On Monday, 11 May, Howick High School was privileged to host Zelda Le Grange, Mr Nelson Mandela's personal assistant and author of 'Good Morning Mr Mandela', at the monthly Midlands Forum meeting. She is pictured here with Mrs Mary Carlisle, Chairperson of the Midlands Forum and Mr Rob Langley, Headmaster of Howick High School.
We have had a good start to the merry month of May with a lot of interest shown in the game of bowls by local residents. Most have gained from coaching, some have applied for membership and have enjoyed a game or two on our greens. We welcome all these prospective members.
The monthly tab-in competition sponsored by The Lawnmower Shop, Giovision and Greendale Spar was held on Saturday, 9 May. The winners were Piet van Rensburg, Tim Waring and Jo Boonzaier, ahead of the runners-up Brian Ellison, Cathy Godleman and Kitty Conradie. The winner of the Lucky Draw was Hilary Williams; Mabel Tully had the most touchers and went home with a bottle of 'bubbly' to help her celebrate Mothers' Day.
Colin Burden and Clark Logan will be travelling to Ekurhuleni to compete in the Warwick Bowls South Africa National Tournament. The members of UWBC wish them both safe travels and good bowling.
Forthcoming Events:
Wednesday, 13 May – Tabs – In competition sponsored by Halfway Toyota Howick. Play commences at 13h30. Tabs must be in at least 15 minutes prior to commencement of play.
Wednesday, 27 May: Tabs – In competition sponsored by J Leslie Smith Inc. Time as above.
Visitors are welcome to come along and join in with regular members.
Regular start of play is as follows: Tuesday and Friday at 09h00 (dress is casual); Wednesday and Saturday at 13h30 (whites).
NB Members please check notice boards for club duties.
Howick – Former race winner Max Knox returned to the top step of the podium of the 60km Sappi Karkloof Marathon on Sunday as he blitzed the rest of the powerful elite men's field while mom of two Jeannie Dreyer added to her Mother's Day celebrations when she notched up her second win in the past three years.
Biogen-Volcan's Knox showed his class once again as he sauntered home to a comfortable four and a half minute victory in 2:30.48 ahead of fellow experienced campaigners Darren Lill and TIB Insurance's Andrew Hill, picking up the King of the Mountain hotspot prize along the way as well.
"Aside from Hilton I believe Karkloof is the oldest mountain biking event in the country and it really is a big one so I came here wanting to win and I'm very pleased to have done just that," said Knox.
"Hats off to the organisers, they always put on such a fantastic show here at Karkloof and this year was yet another great event!" he added.
With the early morning cold and the knowledge of the testing climbs and technical single track Knox and co. started slowly however a first break by the eventual winner and Kargo Pro MTB first year Under-23 cross country ace Alan Hatherly looked to be a telling one midway through the encounter.
"After a steady start I picked up the pace a bit and Alan Hatherly was the only one to come with me.
"He was good through the single track but going up the Lebanon climb I set a pace I was comfortable with and from there I managed to get ahead a bit and eventually got the win, which was great!"
While Hatherly and Elite Athlete Development Programme member Julian Jessop both enjoyed strong starts, in the end experience prevailed as both youngsters had to surrender to the more senior rivals.
"I started quite slowly having been a bit sick this past week but going up Lebanon I noticed I was starting to close in on the guys in front of me," explained Lill.
"I had a bit of a fall on the way down for some reason but kept it going and managed to catch Andy (Hill) and Julian (Jessop) and then shortly afterwards I went past Alan (Hatherly) as well.
"Max was gone by then though but I'm happy with second in the end."
Quattro ROAG Series defending champion Hill rounded out the men's podium and was pleased to have gone one better than 2014.
"I still had a bit of stage racing legs in me so when the youngsters went out hard and put in attack after attack I just look to try stick to my power outputs and in the end I think that consistency paid off for me.
"I'm really chuffed with my third but hats off to the youngsters, these up and coming 'lighties' are just getting faster and faster! Today was probably about 10km or so too long for them in the end."
