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GERMISTON WHEELERS CYCLE CLUB
PO Box 820, Isando, 1600 - Club House situated at Mr. Porra, Rand Refinery Road, Germiston
Website
Blog address
Twitter handle
Email address
http://www.germistonwheelers.co.za
http://germistonwheelers.wordpress.com @germistonwheel
[email protected]
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Greetings
From the desk of Miss Communication
Is it just me, or has winter arrived a little earlier than before? Twice I have frozen my butt off on the bike thinking it is
warmer than it really is. Speaking of winter, we will have sample jackets at the club meeting in May (6 th) for members to
try on. The lead times are relatively short, so we could get the jackets by the end of May before the real cold settles in.
Effective from 01-May until 31-Aug the ride times are adjusted by half an hour. This means the club rides start at the
following times:
Saturday
 05:30
 06:45
Early bird (34Km)
Club ride - short (65Km), long (95 – 107Km)
Sunday
 07:00
Club ride – short (60 - 80Km), long (80 – 120Km)
Plans for the rest of the year include a number of specialised events:
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Club Champs – this is meant to be a fun event, although it may be competitive;
Tour to Durban – a 3-day Tour to Pietermaritzburg, before riding to Durban in the Amashova race;
Audax (200km) rides for the guys preparing for the Kremetart;
Race route recce – Race for Victory, 947 Cycle Challenge and a few others.
We have also changed the Saturday club rides to include some hills (perhaps a mountain for some). The longer route is
around the 100km mark, but can be increased to 130-140Km if you complete the Early Bird ride. Both these rides should
be done at a steady pace, rather than a fast (drop everyone) pace, only to stop and wait for everyone to regroup. We
don’t stop in a race, so our training rides should be similar except if there’s a mechanical (puncture) when everyone
must stop. There are a few shortcut options on some routes that the slower members could take it they struggle to keep
up with the pace.
All the events will be covered in this newsletter, and then updated in the newsflashes, Whatsapp and subsequent
newsletters. If there are any queries, please feel free to contact the club committee.
Happy reading and riding – see you on the roads.
Regards,
Gerald
Up and Coming Events
03-May
17-May
31-May
06-Jun
14-Jun
16-Jun
Audax 200Km, start at Lido.
Club Champs – Hill Climb. Ride starts at Mr Porra (07:00), ride to the route, then coffee at M&B afterwards.
Audas 200Km, start at Lido.
Kremetart (174Km, 4 stage race). Please note the change in date, announced last week.
Club Champs, Time Trial. Ride starts at Mr Porra (07:00), ride to route, then coffee at Circus afterwards.
Long, steady, distance ride to Wimpy in Meyerton.
National Blood Donor Month (1-30 June) - http://www.gov.za/national-blood-donor-month
Yvette Wallace (through her company) has organised a blood donation drive as part of Blood Donor
month, at the Germiston Donor Centre. It has currently planned for the 20th of June, after the Saturday
morning ride. This means the members wanting to donate should take a slow/short ride that weekend.
We to have as many members as possible donating to this worthy cause – at least 10. A photo and article
will also be submitted to the newspaper showing how much the club really cares.
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Club Champs
The objective of the Club Champs is to give members the opportunity to keep riding through winter, but also add some
competitive fun on some challenging routes. You can compare the performances against the best, your mates, or simply
against your own ability. The event may be timed, but it’s held on public roads and is not sanctioned by the authorities,
so we need to respect all the rules of the road and look out for each other’s safety.
Event 1 – Hill Climb (17 May)
Hippo Hill, as it is known, starts close to the Lido Hotel and heads up towards the quarry at the top of the hill. A total
distance of 4Km and 159m of climbing – it’s not easy but it’s rideable for every member, i.e. pushing your bike is not an
option.
We start from Mr Porra at 07:00 as if it were a normal Sunday club ride. The fast group rides through Mayberry Park to
the Steps, Klipriver and the Eye of Africa before meeting up at the Country Pizza restaurant for the start of the Hill Climb
Champs. The slow group rides straight down Swartkoppies to the start at Country Pizza restaurant. They will being the hill
climbing first, followed by the fast riders.
