The First Tankwa 3 Day Trek

Team Wilde participated in the very first Tankwa three-day international mountain bike stage race from 15 - 17 February '13.  The stages were set in the scenic Witzenberg Valley, Ceres Valley and Kouebokkeveld and totaled an impressive 253km.  Our very own Kabous Marra (MD of Wilde - Left) and his son in law, Jacques Groenewald (Right) successfully finished the 3 day race with a total time of 16:47:11 in the Overall Teams category.

Waylon Woolcock and Lourens Luus of Team RE:CM produced a perfectly balanced display of racing to win the Tankwa Trek that ended on Sunday in the Ceres region of South Africa’s Western Cape province.

It was a hard-fought win for the pair as they had to battle against some of the country’s strongest two-man teams and challenging terrain in what turned into an ideal build-up race for next month’s ABSA Cape Epic, the world’s most prestigious mountain bike stage in the same region.

Luus (21) and Woolcock (30) gained the overall lead late on Saturday’s Stage 2, which they then successfully defended on Sunday’s final stage. Second overall was the Cannondale Blend Properties pair of Darren Lill and Charles Keey with Oliver Munnik and Timo Cooper (GT Bridge Momsen) rounding out the podium places.

“We were half a minute off Lill and Keey after Stage 1 and on Stage 2 we knew they’d be giving it everything on the big climb that the race organisers dubbed the Merino Monster. We were right and we managed to stay with them to the summit. They’re strong climbers so it was pretty tough,” recalled Woolcock.

The Merino Monster incorporates 25km of ascent, but not all constant. The toughest part is an eight-kilometre section with a 12% gradient, which is where the race split properly, effectively turning it a two-team contest.

On the rough nine-kilometre descent that followed, Woolcock and Luus took some risks to open up a lead, which turned out to be the race-deciding move.

“Lill pretty much stayed with us, but Keey wasn’t as confident on the descent. At the bottom, with about 15km to the finish on district gravel roads, Lourens and I turned ourselves inside out and managed to win the stage and take the overall lead, which we then defended with some cautious riding today,” said Woolcock.

Hanlie Booyens and Ischen Stopforth, both experienced stage racers, teamed up to win the Women’s title, while Billy Stelling and his British teammate, Jane Neussli (BMC/Market on the Wharf) claimed the Mixed title. In the Solo division, Nico Pfitzenmaier (Bridge Momsen) secured the men’s crown, while Yolande de Villiers (Toyota Supercycling) claimed the women’s title.

“What an amazing event!” said Woolcock. “Besides spectacular race routes, the accommodation and catering were superb. Actually, that’s the best catering I’ve experienced at any bicycle race. I think this is going to become a really sought after race.”

"The Tankwa Trek is a fantastic event. I loved the singletrack on Stage 3 especially. It's a very good preparation race for the Cape Epic from a conditions perspective and the timing is spot-on," said Nussli, who will tackle the 2013 edition of the Cape Epic with Esther Suss to challenge for the women's category title.

“With just under 100 riders, we had a relatively small field, but that suited us for the first event,” said Carel Herholdt of Dryland Events, the organisers.“It was still a high quality field that experienced a new, challenging, late-summer stage race through amazing scenery, just over two hours drive from Cape Town.”

View spectacular stage 1, 2 and 3 video footage produced by BigShot Media by clicking on the stages below:

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3 - Coming soon

Tankwa Trek 2013Final General Classification after Stage 3

Men Teams: 

1 Lourens Luus/Waylon Woolcock (RE:CM) 10:05:05
2 Charles Keey/Darren Lill (Cannondale Blend) 10:06:28
3 Oliver Munnik/Timo Cooper (GT Bridge Momsen) 10:22:45
4 Hannes Hanekom/SakkieHanekom (Welgemeen Boerdery) 10:49:16
5 Jandri Ferreira/Bennie Pretorius (Cornerstone Cycles) 11:51:06

Women Teams: 

1 Ischen Stopforth/Hanlie Booyens (Hanlie & Ischen) 12:25:08
2 Eulogy Du Plessis/Maritza Terblanche (Cycle Lab Tours) 15:52:00
3 Kathy Crabbe/Wendy Potgieter (Abbvie Girls) 16:06:45

