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East Coast Cycling Fondo For April 2016

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Failure is the stepping stone to progress.

2000 Meters Is Just A Number
Unless You’re On A Bike

The monthly Gran Fondo (long group ride) for East Coast Cycling Club in April was a doozy.

There were two groups following the same route. The more ambitious group went 20 kilometres longer and added an additional 600 meters of climbing to an already hectic track.

The totals were hefty.

  • Long ride: 130 kilometres, 2600 meters climbing.
  • Less long ride: 110 kilometres, 2000 meters climbing.

Originally the plan allowed for two follow cars, one for each batch (A and B) but the A batch had a puncture in the first 15 or so kilometres and the B’s carried on, making it senseless to keep both cars in tow.

The A’s did catch the B’s and the group spread out quite a bit but the follow car managed to keep an eye on the riders.

I only got to the 46 kilometre mark before turning back. The climb was just too much and it isn’t over when you turn. From Verulam to Gateway the road travels only up. On tired legs, it’s a killer.

The one drawback – other than climbing – was the sand. It’s rural and a light sprinkling of rain made sand stick to everything. Fortunately, my bike was due for a new chain and cassette so it wasn’t a problem but I think everyone booked a service immediately after.

Following is the route profile and directions. [Read more…] about East Coast Cycling Fondo For April 2016

US Open Still The Best Test Of Golf

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The US Open's mind game: acknowledge the problem without obsessing over it.

It’s More
Than A Test
Of Your Golf Swing

The 2015 US Open was another episode in what has become one of the most exciting and entertaining golf challenges ever.

The mind game in golf, which everyone knows exists, is never more apparent than in the Open. Scoring is perennially low because course conditions are intentionally messed with. The primary cut of rough is always left longer than usual and the speed and slope of the greens can be quite treacherous.

But this year’s Open added even more difficulties to the mix. [Read more…] about US Open Still The Best Test Of Golf

Insights On The Jaguars Following 2014 Season

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Football: Made in America, appeals to humanity

American Football Appeals
To Analytical Minds
Everywhere

My friend, David, was born and raised in South Africa (and very naturally lives and breathes rugby) but through American friends was introduced to American football. He’s now a football believer and follows the game more closely than most Americans. He’s also got a very keen analytical mind (he’s in the law profession) and remembers everything he reads or hears.

Fortunately, he’s also a Jaguars fan so at the end of the 2014 season I asked for his thoughts on how the head coach, Gus Bradley, was doing. Following was his response. [Read more…] about Insights On The Jaguars Following 2014 Season

“Talent” Is The Starting Point

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Raw talent's natural threshold is exceeded only by developing nonheritable qualities.

Never Waste Talent
And Never Assume
It’s All You Need

Talent is inborn. Everyone has it but not in the same way.

One person can run fast. Others, to big to run well, can move heavy weights around. And others have no physical talents to speak of but they can draw or paint incredibly well. All of them, however, have limits.

It’s easy for a naturally fast runner to beat average runners in a foot race but that doesn’t guarantee they’ll be the fastest runner in the big races, e.g., the Olympics. Earning that label requires hard work. It’s an achievement. It won’t happen only with raw, undeveloped talent. Those who can run fast must develop that ability if they are to run faster than all other naturally fast runners.

But what must one do to reach that goal? The most talented runners, the ones allowed to compete in the big races, are those who develop nonheritable qualities, like determination, patience, discipline and more. Raw talent alone just isn’t enough.

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