Each person will start (standing start) at a 30-second interval until everyone has left the start. Keep left unless you’re
passing someone in front of you, and keep left of the yellow line wherever possible.
Once everyone has finished, we ride together to the Mugg & Bean (Panorama Shopping Centre) for coffee, before heading
back to Mr Porra via Alberton North (Gosforth Park).
The total ride distance should be about 90Km (long route) or 77Km (slow group). These distance are from Mr Porra and
back, and does not include any distance riding to/from home.
How will the scores work? We can only determine this after we see the number of participants. Ideally we would like to
make it a team event, but there are so many factors to consider.
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Event 2 – Time Trial (14 June)
This event will start at the Circus, and follow the Cheese Factory, Bosco loop back to the Circus – 22Km (21.8Km) with
162m of climbing. Depending on the wind conditions, this could be nightmare or a breeze (pun intended). In the past,
members with time trial bikes were clear winners, but this year members are only allowed to use their road bikes – this
keeps it fair among all competitors.
Once again, we start with a club ride at Mr Porra (07:00) and ride to the Circus. The faster group will turn right and do
the Cheese Factory loop passing Bosco and finishing at the Circus and then starting the time trial. The slow group will ride
directly to the Circus along the Old Vereeniging Road and start the time trial shortly after arriving.
Like the Time Trial, we start with the slower members first and finish with the faster members. Everyone leaves with a
30-second interval in between. No drafting allowed – this means you are not allowed to sit behind another member if they
catch and pass you. Slower members need to keep as far left as possible, and allow the faster members (if any) to pass
safely.
Once everyone has finished, we will stay at the Circus for coffee before heading back to Mr Porra, via Mayberry Park,
Alberton North and Gosforth Park.
The total ride distance is 96Km for the slow group, and 110Km for the fast group. For the members worried about 96Km
from Mr Porra, can either drive to the Circus to only ride the Time Trial, or start from Merv’s (86Km).
This is another “timed” event, and we need to see the number of participants before we can determine how the scoring
will work.
The following events have not been confirmed yet. As soon as we finalise these details, we will provide an update.
Event 3 – Road Race – details on the route to be finalised. Traffic is the biggest concern to make it safe for everyone.
Event 4 – the format of this race has not been confirmed – possibly a criterium.
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Club Tour to PMB (and Durban)
The dates for the club tour to Durban has been fixed at 15-18 October 2015. The last day is the Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic
(106Km) race, which members need to enter otherwise they won’t allow you to ride on the route. A deposit of R1000 is required by 11May to book your spot on the tour, so the club can make provisional bookings for accommodation.
The cost is expected to be between R3500 and R4000. This includes accommodation, food, ride snacks and drink as well as fuel costs
for the backup vehicles. If the costs work out less, then we will obviously be charging less. The R1000 deposit is all that is required to
book your spot – this will be used to pay the deposits for the accommodation.
Details of the stages are as follows:
Day 1
227Km (+1599m / -1560m)
Albemarle, Heidelberg, Balfour, Standerton, Volksrust
The first day is the longest day due to the distance between towns. Think of the normal club rides we do from Merv’s to the Lido, up to
Walkerville, down to the Circus, Cheese Factory and back on the same route. This gives about 100Km and about 700-800m of elevation
with about 3.5 hours in the saddle (maybe 4 hours with some of the stops). How do you feel after one of these rides?
Day 1 would be two of these rides, with 2 or 3 stops. It’s hard but not difficult, it’s far but achieveable.
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Day 2
153Km (+1173m / -1834m)
Volksrust, Newcastle, Ladysmith
A relatively short day, after the long distance from day 1, but also shorter due to the availability of accommodation in the remote
towns. Shortly after leaving Volksrust, you cross over into KZN and then the route drops in altitude as you pass through the Drakensberg
mountain range (yes, it’s still called the Drakensberg in this part of the world). Newcastle is the first town on the route before the final
stop in Ladysmith. Use this day to spin the legs, and keep them fresh for day 3 (the hardest day in terms of terrain).
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Day 3
170Km (+2156m / -2509m)
Ladysmith, Colenso, Escourt, Mooi River, Howick, PMB
This is the hardest day but also the one with the most stunning views through the Midlands. The first 92Km are spent climbing between
Ladysmith and Escout and then again between Escourt and Mooi River. The route crosses the N3 and through the Midlands (Nottingham
Road, Michaelhouse, Lions River before arriving in Howick – most of this section is downhill.
