Recovery

Well it’s been just over 3 weeks now since my wrist op and things are improving every day, unfortunately not fast enough J

I am pretty depressed not being able to ride, it’s amazing how you realise just how much you love something when you can’t do it. Anyway last week I got sick on top of it all, so wasn’t feeling to cheerful but hopefully this week I can at least start up training again on the new programme from John Wakefield, mans a legend! In the last week I have just been sending emails, seeing friends and working on my wrist, I want to be 100% ready to ride when I get the all clear J I have also been focusing on eating loads of fruit and veggies to get all the vitamins I need to heal faster. It’s amazing what you find on Google!

I am also following up on my Canfield team mates Johann and Motte who are still racing flat out in Europe, they have just raced the Euro Cup in Leogang and are now on their way to World Cup #2 in Val Di Sole! Represent boys! Obviously I have been doing loads of internet surfing as well,  I have noticed some new developments from some cool companies, Leatt have a new product, the cool light vest, check it out online @ www.leatt-brace.com  Also Csixx have updated their website, check it out @ www.csixx.com

I went to watch my cousin race go karts at Killarney on Saturday…. Woooow those little things fly, and my cuz was 3^rd, 5^th and 2^nd in her heats. One thing I didn’t mention is that she is a girl racing against the boys, so yeah she is pretty quick!

Yesterday I had my 2^nd physio session and the improvements were great, my movement basically doubled from last week, so we looking good so far! I got this little gel patch which covers my scar to soften things up, because the scar is in an awkward position it can restrict some wrist movement, so hopefully there will be a difference soon…

It was really good to be back at Virgin Active yesterday, I get withdrawal symptoms if I can’t go to gym although my abs are pretty sore today….  It’s a really cool place to relax after a workout too, just get a smoothie and surf the web. I have been on the go lately as well and I have been getting a few coffees while out but wow it’s so difficult to find a good coffee these days… really I wish the only coffee around was Seattle Coffee! It’s just that good J If you haven’t tried it, get down to your nearest store and treat yourself!

Anyway thanks again to the awesome companies behind me…… Canfield Bros Factory Team,  Seattle Coffee Co, Virgin Active, Adidas Eyewear, Leatt, Evoc, Csixx, John Wakefield @science2sport and Red Bull ZA!

Pics to come soon....

POST OP UPDATE

Hi all,

It is now 6 days after my operation on my wrist.

During the op the doctors put in a plate under my radius to hold it all together… It really freaks me out when I think about it. The was around an hour long and I spent just 1 night in the Hospital.

At this stage the plan is to be riding in 7 – 8 weeks depending on how I feel but I am doing everything possible to speed up the process. I have just been chilling out over the last week, getting so bored! However, things will pick up from Wednesday when the stitches come out because then I will be able to start cycling at gym and getting around a bit.

I will be able to drive an automatic soon, so at least I will be mobile finally. This past Sunday, which was also mothers day, I went to check out the 2^nd WP provincial dh event of the year at Zevenwacht. It was cool to see everyone again and it just made me really ampd to get back on the bike which was good. The revitalised track looked super fun with some cool jumps, so thanks to everyone who made it all happen, the sport is definitely growing and its good to see. There were some really serious injuries at the event which was unusual, so I hope Kyle Fletcher, Quanut Salaam and Peter West all heal up quickly!

I will post another update soon, just want to thank everyone behind me and my great sponsors, Canfield Bros Factory team, Red Bull SA, Seattle Coffee Co, Virgin Active, Leatt, Adidas eyewear, John Wakefield @science2sport, Evoc and Csixx. Without you this isn’t possible!

Here is a video link from the IXS cup at Illmenau last year: 2nd Place Illmenau

Until next time…

Monte Tamaro Race Report

As I wright this I am sitting here in Schladming with a cast on my wrist....

As you can imagin, the weekend didnt go according to plan, I broke my wrist in my first run of Saturday practice. Well to begin with Johann and myself were really stoked to get our new canfields all blinged up for the first event of the European season. We had never imagined that the bikes would look this amazing... really these bikes are awesome!

Our team mate Motte picked us up on Thursday morning to go through to Monte Tamaro, but we had one stop to make first. We stopped at team manager, Sabine's house to pick up some awesome new Oneal gear!

