One of South Africa’s most decorated all-rounders, Hanlie Booyens has been riding bikes for most of her life. Besides being a two-time winner of the Absa Cape Epic, a national mountain-biking champ and a road-racing international, Booyens has also completed 16 Old Mutual Wealth Double Century events – more than most.

Booyens first raced the DC in 2000, finishing the 200km course in 8 hours 49 minutes. Thereafter she competed with the best teams, and won the women’s division twice. But in the past few years, Booyens has changed her focus: from being at the sharp end of the field to building a team of like-minded riders, who have become close friends as a result.

“It’s almost like a book club,” she says with a smile. “We’re a team, but we’re also regular friends away from the cycling, and there’s tremendous camaraderie. We probably drink way too much wine the night before the race, but there’s always plenty of laughter, even when we’re suffering.”

 “If a rider is riding off the front, we’ll get them to go back and help the riders struggling at the back, particularly on the climbs.”

“For my 50th birthday last year we rode in the Cederberg, as a bunch of girls. It was really bonding.”

Booyens’ team has been sponsored by Tiletoria over the last few years, and their race-day motto is all about getting every team member across the finish line in a time of between six and seven hours.

“The DC is a proper challenge – I know people who only do the DC, and don’t ride any other events. There’s something special about the team environment. In our team, we’re such good friends, and everyone respects each other.” 

Booyens believes that while many of the men’s teams struggle to stay together as egos get in the way, the women’s teams are far better at being a unit and helping each other.

“If a rider is riding off the front, we’ll get them to go back and help the riders struggling at the back, particularly on the climbs. On hills like Op de Tradouw, we try and keep the team condensed, and make sure the stronger riders don’t pull the team apart. Everyone knows that the team has their back; we’ll never ride away from anyone.”

The team spirit is often most evident as they head up the final climb and cross the finish line.

“We often cross the line crying and hugging, and just being thankful for the experience. That always makes me happy.”

The Prep

Training for the DC is tricky for the Tiletoria team, as all the members have busy family lives and jobs. But Booyens aims to get the team together in the build-up for at least two or three proper rides of 150 to 175km.

“We try and keep it fun – we choose a nice route, and practise our paceline. It’s also a chance for us to catch up; doing the DC is always an acceptable excuse away from family commitments to go out on a ride! 

“For most of us the DC weekend is also a good chance to get away for the weekend, as a group of girls. It’s how we roll. After the race, we normally have a social braai at our shared guesthouse. And drink way too much wine [again].”

The Team Tactics

“Make sure there’s a captain who sets the tone for the ride, and keeps a check on how everyone is feeling. We run a double paceline where each rider rides next to someone else, then we rotate off the front in pairs, rather than a single. That way, everyone has a person of similar strength with them, and there’s always someone looking after you.”

“Within the team, I tend to be the strict one; but then we have a rider like Jane Seggie, who has a much softer side. Jane has a great EQ – you need both types of people in the team.”

“Ego is the biggest problem with many teams in DC. Too many riders want to pull the team apart, when they should rather sit at the back and help the others. Too many think they’re showing how strong they are – don’t be that idiot!”

“We only stop at the two official neutral zones, in Ashton and Bonnievale. You can carry bottles and nutrition for 100km. But we use the stops well, and use all the free time that the neutral zone allows. We usually stuff our pockets with food, have a team talk, and off we go again.”

“Most of us aren’t that keen on gels, so we try and eat real food, like baby potatoes, chocolate milk, muffins and bananas; and there’s always a bit of Coke and a naughty can of Red Bull at the second stop for that little caffeine boost.”

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