I spent the (short) night tossing and turning and thinking about how I should do a century ride once I got up.  I've done plenty of centuries and more on the road bike, but never on the MTB.  Perfect for my last endurance training ride before the GRLite at the end of the month.

I headed into the village, then out along Sandhoogte Road, continuing straight instead of heading up the hill to the right (one of my usual routes), then out the Little Brak and back to Tergniet along the water before climbing up, circling back to Reebok and out across the R102 at Leani Kwekery to meet up with my old friend the Sandhoogte hill.  So a modification of the short Little Brak route which I've done a couple of times to get an extra 25 km in at the start, then the Sandhoogte/Friemersheim loop, followed by the reverse Tramonto circuit and back to The Island (with a single lap around The Island to bring the distance to 100 km on the dot).

I fixed the connection on my spare bladder so I had 4 litres of liquid (and a banana) which I tried not to touch for the first 30 km.  My handlebars came loose at the very bottom of Blesbok Road (the turn you take to the left for Kleinvlei and which bisects Botlierskop) but I hate stopping, so let them wiggle all the way until I got to the very top of Friemersheim where I stopped for a quick wipe of the sunglasses, gobbling the banana as I tightened the handle bars (I brought the peel home with me - did you know they can take up to a month to biodegrade?).

It was a pretty sweaty start and it took 45 km before the kink worked its way out of my lower back (cycling is better than any stretching that I know of for tight glutes...).  I hopped on the scale before and after the ride - despite drinking the 4 litres (4 kilos, remember), I weighed 3 kilos less by the time I had finished the ride - mostly from sweat, I expect.

Interesting sightings:  a tortoise in Reebok (yes, a common sighting there) and a crab crossing the gravel road way up behind Friemersheim.

Lessons learned: next time I'll have a bigger breakfast - half a cup of muesli with some yoghurt isn't quite enough fuel to really give it every single stroke of the peddle - and I'll probably bring another banana.  Despite losing all of that weight on the ride, I can't imagine hauling more than 4 litres of liquid around with me, so I'd say it was just about the perfect quantity for doing 100 km on mostly gravel on a hot day.

Click on the map below to see the full workout and route profile on www.sports-tracker.com

The wind was still blowing pretty hard this morning after last night's storm (I kept putting off my ride, hoping the wind would die down...).  Sometimes you just have to go for it, even if conditions aren't particularly hospitable, so on the saddle I hopped.  Shortly after starting I discovered the hose connection to my new (extra) bladder was loose - so, if you don't want to download the .GPX file to navigate the route on your GPS device, then just follow the orange trail I've left along the side of the road... :)

Click on the image below to see the full workout and route profile on www.sports-tracker.com

Yesterday was gym day so just did a short one today after Tuesday's fiasco (I was in George anyway and decided to drive up to Knysna to do the Simola Hill climb again only to break my new chain 4 km into the ascent - arghhh!).  

Back to today:  it was windy again and super hot from the start but especially the Kleinvlei to Friemersheim leg (34°+) - I went through 2 litres of fluid in ~22k. Brought an extra bladder so was carrying 4 litres today just in case (and yes, that means an extra 4 kilos to lug up the hills...). Then the temp dropped to about 20° heading back to the sea as the dark rain clouds built up and it got down right chilly...

Click on the map below to see the workout details and route profile on www.sports-tracker.com

Don't swim in estuaries with open wounds

GEORGE NEWS - People with open wounds are warned not to swim in the Kaaimans River, or any local estuaries. 
An environmental health warning issued on Thursday during a press briefing held at the Eden District Municipality's headquarters in York Street, George, stated, "Infections may occur when open soft tissue wounds are exposed to warm estuaries."
 
This environmental health warning was issued to inform the public as to what measures to take to protect themselves against exposure to the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus.
 
Death an 'Index case'
This bacteria was identified as having caused the death of an elderly Wilderness Heights resident, Frans Heunis (81) last Friday.
 