We drove through Thursday and were ready to go on Friday! We walked the track and were really excited to test the new machines, we new it would be tough on this track because it was close to 5 min long and so rough..... bearing in mind that we hadnt ridden downhill in a month. While walking th track we came to a drop onto a road, it was pretty wide but we thought it might be possible to gap although it wasnt a road gap. So rode on Friday and did just 2 runs because of the insanely long wait at the gondala, but then first run on Saturday morning I decided it was time. Johann had jumped it twice and it looked ok so I went for it..... that was the end of my weekend. I came up a bit short in a slight nose dive, it just shot me over the bars and dowb into the woods. I knew imediately that it was broken, I didnt want to admit it but I knew I had made a big mistake.

After getting it checked out and spending 80 Euros on a taxi to get back to the track it looks like Im out for 6 weeks which sucks but it could be worse. Getting back to the race, it poured with rain on Sunday and the the race was cancelled because of the heli not being able to fly in the fog. So after all that it turns out I didnt even need to ride... :) I just happy because I gapped the road with only 3 others!

So all in all the weekend was a bit of a disaster but thats the way it goes sometimes, next time I will make a better decision and will have learned from this. I will be back on the back asap and ready for action!

A big thanks to all my sponsors who this all possible, Canfield Bros Factory Team, Red Bull SA, Seattle Coffee Co, Virgin Active, Leatt, Adidas eyewear, John Wakefield @science2sport, Evoc and Csixx.

Week 1 in Austria

Well the first week in Austria is in the books now and so far so good, Pottie arrived on Tuesday afternoon. It was really nice to be picked up from the airport and not have to take a train or whatever, so thanks to Canfield TM Sabine Bachler for that!

After I arrived in Salzburg I spent one night there and had a chance to go to Red Bull Hanger 7! Yes that’s right, Hanger 7! It was pretty amazing to see it all there, planes, bikes, cars, you name it, they’ve got it. Which ever way you cut it, Red Bull is pretty awesome, I am stoked to be there friend ;)

This week Johann and myself have just been chilling out, unfortunately we have’nt had any  parts for the bikes yet so it has forced us to just rest out. We have just been doing some fitness training, thanks to John Wakefield @science2sport for setting up a programme for me over here. We got the news that all our parts from Kore, Sram and Maxxis have now arrived so on Tuesday we will be testing out the new ride! Whoooop whoooop! Cant wait, and just in time for the first IXS cup of the season in Monte Tamaro, Switzerland.

Unfortunately the Planai bike park here in Schladming only opens on May 25^th so riding will be a bit difficult here for the next month, we will have to do it the old fashioned way…. Shuttle! I cant wait to test all the new stuff on a proper downhill track here in Schladming and another bonus is that we have an Austrian cup here this here so watch out!

This season we will mostly be staying in Maria Ulrich’s apartment in Schladming so our lives here will be a lot easier! Its warm, has a kitchen a shower and toilet too…. so it’s a bit of an improvement from last year accommodation in the trusty camper…. Haha! One thing I do miss not having here is Seattle coffee and a Virgin Active to train at but hey, in a few years who knows?

Anyway, that’s it for now, there will be more updates as the season unfolds J

Thanks again to my awesome sponsors: Canfield Factory team, Seattle Coffee Co, Virgin Active, John Wakefield @science2sport, Leatt, Adidas eyewear, Evoc, Red Bull SA, Csixx and everyone else who supports me!

Short UK update

Wow!

Finally in the UK. The trip has fianlly started...

I got here on Saturday 31st March, so still feeling pretty fresh :)

I am staying with my aunt in Oxford and it has been a cool couple of days so far. I went for a short road ride yesterday, wow it was cold! So weird riding in sun shine but not really feeling your fingers. So far I have managed to get my van in to be fixed and road worthy etc. So I still have plenty of time, only heading over to Schladming on about the 14th of April, unfortunately not with the van, going to have to let her go.... so I will be flying there at least :)

I am so ready for this season, cant wait to get to Austria now, I want to test out the new Oneal gear and new baby fully built up ;) Also ampd to test out the new Canfield yelly screamy 29er, oh yeah, finally going to dominate at xc haha.... Now I can train properly in season too thanks to John Wakefield.

