Riding for the hell of it

Cycling is an enjoyable pastime because you have a chance to travel (relatively) long distances at a leisurely pace and take in the surroundings in more ways than you could driving a car.  You see a lot more, you hear a lot more and you invariably smell more things.  If you’re riding through a beautiful forest that is great, not so great if you’re riding next to a dump site or burning rubbish.  However I find you generally get more out of a ride than it "costs" you, and sometimes you meet some pretty interesting characters along the way, many of them also on 2 wheels.  

 Here is one such encounter with Francisco from Maputo, on his way to a ride in Manhiça.  I caught up to him just before Marracuene on the long drag up, and in reality I heard him before I saw him, with the distorted soundwaves announcing something up ahead.  As I caught up with him I said a profunctory hello and sped off, but as the message finally reached my brain of what I had seen, I slowed down and let him catch up to me, and we started chatting. 

From what I could understand this was an elective journey, riding because he could and not because he needed to get grom A to B, or transport something, or whatever.  This ride was for pleasure, in the same way my ride was for pleasure.  Only he’d been a lot more organised than me and brought his own music along with.  Maybe he was showing off, but don't we all in some way or another?  These photo's are taken with his permission   I salute Francisco and other riders like him who have an individual flair, who enjoy their sport and ride just for the hell of it.

 Correct riding position on the road, high visibility vest, speakers blaring out music with a nice rythmn to keep his pedalstrokes strong.  This is a single speed bike.

 Showing off to the girls along the route?

 Note massive battery and car radio mounted on the steerer.  And water bottle.  We are talking of a professional here.  His out and back journey that day was probably around 110km.

National Cycling Jersey Continued...

Emil had a good idea, use the La Vie Claire jersey and adapt it to Mozambique's colours.  Personally I think the idea is brilliant, certainly better than my Mappei suggestion (actually just a tongue in cheek attempt at design).  So attached is my rendition of the "La Vie Claire" Mozambique style.  Let me know what you think!

Oh.. and here's the Mappei version just for comparison

National Jerseys...

A pet idea of mine was to design a more visible national jersey for the Mozambique national team.  the first design, very simple and restrained, got lost in the sea of other red and black jerseys that seem to be the popular colours of Africa.  Indeed at the African Games in Maputo held in 2011 the sea of red was quite staggering at the start of the main road race. 

2011 Mozambique National Team kit

So here's a rough design scetch I've prepared (in Excel no less.. but that's another story).  So have a look and place your comments at the end.  Some of you have already e-mailed your comments and I will try and add those in as well.  Let's see if design by commitee actually works!

Proposal - 2013 Mozambique National Team Kit

Some comments already:
AK-47 shouldn't be on sports clothing
Too Yellow
Too colourful


Why not add your comments below?

Cycling gear for Nampula riders

During the 2012 National Campionships held in Maputo late last year we had a strong contingent of riders from Nampula who took part.  Many of these riders had equipment struggles - one even showed up without a bike because it had been recently stolen.  Anyway, they asked if we had anything to offer them and I put the word out to the Club who promptly responded with cycle gear that could have a second lease on life.  Thanks to all of you who contributed, Mark, Tim, Kinha, Ian and anyone I might have missed.  We got lots of jerseys but also practical equipment like bicycle pumps, pedals, seats, bike locks, tubes, levers and all those small items that are just hard to find far from a well-stocked cycle shop. 

Also a big thank you to Matt Singleton who collected the goodies on his trip down to Maputo at Chirstmas and brought them up to Nampula, and made sure they went to all the riders he could get hold of.

Here are before and after pics of our riders, with their belated Xmas gifts.

and after.  Must get cold in Nampula.. one of the riders is proudly showing off his (ski?) gloves

And a thank you note from the Nampula cycling community.

