‘Yster’s’ MTB finish hopes unriled by broken chain
Like father, like daughter was the case in the Sprog event when Silke Bester, who had an amazing ride, came third.
THE KZN Mountain Bike Lap Challenge took place in Shongweni last weekend and once again Amanzimtoti Cycling Club’s flag was held high.
There’s no stopping Hendrik Bester, who has earned himself a nickname ‘Yster’.
On the seventh and final lap, with 300 metres to the finish line, his chain snapped and there were four riders all fighting for second position.
There was no time to fix the broken chain, so Yster simply picked up his bike and sprinted to the end and managed a respectable fifth overall position and first vet to finish.
Brennan Anderson collided with a tree on his first lap and had to work his way up to finish overall second and first in his age category, among the elite men.
Candice Parker-Dennison continues to shine in the women’s league and finished second overall and in her age category.
While his sister, Bridget Theunissen competes in Zimbabwe for the African Cup Triathlon, Liam kept the family name on the podium by coming third overall and second in his age category.
Like father, like daughter was the case in the sprog event when Silke Bester, who had an amazing ride, came third.
Summary of the Toti cyclists who took part:
Seven laps: Second Brennan Anderson (elite men) 1.10.48, fifth Hendrik Venter (veteran) 1.11.31, second Candice Parker-Dennison (elite women) 1.31.59,
Five laps: Third Liam Theunissen (sub junior) 48.56.
Two laps: Third Silke Bester (sprog) 35.21.
Amanzimtoti Cycling Club held a bike breakdown maintenance course on Sunday which was very well attended.
It taught everyone the basics of bike maintenance and also, very importantly, what to do if one has a breakdown on a ride or worse still, in a race. Admin issues such as a broken chain, fitting a hanger and fixing punctures to name a few, were discussed. These workshops are ideal for ‘newbies’, but also to those lucky ones who seldom experience any admin and therefore forget how to for example, repair a chain. It’s information that needs constantly refreshing, so if you missed Gavin Harvey and Shaun Michael Heinze parting with their knowledge, be sure to keep an eye out for when the club schedules another.
The club wishes all all the very best to its members who are riding in the Compendium Midmar Notts Road Race this Sunday.
