Inaugural DeVere DC Training Ride

0 Comments 07 August 2011

So we’re off and ~~running~~ cycling! Our entry is in, we have a sponsor and our kit is being made as soon as the last soon to be named and shamed few get their sizes in. So on Saturday we actually got on the bikes and started to get to know everyone on the team. Our somewhat motely crew met at the Virgin Active in Constantia on a freezing Saturday morning (I later found out it had been 3 degrees when we set off), some had hangovers, some had just t-shirts on. Some had questionable bikes and one also still had an old school full length tyre pump attached to his Bianchi frame. Vintage awesomeness.

It was a beautiful day and our 70km route took us from Constantia, past Tokai towards Muizenberg, up and over Boyes Drive, along to Simonstown and up Redhill which is fast becoming one of my favourite climbs, then down into Scarborough, through Misty Cliffs, around Slangkop, through Kommejie into Noordhoek and then a last dash or struggle depending on each person’s relative fitness up Ou Kaapse Weg and back to Constantia. Straight to Tasha’s for brunch!

It was a beautiful morning and it felt good to be riding in a big group again, flying along at times or taking time for a social chat up a climb. As much as I’m nervous and excited about the challenge of cycling 202km, I’m actually really looking forward to all the training rides, I can tell that my bike skills, climbing prowess and mental strength are all going to dramatically improve over the next few months. Bring it on.