The women's race fast became the Dreyer show as she surged to the front of the race and never looked back despite the best efforts of Time Freight eTeam youngster Frankie du Toit and Jowett Cycles' Natalie Bergstrom.
"That is just such a lovely route; you don't get a better 60km course anywhere in South Africa!" praised Dreyer afterwards. "Previously I've ridden here in the wet but today it was just perfect and it was such a fantastic day out!"
"The route has something for everyone; there are cross country and marathon riders. It is just brilliant!
"It was nice to get the win and it was just an incredible day all round. Mother's Day, with my kids, I got to ride my bike – what more could I ask for?" she added surrounded by her son Callum (5), daughter Ruby (3) and husband Martin, founder of the RMB Change a Life MTB Academy.
The three day festival's action packed final day's programme also saw riders take to the immaculately prepared and breath-takingly scenic trails of the 40km aQuellé Half Marathon, 20km aQuellé Family Ride and 10km aQuellé Kids Ride.
In the end the 40km men's and women's titles went to Wayne Thompson and Sue Chapman respectively while youngsters Devon Baird and Sabine Thies were the first male and female riders across the line in the 20km family dash.
After a perfect Mother's Day morning in the saddle or while friends, family and general spectators waited for their loved ones to return from their cycling adventures, festival title sponsors Sappi treated all women in attendance to free massages as part of the day's appreciation.
More information can be found at www.karkloofmtb.co.za
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
2015 SAPPI KARKLOOF MTB FESTIVAL
60km Sappi Karkloof Marathon
Men
1.Max Knox 2:30.48
2.Darren Lill 2:35.24
3.Andrew Hill 2:35.46
4.Julian Jessop 2:37.51
5.Adriaan Louw 2:38.35
6.Alan Hatherly 2:39.40
7.Stuart Marais 2:43.27
8.Kevin Evans 2:45.22
9.Derrin Smith 2:47.08
10.Leeroy Emslie 2:47.30
Women
1.Jeannie Dreyer 3:01.44
2.Frankie du Toit 3:05.41
3.Natalie Bergstrom 3:25.50
40km aQuellé Half Marathon
Men
1.Wayne Thompson 1:53.49
2.Jason Davies 1:56.17
3.Joshua Clipstone 1:56.29
Women
1.Sue Chapman 2:18.33
2.Eileen Mackey Downing 2:22.04
3.Catherine Pellow-Jarman 2:22.19
20km aQuellé Family Ride
Men
1.Devon Baird 53.13
2.Reece McCallum 53.47
3.Travis Stedman 54.29
Women
1.Sabine Thies 54.25
2.Sarah Ryan 1:01.00
3.Kelsey Hearder 1:06.38
You might wonder what intimacy has to do with business.
Just like any liaison, experts will tell you, intimacy is an important part of a successful, long-term relationship. In business, intimacy needs to be created and maintained with your customers, your staff, your suppliers and your alliances; to name the most important ones. This intimacy takes the relationship to a level that can be fulfilling to both parties, not just as a one-sided affair. People need to feel appreciated and to understand where they 'fit' - and that includes how they fit with your business.
Here are some ideas on how to create or maintain intimacy and keep the 'spark' going between you and your suppliers, staff – and all the rest:
1. When was the last time you took your best client out to dinner? What about your five best clients? Wouldn't it make sense to invest a percentage of your top clients' monthly spends with you into retaining them and generating referrals? This is often much cheaper than advertising for new ones.
2. Are you one of those employers who always finds ways to improve things? There's nothing wrong with that. What about telling people when they're doing a great job? Or thanking them for being punctual? Or for putting in that extra 10 minutes today? You may consider these the way a person 'should' behave but think about your children or your pets – you praise them when they do well don't you?
3. How about sending your supplier a thank-you card or note showing gratitude for their support, timely deliveries or whatever positive things you're noticing. Invite them to come and present to your staff or to meet for coffee and give you some feedback on your business and how you might improve. In many cases they're probably a bigger business than you and could pass on some valuable tips or learnings to help improve yours.
