Being blown around in all the wrong ways…Day 4

Day 4

Honeywood Farm to Malagas

Waking up at the picturesque Honeywood farm we enjoyed a home cooked breakfast while looking at the endless views across the valley. Morale was high after the energy sapping 95km++ from the day before.

We left Honeywood and charged down the road as a powerful peloton covering the first 20km in 40mins. From here on the day got much tougher with strong head winds blowing everyone in the wrong direction, leaving riders desperate to find a wheel to hide behind. The 250km over the last 3 days have started to take a toll and many of us were well and truly in the hurt locker.

The boys fixing some sore knees.

The placebo effect…ICE. 

Conrad was having a tough day on the bike, but a friend in need is a friend indeed and the 40kg Catherine had no problem pushing the 115kg Conrad up one of the climbs. Her diet of spinach and energy gels is starting to pay off.

I feel a bromance coming on...

The final hurdle to cross was a pontoon crossing of a river. The pontoon was heavily laden with riders, bikes, and our support vehicle and powered old-school style by two burly locals pulling on a chain. The combination of the slow lumbering pace of the crossing and the promise of ice-cold alcoholic refreshments on the far bank proved too much for some. Matt and Lex ended up strapping on harnesses and giving the workers a much needed helping hand. So selfless.

This manly shot is for you, Phil.

Today’s 55km proved to be far tougher than the label and fatigue has started to set in, after be battered by head winds all day, to the point you had to pedal on the descents. Today left the riders, tired sore and looking for cover. A welcome sight at the finish line however – was PENGUINS. Some even braved the freezing cold ocean water (Matt & Lex) to get a close encounter to the cute little beasts.

The cute little beast.

For an update on yesterday…

While on the 95km crawl yesterday, we came across a group of kids coming home from school. During our rides, we are really starting to get some perspective about the local towns, and the hardship families go through. The kids we saw were walking home in the heat of the day without shoes. As we didn’t really need the extra bag of chocolate, jellybeans or energy bars, we gave all the goodies we had to the kids. They were all so grateful with smiles from ear to ear. and even a bit mischievous. After giving over a melted snickers to one of the happiest kids I’ve ever seen – he then quickly snuck it in his pocket and pointed at the crumpled up muesli bar in our bags.  There could have been some very energized kids that night.

Full hands of sugar and tasty treats. 

A man that we have to thank is Sele the support driver. He manages to find what must be the only place in South Africa that is out of the elements that we are facing that day, be it driving rain, gale-force winds or searing heat just as people can not turn their pedals around another rotation with a smorgasbord of energy drinks, power bars, lollies and Sele’s specialty “ Brown Cow” a combination of Coke and milk.

Our favourite man at the end of a hard ride, Sele! 

Jason took the idea of a brown cow a little bit too literally however…

Spot the brown cow...

After 88km of a 95km day most people would be thinking that they have broken that back of it, but in the case of day 3 the day had really just begun. A relentless 7km climb with some sections greater than 12 degrees, the lungs, legs and emotion were running hot. Dave the hill climbing expert was even sucking in the big ones. It is safe to say that he didn’t need to say BEEP BEEP as he passed people on the way up because you could hear him coming from 50m behind breathing like a steam train. The climb was heart breaking as you could see the other riders up the hill kilometers ahead. A flat tyre when you are already at breaking point is enough to bring even the toughest flyer to tears, Fiona managed to hold it together though and grind her bike to the top. Congratulations to Matt for having enough time to ride to the nights lodging wait, realize no one was there, and then ride back to the top of the hill again….(he was way too much energy!)

Tomorrow is our last day riding, wish us luck!

What’s long and leaves you feeling shattered?……Day 3.

Day 3

Albertinia to Honeywood:

95km. 7 hours riding. Elevation shown below.

Absolutely shattered and too tired to blog. Some photo’s shown below, will update on the day tomorrow… =)

THE END. 

If you feel like donating to our sore bums, https://www.justgiving.com/phoenixflyers2014/

What we spent 7 hours slogging over. 

Queen of the mountain! 60km peak. 

The ladies showing the boys how to do it. HULK STYLE. 

