Other improvements to the Swazi Trails MTB Mid-weeker

Those that are a little bit slower will be happy to hear that we have ordered some new flood lights for the parking area at Mantenga, so the area will be better lit for late arrivals. Bike lights are still recommended for the route however.

We have also ordered a large format digital timer which will be used to capture times of riders accurately. If anyone is travelling down from Johannesburg shortly - please let Darron know.

We are also going to put in place a "short route" for slower riders to encourage them to participate. The short route will be discussed in the weeks to come.

Some updates

A couple of updates...

The new route for the timetrial is as follows:

START/FINISH - from Mantenga Craft & Lifestyle Centre - the official point is between the two palm trees on the road just near the gravel parking lot area.

Ride towards Mantenga Lodge and then downhill left, onto the tar between the houses and then down to turn left on Cultural Village road. Then right towards Lobamba across the one-way bridge. From there the route remains the same as previous years.

On the way back, after riding alongside the The Village (Spintex) and turning off up the path our new route goes dead-straight uphill on the single-track instead of peeling off to the left half-way up like we used to. Carry on uphill until this track meets a dirt road that accesses the large warehouse building (on your right). Continue up this access road as it goes first a bit left and then sharply right parallel with the main road MR103 in the direction of Mbabane. Stay with this dirt track until it meets the tar and then go left on the verge of the road (Gables direction) and keep a look-out for a chance to cross the traffic to the other side. Soon after a bus shelter there is a wide gravel road going uphill into the Van Wyk's property. Turn up here and go up about 100m until a small gate on the right allows you to peel off and continue up to the Mantenga Drive tar road on top. Turn left downhill and then right into Mantenga Falls Road and the finish.

Note: from the point in the veld where the route changes we have put some yellow spraypaint markers and some red and white chevron tape markers - just so the route can become familiar. Yellow spraypaint "spots" have been put on stomes, poles and gates right up to Mantenga Drive.

Contribution for 2010/11 season.

After some discussion it was decided that this year we would look at having an E 100.00 annual registration fee for the timetrial. This will enable us to:

1. Buy a nice large format digital timing clock for use on the event (and at other cycling events when needed)

2. Make an annual contribution to the Lobamba Neighbourhood Care Point (NCP)

Please bring your contributions along to the next ride.

November the 3rd Timetrial

This week Robert Bie had William Kelly instead of Denzyl McFadden on his wheel. Our results were:

Robert Bie                       00:47:55
William Kelly                    00:47:57
James Mardell                 00:52:44
Dumi Mhlongo                  00:57:10
John Williams                   01:02:45
Luke Malindzisa               01:09:10
Craig Randall                   01:10:54
Elmari Andrade                01:21:05
Denzyl McFadden            01:21:05
Mduduzi Mkhabela           01:27:10
Brian Healy                        01:29:35

We look forward to a few more participants in the weeks to come.

Season finally kicks off

Some heavy rain on the 6th and 13th, saw cyclists opting to hide indoors. Seems some momentum is needed before rain becomes a non-issue again. Darron prowled the parking lot and Nadja (not short of enthusiasm) stacked her car on her way down the Malagwane. Eish - sorry Nadja - next time ride to the start!

The 20th was a better day and Robert Bie, Craig Randall, Darron Raw, Zoe Bosman, Jo Erasmus, Phila Gamedze and Denzyl McFadden took a slow social ride around the course to learn the new revised route.

The 27th October was our first competitive ride.

Denzyl McFadden     00:47:44
Robert Bie                  00:47:44
Darron Raw                01:15:00
Kei Raw                      01:15:00
Anita Raw                   01:29:00
Mduduzi Mkhabela    01:29:00
Zoe Bosman               01:29:00

So 00:47:44 is effectively the new course record and the time to beat going forward.

Overall Top 50 times for the old course

These are the overall Top 50 times taken across the old original course (starting and finishing at Quatermaines Restaurant).