These are just a few ideas on how to get the spark back in your relationships with some of the most important people in your business. If you're already doing these that's great! Find some ways to change and keep your relationship fresh.
It's like the old saying goes – nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care. Show them you care, get 'intimate' with them and you might be pleasantly surprised about where you can take your relationship.
News supplied by ActionCOACH.
BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE STEAM TRAIN EXCURSION. THE SAFARI TRAVEL SHOP DRIVE – YOU ENJOY.
THE SAFARI TRAVEL SHOP invite you to join them at the Creighton Aloe Festival. Join them when the coach departs from Howick at 7.30 am for train departure at 10.00 am, Returns to Creighton approx 12.30. Visit the market at Creighton Country Club, return to Howick 3.30 pm.
There are other dates available for the Steam Train which are 27th and 28th June 27 and 4th, 5th and 18th, 19th July
The train ride is a 2 -2.5 hr trip with lovely views of the aloes. It stops along the way for passengers to stretch their legs with photographic opportunities walking amongst the aloes. The train also stops at Riverside Station where passengers are entertained by singing groups.
There will be Egg & Bacon Rolls, teas & coffees on sale at Creighton Station. Refreshments & snacks for sale on the train. For Lunch & Picnic Hampers on board booking is essential.!
Don't miss out, this is a very popular trip and seats are taken quickly. Choose from Vintage to luxurious Sisonke Lounge
For further details and bookings contact Lesley
033 330 2269 / 072 640 2737
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Howick – 2015 KZN Enduro Series champion Hilton Frost is looking forward to getting back on his bike and being part of the Sappi Karkloof MTB Festival's action once more when he takes on the descends of the Karkloof region during Saturday 9 May's STIHL Karkloof Enduro.
With the three-leg KZN series having wrapped up two weeks ago, the PYGA Industries flyer has enjoyed some time off of late but is relishing a return to the saddle this weekend as he looks to start his preparations for the upcoming KZN Championships which take place on 6 June.
"It was great to walk away from the KZN Series with the title this year and hopefully things can go well for me at Karkloof this weekend too as I look to get the ball rolling ahead of KZN Champs," says Frost.
"Karkloof is always such a great event and usually attracts all the big names so I'm sure it will be another super-hot race on Saturday.
"While I don't look to put too much pressure on myself ahead of a race, it would be great to get onto the podium or possibly even a win," he adds.
While being a lesser known discipline of mountain biking, enduro has enjoyed tremendous growth throughout KZN and beyond recently and Frost is enjoying being a part of the upward spiral.
"Enduro has been growing so fast and it's great to see things going so well for the sport!" says Frost.
"A lot of people are now starting to realise that it isn't nearly as crazy as downhill is while sponsors are also starting to get on board which is really helping with enduro's growth."
The KZN Enduro Series visited the trails of the Karkloof in early February whereby Frost clinched second place, something he believes will be to his advantage ahead of this weekend's clash.
"Having taken part in the KZN Series race at Karkloof I'm sure will help ahead of Saturday.
"The organisers do however look to make sure that the two races have a different feel and so they usually change the route quite a bit which obviously changes things up.
"Being in the same area, the trails will still be quite similar however this weekend's race will probably involve a bit more climbing and the individual stages will also be a bit longer than the KZN Series race.
"Riding at Karkloof is always really fun! There will be the odd rock garden on the route but these usually aren't all that technical and so the racing is usually really fast as the trails are hard and well-manicured!"
While seeking a victory himself, Frost warns that Tiaan Odendaal, Tim Bentley, Jedson Tooms, Craig Paul and the likes are also set to feature prominently in the men's clash.
Saturday's STIHL Karkloof Enduro is preceded by Friday's 20km Karkloof Night Race while Sunday 10 May's 60km Sappi Karkloof Marathon, 40km aQuellé Half Marathon, 20km aQuellé Family Ride and 10km aQuellé Kids Ride rounds out a thrilling weekend's cycling adventure for the whole family.