Mixed Teams: 

1 Jane Nuessli/Billy Stelling (BMC Market on the Wharf) 11:22:30
2 Craig Gerber/Jennie Stenerhag (Newline Focus) 11:55:47
3 Katerina Slegrova/James Chevallier (Cycle Training Ladies) 13:23:24

Solo Male: 

1 Nico Pfitzenmaier 10:25:22
2 Abraao Azevedo 10:25:25
3 Robert Sim 10:57:01

Solo Female: 

1 Yolande De Villiers 12:01:14
2 Ann Harrison 12:41:02
3 Amanda Brooks 13:36:11

For full General Classification and daily stage results, visit www.tankwatrek.co.za 

For spectacular footage of the event, visit www.bigshotmedia.co.za

Compliments to www.oakpics.com for their great pictures.

Have a Wilde day!

T-Shirts for Hasieland Play School

Wilde 100% Fruit Juice sponsored the cute children of Hasieland Play School in Durbanville with purple T-shirts.  This will help them stand out in a crowd while on school outings, so they can't hop away un-noticed.

Hasieland Play School gave us this sweet reply:

We wish all the children and staff of Hasieland Speelskool a Wilde year ahead.

If you're looking for a great play school for your child in the Durbanville area, please call Mathilda on 021 976 0733 for details.

Have a Wilde Valentine's Day

It's that time of the year where we all show how much we love our special someone.  We all show them in our own, sometimes unique, way.  There was once a man who showed his endearing love for his wife by arranging with a florist that a bouquet of flowers be delivered to her every Valentine's Day after his death, with a note reading "My love for you is eternal" *sniff sniff*.

But let's face it, Valentine's Day often comes down to a fancy dinner and a romantic movie where the gentlemen have to grin and bare it.  So here is a top 5 list of our favourite Valentine's Day movies you can snuggle up with your loved one on the couch and enjoy:

5. When Harry Met Sally (1989):

A great story where an unlikely chemistry develops over the course of a decade between a fun-loving Harry (Billy Crystal) and Type-A Sally (Meg Ryan).

4. Crazy Stupid Love (2011):

This star studded, witty movie is a reminder that love is still a journey and not a destination.  It shows that even the highest betrayal is still trumped by an enduring love.

3. Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

Based on a best selling book by the same name, you will be in stitches from laughing with this outstanding performance by Renée Zellweger. She plays the role of an awkward singleton who keeps a diary and narrates her inner most thoughts from it.  To her surprise, she finds herself in an awkward love triangle with an apparently smug lawyer (Colin Firth) and her rather dashing boss (Hugh Grant).

2. Titanic (1997):

Being the favourite of many and scoring billions at the box office, Titanic remains one of the highest grossing films to date. This heart breaking love story transcends circumstance and class and shows that even extreme opposites do attract and that even a brief moment of love can live a lifetime in ones memories.

1. Ghost (1990):

When Sam (Patrick Swayze) is suddenly taken away from his wife, Molly Jensen (Demi Moore), in a botched mugging, he returns as a Ghost to right a few wrongs with the help of a skittish medium Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg). This ageless masterpiece begs the question - Who says love can't last forever?

We wish you a very romantic evening with your loved one.

 - Team Wilde

99er Cycle Tour 2013

Wilde 100% Fruit Juice is one of the proud product sponsors of the 99er Cycle Tour which is taking place at the Durbanville Race Course tomorrow, 9 February. The 99er Cycle Race started in 1999, hence the name, and was planned to host a 99km race but has since grown to cater for a broader group of cyclists.  It is the third largest cycling event in the Western Cape and is an official Premier Seeding event for the 2014 Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour.

The 99er Cycle Race sports four routes, namely a 108 km and 64 km road route and a 24km and 12km MTB route.  The main road event (108km) starts at 06h00 and the main MTB event (24km) starts at 07h50.  The fundraising part of this lekker event has been taken to a new level this year with GivenGain giving participants, as well as their friends and family, the opportunity to join their fundraising initiatives to help raise funds for the many charities around the world.

