Latest News

Pedal Power Association Cycle Lab Cape Cobra Challenge REVIEW

by Tony Pushman

The Cycle Lab Cape Cobra Challenge is billed as the toughest Funride in the Western Cape calendar – and justifiably so! The Challenge attracted a team from Team Bonitas – who filled the podium at the end of the day as well as 2011 SA Ironman Winner – Raymond Tissink.

In the ladies, local star Jennie Stenerhag was to have her work cut out for her against Sharon Laws, an English girl riding for Garmin Cervelo.

Essentials

Distance 85km or 30km
Participants 1,103 (85km), 283 (30km)
Organisers Cycle Lab
Start Reddam House School, Constantia, Western Province, South Africa
Timing www.racetec.co.za
Report from Aca Joe Pro Classic Series – Masters Category www.acajoe.com

I wasn’t sure why the race was named after a highly venomous snake, which can be found in the rocky hills of the Cape and is the most toxic cobra in Africa. But I was about to find out.

The Cape Cobra

The course starts in Steenberg and soon follows the Argus course over Boyes Drive and on to Fishhoek. There may well have been an attack on Boyes Drive at the head of the Vets, Ladies and Masters bunch. Attack or not there was a distinct surrender on my part and I felt myself sliding backwards – hill 1 with quite a few more to come! Not a good start. As I crested the hill, I glanced down to the road below and to my left. I caught sight of the bunch sweeping into Kalk Bay. I was distanced by some way already. But it was a nice day for a ride…

Signing on

I picked up a fellow “Master” and we started to work together.

Past Fishhoek the course diverges from the Argus route as it turns right - up and over Black Hill to Ocean View. Ascending Black Hill for the first time, my partner and I were caught by the B & C seeded group, so against the rules, we jumped on and the pace crackled along.

I don’t know how to treat “rules” yet in SA – some seem very strictly applied, whilst others are openly flouted. It is apparently illegal to carry people loose in the back of a flatbed truck or lorry. But this is how the majority of the workforce appear to be transported around the country. Enforcement of this particular law would have a major detrimental effect on working practices. Anything that might possibly result in arrest or incarceration (even for one night) is definitely to be avoided. Last year there was an anti-drink driving advertisement that would take your breath away – it was certainly a deterrent, but was so cutting edge it received some criticism on the grounds that it promoted prison rape.

Team Bonitas forcing the pace

So back to this particular rule – the marshal on the motor bike alongside can clearly see that the groups have co-mingled and he doesn’t seem to be bothered, so let’s pedal on and see how much of a tow we can get…

So hanging on to the coat tails of the Bs & Cs we turn left to Kommetjie and the long drag up Slangkop (which by the way means “snake hill” – bit of a theme developing here?). Somewhere up snake hill someone puts the hammer down, they kick, my partner Anwar slides out the back door and the two of us are alone again. “Well that was nice while it lasted” I said to Anwar.

Silvermine Road

Pushing on now on the Argus course in reverse. Misty Cliffs living up to their name today as the clouds were hanging low and a hint of drizzle was in the air. Turning right at the western foot of Red Hill and down Baboon Alley to the turn at Smitswinkel. Today a small troop of baboons pay scant attention to us and feign indifference as we speed to the turn. Unlike a fortnight ago, when the south-easter pushed us quickly on to Simonstown, today we had a northerly on the nose, making it very hard work.

Past Simonstown, past the east end of Red Hill we take a sharp left up what appears to be a little concrete road with pot holes and weeds. “Well, what is all this about?” Someone is clearly trying to add some Belgian torture or something. This is the legendary “Maritime Reaction Squadron” hill, where at the top there is some sort of naval look-out point and large gun. Up the potholed track, somewhat overgrown in places, I am fine because I am on my own – passed by a couple of heavy breathing types – but racing up here in a bunch?? I couldn’t begin to imagine it. “Whose idea was this?” I think. “I would like to meet the chap who dreamt this up and have a stern word with him”.

Drinks are offered at 500m to go – “No not now thanks!” as I am about to burst any number of internal organs. At the top there are some sado-type spectators “Ah, Cervelo…..” a lady cries. I pant back “It’s not about the bike…” She laughs. I choke.

Maritime Reaction Squadron Hill

Descending back towards the sea and almost to where we has started that little fun loop. Once more again up Black Hill – for the second time. This time I am caught by some of the “Stars in Training” group – an initiative to bring on and develop the younger talented riders.

Brandon Knowlden, now a family friend, passes me – I shout encouragement as he appears to be at the front of his bunch – but I think he is in the zone.

The route now has plenty of short course riders whom we are now picking up. We know the descent of Black Hill by now, but this time through the traffic lights and onwards taking a left turn towards Noordhoek – the place where my daily constitutional ride turns round, so I know it quite well.

In the Noordhoek Farm Village there is a Café Roux, proprietor Paul Roux, which is highly recommended. I like it early in the morning for coffee before the lunch time customers arrive. Every Friday night is braai night. Also the Toad pub, proprietor one Bobby Skinstad – yes the Springbok star who once sported that silly hedgehog hair do – but that was a few years ago. Non-rugby fans don’t worry…and what about the stealing of Bobby’s university residence chicken mascot – well that’s a story for another time….

Foot of Ou Kaapse Weg

Anyway the route turns off before the Noordhoek Farm Village up the relatively gentle incline of the Silvermine Road, which leads us to the start of the final climb of the day “Ou Kaapse Weg”. I had researched this climb a few days earlier and know that it drags on for some 7 or 8 km. So I am on my own, I spin up, a few riders pass me looking for those few extra seconds. But the hill keeps going and going…

Finally the count-down markers are spurring one on, although I have a mighty distrust for their accuracy as regards distance.I roll over the finish at the top of Ou Kaapse Weg recalling a rather lovely Afrikaans saying I first heard uttered by a stressed waitress at the end of her long shift, “Moeg geploeg” – literally “I am tired of ploughing”. I seem to have been “ploughing” uphill for the last 3 hours 2 minutes and I too am tired of it!

Cape Cobra Winners

As ever for the record, and lest one forgets one’s position in cycling society, elite winner Darren Lill of Team Bonitas, whose team took all three steps on the podium, won in 2 hours 10 minutes. First lady, Garmin Cervelo rider, Sharon Laws from England in 2 hours 31 minutes - at 24 seconds from Jennie Stenerhag, the “local” Swedish girl.

So moeg geploeg – next week Paarl 126kms and something called suicide Hill? Can’t wait.