Riders and spectators can follow news and developments via the event's Facebook page (Karkloof Mountain Bike Club) or on Twitter (@KarkloofMTB) while more information can also be found at www.karkloofmtb.co.za and entries can be submitted via www.roag.co.za.
It's confirmed – the date for this year's SPCA 1000 Paws Walk is Sunday 12 July 2015. This annual fundraiser sees the three SPCA KZN Midlands branches, namely the Pietermaritzburg, uMngeni (Howick) and Mooi River SPCAs, joining forces to put together a fun day in the outdoors for dogs and their humans. Enjoy beautiful walks through the grounds of Hilton College overlooking the Albert Falls Dam, plus lots of family fun, with dog displays, stalls, food, entertainment etc). The three societies share the money raised through this event, so come along and support them. For more details, please email the uMngeni SPCA PRO Tess Fernandez at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call her on +27 (0)76 301 4827.
Photo (from left to right) – Tannit, Callum and Tiffany Hancock enjoying their day at the 1000 Paws Walk for SPCA. Biscuit (with the scarf around his neck) won top prize in the Best SPCA Dog of the Year competition.
During the April school holidays, Howick High School's First Rugby, Boys and Girls Hockey teams participated in the Treverton Sports festival in Mooi River.
The Boys Hockey team Won 3 matches, drew 3 matches and lost 2 matches whilst the Girls Hockey team won 2 matches, drew 2 matches and lost 4 matches.
Our rugby team won 2 of their 3 matches, including a match against Watershed from Zimbabwe.
We congratulate Zinhle Gwala who was presented with the award for Goalkeeper of the Festival: Girls Hockey.
I was listening to Elton John singing 'I'm still standing' and this made me think of our two gentlemen bowlers who are not just standing but who are still bowling well at the tender age of ninety.
We had a fun-filled celebration on Saturday with the two gentlemen presenting each other with a 'long-service' medal followed by a presentation to the club president of a 'good conduct' medal. Thank you, Ted and Ian. I will treasure that award and wish you both happy bowling for many years more.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, 22 April: Tabs In Competition sponsored by J LeslieSmith Inc. and The Health Nut. Visitors welcome.
Sunday, 26 April: Atomic Moth Shellhole will be hosting an all day tournament on our greens.
Should you wish to enter a team, please contact Mike Scheffer on 0824119582
We wish Helen Emberton and Neil Wright , excellent bowling on Sunday, 26 April, when they compete in the NIBA Novice Singles.
NB Tabs-in times. Morning tabs-in are Tuesday and Friday at 08h45; (dress is casual); afternoon tabs-in are Wednesday and Saturday at 13h15
Members please check notice boards for club duties.
Howick – It was the turn of the enduro riders on the second day of the 2015 Sappi Karkloof MTB Festival as the STIHL Enduro took centre stage with a large number of riders braving the most adrenalin producing sections of the Karkloof MTB trails with familiar faces Tiaan Odendall and Kim Westbrook making it consecutive wins in the men's and women's race respectively on Saturday.
Odendaal was put under pressure throughout the race and with another Karkloof win under his belt the youngster is seriously considering the enduro discipline as a potential career but is taking one race as at a time.
"I am really happy to get another win here and I used to use enduro as training but with its growing popularity there is a chance I might think about taking it on as a career.
"There were some changes in the course this year and Hylton (Turvey) has been putting in so much effort and he really has paid some awesome track. It was pretty dry but that's just because there hasn't been any rain," Odendaal mentioned.
It was quite a tricky day for the downhill specialist who found the going tough on the second leg of the race on the Rene's Rumble section of the course as he took a few tumbles but managed to keep it together to cross the line in the quickest time overall.
"It was getting really loose during the second downhill and I fell but then I tried to go as fast as I could and I took another fall because of it so I was under a bit of pressure from them on but I managed to hold my nerve which I was happy about.
"There were some long climbs today and it was quite hot so I am really happy that I was able to defend the title that I won last year," an elated Odendaal mentioned.
Ladies winner Westbrook was her usual bubbly self when reflecting on her performance and having a clean run throughout was the order of the day for her as she powered her way to a good win and a retention of the crown she won in 2014.