I must when you travel with great luggage like Evoc and Leatt it really makes life easier although I still dont know how I am going to get 2 bikes and all my luggage home with me come September?? Its going to be interesting!


Anyway, thats it for now, another update will come after I get settled in Schladming....
Untill then...

Thanks to: Canfield factory team, Leatt, Adidas eyewear, Seattle coffee co, Virgin Active, Evoc, John Wakefield, Flexfit, Red Bull and Csixx, you guys make my life much easier!

new sponsor #4 and #5 for 2012

Thankyou very much for the support in 2012! check out: www.flexfit.co.za for some awesome headwear or email John@science2sport.com if you want to get in shape!

Pietermaritzburg World Cup Race Report

Hi all!

I am so happy right now, yesterday we finally picked up our new Canfields and gear from Oneal!

Getting back to the WC, we left last Tuesday for Piertmaritzburg and as per usuall there was drama...
First of all, never fly anywhere after the Argus cycle tour! Before we left from CPT they told us our bikes would'nt make it to PMB before Friday! That was not on, so we tried to sort it out but it was taking so long and we had to fly, there were 6 of us, myself, Pottie, Darryn, Tamara, Christian and Tommy. I had safely boarded the plane while the rest were still checking there bikes in! It took so long, they delayed the plane for them and they were sprinting to make it on board, thankfully they all made it with no bikes.

When we got to PMB we all spoke to the Mango customer service and managed to get them to send the bikes up on the last flight at 19:40, it was 12:45 at this stage.... this meant a long wait. Finally they all arrived except for darryns bike. They did deliver it the next day though.

We had a rough start but we were finally settled in at the Brownings and were really excited about the track. Pottie and myself decided that we were going to hit the gully and tables first run which might not have been the best idea as we both came up way short! We did get them 2nd run and I got the money maker 3rd run. I was feeling good and really happy to dialled with the jumps as there were a lot of riders struggling with them.

With 8 runs under my belt it was time for qualifying.... I was really excited and tense at the same time, I knew I had the speed, I just did'nt want to crash.  Thankfully I had a great run and ended up 55th which was my first ever world cup qualification in downhill! I was so pumped!

On the Saturday we watched the XC and just did 2 runs in the morning, I did'nt want to get tired for the final on Sunday, it was a long track. On Saturday afternoon it poured down with rain, I thought it was going to be comedy show case on Sunday. I picked up my new Dbx Pro from Leatt which cheerd me up! Luckily we woke up to warm dry weather,I did 2 runs in the morning which were a bit slippery but not as bad as I thought so I was ready for the final.

I wanted to improve my position from qualifying so I pushed hard, I had a good run, 4 sec faster than qualifyling but only good enough for 54th, one place better. I was happy because I was only 2 sec off the top 40. This is a great start to the year and a huge confidence booster for me! John Wakefield knows how to get you in shape!
Also just imagin what I would've done with a Canfield and a dropper seat post :)

I want to thank my awesome sponsors who make this possible, Canfield Factory team, Seattle Coffee Co, Leatt, Virgin Active, Csixx, Adidas eyewear, Evoc and Red Bull ZA!

I would also like to thank my parents, the Browning famliy and Avis Van Rental for the help and support in PMB!

Untill next time...

New Sponsor #3 for 2012

Thanks so much to Evoc for the support in 2012! Check out http://www.hullabaloo.co.za/ for more info.

Pre - Pietermaritzburg update

Hi all,

Its been a hectic few weeks prepping for the first world cup of the season!

I have been training hard with John Wakefield and feeling strong at the moment, can't wait to hit that N3 at PMB :). At the moment I have Tamara Ulrich staying with me, she is out here from Austria to do the world cup. I also had Christian Textor and Tommy Herman staying with me over the weekend, they are here from Germany for the world cup so its been pretty busy. Espesially when you have to wait at the airport for 4 hours to get your luggage with no bikes.... trrust South Africa to get it wrong, haha.

