Photos from Day 5

Feedback from the cyclists

Through the course of this week, the cyclists will be giving their thoughts on the week's cycling challange. Check out the "team riders" page to read more on their insights!

Grand finale

“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever. That surrender, even the smallest act of giving up, stays with me. So when I feel like quitting, I ask myself, which would I rather live with?” ― Lance Armstrong, It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life

Saturday, 11 August 2012, Canon-to-Cape Charity Cycle tour: successfully completed.

Statistics: Day 5

Statistics Day 5:

Hours on Road: 10:20

Hours on Bicycle: 08:30
Breakdowns: 0
Falls: 1 (If we can call it a fall)
Difficulty: 4

Support from back home

The office personnel at Roepersfontein

Production and office personnel from Blouputs

Day 4: photos

Statistics: Day 4

Statistics Day 4:

Hours on Road: 9:51

Hours on Bicycle: 08:03
Breakdowns: 2
Falls: 0
Difficulty: 10 & 4

Day 4

Day 4, Clanwilliam to Langebaan, interesting day.

This morning's ride started with a uphill battle, climbing from 40m above sea level to 400m above sea level in about 6 kilometres.  This part of the route challenged the cyclists to the maximum.  However, commitment and perseverance prevailed.

Statistics: Day 3

Statistics Day 3:

Hours on Road: 10:20

Hours on Bicycle: 08:33
Breakdowns: 1
Falls: 0
Difficulty: 6

Day 3: photos

Day 3

Day 3 completed with an average of about 24km/h. Although the road from Klawer to Clanwilliam was difficult due to steep hills, and a lot of traffic, the group really did extremely well.

The start of day 3

06:10

Had a lovely breakfast this morning at Hantam Hotel, cyclists are fed and looking good.

On our way to Clanwilliam.  Today will be challenging as the Vanrhynspass is part of the route.  Please keep praying for the group.

Statistics: day 2

Statistics Day 2:

Hours on Road: 09:52

Hours on Bicycle: 7:50
Breakdowns: 3
Falls: 0
Difficulty: 7

Photos from day 1 & 2

Day 2: Heading to Hantam's Hotel

Booked into the Hantam Hotel this afternoon after 9:52 hours on the road, bliss! 

Today seemed easier compared to Monday however, the long distance and the strong winds of yesterday must have put some strain on the cyclists, putting additional strain on today's ride.  Nevertheless, brave and determined as we know them, they are going full speed ahead. 

Update: Sponsorship received

Verso Financial Services, Vitanova International, Werksman Attorneys, MMUK, Bama, Suiderland, Global Fruit Point, Fruit and Veg International and Van der Vyver Transport have pledged money towards the cause while Pick 'n' Pay Upington has sponsored all the food for the 20+ cyclists and crew. Thanks again for your commitment and donations to the Cannon-to-Cape Cancer Charity Cycle.

ABSA, Vodacom 4U Upington and Mpact Corrugated have sponsored the team's cycling outfits for a day of the tour.

First National Bank, FNB, have sponsored the bags and apparel for the team.

Updates from Twitter

Elizca is now on Twitter and the updates she sends are on the top right of the home page. Unfortunately the stretch of road they are cycling today is not well covered with reception, so feeds are rather limited! Stayed tuned for more news!

Progress update: Day 2

News from Elizca:

120km from Calvinia. 2 degrees celsius with the wind still howling.

Day two

07/08/2012
Day 2
Destination: Calvinia
Spirit: Moderate
Temperature: Too cold to feel my toes
Wind: Strong & Cold
Time: 06:55
 

Statistics: Day 1

Hours on Road: 14:35
Hours on Bicycle: 12:40
Breakdowns: 6 (Including 2 chains & 2 flat tyres)
Falls: 3 (Nothing Serious)
Difficulty: 10

Contemplations from the crew: part 4

While typing this letter at 12:10, 110km outside our destination, I am very emotional.  While preparing for the Canon-to-Cape, scenarios were sketched, planning was done, safety was from the beginning number one priority. Unfortunately, nothing could have prepared the cyclist, neither the crew for the conditions they currently must endure. I guess every challenge comes with certain problems, otherwise they wouldn’t have called it a challenge.  