2013 racing calendar

It's been out for a while by e-mail.  It's even on Facebook.  But it hasn't made it onto my Blog! What am I talking about?  Well, it's the 2013 cycling calendar, of course.  So here I am to rectify that, and start off the 2013 blogging season.  Hope you're all out on the bike and training hard for the upcoming races.  This year see's a repeat of last year's format with circuit races, some Copa Ciclismo Classics and a time trial or two thrown in to keep you alert.  Lots of interesting races in Swaziland and in RSA as well.  The Two-Nations cup will be in it's second year, and hopefully Mozambique can win it and bring it here - the winner gets to host the next year's race.  Our National Champs will be in October although no confirmed date or location as of yet.  My suggestion is go through this calendar, tick off the races you'd like to do, and start your training program for those races.  So without further ado here goes:

FEBRUARY 
The Circuito season opens with a Caracol time-trial on Saturday 23rd of February.  At 750m long, it may not sound like much, but it will establish the pecking order and is one hell of a (short) slog.  Don't attack it too fast otherwise you'll be left gasping near the end.  Then the day after, Sunday 24th of Feb we have our first circuit race, or criterium, which should re-unite some long-lost cyclists. This circuit race is in memory of Imran Akuji, promoter of the Copa Ciclismo and first interim president of the Mozambican Cycling Federation, who was killed in a cycling accident 2 years ago.  The 63km distance may seem short but 'crits' can be fast-paced with lots of attacks, so don't get dropped!

MARCH
We have the first over-the-border race for roadies on the 3rd, the Khemani Classic in Mankayane in Swaziland, a 100km race.  Then there's the Argus on the 10th of March, the world's largest cycle race by participants (35000! Each bunch can be 500 riders, each leaving at 3 minute intervals. It will be a busy road indeed).  Some of our Maputo riders are also training for the Cape Epic, the TDF of Mountain-Biking which takes part this month.  The Copa Ciclismo starts mid-month on the 17th with a Clássica de Goba, although there will be a less-strenuous volta a Goba excluding the climb for the cyclists who are still "warming up".  TRAC is organising the U-23 and U-16 tour in Nelpsruit.  Last year we had a few entrants from Mozambique, so hopefully we'll get some more riders doing the race this year.  Then we have a Circuit elimination race on the 24th and the traditional Easter Copa Ciclismo Hell of the South on the 31st (a homage to the Hell of the North, Paris-Roubaix, also traditionally held on Easter Sunday).

APRIL
By now you should be well-oiled.  A Marginal Circuit race including the dreaded Caracol Climb starts the month off on the 7th, then Copa Ciclismo Classic, this time to Namaacha on the 14th.  No word yet on whether the Namaacha loop will be included in this year's edition.  At 20km long and with quite a bit of climbing, the loop will make or break some riders.   Some of our riders will then take part in the Panorama Tour at the end of the month, from the 28th of April to the 1st of May.

MAY
The EN1 Classic race is on Sunday 5th of May, starting in Marracuene out towards Macia and back.  Final distance will be decided before the event, depending on how good the road repairs have been after the traditional rainy season.
On the 19th we have the Dups Mafutseni race in Swaziland, a 100km race that will pit us against the Swaziland Cycling Association in our annual Two-Nations Cup.  Last year the Swazi's were the winners in the inaugural event at the Goba-Siteki race, although overall victory went to our own Betinho Cuambe from Betinho Bikes.  Hopefully this year a stronger Clube Ciclismo Team will present itself to the race-start.  A reminder that the top 10 places are counted for points for this team event.
Rounding out the month we have the Circuito da União Africana on the 25th Pace will be fast so again, do not underestimate the short race distance.  As usual there will be shorter distance options for ladies and juniors, and riders who just want a taste of racing without having to go the full distance.

JUNE
1st of June starts us off with another circuit, the Repinga Elimination around the Ex-Facim block.  15 laps of the flat course will see a lot of sprints, especially as the last rider from the 5th lap onwards gets eliminated from the race. So keep your wits about you and your race legs ready.
For the lovers of mountains there's the Kremetart in Machado/Piet Retif in RSA.  It's a long drive to get there but the 1 day 4 stage event is a classic in South Africa with many pro teams taking part. Total distance 150km. On the same day Swaziland is hosting the Imvelo, an MTB race which normally has a strong Mozambican presence.  Lastly the race you've all been waiting and hearing about, the Twin Peaks Classic takes place on the 23rd of June, in the height of winter.  It's 145km may not sound too bad, but this race takes in the climbs of Namaacha and Goba, so not for the faint-hearted.  This race normally attracts a lot of interest from our Swazi friends as well.  There will be shorter distance options for the younger riders, or those who don't feel like spending a whole day on the bike.  After the race we will organise a braai an get-together.

