Bicycling

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Bicycling editor Mike Finch is due ride the Coronation Double Century on November 27 together with some real celebs. But on Monday actress and model Vanessa Haywood was forced to withdraw much to the horror, and humour, of Bicycling's own Phat Cyclist...

Below is the interchange of emails between our team after the announcement that the beautiful Vanessa Haywood will be unable to compete after hurting her knee in her preparation for the Coronation Double Century.

We suggest you read from the bottom up (just like a real email):

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On 06 Sep 2010, at 3:16 PM, PhatCyclist wrote:

That is horrid news, Vanessa. Please come anyway, you'll love it.

It's the after-party that makes it. Nine hours on a bike and then four hours in the classy and sophisticated Full Stop in Swellendam watching the Boks play England at Twickers. Last time I was there it was a belter. Eight hours and 49 minutes on a bike, driven to the Full Stop and as we parked we spied a braai burning lustily on top of a Land Rover outside. A decidedly rough-looking chick stopped me at the door and asked if I was a cyclist. I said yes. She told to me give her R10. I did. I'm from the East Rand. I've been bliksemed by rough chicks before. She came back with a Hansa. She was the owner. She did this several more times during the match. Her brother-in-law made space for me near the TV by grabbing his other brother-in-law by the balls. I stayed away from him. I'm from the East Rand. There are no homosexuals on the East Rand (except for us moffie soccer players and cyclists). There are also very few homo sapiens on the East Rand, now I come to think of it.

My knee is giving me gyp, too, and I'm wondering if it's more than just fluid. No ice necessary - well, except for the ice in the whiskey. I rode yesterday and today, and had a few twinges, so I should be okay. I was daft and didn't rest it when it first got sore a month ago and lived on voltaren and some pills that felt like horse tranqualisers for a month (which reminds me, David Bellairs puts cow teat cream on his bottom for the race. He says it numbs his butt. That's a lot of teat cream. he buys three tubes at a time).

I reckon you should be given the title of the holder of the anti- inflammatories for the DC.

So, please come. You'll have a jol and be inspired for next year.

Cheers
Phat

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On 06 Sep 2010, at 1:06 PM, vanessa wrote:

Hi everyone,

Just a quick email from my car in the parking lot at Constantiaburg Medi-Clinic... I have very sad news, post MRI. I have just been to see my Sports Physician, Dr. Suter for my MRI reading and final diagnosis and prognosis on my knee.

I have serious bone bruising which is now causing multiple complications because of my attempts at training. Dr. Suter has booked me off from competing until December. He has said he will re- evaluate my rehab progress 4 weeks from now but I am not allowed to train which removes me from not only Double Century but also 4 Peaks and Wines 2 Whales.

I was actually in agony yesterday after our ride and spent the afternoon icing my knee! I am beyond disappointed but there is nothing I can do. I have battled for 10 weeks with this injury now as I have been both training and competing with it and therefore not making much progress due to no rest.

Please accept this as my withdrawal from Double Century as well as my deepest apologies! I'd still love to be a part of the race in which ever way I can, so let me know if I can fit in any where.

I have attached Dr. Suter's medical letter.

Have an awesome week!

Regards
Vanessa

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