1	Robert Bie	00:40:30
2	Craig Randall	00:41:43
3	Ara Monadjem	00:41:58
4	William Kelly	00:42:04
5	Moshoeshoe Khumalo	00:42:05
6	Rodney Spencer	00:42:31
7	Denzel McFadden	00:42:39
8	Menzi Tsela	00:42:40
9	Carlos Malinga	00:42:43
10	Vaughn Mountjoy	00:42:51
11	Leon van Wyk	00:44:25
12	Mike Craigie	00:44:39
13	Sean Stuarts	00:44:40
14	Mike Richardson	00:44:45
15	Darron Raw	00:44:50
16	Gcina Ndlangamandla	00:44:51
17	Sebbie du Pont	00:45:09
18	Justen Burgin	00:45:13
19	Barry Spencer	00:45:43
20	Richard Darne	00:45:49
21	Nadja Shields (1st lady)	00:45:50
22	Phila Gamedze	00:46:05
23	Gavin Aranky	00:46:09
24	Andrew Van Rensburg	00:46:11
25	Sean Underwood	00:46:37
26	Stuart Hulley	00:46:55
27	Wandile Msibi	00:47:33
28	John Williams	00:48:17
29	Kevin Haycocks	00:48:23
30	Johan Grobler	00:48:40
31	Patrick Masondo	00:48:59
32	Mark Kashiki	00:49:00
33	Tiago Oliveira	00:49:05
34	Jose Neves	00:49:10
35	Manyakatane Dlamini	00:49:19
36	Lucinda Bride (2nd lady)	00:49:29
37	Richard Alexander	00:50:02
38	Mbusi Motsa	00:50:19
39	Richard Lemmer	00:50:48
40	Renato Oliviera	00:50:54
41	Dumi Mhlongo	00:50:56
42	Shane Raw	00:51:17
43	Chris Morgan	00:51:19
44	Johno van Wyk	00:52:05
45	Victor Oliveira	00:52:27
46	David Melvin	00:53:39
47	Nicky Lemmer (3rd lady)	00:53:39
48	Zoe Bosman (4th lady)	00:54:14
49	Pedro Isidoro	00:54:25
50	Kim Roques	00:54:47

MTB Mid-weeker kicks off again

Its that time of year again... we'll be kicking off with a new (slightly amended) route on the 6th of October.

Most important - our new starting point will be the parking area of Mantenga Craft & Lifestyle Centre - behind The Gables in the direction of Mantenga Lodge.

See you there!

Comparison of time trial results over two seasons

Listed in alphabetical order, these are personal best times listed across both 08/09 and 09/10.