For more information about the 99er Cycle Tour, please click here.  For more information on how to joing GivenGain, please click here.  Come on down to support the riders and to share the day with some lekker people. We hope to see you there!

Touchies, Kenton Style

The 2012 GameOn Kenton Touchies Tournament was a great success where several teams battled it out in superb weather for top honours.  The event is great for friends and family wanting to spend a day at the beach with good company and a great activity, touchies! 

The cup winners were  team Jolly Dolphin's and the runners up were team Tom & Jerries.  The plate winners were team Pam Golding Dragons and the runners up were team Sunshine Coast Spar.  Congratulations to you all!  

Wilde was more than happy to provide Wilde 100% Fruit Juice to keep the players well hydrated for the duration of the tournament.  Missed out on the action?  Visit the GameOn touchies Facebook fan page for more information by clicking here.

Dieter at D'Aria

Dieter Voigt continues to warm our hearts by taking his spare time and own financial resources to brighten up the lives of children in the lead up to Christmas.  Dieter and Lifestyle Boot Camp enjoyed a day filled with sporting activities with the farm children of D'Aria who all received Christmas goodie bags containing various nutritious items including Wilde 100% Fruit Juice.

We would like to thank Dieter for choosing Wilde, his continued support for our brand and helping those in need.  A little generosity goes a long way!

To view Dieter's Facebook Fan page or website, please click here or here.

Annual Wilde Classic Golf Day 2012

The annual Wilde classic golf day at Wellington Golf Club proved to be a great success with R130 000 being raised for the NG Wellington Church who will use these funds to benefit the lives of many individuals. The turn out on the day was impressive with 96 avid golfers attending to battle it out on the course for top honours. 

Wellington Gold Club was established in 1908 and boasts a gorgeous 9 hole golf course with a par rating of 72 and enjoyed by their 600+ loyal club members. The club is notorious for its warm hospitality and casual facilities which include a bar, for private or social events, and a lounge hall.  The area is steeped in tradition and history and with its myriad of attractions, lovely people and beautiful scenery, you will be left captivated.

We would like to  thank everyone who showed their support for this noble cause.

Cape Town daREDevil Speedo Run 2012 a Success

About 270 ballsy men participated in the annual Etana daREDevil speedo run, held at Hamilton's Rugby Club in Green Point, on Friday to bare it all and raise awareness for testicular and prostate cancer.  The daREDevil run challenges men of all shapes and sizes to run in nothing but a speedo for 4km through the city, raising awareness for testicular and prostate cancer and energising passers by.

Wilde 100% Fruit Juice was there to provide ice cold, delicious juice at the finish line for all participants.  This years route had runners make their way around the Cape Town Stadium, along the Sea Point Promenade and back.  Before the race started, a moving testimonial from a testicular cancer survivor was given who urged the importance of regular check-ups, regardless of their age or health status.  At the prize giving ceremony, it was announced that more than R100 000 was raised for charity!  Well done everyone and thankyou for your support!

Do you feel like you have the guts to bare it all next year?  Sign up here. Donations also welcome!

Running the daREDevil Run Bare For Cancer

Within a few hours, hundreds of ballsy men will be participating in the Etana daREDevil Run throughout South Africa wearing nothing but a red speedo to promote awareness around testicular and other male cancers.

Wilde 100% Fruit Juice will be at the Cape Town event, providing all you brave souls with refreshing goodness.  See you there!

If you have the spare time and are brave enough to bare it all, register here.

We dare you… 

Support for The Youth Possibility Centre - Pinelands

Pinelands North Primary School organized the inaugural fun run as part of the fundraising effort for the establishment of the Youth Possibility Centre on the Pinelands High School grounds. Wilde was proud to keep all the participating families well hydrated with Wilde 100% Fruit Juice.

The vision for the Pinelands Youth Possibility Centre is to provide a variety of sports, recreation, leadership and other programmes that will give young people the opportunity to learn important life skills to help them connect with the real world of work and further education. Sports and competition, for example, help develop important values such as hard work, taking responsibility, overcoming adversity, achieving goals, commitment, teamwork, communication and self-discipline. The centre will provide programmes in youth development, coaching, leadership, entrepreneurship and volunteer and work opportunities.

