Breaking news --- LavaMan finally gets on his bike

Hi Team

LavaMan here --- About to go out and start on the training.

I have in the meantime updated the Website and have finally added the Route profiles Wayne setup. We also have a link to press releases.

Well done guys, I like the route and the work that has gone into mapping this. Only a couple of days over a 100 miles, including the second from last. I am much happier with the 40 miler. You will also need to check that I have put the correct profiles in the correct place. I did all of this work with my eyes closed as I cannot afford to look at the challenge ahead. As you all know I have a complete meltdown when challenged by any hill bigger than a bump in the road.

Please let me know if there is anything else that needs to be added or changed.

I have also change the post options on this missive which should hopefully let ya all respond via the blogspot.

All the best

LavaMan

Wayne in training; Overijse-Givet-Durbuy-Overijse

Test in anticipation for the big ride.


Hopefully you won't be this lonely in a few weeks time.


A well deserved glass of wine/port after a tough day in the Ardennes.


Time to stop and smell the "poppies"!!!!

GIST RIDER SUPPORT CASINO EVENING - Gold Coast Australia

Together with a very special group of friends we organised a Casino fun night to assist with funds for the ride. The beautiful sunset augured a fantastic evening of fun and excitement where all guests won and lost amid great hilarity and festivity with everyone young and old enjoying themselves immensely.

A great variety of prizes were kindly donated to entice the guests to play and enhance their winnings. To name them; Springbok foods – food hamper (South African “Goodies”); Rebecca Kennedy – Wine; Gold Coast Soccer – 4 tickets to GC vs. Fulham; The brewers club – 6 cases of beer; Jess Bentley – Wine; Terry Jordan – wine and spirits; Amcal chemist Coomera City – Jelly beans ;0)

One must conclude that the entire evening was an enormous success on many levels and our heartfelt thanks go out to our host and hostess Terry, Cath and family, the caterer Gretta Bentley, the organisers, sponsors, and of course our guests.

Placing the bets!
Winning!


The table looks a bit empty Rae!

Test Driving the NEW Bikes

After much deliberating I decided to buy Dylan a road bike. After all he knows more about bikes than me , knows which gear to be in and beats me on every hill, so I think he deserves to experience the real thing. And did he enjoy it. I was still a bit nervous on my new bike, but he certainly felt the need for speed. I must admit, it felt like driving a BMW or Mercedes compared to our old mountain bikes. The experience was Good!!!!

SAPPI supports GIST 2009 Ride

Sappi confirmed today a Euro 2500 cash donation to the GCRF charity and sposnoring the cycling gear.

Tour Series of Britain in Woking

On Tuesday 2 June, Woking hosted the 3rd leg of the the Tour Series of Britain, a lead up to the Tour de France. I was part of the team organising the event and also marshalled on the day. It was a glorious day in Woking and one of the hottest days so far this summer, 29 degrees. Dylan's school was selected to participate in the school races and him and his other 3 team mates won their race. A moment of glory for four ten year olds, standing on the Tour Series podium and receiving their medals, the same podium the professionals shared later in the day. They had a fantastic day and was also interviewed by Eagle radio, one of the local radio stations. Dylan used his tactics and plugged the GIST event and secured an interview for later on in the year. The event was also televised on ITV tonight.



Live on radio, what a moment!!

To see some more fantastic images of the tour series taken by a friend of mine, click on the following link. http://www.junglemoon.co.uk/wokingtourseries/

Training to Givet by the Belgium Team

On Monday, 1 June, the Belgium team cycled about 100km to Givet, a picturisque town along the Meuse river. A smorgasbord of flavors come from this lofty land in the hilly southeast of Belgium: game, wild boar, venison, smoked ham, the region's famous paté and world-renowned Trappist beers. Looking at the photos it seemed like a brilliant day was had by all, stopping for strawberries and cream and a nice Trappist beer. Knowing Belgium, the scenery along the cycle roads are beautiful , BUT very flat. I am afraid boys, you will have to head to France or Switserland to do some hill training.

From Left to right Gert Meiring, Wayne Thomas and Wessel Wessels.

Wessel Wessels's fashion statement for the ride!!!
Concentrating on the flat roads Wayne?

A well deserved Trappist beer.

Philip rides the Bloomin'Metric Ride

One of Sound Cyclists' premier events, The Bloomin' Metric Ride, occurs annually in the spring and attracts thousands of riders. Riders of all abilities converge in Norwalk, Connecticut to participate in one of the most exciting events of the year. On a cool "spring" Sunday morning, 17 May, we gathered with about another 2000 riders for this well organized annual event. We rode the fun 25 mile route while the alternative challenges of 75 km and 100 km were ridden by many others. Next year maybe ? Anyway this was our first ride of the year together as we look towards September and so nice to get together and enjoy the camaraderie of cycling together along some beautiful roads with support from the local constabulary. This is the area of the last day of the Peter Thomas 1000/10 ride and I hope the weather will be a bit kinder on the 2nd October.


From left to right; John Swingler,Ken Gaglione,Phil Reunert,David Reunert, Charles Gaglione

Woking Bikeathon 2009

Pete, Riette and Dylan participated in the annual Woking Bikeathon, a 29 mile cycle ride. For some of us it was a training session, but for the boys it was about eating donuts!!! We set off on a glorious sunny morning and enjoyed the beautiful country lanes of the UK.



Dylan Thomas, Peter Campbell, Riette Thomas

Wayne and Philip ride The Argus in Cape Town

Wayne Thomas and Philip Reneurt embarked on their first ride this year, riding the 110km Argus cycle tour in Cape Town. In the early hours of Sunday morning 11 March, 35 riders wearing the Sabrina Love Foundation colours braved gale force winds and extreme heat and completed the annual Cape Argus cycle tour.

Wayne Thomas and Philip Reneurt in their "Pretty Pink" gear!