We have been doing loads of dh as well, had some sick rides at Tokai and Contermans, although the pushing up really sucked at Contermans, wow, cant wait for chair lifts!
Pottie and myself have been riding together quite a bit lately and doing some dirt jumps sessions too, we went to the Night harvest which was awsesome thanks to Jonty and the boys. Also been booking flights and cars etc for the WC, what a mission, nothings easy it seems. A couple of days ago I took Tamara to the Virgin Active with me and they would'nt let her in without seeing here passport... haha, eventually we managed to make a plan.

This week I am super excited because our bikes are supposed to arrive so lets keep those fingers crossed! Cant wait to swing a leg over the Canfield, wow, what a bike! I am also doing another shuttle day at Paarl this weekend for those inertested and hopefully I will be riding on the new machine ;D

We fly out to PMB on Tuesday so closing stages now, it feels like just yesterday I was getting back from Europe and now its starting all over again. The only difference is that I am fit, have awesome new sponsors and am ready to start winning races!

Thats it for now, just a big shout out to the Canfield Factory team, Leatt, Seattle Coffee Co, Virgin Active, Csixx, Evoc, Adidas eyewear and Red Bull for making this year possible!

News paper articles - Argus and Paarl Post

I must have done something right because I seem to be in the paper quite often :D

Big shout out to my sponsors - Red Bull SA, Leatt, Canfield Factory team, Seattle Coffee Co, Virgin Active, Csixx and Adidas eyewear!

RSA National DHI series rd.1 - Contermans Kloof

On the 11th/12th of February 2012 we had the First round of the national DHI series which was held in the Western Cape.

It was a great turn out of over 80 riders! The track was dry and dusty as always even after some rain on the friday night. I was loving the track and got in 7 runs on Saturday, I felt good and fast, I was ready to race on Sunday. It was really cool to do some riding with the up country guys, just 1 crash for the day so not too shabby.

On the Sunday I got in 2 runs early and felt good for the seeding run at 10am. I started my seeding run and was having a fast flowing run when suddenly I hit something hard and got a rear flat. I was dissapointed but new that it didnt count and I had my final coming up so I wasnt too bothered. An interesting fact was that Andrew and Jonty Neethling also both had flats in their run so we were all starting first in the finals.

Mean while, Johann Potgieter had a great run and was sitting in first 4 sec clear of anyone else. I got back to the pits and imediately started to fix my bike, I got a bit of a shock when I saw my rim, it had a massive dent in the side where I hit a rock. I was really worried that the tire wouldnt stay on so I used zip ties to reinforce the rim as I didnt have a spare.

So it was finals time and I was just hoping that my rim would hold. Before I knew it I was on track and on a flyer run, I was hitting all my lines smoothly and railing the turns, I landed the road gap and tried to no brake the section after which was a bad idea. I hit a bump too hard which caused me to lose control and I went straight over the birm and into the bushes, I thought I was going down but luckily I managed to stay up. I rolled back onto the track but lost a lot of speed and it was also the fastest section of track so I couldnt make up that time. I got  going again and took it easy through the next section and then pushed hard which lead me to a time of 2:11:91 which was good enough for 3rd.

I am dissapointed with the fact that I made the mistake but I am also greatfull that I managed to keep it upright and still get a podium. I am also pleased with how close I was even with the big mistake. I know I am going to win one of these days, I just need things to go my way for a change. Congrats to my friend and team mate, Johann Potgiter for getting the win in the end over myself and Andrew Neethling!

A big thanks to my sponsors, Canfield Factory team, Red Bull, Leatt, Adidas eyewear, Csixx, Seattle Coffee Co and Virgin Active. You guys rock!

Top 5 times:

1. Johann Potgieter - 2:07:46
2. Andrew Neethling - 2:08:62
3. Stefan Garlicki - 2:11:90
4. Tiaan Odendaal - 2:12:17
5. Jonty Neethling - 2:12:21

Paarl Post article 2012

Here is an article that was in the Paarl Post last week.

I love the photo.

Avis Van Rental DH Challenge 2012

Wow! What a start to the year!