Heunis went for a swim last Monday 1 February in the Map of Africa section of the Kaaimans River. He cut his right shin while swimming. He was treated for the cut, but became ill and lapsed into a coma.
 
As a result of his death, water samples were taken at Kaaimans River and sent away for testing. The results are being awaited.
 
At the briefing, leading George physician, Dr Stephen Hardcastle, said the death of a local man is regarded as an 'Index case', being the first case of its kind recorded in this region. It is not a notifiable disease.
 
Upon being informed, Eden DM environmental health officials sprang into action, testing the water in the Kaaimans River. Eden Manager: Municipal Health & Environmental Services, Johan Compion commission a series of water tests and, as a precaution, the Kaaimans River picnic area was closed to the public on Wednesday.
 
Kaaimans reopened
The area (adjacent to the N2) was however, re-opened the following day, upon the advice of Dr Hardcastle who indicated that the possible presence of bacteria should be treated similarly to the Red Tide incidences in the Knysna Estuary. The public is usually warned about its presence and told not to eat any shell fish for possible contamination.

His viewpoint was supported by Dr Dalene Brink, of Pathcare, an expert on bacteria.
 
Dr Brink said Vibrio vulnificus is a bacteria that occurs naturally in all rivers. It is however, high temperatures that cause it to become more harmful - but only to humans who have an open wound or scratch. Hence the warning to cover all open wounds when swimming. "The bacteria is harmless if you get the river water into your eyes or even swallow it."
 
The EDM said in their press release, "Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium found naturally worldwide in warm coastal waters. It rarely causes diseases. There is no association with sewage contamination." 
Kaaimans pristine
 
Clive Africa, EDM's executive manager of Community Services said, "The Kaaimans River is in a pristine condition. We do not want to spark of any panic."
 
But shell fish collectors are nonetheless warned not to eat raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters harvested from warm waters. They should also wear gloves and disinfect boards and knives used for seafood to avoid cross contamination.
 
Chronic patients
The press release states, "Persons with underlying medical conditions, any chronic condition especially liver disease and diabetes, may be at increased risk of serious infection. Infections are seasonal and 85% occur in the summer months. Transient environmental factors such as warm water and moderate salinity can increase the number of Vibrio vulnificus in shellfish.
 
Infection may occur in a pre-existing wound and cause soft tissue infection with severe pain or diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Any of these symptoms need medical attention.
 
Beaches safeIn the presence of officials of SANPArks, CapeNature, Eden officials and Dr Terence Marshall of the Western Cape Health Department, Clive Africa said the public would be kept abreast of further developments. It was confirmed that the bacteria dies in seawater where the saline content is high. It is therefore considered completely safe to swim at local beaches like Victoria Bay and Leentjiesklip.
 
Compion confirmed that to monitor the situation, special water tests will be done on all estuaries and rivers in the Eden District. The monitoring action will be carried out from the Gourits River mouth and will stretch to Nature's Valley in the East. Compion said that the typical habitat of the bacteria is where sea water and fresh water meet, where the saline content is diluted and the water temperature rise above 20 degrees celsius.

URGENT NOTIFICATION
Thursday, 11 February 2016
A relatively fit 81 year old Caucasian male died on Friday, 5 February 2016 after swimming in the Kaaimans River and died within 72 hours, after admission to the George Medi-Clinic Hospital.  Microbiological testing of the wound area of the diseased confirmed that the bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus was present.  According to the CDC in the USA, the mortality rate after Vibrio vulnificus infection is between 36%-50%.

This bacteria is found naturally worldwide in warm coastal waters and there is no association with sewage contamination.  Vibrio vulnificus infection is not a notifiable disease in RSA, but in the USA (Atlanta Georgia) is it notifiable.

For the bacteria to increase to the point where it can cause harm to humans, the water temperature should be between 20⁰C and 31⁰C.  The salinity of the water should also be not too salt or too fresh, i.e. brackish water normally found around the point of interface between the oceanic water and rivers. Transmission is from eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters harvested from warm waters. Infections may occur when open soft tissue wounds are exposed to warm estuaries (If the person is immune compromised the risk of infection is increased).

