Sunday, August 29, 2010

BAAKENS SEWAGE - TAKING RESPONSIBILITY


The following letter appeared in "The Herald" newspaper on 31 August 2010.

The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs has confirmed that the Baakens river is polluted (The Herald, 27/08/2010). While there is lots of analysis, nobody seems to be accountable for the mess and trying to fix it. On 09 May 2010, cyclists encountered sewage spilling into the Baakens river at construction works on the Abelia Crescent pump station. The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) was informed and a Mr Gouws indicated that nothing could be done as the contractor was away for the weekend. The date seems to coincide with the highest reading for f. coliforms in Water Affairs samples (The Herald 27/08/2010).

The construction on the Kragga Kamma sewage line is a listed activity and a full environmental impact assessment was apparently conducted at considerable expense to the tax payer. On 11 May 2010 I directed requests for copies of the Environmental Authorization to Mr Govender of the Provincial Department of Environmental Affairs. Mr Govender indicated that the matter would be investigated. I have yet to be provided with an Environmental Authorization or a report on progress in respect of the investigation, despite follow up requests. In early August I found more evidence of sewage spills, raised safety and environmental issues, and provided photographs to Mr Govender. A response has not been forthcoming.

In early August 2010 I indicated the sewage issue to Mr Jorum Mkosana of NMBM and raised concerns about a motorcycle race which was planned for a critical biodiversity area in the Baakens valley. The motorcycle race was held, with municipal approval on 21 August 2010.

So what is the point of this? We spend millions of rand on environmental studies only to dump sewage into the river. We hold municipally approved motorcycle races in critical biodiversity areas which explicitly forbid motorcycles through signage and bylaws. We are simply failing in our responsibilities!

* Mr Gouws, how can sewage be allowed to spill into the Baakens because contractors are not available?

* Mr Govender, how come nobody has been prosecuted and why can't I get a copy of the environmental authorization?

* Mr Mkosana, how could your department permit a motorcycle race in the valley and why can't you stop the sewage spills?

* To the responsible Environmental Consultant and Control Officer. The taxpayer has provided considerable sums to finance your studies and oversight aimed at protecting the valley. How can you profit when sewage continues to spill?

My questions are directed at individuals as accountability only takes place when responsibility can be attributed. However, I am just as responsible, as I allowed the situation to persist. You see, on 09 May, after witnessing the spillage, I went to the Police Station wanting to lay a charge against the municipality. For selfish reasons, I did not persist with laying the charge and for that failure, I am responsible.

In the face of multiple failures, it becomes all to easy to blame government, god or others. If we all simply did our jobs, this sort of thing would not happen. From the official to whom our natural areas are entrusted, to each individual who uses the valley, we all have responsibilities. Every citizen whose sewage drains through the valley, has a responsibility towards its protection. I, like others, have failed, because I never laid that charge when I should have!

Article as published in The Herald on 31 August 2010

Monday, August 16, 2010

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE RIDE


Saturday was an amazing ride from Rocklands to St Francis Bay, a distance of approximately 150km, though my Garmin indicates a shorter ride as it took me about an hour to remember that I needed to switch the unit on. I had not ridden the Elands river road for years and had written it off as boring and not a great ride. Even though the ride is not technically challenging, there are great sections of downhill, but, the views, are oh so good. It made me realize that its acually all about the ride. There were a number of other rides which co-incided with mine, and I thought about them as alternatives.

1) The Transbaviaans
2) The Leadville 100
3) The 1st stage of the TransWales

So how does my ride compare to these. Well firstly, I would never do the Trans Baviaans (this coming from the most notorious never say never proponents - see my post on the Cape Epic), unless off course the race changes it format to enable my participation. I have an aversion to the Trans Baviaans for the following reasons:

1) Its simply too long: Call me a wimp, but the human body has evolved over millions of years into one which settles for 8 hours each of work, play and sleep. You're not supposed to ride a bicycle for 15 hours in a day! Even the best can only complete the race in eight hours. Most of the top pro's dont do this race for one simple reason - it wrecks the body and their longer term training program.

2) The Baviaans is a Wilderness Area - to be appreciated: The Baviaans is a wilderness area, arguebly South Africa's best. Why run a bicycle race through one of its only public access roads, destroying the road in the process, and not appreciating the wilderness while going through.

3) I don't want to ride with cars: Like my ride, the TransBaviaans is run on public road. How many cars did I see on the dirt roads we rode on? Probably 3. A common complaint coming from the Trans Baviaans is the choking dust from support vehicles. That's simply not on.

4) Events should showcase areas: I love the Baviaans, but the Trans does nothing for the area. Leadville and the Trans Wales all result in major economic benefits from the carnival like atmosphere. Undoubtedly Willowmore benefits at the start and Jeffreys Bay at the finish. The Baviaans probably suffers from the event and I cant see much benefit to Patensie when most riders go through in pitch darkness.

5) The Eastern Cape has so much more: The Trans is often billed as the Eastern Cape's biggest mtb race. Thats really sad. We have so much more potential and so much more to showcase. In my head our biggest events should be in the PE area, in Hogsback, the Katberg or in the East London area. Thats where the true riding experience is.