Full name	Best 08/09	Best 09/10
Abtaab Dada	00:00:00	01:31:00
Alex Carlston	00:00:00	00:59:46
Alex Thompson	00:00:00	00:00:00
Allyson James	01:09:39	00:00:00
Andrew Van Rensburg	00:46:11	00:52:41
Anita Raw	01:09:40	01:17:49
Ara Monadjem	00:41:58	00:00:00
Asande Motsa	01:17:20	00:00:00
Bafana Dlamini	00:00:00	01:15:08
Bandzile Mtethwa	01:04:00	00:00:00
Banele Dlamini	01:02:32	00:00:00
Baron Darne	01:07:59	00:00:00
Barry Spencer	00:45:43	00:48:17
Berger Nxumalo	01:06:00	00:00:00
Bheki Dlamini	00:56:02	00:00:00
Bhekie Lukhele	01:00:13	00:00:00
Birgit Weyss	00:00:00	01:02:27
Bradley Young	01:12:25	00:00:00
Brian Harper	01:08:20	00:00:00
Calvin Louw	00:00:00	00:00:00
Carlos Malinga	00:42:43	00:44:57
Carol Preat	01:04:33	01:04:30
Caryn Biggert	01:23:50	00:00:00
Cathy Cunningham	00:57:07	00:00:00
Cesar Preat	01:23:15	00:00:00
Chris Morgan	00:51:19	00:00:00
Clarence Preat	01:05:38	00:00:00
Clive Mzamo	01:13:20	00:00:00
Colin Pheiffer	00:00:00	00:00:00
Comfort Mkhombe	00:00:00	00:00:00
Craig Randall	00:41:43	00:42:02
Danny Heenan	00:00:00	00:56:22
Darron Raw	00:44:52	00:44:50
Dave Gregor	00:00:00	01:08:35
Dave Roberts	00:56:05	00:00:00
David Melvin	00:53:39	00:00:00
Denzel McFadden	00:42:39	00:44:57
Dumi Mhlongo	00:00:00	00:50:56
Ethan Young	01:12:25	00:00:00
Futhi Dlamini	01:00:33	00:00:00
Gavin Aranky	01:03:31	00:46:09
Gavin Moir	00:00:00	01:01:56
Gcina Ndlangamandla	00:00:00	00:44:51
Grant Pike	00:00:00	00:00:00
Gus Palmer	01:28:07	00:00:00
Hester Loots	01:03:48	00:00:00
Hugh van Zuydam	01:28:07	00:00:00
Iris Atwell	00:55:48	00:00:00
Jared Pheiffer	00:00:00	00:00:00
Jeanine Geldard	00:00:00	01:02:06
Jo Wright	01:09:15	01:04:03
Johan Grobler	00:48:40	00:00:00
John Williams	00:54:30	00:48:17
Johnny Green	00:00:00	01:20:10
Johno van Wyk	00:56:55	00:52:05
Jose Neves	00:49:10	00:00:00
Joseph Tibane	01:23:41	00:00:00
Julian Abrahams	01:19:58	00:00:00
Justen Burgin	00:00:00	00:45:13
Justin Valentin	00:00:00	00:58:02
Kate Phillips	00:00:00	01:24:28
Kevin Haycocks	01:19:58	00:48:23
Kim Roques	00:54:47	00:00:00
Lauri Koibula	00:00:00	00:00:00
Leeane Heenan	00:00:00	00:48:22
Leon Jacobs	00:00:00	00:58:33
Leon van Wyk	00:44:25	00:00:00
Leroy Healy	00:59:11	00:00:00
Linda Vilakati	00:00:00	01:03:00
Lucinda Bride	00:49:29	00:00:00
Luke Malindzisa	00:55:14	00:00:00
Lungile Mkhabela	01:05:55	00:00:00
Lynne Taylor	01:09:00	01:23:06
Mandla Mabaso	00:56:18	00:00:00
Manyakatane Dlamini	00:49:19	00:51:07
Marianna Abrahams	01:28:07	00:00:00
Mark Kashiki	00:49:00	00:55:15
Mbusi Motsa	00:50:19	00:00:00
Mduduzi Mkhabela	00:56:53	00:00:00
Megan Mountjoy	00:00:00	00:59:40
Menzi Tsela	00:42:40	00:45:20
Mike Craigie	00:46:03	00:44:39
Mike Irwin	00:00:00	00:00:00
Mike Richardson	00:44:45	00:46:14
Moshoeshoe Khumalo	00:43:10	00:42:05
Muzi Dlamini	01:00:35	00:00:00
Muzi Mahlobo	00:00:00	00:00:00
Nadja Shields	00:55:17	00:45:50
Nathi Simelane	01:09:27	00:00:00
Nicky Lemmer	00:53:39	00:00:00
Ntokozisi Khumalo	00:00:00	00:59:18
Ntokozo Mamba	00:00:00	00:00:00
Patrick Masondo	00:49:25	00:48:59
Pedro Isidoro	00:00:00	00:54:25
Phila Gamedze	00:00:00	00:46:05
Philip Vilapouca	00:00:00	00:00:00
Renato Oliviera	00:50:54	00:00:00
Richard Alexander	00:57:13	00:50:02
Richard Darne	00:45:49	00:55:07
Richard Lemmer	00:50:48	00:00:00
Richard Melvin	01:02:41	00:00:00
Riley Healy	00:56:34	00:58:37
Robbie Forbes	00:00:00	00:00:00
Robert Bie	00:42:37	00:40:30
Rodney Mountjoy	01:01:47	00:59:51
Rodney Spencer		00:42:31
Rodney Young	00:00:00	00:00:00
Ronelle Holmes	00:00:00	01:01:51
Sally Erasmus		01:24:45
Sandla Msibi	00:00:00	00:00:00
Sean Stuarts	00:44:40	00:45:40
Sean Underwood	00:46:37	00:58:52
Sebbie du Pont	01:03:45	00:45:09
Shane Raw	00:51:17	00:00:00
Sherwin Holmes	00:00:00	00:00:00
Shirley Kenny	00:59:31	00:00:00
Sibusiso Mnisi	00:00:00	00:00:00
Sihlangu Nhlabatsi	00:00:00	00:00:00
Simon Mkhabela	00:00:00	00:00:00
Sipho Mkhabela	00:00:00	00:57:54
Stuart Hulley	00:46:55	00:00:00
Tania McHardy	01:11:18	01:01:26
Themba Mahlalela	00:00:00	00:58:38
Thulani Nkambule	00:56:02	00:00:00
Tiago Oliveira	00:49:05	00:00:00
Vaughn Mountjoy	00:42:51	00:53:09
Victor Barreiro	00:57:45	01:03:37
Victor Oliveira	00:57:22	00:52:27
Wandile Msibi	01:05:41	00:47:33
William Kelly	00:43:54	00:42:04
Zoe Bosman	00:56:14	00:54:14

