Posts Tagged ‘XTERRA South Africa’
This is my last year racing as a professional. I’ve known it for a few months, but somehow avoided putting it on paper or ether. It all started with sponsorships imploding, but that is a story for another day.
Our next chapter is very exciting: A baby girl – any day now!
Also, a unique new online coaching business, a unique racing series, Caveman Racing & Adventure training camps, Caveman Skills Clinics, an autobiography, building pump tracks, single tracks, riding motorcycles, less travel, more family time, more home time, (even) less swimming, slower lifestyle, training for fun. And my first winter home. More about that later.
Missing XTERRA Grabouw due to a lung infection was a great disappointment. Watching my last “home” XTERRA from the sidelines was really really hard. If you’re not in the know, XTERRA in South Africa has really taken off in a big way. The Grabouw race has become a significant global event, with a legion of foreign athletes, big prize money, big media, and for a home boy, big King of the Hill points.
My most memorable experience at XTERRA Grabouw was during course practice. Watching a rare Berg Adder eating a mouse. (easily confused with the more lethal and much more common Puff Adder)
In the weeks after Grabouw,
Now THIS is a race report!
Xterra Grabouw
Kevin Flanagan, 23 Feb 2010
Grabouw, 1.5km swim, 25km mtb, 10km trail run
By Kevin Flanagan
I “raced” the Xterra off road triathlon on the weekend. It’s really the grand daddy of off road triathlons in South Africa. It is a series of triathlons held around the country, and it was Cape Town’s / Western Cape’s turn last weekend.
(Note: you have a big artery running down the inside of your legs, so if you want to cool down quickly, drop ice in your pants… this will help explain the last little bit of the race report)
Keeping the faith – Xterra race report
Don’t worry; I’ll be that good oke! I’ll give you +-300 days of warning before the next Xterra. If you think you are going to pitch up on the day, take on the Xterra, go out there and dazzle someone, please kindly get back in your car and go home. I had been warned, I had seen the weather the report (42 deg C), I had even put in some extra training, but crisis I did not get told I was going to be racing in hell.
Dan Hugo and Mari Rabie wins XTERRA South Africa
Good stuff- read Dan’s report here
29er Mania… Found this XTERRA South Africa (Grabouw) pic of beloved Specialized Stumpjumper 29er
If you dont know it yet, I LOVE 29ers! (29er = Big wheels)
– Handles rocky, sandy, bumpy terrain better than 26inch.
-Larger contact patch= better traction.
– More comfortable.
– Better rolling.
– Keeps momentum.
Sure, the bike weighs a bit more, but we’re* working on it…
My dad, (also 6ft3) has this saying- “A good tall man will always be better than a good small man.”
I feel the same about bike wheels. And I agree with my dads saying, of course.
XTERRA South Africa 2008
“Its this way around the buoy, right?” Dan Hugo and I looking at the 1500m swim course seconds before the start of XTERRA South Africa 2008.