This last weekend was my event which I organised, the Avis Van Rental DH Challenge. I wanted to make the event the best ever and I feel I achieved that, it all ran smoothly, we had loads of spectators and everyone enjoyed it.
I was a little dissapointed with lack of entries, it was a big drop from last year but it was still a great event. I was also competing and still wanted to win. I knew it would be tough with Needles and pottie there, but I felt good and was keen to start the year with a bang!

First up was a seeding run, I tried to keep it smooth and not make mistakes which I did, I had a good run which had me in 3rd 0.54 off Johann Potgieter in 1st. I knew I had a bit more in the tank for the final so I was happy. The coarse was awesome, probably the best its ever been, it was more grippy than usuall and I was loving it!
I was pretty tired after all the setting up for the past 2 days and organising etc, it made it difficult to focus on the race but I gave it my best. In the final I knew I had to push to the max if I wanted to win. I started of very well by hitting the top section faster than the seeding run, I felt good and pushed harder than before. I came into the bottom section a bit too fast and over shot  a corner which cost me time and then I made a few small errrors in the last few turns which also cost me time.  I came over the line in 3rd again, 0.38 slower than the seeding run which was dissapointed seeing that I started off quicker but thats racing, sometimes you push slightly too hard and make mistakes.

I am still please to be so close to Andrew Neethling, the 3 of us ended up only 0.88 seconds apart in the final which was awesome.

I think this is a good start to 2012 and I cant wait to get to Europe and start representing team Canfield Bros! I would just like to give a big shout out to my great sponsors for 2012, The Canfield factory team, Seattle Coffee co, Virgin Active, Evoc, Leatt, Adidas eyewear, Csixx and Red Bull!

The top 5:
1st Andrew Neethling - 1:48:10
2nd Johann Potgieter - 1:48:50
3rd Stefan Garlicki - 1:48:98
4th Jonty Neethling - 1:52:20
5th Adi VD Merwe - 1:52:92

Cape Argus article

I would like to give a big thanks to Derek Wilsnagh and Ewald Sadie for this article in the Cape Argus, it also covers the Avis Van rental Downhill challenge which is great!

2012 RACE SCHEDULE

04.02 - 05.02 Avis Van Rental Downhill Challenge - RSA, Paarl
11.02 - 12.02 SA National dh series round 1 - RSA, Contermanskoof

17.03 - 18.03   UCI World cup DHI 1 - Pietermaritzburg

28.04 - 29.04   iXS European Downhill Cup - Monte Tamaro

26.05 - 27.05   iXS European Downhill Cup - Leogang
02.06 - 03.06   UCI World Cup DHI 2 - Val Di Sole
09.06 - 10.06   UCI World Cup DHI 3 - Fort William
16.06 - 17.06   iXS European Downhill Cup - Innerleithen

07.07 - 08.07   iXS German Downhill Cup - Illmenau

21.07 - 22.07   South African DHI national championships - Mankele
28.07 - 29.07   UCI World Cup DHI 6 - Val d'Isere'
04.08 - 05.08   iXS European Downhill Cup - Pila Gressan
11.08 - 12.08   iXS European Downhill Cup - Spicak

25.08 - 26.08   Power - Downhill Race Mautern, Austria
31.08 - 02.09   UCI World Championships DHI/4X - Leogang
08.09 - 09.09   iXS European Downhill Cup - Chatel
14.09 - 15.09   UCI World Cup DHI 7 - Hafjell
22.09 - 23.09   iXS European Downhill Cup - Todtnau

New Sponsor #2 for 2012

Thanks so much to @seattlecoffeeco for the support in 2012!

Gum trails session!

Awesome session at the trails in prime conditions!

New sponsor #1 for 2012

Im so happy to be representing Virgin Active in 2012, thankyou for this opportunity!

My event I am running in February 2012

- Reg opens at 09:30 on Sat 4 Feb, Practice from 10:00 untill 16:00.
- Practice on 5 Feb from 08:30 untill 09:30, racing starts at 10:00.
- R7000 in prize money available plus great product prizes!
- Sponsors: Avis Van Rental, Leatt, Red Bull, Csixx and Unit clothing.
- Be there!

Pink Bike article by Ewald Sadie Photography

Thanks to ESP for the awesome write up!

http://esphotography.pinkbike.com/blog/Rider-profile-Stefan-Garlicki.html