January 2008 Newsletter

The dawn of a New Year brings with it our “New Year’s Resolutions”. Health and fitness often top our list of goals and being aware of the connection between good health and an exercise regime has reached an all time high. With subtle lifestyle changes including regular exercise, healthy food and stress relief techniques, we can reduce the risk of sicknesses like cancer, heart disease and hypertension and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. The New Year offers us a “New Start”, a chance to create a new fit and healthy body! If this is one of your goals, why not try cycling and join us on one of our many cycle tours around our beautiful country. Or if you prefer a challenge, you’ll be interested in all we have to share with you about the Herald Cycle Tour taking place in February. February sees the annual Herald VW Cycle Tour Festival of Cycling taking place in and around the friendly city of Port Elizabeth. As proud co-convenors of this year’s event, we’d like to invite all cyclists and cycling enthusiasts to join us over the weekend of the 9th & 10th February and be a part of this fantastic festival of cycling. Book on-line at www.heraldcycletour.co.za before the 21st January. Race Registration takes place at the Boardwalk Casino, Port Elizabeth from Friday evening the 8th February at 18H00, with the weekend’s racing kicking off early on Saturday morning.
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Events in Port Elizabeth kick off at 10H00 on Saturday 9th February with the short Kiddies Cycle Challenge for the youngsters. So, bring along the little ones and let them experience the joys of cycling. Entries for this fun event will be taken at race registration. This event will be followed by the 20km Fun Ride at 11H00, where the novice and more leisure oriented cyclists can enjoy a pleasant morning ride along the beautiful Port Elizabeth beachfront.
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This all new Mountain Bike route starts and finishes in the Addo Elephant National Park and takes riders over the famous Zuurberg Pass, down challenging mountainside paths, through beautiful fruit orchards and along the edge of the invitingly cool waters of a canal. Then riders get an opportunity to virtually rub shoulders with the mighty Addo Elephants as they hug the game fence along the final stretch to the spectacular finish in the game park itself.

If the ride doesn't take your breath away, the awesome scenery and wildlife definitely will! With a Challenging 65km route and an easier 42km route on offer, this is one ride you don't want to miss! Enter on-line now.
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Finish off your Saturday festival of cycling by watching the thrilling Kermes Race where South Africa’s top Professional Cycling Teams and invited top amateur cyclists challenge each other over a short street circuit on the Port Elizabeth beachfront. This is a lap race over 45 minutes, starting at 17H00. With fast and furious action from the gun, this is one race you don’t want to miss! You’ll be sweating and reaching your max heart rate just watching the action!
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Racing kicks off early on Sunday morning 10th February with the feature race – the 105km Road Race. This is a qualifying and seeding event for the Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour 2009 & the Pick ‘n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge 2008. At 06H00 the top cyclists in South Africa set off on the 23rd edition of this popular cycle race, racing through tree lined suburbs, over challenging climbs and along picturesque countryside roads around Port Elizabeth.

For the less adventurous cyclists and those that enjoyed their Xmas break a little too much, there is a 46 km route. This less challenging route starts after the feature race. Entries for both of these events can be done on-line.
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R 20 000.00 in Prize Money!!! The MTN Vets & Sub-Vets Cycle Challenge is an opportunity for the top riders in the country who can no longer compete in the professional racing team’s Elite category, to show their talent and win some well deserved prize money.

It is open to all registered racing Vet & Sub-Vet cyclists holding a CSA Racing Licence and forms part of the Herald VW 105km Road Race event. Are you up for the Challenge?
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The Velotex Corporate Challenge is a team challenge where the three cycling teams with the most number of finishes in the 105km event will win clothing hampers with a total value of R 10 000.00 from Velotex.

Make sure you enter your social or racing team at the registration when you collect your race pack.
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If you are in Port Elizabeth on the weekend of the 2nd & 3rd February, why not take this opportunity to join us and “pre-ride” the brand new 42km or 65km Mountain Bike routes and then take on the awesome 46km or 105km Road Race routes at a more leisurely pace and get a preview of what’s in store for you!

Saturday 2nd February Mountain Bike “Pre-Ride” 07H00 at the Addo Elephant National Park

Sunday 3rd February Road Race “Pre-Ride” 06H00 at Kings Beach Parking lot
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The holidays are over and it’s back to the old grind stone again – with a couple of spare pounds around the middle thanks to the Xmas festivities? Well, Doctors tell us it’s not good to rush into a new exercise program, but to rather start off easily and slowly build up. So, what better reason to join our Coffee & Muffin Ride on Sunday the 3rd February for a leisurely ride with a good cuppa coffee and tasty muffin at the Elephant Walk Restaurant along the way!!
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Join us on an unforgettable tour of the beautiful Garden Route as we cycle along scenic coastlines, through picturesque forests and along the banks of tranquil inland lakes. This 5 day tour includes all accommodation in holiday resort chalets, 3 meals per day plus snacks, non-alcoholic beverages and full back-up support with vehicles and guides. Places are filling up fast on our February (16th – 21st) and March (18th – 23rd) tours, so be sure to book your spot now and not miss out on this awesome experience.
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When you embark on a planned ride or race, the last thing you want is to run out of energy! By following a few simple steps before setting off on your ride, you can ensure you have an enjoyable experience.

1. Carbo-loading before the event…

 

2. Hydrate your body before the event…

 

3. The right foods to eat on the morning of the event…

 

4. Take the right snacks and eat on the ride…

 

5. Hydrate yourself during the ride …
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A Nerd, a Nude and a Bike ... A nerd was walking on campus one day when his friend, another nerd, rode up on an incredible shiny new bicycle. The first nerd was stunned and asked, "Where did you get such a nice bike?" The second nerd replied, "Well, yesterday I was walking home minding my own business when a beautiful woman rode up to me on this bike. She threw the bike to the ground, took off all her clothes and said, 'Take what you want!” The second nerd nodded approvingly, "Good choice. The clothes probably wouldn't have fit."
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