JULY
Swazi kicks off the month with their MTB Ngwenya Glass challenge on the 6th.  Then we have a circuit race around Parque dos Continuadores on the 14th of July. Any french riders can try and commemorate their Bastille day by trying to win this event.. Good luck!
Then on the 20th of July the famous Jock Cycle Classic in Barberton.  This 150km race is split into 3 stages and there is a serious amount of climbing.  Our riders have regularly participated in this race over the years, and this year won't be any different.  The day after the event the Jock Club organises a hill-climb in Nelspruit. So for those who weren't destroyed the day before, there's one more chance to completely finish off your legs.
Lastly we have a time-trial in Matola along the EN4.  TT events are few and far between this year, so come and make your mark in the race of truth.  The course is flat to undulating.  Still no word on whether TT bikes will be allowed or not, which may create a howl of protest from the Triathlon crowd.  By the beginning of the month we should know what's what in that respect.

AUGUST
August is a quiet month for our local cycling scene with just one circuit race on the 24th in Bairro Fomento starting at 2pm on Saturday afternoon.  Overseas though we have some MTB events in Swaziland, the Lowveld Tour in Graskop, just north of White River and the UCI MTB world champs for Masters and Elite riders in Pietermaritzburg at the end of the month.

SEPTEMBER
Another quietish month in Moz with a fun-ride on the 28th from Ressano to Maputo, accompanying the Luso-Africa cyclists who are on the final leg of their JHB to Maputo Tour.  The next day, 29th, is our Circuito dos Campeoes race along the Maputo Marginal.  Last year it was quite a tough race with SA bringing some big-name riders to the event.  The Caracol climb will make selection for sure.  Shorter distances for the younger riders and ladies, and there will also be a kiddy race after the main event along the 10th of November road. A fun day for the whole family.

OCTOBER
Things are now serious.  It's been a long season but you can't relax just yet, with the Amashova in Durban on the 13th and the Jacaranda in Pretoria on the 19th.  Pietermaritzburg will then host the Mzundusi qulifier for the 2014 UWCT race on the 26th and 27th, the masters world championship. Locally we have the Rui Ferreira circuit race on the 29th of Ocrober and still to be announced dates and location for the National Championship (possibly in Nampula).

NOVEMBER
Traditionally the last month of competitive cycling.  It will be hot, but the 10th of November beckons with the Dia da Cidade Circuit race.  Unfortunately we have a date clash with the Goba Siteki race in Swaziland.  Riders will have to decide for themselves which race they prefer to take part it.
Then the world's second largest cycle race, the 94.7 takes place on the 17th of November.  It's 95km long, and as the race takes place in Johannesburg at 1800m altitude, it will be quite a shock for riders used to more air.  The Clube de Ciclismo normally takes part in force, with this race settling the pecking-order issues that may have arisen during the year.  Be sure to register early as entries fill up fast, as well as book hotel and travel in good time.
Last but not least the ITU is organising an African Triathlon Championship race in Maputo on the 23rd.  Word is that there will be a team entry option, with each team-member doing just one leg of the 3 sport event. Sounds interesting. Already a lot of cyclists can be seen pounding the pavement or in the pool, so we may have a reasonlably strong contingent to face off the stiff international contingent. Race normally takes place along the marginal.

DECEMBER
Ok, its been a long season and if you've done a quarter of what's in this cycling program then you've done well.  And if you've done more then all the better.  You've now earned a well deserved rest. Although for those with an eye to the 2014 cycling season the period between X-mas and New year is the perfect base-building period.  Rapha organises an annual Festive 500 event where you attempt to ride 500km between Xmas and New Year's eve.  Winners.. well, if you manage the distance your cycling will be the winner.