It's Wines2Whales time again!
28 October 2022The annual Wines2Whales stage race is upon us, and we have a variety of our Curro staff, parents, and community taking part this year! If you know any of these brave souls, or you walk past them, give them a massive high five and cheer them on!
Ryan van Lelyveld and Reinhardt Mostert (staff)Reinhardt has done the Sani2C before and rode a section of the Joberg2C for a friend when he fell ill while Reinhardt was seconding their team. This will be Ryan’s first stage race.
‘Both of us will be making use of our time in the afternoon with skills training at local bike parks and then we will be doing long rides over the weekend to get the legs as strong as possible.’
Wilhelm Treurnicht and Jaco van Biljon
Jaco has never done a stage race before but will definitely be preparing by doing more than 80 km a week on his bike. ‘I believe in TITS: Time In The Saddle.’
Jaco and Wilhelm will be working hard, cycling together weekly, building each other up and will be there to support each other through the race so that when one is struggling, the other one will be there for motivation. It’s important to know your partner’s strengths and weaknesses.
Renate van Dyk and René Mostert (parents)
To René, it is truly an amazing gift, privilege and opportunity to ride Wines2Whales, but more importantly it is a gift to share the experience with her W2W partner, Renate.
Although not a mother, René’s experience lies in paediatric audiology from as early as new-born until transitioning into adulthood. Hearing-impaired children and their families are faced with many challenges along their journey. Over the years, they have taught her that it is possible to conquer your challenges with a positive attitude, holistic support network, determination and sense of humour and arrive stronger at the end of your journey.
W2W has its own rider challenges along the three-day journey. But riding together as a team, they will support each other, keep their attitudes positive and remain determined to reach the end of their journey with a smile.
Renate’s youngest son, Neill van Dyk was in the first Grade R class of Curro Hermanus in 2012 and he returned this year to Curro Hermanus as a Grade 11 learner. Her first W2W was in 2017 and it took a lot of courage and determination to sit on her bike for three days. Mentally and physically, it is a challenge and very exhausting. ‘I do hope that I can be an example to my two sons that anything is possible if you give yourself the opportunity and believe in yourself. Learn to be disciplined in your training and committed to the things you enjoy.’
Kobus Reynecke and Rudolf Angus (parents)
Rudolf Angus and Kobus Reynecke took part as a W2W team in 2015. The first two days were tough with great cycling weather and lots of fun experiences on the single track in Lourensford.
The third and final day (starting in Grabouw, Oak Valley and ending in Hermanus) was full of challenges and obstacles due to strong winds, heavy rain and a very slippery single track past Botriver water point.
‘Rudolf and myself, on separate occasions, had a serious crash, got back up, recovered a bit and managed to complete the final day both with broken ribs. What a memory! But also a great accomplishment and finishing medals well-deserved,’ says Kobus.
‘Winning the entry to the 2022 W2W for us as a team means a lot and it is another opportunity to take part in this spectacular and well-organised event with an awesome atmosphere,’ adds Rudolf.
As friends and team participants, they are now back on track to ride on some of the best and most scenic single track South Africa has to offer. Their main takeaway lesson from W2W and mountain biking in general is to participate and push on through the hard times. Do your best and persevere until the finish line.
Malcolm Morgan and Althea Morgan
Malcolm has completed two Sani2C races and his sister, Althea, has done one.
They cycle an average of 400 km a month. ‘We are race fit; however we will use other MTB/road races as our training ground. We train at Suikerbosrand in the south of Johannesburg where the steepest gradient is 13%. This ride will assist greatly with our preparation for W2W.’
Good luck to all participants. May your legs be strong, your determination evident and your head in the game!