6) Its about friends: The biggest attraction of doing a race or ride is about doing it with friends. I understand what the Leadville, Trans Wales or a leisurely ride in the Elands does for friendship. The Trans Baviaans - I am not so sure - after eight hours on a bike even the best friendships will take strain?

7) What it does for Mtb riding: A great ride turns you into an Mtb addict. I have seen far to many people do the Trans Baviaans only to never ride again or only appear next year. For many its a once off experience of pain. Personally, I don't think thats good.

8) I want to smell the roses: The nicest thing about the Elands ride, was the chance to stop and enjoy - the views and the food of the area. Nothing can compare to a Patensie Orange and farm pie at a Padstal.

Many will not like my views, some will allege that I lack the attributes to do a "real race". Others will concur and agree. I would love the Leadville and I would love the Trans Wales. I simply know, I will not enjoy the Trans Baviaans. Its an area I know well, and one needs to take time to appreciate it. Its not about the race, its acually about the ride. Mountain bikes are there to be enjoyed and to help your health, not hinder it.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

MEET EDWARD & HIS MAGIC WAND

Edward is one of the hard core CDC's. He commutes virtually every morning, and I have rarely not seen him on the Coega bike path. I tried to help out Edward this morning with a flat wheel and noticed some interesting features on his bike.


I asked what the strange metal thing was wedged between his seat stay and bottom bracket. "Its a shock", he replied. Strange I thought - there are no moving parts? Turns out Edward works at CV Exchange and his Shock is a real shock and is used as his weapon to ward off Tsotsi's (South African word for criminal) trying to steal his bike.

I showed Edward my Magic Wand (courtesy of my bike doctor Theuns Kotze). Its similar in concept, but, is lighter and works better. Its got that rare impossibility in cycling - lighter, cheaper, stronger (in effect that is!). Edward was mighty impressed, so in the interests of public safety, I thought I would share the Magic Wand technology.

1) I carry the Wand on my backpack, but, one could as easily stick it somewhere on the bike or make a shorter one. For me this option is best. Its easily accessible and I can use it while riding. I draw the wand with the left hand, swing it once and its armed and ready for use. In fact, as it extends, it can be used. As you can see, the wand looks like (and is) a simple piece of PVC electrical conduit. The one I use is about 35cm in length, but, you can easily customize according to your requirements.


2) Here is the wand armed and ready to swing. Fully extended its roughly double the length of the conduit. A length of cable, just less than double the length of the conduit is looped around a retaining bolt inserted into the conduit. Therefore, when the wand is not in use, the cable is inside the conduit. When you want to use it, a flick of the wrist brings the cable flying out the conduit and turns it into a metal whip, ready to inflict very serious damage!

3) You need to add a little weight to the end of the cable to get it to flick out of the conduit nicely. You can get really creative here. While mine just has some lead weights, there are no limits to the types of horrors one can inflict with the weights which you use. On mine the cable has unraveled and cuts my finger when I touch it - would hate to see the damage when used in defense!

4) Here is the cable retaining bolt on the conduit, which basically stops the cable flying off completely.

Touch wood, I have only had to use the wand on dogs (failing dismally in my attempts to connect), but, the Magic Wand gives a wonderful sense of comfort. Edward's route is a little more dangerous than mine and personally I think his issues are more related to what would happen if his bike breaks in a vulnerable spot. As you can see from the photo's Edward's bike is seriously battered. South Africa should really have a Bike rebate scheme where employers / employees can get tax rebates on their bike purchases for bike commuting. For a more detailed overview check my post of February this year. Now if only......

Sunday, August 1, 2010

THE VELOCAST & THE SCOTT


John & Scott over at the Velocast promised a quality cycling jersey and they certainly delivered. For the uninformed, the Velocast is the best cycling podcast out there. Cycling news and a host of other providers publish Podcasts on Itunes, but, these two Scotsmen are a cut above everyone else. There's a wry sense of humor which combined with their cycling knowledge, makes for very good listening, especially when doing the Coega Daily Commute.

Compared to the regular South African jersey, this is a heavier jersey and is really nice and warm. I used the jersey and my new Scott Spark RC at the Ridge Mania 60km marathon on Sunday 01 August. I had some misgivings about the jersey perhaps being too warm, but it was absolutely perfect, providing a great feel in contrasting temperatures from cold mountain wind to hot sticky valleys. There are definitely advantages to the Sport wool fabric used in this jersey made by Shutt Velo Rapide in the UK.

The Scott also performed flawlessly and made me realize what I missed on the Epic. I eventually got a 5th place overall after competing for some time with Andrew on an aluminium hardtail (similar to my old Specialized S-Works). As the race progressed
I just saw Andrew getting beaten up by his bike. In contrast, the Spark just chewed up the very bumpy grass surfaces and made all the difference. Andrew is a young strong rider and when I finally got away from him, it was a clear case of the technological superiority of full suspension over young legs. Mike, my Epic partner came in 4th in a strong showing. I am going to have to do some serious catching up and it is going to take about 6 weeks before I have sorted out the Winter layoff.