Triple Challenge Leg One

December 9, 2016 by Bianca Cooper

Van Gaalen’s 24 Hour MTB Race – 2016

The first stage of our ER Consulting Triple Challenge was the 24 hour mountainbike race in the Magaliesburg.

This was Bianca’s and my second attempt at 24 houring. Last year, at the same event, Bianca completed 19 laps and 250 km for third lady home. I shuffled round for 17 laps and 224 km for 11^th place in the solo men’s field.

Just looking at the above statement one can see that new targets immediately standout for this year. Bianca decides a win is possible with the right bike ( she rode single speed in 2015 ) and more training. I just hate 11^th place.

Rain upon arrival at the campsite

Continue reading →

The Triple Challenge

November 17, 2016November 20, 2016 by Bianca Cooper

Hi all

We’ve been a bit quiet on the news front lately but we have been coming up with a scheme. Not much time for anyone to do a long trip this time of year (also, too bloody hot) so we have set ourselves three not-so-mini challenges over the next few months.

We are going to do the Van Gaalen’s 24 hour mountain bike race 26-27 November, followed by the Thaba Trails 24 hour mountain bike race 3-4 December [Edit: Thaba has been cancelled, we are coming up with an alternative adventure for that weekend]. Colin will be riding his prototype Qhubeka Buffalo bike and I will be aiming to be at least a little bit competitive by riding my Hunter Cycles Six50 (don’t frown; there’s prize money and I have cats to feed).

Why all the 24 hour endurance races, you ask? It is to help us prepare mentally for the final challenge in January 2017: Everesting by Buffalo. Continue reading →

The Black Sea Ferry

November 9, 2016 by Bianca Cooper

Maggie adding her final celebratory sticker

Very strangely we made it to the Danube Delta and back! Romanian booking systems work in mysterious ways.
We paid, without a receipt for the trip out, 73 km by speedboat and thought we had booked return journey. Not so. As we got on pocket rocket, Victor asked if we wanted to come back? Odd? Still he arranged that we pay first but meet Marion on the Sulina Dock who would be our organiser for the return journey, so we paid. Continue reading →

The Black Sea (and journey’s end)!

November 9, 2016November 9, 2016 by Bianca Cooper

We made the Ocean at the end of the Lane! 5174 km to the Black Sea.
Today was a tough 91 km over rolling hills, seemingly endless but not a push or walkie in sight.

Here, a picture of Maggie pushing

Yesterday we were at an odd but OK Pension and got dinner there too. Deep fried, skinny chicken and chips with huge tom and cucumber salad and loaf of bread. Not the greatest but very filling and saved us foraging in an empty town. Continue reading →

Further through Romania

November 9, 2016 by Bianca Cooper

Brill ride of 72 k to Oltenita, an industrial town and Danube port. Very little choice on accom so I chose motel Alexander. Took a while to find as it is upstairs in a tyre fitment centre. We rode in and out three times before deciding it was a place to stay. Inside it is new and we have a spotless Holiday Inn type room with WiFi, fridge and sat TV. Watched TdF.

img_20160718_203611 Continue reading →

Three Rivers Tour – Romania

July 17, 2016 by Bianca Cooper

Did lekker 75km into Rumania, Drobeta-Turnu Severin along the iron gate gorge. Super duper scenery sometimes high up on the ridge. Lots of small climbs and one really big one for a loaded Qhub. Also back to 36 degrees so v.sweaty as well.
Ma coped brilliantly and in the last three days we have gained a day! Excellent.
In last night’s Pension we met our next room neighbour who was A large Canadian who retired at 42 and has been sailing and roaming the world since. Been to 61 countries. A bit full of himself but interesting. He talked about his travels and then said ” I am not a racist but” . I shrank away expecting the normal tirade, but he said , ” The one nation I hate is the French”. So funny, especially as he was of French Canadian extraction.

Eventually got to get my target of sleeping in an ex-commie, Russian style hotel. High ceilings, huge doors and narrow corridors. A Red behind every cupboard. Still looking for the hidden microphones. Very acceptable though and R400 for us for the night. Food in restaurant also OK but not getting us back. Continue reading →

Three Rivers Tour – Serbia to goodness knows where

July 17, 2016 by Bianca Cooper

Horror ride to begin with. Getting out of Belgrade was a nightmare with heavy traffic, too many pedestrians and a 2 km bridge over the Danube with only a tiny path for bikers. Too narrow to ride so we pushed. Then onto the top of a dyke for a quiet ride but only a donkey track and heavy long grass. Took four hours to do 36 ks.
Suddenly got better and last 30ks was a breeze on quiet good roads.
Arrived at our lodging in Kovin, The Palace Hotel, ha ha ha ha ha ha, can’t stop laughing at the name. We appear to be the only residents, hope we make it through the night! Binx, the shower gets a -1 and the toilet moves when you sit on it so a -2. [Ed: still need to post shower rating system] Continue reading →

Three Rivers Tour – Serbia

July 17, 2016 by Bianca Cooper

Colin and Maggie looking out from castle in Croatia to the camp in Backa Palanka, Serbia

Here we are in Serbia, yet another country on our trip. Running out of Europe!
Had lovely ride, all on roads today, but fairly quiet. Even four hills which needed one walkie. Tell the truth, I think I could have ridden it, but it was hot and we have loads of time.
Ma took a 3 km detour and I had to ride my butt off to catch her and put us back on track. Long story for another day!!!! Continue reading →

Three Rivers Tour – Croatia

July 17, 2016 by Bianca Cooper

Arrived in country number ??? Croatia. I thought Hungary had an excess of have nots, here it is worse with hovels and middle class living alongside one another. Unusual to say the least.
Great smooth tar ride of 65 km in fairly hot sun. A magic day. Checked by cops with big guns at border but they saw there were no refugees in ma’s bags so we got through OK.
Finished up in another Panzio called Lutra Rooms. Ab fab. Lady owner gave us excellent Klean room and made us koffee, home made Kake, and lent us her three new Kittens. What a lovely way to end a ride.
Then walked into town for provisions and stopped for beer lunch at bar on way home.
Tough ride this. Continue reading →

Three Rivers Tour – Hungover in Hungary

July 17, 2016 by Bianca Cooper

Did not lose any blood last night but Dracula and his magic potion were gone in the morning. Strange thing was I had a headache. Cannot understand why?
Day started as one vest then deteriorated to one vest and SKY jacket. Rain was a pleasant accompaniment to cool us down. Had a great 45 k along dykes of the Danu. Got to our camp in Baja well ahead of time so went walking through old town and had second lunch of coffee and cake. Burp!
Lovely plek here. Brilliant choice of Camp means we are in a schoolkids hostel site. Looks like we are about 50 years older than the average camper. Also about 30 years older than the average teacher. Still think I could out cycle them all. Continue reading →