Local PR company owner and sportswriter, Coetzee Gouws recently completed the 2012 Cape Epic. Coetzee had the following to say about his notable achievement: Apart from the obvious brain freeze that leads to you entering the Absa Cape Epic, this race is all about making smart choices. The first thing to get right is to select the correct partner. One who knows when to keep quiet is a good start. After that, a multitude of decisions - like nutrition, gear and prep - riddle the long, … [Read more...] about Cape Epic – Coetzee Gouws and Eating Like There is no Tomorrow
cycling
John-Lee Augustyn Returns Home to New Challenges
John-Lee Augustyn, one of South Africa's foremost cycling exports, has returned home to share the benefit of his extensive international experience with the Port Elizabeth cycling fraternity while he recovers from a lingering hip injury. The 25-year-old is one of only two South African cyclists to have participated in all three European grand tours - the Tour of Spain, Tour de France and Giro d'Italia. The other is Robert Hunter, who he helped to win the national road championships earlier … [Read more...] about John-Lee Augustyn Returns Home to New Challenges
Port Elizabeth Cyclists Dominate SA Track Team
The Eastern Cape once again proved itself a powerhouse in the junior men's ranks with four Port Elizabeth riders included in the seven-man South African track team. The national squad was officially announced by Cycling South Africa (CSA) on Tuesday following a two-week training camp in Durban earlier this month. Top local club Mecer-NMMU leads the pack with two representatives - Marinus Prinsloo and Kellan Gouveris. With Shane Pheiffer and Cuen Holland completing the local quartet, … [Read more...] about Port Elizabeth Cyclists Dominate SA Track Team
Reg Haupt on a Mission for Cheshire Homes
In May 2010 Reg Haupt left his family in Port Elizabeth and went to Cape Town to explore a business opportunity. Being the dedicated sportsman that he is, he kept up his habit of going on daily morning cycles. It was during a morning ride on June 6 that his life was changed forever when he was struck down in a bone-shattering head-on collision with a car driven by a drunken driver. His left ankle, right leg, left hip, pelvis, T6 vertebra, seven ribs and collar bone were all broken: there were … [Read more...] about Reg Haupt on a Mission for Cheshire Homes
Tour de Addo
The biggest international pro-cycling road event to hit South Africa will see more than 120 cyclists and their entourages as well as 300 members of the media descend on Nelson Mandela Bay this month to take part in Stage 3 of the inaugural Cell C Tour. Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism CEO Mandlakazi Skefile said the incredible exposure given to Nelson Mandela Bay as a tourist destination to not only the competing cyclists who would visit our city but also to the rest of the country and … [Read more...] about Tour de Addo
Insider Guide to Cycle Tour Vantage Points
With the Indian Ocean and sand dunes as backdrop, the Maitlands climb on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth presents compelling evidence that The Herald VW Cycle Tour is one of the most scenic road races in the country. As one of two challenging hill climb primes - the other is at Theescombe -this spectacular vantage point is the perfect spot for spectators to enjoy the 105km national classic on Sunday, February 6. "This climb often determines the outcome of the race," said race director … [Read more...] about Insider Guide to Cycle Tour Vantage Points
De Wet Pips PE’s von Holdt
Teenager Caitlin de Wet gave her new employers immediate payback when she won the 52km Nissan half-marathon at the Attakwas mountain bike event in Groot Brak River outside George on Saturday. Riding in her first race for Team bizhub, the 19-year-old completed the challenging course in 2:40:42 to hold off Port Elizabeth's experienced Andrea von Holdt (38) by two seconds. Junior Linda van Wyk (2:42:41) was third overall with MTN-Qhubeka's Mariske Strauss fourth (2:45:12). "I'm very … [Read more...] about De Wet Pips PE’s von Holdt
Tour de New Brighton
Spontaneous applause breaks out as the cyclists whiz past spectators in a blur of colour, but this is no international tour. It is just another training ride for the Siyanqoba Cycling Club on the streets of New Brighton in Port Elizabeth. "We've never had such things in the townships," said club chairman Yster Xatasi. "People are very interested and cheer whenever they see us - you'd be surprised!" Xatasi and his committee started Siyanqoba (which means "to conquer") in January 2009 … [Read more...] about Tour de New Brighton
Heralding a New Season
Back in the day, the "proper" cycling season was winter. The reasoning behind this anomaly, I assume, was for it to run concurrently with the European schedule. This meant our country's top riders would be race-fit and able to compete overseas at the drop of a hat. The fact that we were in the midst of two decades of sporting isolation, and largely unwelcome on the Continent and elsewhere, didn't seem to enter the administrators' thoughts - however, to be fair to them, the pumping track … [Read more...] about Heralding a New Season
A Safer Cycle Tour
The legislative legacy of the 2010 Fifa World Cup will ensure that major events like The Herald VW Cycle Tour - an annual highlight on the Eastern Cape's sporting calendar - present a safer experience for participants and spectators alike. Promulgated in August last year, the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act 2 of 2010 is government's attempt to ensure the physical well-being of people at large events. The Act aims to prevent tragedies like the 2001 Ellis Park Stadium disaster … [Read more...] about A Safer Cycle Tour