Overall season results for 2009/10

These are the overall best times posted for the Swazi Trails timetrial in the 6 month season of 2009/2010. A (*) indicates either that this was a best time across 2008/9 and 2009/10, or that the individual only posted times in this current season. Those without (*'s) had better times in 2008/9 season.

Robert Bie	00:40:30*
Craig Randall	00:42:02
William Kelly	00:42:04*
Moshoeshoe Khumalo	00:42:05*
Rodney Spencer	00:42:31*
Mike Craigie	00:44:39*
Darron Raw	00:44:50*
Gcina Ndlangamandla	00:44:51*
Denzel McFadden	00:44:57
Carlos Malinga	00:44:57
Sebbie du Pont	00:45:09*
Justen Burgin	00:45:13*
Menzi Tsela	00:45:20
Sean Stuarts	00:45:40
Nadja Shields	00:45:50*
Phila Gamedze	00:46:05*
Gavin Aranky	00:46:09*
Mike Richardson	00:46:14
Wandile Msibi	00:47:33*
John Williams	00:48:17*
Barry Spencer	00:48:17
Kevin Haycocks	00:48:23*
Patrick Masondo	00:48:59*
Richard Alexander	00:50:02*
Dumi Mhlongo	00:50:56*
Manyakatane Dlamini	00:51:07
Johno van Wyk	00:52:05*
Victor Oliveira	00:52:27*
Andrew Van Rensburg	00:52:41
Vaughn Mountjoy	00:53:09
Zoe Bosman	00:54:14*
Pedro Isidoro	00:54:25*
Richard Darne	00:55:07
Mark Kashiki	00:55:15
Danny Heenan	00:56:22*
Sipho Mkhabela	00:57:54*
Justin Valentin	00:58:02*
Leon Jacobs	00:58:33*
Riley Healy	00:58:37
Themba Mahlalela	00:58:38*
Sean Underwood	00:58:52
Ntokozisi Khumalo	00:59:18*
Megan Mountjoy	00:59:40*
Alex Carlston	00:59:46*
Rodney Mountjoy	00:59:51*
Tania McHardy	01:01:26*
Ronelle Holmes	01:01:51*
Gavin Moir	01:01:56*
Jeanine Geldard	01:02:06*
Birgit Weyss	01:02:27*
Linda Vilakati	01:03:00*
Victor Barreiro	01:03:37
Jo Wright	01:04:03*
Carol Preat	01:04:30*
Dave Gregor	01:08:35*
Bafana Dlamini	01:15:08*
Anita Raw	01:17:49
Johnny Green	01:20:10*
Lynne Taylor	01:23:06
Kate Phillips	01:24:28*
Sally Erasmus	01:24:45*
Abtaab Dada	01:31:00*

A total of 63 riders participated at different times in the season. Thanks for joining us.

If you would like to see your 2008/9 results visit this page.

Season wrap-up Feb & March

Here is a tie-up of the MTB Mid-weeker results from February and March 2010

These were the results from the 3rd of February. Robert Bie having a lonely ride at the front.

