April 2011

Downhill - Sani Pass

Submitted by monica on Sat, 04/30/2011 - 04:45

Sani Pass - tick

Submitted by monica on Sat, 04/30/2011 - 00:00
Chris Birch South Africa Training
Chris Birch South Africa Training
Chris Birch South Africa Training Ride
Chris Birch Sani Pass Mountain Bike Training

Sani Pass is the border crossing from Natal in SA to Lesotho, its a really rough dirt road that runs up the mountain and climbs 1300m in just over twenty kilometers. A bunch of us thought it would make a good challenge to mountain bike up to the top where the highest pub in Africa is. It was a bit of a slog up the mountain and the last eight k's was pretty much all in granny gear but the view and the ride back down was worth it.

Cato Ridge training camp

Submitted by monica on Thu, 04/28/2011 - 06:48
Chris Birch South Africa Coaching
Chris Birch South Africa Coaching
chris birch south africa coaching
Chris Birch South Africa Coaching

Last camp, this time we were based in Cato Ridge at Alfie Cox's place. We had a group of 20 this time, the biggest of the 4 camps. I think I have my talks pretty well memorised now! Really cool to see lots of guys travelling from PE and Jo'burg etc.

The second day we went on the out ride and got caught in a massive downpour, but everyone still went home happy. Mon was doing the food for this camp and it was great to have her as chef and cheif organiser (Mon also types the blog sometimes heh heh)

Second Bulwer training camp

Submitted by monica on Thu, 04/28/2011 - 05:18
Chris Birch South Africa Coaching
Chris Birch South Africa Coaching

The second Bulwer training camp Will and I ran went well, we had a great group of guys and a fast girl too. It was an easier camp for me as I now know where I am going around the mountains and we got to do some amazing riding. We threw the guys into some real roof of Africa type of terrain and they came out all in one piece. We even made it back before dark this time!

Practicing turns

Submitted by monica on Sat, 04/23/2011 - 03:40

Hmmm I have gotten better at these since I started practicing over here!!

Coaching at Bulwer

Submitted by monica on Thu, 04/21/2011 - 19:45
Chris Birch South Africa Coaching
Chris Birch South Africa Coaching
Chris Birch South Africa Training Ride

We had a good training camp at Nip Inn, Bulwer, on Wednesday and Thursday this week. We had a group of about 15 students, and we spent the first half of Wednesday making sure all the proper techniques were in place. Then they went for an outride (NZers - trail ride) while I rested my wrist. I took Mon for a bit of a ride that afternoon - she was a bit tired and managed a few good crashes before mastering some sections on the mighty DR.

what's next ...

Submitted by monica on Tue, 04/19/2011 - 07:46

Well it was a very busy weekend, with a race and coaching rolled into one. We arrived home tonight, lots for Mon to do tomorrow, I have 8 days of coaching in a row starting tomorrow. So it's going to be full on for a bit, then a few weeks rest before the next National Enduro - means I can get my wrist sussed and race fit!

Montagu Coaching day

Submitted by monica on Tue, 04/19/2011 - 07:44
Chris Birch South Africa Coaching

After the national race on Saturday, I had a coaching day at the same venue - there were about 17 riders so it kept me pretty busy. Was great to see lots of the guys listening and taking what I had to say on board, I could really notice the difference in their riding at the end of the day.

On the video, Brita (sorry if spelling is wrong) DID master the uphill after a few very good attempts - very impressive.

Montagu National Enduro

Submitted by monica on Sun, 04/17/2011 - 05:00
Chris Birch South Africa Enduro KTM
Chris Birch Comsol Alfie Cox Racing Team South Africa

We have just done the second round of the National Enduro series, held in Montagu near Capetown. I'm so glad we decided to fly down instead of a 20-odd hour drive (but thanks to the rest of the team for taking the hit and driving down!!)

We arrived Thursday evening at and then headed to the race to walk tests on Friday. It looked a lot like riding in Alexandra back home but with way more loose rocks.

Riding in Durban

Submitted by monica on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 04:07

got everything all packed up in record time (yes 4 bikes, 3 people and a mega crap load of stuff can fit in a giant Sprinter and trailer) and headed to Durban to chill with teammate Paul for the day. Me and him went for a casual ride in town ... good times ...

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