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Stephen Fowler

@stephenfowler12

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Owner of OTR Designs, custom cycling clothing manufacturer. @otr_designs
Life long cycling nut

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It has been a little over 3½ years since I last rolled onto a start line.

With little to no actual training, I wasn't intending to do anything other than enjoy the day on the bike in support of my local @hobbyparktrails
They really put in hard work to get this event off the ground.

For the first time I had no real expectations or nerves as I went through my morning getting everyone (all of 1 person and 4 legged kids 🤣) ready for their day, and headed off down the road, parked and walked up to race registration quite relaxed.

Funny how old familiar routines kick in, number on, tyre pressure check, shoes, heart rate monitor, jersey, helmet, glasses, gels, bottle, then jump on the bike to warm the legs up.
It wasn't long before I had to start fighting that little voice while constantly reminding myself I was just there to enjoy it, which was great until I rolled onto the start line and that race switch went off in my head, damn thing is a pest.

One glance and I spotted Nathan and knew it was going to be him and I in the hurt box.
Within the first km we had opened a gap, but a couple chirps and laughs later we both settled into a nice tempo while yacking away having a laugh.
It was very chilled for a race situation, we traded turns on the front, and in a typical lack of self preservation I bombed down the decents (home ground advantage, or stupidity, still undecided) and Nathan would quickly catch back up after.

Hobby is honestly one of the most genuine MTB trails around, its not perfectly manecured but real mountain biking, it manages to make you feel like you are miles from civilisation. Bonus that its 4km from my front door. Mmm mmm girlfriend.

8-10 km to go and no real warning, my whole body just said "I will make you feel thy laziness human" and Nathan dropped me like buttered toast. Vision shaking like I was holding a phone on vibrate to my nose (now now children, leave my nose out of this, its good aerodynamics ok 🤣) I ticked over as best I could to the line.

Somehow poached
2nd Overall
1st Vet (bliksem, when did that happen, vets catagory was the old ballies 🤦‍♂️)

@nathan._atkins
Its rare to see talent and humbleness like yours 👊 great ride taken in Hobby Park by @stephenfowler12

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a year ago

Titanium
@otr_designs

#cycling
#cyclinglife
#cyclingapparel by @stephenfowler12

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a year ago

Cape epic trippers..... here we come.
Day 1 by @stephenfowler12

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2 years ago

As I sit and listen to the humming of the day unfolding around me and step back to start taking stock of this wonderful journey that has laid itself at my feet, I suddenly feel the void that you have left hit me. How simple a thing it would be to pick up the phone and tell you all about it, the highs, the trials and the immense joy that comes with it all.
Today, the miles on the bike are lonlier without you around to tell, but the smiles and memories, with all the lessons you taught me grow brighter as your faults fade away and I'm left with a reminder of how valuable our short time together was. You are missed ❤️ by @stephenfowler12

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

Solo miles in August.

There is not much else that I find builds physical and mental toughness quite like doing long miles in August.
One is never just the hammer or the nail, its the constand ebb and flow of feeling great and struggling against the winds.

Its the continual adjustment you make to a bike moving more than normal.
Its the relentless force on the pedals and learning to spin in the headwinds rather than grind.
Its knowing that when you turn, there are no more free miles.
Its the back and forth of your mind working out which way to go to get the most tail wind on the way home.
Its giving in to the suffering, without quitting.

It is here you harness toughness.

#augustcycling #headwind #cyclinglife by @stephenfowler12

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2 years ago

Getting beyond the noise.
#openroads #painistemporary #findrest by @stephenfowler12

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2 years ago

Every time I put these shoes on, I wonder, What took me so long to get myself into a pair of these LAKE 302s. They are just next level.
#lakeshoes #lakecycling #cyclingstyle by @stephenfowler12

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2 years ago

Assembly the crew for the weekend pedals
Time to explore, sweat, and enjoy the thrill and freedom.
#WeekendRides #CyclingAdventures #RideTogether" by @stephenfowler12

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2 years ago

December miles couldn't have started better.

I've been counting the days for these to arrive. @lakecyclingsa addiction is a real thing.

@lakecyclingsa_kim
@its_dab_kat

#cycling #lakeshoes #otrdesigns #kitdoping #shoegame #roadcycling #whiteshoes #cyclingstyle #cyclinglife #ontherivet by @stephenfowler12

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3 years ago

I absolutely love these new Formoso bib shorts and Marble base layer by @otr_designs

Perks of getting to do new product testing.

#cyclinglife #liveontherivet #cyclingstyle #cyclingvideos #mtbvideo #southafrica #mtbsouthafrica #cyclingaddict #cycling #otrdesigns #mtb #mtblife #mountainbike #bikelife #fromwhereiride #otrdesigns #nothingfeelsbetter #roadcycling #baselayer #keepmoving #summervibes by @stephenfowler12

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3 years ago

Bon voyage my buddy, so many incredible rides together and so many unforgettable memories.

I wish you all the best and many more happy miles until we hit the trails together again one day 👊

#otrdesigns #onlycustomwilldo #kitdoping #customcyclingkit #cyclingkit #cyclingapparel #cyclinggear #cyclinglife #cyclist #cyclingaddict #cyclingstyle # #liveontherivet #mtb #mtbsouthafrica #mountainbike #crew #family #findyourtribe #southafrica #mtblife #cyclinglove #cyclingphotos #cyclingwithfriends

@11xris by @stephenfowler12

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3 years ago