ED ’ S LETTER
SUNSHINE AFTER RAIN
I f there ’ s one upside to the last two years of covid crazy , it must be the revival of patient introspection , and ultimately appreciation . Forced time-out caused all kinds of stress for different people , from physical burnout riding around the garden – or Zwift racing for those who could – to anxiety and severe depression . It ’ s taken a real toll on those close to the breadline and , on a deeper level , socially distanced peripheral people feel more left out than ever , adding even greater screen-time damage as they witness micro groups having ‘ the best time ever !’ It ’ s also forced many of us to rethink our very short time on earth . Value systems have been reviewed as it ’ s dawned on us that accumulated stuff and externally driven goals are meaningless . Happiness comes from within , and as we look around at who has been right beside us , probably also staring at a screen , we realise that we have been co-existing . It ’ s time to live and love without restraint .
Minor worries about niggling injuries affecting short-term race goals have been swept aside with the realisation that being active and alive outside is the most important part . We ’ ve had time to look inside , refocus , rebuild and celebrate the small victories . To be kind to ourselves , rather than be our own harshest critics . And to be kind to those closest to us , who we often take for granted .
As sports events have opened up in recent months , this soul awakening has been tangible . I ’ m privileged to take part in , cover or MC many outdoor gatherings of like-minded active lifestylers . There has been a clear shift in the desire to simply be there , immersed in the moment , with awakened senses , rather than desperately chasing finish times or positions . Genuine happiness and appreciation abound in the realisation that life is empty when other athletes are seen as the enemy rather than extended family .
After so many on-off-on-off-again bike races , international racing exploded with some of the most enthralling pro peloton action in decades . In this Summer edition we take an in-depth look back at the big ones , and the youthful gladiators who emerged as game-changing megastars . Local racing bounced back hard with the Cape Town Cycle Tour able to go ahead in October . There were far less crashes and far more smiles as riders experienced a near-perfect , windless day out ( see page 30 ). Mad rivalries and jostling for position were replaced by a spirit of community and celebration – long may the new normal spirit of appreciation last ! Now it ’ s time to bring on the revamped
“ I am rebooted and ready for 2022 with renewed vows to my bikes , to continually chase sunrises & sunsets , and enjoy outside ”
and upgraded 947 Ride Joburg , a unique opportunity to celebrate our sport with kindred souls on the normally carjammed roads through this bustling African metropolis . Read all about what you can look forward to , or may have missed , on pages 110-141 .
On the flipside of blissful century rides – learn how to tackle any 100km race smartly on page 116 – is a double distance race that requires deeply committed team relationships to finish with a smile . All our local tar and gravel roads , plus singletrack trails , lead to Swellendam and the Old Mutual Wealth Double Century . The race offers a unique distance , in a unique format – but there ’ s no faking 200km ! Read how you can tame this beast on page 78 .
We all know someone who has lost their ability to ride bikes in these trying times . Two past competitors of mine who over the years became frenemies , and then close friends , are learning to eat and walk unassisted again in the wake of accident-induced comas , while a muchloved bike race commentator took his life , feeling it had become unbearable , despite a sunny disposition and the intense love of his own and our extended sporting family . If only I could hug and share another war story with each of them . Don ’ t wait to tell them you care . Actions speak louder than emojis .
I ’ ve experienced some powerful epiphanies in locked-down life that would no doubt have rolled by unnoticed had the toughest time in media and events not halted my hamster wheel . Time out of racing gave my bike crash-induced torn hip labrum and dislocated shoulder time to heal properly . I attended deeply impactful online breathing classes , listened to long podcasts , studied health subjects and interviewed experts I had somehow never found time to , many of whom are featured in this and our other outdoor lifestyle magazines . I am rebooted and ready for 2022 with renewed vows to my bikes , to continually chase sunrises and sunsets , to free the endless endorphins and enjoy outside , as it has been since mankind first walked the earth , then ingeniously invented the wheel . It ’ s been an overdue awakening and soul purpose alignment . Ride safely and remain cognisant of these lessons as life slowly returns to the new overdue normal . Bring it on .
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