"I just went out there trying to have as much fun as I can," the Pyga rider said. "I made sure that I didn't think too much about last year and I just wanted to keep myself in my bike throughout the race and I managed to do that which I am really happy about!"
Westbrook hit the Gauntlet section of the course with some speed and with only a few seconds before the end of the race she nearly came unstuck however she managed to keep the bike upright and sprinted her way to the finish.
"Apparently I nearly took a fall at the Gauntlet!" she exclaimed. "I felt it a little bit but I was happy that I kept it together because I knew that I was being chased hard by the other girls and I just wasn't sure if I was ahead or not.
"There are some great lady riders coming up and Sabine 'Beanie' Theis is really one to look out for and she is still so young! There are also girls that come from out of town so you really never know what to expect," she added.
The Sunday's action kicks off with the Sappi 60km Marathon starting at 07:30 followed by the aQuellé 40km Half Marathon at 08:30 with the aQuellé 20km Family Ride starting at 09:30 and the aQuellé 10km Kids Ride beginning at 10:00.
Riders and spectators can follow news and developments via the event's Facebook page (Karkloof Mountain Bike Club) or on Twitter (@KarkloofMTB) while more information can also be found at www.karkloofmtb.co.za and entries can be submitted via www.roag.co.za.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS – 2015 SAPPI KARKLOOF MTB FESTIVAL
STIHL ENDURO
Overall
1.Tiaan Odendaal 12.39
2.Craig Paul 12.42
3.Tim Bentley 12.48
4.Hilton Frost 13.07
5.David Hogan 13.27
6.Jedson Tooms 13.29
7.Travis Browning 13.53
8.Harry Orr 13.54
9.Mark Malherbe 13.56
10.Shane Martin 14.07
Women
1.Kim Westbrook 16.48
2.Sabine Theis (U13) 17.14
3.Kathryn Fourie 17.23
On Thursday, 30 April, a group of Grade 11 Howick High School pupils participated in The SAPS Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign at the Mandela Capture site. The experience was enlightening and educational and we thank the SAPS and NGO's for all that they are doing to create awareness of the dangers and signs leading to Human Trafficking.
Howick – Crisp yet favourable autumn conditions greeted the riders who took on the Peri Night Race at the 2015 Sappi Karkloof MTB Festival and it was the inform Darren Lill who was the strongest rider as he claimed the overall victory ahead of an impressive Jedson Tooms whilst it was the young Chriestie-Leigh Hearder who was the fastest woman over the 20km course on Friday night at the Karkloof Country Club.
Coming off a good block on racing in KwaZulu-Natal it was the Gauteng resident Lill who dominated the race from start to finish and he was happy with his performance even though he has been battling with a bit of illness over the past few days.
"I have been battling a chest infection for the last couple of days but to get the weekend off to a winning start is good," a satisfied Darren Lill mentioned. "I have been riding a lot in KZN preparing for the Nedbank sani2c but the sickness set me back a bit however I felt a lot better than I thought I would tonight."
Lilli is not too familiar with the concept of racing at night and the 2014 Sappi Karkloof 60km Marathon runner-up enjoyed the experience as he lead the race from the gun and never looked back as he beat Tooms comfortably in the end.
"Last year I did the 361 Challenge where you ride through the night but otherwise I don't have any experience with riding at night and it was a really cool experience for me and I really enjoyed it tonight!
"It is a completely different feeling riding at night and the atmosphere around the race is completely different but it was something that I really enjoyed!
The next focus for Lill is the 60km Marathon on Sunday and following his second place in 2014 he hopes that he will be able to go one better however he has kept his cards close to his chest in terms of his challenge for the title.
"It would obviously be great to go one better than last year and get the win but it will be a tough race and we will just have to see what happens on the day!" a cautious Lill added.
The ladies race was dominated by the young Hearder who was also in dominant form as she powered away from the rest of the ladies to claim the win with 2014 champion Kim Westbrook coming in seven minutes behind the winner. Unlike her male counterpart Hearder is familiar with the concept of riding in the dark.