The last EPIC10km climb to the top (follow the road up and up... and up) after a previous 85km's. MUCH HARDER THAN IT LOOKS. 

Day 2: Can you hand me your lube please?….

DAY 2

Hartenbosch to Albertinia:

Today was a hard and sweaty 75km. Unlike the sideways rain and mud laced roads with Zebra dung of yesterday, today saw blue skies and sunshine. Filth streaked grimaces gave way to red faces, excessive sweating and the craving for electrolytes. A poor clothing choice by Catherine meant a mid-morning outfit change of full-length pants to hot pants. See the elevation profile below for the evidence of how challenging today was.

LOOK AT SOME OF THESE CLIMBS!

Extremes in environments from mountain climbs and treacherous river crossings, to near impossible beach traverses left riders both challenged and entertained.

Today’s river crossing was long and deep. Even the privileged few that managed to stay rubber side down had wet feet by the time they reached the far bank. Deep, fast running water and slippery rocks proved a recipe for disaster, with Manish promptly serving himself up a snack of face plant pie. Unfortunately for him, though lucky for us, he stayed submerged long enough for waiting cameras to capture his moment of shame for all eternity. Thanks Manish.

Manish going fishing. A quality shot.

Dave today gets a special mention. He has now earned himself the title of “road runner”. Unlike the rest of us slogging up the hills, Dave has mastered the act of cruising up behind everyone and yelling “BEEP BEEP” while casually riding through. Unfortunate for Dave however, his skills aren’t as easily transferred in the sand traverses as he had two stacks, both within the space of about 3 minutes.

Everyone slogging it out…..
oh and the horizontal bike is Dave tasting the sand quality. 

Dave Tapley or Andy Schleck….you decide. 

The afternoon saw mechanicals aplenty. Crossing a free-range game farm **gulp** laced with Devils Thorns meant he downfall of many a tubeless tyres. Unfortunately for the recipients of this dastardly flora, the only remedy was to pedal faster. The sealant in the tyres needs the wheel to turn in order to seal the holes from the thorns. The steep ascent following the game park meant many of the flyers had to live up to their namesake. Unfortunately some couldn’t quite cut it, Barry had to roll in to lunch on just wheel rims and cramping legs.

We had many new animal encounters again today. The major ones including ostriches and baby ostriches running closely behind, a baby tortoise, porcupines (or at least the quills of a terrified porcupine), terrifying bumble bees who made a bee-line for Catherine, weaver birds and blue cranes. Slowly throughout the ride we are learning more and more about everyone’s riding style, and one unfortunate trait is that the baby tortoise is probably faster up the hills than some of the riders (*cough Conrad and Fiona *cough)…

Mamma ostriche. 

Bub's chasing after mumma. 

Lex came off second best after his porcupine encounter.

This baby tortoise beat some of us up the hills. RESPECT.

Today’s stack tally:

Manish – 2

Dave – 2

Catherine – 2

The day finished with double dropping magnesium pills, nik-naks, and Amstel (carb loading).

"Someone" @ 3pm. It was a hard day. 

For donations, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/phoenixflyers2014/

South Africa vs. Butt Cream…DAY 1

Day 1

From Perth to Cape Town:

After a very long 11hr flight from Perth to Johannesburg, and another 2 hour flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town….we finally arrived in South Africa and were quickly whisked into a bus for a 6 hour journey to George.

Checking out the equipment.

We saw some amazing scenes in that short ride, including some shanti-villages, the local sights, and taste testing all of the local “Steers” cuisines. Top on the list is MACON. It’s not bacon, it’s not anything we know – but we ate it anyway.

One of the local townships.

Our mascot (Felix) checking our the local sights...

Day 2

From George to Mossell Bay:

The team, all smiles on day 1!

Today saw the first day of riding, and we covered 85km on undulating muddy dirt roads surrounded by amazing scenery. The weather forecast was bad and lets just say the weather man was correct, the special thing about mountain biking is that when is wet and cold, it is perfect with all of the riders starting the day, clean dry and happy and ending the day covered in mud from head to toe, wet and even happier.

Many of us came thinking that seeing famous African animals was simply a pipe dream but unlike the weatherman we were wrong! In just one day saw the first of the big 5, a water buffalo as well as waterbuck, wilder beast, eland, zebras, impala, bontebok, guinea-fowl, and last but not least FLAMINGOES.