Robert Bie                   00:42:52
Rodney Spencer         00:48:11
Sean Stuarts                00:48:13
Patrick Masondo         00:48:59
John Williams              00:50:22
Victor Oliveira              00:52:41
Manyakatane Dlamini 00:56:06
Andrew Van Rensburg00:56:07
Danny Heenan             00:58:02
Justin Valentin              00:58:02
Ntokozisi Khumalo       00:59:18

The 10th of February was much the same - again no company for Robert at the front:

Robert Bie              00:42:17
Sean Stuarts          00:47:01
William Kelly           00:47:02
Kevin Haycocks     00:49:29
Nadja Shields         00:49:42
Denzel McFadden 00:53:02
John Williams         00:58:23
Sipho Mkhabela    01:02:27
Tania McHardy      01:07:04
Jeanine Geldard    01:08:09
Zoe Bosman           01:24:27
Kate Phillips           01:24:28
Sally Erasmus        01:24:45

The 17th of February was a bit of a social ride - have a feeling it was raining hard.

Rodney Spencer    00:55:05
Craig Randall         00:55:05
Darron Raw            00:55:45

The 24th of February saw Rodney Spencer give Robert Bie a bit of competition, with a fine time posted by him, a personal best and a decent 5th overall positioning for the season. Sipho Mkhabela also improved his personal best by over 4 minutes.

Robert Bie                      00:42:27
Rodney Spencer            00:42:31
William Kelly                   00:45:21
Sean Stuarts                  00:45:40
Nadja Shields                00:46:42
Victor Oliveira                00:52:27
Manyakatane Dlamini   00:53:29
Pedro Isidoro                 00:55:49
Sipho Mkhabela            00:57:54
Tania McHardy              01:01:26
Jeanine Geldard            01:02:06

The 3rd of March saw a small turn-out in tough cycling conditions - times were slower all round, although it was good to see Dr Barry Spencer back again and posting a PB for the season.

Robert Bie                    00:44:50
Rodney Spencer          00:46:07
Darron Raw                  00:48:07
Barry Spencer              00:48:17
Kevin Haycocks           00:49:38

The 10th March was again a small field with Craig Randall returning to dominate the field. Nadja Shields was in good form with a solid ride - achieving a personal best and the fastest ladies time for this course.  Her time was almost 10 minutes faster than her PB in the previous season - that is a huge step-up. Manyakatane Dlamini also posted a personal best for the season on this day, as did Pedro Isidoro and Linda Vilakati.


Craig Randall                 00:42:16
Nadja Shields                 00:45:50
John Williams                 00:51:03
Manyakatane Dlamini   00:51:07
Pedro Isidoro                 00:54:25
Linda Vilakati                 01:03:00

The 17th March had Nadja leading the field home after Robert had some mechanical issues. Kevin Haycocks posted a personal best, keeping John Williams at bay - good one Kevin!

Nadja Shields                00:47:29
Kevin Haycocks            00:48:23
John Williams                00:48:58
Robert Bie                     00:50:40

The final ride of the season on the 24th March was potentially a season show-down between the two fastest riders Robert Bie and Craig Randall, but as the results show, Robert was not firing on all cylinders and Craig had the front to himself. Nadja had another good ride coming in just 15 seconds off her PB.

Craig Randall                00:42:55
Robert Bie                     00:45:38
Nadja Shields                00:46:05
Manyakatane Dlamini   00:54:49

Cyclists cover school fees in Lobamba

Transcript of Press Release [28 Jan '10]

This week cyclist’s who regularly train in the Ezulwini and Lobamba area banded together to contribute towards school fees for children cared for by the Valley Charity Organisation.

The cyclist’s, who come from as far away as Mbabane and Manzini, participate in the weekly MTB Mid-weeker, an 18km timetrial organized by Ezulwini-based tour and adventure company Swazi Trails. Explains Swazi Trails Director, Darron Raw, “As cyclists who frequently move up and down in this community, we have become conscious of the many needs that are evident here. And we because we wanted to be more than just visitors that come and go leaving nothing, we have sought out a way to make a contribution.”

That contribution has most recently been in the form of a cash donation of E 2 600.00 to the Valley Charity Organisation, a community-based body established by a group of locally based women. In existence since the year 2000, the aim of the organization is to care for orphans and vulnerable children under the Lobamba Inkhundla, which includes the areas of Lobamba, Langeni, Ezulwini, Nkhanini and Ezabeni. At present the organization cares for over 120 children, of which 75 attend school.

