Training in Stellenbosch
July 24th, 2007 by Dan Hugo
Stellenbosch Vineyards
Can vividly recall begging my folks years ago for their blessing and support to relocate to The Bosch, as it’s affectionately known by those privileged by its realm, to pursue my sporting dreams. Now more than six years hence, I can call it home.
Stellenbosch is situated less than half an hour from Cape Town, yet is genetically woven of a different fabric. Despite plenty peripheral expansions, the heart of town remains a youthful vibrancy of a university town, mixed with the wealthy elite who can afford its cappuccino street side culture.
Its legacy lies engrained in my Homeland, South Africa, from the early days of Dutch settlers, and named after governor of the Cape Colony, Simon van der Stell, after he camped a night on an forested island in the Eerste River. Later becoming the pride of South African winelands, the origin of apartheid intellectualism, the birth of many rugby greats, and more recently, a microcosm of the new rainbow nation. It is as unique as those walking its streets, as varied as those who frequent its Church Street café’s, and intrinsically a town as stunning as the mountains keeping watch over its life’s path.
I was lured to Stellenbosch for one of it lesser known renown’s though, the triathlon training environment it has cultivated over its years. In nature a small intimate town, and more user friendly to outdoor based athletes. Its nestled between mountains, has fantastic weather climate, has access to many university facilities, miles and miles of gravel and grass to train on, forests on either side, indoor 25m and outdoor 33m pools, tartan track adjacent to pool, topped with brilliant physio’s and masseuse’.
Its been a base for some greats. On its streets I’ve personally seen Simon Lessing, Kelly Holmes, Mario Cipollini, Erik Zabel, Tim Don, Team Telekom, Specialized Factory mtb Team, Lothar Leder, numerous European track and field teams, as well as most local stars. Most recently Tim Don and Christoph Sauser are two I’d like to note. Both currently at the top of the triathlon and mountain biking scene, and both annually choose Stellenbosch as part of their build up.
Christoph Sauser riding in Jonkershoek forest
Too many bits and pieces of the town I call home I’ve taken for granted, and perhaps only more recently, while traveling and training abroad have my eyes opened to the deserved appreciation I ought to have. Whether its quiet roads, its miles of kept grass, its forests of trails, all a stones throw from my door step. The youth and vibrance of town, the positive energy its transcends to all, the fine wine from its surrounds, simply makes a hub many couldn’t dream of. Those in the know, refer to it as the bubble.
From a foreigners point of view, the affordability of South Africa in Stellenbosch, despite cost of living being comparatively high by South African standards, makes for an affordable Southern hemisphere training base during their winter training block.
Swimming in Stellenbosch at high level is Pierre De Roubaix, swim[at]sun.ac.za, the head coach of the university swim squad. Although joining his often over subscribed swim sessions would be ideal for any triathlete in Stellenbosch, there is plenty lane time to spare. And with the prospect of a 50m indoor pool to be completed by year end, swimming in The Bosch is from the top drawer.
On the riding front, there are numerous exits out of town, some flat, some rolling, one climbing, and all can be looped to form a network of safe picturesque roads. The most infamous long ride, called Four Passes, is a 4h30 loop linking a few surrounding towns, as well as their finest pastry’s and coffee, and is a must. Mountain biking in Stellenbosch is equally great, with the crown jewel in the Jonkershoek reserve. Fantastic variation in technical terrain over miles of well maintained single track in pine forests and local fynbos vegetation.
Running is unrivaled for terrain and choice and convenience. Fields of university sports ground grass, making a 30min lap, is an asset few places have, and even better, starting from off the grass, is a hill side of jeep trails on all gradients. Jonkershoek has great scope for long runs and change of scenery, and is only an 8km drive out of the CBD. The track is in good shape, and never too full for some good quality.
Jonkershoek
Treatment is really affordable. Francois Retief, based at the University gym, is a world class masseuse, and at R150 (16 Euro) an hour, is too good to be true. Benita de Wit, the most incredible physio, the sole reason for Kelly Holmes purchasing a home in Stellenbosch, is based in the centre of town as well.
I suggest insisting on staying in town central, as close to Coetzenburg as possible, as this makes the pool, track, grass, grocery shopping, internet and coffee shops, all within walking distance. So too the clubs if tempted for a ‘Klein Saterdag’ (small Saturday) which is a Wednesday night, the biggest night of the week, for some social with students.
Hope to see you on the trails some summer morning, or in the outdoor pool wishing you were on the grass lounging for a tan, or on a climb with vineyards on either side.
