In Johannesburg, attended the Specialized Concept store opening here in the amazing Melrose Arch last night. Good to see fellow Specialized riders Burry Stander and Dan Hugo and caught up with journos (read “old triathletes”) from way back. Paul Ingpen, Sean Badenhorst and the like.

All the best for South Africa’s only concept store. Looks great. Signing autographs (on above poster from XTERRA Worlds in Maui) from 11 to 2 today. So book your flight now!

Racing 94.7 MTB race in 2 hrs. The road race is huge 26 000 riders. Not sure what the MTB race holds- Burry Stander and Kevin Evans are racing. But then, its end of season for all of us, not one is really in form, so one could call it: “May the least pathetic win…”

Just got back from a fun, super relaxing time at West Coast Warm Water Weekend. In fact, I’m so relaxed, I even drove the long way home!

Here are a few pics of the weekend. Words and a proper blog to follow once I find the cable to my other camera…

This is where the 2.5k, 60k 13k triathlon  took place.  -Kraalbaai- you wont find a more scenic venue. And yes, that  is a Specialized Transition “flat” bike with skinny tires. The Caveman did his 1st road tri in 5 years! Come read more in a few days….

Where the Caveman sleeps. Langebaan lagoon in the background and the sound of the ocean in your ears. I never did get to see those 2 nocturnal porcupines the game ranger warned us about…

Where normal people sleep. A refurbished old farmyard stable.

Cant decide which picture I like best, so I included both. Voice your opinion below this blog or  on my facebook page. (link in left column)

Not all competitors did the full tri. There were more than 8 events in total- ranging from triathlon to mountain bike to surf ski and trail run. Most of the events were low key (numbers were small as the weekend was per invitation only) with the emphasis on having fun, enjoying nature, mixing with cool, like minded people and consuming large quantities of fine food and wine…

The 6000 hectare West Coast National Park gets birders very excited (its a RAMSAR site) and we are very privileged to have been able to swim, bike, run, and paddle in a National Park. Between all the sports, eating and socializing, I took a stroll to one of the bird hides on the lagoon. Pink flamingos feeding in the shallows and lots of other water birds I sadly know very little about.

Hats off to the sponsors (who made the event possible) Carole (who did the work) and especially Paul Ingpen, (who did the thinking and talking!) for bringing such a neat concept to life. Too many people take sports too seriously. Seriously, its only sports, HAVE FUN DAMMIT!