Year end efforts

The 23rd December saw a small field line up. Sean Underwood returned to his bike after a considerable period of inactivity. Sean's regular partner Craig Randall kindly held his hand on the way round, although this may have been mixed blessing as Craig's form of encouragement is along the lines of: "Hey hurry-up, what's up with you, you tired or something, yus' you're slow, taking strain ? Come on its getting dark!"

Raw took off with speed and was hoping that Randall would come past to give him a tow on the Nkhanini back straight, but it wasn't going to happen and he was happy with his self-powered time. Mike Craigie came in second with a good consistent time. Sean Stuarts was third, but still well off his sub-45 min best in the previous season.

Darron Raw    00:46:28
Mike Craigie    00:47:46
Sean Stuarts    00:50:13
Richard Darne    00:57:14
Craig Randall    00:58:35
Sean Underwood    00:58:52
Nadja Shields    00:58:53
Dave Gregor    01:08:35
Zoe Bosman    01:08:35

The 30th of December produced a very similar finishing order, however contrary to expectation the efforts of Xmas feasting was only positive and not negative. Raw posted a personal best (PB) shaving 2 seconds off his previous best from exactly a year ago. Mike Craigie also trimmed 7 seconds off his PB and Sean Stuarts speeded up by a minute forty-five from his previous week's effort.

Riley Healy made a rare appearance and newcomer Themba Mahlalela followed him round. Rodney Mountjoy clearly overcome by a sense of time passing (new year resolutions etc.), road a decent time despite having tackling the Tea Road earlier in the day. Phew!

Anita Raw and Zoe Bosman picked up a few sleek looking male cyclists on the route and pulled them back to the finish to introduce them all round.

The Swazi Trails MTB Mid-weeker would like to thank everyone for their participation over the past few months and extends best wishes for faster times in the New Year. Keep death off the road - ride in the bush! 

Darron Raw    00:44:50
Mike Craigie    00:45:56
Sean Stuarts    00:48:31
Riley Healy    00:58:37
Themba Mahlalela    00:58:38
Rodney Mountjoy    01:02:20
Anita Raw    01:17:49
Zoe Bosman    01:20:10
Johnny Green    01:20:10

For anyone needing some inspiration to ride harder and faster in 2010 - just check out this MTB free-riding  video.