Nonhlanhla Dludlu, the Director of Valley Charity said, “we appreciate the cyclist’s contribution as it comes at a time of year when we are looking left and right for school fees, so as to register many of the school-going children that we support.”

Asked whether the community accepts cyclists in their midst, Raw chuckles and comments: “We get a lot of encouragement, especially when the competing riders are pushing hard to beat each other, but I also know that we have given a few people a big fright when they haven’t heard us coming and suddenly they react and jump out the way.” Raw explained that all competitors are sensitized to be polite and watch out for pedestrians and especially children, but he adds: “ I know for fact that when you are training and pushing so hard it is difficult to breath, let along return a greeting to someone you pass. Its for this reason that we choose to make a positive contribution, as a way of saying we appreciate cycling through this area and we wish to acknowledge the understanding that residents have for our sport.”

With cycling now officially recognized as a sporting code in Swaziland, this weekly timetrial is a valuable testing ground for Swaziland’s top cyclists, with many of them gauging their level of fitness by the times they are able to post.

Nomphumelelo Nkambule, a supervisor at Valley Charity concluded; “We are grateful that they have come to us to offer assistance and we hope that your assistance will grow together with their sport.”

More mud...less MTB'ers

Seems the rainy weather and muddy conditions are scaring away the crowds.

I few die-hards however braved the conditions. Raw thought he was doing Ok and led until the grazing fields of Nkhanini, but he was left looking like he was cruising for parking when Robert Bie decided to stretch his legs.

No casualities, no war-stories... we means that these riders are getting pretty good at negotiating thick mud.

Robert Bie    00:47:24
Darron Raw    00:48:12
John Williams    00:59:16
Nadja Shields    00:59:22

Seen out and about

Victor Barreiro and family out on a ride at Mlilwane. Nice cycling shoes there Victor!

Anita Raw heads down a track in the forest near Hazyview in Mpumalanga. Induna have some great tracks here.

Anita Raw with two Mpumalanga-based friends, Gustav Janse van Rensburg and Claire Daniels











Oooops - 50m from the end Anita pulls hard front brake. Why? Only she can explain!

TwentyTen

The 6th of January 2010 - another fine day, bar some dubious quality bike control by Raw, who managed to tail end an innocently parked car causing (expensive) damage... to the car.

Kevin Haycocks seems to have a serious New Years mission underway with a nice improvement in time.

Darron Raw    00:47:06
Mike Craigie    00:48:26
Sean Stuarts    00:50:57
Richard Darne    00:55:07
Kevin Haycocks    00:55:32
Rodney Mountjoy    01:11:55
Zoe Bosman    01:23:00
Anita Raw    01:23:06
Lynne Taylor    01:23:06
Riley Healy    01:23:06



The 13th of January 2010 had a nice turn-out and wotch-out Kevin Haycocks clubs a sub-50min effort. Mike Craigie also sets a personal best, nicely under 45min.


For the record, a slight short-cut was undertaken just after the start to avoid earthworks. Probably worth about 30s on the old course.


Robert Bie    00:42:39
Mike Craigie    00:44:39
Sean Stuarts    00:47:52
Kevin Haycocks    00:49:00
John Williams    00:49:48
Phila Gamedze    00:50:17
Dumi Mhlongo    00:50:56
Manyakatane Dlamini    00:53:57
Mark Kashiki    00:55:15
Richard Darne    00:56:19
Danny Heenan    00:56:22
Zoe Bosman    00:58:22
Nadja Shields    00:58:22
Megan Mountjoy    00:59:40
Alex Carlston    00:59:46
Leeane Heenan    00:59:50
Jo Wright    01:04:03
Tania McHardy    01:04:03

[Postscript: according to Craig Randall he was well on course to shattering the 40-minute mark on this particular occasion when he had a puncture near the wooden bridge. He reckoned he was at least 3 minutes up on Robert Bie at this point and feeling stronger than ever...!! We're waiting Craig - we've got the stop watch - just do it again.] 



20th January 2010 was wet, rainy and muddy... hence only the brave were present. Times were slow, but a fair effort given the tricky surface.

Robert Bie    00:45:10
Darron Raw    00:47:45
Mike Craigie    00:50:10
Kevin Haycocks    00:50:10
John Williams    00:50:52



Bit too much water on the camera lens too!