Day 1: 17:00

After a long day in the saddle, the team was 50km from base camp for the night. A little weathered but still full of spirit, they soldier on!

Update - 16:00

With the team between Kenhardt and Brandvlei, we have not had contact for travel updates. We will have more luck with this once they are closer to civilisation.

Update - 11:45

The wind is suddenly very, very strong and also started drizzling - cyclist must be struggling. Please pray for better conditions.

-Elizca

Follow the progress!

The route map has regular updates as to the location, times and speeds the cyclists are achieving - just click on the blue markers!

Stop 1: Kenhardt

First pitstop successfully managed by our very capable crew: team arrived at about 10:00.

Wind is becoming a bit of a problem, however the temperature is climbing and is now about 7 degrees Celsius (compared to 1 riding through Keimoes). Currently no rain.

Cyclists look very strong and are in good spirit.

I will keep you updated but in the meantime, please continue praying and thinking about the tour. Although conditions are farely good at this stage it is still very challenging.

Next pitstop in about 80km.

-Elizca 

And we are off!

The Cannon-to-Cape started this morning on a very high note. The group gathered at around 05:30 where we had a warm send off by family, friends and colleagues - which we appreciated a lot.  It is a good feeling knowing that you are going on the road with a support base at home, cheering you on and believing in you.  We would like to thank you for that.

 

Contemplations from the crew: part 3

Mother Teresa said: “It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” 

One week to Cannon-to-Cape

Pipe Dream: “A plan, desire, or idea that will not likely work; a near impossibility.”

Yes, it is a reality, a week from now 18 cyclists, 18 bicycles, a few spare parts, 7 crew members, 5 vehicles and 2 trailers will be on the road from Kanoneiland to Lourensford in order to raise funds for CANSA.  6 months ago the tour, now known as the Cannon-to-Cape was an idea, a dream, a number 20 on the bucket list, a mere PIPE DREAM. Due to hard work, commitment, planning and amazing sponsors this particular pipe dream is now a reality...and it is approaching so rapidly our heads are spinning.

Cannon to Raap & Skraap training

As mentioned by Elizca previously on the blog, the cyclists had a training day from Kanoneiland to the Karsten's farm Raap en Skraap on the 7th of July.

 

Contemplations from the crew: part two

Training for the Cannon-to-Cape started the 27th of April 2012. 11 weeks later the average cycler spent 1 770 kilometres on the bicycle, this adds up to about 62 hours on the road. 

Support Crew

In every successful endeavour, a good support base is essential and this one is no different.

Back: Lu Badenhorst, Marize Dege, Anria Engelbrecht, Adoons Apollis  Front:  Herculine Theunissen, Turkie Van Wyk, Marlet Pearson

Elizca Kies

23 June: Training

The start of the morning's training was a frosty and foggy morning

The route on Google Maps

Click here to view the route on Google maps and see each day's start, distance and end point. Please note the travel time indicated is by car and NOT bicycle!

16 June: Rigorous route to Lake Grappa

 Back - Adriaan Kotze, Gawie, Marais, Danel, Cornè, Ansisca, Pieta, Riana, Marize (Support Crew Driver), Dawid. Front - Rene, Rudi, Jannetje, Johan, Adriaan Pearson

At 06:15 on the 16th of June, the 14 strong team of cyclists and a support crew left Roepersfontein to take on the 158km (100 mile) route to Lake Grappa through the Blouputs valley, which includes a mountain pass of sorts. It took a total of 6:30 hours in strong winds. Noteable events included stopping for road works, a flat tyre, 2 snack breaks and a small medical break.

Contemplations from the crew

There is something so magical about 14 cyclists, family and friends, on the road practising with one goal in mind: riding on bicycles from Kanoneiland to Lourensford in only 5 days, in order to collect money for a worthy organisation: CANSA.

Training is in full swing!

05 June: Sunset training