"I do a lot of riding in the dark because I can only train in the evenings so I ride at night a few times a week so I was quite comfortable out there," she said.
Hearder was in fine form and the youngster was very happy with the way the race panned out and the smile on her face at the end of the race was a testament to how she felt after crossing the line first in the woman's race.
"I am just really stoked about getting the win tonight!" she beamed. "It got a little bit bumpy out there but the track was so much fun and it is a good way for me to start the weekend!
"I am hoping for a podium in the 60km Marathon on Sunday but there are going to be so many strong riders there that I am going to have to ride really well but I am really looking forward to the challenge!" Hearder added.
The STIHL Enduro is the highlight of the action on Saturday and the action gets underway at 12pm.
Riders and spectators can follow news and developments via the event's Facebook page (Karkloof Mountain Bike Club) or on Twitter (@KarkloofMTB) while more information can also be found at www.karkloofmtb.co.za and entries can be submitted via www.roag.co.za.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS – SAPPI KARKLOOF MTB FESTIVAL
PERI NIGHT RACE
Overall
1.Darren Lill 01:01.16
2.Jedson Tooms 01:03.21
3.Leeroy Emslie 01:05.43
4.Klaas Meintjies 01:06.03
5.Frederick Rossouw 01:06.42
Women
1.Chriestie-Liegh Hearder 01:16.29
2.Kim Westbrook 01:23.57
3.Kathryn Fourie 01:25.11
4.Renée Mitchell 01:28.22
5.Zurika Wright 01:33.32
As part of a recent educational trip to Gauteng, a group of Howick Prep pupils had the opportunity of visiting and going down a Gold mine shaft. They were also shown how Gold is mined, refined and smelted into Gold bars. While in Johannesberg, they also visited Maropeng - Cradle of Humankind, Sterkfontein Caves and were given a Behind the Scenes tour of the Johannesberg Zoo. The trip was a fantastic way of reinforcing what had been learnt back at School in the classroom.
Pictured: (L-R) are of Rachelle Shaw, Alex Candler, Chloe Morton and Jade Harty about to go down the Gold mine shaft, Below are the entire group about to enter the Sterkfontein Caves.
In this day and age, nobody is exempt from the scourge of crime. FreeMe's beloved bakkie was stolen on the 4th May from outside Hopewell Supplies in Harvard Street just after 13h15 in the afternoon, right in front of the car guard. It takes an amazing amount of cheek to steal a vehicle that everybody knows and with such distinctive signage and drive it away in broad daylight. All the vendors at the Falls saw it and happily informed us that it was driving towards Main Road, but the police could not find it. It is particularly distressing, as we had spent a great deal of hard earned donations fixing it and getting it sorted out, including a new engine, new shocks and brakes, and a new battery. To add insult to injury, we had just put in R 500's worth of diesel. Unfortunately, this severely hampers our efforts to rescue our patients. We are now reduced to only one vehicle again and with no bakkie, we cannot load anything bigger than a duiker, and while it was insured, we are not going to get anything like what it was worth to us. If anyone has an older second hand vehicle that they are thinking of getting rid of, please let us know and we can see if we can afford it. While we would prefer a bakkie, at this point we would just be happy to have anything to enable us to go on more than one call out at a time. We have very helpful mechanics that will fix things for us, so we are happy to do some work on it. Also everyone be vigilant with your own vehicles, and don't assume that because there are people around, that they are safe. Finally, if you would like to help, FreeMe will be running a huge raffle over the next six months, with wonderful prizes such as a Big Boy Scooter, trips to a game reserve, five tablets, 7 x Samsung TV's and 15 x R500 shopping vouchers. Tickets are R10 each, so please buy one or, even better, contact us and take a book to sell or a few for your business - you get one free ticket per book sold, and your kids can earn community service hours for fund raising. If you only enter one raffle this year, please let it be the FreeMe one.
News supplied by FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation (KZN).