The Eden Environmental Health section has indicated that for the time being no beaches will be closed or official warning signage will be erected, their actions will be limited to public awareness and education as well as the inclusion of testing for the bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, as part of their current water sampling program. In addition they will also focus their sampling on areas where the water temperature as well as salinity levels could be conducive to the multiplication of the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus.

For any further information, please contact:

Mr. Clive Africa – Executive Manager:  Community Services, contact number 083 253 3928 or Mr. Johan Compion – Manager: Municipal Health and Environmental Services, contact number 082 803 5161.

END

Last Updated ( Thursday, 11 February 2016 )
 
PRESS RELEASE - VIBRIO VULNIFICUS
Thursday, 11 February 2016
Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium found naturally worldwide in warm coastal waters.  It is a rare cause of disease.  There is no association with sewage contamination.

Transmission is from eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters harvested from warm waters. Infections may occur when open soft tissue wounds are exposed to warm estuaries.

Persons with underlying medical conditions, any chronic condition especially liver disease and diabetes, may be at increased risk of serious infection. Infections are seasonal and 85% occur in the summer months. Transient environmental factors such as warm water and moderate salinity can increase the number of Vibrio vulnificus in shellfish.

Infection may occur in a pre-existing wound and cause soft tissue infection with severe pain or cause diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Any of these symptom need medical attention.

(Please add table 3: Recommendations for reducing the risk of Vibrio vulnificus infection)
 
For any further information, please contact:

Mr. Clive Africa – Executive Manager:  Community Services, contact number 083 253 3928 or Mr. Johan Compion – Manager: Municipal Health and Environmental Services, contact number 082 803 5161.

END

Last Updated ( Thursday, 11 February 2016 )

This morning I picked up my bike from Johnnie Coen Cycles in Voorbaai (Mossel Bay) where it underwent a major servicing yesterday. New tires, new chain and new cassette, it was time to test out the hills (or not so much test out the hills, but test out me & the bike - I'm sure the hills would say they are quite fine, thank you very much!).  

Anyway, I managed to get in just over 1,000 meters over roughly 65 km's by doing the Sandhoogte hill, then coming back down into Greenhaven, then going back up the paved road, past Greenhaven, up to Friemersheim and a few more hills thrown in for good measure.  360 meters of climbing in the 1st hour, and just a fraction under that in the 2nd.

It was hot and dusty - lots of roadworks going on in these back roads today, so plenty of large vehicles tossing up sand and dirt clouds which was a bit oppressive.  And I ran out of fluids at km 45 - obviously less than optimal...  But all in all a pretty darn fantastic few hours (followed by an afternoon of banana-munching to keep the muscle cramps at bay!).

Click on the map below to visit www.sports-tracker.com to see the full route profile.

I had some spare time while the missus was golfing, so I decided to tackle the Simola Hill in preparation for the GRLite (it's part of the 1st stage, which will start at Quay Four).  I parked in the open area near the Firefly Eating House (excellent when I've been, by the way), shortly after the turn off the highway.  With a quick and discrete change in the car, I was on my way.

I did the road, instead of the single track (I think I noticed the start of that mid-way up - I presume it's where all the Garden Route Events MTB signage is...).  Distance-wise, it's exactly 12 km to the very top, there you'll intersect with the paved R339.  I had a date to keep, so turned around and came down the way I went up (I'm sure I won't be the first to say it was easier and quicker on the way back).  I noticed guys in a couple of packs heading up as I was coming down - seems they parked just past the entrance to the Simola Golf Course (also recommended!), where the tar turns into gravel.  Another option if you're looking for a shorter route with less climbing.  I suppose my descent could have been a bit quicker from the GC downward - I was stuck behind a couple of out-of-province vehicle drivers who were insistent on doing less than the speed limit...

Click on the map below to visit www.sports-tracker.com to see the full route profile.