Swazi Frontier Looms

I am coming out of hibernating - indeed, it has been somewhat forced due to a knee injury. If pushed, I' admit I could ride quite comfortably, but running is an issue. ok, WAS an issue.

Clarisse has been to the doc several times and a new free wheel and BB later, she is purring along nicely...wait, that's not quite accurate. Her chain is a bit short (as is her temper) and as such, you have to coax her gently to change gears. Very temperamental indeed. Yes I know this humanisation of a bike is getting tiresome, but I believe this bike has tempers and moods - not a fan of winter, I think she misses the mud which is a painfully expensive taste. Anyone who has done any mud swamping would attest to this. Anyway, I am a mere rider and she is the medium.I carry on regardless though - I completed the Joe's Tubeless conversion and while the first ride I took her on was peachy, she deflated herself after a week and a half of no activity. Weird. I simply re-inflated and found she went just fine again. She did throw me off and I am sporting another bruised elbow, but that's another story.



This new post is the result of the realisation that the Swazi Frontier is approaching and I need to train. Good logic for sure. Anyway, I have taken to my favourite haunt, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and have started screaming my way around there. I have a morning ride of about 22kms which at this stage is taking me about an hour to do. It includes an optional dice with the Blesbok at the South Western section bordering the forest land. A great gradient allows a speed of around 50kms/hour which still sees the Blesbok sauntering along at a fairly agitated clip - but it's a rush nonetheless, especially if you imagine you are a lion or something chasing this animal. Imagine if Cheetahs could ride bikes?



I need to make mention of the dangers of assuming distances when running, but that's a blog for another day save to say you can confuse 7kms for 4kms and the result is a leap frog in fitness levels. Reverse futuristic psychology I call it.

The recent tease of rains in the Ezulwini Valley has chilled things down a bit after summer made a hasty appearence and warned of it's intense powers, but this cold snap has seen a few joggers lurching out as though taking a gap. Quite a few are on the roads, but many are hitting the trails at Mlilwane. My advice to them is to grab a Wild Card for free entry - particularly useful if you hit the trails on a regular basis. This card can be purchased at the Gables Shopping centre in Ezulwini, contact (00268) 416 3011.

Its exciting times, get out now and experience Swaziland in the wake of all the celebrations 40/40 and the Umhlanga Festivals, as she wakes up to a new summer with the green tinge subtly replacing the burnt vestiges of winter.