Water buffalo….oh and horses.

Flamingoes…….FLAMINGOES!!!

Who would have thought that Zebra’s could be so dangerous? Fiona and Catherine found out just how unpredictable and wild they can be. As there were descending down a step muddy road a herd 4 of Zebra decided to cross the road just meters in front of Fiona before proceeding to jump over a fence and run hell for leather to chase Catherine! Catherine was surrounded on all sides, but luckily managed to escape and evade. Both were a little shaken, but miraculously throughout the ordeal managed to stay on their bikes. Others were not so lucky…

If you squint, there are zebras in this photo.
NOT the ferocious ones that chased Catherine however. 

Day one saw three crashes with Catherine opening the account before Conrad and Barry were also overwhelmed by the forces of gravity.

Conrad made contact with the ground while ascending up a pretty decent climb. While all of us were crawling up the hill at 3km/hr, one of us who shall not be named heard a very loud, high pitched (girly) squeal, followed by a fairly substantial smash into the bushes. Unlucky for him, he forgot how to clip his shoes out of his pedals –but lucky for us, we had someone on hand with quick reflexes to snap the moment.

The money shot!! (sorry Conrad)

Barry encountered difficulties staying rubber side down whilst attempting a creek crossing. His previous career as a ballet dancer saw him in good stead as he executed a perfect reverse pirouette into the river, saving his camera from a good soaking. Tears were eventually replaced by a look of steely determination as he waded his bike to the safety of the far bank, with only grazed knees and a grazed ego.

Today is summarized by beautiful scenery, tough climbs, and fun fast descents.

Can we keep him? So adorable!

We can’t wait for day two! (although our bums could do with a days rest)

TIN RATTLING, TEDDY PACKING & NEW SUPPORTERS!

It's been a very BIG day for the Phoenix Flyers this Monday. 

Starting with our most exciting news, we are pleased to announce that we have a new supporter - Southern Cross Electrical Engineering! (SCEE!) 
SCEE has very generously donated $3,000 towards the Phoenix Flyers, which is not only going to positively impact the lives of multiple children with burns at the Red Cross Hospital in South Africa, but will also aid in education and family support. 

From all of us at the Phoenix Flyers - thank you!

On top of the generous donation, SCEE has also kindly donated water bottles and jelly beans to keep our energy levels high on the long ride. Lets hope the sugar hit helps us all speed up those hills and help our aching bottoms. 

Nom nom nom de nom - must NOT eat the beans yet! 

NOW ONTO THE TIN RATTLING!

Last Friday (Halloween), the Phoenix Flyers pulled together and dropped all/most of their dignity to stand outside the Woodside building in lycra to rattle some tins to reach our fundraising goal. Everyone was so supportive - however there was ONE INDIVIDUAL who seemed sceptical that our legs could make the 420km ride. To them, a "special" photo on the last kilometre of the last day is coming your way! 

As a result of everyone donating the odd coins at the bottom of their bags, left over coffee money….and even a few lollies…we managed to raise an amazing $947.40 !!! It's amazing what people will donate to get lycra out of their face…

Part of the lycra brigade..

Barry getting some emotional support from the
blue bunny (I don't think he wanted to let it go..) 

All of the proud rattlers!

AND FINALLY, the teddies are all wrapped up and ready to go for their long journey to be reunited with the kids at the Red Cross Hospital. 

I am also happy/slightly disappointed to reveal our team mascot which will be strapped to our team captain's bike for the entire length of the journey. 

If you remember from our last post - the 3 contenders were the pink pony, the lion, the monkey…

After tallying the votes, the monkey received a dismal 1 vote, and the pony and the lion came out as 6 VOTES FOR 6! Personally I wanted the pink pony strapped to Conrad's bike - however the rest of the team were too kind on you Conrad. 

Meet your new team captain in the photo below…THE LION! 

The teddies all pack up and ready to go! 

The ride is coming up quickly! This saturday evening the Flyers will be boarding our flight to start our journey over to South Africa before our legs start the hard journey of pedalling, pedalling, pedalling!

Hilarious photo's and stories to come...