ED'S LETTER - Full Sus MTB Mag Vol 79

COME ON SUMMER!

GO BOKKE! Yes, we are in the throes of World Cup fever and despite the Listerine, 60-60 jersey fiasco the support for our boys is tremendous. Doesn’t sport just bring the country together? To be more precise: teams/athletes that are successful bring us together. The ladies soccer and the netball teams or our athletes and swimmers, and of course our fantastic cyclists that perform, mostly under the radar, around the globe.

Of course, there are the local elite MTB athletes that spend hours each day honing their skills, working on their fitness, and spending weekend after weekend taking part in local events. To not only try and make a living but to also keep their much-needed sponsors visible and give them return on their investment. Mountain biking is not much of a specatator sport – particularly the stage races, however there is nothing quite like seeing your friends and family on the start or finish line egging you on and giving you much appreciated encouragement – no matter what level of riding your at. Then there is the unsung hero, you – the weekend warrior – who loves riding, who buys the bikes, fills the races, supports the bike shops, the events, the coffee shops and physios, chiros, nutritionists, gyms and of course orthopedic surgeons. You all need to be commended, congratulated and even if the prize is only a cold one after a particularly hard after work ride with some mates, the banter, the camaraderie we need to all be reminded that without us, the batch riders after the elite’s, this sport of ours would go nowhere. We are the winners.

The summer season of events is on the horizon, multiday marathons to one day fun rides. Get your entries in, give yourself a goal and hit the trails! The Western Cape is still being drenched with continuous rain and freezing weather – we have snow in September. We cant wait for sunshine and dry, dusty trails and to get out there in earnest. If you are already experiencing a warm spring and are able, take full advantage! Remember to send us your pics of where you have been and we will be sure to publish them in our next issue.

Come on Summer!

See you on the trails!