The final climb up to World’s View and then a rewarding 10Km descent into PMB. Depending on accommodation, we may not
necessarily be staying in PMB. Day 3 may be 10-15Km shorter if we stay in the area around World’s View, otherwise the 170Km is to
accommodation close to start of the Amashova.
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Day 4
106Km (+1483m / -2124m)
Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic cycle race
If you haven’t done the Amashova before, this is not a downhill race, and has nearly the same amount of climbing as day 1 but over half
the distance. The first 16Km are all up hill, but at a steady pace, you’ll get to the top before the route undulates until halfway.
Thereafter there are two long hills to get over, a few more quick descents and short uphills before the long descent into Pinetown and
Westville before you get your first view of the Indian Ocean.
Member have to enter the Amashova like normal, but the club will ride together in one of the open start groups. Once in Durban,
everyone will regroup, have a chance to take a dip in the Indian Ocean before we head back home. Budget to be home around 20:00, as
it’s at least a 6 hour drive and we need to leave once every member has completed the race. Given that they may do a 5 hour ride, the
final group might only finish around midday.
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Technical Stuff
Helmets are an integral part of our riding gear, and the primary role is to minimise the damage to our heads should we ever hit the
deck. A responsible rider will always wear a helmet, even it if it’s a short ride to the shops and back.
Most helmets have a similar design, i.e. dome, adjustable straps and padding - but they do vary in cost, weight, number of ventilation
holes, colours and more. So there’s not much we can cover in the newsletter as this is a personal choice. What we want to cover is how
to wear the helmet correctly.
The biggest mistake many riders make is wearing the helmet too high on the head. If worn correctly, you should be able to roll your
eyes up and see the front of the helmet, or place two fingers above your eyebrows.
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Club Kit
The new club kit is now available and can
be ordered for Noelene
([email protected]).
The stock will then be delivered to Merv’s
Hardware for collection by you. This
should be on a weekly basis.
We have ordered minimum quantities as
this is one of the items that impacts on our
cash flow. Currently we’ve had to order
more Smalls, and 3XL which we never
received before.
Plain black shorts (shorts or bib-style) of
your choice should be worn together with
this shirt. See example on the right.
Black socks, and yellow/black UV sleeves
are also available to order. Winter jackets
will also soon be available to order.
We have two preferred suppliers of various
styles of black shorts, as well as other
cycle clothing. Tell them that you’re a
member of Germiston Wheelers so you can
get preferential treatment.

BicycleLine
Clair
Email - [email protected]
Mobile - 076 232 2266

GSG (Giessegi)
Stefano
Email – [email protected]
Mobile – 083 458 2160
The older “paintball” shirt, as Simon likes
to refer to it as, is still acceptable as club
kit, but we won’t be ordering this shirt anymore – there are limited quantities available of the older shirt.
The 30th anniversary shirt was a limited edition, and only available in 2014. The design is the same, and is also considered
valid club kit.
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FAQ’s
When must I wear club kit?
Club kit should be worn on all official club rides, (Saturday and Sunday), as well as during a race.
What about the older shirt, and race team kit?
The older shirts are still valid, and can be worn on a Saturday or during the week. Ideally we’d like everyone to wear the
NEW shirt on a Sunday club ride.
What about winter? Is warmer kit available?
We are in the process of making arm warmers that will complement the NEW shirt. This will be available by the end of
March. Long sleeve winter jackets will be ordered on request.
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SOCIAL MEDIA
www.germistonwheelers.co.za
Calendar, news, photos, race
reports, who’s who and a whole lot
more.
Our twitter handle is
@germistonwheel
Go to twitter.com/germistonwheel
to FOLLOW or to create your own
twitter account.
Whatsapp users can join two possible
groups (Club communications and/or
General Chit Chat). Contact Gerald
or Richard Brown to join.
We also have a Facebook page
where you can also LIKE, enabling
you to follow and chat between
members. Go to the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/
Germiston-Wheelers-CycleClub/30965920344
Then click on LIKE to receive
messages and notifications of club
related info and messages.
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