Couple tackle cycling events
Glenwood cycling enthusiasts are excelling in the sport.
GLENWOOD cyclist, Madelein Pestana Do Vale, will be taking on the Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic 65km event on Sunday, to raise awareness for the Learn Project.
Madelein is looking forward to her ride, and feels she is 'super ready' for the event.
“I'm very excited and am prepared for this. It is great to be able to raise awareness for an NPO which helps children,” she said.
She took part in a practice ridewith gym glicnets and friends on 4 October to get her confidence up for the shova,
Madelein and her husband, Domingo, recently took part in the Scottburgh MTB race, which took them from the beach, through the sugarcane and the crocodile farm to return to the finish on the beach.
Domingo finished 16th overall out of 300 people in the 45km race and Madelein did well in her category in the 32km event.
Before this, the two competed in the Hill2Hill race. Domingo, who took part in the 100km event, was 98th out of 750 athletes, and 28th in his age category, out of 300 people.
“It was extremely hot and it was a very dusty track. I was happy to beat my best time by 25 minutes,” he said.
Madelein was fourth in her category in the 17km family ride.
Domingo will take on the Berg and Bush, three day race, next. This entails doing 100km on the first day, 80km on the second day and 65km on the final day of the race. This is a two-man team race, and riders can't be more than two minutes apart and have to start and finish together.
“I'm feeling much fitter than over the past three months, as I've been doing high altitude training in Underberg. Diet is very important and there are no late nights out, as I have to get a lot of sleep. Every day is a challenge, with work, exercise and training,” he said.
The Homeward Bound race, from Winterton to Cascades in Pietermaritzburg, is next on the list, on 1 November. This is a non-stop 220km ride. Domingo will start long distance tranining after this event for his third Joberg2C, nine day ride in April 2015.
“I am trying for the top 50 out of 1000 for this event. I came 80th last year, so I will be working hard. I have a supportive wife encouraging me all the way, behind every fit cyclist husband is a wife with a bottle of Arnica oil!” he said.
