to getting our first triathlon for the year under the belt!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Darren Herbst on behalf of the Challenge Team
www.14checkchallenge2010.co.za
Facebook: 14 Check Challenge in aid of Pennyville children
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