Showing posts with label Green Skin innitiative. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Green Skin innitiative. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Monday. October 25. Day 87.


With a big uphill to facing us Puddy started the day skating up the Houwhoek Pass towards the St Lowry’s Pass. On the summit we had a quick team meeting and realised that from our vantage point we were able to view Table Mountain for the first time. This felt great and, especially Puddy felt proud that he had come this far.







We were warned that once on top of Houwhoek Pass Puddy would have to bomb the St Louries Pass. From what we gathered this was the zenith of downhills. After some discussion Puddy Padded up and took the Hill head on.

Gaining a lot of speed really fast Puddy mange toride it out most of the way. He foot braked on occasions but once he reached the bottom he said that he was pretty bummed that he didn’t suck it up, tucked in and went full speed. Safety first I suppose. Especially when we are critically close to the finish. A fatal possibly fatal thing happened however. One of his wheels overheated from the speed and duration of the speed that it melted and finally burst open almost causing a vicous bail. Pulling off from the road he quickly set up a new set only to have them do the same thing on another downhill we encountered further along the road.

After another change of wheels the skating continued to just past Gordonsbaai where Tertuis Vivier caught up with us to chat with Puddy.





Tonight will be our last evening in the Protea Hotel in Stellenbosch so a greatest of thanks you’s to the staff and all who looked after our every need. You guys have been spectacular.

We are so close to done that we can taste victory. But let’s not count the chickens before they hatch.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Sunday. September 19. Day 51

WE DEDICATE THIS DAY TO ALL THE SPONSORS WHO MADE THIS TRIP POSSIBLE AND SUPPORT THE CAUSE


MY SPONSORS


SPONSORS PER KILOMETER

:

VIEW THE PAGE LABELLED LINKS AND SPONSORS TO GET MORE INFO

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Tuesday. September 7. Day 39.

“If the weather holds up we are in for some good laughs and fun times”. So ended yesterday and started today – with some good laughs and good times.

Arose this morning, with some PeriPeri scrambled eggs for breakfast, and a sun shining like only the summer sun can. Cornell did some interviews for the diary cam and we headed out on the road.

We started skating 5k’s before Cradock upon which we painted Puddy green from head to toe, no it’s not a tribute to The Hulk but rather creating some awareness for another cause close to our hearts. The South African Green Skin Initiative exists to combat racism in our diverse country and advocates racial neutrality and tolerance. We are all green Skinned.

The skating went much better than yesterday. A light wind from the front, 42km/h top speed averaging 23km/h.










Passersby “skeefd” the “Incredible Puddy” as he rolled through town. Closing in on the edge of town, kids from the local neighborhoods started following us and cheering. Before long there were hordes of children screaming and running around the van in total awe of the great green skater.

Stopping we spent some time with the kids, telling them about our cause and the Green Skin initiative. We bought some big bags of chips (filled with smaller packets and handed them to the kids). It was amazing to see their faces light up and really shows one how little they have and how fortunate we are.





After the excitement we headed back to base camp where we relaxed for a bit and started preparing for tomorrow. A mile stone awaits us as we pass the 900km mark. Looking forward to that!



Monday. September 6. Day 38.



You know the wind is brutal when you have to push down a downhill to get to the bottom. This was exactly the case on day 38.

The day started and ended early. We got to our marker on the road around 09:50 and quickly realised this was going to be one tough session. The wind was barricading Puddy from the front making it close to worthless trying to skate. The roads’ surface didn't make it any easier on him either. Frustration almost got the upper hand after 18km's but the crew motivated to do another few k's. We ended the session on 25km with a 37km/h top speed and an 18km/h average. Not a good day according to Puddy.


We headed back to our base camp bracing the weather and anticipating the current over cast. Let’s hope we don't encounter rain on the road any time soon.

Tomorrow we enter Cradock and if the weather
holds we are in for some good fun and laughs

Puddy was exhuassted after this battle with the elements and promptly passed out on the couch in the van.

See you tomorrow.