Awesome report, thanks Nando!!! And thanks everyone, it was an honour riding with you's!!
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Fernando Santos <[email protected]> Date: 2009/9/18 Subject: The life and times of a sweeper called.Nando...... D&D Ride --- 30km Mild2Wild To: Hardy <[email protected]> Hi Hardy, Decided to write my first D & D report for you to edit and if you like…. issue to all. Every sweeper has its story…and many have been written so here goes mine!!. It all started on a warmish Thursday evening Sept. 17. at the Moo mall……… I arrived early.. 18:30…to be exact…eager to see who actually arrives early for the night rides. To my surprise I was not the first one. Adri and William were already there!!!...they must have beaten that horrid JHB traffic. After chatting awhile…catching up…we see Hardy and Deekay…Donald..I hope I am right. He was dressed in civvies with a helmet in hand. No…not a MTB..road one. What’s up???.. I asked him. Looking for an excuse he said .…brought the wrong bike…no actually.. probably..had a good excuse about his road bike he just bought and had to go and collect it. It was good see him …stalling his noisy bike..in front of us.. and then rush off to avoid the embarrassment…kidding! After gathering a group of 10 riders..3 gals and 7 guys..Hardy was looking around to see who he could con to do the sweeping. I could see he was struggling and before he asked…I volunteered. No problem as I was looking for an easy ride to get rid of some of the weeks stress. So formalities sorted and walkies tested away we went…. Just after the robot…near the mall and into the single track I noticed the lady at the back with her light shining into the sky. Was she looking for something up there I wondered. Nope her boy..friend set it up for her at the parking but did not set it up properly. Quickly stopped the group to assist her and got going again. It was at this point that my bladder was starting to work overtime. Buzzed Hardy to ask him for a pit stop when we stop. After riding for about 30 min…and doing the Supertube..i think.. I was now getting desperate. Hardy quickly obliged and then got going again….down Cornwall hill…easier section. At the bridge Hardy introduced all to the first speed zone. This is where I left as sweeper..for a bit..to test my speed skills. Did not start in time so after riding on the tar jumped ahead..i thought… and began my sprint. I felt good as I was in front for a change. Only to be short lived as there was someone far ahead of me…when will I ever be first I thought. At the gravel road Hardy again introduced everyone to speed zone no.2 to the T-junction. This one I gave a miss as I was not feeling up to the disappointment again. We carried on for awhile passed the now famous “Shabeen” next to R21 to the powerlines. Pit stop no.2 happened here..thanks to yours truly. Just before we got going saw Mike..the “Stargazer”… giving everyone a lecture on the stars in the sky… thanks Mike did not know where Jupiter was. It was also here that I heard people say did you feel that!!. Being next to the power lines has its shocking moments as some of us experienced. We turned around and headed back onto a fast gravel road next to the R21. It was here that we had our two wipeouts. The road was rocky but mostly sandy. William was the first unfortunate victim of the soft sand. After flying over his handle bars and bike over him he got up shaked off the dust and got going again. The next one was Adri…just before the tar road..i think…who did not fly but fell on her side…welcoming her MTB. Being at the back has it’s disadvantages and advantages. Only get to see the dust clouds. Fortunately no serious injuries. We stopped briefly after the falls to sort out Adri lights. With and stargazer…Mike and yours truly at hand..it was sorted and we got going again. Went under the bridge past the smelly chicken farm towards George’s Hotel. At the tarmac I heard a stir and saw one of the guys sitting on the floor looking up at Bryan bright advertising board. Did he fall…or was he complimenting Bryan. I am sure it was the latter. Nothing serious …we got going down past George hotel..which I was somewhat disappointed as the track had been demolished due to the ongoing roadwork’s. On the Tarmac we had the “downhill rush” to the bridge up the single track to the Mall. Arriving at the Mall we heard the “church” bells ring indicating that it was now 10pm…bedtime. Wow…how time went by so quickly!! Four of us managed to keep Spur open for some welcome burgers and drinks…thanks goes to Mike. Some Stats: Weather: avg. 18°C (measured on cycle computer) with clear skies Time: 3hrs Distance: ±35k’s Punctures: None Wipeouts: 2 Pit Stops: 2 Rookies: 3..i think..does not include William who last here 2 years ago..he said. Advantages: Being able to assist a rookie at the back and guiding her through her first night experience. Disadvantages: None really..except taking in more dust than the others. Thanks Hardy and all you adrenalin junkies for an awesome night out. For those who missed out…see you all in two weeks time! Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PS…good luck Hardy for Southern Storm… I am jealous!! --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "DarkAndDirty" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/darkanddirty?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
