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It all happened to me when I jumped on the seat and became one with my bike. Nothing else around you matters at that time as you are in a world of your own. I share a passion for cycling and encourage you to join me on my journey in 2012, riding in colours of BMC. its going to be a very exciting year!!
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Monday, 31 December 2012

Training Camp in Somerset West (Western Cape)...

01:15 | Posted by Ashleigh Moffatt |


From the 18th to the 21st of December we (Velo Life/ BMC-SA) had a training camp in Somerset west (Western Cape).  This training camp played a vital role in our base phase training, as we covered some serious mileage. As well as to see where we are in physical fitness going into the new season and what still needs to be covered in order to perform to our best ability in the coming year!
I was very excited to go on the training camp and be around teammates (new and old). I love riding with people and often talk throughout the entire ride, even my teammates call me their little mp3 player that never turns off until the end of the ride. So as you can imagine now, that I was extremely excited and happy to be riding with some many riders!!!

          Corbin Mann, Me, Allegra Wykerd, Annemie Kruger, Nicole van der Merwe, Angela Egeland 
                                              and Johann Wykerd (taking the photo)
 
So....

 
18th First day: 3:30hrs, 75km
 
We went off on a nice chilled spin getting everyone into the swing of things and to get to know each other. As well as taking it easy due to the next day we had the four passes on our agenda. The road riding in the Cape is so easy with the big shoulders making it easy to talk to each other as you can ride 2 and sometimes 3 abreast. We ended up doing a really great ride as well as stopping in Stellenbosch for something to eat and drink which was awesome! Was a great way to start of the training camp!!!  














                  Having a nice chilled ride                             












                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Spent the afternoon at the beach!




 19th Second day: 6hrs, 132km 


Today was quite a ride, we did the 4 passes: Sir Lowery’s Pass, Viljoens Pass, Franschhoek Pass and Helshoogte. These are some serious hills if you don’t them!


I truly enjoyed today’s ride it was a challenge to each one of us. The first pass (Sir Lowery’s Pass) was a bit hairy, as the wind was pumping hectically!! At one moment Nicole and I got blown completely off the road and off our bikes, it was quite scary. Once we got to the top it was a great feeling that we had conquered the wind and the first pass was done, 3 more to go. It was stunning to look from the top of Sir Lowery’s and see where we came from, so far down. Then it was off to the next pass: Viljoens Pass.
                                                  At the top of Sir Lowery's Pass


Viljoens Pass wasn’t as bad as Sir Lowery’s as we had no wind and there were minimal amount of cars on the road, which was great! While one is out riding on a ride like this you noticed the amazing land we live in and how fortunate we are to have such wonderful places to ride, where there has been no destruction to the area and one just admires the beauty. I was truly enjoying this ride a lot and it was perfect weather as we were in cloud cover for majority of the way. 



Next pass was the Franschhoek Pass! Before we got to the pass we had the most stunning roads as you made your way around the  Theewaterskloof dam. The roads were almost completely flat the whole way to the bottom of Franschhoek Pass, it was amazing and hardly had any cars. We even interrupted a movie scene being made haha. So we had a quick break at the bottom of the pass where we ate our sandwiches or bars and chatted a little bit, giving our bottoms a quick break from the saddles and then we were off up the pass. 
The sun decided to come out and was now shinning making it quite hot as we made our way up the climb. It was a good climb as it wasn’t very steep but gradually inclined and it was a real nice road with stunning scenery all around us! Once we were at the top it was fantastic! To think this was our 3rd pass already! The view was incredible and it literally took your breath away. Then it was time to go down the pass!!! Now this was FUN as we had the whole road to ourselves as the movie shoot stopped the cars on the pass, allowing us to enjoy the downhill the whole way into Franschhoek town. I was enjoying myself soooo much grinning from ear to ear as the speed picked up, until I saw the baboon on the other side of the road then I calmed down a bit hahaha. 

                                                   Coming up Franschhoek Pass



                                        At the top of Franschhoek Pass, magnificent view!!!

We then made our way through Franschhoek town towards the last big climb of day Helshoogte. Now the sun was truly showing its strength and we had to stop quickly to get some coke and water, getting the legs ready for what waited us ahead. We got to the top of Helshoogte pretty easily as we were chatting up the hill, keeping the spirits up as we got over top of the last big climb. I couldn’t believe we had just completed 4 passes!!! It was an amazing feeling, especially as we descended into Stellenbosch. Where we stopped and had something to eat before we made our way back to Somerset. 


It was all smiles at the end of the ride as we arrived back at the house, even if the legs were feeling fragile. But to know that we have just completed that challenged was terrific!!!  A great self accomplishment and to do it with great people was the cherry on top of the cake!


20th Third day: 3hrs, 72km


Now today was quite a hectic day!!!


It was a truly stunning morning in Somerset and we decided today we were going to go ride on the coastal road towards Hermanus. I was pretty keen as it is a beautiful road to ride on! We started off smoothly through town towards the Strand but as we turn on the road towards Gordon Bay the wind hit us!!! WOW!!! And it was sooo strong, we all tried to hide behind Johann, but it felt like the wind came from every direction and you couldn’t hide away! Once we got into Gordon Bay and then start heading towards Hermanus the wind seemed to die down but just a little but was still challenging. When you went past the gabs/gullies in the mountains you were hit by this unexpected gash of wind and were blown into the middle of the road! It was quite insane!!!

                                                      Taking a break from the wind!!














                                                                                      What was on the other side of the little wall!

So after a lot of fighting against the wind we decided to make our way back home. The ride back kept ones hairs standing up as the wall on the left side of you was only a meter high, making it very easy for the wind to blow you down into the sea! And so you ended up riding in the middle of the left lane so when the wind does blow you, you have a bit of clearance! We all made it back alright to the Strand where we stopped for a cup of coffee, as we got blown with stand left, right and center as we tried to enjoy our drinks/coffee. Hahahaha J it was quite a day out there today!!! But we all had fun and that’s what counted and at least we know now how to face wind and will take on the challenge! 

                                        Having our coffee in Strand as we got blown with sand
 
21st Fourth Day!!!: 3:15hrs, 76km

Last day for training camp!

Today we went for our last spin around the Cape, we went towards Stellenbosch and then turned towards Malmesbury. The roads were soooooo nice; they were smooth with big shoulders and very little cars! Weather was perfect too!!! We had a very nice ride as we took the last spin together, chatting and smiling as a terrific time with wonderful people was coming to an end! We stopped in Stellenbosch for last cup of coffee with each other before we headed home. 

                                            Last cup of coffee on the training camp!!
















 On our way home, last ride of the training camp!

Training camp was awesome!!!! It was a fantastic time spent with amazing and wonderful people, where we shared great moments!!!  We were able to expand the boundaries of our riding as for me personally that’s the most riding I have ever done in 4 days!  We really did have great times!!! Thank you to everyone that made it so special and incredible. 


I am truly looking forward to 2013, knowing it will be a great year!!!!


A big thank you goes to all of you guys out there, all my supporters, friends and family for a fantastic 2012 and for all the support you guys have giving me throughout the year! It would have been very very hard if it wasn’t for all your support! THANK YOU!!!

 
Until next time I hope that everyone enjoys there last few moments of 2012 and that we are all looking forward to 2013 and what opportunities it will bring!!  


xxx

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