Monday 29 July 2013

TC - About me...

I thought I'll write a post on how I got into mountain biking! #interviewstyle

Where are you from?

Albertinia, Western Cape, South Africa, near Mossel Bay

Have you always been into extreme sports?

Not at all, I didn't think women of a bigger size can or should run, but then I started running in 2006 in the UK and then started mountain biking in 2008 after going on my first ride in 2007.

Where was your first ride and how far was it?

Dorking, Surrey Hills, about 25km.

What made you go along?

The friends from church that invited me along, I really didn't know what I got myself into, but was to scared that I would miss out. #FOMO As my dad says, I'm a sucker for peer pressure. (Those of you that know me better now, would probably say, I am the group pressure.)

How did you find your first ride?

I suffered and pushed up all the hills even on tar, it was hard going, my poor short legs didn't know what hit it and my calves were so sore. I was about 15kg heavier than what I was now with no base fitness or knowledge about mountain biking, so it took some effort to get me to Leith Hill.

First Ride - Almost exactly 6 years ago - 31 July 2007
What was the best part of your first ride?

Finally going downhill on Summer Lightning (an awesome piece of singletrack) for the first time! I was hooked, it made all the hard work worth it!

What advise would give to anyone trying to be better at hill climbing?

I was so stubborn and didn't want to change into the small ring at the front as the fast pedalling was just a strange concept to me, but you just need to get used to it. Don't put pressure on yourself by trying to keep up with the person in front of you. Find your own rhythm and just keep on pedalling! You WILL get there.  

What would your advise be to anyone who starts riding?

- Hou net aan met trap - Just keep on pedalling
- Ride as often as you can
- Ask questions about kit and how you should feel, no such thing as a stupid question. You shouldn't be uncomfortable on your bike, if you are, then something needs to change, it might be something simple and quite obvious.
- If I can do it, you can!

Specific advise to the ladies?

- Get a decent saddle, preferably a women's specific one.

Tuesday 9 July 2013

1st Tango Cycling Ladies Ride

Last Saturday 13 lovely ladies met up and went for a cycle to Leith Hill on the 1st Tango Cycling Women's Only ride.

The ride was open to ladies only and the idea was that ladies who have never been out can get the opportunity to come along and see if mountain biking is for them.


TC, Lara, Cecilia & Taryn
Ten of us hit down to Dorking by train.
It was great so see Cecilia Jaarsma & Letitia Rowley again, they both have been out with us before and it was brilliant to meet so many new other ladies and having the opportunity so show friends where we regularly ride.

Steph, cycled down with the boys and met us at Dorking. I think the boys were very curious to see what we were up to and were scared that they are missing out. :) We said "Hi" and then told them to get on with their ride.

All set and ready to go!

We had a quick check on tyre pressure before we set off up the White Downs, across the farm and up with Summer Lightning to Leith Hill Tower.

The Pack
Three of the girls deserve extra kudos for just riding the bikes they rode on Saturday.
Cecilia rode on a dutch bike, with NO shocks and thin wheels. Lara rode on a 1980's mtb with a rigid fork, problematic gears and not very strong brakes. Taryn rode on a cross-trail bike so she had at least shocks, but also slicks.

We broke the climb up to Leith Hill into four parts and took a nice breather after every part before we set off again.

Lovely Rossie & Julie my Julie.
At our regular and signature photo spot - Rookery Farm
Letitia, Niki, Adele, Cecilia & Marie
Part 2 of 4 completed


Marie & Cecilia
Part 3 of 4 completed
 At the top of Leith Hill Tower we bumped into the boys again. As I've mentioned in one of my previous blogposts, mountain bikers have the biggest FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). We took a quick photo before they carried on with their long distance mountain bike ride (by the looks of it, it included quite a bit of road too :)).


Part 4 of 4 completed and being "Photobombed"

We succeeded in confusing the lady at the shop in Leith Hill Tower with our numerous orders. We indulged in some sandwiches, tea, coffee, cake and the largest sausage roll you can find. We camped out, had a picnic and a well deserved breather before we headed down the hill and across to Summer Lightning.
 
*Leith Hill Tower is the highest point in South East England
 
1st Tango Cycling Women's Ride - All the hardcore Divas!
  
Unfortunately we didn't escape mechanicals. Niki had a flat tyre just before we were about to leave.  Steph & Liezl gave very capable assistance as the rest of us carried on. Thank you.
 
Steph & Liezl sorting out Niki's tyre problems
 
Summer Lightning was dry and ran so nicely. After almost losing a few peeps along the way we kept the group together and then split up a little bit later again. Poor Rochelle rode with her shocks locked for more than half of the ride and I felt terrible that we didn't check that earlier. We only realised this after the most rocky part on Summer Lightning.
 
Canola field in full bloom, Adele, Jules & Steph
 
We went back to the station via route 22. It was so much fun showing where so many of us started mountain biking to the girls and also having the opportunity to meet new people. Thank you for coming along and making it a fun day out.

Time for a quick beer at the pub before we head back on the train


Rossie & Julie my Julie

I've finally upgraded my telephone and have now joined the electronic cat world. #gotaniphone... After kicking against it for so long, I am now rightfully being called a hypocrite, but this upgrade enabled me to join Strava, the athlete's facebook. So you can see the route that we followed. http://app.strava.com/activities/65079602 Being technologically still handicapped, I've lost half of the route so we actually cycled 23km. :)

Please feel free to join Tango Cycling Club on Strava.
http://app.strava.com/clubs/tango-cycling

Next Women's Only Ride: 3 August 2013

Monday 1 July 2013

1st Tango Cycling Shirt - Available to order NOW!

I have been working with a company called Vitesse in Poland and it is with great excitement that I would like to reveal the first Tango Cycling Shirt design to you!

Vitesse have been efficient, slick, patient, professional and went out of their way to help me.



The Features:
- Shirt is made of smooth polyester and has good sweat transportation
- 3/4 zip for dressing & undressing quickly and ventilation in warm conditions
- Extra zipped back pocket for keys and other valuables
- Elastic finish to reduce movement whilst riding

Cost:
Shirts will be available to you at a special launch price of £40 each

Time:
Order will be ready 6-8 weeks after it is placed
How to Order:
1. Click here to ORDER now
2. Transfer your payment to Tharina Cronje, 86169637, 60-17-11 using Tango Cycling as reference

Order before 8 July 2013, don't miss out on the opportunity to have the 1st limited edition Tango Cycling Shirt.
Thank you!