I’m not one for grabbing signatures,
But it remains cool to see a few characters in action. Which is what this event presented. And there were some riders who took pen to paper literally and had their helmets and jerseys signed with each pro from which they could find. While some of the big names were here on holiday. Whether they prefer the attention or just want to keep a low profile probably depends on the individual. Either way.
The first of which was Tom Pidcock at the restaurant in Knysna the night before the start. And how often do you get to tent next to Olympian Alistair Brownlee? The morning of the start was a rainy affair at the hotel in Knysna and I spotted the two Namibians Drikus Coetzee and fellow school mate Ingram Cuff. Hiding from the rain before the start we stood next to the man himself with the pink Cannondale EF bike with race number #1 on it, cool calm and collected Lachlan Morton. Then came the German due of Lukas Baum and Georg Eggar. And the local crew of Matt Beers, Marco Joubert, Tristan Nortje and Travis Stedman also lined up.
Fuel the fire within
Erik from Canyon had a great week and won his (our) age cat 40-44 years. Jan Scannell was on par with the signature dry humour and I loved his comments during the week. Who knew he would team up with Karl Platt during the Wines2whales he following week? Oli Munnik did something cool under the tree to remember JP and Meurant and another mate who passed away recently. Riaan Weideman was another familiar face at these races, part of the furniture. And local long distance legend Chris van Zyl, who needs no introduction! I was supposed to cycle with Italian Maurizio Fondriest and Andrew Wheeldon the Thursday morning before the race, but with my last-minute entry the day before I had to postpone and get some admin done and a few things in place for a week work out of office. (YES, I cycled in the morning and did waybills to send boxed bicycles all across the country in the afternoons!). But during the final days I got to ride with that group if Italians and it continues below…
As for the ladies
It was also Maurizio’s daughter, Carlotta Fondriest, who sat with her dad and his mates and she won her category. Local quartet Ashleigh (Moolman-Pasio), Cherise (Willeit), Hayley (Preen), and Mariske (Strauss) were all on duty. And I relay felt for Ashleigh when she punctured just before Adeleide on the final day and lost those precious minutes that ended up costing her the orange jersey. But well done for the winner Axelle Dubau-Prevot for hanging in there and giving it her all despite what she did or did not know at the time. Paris-Roubaix winner Alison Jackson showed up pretty in pink and fellow Canadian Haley Smith was also on the start line. Juliet Elloitt joined with her camera and I am keen to see which stories she will be sharing. Locals Ann Harrison sat at the table, FB acquaintance Jodi Zulberg was in the same start group and we met Nicolle Weir and friends afterwards.
Nedbank GRAVEL BURN final day in Shamwari
Standing around the camp fire at night we chatted to the charismatic Paul Ingpen who launched the new gravel bike and GRAVEL BURN magazines and exchanged banter about the week that was. Such an awesome experience and something that I would love to do again, albeit on a MTB with drop bars. Not necessarily the Specialized Diverge with relatively skinny tire and little suspension that was used in the making of this adventure. Aaron also reconsidered the Cannondale.
The very last face(s) we saw from the race was Benky also sitting in the lounge, waiting for the flight home. Then Kevin himself as he also boarded the same plane back to CPT, surely contempt at the week that was. He must have been, because he was still smiling 🙂
Get there!
Send your bicycle to the Nedbank GRAVEL BURN with #bicyclecouriers.
