I spent my formative triathlon years idealizing Conrad Stoltz, the races he did, the stories told on return to Stellenbosch, and the bikes he rode to success. It made for an ingrained affection and infatuation for anything Specialized; including the old "hand-me-down's" - but above all, a desire to be Specialized someday and race the best in biking equipment.

I now find myself two years down the full time fool lifestyle, and on board the S-Works express. Its been a dream - one that keeps me based in Stellenbosch, South Africa for most the year, and Truckee in California, when over in the USA. I'll do a second year focussed on the Xterra USA Series, and take stock thereafter.