Friday 14 November 2014

AND...........THEY DID IT!!!!

Well Done Team 2014!!!
Great job!

Grey skies but high spirits! The Team exhausted but celebrating with drinks and smiles :-)

Fit? ..... you haven't see fit!

Zoe tells all how life changing her experience has been and a wonderful photo to top it off!
 
"I never thought I would do anything like this. I'm the fittest I have ever been in my life" ZDL at lunch today. Fish on the Rocks. Huit Bay.

Now that's a view!!!

DAY 5: The final Stretch


Bikers: Fish Hoek to Camps Bay

75km

Today is a classic Cape Peninsula Cycle past Simonstown, Boulder’s Beach, Scarborough, Kommetjie, Noordhoek, Chapmans Peak and Hout Bay to Camps Bay, where the bikers meet up with the hikers coming down off Table Mountain ending the day with a final celebration dinner...

Hikers: Fish Hoek to Camps Bay

12km

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. After a short walk through the gardens they head out on their hike.There are 2 options here:

1 – over the top via Smuts Track and Maclears Beacon to the western table and then down Platteklip Gorge. This is a strenuous 6hr hike .

Or 2 –a different route around the contour path bringing them around to the lower cable station, where they meet up with the bikers for a dramatic final photo in the shadow of the famous table!

Which one will they take….hmmm

Tough Day at the office?

Day 4 - J-Mac descrbies for us....

Day 4 was the toughest day so far. We were all exhausted from a gruelling day 3 and although the distance 53k and terrain were accommodating, we rode directly in to the wind all day long. Even downhill was a struggle! We finished the ride with a burger in Maplas by the river and then drove 3 hours to Boulder Bay. Penguins were spotted and we had a quick swim in the icy waters. Final day today. 70km to Cape Town via a couple of beers at MFC's request in Camps Bay. Sadly the wind looks to be against us again today so suspect it will tough!!

Thursday 13 November 2014

Hikers Day 4: Marloth Nature Reserve


15km

Marloth Nature Reserve lies in the majestic Swellendam mountains, between the towns of Swellendam, Ashton, Barrydale and Suurbraak. The reserve is 14 123 ha in extent and is managed together with another 16 532 ha of privately owned proclaimed mountain catchment land.

Horses but where are the elephants?
What is that in the road ahead?
Good to see our chaps are drinking plenty of....water?
 Insect eating plant!
 Big Locust!
 

Bikers Day 4: Honeywood to Malgas to Fish Hoek


55km today!

After yesterday’s rolling hills and grilling 5km climb at the end its a downhill start today through the green grainlands going down to the Breede River and a unusual crossing, which is on a pontoon pulled across by hand - the only human powered pontoon in the country.

Then onto Fish Hoek on the False Bay coastline, where they will overnight near the ocean, well poised to tackle their last spectacular ride around the Cape Peninsula and into Cape Town!


Team Photo and ready to go...except one person missing. (Apparently doing their makeup)


A lovely picture of the Cripps Sears quartet!

Bikers : "No Hills Wednesday"

After a 5km Climb to Honey Wood Farm they made it!!
Well done Chaps...3 down only 2 to go!

Wednesday 12 November 2014

Bikers Day 3: Albertinia to Honeywood Farm 95km

Wednesday 12th November
An update from J-Mac: We have stopped at the Dam Restaurant outside Riversdale for tea and scones. It's all very civilised. We have just ticked on to 200km so we are half way at the half way point of the week. HoneyDew Farm tonight. Today has been a mix of sun and thunderstorms. We descended through a hailstorm which was exciting and have the toughest hill of the week today at 80km (out of a 95k ride). We are all soaked through but happy enough.

 J-Mac already muddy faced...
 Nice Group shot guys!
 Wow amazing views

Albertinia Nights!

Looks like fun! They're still smiling...

Tuesday 11 November 2014

Hikers: Male Bonding


Bennett (Hikers guide), Ken and Allan are all smiles on route today!

Hikers: Creepy Crawlies.... look away now...

Ok so not that creepy ....
 Silk Worm perhaps?
hmmm delicious!

Cyclists conquer the mountains

Wow what a view! J-Mac still smiling!

Hikers: Pinnacle Point

Beautiful views on the Hike....

The Hikers Route: Cape St Blaize Trail

A costal Hike with breathtaking views... see for your self!




Bikers Day 2: Mossel Bay to Albertinia! (for those who remember Albertinia Nights)

Tuesday 11th November

Team photo although there seem to be a few missing.... Get a move one chaps!

Before and After




Day 1 Before                                                              Day 1 After, still smiling...sort of....

Getting ready for the journey ahead!

Bikers testing out Biker before setting off - making sure saddle heights are at the right height and testing out gears. Very important for those big hills!

Smiles before they go!


(from Left) Ken, Michael, Zoe, James, Mike all looking cheerful before their first day!

Day 1 ABC 2014 Challenge - A promising start ;-)

Monday 10th November
Group Photo : ABC Bikers and Hikers 2014
The Phoenix Flyers are in blue!
Team includes: 1) Mike Cripps, 2) Zoe de Lantsheere,  3) James McCraith, 4) Michael Saunders, 5)Ken Seymour, 6) Christine McNamara, 7) Allan Lloyd, 8) Serena Hone, 9) Barry Beasley, 10) Fiona High, 11) Catherine Gilroy, 12) David Tapley, 13) Lex Simmons, 14) Manish Agarwal , 15) Conrad Steyn, 16) Jason Attard, 17) Matt Griggs,#


ABC Challenge 2014 Begins!!!

Arrival at Cape Town airport Sunday 9th November
The 2014 team meet Dr Peter Martinez (Phoenix Chairman) and May Bleeker-Phelan (Phoenix Project Coordinator)
Now onto George to begin the challenge! Good luck Team!