All Pinelands residents and Pinelands School families will benefit in the near and foreseeable future with Pinelands High School providing additional sporting activities, clinics and coaching support to the primary schools. There is the added benefit with the establishment of various, high quality facilities over the next 5-7 years to serve all families in Pinelands.

The event was well supported and enjoyed by the children, their parents and extended families. The weather played along and thankfully the notorious south easter remained dormant. The entrants were set off from the Wilde 100% Fruit Juice start and finish arch with a choice of tackling varied distances which included 2km, 5km and 10km around the Elsieskraal Canal in Pinelands. All participants enjoyed an ice-cold Wilde 100& Fruit Juice at the finish line to quench their thirst.

To learn more about Pinelands North Primary School, please click here.  To learn more about Pinelands High School, please click here.

An Incredible Race Comes To An End

What an end to an incredible race that will live in the memories of the riders for years to come! The Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek 2012 continued to surprise riders this year with breathtaking scenery, great single tracks and rewarding passes.

Team Wilde had a superb race with Team Wilde 1 (Kabous Marra and Robert King) and 2 (Sarah van Heerden and Jackie Church) finishing with a total time of 31:28:56 and 28:09:38 respectively.  Diana Carolin also performed very well by attaining 2nd place in the Solo Women category with a total time of 29:19:10. Well done everyone! We can't wait for next year!

Wilde Team 1 - Robert King and Kabous Marra

Wilde Team 2 Sarah van Heerden and Jackie Church

Team Wilde - Diana Carolin

Team Wilde

David George and Kevin Evans won stage 6 and were officially announced as winners of the massive R100 000 prize from Bridge!

Nedbank 360Life - David George and Kevin Evans

If you think you have what it takes to conquer the Cape Pioneer Trek next year,  please click here for details.  For a list of results please click here.

Stage 5 Finish - Diana Carolin's Diary

The day started off fresh and chilly. Due to heavy rains the route was shortened and the start was delayed by an hour. At last we started and as I had some time to make up, I made an aggressive start. We raced through the mud and straight up the mountain. After a good slog to the top, where the views were quite spectacular, there was a treacherous descent and a chase along district roads to waterpoint 2. 

A quick washing off of chains and derailers and we were off again onto the Hoekwil road and into a head wind. Then right onto the old George road and into Saarsveld to waterpoint 3. A quick refuel with a couple of potatoes and onto the single track with 7kms to go. A final chase to the finish at George High School where a great welcome awaited us. At last I had claimed back the leaders jersey after 4 days.   I completed stage 5 with a great lead of 00:11:34 with a total time of 03:09:10.

For a detailed list of results, please click here.  For additional information about the race, please click here.  Follow me on twitter here.

Stage 3 Finish - Diana Carolin's Diary

Started off in Prince Albert this morning with cloudy and overcast weather. The first 30km was a hard slog along district road desperately clinging to the back of a group. Until, at last, we hit REAL Mountain biking territory. A lovely climb up the pass after water point 1 led into a fast technical down that rocked!!!! 

Water point 2 was the start of another long slog on the tar on my own. At last we turned off back onto district road. Then the storm hit and we got hailed on. There was some awesome single track to finish off. I finished first today, what an amazing ride!

For a detailed list of results, please click here.  For additional information about the race, please click here.  Follow me on twitter here.

Stage 2 Finish - Diana Carolin's Diary

Carlitzdorp to Prince Albert was a Journey into some of the darker places I have been in my cycling career. The first 75km's was a good ride and then we hit the bottom of the pass. At first I thought, what is all the fuss about? And then it slowly began to dawn on me as we started to climb steeper and steeper slopes. 

Each corner I thought this had to be the last one but it wasn't. At one stage I had to stop and have a pep talk with myself. At last a camera man said one more corner to go and there were the banners! A happy sight. Finished second in solo female group with a time of 05:46:14, just 4 mins behind the winner. 

For a detailed list of results, please click here.  For additional information about the race, please click here.  Follow me on twitter here.