Harvard Electrical, the only electrical wholesaler in the greater Howick area brings you a new range by Crabtree. These special introductory prices are valid for one month. For more information call Harvard Electrical or visit the store at 22 Harvard Street for these and more deals on switches and sockets.
Howick – For 21 years the Sappi Karkloof MTB Festival has provided riders with exhilarating mountain bike track with varying elements that appeal to all riders and whilst previous years have been successful, course designer and builder Hylton Turvey continues to revamp, reshape and reinvent the courses at the Karkloof MTB Club and the 2015 three-day, 8-10 May, festival will be no different.
Turvey and his team took the decision in 2014 to give the aQuellé 40km Half Marathon course a huge reshape which meant that they changed the direction in which the course ran but 2015 sees the 40km course remain mostly untouched whilst one section on the Sappi 60km Marathon course is receiving a revamp along with a few other minor adjustments.
"There are changes this year but no route changes like we had last year," Turvey said. "We have had to rebuild some of the old trails as well as revamp a bit here and there but the routes for this year are going to be the same as they were last year."
One of the cornerstone elements of the 60km Marathon route is the Rene's Rumble section and Turvey took the decision to reshape the entire section. However instead of building an entirely new section what he has done is embed the whole section into the natural layout out the land.
"We went with the choice to rebuild the whole of Rene's Rumble for the race this year and we think that the riders are going to really enjoy the new set up that we have gone with. There are new trail as well as new jumps and other elements to the feature.
"It gives a new feel to an old piece of the course and we have used the rocks, fallen trees and the natural features to form the basis of the new and improved Rene's Rumble," an excited Turvey mentioned.
The 40km course has received a slight amendment as riders tackle trail instead of the usual road section just past the halfway mark of the course.
"As riders ride down the Bombardé section of the course then there is an uphill that we used to take them up a road but this year we have decided to keep the riders off road as they head up a trail but that is the only slight change to the 40km race," Turvey added.
Turvey has been in charge of the trails in the Karkloof for a number of years now and as a rider himself he understands what riders would like from a track and using his imagination as well as his experience he has become renowned for building popular courses amongst riders.
"When I prepare to build or rework a section of the track I like to picture myself riding it and that is sort of how I imagine it should be laid out. I have always been a fan of keeping things interesting and being able to mix things up.
"Creating mountain biking trails is definitely my passion and I build what I love which means that I am able to do what I love every day," Turvey added.
Increasing in popularity is the STIHL Karkloof Enduro which follows much of the 60km course does encompass a few of its own elements but the majority of the course will be sections of track that all the riders in the 60km Marathon will tackle on Sunday.
"We did take the Enduro into consideration and so we have given it some of its own elements with a few jumps and other features but it is still very doable for all which is something that we wanted to ensure. It includes a number of the popular 60km elements like Bat out of Hell which we know the riders enjoy," he concluded.
Riders and spectators can follow news and developments via the event's Facebook page (Karkloof Mountain Bike Club) or on Twitter (@KarkloofMTB) while more information can also be found at www.karkloofmtb.co.za and entries can be submitted via www.roag.co.za.
Photographer: Dané Kok/Gameplan Media
Mpophomeni Conservation Group Pumpkin Competition:
Sunday 10 May 13h00
MCG Community Garden, Corner Mhlongo/Stadium Road, Mpophomeni
Prizes from TWK for Biggest and Best pumpkins grown in Mpophomeni.
RSVP to Penz Malinga on +27 (0)87 236 4480 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact her for further details.
Howick Prep School's Tennis teams have just returned from a very successful tour of Gauteng. Whilst up in Johannesberg games were played against St Peter's Prep, Trinityhouse, St Stithians, Redhill Prep and Jan Celliers.
Howick Prep School has built a strong relationship with these schools having hosted their hockey, rugby, cricket, soccer and swimming teams over the past years. St Peter's Prep travel annually to Howick Prep to participate in the Howick Prep Spring Choir Festival held in October.
Pictured are the Howick Prep teams along with their St Stithians hosts after the games played at St Stithians College.
